Abstract: A balloon catheter system for the intraluminal advancement of conventional guidewires beyond partially or fully occluded or stenosed lesions in body passages, such as CTOs in the vasculature, is provided. Balloons are provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, a balloon having relatively thickened proximal tapers is provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, balloons having a tapered midsection are provided. The balloons are preferably useful with crossing balloon catheter systems. In certain embodiments of the invention, the balloons preferably reduce or minimize trauma to the vascular wall or wall of other body passage in which it is used.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system for the intraluminal advancement of conventional guidewires beyond partially or fully occluded or stenosed lesions in body passages, such as CTOs in the vasculature, is provided. Balloons are provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, a balloon having relatively thickened proximal tapers is provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, balloons having a tapered midsection are provided. The balloons are preferably useful with crossing balloon catheter systems. In certain embodiments of the invention, the balloons preferably reduce or minimize trauma to the vascular wall or wall of other body passage in which it is used.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including an intrabody balloon configured to be in a folded state during insertion into a subject's body, and to become inflated inside the subject's body. The apparatus also includes one or more bands disposed annularly around the balloon at respective longitudinal positions along the balloon. The bands are configured, while the balloon is in the folded state thereof, to secure the balloon in the folded state, and due to the balloon becoming inflated, to slide and become coupled to a portion of the apparatus. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A system comprising a catheter having an expandable element, which when expanded, has an annular shape surrounding a passageway. The expandable element in the expanded state is rollable along at least a portion of the shaft of the catheter without slipping. The system may be used for delivering an object to a site in the body, retrieving an object from a body, removing debris and/or other particulate matter from a blood vessel, and distending and/or expanding a pathologically-involved region of a blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A medical device for insertion into a body having a surface covered by a detachable cover. The cover may be detached from the surface and removed from the body while the device is inserted in the body. The device may be, for example, a catheter, cannula, drain, stent, pacemaker, or electrode.

Abstract: A system comprising a catheter (12) having an expandable element (18), which when expanded, has an annular shape surrounding a passageway. The expandable element in the expanded state is rollable along at least a portion of the shaft of the catheter without slipping. The system may be used for delivering an object to a site in the body, retrieving an object from a body, removing debris and/or other particulate matter from a blood vessel, and distending and/or expanding a pathologically-involved region of a blood vessel wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon catheter system comprising one or more conduits to which are attached a compliant balloon having a non-helical shape in its deflated state, wherein said balloon is constructed such that is capable of adopting a spiral or helical conformation upon inflation. In addition, the present invention also provides methods for using said balloon catheter system.

