Abstract: A suspension of a therapeutic substance (e.g., embolic beads) dispersed within a liquid can be delivered via a catheter by using a bidirectional pump to rapidly draw the mixture of the therapeutic substance and liquid from an external syringe into an internal reservoir, then rapidly push the mixture back out into the external syringe. The rapid operation of the bidirectional pump mixes the two constituents so that the therapeutic substance is temporarily suspended within the liquid. Then, a low-speed pump is used to inject the mixture out via the catheter. In some embodiments, the parameters of the low-speed pump are controlled so that the fluid exiting the catheter will experience laminar flow. When the therapeutic substance comprises embolic beads, this can advantageously prevent reflux of the embolic beads, which can be dangerous.

Abstract: A decoupling delivery system may include a handle portion and a catheter portion. The handle portion may be removable coupled to the catheter potion. The catheter portion may include a cable extending from the handle portion to a distal end of the catheter portion and having an inner lumen. The system may include a wire extending through the inner lumen and the wire may be operable by actuation of the handle to advance or retract the wire within the inner lumen. The system may have a device engagement mechanism arranged at the distal end configured for engaging a medical device in response to longitudinal motion of the wire.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for inflation are provided. Inflation devices include a housing, a compressed gas canister disposed therein, a syringe disposed within the housing, a plunger slidably disposed in the syringe having an unloaded position and a loaded position relative to the syringe., a puncture mechanism disposed within the housing and configured to open a fluid path between the compressed gas canister and the syringe, and a positive pressure mechanism disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the syringe. Engagement of the puncture mechanism puts the syringe into fluid communication with the compressed gas canister such that gas contained therein loads into the syringe and the plunger moves from the unloaded position and the loaded position. The positive pressure mechanism is configured to maintain the gas within the syringe at a positive pressure relative to ambient pressure in order to prevent air from entering the syringe after loading.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for inflation are provided. Inflation devices include a housing, a compressed gas canister disposed therein, a syringe disposed within the housing, a plunger slidably disposed in the syringe having an unloaded position and a loaded position relative to the syringe, a puncture mechanism disposed within the housing and configured to open a fluid path between the compressed gas canister and the syringe, and a positive pressure mechanism disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the syringe. Engagement of the puncture mechanism puts the syringe into fluid communication with the compressed gas canister such that gas contained therein loads into the syringe and the plunger moves from the unloaded position and the loaded position. The positive pressure mechanism is configured to maintain the gas within the syringe at a positive pressure relative to ambient pressure in order to prevent air from entering the syringe after loading.

Abstract: Catheter devices/systems and methods therefrom are described herein for treating acute kidney injury, especially the contrast-induced acute kidney injury wherein the devices may prevent the contrast dyes from entering into kidney and/or facilitate blood flow of kidney by said catheter system.

Abstract: A suspension of a therapeutic substance (e.g., embolic beads) dispersed within a liquid can be delivered via a catheter by using a bidirectional pump to rapidly draw the mixture of the therapeutic substance and liquid from an external syringe into an internal reservoir, then rapidly push the mixture back out into the external syringe. The rapid operation of the bidirectional pump mixes the two constituents so that the therapeutic substance is temporarily suspended within the liquid. Then, a low-speed pump is used to inject the mixture out via the catheter. In some embodiments, the parameters of the low-speed pump are controlled so that the fluid exiting the catheter will experience laminar flow. When the therapeutic substance comprises embolic beads, this can advantageously prevent reflux of the embolic beads, which can be dangerous.

Abstract: Catheter devices/systems and methods therefrom are described herein for treating acute kidney injury, especially in the reduction of contrast-induced acute kidney injury. The catheter devices, systems and associated methods may prevent contrast dyes from entering into the kidney and/or facilitate blood flow beyond the kidney by utilization of the catheter devices, systems and associated methods.

Abstract: Controlled delivery of embolic beads into a subject's artery is achieved using a pump configured to draw fluid into a chamber and eject fluid from the chamber, one or more valves that control fluid-flow paths between three ports and the chamber of the pump, a valve actuator that places the one or more valves into various operating states, and a controller that controls the operation of the pump and the one or more valves in a controlled sequence. The various operating states interconnect one of the ports with a common port in fluid communication with the pump to achieve the controlled delivery of embolic beads.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for inflation are provided. Inflation devices include a housing, a compressed gas canister disposed therein, a syringe disposed within the housing, a plunger slidably disposed in the syringe having an unloaded position and a loaded position relative to the syringe, a puncture mechanism disposed within the housing and configured to open a fluid path between the compressed gas canister and the syringe, and a positive pressure mechanism disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the syringe. Engagement of the puncture mechanism puts the syringe into fluid communication with the compressed gas canister such that gas contained therein loads into the syringe and the plunger moves from the unloaded position and the loaded position. The positive pressure mechanism is configured to maintain the gas within the syringe at a positive pressure relative to ambient pressure in order to prevent air from entering the syringe after loading.

Abstract: Catheter devices/systems and methods therefrom are described herein for treating acute kidney injury, especially the contrast-induced acute kidney injury wherein the devices may prevent the contrast dyes from entering into kidney and/or facilitate blood flow of kidney by said catheter system.

Abstract: A system and method for percutaneous loop kyphoplasty is described. An apparatus for the treatment of a targeted vertebral bone fracture includes a first trocar having a first lumen, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the first trocar is configured for surgical insertion into a vertebral body at a first location, a second trocar having a second lumen, a proximal and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the second trocar is configured for surgical insertion into the vertebral body at a second location, a wire tool that is slidable within the first trocar, a grasper tool that is slidable within the second trocar and is configured to temporarily couple to the wire tool within the vertebral body, and a non-deployable balloon that is advanced through the first or second trocar into the vertebral body to facilitate expansion within the vertebral body.

