Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for creating translumenal vascular access, comprising utilizing a dilator adaptor to assist with forming a substantially atraumatic geometric outer junction between a dilator member/introducer member assembly and a guidewire which may be somewhat undersized relative to a lumen formed through the dilator member, thereby creating a geometric fit gap which may be suboptimal from a tissue interfacing perspective. The dilator adaptor may be interposed between the guidewire and dilator member to assist in remedying this fit mismatch, and in generally providing a preferred outer instrument interface for insertion through a small defect in a vessel to gain access to a lumen defined through the vessel.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for creating translumenal vascular access, comprising a dilator adaptor member having proximal and distal ends and defining a dilator adaptor lumen therethrough, wherein the dilator adaptor lumen is defined by an inner diameter profile sized to accommodate insertion of one or more portions of a guidewire, and wherein the dilator adaptor is further defined by an outer diameter profile sized to accommodate at least partial insertion of the proximal end of the dilator adaptor into a dilator member lumen formed through a dilator member, the dilator member being coupleable to an introducer catheter member through an introducer member lumen formed through the introducer member.

Abstract: Configurations are described for creating and using separable optical feedthroughs. These are especially useful in their at least semi-hermetic form when integrated with implantable photomedical devices. One embodiment is directed to a system for operatively coupling an optical output from a light source positioned inside of a sealed housing to an external optical fiber, comprising: a first optical fiber disposed adjacent to the light source and configured to receive at least a portion of the optical output; a second optical fiber operatively coupled to the first optical fiber and configured to capture at least a portion of an output from the first optical fiber; a primary seal operatively coupled to the housing between the light source and the second optical fiber that is at least partially transparent; and a secondary seal positioned between the second optical fiber and the environment.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for creating translumenal vascular access, comprising a dilator adaptor member having proximal and distal ends and defining a dilator adaptor lumen therethrough, wherein the dilator adaptor lumen is defined by an inner diameter profile sized to accommodate insertion of one or more portions of a guidewire, and wherein the dilator adaptor is further defined by an outer diameter profile sized to accommodate at least partial insertion of the proximal end of the dilator adaptor into a dilator member lumen formed through a dilator member, the dilator member being coupleable to an introducer catheter member through an introducer member lumen formed through the introducer member.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for acoustically modulating activity of cells comprising a targeted tissue portion of a patient. An implantable probe system may be utilized for delivering acoustical energy to a targeted tissue portion of a patient, comprising a plurality of substrate portions, each substrate portion comprising at least one acoustical emitter; a probe body portion having proximal and distal ends and being movably coupled to the plurality of substrates and configured to at least partially encapsulate the plurality of substrates; and a distal end portion coupled to the distal end of the probe body portion, the distal end portion comprising at least one guiding feature configured to redirect a path of at least one of the substrate portions as such substrate portion is extended through and past the distal end portion by moving the plurality of substrates relative to the probe body portion.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to an implantable probe system for delivering acoustical energy to a targeted tissue portion of a patient, comprising: a plurality of substrate portions, each substrate portion comprising at least one acoustical emitter; a probe body portion having proximal and distal ends and being movably coupled to the plurality of substrates and configured to at least partially encapsulate the plurality of substrates; and a distal end portion coupled to the distal end of the probe body portion, the distal end portion comprising at least one guiding feature configured to redirect a path of at least one of the substrate portions as such substrate portion is extended through and past the distal end portion by moving the plurality of substrates relative to the probe body portion

Abstract: Configurations are described for creating and using separable optical feedthroughs. These are especially useful in their at least semi-hermetic form when integrated with implantable photomedical devices. One embodiment is directed to a system for operatively coupling an optical output from a light source positioned inside of a sealed housing to an external optical fiber, comprising: a first optical fiber disposed adjacent to the light source and configured to receive at least a portion of the optical output; a second optical fiber operatively coupled to the first optical fiber and configured to capture at least a portion of an output from the first optical fiber; a primary seal operatively coupled to the housing between the light source and the second optical fiber that is at least partially transparent; and a secondary seal positioned between the second optical fiber and the environment.

Abstract: One embodment is directed to a probe for illuminating a target tissue of a patient, comprising: a plurality of optical fibers; a probe body portion having proximal and distal ends, the probe body portion being moveably coupled to the plurality of fibers and configured to at least partially encapsulate the plurality of fibers; a distal end portion coupled to the distal end of the probe body portion, the distal end portion comprising at least one guiding feature configured to redirect a path of at least one of the optical fibers comprising the plurality of optical fibers as such at least portion of one of the optical fibers is extended through and past the distal end portion by moving the plurality of fibers relative to the probe body portion. The probe further may comprise an ejector portion configured to move the plurality of fibers relative to the probe body portion.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for creating translumenal vascular access, comprising utilizing a dilator adaptor to assist with forming a substantially atraumatic geometric outer junction between a dilator member/introducer member assembly and a guidewire which may be somewhat undersized relative to a lumen formed through the dilator member, thereby creating a geometric fit gap which may be suboptimal from a tissue interfacing perspective. The dilator adaptor may be interposed between the guidewire and dilator member to assist in remedying this fit mismatch, and in generally providing a preferred outer instrument interface for insertion through a small defect in a vessel to gain access to a lumen defined through the vessel.

