Abstract: Two renal delivery members have two distal ports that are adapted to be positioned within two renal arteries via their corresponding renal ostia at unique locations along an abdominal aortic wall. A proximal coupler assembly is outside the body and is coupled to deliver material to the two distal ports for bi-lateral renal therapy. One or both of the delivery members may be self-cannulating into the corresponding renal ostium, or may be controllably steered into the respective ostium. Non-occlusive anchors may be coupled with one or both of the delivery members at anchoring positions in the renal artery or abdominal aorta to secure the renal delivery member within the renal artery. Renal-active fluid agents are coupled to the bi-lateral delivery system. Another renal therapy system cannulates a renal vein from the vena cava and controls a retrograde delivery of agents to the respective kidney.

Abstract: Two renal delivery members have two distal ports that are adapted to be positioned within two renal arteries via their corresponding renal ostia at unique locations along an abdominal aortic wall. A proximal coupler assembly is outside the body and is coupled to deliver material to the two distal ports for bi-lateral renal therapy. One or both of the delivery members may be self-cannulating into the corresponding renal ostium, or may be controllably steered into the respective ostium. Non-occlusive anchors may be coupled with one or both of the delivery members at anchoring positions in the renal artery or abdominal aorta to secure the renal delivery member within the renal artery. Renal-active fluid agents are coupled to the bi-lateral delivery system. Another renal therapy system cannulates a renal vein from the vena cava and controls a retrograde delivery of agents to the respective kidney.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a branch blood vessel of a major blood vessel, generally comprising an elongated shaft having at least one lumen in fluid communication with an agent delivery port in a distal section of the shaft, an expandable tubular member on the distal section of the shaft, and a radially expandable member on the tubular member. The tubular member is configured to extend within the blood vessel up-stream and down-stream of a branch vessel, and has an interior passageway which is radially expandable within the blood vessel to separate blood flow through the blood vessel into an outer blood flow stream exterior to the tubular member and an inner blood flow stream within the interior passageway of the tubular member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a branch blond vessel of a major blood vessel comprises an elongated shaft having at least one lumen in fluid communication with an agent delivery port in a distal section of the shaft, an expandable tubular member on the distal section of the shaft, and a radially expandable member on the tubular member. The tubular member is configured to extend within the blood vessel up-stream and down-stream of a branch vessel, and has an interior passageway which is radially expandable within the blood vessel to separate blood flow through the blood vessel into an outer blood flow stream exterior to the tubular member and an inner blood flow stream within the interior passageway of the tubular member.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a branch blood vessel of a major blood vessel, generally comprising an elongated shaft having at least one lumen in fluid communication with an agent delivery port in a distal section of the shaft, an expandable tubular member on the distal section of the shaft, and a radially expandable member on the tubular member. The tubular member is configured to extend within the blood vessel up-stream and down-stream of a branch vessel, and has an interior passageway which is radially expandable within the blood vessel to separate blood flow through the blood vessel into an outer blood flow stream exterior to the tubular member and an inner blood flow stream within the interior passageway of the tubular member. The radially expandable member is located down-stream of the shaft agent delivery port, and has an expanded configuration with an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tubular member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering an angiogenic agent to a site within the heart. Either using a percutaneous, intraoperative or minimally invasive approach, an elongated member containing an angiogenic agent is guided to a heart wall and the agent is dispensed into heart tissue. Additional fluids or substances can be dispensed in combination with the angiogenic agent to provide visualization and site mapping. In certain embodiments, the angiogenic agent is delivered adjunctively with the administration of energy, such as laser energy or RF energy which disturbs the heart tissue sufficiently to enhance the effects of the angiogenic agent.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a branch blood vessel of a major blood vessel, generally comprising an elongated shaft having at least one lumen in fluid communication with an agent delivery port in a distal section of the shaft, an expandable tubular member on the distal section of the shaft, and a radially expandable member on the tubular member. The tubular member is configured to extend within the blood vessel up-stream and down-stream of a branch vessel, and has an interior passageway which is radially expandable within the blood vessel to separate blood flow through the blood vessel into an outer blood flow stream exterior to the tubular member and an inner blood flow stream within the interior passageway of the tubular member. The radially expandable member is located down-stream of the shaft agent delivery port, and has an expanded configuration with an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tubular member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter with an elongated tubular shaft with proximal, intermediate, and distal shaft sections for positioning a therapeutic or diagnostic device within a patient's body region such as a heart chamber. The intermediate shaft section has greater flexibility than the proximal or distal shaft sections, and is preferably of sufficient flexibility to easily assume the curvature of the patient's aortic arch, and reduce the force of contact between the catheter distal end and tissue defining the patient's body region to thereby reduce restriction on the rotation of the catheter. The flexible intermediate shaft section is preferably of a length to occupy a significant portion of the aortic arch, and the catheter overall length is preferably sufficient to have a catheter proximal extremity extending out of the patient and a distal extremity extending at least into an aortic passageway adjacent the patient's left ventricle.