Abstract: Controlled delivery of embolic beads into a subject's artery is achieved using a pump configured to draw fluid into a chamber and eject fluid from the chamber, one or more valves that control fluid-flow paths between three ports and the chamber of the pump, a valve actuator that places the one or more valves into various operating states, and a controller that controls the operation of the pump and the one or more valves in a controlled sequence. The various operating states interconnect one of the ports with a common port in fluid communication with the pump to achieve the controlled delivery of embolic beads.

Abstract: The expandable sheath and system (10) for intravascular insertion of a medical implement includes a cannula (70) for entering a lumen of a vascular vessel of a patient, a guide wire (72) insertable into the lumen, an introducer and dilator (62) adapted to follow the guide wire (72) into the lumen, an expandable sheath (40) positioned on the introducer and dilator (62), with the expandable sheath (40) being adapted to be positioned in the vessel, and an extension collar (76). The medical implement is received within the vessel by passing through the sheath (40) upon separating the introducer and dilator (62) therefrom. In one embodiment, a linear array of perforations (50) formed through the expandable sheath (40) allow for expansion. Alternatively, an external slit (16) may be provided for selective expansion of the sheath (40).

Abstract: The apparatus for closure of atrial septal defects includes a sheath having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the sheath defining a lumen extending therethrough, a handle positioned in communicating relation with the proximal portion of the sheath, and a balloon positioned in communicating relation the distal portion of the sheath. The distal portion of the sheath can include a soft tip having at least one hole defined therein. The handle can have a bidirectional control configured for controlling or deflecting the direction of the distal portion of the sheath by at least 90 degrees to aid in positioning and aligning the balloon, as well as an occlusion device into the ASD. The balloon, such as a sizing balloon, can measure the size of the ASD within the interatrial septum of a heart of a patient.

Abstract: A system and method for percutaneous loop kyphoplasty is described. An apparatus for the treatment of a targeted vertebral bone fracture includes a first trocar having a first lumen, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the first trocar is configured for surgical insertion into a vertebral body at a first location, a second trocar having a second lumen, a proximal and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the second trocar is configured for surgical insertion into the vertebral body at a second location, a wire tool that is slidable within the first trocar, a grasper tool that is slidable within the second trocar and is configured to temporarily couple to the wire tool within the vertebral body, and a non-deployable balloon that is advanced through the first or second trocar into the vertebral body to facilitate expansion within the vertebral body.

Abstract: The aspiration catheters, systems and methods include a catheter having an elongated body with a cross-section having a flat side and a curve near the distal end. The first side of the cross-section can contact a first side of a delivery lumen in a first orientation, and a second side of the cross-section contacts the first side of the delivery lumen in a second orientation rotated 180° from the first orientation. The curve can be directed 90° relative to a normal of the flat side. The systems and methods can utilize two catheters, and a key joint formed with the two catheters which can rotationally fix the catheters with respect to each other, and the first and second catheters each include at least one pre-formed curve near the distal end. The two catheters can be moved proximally and distally for positioning in the right and left bronchi.

Abstract: The aspiration catheters, systems and methods include a catheter having an elongated body with a cross-section having a flat side and a curve near the distal end. The first side of the cross-section can contact a first side of a delivery lumen in a first orientation, and a second side of the cross-section contacts the first side of the delivery lumen in a second orientation rotated 180° from the first orientation. The curve can be directed 90° relative to a normal of the flat side. The systems and methods can utilize two catheters, and a key joint formed with the two catheters which can rotationally fix the catheters with respect to each other, and the first and second catheters each include at least one pre-formed curve near the distal end. The two catheters can be moved proximally and distally for positioning in the right and left bronchi.

Abstract: The aspiration catheters, systems and methods include a catheter having an elongated body with a cross-section having a flat side and a curve near the distal end. The first side of the cross-section can contact a first side of a delivery lumen in a first orientation, and a second side of the cross-section contacts the first side of the delivery lumen in a second orientation rotated 180° from the first orientation. The curve can be directed 90° relative to a normal of the flat side. The systems and methods can utilize two catheters, and a key joint formed with the two catheters which can rotationally fix the catheters with respect to each other, and the first and second catheters each include at least one pre-formed curve near the distal end. The two catheters can be moved proximally and distally for positioning in the right and left bronchi.

Abstract: The expandable sheath and system for intravascular insertion of a medical implement includes a cannula for entering a lumen of a vascular vessel of a patient, a guide wire insertable into the lumen, an introducer and dilator adapted to follow the guide wire into the lumen, an expandable sheath positioned on the introducer and dilator, with the expandable sheath being adapted to be positioned in the vessel, and an extension collar. The medical implement is received within the vessel by passing through the sheath upon separating the introducer and dilator therefrom. In one embodiment, a linear array of perforations formed through the expandable sheath allow for expansion. Alternatively, an external slit may be provided for selective expansion of the sheath.

Abstract: The expandable sheath and system for intravascular insertion of a medical implement includes a cannula for entering a lumen of a vascular vessel of a patient, a guide wire insertable into the lumen, an introducer and dilator adapted to follow the guide wire into the lumen, an expandable sheath positioned on the introducer and dilator, with the expandable sheath being adapted to be positioned in the vessel, and an extension collar. The medical implement is received within the vessel by passing through the sheath upon separating the introducer and dilator therefrom. In one embodiment, a linear array of perforations formed through the expandable sheath allow for expansion. Alternatively, an external slit may be provided for selective expansion of the sheath.