Abstract: A heart valve anchor has a body that includes a distal portion, a distal end, a proximal portion, and a proximal end. The distal end and the proximal end define a longitudinal axis. The body has an expandable portion that includes a first radially expandable portion at the distal portion of the body, a second radially expandable portion at the proximal portion of the body, and a root portion disposed between the first and second radially expandable portions. The body has a first configuration adapted to be housed at least partially within a tissue penetrating device, and a second configuration in which the first and second radially expandable portions are partially or fully expanded such that the anchor engages tissue in a region between the first and second radially expandable portions.

Abstract: An introducer catheter device comprising a handle and an elongate shaft coupled to the handle and extending therefrom. The shaft defines a lumen therethrough, a longitudinal axis, and a first aperture in connection with the lumen. The shaft includes a movable deployment element configured for deploying an ancillary device from the first aperture at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A device for collecting a tissue sample includes an outer needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough. The device also includes an inner needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including an opening extending laterally in and along a length thereof. The inner needle is sized and shaped to be slidably received within the lumen of the outer needle and movable relative thereto between an insertion configuration, in which the opening is covered by the outer needle, to a tissue collecting configuration, in which the opening is exposed. In addition, the device includes a handle assembly for adjusting a throw length of the inner needle relative to the outer needle.

Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, a retrieval catheter assembly for retrieving an intragastric balloon may include a tubular member configured to pass through a wall of the intragastric balloon. The retrieval catheter assembly may also include a retrieval member coupled to the tubular member and movable between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the undeployed configuration the retrieval member may be substantially aligned with the tubular member. In the deployed configuration at least a portion of the retrieval member may diverge from the tubular member and may be configured to engage the wall of the intragastric balloon.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a valve structure that comprises a flexible structure having a distal portion configured for attachment to a first member and a proximal portion configured for attachment to a second member. The flexible structure is configured such that when the first member is extended distally relative to the second member, the flexible structure adopts a reduced width profile and such that when the first member is retracted proximally relative to the second member to a point of maximal retraction, the flexible structure adopts an expanded width profile, which is more resistant to deformation due to fluid pressure in a proximal direction than it is to deformation due to fluid pressure in a distal direction. The present disclosure is also directed to devices and methods pertaining to such a valve structure.

Abstract: A spring element for a contact force sensing medical catheter. The spring element includes a first ring, a second ring spaced apart from the first ring, a plurality of struts connecting the first ring to the second ring, and a plurality of interlocking features. The second ring and the first ring are coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the spring element. The plurality of struts is configured to permit elastic, relative axial and radial displacement between the first ring and the second ring. The plurality of interlocking features is configured to limit the relative axial and radial displacement between the first ring and the second ring.

Abstract: A medical device may include a plurality of links reciprocally movable between a loose configuration having a first rigidity and a compact configuration having a second rigidity greater than the first rigidity, wherein application of a force to a distalmost link of the plurality of links when the plurality of links are in the loose configuration causes the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another, and application of the force to the distalmost link when the plurality of links are in the compact configuration does not cause the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another.

Abstract: A method for treating an intestine with an expandable scaffolding expanded within the intestine. After placing the expandable scaffolding at a target location, such as across a fistula, the first and second end portions of the expandable scaffolding are radially expanded such that the first and second end portions contact an inner surface of the intestine on opposing sides of the fistula, anchoring the first and second end portions to the intestine. Radially expanding the first and second end portions foreshortens the medial portion along the longitudinal axis such that the first and second end portions are drawn closer together along the longitudinal axis as the medial portion foreshortens to close the fistula.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter with an elongate catheter body, a catheter tip coupled to a distal end of the catheter body, and at least one light-emitting element configured to emit light to excite flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) molecules. The catheter system further including at least one light sensor configured to sense a light emitted by the excited FAD molecules.

Abstract: An electrical implantable lead includes an elongated lead body having a plurality of lumens therein, including at least one linear lumen and at least one planar, non-linear lumen and a plurality of conductor cables disposed within the plurality of lumens. The electrical implantable lead further includes a terminal connector coupled to a proximal end of the lead body, the terminal connector being in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductor cables. Further, the electrical implantable lead includes at least one electrode coupled to the lead body, the at least one electrode in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductor cables. In accordance with various embodiments, the at least one non-linear lumen extends longitudinally along a portion of the lead body and includes a plurality or crests and a plurality of troughs.

