Abstract: A system and method for vessel catheterization is provided, having an introducer sheath and a catheter. The introducer sheath can include a handle and a sheath body extending from the handle. An access lumen is provided in the introducer sheath, and can include a tapered portion that is sized to receive a tapered outer surface of the catheter. The catheter may be a central venous catheter, such as a peripherally inserted central catheter, including a hub, a catheter body with at least one lumen extending distally from the hub, and at least one tube extending proximally from the hub. The introducer sheath is preferably a splittable sheath. The catheter can be inserted into the access lumen, and translated until confronting surfaces of the tapered outer surface of the catheter body and the tapered portion of the introducer sheath contact one another. This arrangement can inhibit buckling and/or kinking of the catheter during insertion, and improve initial catheter tip positioning.

Abstract: A method for occluding a body vessel in a patient to block or reduce blood flow therethrough includes puncturing a blood vessel wall at a proximal vessel entry site with a hollow needle and extending the needle through the proximal entry site into the vessel lumen. The needle is extended through the vessel lumen and extended through the vessel wall at a distal vessel exit site into the extravascular space surrounding the distal vessel exit site. An expandable biocompatible material, such as expandable extracellular matrix (ECM) material, is then ejected though the distal end of the needle into the extravascular space. Then, while continuing to eject the expandable biocompatible plug material, the distal end of the needle is retracted back through the distal vessel exit site into the vessel lumen, such that the plug material continuously extends between the extravascular space surrounding the distal vessel exit site into the vessel lumen.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for removing thrombus outside of a hemodialysis. The hemodialysis catheter comprises an elongate shaft comprising a plurality of lumens. A first lumen has a first distal port. The first lumen is configured for the flow of a fluid in a first direction. A second lumen has a second distal port proximal to the first distal port. The second lumen is configured for the flow of the fluid in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A third lumen has a third distal port proximal to the second distal port. An elongate device is disposed through the third lumen. The elongate device has an operable member on a distal end or a device to connect to an operable member disposed on the elongate shaft. The operable member is configured to engage and remove thrombus from an exterior surface on the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A balloon catheter and method of use of the balloon catheter are described that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosed region within a body vessel. The balloon catheter is provided with at least one wire that extends between a distal member and a proximal member. The distal member is fixedly attached to the catheter shaft, and the proximal member is slidably disposed along the outer diameter of the shaft. Inflation of the balloon causes the proximal member and the proximal end of the wire attached thereto to distally move along the shaft. Movement of the wire in the distal direction enables subsequent angioplasty to be performed. Deflation of the balloon causes the proximal member and the proximal end of the wire to proximally move along the shaft after completion of the angioplasty procedure.

Abstract: An elongate element, in particular a catheter, has a curved shape imparted to its end by a device comprising razor blades which are mounted on a pivotal linkage mechanism. Upon pressing actuator members against the restoring force of spring elements, the razor blades are constrained by the pivotal linkage mechanism to follow a desired curved path.

Abstract: An endobronchial blocker catheter for use in blocking a selected mainstem bronchus under guidance of a bronchoscope. The endobronchial blocker catheter comprises a tubular assembly and an elongated body that receives the tubular assembly. The tubular assembly comprises a tubular member and a loop disposed at a distal end of the tubular member. The loop is sized such that the bronchoscope is passable through the loop. The elongated body has a plurality of lumens therein, and an inflatable blocker balloon disposed about a distal portion of the elongated body. One of the lumens extends to an interior of the balloon to accomplish inflation of the balloon for retaining the blocker catheter in the mainstem bronchus, and another lumen is sized for receiving the tubular assembly in a manner such that the loop extends from a distal end of the elongated body. The blocker catheter is guided by the bronchoscope to the desired inflation site via the loop.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a multi-lumen catheter and fluid supply apparatus for supplying fluid to said multi-lumen catheter. The fluid supply apparatus includes an inlet element for coupling to a supply of catheter fluid, a plurality of fluid outlet elements arranged to be each coupled to a respective lumen of the catheter and a flow splitter arranged between the inlet element and the outlet elements. The flow splitter is able to split or divert flow of fluid from the inlet to at least one of the plurality of outlets. For this purpose, the preferred embodiment includes a gate for directing fluid flow to one or more of the outlet elements. There may also be provided a diffuser and a nozzle.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device for occluding a body cavity. The device includes a tubular scaffold extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The scaffold is formed from a plurality of interconnected and articulated members configured to self-expand into an open configuration. A plurality of barbs extend from the articulated members, each barb including an anchoring end. The anchoring end is disposed radially outward from the scaffold in the open configuration and adapted to embed into the cavity walls. A radially expandable substance is disposed within a device lumen. The substance is configured to promote body tissue growth within the body cavity to occlude the body cavity. In one example, the body cavity includes a patent foramen ovale.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device for occluding a body cavity. The device includes an elongate member having an inflation lumen, an occlusion lumen, and a first portion extending distally from a proximal end and a second portion extending distally from the first portion to the distal end. An inflatable proximal balloon is disposed about the first portion and an inflatable distal balloon is disposed about the second portion. The inflation lumen is configured to inflate at least one of the balloons. The occlusion lumen is configured to introduce an occlusive material into the body cavity by way of an occlusion port located between the two balloons to occlude the body cavity. In some examples, the body cavity includes a patent foramen ovale.