Abstract: An intravascular electrode system includes an expandable anchor and a flexible substrate which carries at least one electrode. The anchor is positioned in a blood vessel and expanded to an expanded position to bias the electrode in contact with the vessel wall. The flexible substrate may be longitudinally withdrawn from its position between the anchor and the vessel wall without removing the anchor from the blood vessel. A second flexible substrate may be longitudinally inserted into position between the anchor and vessel wall as replacement for the first substrate.

Abstract: A device temporarily positionable within an aortic arch for deflecting embolic particles released during a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure comprises a resilient frame defining an opening and a barrier disposed in the opening. The barrier has a plurality of openings, which may be pores, proportioned to allow passage of blood therethrough but to prevent passage of embolic particles. The barrier has a concave shape having a convex surface positionable in contact with a wall of an aorta to cover at least a brachiocephalic ostium. The frame may include an upstream end including a pair of lobes and an apex between the lobes, and has a generally tapered downstream end.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system for treating acute heart failure syndromes includes a first catheter having a parasympathetic therapy element adapted for positioning within a first blood vessel such as a superior vena cava, and a second catheter sympathetic therapy element adapted for positioning with a second, different, blood vessel such as the pulmonary artery. The catheters comprise a system in which one of catheters is slidably disposed over the other of the catheters. The system may further be slidably disposed over a third elongate element such as a Swan-Ganz catheter positionable within a pulmonary artery, such that the Swan-Ganz may be used for monitoring parameters such as blood pressure and cardiac output during neuromodulation therapy.

Abstract: A neuromodulation catheter is positionable in a blood vessel having a wall for use in delivering therapeutic energy to targets external to the blood vessel. An electrically insulative substrate such as an elongate finger is carried at a distal end of the catheter body. The substrate has a first face carrying a plurality of electrodes, and a second face on an opposite side of the substrate from the first face. The finger is biased such that when expanded within the blood vessel, it forms a spiral configuration with the first face facing outwardly to bias the electrodes in contact with the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: Endolumenal prostheses that readily and extensively convert from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration are disclosed. Endolumenal prostheses may be fabricated from one or more shape memory polymers, a high modulus elastomer, a polymer that is both elastomeric and exhibits shape memory behavior, a hydrogel, or some combination thereof. Polymers used to fabricate the prostheses are selectively synthesized to exhibit desired characteristics such as crystallinity, strain fixity rate, strain recovery rate, elasticity, tensile strength, mechanical strength, cross-linking density, extent physical cross-linking, extent of covalent cross-linking, extent of interpenetrating networks, rate of erosion, heat of fusion, crystallization temperature, and acidity during erosion. The endolumenal prostheses convert to the deployed configuration following delivery to a treatment site, upon exposure to an initiator either present within the body naturally or introduced into the body.

Abstract: A transvascular electrode system includes an expandable electrode-carrying anchor. The anchor is intravascularly advanced in a compressed position to a first site in a blood vessel. A first portion of the anchor expands to position an electrode against the vessel wall, while a second portion remains is compressed. Mapping is performed by delivering stimulation energy from the electrode and measuring the response (e.g. blood pressure, heart rate, and/or related parameters). The first portion is at least partially collapsed and the electrode system is moved to a second site. The first portion is expanded to position the electrode into against the vessel wall, while the second portion remains compressed. Additional mapping is performed. The process is repeated until the anchor electrode position is optimized, at which point the second portion of the anchor is expanded to chronically retain the electrode in the vessel.

Abstract: Endolumenal prostheses that readily and extensively convert from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration are disclosed. Endolumenal prostheses may be fabricated from one or more shape memory polymers, a high modulus elastomer, a polymer that is both elastomeric and exhibits shape memory behavior, a hydrogel, or some combination thereof. Polymers used to fabricate the prostheses are selectively synthesized to exhibit desired characteristics such as crystallinity, strain fixity rate, strain recovery rate, elasticity, tensile strength, mechanical strength, cross-linking density, extent physical cross-linking, extent of covalent cross-linking, extent of interpenetrating networks, rate of erosion, heat of fusion, crystallization temperature, and acidity during erosion. The endolumenal prostheses convert to the deployed configuration following delivery to a treatment site, upon exposure to an initiator either present within the body naturally or introduced into the body.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for stimulating contents of the carotid sheath using an intravascular pulse generator and lead. The lead carries an energy delivery device such as an electrode, which is anchor within the portion of the internal jugular vein that is disposed within the carotid sheath. The energy delivery device is energized to transvenously direct energy to target contents of the carotid sheath external to the internal jugular vein. Such target contents may include nervous system elements associated with the carotid sinus baroreceptors, the carotid sinus nerve and associated nerve branches, and or the vagus nerve and associated nerve branches. The system may be used to control blood pressure and/or to lower heart rate and may be suitable for treatment of hypertension, heart failure, or other conditions.

