Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for removing material (e.g., clot) from within a body, including inverting thrombectomy apparatuses. These methods and apparatuses may include methods and apparatuses for reusing portion of the devices, method and apparatuses for loading and reloading the inverting thrombectomy apparatuses, and methods and apparatuses for improving and enhancing the ability of the inverting thrombectomy apparatuses to remove clot. In particular, described herein are expandable scraper devices that may be used in conjunction with the inverting thrombectomy apparatuses descried herein, or on their own.

Abstract: An atherectomy system includes a drive assembly and an advancer assembly. The drive assembly, which may be reusable, includes a drive motor having an output shaft and a first coupler segment that is secured relative to the output shaft. A controller may be adapted to regulate operation of the drive motor. The advancer assembly, which may be single use, includes a flexible drive cable that is adapted to be releasably securable to the first coupler segment. The advancer assembly includes gearing that is secured within the advancer assembly and is operably coupled with the flexible drive cable. A burr catheter is coupled with and extends distally of the gearing. The advancer assembly is adapted to enable relative translation of the burr catheter in order to advance and withdraw an atherectomy burr rotatably secured to a distal end of the burr catheter.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods related to various heart valve implants and for delivery of those heart valve implants are described. The implants may be used to re-size a native valve annulus or to replace a native heart valve. The implants include a re-sizable frame having angled struts. Anchors secure the implant to tissue and collars are used to decrease the angle between the struts and contract the frame. The implant thus expands from a first size inside of a delivery catheter, to a second and larger deployed size inside the heart to engage and anchor with the tissue, and then to a third and contracted size to re-size the annulus and/or provide a secure fit for a replacement heart valve. Various delivery systems including imaging capabilities for precise delivery, positioning and anchoring of the various implants are further described.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a device for reshaping a heart valve. The device may include a central ring about a central axis and a plurality of arms coupled to the central ring, each of the arms coupled to the central ring at a pivot point at a first end of the arm, the arm comprising an attachment feature at a second point along the arm, the pivot point configured to allow movement of the arm about the pivot point through a plane extending radially from the central axis through the arm. Additionally, the plurality of arms may be contractable and may be extendable such that the hooks extend beyond a dilated heart valve. The present disclosure also includes associated methods and systems.

Abstract: A valve for use in an endoscope may comprise a proximal valve stem member having a first lumen extending from a proximal opening at a proximalmost end of the proximal valve stem member to a distal opening at a distalmost end of the proximal valve stem member. A distal valve stem member may have a second lumen with a proximal opening at a proximalmost end of the distal valve stem member. The proximalmost end of distal valve stem member may be received within the distal opening of the first lumen. The distal valve stem may be movable relative to the proximal valve stem.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to reflective optical medical sensor devices. In an embodiment, a reflective optical medical sensor device including a central optical detector and a plurality of light emitter units disposed around the central optical detector is provided. A plurality of peripheral optical detectors can be disposed to the outside of the plurality of light emitter units. Each of the plurality of peripheral optical detectors can form a channel pair with one of the plurality of light emitter units. The reflective optical medical sensor device can also include a controller in electrical communication with the central optical detector, the light emitter units, and the peripheral optical detectors. The controller can be configured to measure performance of channel pairs; select a particular channel pair; and measure a physiological parameter using the selected channel pair. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a device for reshaping a heart valve. The device may include a central ring about a central axis and a plurality of arms coupled to the central ring, each of the arms coupled to the central ring at a pivot point at a first end of the arm, the arm comprising an attachment feature at a second point along the arm, the pivot point configured to allow movement of the arm about the pivot point through a plane extending radially from the central axis through the arm. Additionally, the plurality of arms may be contractable and may be extendable such that the hooks extend beyond a dilated heart valve. The present disclosure also includes associated methods and systems.

Abstract: A medical device including a handle including an actuation device, a sheath extending from the handle and having a longitudinal axis, the sheath defining an imaging lumen extending from the handle to a distal end of the sheath, an imaging device at a distal end of the sheath, and a piezoelectric member connected to the imaging device, where movement of the piezoelectric member moves the imaging device in a first direction relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A steering system for a medical device may include a first drive member having a central longitudinal axis; a central shaft extending through the first drive member; a control knob coupled to the first drive member; a braking knob coupled to the central shaft and including a first protrusion; and a brake shoe member coupled to the central shaft between the control knob and the braking knob. The first protrusion may be positioned within a first channel of the brake shoe member; the first protrusion may be configured to engage the brake shoe member to move a first arm of the brake shoe member radially outward towards a wall of the control knob when the braking knob is rotated in a first direction; and the first arm may be configured to move away from the wall when the braking knob is rotated in a second direction.

