Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for ablation therapy. A configurable ablation probe includes at least two electrodes, the surface areas of which can be manipulated and then fixed by the user. Some methods include adjusting the relative surface areas during a sequence of ablation steps to preferentially create lesions closer to one electrode or the other. Some methods include adjusting the position of one of the electrodes during therapy delivery to create elongated lesions.

Abstract: An occlusion device having a lumen defined therethrough and a saddle narrower than saddles of prior occlusion devices or stents to allow provision of an occlusion element with respect to a portion of the saddle to occlude flow of materials through the saddle. The inner diameter of the narrowed saddle may be 6 mm or less. The occlusion element may be formed from a material which plugs a portion of the occlusion device lumen extending through the saddle and/or which restrains a portion of the saddle from expanding thereby occluding flow of materials therethrough. The remainder of the saddle and/or inwardly facing surfaces of at least one retention member extending outwardly along an end of the saddle may be configured to promote tissue ingrowth, such as by remaining uncoated.

Abstract: A circuit and design for an analog front end is provided. The AFE includes a number of sub-stages each with multiple optional or alternative pathways to complete the circuit. These pathways can be dynamically set during runtime based on the type of imaging catheter used with the AFE or can be set at manufacturing.

Abstract: A percutaneous circulatory support device includes an impeller disposed within an impeller housing. The impeller is rotatable relative to the impeller housing to cause blood to flow through the percutaneous circulatory support device. The device further includes a liquid carrier carrying a liquid. The liquid carrier is rotatable relative to the impeller housing to cause the liquid to form outwardly extending menisci at a plurality of apertures of the liquid carrier.

Abstract: Shear-thinning biomaterial technology offers enables polymers and drugs loaded inside such polymers to be easily delivered directly through catheters into target area for use, for example, in cancer therapy and immunotherapy. When a force above a certain threshold is applied to inject such materials, they “thin” and behaves as a semi-solid, allowing the material to readily flow through a catheter. When the force is removed, the material instantly becomes a soft solid with significant cohesive properties that prevent it from dislodging or breaking up. We have developed novel shear-thinning biomaterials using spherical silica nanoparticles and gelatin-based polymers. Rheological tests confirm that these materials have excellent shear-thinning properties and further have improved material properties (e.g. improved stability profiles) as compared conventional materials available to medical professionals.

Abstract: A clip and a clip deployment and delivery system. The clip may be engaged with a clip spreader such that simple relative movement, such as sliding movement, between the clip and clip spreader causes the clip and clip spreader to disengage from each other. A clip spreader actuator may be coupled to one arm of the clip spreader, extend distally around a distal end of the clip spreader, proximally along the other clip spreader arm, and to a proximal end at which the actuator may be controlled to open or close the clip spreader. The clips may be leaflet clips having teeth on one arm thereof and bumps on another arm thereof. The arms of the leaflet clip may be biased into a closed configuration by a flex zone which has an expanded portion extending laterally away from only one of the clip arms.

Abstract: Aspiration catheters and systems are disclosed including a thrombectomy catheter which includes a catheter body extending from a proximal end region to a distal end region and includes a catheter lumen extending between the proximal end region and the distal end region. A high-pressure fluid supply tube may extend through the catheter lumen from the catheter body proximal end region toward the catheter body distal end region. The high-pressure fluid supply tube having a longitudinal axis and adapted for communication with a fluid source near the catheter body proximal end region and including a plurality of angled jet orifices with an elliptical cross-section oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the high-pressure fluid supply tube.

Abstract: An aspiration sheath system for aspirating occlusive material from a blood vessel is disclosed. The aspiration sheath system may be configured to have the ability to be unclogged, while retaining the position of the aspiration sheath in the target vasculature. The system includes an aspiration sheath including an elongate shaft extending distally from a manifold, an aspiration sleeve having an elongate shaft slidably disposed within a lumen of the aspiration sheath, and a dilator having an elongate shaft slidably disposed within an aspiration lumen of the aspiration sleeve.

Abstract: An aspiration sheath system is disclosed. The aspiration sheath system includes an expandable sheath having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a lumen extending therebetween. The distal end region has a first diameter in a delivery configuration smaller than a first diameter of the proximal end region in the delivery configuration. The system further includes a dilator and an expansion sleeve insertable within the lumen of the expandable sheath. The dilator is insertable thought he lumen of the expandable sheath without expanding the proximal end region and the distal end region. The expansion sleeve insertable within the lumen of the expandable sheath upon removal of the dilator therefrom to expand the distal end region from the first diameter of the distal end region to a second diameter of the distal end region larger than the first diameter of the distal end region.

Abstract: A tissue separator having a tissue-separating end effector with a blunt dissector, such as an expandable member configured to separate tissue, and a fixation member. The fixation member inhibits and preferably prevents rebound of the expandable member as the expandable member expands against tissue to separate the tissue. The expandable member may be an inflatable balloon or tunnelling balloon. The fixation member may be an expandable member. The fixation member may be fixed in close proximity to the proximal end of the expandable member, or may be movable with respect to the expandable member.