Abstract: An inductive element adapted for use in implantable intravascular devices (IIDs) having an elongate form factor with a cross-section. The inductive element includes a core that has an outer surface contour that corresponds to the form factor. A set of elongate, or oblong, windings are situated lengthwise along the major length dimension of the inductive element. The windings are also situated to direct a magnetic field along a radial direction in relation to the elongate form factor. In one embodiment the form factor is generally cylindrical and the cross-section is generally round.

Abstract: Anchoring methods, systems and devices anchor an intravascular implantable device within a vessel that is located superior to the heart, i.e. above the heart in a direction toward the head of a patient. A method of providing an intravascular device and instructions for implanting the intravascular device, includes providing an intravascular device having an elongate device body with a proximal end and a distal end that is adapted for chronic implantation within the vasculature of a patient and that includes a distal portion of the intravascular device proximate the distal end of the elongate device body, and providing instructions for chronically implanting the intravascular device substantially wholly within the vasculature of a patient in a target vessel superior to the heart of the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a medical device within a blood vessel are described. A medical device (e.g. a pulse generator or a lead) is positioned within a blood vessel. An expandable the retention sleeve is passed into the vessel adjacent to the medical device and expanded to an expanded position to engage the medical device between an exterior surface of the retention sleeve and a surface of the vessel.

Abstract: A medical implant system comprises an implant proportioned for implantation within a blood vessel, a lead coupled to the implant, and an anchor coupled to the lead, the anchor configurable in a radially compressed position so as to be positioned in the blood vessel, and a radially expanded position for engagement with the wall of blood vessel. The anchor functions as an antenna for telemetric communication with an extracorporeal device and/or as a receiver for inductive recharging of secondary cells in the implant using an extracorporeal charging device.

Abstract: Devices and methods providing for a isolation connector for a generally cylindrical or frustro-cylindrical housing of an implantable intravascular medical device are described herein. The isolation connector has a generally annular exterior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end. The isolation connector includes a housing interface portion at the proximal end which is secured to a first end of the housing. The proximal end of the housing interface portion is constructed to be obverse to the first end of the housing and presents a perimeter of substantially similar size and shape to the perimeter of the first end of the housing. The isolation connector further includes a first insulator portion disposed adjacent to a distal end of the housing interface portion. The isolation connector may further include a feed-through channel constructed to traverse the proximal and distal ends of the isolation connector and is defined through the housing interface portion and the first insulator portion.

Abstract: Improved polymeric endoprostheses having reinforcement elements and methods of making the endoprostheses are disclosed. The devices disclosed exhibit improved overall compliance, selective regional compliance, and selective radial strength without varying the geometries of selected regions. Numerous other physical characteristics of the endoprostheses described may be selectively varied during manufacture. Some embodiments may include an erodible polymer and magnesium. Some embodiments may have one or more therapeutics incorporated into the endoprosthesis via a solvent in a supercritical state.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes intravascular systems that may be used for a variety of functions. The elements of the disclosed systems include at least one device body implanted within the vasculature. Electrodes on a lead and/or on the device body itself are used to direct electrical energy to neurological targets. These systems may additionally include one or more fluid reservoirs housing drugs or other agents to be delivered to tissue.

Abstract: An inductive element adapted for use in implantable intravascular devices (IIDs) having an elongate form factor with a cross-section. The inductive element includes a core that has an outer surface contour that corresponds to the form factor. A set of elongate, or oblong, windings are situated lengthwise along the major length dimension of the inductive element. The windings are also situated to direct a magnetic field along a radial direction in relation to the elongate form factor. In one embodiment the form factor is generally cylindrical and the cross-section is generally round.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for stimulating contents of the carotid sheath using an intravascular pulse generator and lead. The lead carries an energy delivery device such as an electrode, which is anchor within the portion of the internal jugular vein that is disposed within the carotid sheath. The energy delivery device is energized to transvenously direct energy to target contents of the carotid sheath external to the internal jugular vein. Such target contents may include nervous system elements associated with the carotid sinus baroreceptors, the carotid sinus nerve and associated nerve branches, and or the vagus nerve and associated nerve branches. The system may be used to control blood pressure and/or to lower heart rate and may be suitable for treatment of hypertension, heart failure, or other conditions.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing polymeric intraluminal prostheses include annealing the polymeric material to selectively modify the crystallinity thereof. Annealing may be utilized to selectively modify various properties of the polymeric material of an intraluminal prosthesis, including: selectively increasing the modulus of the polymeric material; selectively increasing the hoop strength of the intraluminal prosthesis; selectively modifying the elution rate (increase or decrease) of a pharmacological agent subsequently disposed on or within the annealed polymeric material; selectively increasing/decreasing stress in the intraluminal prosthesis; and selectively modifying the polymeric material such that it erodes at a different rate.

Abstract: The present application describes an intravascular implantable pacing and/or defibrillation system. The described system includes a pulse generator that is implantable within a blood vessel and proportioned to blood flow through the blood vessel, and at least one electrode attachable to the pulse generator. During implantation, the pulse generator is introduced into a patient's vasculature, advanced to a desired vessel and anchored in place within the vessel. The electrode or electrodes are placed within the heart or surrounding vessels as needed to deliver electrical pulses to the appropriate location.

Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity, manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.