Abstract: Methods of forming a gel and related methods of treating subjects with such gels are described. The method may include preparing a composition by combining a macromer comprising a first polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based polymer, a poly(ethylenimine)-based polymer, or a poly(1,2-glycerol) carbonate-based polymer, the macromer including at least one first functional moiety, a crosslinking agent comprising a second PEG-based polymer that includes at least one second functional moiety, and a photoinitiator, and activating the photoinitiator via a light source to form the gel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for controlled delivery of a stent, such as a self-expanding stent, and more particularly for controlling the full deployment of a stent in incremental steps from a sheath and for controlling the reconstrainment of a stent in incremental steps within a sheath.

Abstract: Features for a restraint to facilitate delivery and deployment of an implantable cardiac device are described. The restraint may include a series of circumferential engagements for securing inwardly corresponding portions of the implant. The restraint may be located inside the implant and provide a radially inward force on the implant. The restraint may include a center shaft having a series of grooves configured to cooperate with corresponding splines of the implant. Distal or proximal advance of the restraint disengages the restraint from the implant. The implant may include a tubular frame configured to contract and be secured by the restraint in a contracted configuration and to expand upon disengagement from the restraint. The restraint may provide for a smaller overall cross-sectional profile of a transcatheter delivery system, for instance by negating the need for a distal delivery sheath.

Abstract: A medical valve may comprise a valve stem and an operation portion. The operation portion may include a stationary portion, a movable portion which is movable relative to the stationary portion and fixed relative to the valve stem, a seal disposed between the stationary portion and the movable portion, and a biasing member. Movement of the movable portion in a first direction may cause deformation of the biasing member, such that a restorative force of the biasing member urges movement of the movable portion in a second direction opposite the first direction. A frictional force between the seal and one of the stationary portion and the movable portion resists the movement of the movable portion in the second direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing fluid communication between body lumens. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for body lumen access and/or drainage, and devices and methods for creating an open flow passage between two or more body lumens.

Abstract: Systems for determining fractional flow reserve are disclosed. An example system may include a pressure sensing guidewire for measuring a first pressure, a second pressure sensing medical device for measuring a second pressure, and a processor coupled to the pressure sensing guidewire and coupled to the second pressure sensing medical device. The processor may be designed to generate a plot of the magnitude of the second pressure over time, identify one or more time intervals of the plot that have a slope less than zero, determine a mean of the second pressure, and calculate the ratio of the first pressure to the second pressure when (a) the second pressure is less than or equal to the mean of the second pressure and (b) during the one or more time intervals when the slope of the plot is less than zero.

Abstract: A prostate therapy system is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can access a prostate lobe transurethrally. Another feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can deliver condensable vapor into the prostate to ablate the prostate tissue. Methods associated with use of the prostate therapy system are also covered.

Abstract: An example introducer is disclosed. An example introducer includes an inner liner including a lumen, a distal region and at least one folded portion extending along the distal region. The introducer also includes a reinforcing member having a length and including at least one spine extending along the length of the reinforcing member. The introducer also includes a sheath disposed along at least a portion of the introducer, wherein the sheath includes at least one perforation, wherein material adjacent to the at least one folded portion is removed from a distal portion of the introducer to form a tip region. The introducer also includes a tip member disposed along the tip region.

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: An introducer may include a layered tubular member having an inner liner including at least one folded portion extending along a distal region of the inner liner in a delivery configuration; a reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner liner, the reinforcing member including a plurality of longitudinal spines defining a plurality of openings disposed between adjacent longitudinal spines, wherein each folded portion is circumferentially overlapped by one of the plurality of openings; and an outer sheath disposed over the reinforcing member, wherein the outer sheath includes at least one perforation circumferentially overlapping each folded portion; and a tip member fixedly attached to a tapered distal region of the layered tubular member. The inner liner may extend to a distal end of the layered tubular member. At least a portion of each folded portion may terminate proximal of the distal end of the layered tubular member.

Abstract: A medical system that includes a shaft having a distal end configured to be positioned at a target site, a first light and a second light positioned at the distal end, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the first and second light. The computing device includes a processor and non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine a first illumination measurement of a first region of the target site by the first light and a second illumination measurement of a second region of the target site by the second light. The second region is different than the first region. The processor adjusts emittance from the first light, in response to the first illumination measurement being different than a first threshold, and emittance from the second light in response to the second illumination measurement being different than a second threshold.