Abstract: A system for monitoring intraluminal pressure during endoscopic procedures may include a fluid management system configured to deliver fluid to patient anatomy and an endoscope configured to measure intraluminal pressure. A controller may be configured to calculates an area under the curve metric between a maximum pressure value and measured intraluminal pressure over time when the measured pressure exceeds the maximum value. The controller may compare the calculated metric to a predetermined area under the curve value and reduce fluid flow if the calculated metric exceeds the predetermined value.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for a valve assembly for a medical device. The valve assembly may include an interface assembly, a valve stem, and a valve body. The interface assembly may include a first portion, a second portion, and a biasing member integrally formed with the first portion and configured to bias the first portion in a proximal direction relative to the second member. The biasing member may be configured to return the first portion to an unactuated position after the first portion is depressed in a distal direction relative to the second portion to an actuated position. The first portion and the biasing member may be entirely or at least partially formed from a unitary single material.

Abstract: A medical device includes a shaft including a distal end including a passive electrode that defines a central opening extending through the passive electrode, and an active electrode within the central opening. The active electrode is movable between at least an extended position in which the active electrode does not contact the passive electrode, and a retracted position in which the active electrode contacts the passive electrode.

Abstract: Example stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system includes an elongate shaft having a distal end region and a proximal end region and a deployment shaft coupled to the elongate shaft, the deployment shaft including an outer surface and a spooling region. The stent delivery system also includes an actuation member disposed along the outer surface of the deployment shaft, a stent disposed on the distal end region of the elongate shaft and a thread having a distal portion configured to wrap around at least a portion of the stent and a proximal portion coupled to the spooling region. Further, translation of the actuation member along a longitudinal axis of the deployment shaft rotates the deployment shaft and rotation of the deployment shaft unwraps the thread from the stent.

Abstract: Medical systems are described, including a medical system that includes a scope including a handle and a shaft defining a channel having a distal opening, a processor, at least one laser source, a first laser fiber, and a second laser fiber, wherein each of the first laser fiber and the second laser fiber is coupled to the at least one laser source and extends through the shaft, wherein a distal end of the shaft includes an imager, the distal opening of the channel, a distal end of the first laser fiber, and a distal end of the second laser fiber, and wherein each of the first laser fiber and the second laser fiber is configured to transmit a collimated beam onto a target without altering or fragmenting the target.

Abstract: A left atrial appendage closure implant may include a support frame including a first bend extending from a proximal collar to a second bend, a first segment extending from the second bend to a third bend, a second segment extending from the third bend to a fourth bend, and a third segment extending from the fourth bend to a distal collar, wherein the support frame is actuatable from a first constrained position to a second flowering position to a third mid-deployment position to a fourth unconstrained position. An implant may include a self-expanding support frame having a circumference and a central longitudinal axis, a membrane disposed over at least a portion of the support frame, and a plurality of anchors arranged into a first row and a second row such that the first row and the second row form a staggered pattern about the circumference of the support frame.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to injectable polysaccharide-based hydrogels that comprises an anionic polysaccharide, a cationic crosslinking agent and a hemostatic agent. In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to medical devices containing such injectable polysaccharide-based hydrogels, to kits that contain such injectable polysaccharide-based hydrogels, and to methods of using such injectable polysaccharide-based hydrogels.

Abstract: A device includes a capsule along with first and second clip arms, proximal ends of which are received within the channel so that the first and second clip arms are movable relative to one another between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A deployment mechanism includes a tension member connected to a proximal end of the first and second arms, a yoke releasably coupled to the tension member and longitudinally movable relative to the capsule to move the first and second arms between the open and closed configurations. The tension member and yoke are configured to separate from one another in response to a predetermined proximal force relative to the tension member. A locking mechanism is coupled to the deployment mechanism and is configured to engage the capsule to lock the one-piece clipping element in the closed configuration, when the yoke is separated from the tension member.

Abstract: Medical devices useful to perform medical procedures are described. The medical device may include a handle with a hub and a port. The hub may define a lumen and include a proximal opening configured to receive a medical instrument. The port may be configured to couple to a source of suction, and the port may be in fluid communication with the lumen of the hub. The outer surface of the hub or the port may include a mounting interface. The handle may also include a grip accessory configured to releasably couple to the mounting interface. The grip accessory may include an opening or groove configured to receive a portion of a user's hand when the user grips the handle.

Abstract: An example catheter comprises a catheter shaft and a sheathed scoring element, the sheathed scoring element including: shape memory elements that are configured to move between an constrained condition and a radially expanded condition; scoring members located on a portion of the shape memory elements; and a deployment sheath that is configured to move relative to the scoring members and the shape memory elements between: a delivery condition where the scoring members and at least a portion of the shape memory elements are located in the deployment sheath; and a scoring condition where: at least the portion of the shape memory elements is located distal to a distal end of the deployment sheath and the shape memory elements are configured in the expanded condition; and the scoring members are located distal to a distal end of the deployment sheath and are configured to contact a target site.