Abstract: A delivery catheter system for delivering a substance delivery member into a patient's left ventricle which includes a first delivery catheter with a shaped distal extremity configured to be aligned with or parallel to a longitudinal axis or long dimension of the patient's left ventricle and a second delivery catheter slidably and rotatably disposed within an inner lumen of the first delivery catheter which has a shaped distal shaft section and an inner lumen configured to slidably receive a substance delivery member such as an elongated cannula slidably disposed within a polymer sheath. The shaped distal section of the first delivery catheter is shaped or is shapeable within the patient's heart chamber.

Abstract: An intracorporeal device generally having an elongate shaft with an asymmetric radiopaque marker disposed upon or within the distal end thereof. The radiopaque marker member enables the user to determine the orientation of the distal end of the device under fluoroscopic and similar imaging techniques. In certain embodiments the device is configured as a delivery catheter system having multiple delivery catheters, some or all of which may have radiopaque marker members disposed upon or within their distal ends. The delivery catheter system is configured in some embodiments to deliver an elongated diagnostic or therapeutic device to a desired location within a patient's heart.

Abstract: An optical fiber device for forming channels within a wall of a patient's heart, and particularly the epicardium, which has an elongated optical fiber, a probe tip secured to the distal end of the optical fiber and an outer support tube secured to the proximal portion of the probe tip and a distal portion of the optical fiber proximal to the probe tip. A handle is described for a flexible optical fiber device which greatly facilitates delivery of the distal end of the optical fiber device to a desired location on the exterior of a patient's heart.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter with an elongated tubular shaft with proximal, intermediate, and distal shaft sections for positioning a therapeutic or diagnostic device within a patient's body region such as a heart chamber. The intermediate shaft section has greater flexibility than the proximal or distal shaft sections, and is preferably of sufficient flexibility to easily assume the curvature of the patient's aortic arch, and reduce the force of contact between the catheter distal end and tissue defining the patient's body region to thereby reduce restriction on the rotation of the catheter. The flexible intermediate shaft section is preferably of a length to occupy a significant portion of the aortic arch, and the catheter overall length is preferably sufficient to have a catheter proximal extremity extending out of the patient and a distal extremity extending at least into an aortic passageway adjacent the patient's left ventricle.

Abstract: An laser device for forming channels within an outer wall of a patient's heart which has an elongated optical fiber, a lens or probe tip secured to the distal end of the optical fiber and means to limit the penetration of the probe tip or lens. Preferably, an outer support sleeve is secured to the proximal portion of the probe tip and a distal portion of the optical fiber proximal to the probe tip. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a helical coil is disposed between the distal portion of the optical fiber and the proximal portion of the probe tip to ensure a better bond therebetween, particularly when the optical fiber has a lubricous fluoropolymer coating.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter with an elongated tubular shaft with proximal, intermediate, and distal shaft sections for positioning a therapeutic or diagnostic device within a patient's body region such as a heart chamber. The intermediate shaft section has greater flexibility than the proximal or distal shaft sections, and is preferably of sufficient flexibility to easily assume the curvature of the patient's aortic arch, and reduce the force of contact between the catheter distal end and tissue defining the patient's body region to thereby reduce restriction on the rotation of the catheter. The flexible intermediate shaft section is preferably of a length to occupy a significant portion of the aortic arch, and the catheter overall length is preferably sufficient to have a catheter proximal extremity extending out of the patient and a distal extremity extending at least into an aortic passageway adjacent the patient's left ventricle.