Abstract: Configurations are described for creating and using separable optical feedthroughs. These are especially useful in their at least semi-hermetic form when integrated with implantable photomedical devices. One embodiment is directed to a system for operatively coupling an optical output from a light source positioned inside of a sealed housing to an external optical fiber, comprising: a first optical fiber disposed adjacent to the light source and configured to receive at least a portion of the optical output; a second optical fiber operatively coupled to the first optical fiber and configured to capture at least a portion of an output from the first optical fiber; a primary seal operatively coupled to the housing between the light source and the second optical fiber that is at least partially transparent; and a secondary seal positioned between the second optical fiber and the environment.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a geometric adaptor apparatus for assisting with translumenal vascular access, comprising a dilator adaptor member having proximal and distal ends and defining a dilator adaptor lumen therethrough, wherein the dilator adaptor lumen is defined by an inner diameter profile sized to accommodate insertion of one or more portions of a guidewire, and wherein the dilator adaptor is further defined by an outer diameter profile sized to accommodate at least partial insertion of the proximal end of the dilator adaptor into a dilator member lumen formed through a dilator member, the dilator member being coupleable to an introducer catheter member through an introducer member lumen formed through the introducer member.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for creating translumenal vascular access, comprising a dilator adaptor member having proximal and distal ends and defining a dilator adaptor lumen therethrough, wherein the dilator adaptor lumen is defined by an inner diameter profile sized to accommodate insertion of one or more portions of a guidewire, and wherein the dilator adaptor is further defined by an outer diameter profile sized to accommodate at least partial insertion of the proximal end of the dilator adaptor into a dilator member lumen formed through a dilator member, the dilator member being coupleable to an introducer catheter member through an introducer member lumen formed through the introducer member.

Abstract: Configurations are described for creating and using separable optical feedthroughs. These are especially useful in their at least semi-hermetic form when integrated with implantable photomedical devices. One embodiment is directed to a system for operatively coupling an optical output from a light source positioned inside of a sealed housing to an external optical fiber, comprising: a first optical fiber disposed adjacent to the light source and configured to receive at least a portion of the optical output; a second optical fiber operatively coupled to the first optical fiber and configured to capture at least a portion of an output from the first optical fiber; a primary seal operatively coupled to the housing between the light source and the second optical fiber that is at least partially transparent; and a secondary seal positioned between the second optical fiber and the environment.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for creating translumenal vascular access, comprising utilizing a dilator adaptor to assist with forming a substantially atraumatic geometric outer junction between a dilator member/introducer member assembly and a guidewire which may be somewhat undersized relative to a lumen formed through the dilator member, thereby creating a geometric fit gap which may be suboptimal from a tissue interfacing perspective. The dilator adaptor may be interposed between the guidewire and dilator member to assist in remedying this fit mismatch, and in generally providing a preferred outer instrument interface for insertion through a small defect in a vessel to gain access to a lumen defined through the vessel.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for creating translumenal vascular access, comprising a dilator adaptor member having proximal and distal ends and defining a dilator adaptor lumen therethrough, wherein the dilator adaptor lumen is defined by an inner diameter profile sized to accommodate insertion of one or more portions of a guidewire, and wherein the dilator adaptor is further defined by an outer diameter profile sized to accommodate at least partial insertion of the proximal end of the dilator adaptor into a dilator member lumen formed through a dilator member, the dilator member being coupleable to an introducer catheter member through an introducer member lumen formed through the introducer member.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for creating translumenal vascular access, comprising a dilator adaptor member having proximal and distal ends and defining a dilator adaptor lumen therethrough, wherein the dilator adaptor lumen is defined by an inner diameter profile sized to accommodate insertion of one or more portions of a guidewire, and wherein the dilator adaptor is further defined by an outer diameter profile sized to accommodate at least partial insertion of the proximal end of the dilator adaptor into a dilator member lumen formed through a dilator member, the dilator member being coupleable to an introducer catheter member through an introducer member lumen formed through the introducer member.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a geometric adaptor apparatus for assisting with translumenal vascular access, comprising a dilator adaptor member having proximal and distal ends and defining a dilator adaptor lumen therethrough, wherein the dilator adaptor lumen is defined by an inner diameter profile sized to accommodate insertion of one or more portions of a guidewire, and wherein the dilator adaptor is further defined by an outer diameter profile sized to accommodate at least partial insertion of the proximal end of the dilator adaptor into a dilator member lumen formed through a dilator member, the dilator member being coupleable to an introducer catheter member through an introducer member lumen formed through the introducer member.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for creating translumenal vascular access, comprising utilizing a dilator adaptor to assist with forming a substantially atraumatic geometric outer junction between a dilator member/introducer member assembly and a guidewire which may be somewhat undersized relative to a lumen formed through the dilator member, thereby creating a geometric fit gap which may be suboptimal from a tissue interfacing perspective. The dilator adaptor may be interposed between the guidewire and dilator member to assist in remedying this fit mismatch, and in generally providing a preferred outer instrument interface for insertion through a small defect in a vessel to gain access to a lumen defined through the vessel.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for creating translumenal vascular access, comprising a dilator adaptor member having proximal and distal ends and defining a dilator adaptor lumen therethrough, wherein the dilator adaptor lumen is defined by an inner diameter profile sized to accommodate insertion of one or more portions of a guidewire, and wherein the dilator adaptor is further defined by an outer diameter profile sized to accommodate at least partial insertion of the proximal end of the dilator adaptor into a dilator member lumen formed through a dilator member, the dilator member being coupleable to an introducer catheter member through an introducer member lumen formed through the introducer member.

Abstract: Described here are methods, devices and kits for locating tissue and/or forming one or more tracts in tissue. In some variations, tissue may be located (e.g., using one or more optical sensors, ultrasound sensors, thermal sensors, or the like) and one or more tracts may be formed through the tissue after it has been located. In certain variations, the same device may be used both to locate tissue and to form one or more tracts in the tissue. In some variations, a tissue-piercing member for forming one or more tracts in tissue may comprise a first elongated portion and a second elongated portion, and an angle therebetween.