Abstract: In some embodiments, a distal end of a catheter can be disposed within a body cavity (e.g., a CSF-filled space) of a subject near a target region of tissue (e.g., brain tissue) to be treated. The catheter can include a catheter body and a light emitter configured to emit light asymmetrically and at a non-zero angle relative to a central axis of the catheter body. Light can be emitted from the light emitter asymmetrically and a non-zero angle relative to a central axis of the catheter body onto the target region of tissue.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter having a catheter body, a light emitter disposed at a distal end of the catheter body, and a fluid conduit coupleable to a source of fluid. The fluid conduit configured to discharge fluid from the source via the conduit and out a distal end of the catheter body. A spacing member is disposed at the distal end of the catheter body and can be moved between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the spacing member is disposed about the light emitter. The spacing member is at least partially transmissive and/or transflective of light emitted from the light emitter. The apparatus configured to be inserted at least partially into a body lumen, to discharge fluid into the body lumen, and to emit light from the light emitter to illuminate an interior wall of the body lumen.

Abstract: A device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves, which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a control unit and sensors, one or more parameters, such as flow rates, fluidic pressure, and heart rate, may be automatically controlled, using feedback loop mechanisms to adjust parameters of the hydraulic system to simulate a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions including normal heart function, severely diseased or injured heart conditions, and compressed vasculature, such as hardening of the arteries.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter having a catheter body, a light emitter disposed at a distal end of the catheter body, and a fluid conduit coupleable to a source of fluid. The fluid conduit configured to discharge fluid from the source via the conduit and out a distal end of the catheter body. A spacing member is disposed at the distal end of the catheter body and can be moved between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the spacing member is disposed about the light emitter. The spacing member is at least partially transmissive and/or transflective of light emitted from the light emitter. The apparatus configured to be inserted at least partially into a body lumen, to discharge fluid into the body lumen, and to emit light from the light emitter to illuminate an interior wall of the body lumen.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter having a catheter body, a light emitter disposed at a distal end of the catheter body, and a fluid conduit coupleable to a source of fluid. The fluid conduit configured to discharge fluid from the source via the conduit and out a distal end of the catheter body. A spacing member is disposed at the distal end of the catheter body and can be moved between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the spacing member is disposed about the light emitter. The spacing member is at least partially transmissive and/or transflective of light emitted from the light emitter. The apparatus configured to be inserted at least partially into a body lumen, to discharge fluid into the body lumen, and to emit light from the light emitter to illuminate an interior wall of the body lumen.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves, which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart.

Abstract: A device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves, which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a control unit and sensors, one or more parameters, such as flow rates, fluidic pressure, and heart rate, may be automatically controlled, using feedback loop mechanisms to adjust parameters of the hydraulic system to simulate a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions including normal heart function, severely diseased or injured heart conditions, and compressed vasculature, such as hardening of the arteries.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a control unit and sensors, one or more parameters such as flow rates, fluidic pressure, and heart rate may be automatically controlled, using feedback loop mechanisms to adjust parameters of the hydraulic system to simulate a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions including normal heart function, severely diseased or injured heart conditions, and compressed vasculature, such as hardening of the arteries.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a control unit and sensors, one or more parameters such as flow rates, fluidic pressure, and heart rate may be automatically controlled, using feedback loop mechanisms to adjust parameters of the hydraulic system simulate a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions including normal heart function, severely diseased or injured heart conditions, and compressed vasculature, such as hardening of the arteries.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter having a catheter body, a light emitter disposed at a distal end of the catheter body, and a fluid conduit coupleable to a source of fluid. The fluid conduit configured to discharge fluid from the source via the conduit and out a distal end of the catheter body. A spacing member is disposed at the distal end of the catheter body and can be moved between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the spacing member is disposed about the light emitter. The spacing member is at least partially transmissive and/or transflective of light emitted from the light emitter. The apparatus configured to be inserted at least partially into a body lumen, to discharge fluid into the body lumen, and to emit light from the light emitter to illuminate an interior wall of the body lumen.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a control unit and sensors, one or more parameters such as flow rates, fluidic pressure, and heart rate may be automatically controlled, using feedback loop mechanisms to adjust parameters of the hydraulic system simulate a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions including normal heart function, severely diseased or injured heart conditions, and compressed vasculature, such as hardening of the arteries.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiac functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a remote handheld electronic controller and manual adjustments from a main control panel, the air pressure level, fluidic pressure, and heart rate is controlled to induce contractions that simulate a wide variety of heart conditions ranging from normal heart function to severely diseased or injured heart conditions.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiac functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a remote handheld electronic controller and manual adjustments from a main control panel, the air pressure level, fluidic pressure, and heart rate is controlled to induce contractions that simulate a wide variety of heart conditions ranging from normal heart function to severely diseased or injured heart conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method and device for occluding an aneurysm. The device may include a wire having a shape memory. The wire may define a coil. The wire may further define a first substantially spherical helix and a second substantially spherical helix nested within the first substantially spherical helix. A catheter may be included, being releaseably engageable to the wire, the wire being at least partially disposed within the catheter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: A histological staining technique that allows quantification of previously unmeasured parameters involved in surgical arteriovenous malformation (AVM) embolization. The invention allows the evaluation of the polymerization characteristics of various ratios of embolization agents, such as Lipiodol/n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA)/glacial acetic acid (GAA) mixtures, by virtue of a new tissue sample preparation protocol and staining technique. To determine the depth of NBCA penetration within the AVM model and to characterize the polymerization patterns of various mixtures within a model vessel, histologic cross-and longitudinal sections were prepared for microscopy using a new staining method including the use of europium aryl-&bgr;-diketone complex and petroleum ether. Paraffin-embedded tissue sections were subjected to the staining protocol to improve differentiation between NBCA and Lipiodol.