Abstract: A catheter-based device for determining the radial expansion force required to displace an occlusion in a vessel located in a subject. The device comprises an elongate body defining proximal and distal termini. The body comprises a sheath that encloses a hollow lumen within, which extends along substantially the full length of the body. The proximal terminal region of the body comprises: a user-interfacing hub, the hub comprising a handle for maneuvering the body and configured for handling by an operator; a control interface for controlling the device; and a sensor configured to measure one or more parameters relevant to a force applied to the vessel by the device. The distal terminal region of the body comprises an expandable member movable between a retracted position, in which the expandable member is within the hollow lumen, and a deployed position, in which the expandable member is disposed beyond the distal terminus, and controllable via the control interface to expand radially.

Abstract: A stent system is provided comprising a primary stent for location in a lumen of a target vessel, such as a vein or artery that may be fully or partially occluded. The primary stent contacts a vessel wall and at least one secondary stent element is deployed wholly within the primary stent and configured to engage with the interior surface of the primary stent. The secondary stent element is configured to apply a chronic outward radial force to the interior surface of the primary stent so as to effect modification of or to resist change to an aspect ratio of the lumen of the target vessel at the location where the secondary stent element is deployed. In this way the secondary stent element cooperates with the primary stent to restore patency to the target vessel. Various configurations of the stent system are provided as well as deployment devices and methods of treating fully or partially occluded vessels.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a self-expanding stent device. The device comprises: an elongated body that defines a lumen within. The body has a first and a second terminus and a longitudinal axis located therebetween. The body comprises a first zone and a second zone along the longitudinal axis. When the device is in an expanded configuration the first zone has a first radial strength that is resistant to an external compressive force, and the second zone has a second radial strength that is resistant to an external compressive force. The radial strength of the first zone is greater than that of the second zone. The diameter of the body lumen proximal to the first terminus is greater than that of the lumen proximal to the second terminus.

Abstract: The invention provides biodegradable implants for treating sinusitis. The biodegradable implants have a size, shape, density, viscosity, and/or mucoadhesiveness that prevents them from being substantially cleared by the mucociliary lining of the sinuses during the intended treatment period. The biodegradable implants include a sustained release therapeutic, e.g., an antibiotic, a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, or both. The biodegradable implants may take various forms, such as rods, pellets, beads, strips, or microparticles, and may be delivered into a sinus in various pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation between a first body space and a second body space in a patient, such as to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: Described here are paranasal sinus devices for treating paranasal sinus conditions. The devices include a cavity member, ostial member, and nasal portion. One or more of the cavity member, ostial member, and nasal portion may deliver an active agent for sustained release to treat the paranasal sinus condition. Exemplary paranasal sinus conditions are sinus inflammation due to functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and rhinosinusitis.

Abstract: Described here are paranasal sinus devices for treating paranasal sinus conditions. The devices include a cavity member, ostial member, and nasal portion. One or more of the cavity member, ostial member, and nasal portion may deliver an active agent for sustained release to treat the paranasal sinus condition. Exemplary paranasal sinus conditions are sinus inflammation due to functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and rhinosinusitis.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating cardiac arrhythmia in a patient. The method comprises selecting a patient suffering from a cardiac arrhythmia and creating a flow pathway between a first vascular location and a second vascular location. The first vascular location comprises a source of arterial blood and the second vascular location comprises a source of venous blood. Systems and devices for creating a flow pathway are also provided.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the formation of an arteriovenous fistula in the limb of the patient. Embodiments include an apparatus for the creation, modification and maintenance of a fistula, including the modification of an existing dialysis fistula; and a method of supplying oxygenated blood to the venous circulation of a patient. A kit of anastomotic implants is described which supports a broad base of patient anatomies and fistula locations. The devices, systems and methods can be used to treat patients with one or more numerous ailments including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, hypotension, respiratory failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, lung fibrosis and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract: The invention provides biodegradable implants for treating sinusitis. The biodegradable implants have a size, shape, density, viscosity, and/or mucoadhesiveness that prevents them from being substantially cleared by the mucociliary lining of the sinuses during the intended treatment period. The biodegradable implants include a sustained release therapeutic, e.g., an antibiotic, a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, or both. The biodegradable implants may take various forms, such as rods, pellets, beads, strips, or microparticles, and may be delivered into a sinus in various pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation between a first body space and a second body space in a patient, such as to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation between a first body space and a second body space in a patient, such as to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The shunt rivet may be formed to have a central section, a proximal clinch section, and a distal clinch section each having one or more clinch members. These one or more clinch members may be trained to be resiliently biased to bend radially outwardly from the central section.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating arterial hypertension in a patient. The method comprises selecting a patient suffering from arterial hypertension and creating a flow pathway between a first vascular location and a second vascular location. The first vascular location comprises a source of arterial blood and the second vascular location comprises a source of venous blood. The method causes a reduction in diastolic pressure and a reduction in systolic pressure; and the reduction in diastolic pressure is to an extent at least approximating the reduction in systolic pressure. Systems and devices for creating a flow pathway are also provided.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The shunt rivet may be formed to have a central section, a proximal clinch section, and a distal clinch section each having one or more clinch members. These one or more clinch members may be trained to be resiliently biased to bend radially outwardly from the central section.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the formation of an arteriovenous fistula in the limb of the patient. Embodiments include a device for the creation, modification and maintenance of a fistula that includes an integral fistula creation assembly near its distal end that passes through the skin of the patient, through a first vessel such as an artery, and into a second vessel such as a vein. The fistula creation assembly preferably includes an anastomotic implant that is placed within the fistula to maintain long-term blood flow therethrough. The devices, systems and methods can be used to treat patients with one or more numerous ailments including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, hypotension, respiratory failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, lung fibrosis and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract: Provided is a system for creating an arteriovenous flow pathway in a patient, comprising: a vessel-to-vessel guidewire; a needle delivery device constructed and arranged to place the vessel-to-vessel guidewire from a starting vessel to a target vessel; a flow creation device constructed and arranged to be advanced over the vessel-to-vessel guidewire and to create a flow pathway between the starting vessel and the target vessel; and a stent for positioning in a vessel. At least one of the starting vessel or the target vessel is a vein, and the other of the starting vessel or the target vessel is an artery. The stent is constructed and arranged to be positioned in the vein and to at least one of prevent or treat venous stenosis.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the formation of an arteriovenous fistula in the limb of the patient. Embodiments include a device for the creation, modification and maintenance of a fistula that includes an integral fistula creation assembly near its distal end that passes through the skin of the patient, through a first vessel such as an artery, and into a second vessel such as a vein. The fistula creation assembly preferably includes an anastomotic implant that is placed within the fistula to maintain long-term blood flow therethrough. The devices, systems and methods can be used to treat patients with one or more numerous ailments including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, hypotension, respiratory failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, lung fibrosis and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.