Abstract: A device for collecting a tissue sample includes an outer needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough. The device also includes an inner needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including an opening extending laterally in and along a length thereof. The inner needle is sized and shaped to be slidably received within the lumen of the outer needle and movable relative thereto between an insertion configuration, in which the opening is covered by the outer needle, to a tissue collecting configuration, in which the opening is exposed. In addition, the device includes a handle assembly for adjusting a throw length of the inner needle relative to the outer needle.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead may include an insulative lead body, a conductor disposed within the insulative lead body, an electrode disposed on the insulative lead body and in electrical contact with the conductor and a fibrous matrix disposed at least partially over the electrode. The fibrous matrix may be formed from polyether polyurethane.

Abstract: A device for acquiring a tissue sample includes an outer sheath extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough; an inner needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and sized and shaped to be slidably received within the lumen of the outer sheath to be moved between an insertion configuration and a tissue collecting configuration; and a handle assembly connected to a proximal end of the outer sheath. The handle assembly includes a first port configured to be connected to a fluid flushing source and a second port configured to be connected to a collection element so that, when the inner needle is drawn proximally relative to the outer sheath to a sample collection configuration, the sample is flushable into the collection element.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a valve structure that comprises a flexible structure having a distal portion configured for attachment to a first member and a proximal portion configured for attachment to a second member. The flexible structure is configured such that when the first member is extended distally relative to the second member, the flexible structure adopts a reduced width profile and such that when the first member is retracted proximally relative to the second member to a point of maximal retraction, the flexible structure adopts an expanded width profile, which is more resistant to deformation due to fluid pressure in a proximal direction than it is to deformation due to fluid pressure in a distal direction. The present disclosure is also directed to devices and methods pertaining to such a valve structure.

Abstract: An IS-4 terminal connector assembly includes three terminal electrodes positioned over an inner tubular member such that they are radially offset from one another. Each of the terminal ring electrodes are configured such that they can withstand both tensile and cyclical bending loads with minimal compromise in their outer geometry. Additionally, each of the terminal electrodes is configured such that they have both an inner and outer geometry that facilitates adequate insulation between a select terminal electrode and an adjacent conductor. Additionally, each of the terminal ring electrodes is configured such that they facilitate an external approach to staking a cable conductor.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices and method for making and using implantable medical devices are disclosed. An example implantable medical device may include a tubular body having a plurality of openings formed therein. A filter layer may be disposed along an outer surface of the tubular body. The filter layer may include a shape memory material. The filter layer may be capable of allowing fluids to pass therethrough and may be resistant to tissue ingrowth.

Abstract: An electrical implantable lead includes an elongated lead body having a plurality of lumens therein, including at least one linear lumen and at least one planar, non-linear lumen and a plurality of conductor cables disposed within the plurality of lumens. The electrical implantable lead further includes a terminal connector coupled to a proximal end of the lead body, the terminal connector being in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductor cables. Further, the electrical implantable lead includes at least one electrode coupled to the lead body, the at least one electrode in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductor cables. In accordance with various embodiments, the at least one non-linear lumen extends longitudinally along a portion of the lead body and includes a plurality or crests and a plurality of troughs.

Abstract: Tissue regions are treated using a multiple lead electrode probe. A plurality of electrodes may be disposed about an elongate shaft. The elongate shaft may be slidably disposed within a lumen of a delivery sheath. One or more probes including one or more electrically active regions may also be slidably disposed within the delivery sheath. The one or more probes may be configured to extend radially about the elongate shaft. The plurality of electrodes and the electrically active regions may be individually connected to a control and power unit through individual channels.

Abstract: An electrical implantable lead includes an elongated lead body having a plurality of lumens therein, including at least one linear lumen and at least one planar, non-linear lumen and a plurality of conductor cables disposed within the plurality of lumens. The electrical implantable lead further includes a terminal connector coupled to a proximal end of the lead body, the terminal connector being in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductor cables. Further, the electrical implantable lead includes at least one electrode coupled to the lead body, the at least one electrode in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductor cables. In accordance with various embodiments, the at least one non-linear lumen extends longitudinally along a portion of the lead body and includes a plurality or crests and a plurality of troughs.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead may include an insulative lead body, a conductor disposed within the insulative lead body, an electrode disposed on the insulative lead body and in electrical contact with the conductor and a fibrous matrix disposed at least partially over the electrode. The fibrous matrix may be formed from polyether polyurethane.