Abstract: The present invention is primarily directed to a sleeve device comprising a thin-walled elongate internal tubular membrane which is suitable for being fitted around the external surface of an elongate medical instrument, wherein at least one longitudinally-disposed inflatable channel having a closed distal end is affixed to the outer surface of said membrane, and wherein each of said inflatable channels is capable of being expanded laterally such that an elongate medical instrument fitted with said sleeve and inserted into a body cavity would become anchored within said cavity, and such that the walls of said inflatable channel(s) would define the boundaries of one or more additional longitudinally-disposed large volume channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon catheter system comprising one or more conduits to which are attached a compliant balloon having a non-helical shape in its deflated state, wherein said balloon is constructed such that is capable of adopting a spiral or helical conformation upon inflation. In addition, the present invention also provides methods for using said balloon catheter system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon catheter system comprising one or more conduits to which are attached an inner compliant balloon having a non-helical shape in its deflated state, said balloon being enclosed by an outer non-compliant or semi-compliant balloon, wherein the inner balloon is constructed such that upon inflation, said inner balloon is capable of adopting a spiral or helical conformation. The present invention also provides methods for using said balloon catheter system.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use in a stomach of a subject, including a gastric balloon and a hollow, flexible tube coupled at a distal end thereof to the gastric balloon. A proximal portion of the tube, when in a relaxed position, is shaped so as to prevent the balloon from passing into a duodenum of the subject. The apparatus also includes an inflation conduit disposed in part within the distal end of the tube, the inflation conduit exiting the tube at a site proximal to the gastric balloon. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon catheter system comprising one or more conduits to which are attached a compliant balloon having a non-helical shape in its deflated state, wherein said balloon is constructed such that is capable of adopting a spiral or helical conformation upon inflation. In addition, the present invention also provides methods for using said balloon catheter system.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (10) for insertion into a body cavity. The device comprises an expandable balloon having a torroidal shape defining a hole (80), and an insert (82) configured to be received and secured in the hole. The device may be used in a method for treating urinary incompetence, a method for releasing a substance in the body, a method for monitoring a body cavity, or a method for imaging a body cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for safely removing matter collected by matter collecting catheter from a body organ or passage by means of a collecting sheath comprising an elongated tube having at its distal end an expandable container sleeve, and a lumen passing along said elongated tube and said expandable container sleeve, wherein said lumen is suitable for passage of the matter collecting catheter therethrough. The expandable container sleeve may be introduced into the body organ or passage in a folded state for reducing its cross-sectional area.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a gastrointestinal tract of a subject, the apparatus including a straightening rod (8), and a flexible tubular anchor (1) having a distal end (2) and an open proximal end (4), and sized to fit in the gastrointestinal tract. The anchor (1) comprises a material that has an elastic memory which biases the anchor (1) towards assuming a pre-selected bent configuration. The anchor (1) is shaped so as to define a central core (7) extending from the open proximal end (4) toward the distal end (2). The anchor (1) is configured to be straightened from the pre-selected bent configuration by insertion of the straightening rod (8) in the central core (7). The apparatus further includes a device (70) coupled to the anchor, selected from the list consisting of: a therapeutic device, and a transmitting device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An implantable device for releasing one or more substances into a body cavity such as a urinary bladder, is provided. The device includes an inner balloon located within an outer balloon so as to define a lumen between the outer and inner balloons. The interior of the inner balloon is in fluid contact with an exterior surface of the device, for example via one or more conduits passing through the lumen between the two balloons. A first valve is used for filling the lumen; and a second valve is used for filling the inner balloon. The device is delivered to the body using a delivery catheter. The inner balloon is filled with the substance or substances to be released into the body cavity. The outer balloon is filled with a substance that is chosen to impart a desired specific gravity to the device. The substances to be released may be contained in particles coated with a soluble coating. The particles may be in suspension or embedded in a matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for safely removing matter collected by a matter collecting catheter from body organ or internal passage by means of a collecting sheath comprising an elongated tube having at a distal end thereof a deformable container sleeve, a main lumen passing therealong, said lumen being suitable for the passage of the matter collecting catheter through said elongated tube and said deformable container sleeve, and a secondary lumen passing along the walls of said elongated tube and said deformable container sleeve, wherein said secondary lumen terminates in a distal opening near a distal opening of said deformable container sleeve such that a distal end portion of a wire passed through said secondary lumen may be adapted to close said distal opening of said deformable container sleeve by proximal retraction of said wire.

Abstract: Apparatus (90) is provided for use in a stomach of a subject. The apparatus includes a balloon (92), adapted for placement in the stomach, and all anchor (102), coupled to the balloon. The anchor is adapted to prevent the balloon from passing into a duodenum of the subject. The apparatus further includes an inflation tube (96), coupled to the balloon to permit inflation of the balloon, and is adapted to stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon catheter comprising: a hollow inner shaft disposed within a hollow outer shaft; a balloon attached at its proximal end to said outer shaft and at its distal end to said inner shaft; wherein the inner shaft is constructed such that following radial expansion of the balloon to a first expanded state, said inner shaft is capable of responding to further longitudinal expansion of the balloon to a second expanded state by increasing its length from a resting value, and of responding to subsequent partial deflation back to said first expanded state by reducing its length back to said resting value.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system for the intraluminal advancement of conventional guidewires beyond partially or fully occluded or stenosed lesions in body passages, such as CTOs in the vasculature, is provided. Balloons are provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, a balloon having relatively thickened proximal tapers is provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, balloons having a tapered midsection are provided. The balloons are preferably useful with crossing balloon catheter systems. In certain embodiments of the invention, the balloons preferably reduce or minimize trauma to the vascular wall or wall of other body passage in which it is used.