Abstract: An ablation catheter includes a flexible shaft having length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery. An electrode arrangement is provided at the distal end of the shaft. A handle unit includes a housing configured for hand-held manipulation and is coupled to the catheter. A battery and one or both of a high frequency AC generator and ultrasound generator are provided in the housing. The battery serves as the sole source of power for the generator. The generator is configured to generate energy sufficient to ablate perivascular renal nerve tissue using energy stored in the battery. The catheter may be disposable and the housing re-usable. Both the catheter and the housing may be disposable.

Abstract: A cryotherapy balloon catheter includes a compliant cryotherapy balloon comprising a distal balloon section dimensioned for placement within a renal artery and a proximal balloon section dimensioned to abut against an ostium of the renal artery and extend into at least a portion of the abdominal aorta. The compliant balloon has a diameter that varies non-uniformly along a length of the compliant balloon, such that a diameter at the proximal balloon section is larger than a diameter of the distal balloon section. The cryotherapy balloon catheter may be configured to deliver cryogenic therapy to at least the ostium of the renal artery sufficient to irreversibly terminate renal sympathetic nerve activity, such as by causing neurotmesis of renal nerve fibers and ganglia at the ostium of the renal artery.

Abstract: A renal denervation apparatus includes a treatment element dimensioned for deployment on or within a renal artery of a patient. The treatment element comprises a predefined pattern arranged to complete at least one revolution of the treatment element. The apparatus includes a treatment source. The treatment source and treatment element are configured to cooperatively facilitate communication of an agent from the treatment source to the pattern arrangement of the treatment element. The treatment element is configured to deliver denervation therapy using the agent via the pattern arrangement to one or more regions of the renal artery adjacent the pattern arrangement, such that at least one complete revolution of the renal artery is subjected to the denervation therapy.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods facilitate modification of renal sympathetic nerve activity using a force generating arrangement. A device for mechanically modifying renal sympathetic nerve activity includes a contact arrangement having a shape that generally conforms to a portion of a renal artery wall and is configured for placement at the renal artery wall portion. A compression arrangement is configured to cooperate with the contact arrangement to place the wall portion of the renal artery in compression sufficient to achieve a desired reduction in renal sympathetic nerve activity. The compression arrangement and the contact arrangement are preferably configured to cooperatively place the wall portion of the renal artery in compression sufficient to irreversibly terminate renal sympathetic nerve activity.

Abstract: Closure devices with a rapidly dissolving anchor, systems delivering closure devices, and methods for making and using the same. An example closure device for closing an opening in a body lumen may include a plug, a rapidly dissolving anchor, and a suture coupling the plug to the anchor. The rapidly dissolving anchor may be configured to dissolve within the body lumen within about 30 days or less. At least a portion of the plug may be disposed adjacent an exterior surface of the body lumen. At least a portion of the rapidly dissolving anchor may be disposed within the body lumen.

Abstract: A stent is adapted to be implanted into the lumen of a vessel. The stent includes struts and a resonating circuit tuned to the resonating frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging system. The resonant circuit is constructed of at least one inductor and at least one capacitor. The inductor is wound about at least one of the struts.