Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may be a deflectable medical device that includes a catheter shaft having a distal end. An ablation electrode may be disposed at the distal end. A deflection mechanism may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The deflection mechanism may include a deflection body and a pull wire coupled to the deflection body. The deflection body may have a longitudinally-extending furrow formed therein. A flex member may be disposed adjacent to the deflection mechanism.

Abstract: Medical devices for ablating nerves perivascularly and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include an expandable frame slidably disposed within a catheter shaft. The expandable frame may be configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. One or more electrodes may be disposed on a surface of the expandable frame. The one or more electrodes may be disposed radially inward relative to the greatest radial extent of the expandable frame when the expandable frame is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter can include assembling an inner balloon within a separate outer balloon. The inner and outer balloons can each be open on opposing longitudinal ends and have a central radially expandable portion, and proximal and distal reduced diameter portions on opposite longitudinal end portions of the balloon. The method can further include bonding a portion of an inner surface of the outer balloon proximal reduced diameter portion to a portion of an outer surface of the inner balloon proximal reduced diameter portion and bonding a distal end portion of an elongate catheter shaft to a proximal portion of the bonded inner and outer balloons.

Abstract: A catheter for placement of an in situ implant is provided. This catheter may include a first elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a second elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a first sharpened distal tip disposed at the distal end of the first shaft and a second sharpened distal tip disposed at the distal end of the second shaft. The first shaft and the second shaft may also be secured to one another at the distal end of the first shaft according to the invention. Still further, according to other teachings, the first sharpened distal tip may extend beyond the second sharpened distal tip in a catheter that practices the invention.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein. An administering portion is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and is configured to administer a bolus of liquid in response to positive pressure in a distal portion of the lumen. The catheter system of the present invention has a dead space of less 0.32 cc and preferably less than 0.15 cc in which residual therapeutic agents remain after delivery. The present invention also includes a method of administering a liquid to a treatment site. The distal end of the catheter is transluminally positioned proximate the treatment site. The catheter is charged by placing a bolus of the liquid in the lumen. A positive pressure is created to drive the bolus to the administering tip to express the bolus from the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter can include assembling an inner balloon within a separate outer balloon. The inner and outer balloons can each be open on opposing longitudinal ends and have a central radially expandable portion, and proximal and distal reduced diameter portions on opposite longitudinal end portions of the balloon. The method can further include bonding a portion of an inner surface of the outer balloon proximal reduced diameter portion to a portion of an outer surface of the inner balloon proximal reduced diameter portion and bonding a distal end portion of an elongate catheter shaft to a proximal portion of the bonded inner and outer balloons.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing temporary placement of a filter in a blood vessel are disclosed. A filter delivery system in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a catheter having an elongate shaft and a tubular member disposed within a shaft lumen defined by the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft also includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall defining the shaft lumen. The tubular member has a first end fixed to the wall of the elongate shaft, and a second end disposed within the shaft lumen. The tubular member defines a guidewire lumen that is in fluid communication with a distal guidewire port defined by the second end of the tubular member. The catheter also includes a proximal guidewire port extending through the wall of the elongate shaft. A filter may be disposed within a distal portion of the shaft lumen. A distal end of a guidewire is fixed to the filter.

Abstract: Distal protection filter assembly and methods for coupling a filter to an elongate shaft. A filter assembly may include a tubular adaptor having a distal holding receptacle. The filter may include struts adapted and configured for being coupled to the holding receptacle.

Abstract: A method for delivering a therapeutic implant to a tissue is provided. This method includes providing an elongate catheter having a distal end including a lumen, providing a carrier including a therapeutic agent, placing the carrier including the therapeutic agent into the lumen, advancing the distal end of the catheter to the tissue, and depositing the carrier including the therapeutic agent into the tissue.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein. An administering portion is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and is configured to administer a bolus of liquid in response to positive pressure in a distal portion of the lumen. The catheter system of the present invention has a dead space of less 0.32 cc and preferably less than 0.15 cc in which residual therapeutic agents remain after delivery. The present invention also includes a method of administering a liquid to a treatment site. The distal end of the catheter is transluminally positioned proximate the treatment site. The catheter is charged by placing a bolus of the liquid in the lumen A positive pressure is created to drive the bolus to the administering tip to express the bolus from the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A method for delivering a therapeutic implant to a tissue is provided. This method includes providing an elongate catheter having a distal end including a lumen, providing a carrier including a therapeutic agent, placing the carrier including the therapeutic agent into the lumen, advancing the distal end of the catheter to the tissue, and depositing the carrier including the therapeutic agent into the tissue.

Abstract: Distal protection filter assembly and methods for coupling a filter to an elongate shaft. A filter assembly may include a tubular adaptor having a distal holding receptacle. The filter may include struts adapted and configured for being coupled to the holding receptacle.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein. An administering portion is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and is configured to administer a bolus of liquid in response to positive pressure in a distal portion of the lumen. The catheter system of the present invention has a dead space of less 0.32 cc and preferably less than 0.15 cc in which residual therapeutic agents remain after delivery. The present invention also includes a method of administering a liquid to a treatment site. The distal end of the catheter is transluminally positioned proximate the treatment site. The catheter is charged by placing a bolus of the liquid in the lumen A positive pressure is created to drive the bolus to the administering tip to express the bolus from the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing temporary placement of a filter in a blood vessel are disclosed. A filter delivery system in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a catheter having an elongate shaft and a tubular member disposed within a shaft lumen defined by the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft also includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall defining the shaft lumen. The tubular member has a first end fixed to the wall of the elongate shaft, and a second end disposed within the shaft lumen. The tubular member defines a guidewire lumen that is in fluid communication with a distal guidewire port defined by the second end of the tubular member. The catheter also includes a proximal guidewire port extending through the wall of the elongate shaft. A filter may be disposed within a distal portion of the shaft lumen. A distal end of a guidewire is fixed to the filter.

Abstract: An intravascular device and methods for forming multiple percutaneous myocardial revascularization (PMR) holes in a heart chamber wall simultaneously. One device includes a basket formed of flexible arms carrying cutting probes over their length. The basket arms are outwardly arcuately biased so as to assume an outwardly bowed, arcuate shape when unconstrained. The device includes an inner shaft distally secured to a proximal portion of the basket and slidably disposed within an outer shaft. The inner shaft and collapsed basket can be retracted within the outer shaft, delivered intravascularly to the left ventricle, and distally advanced, forcing the basket to assume the bowed shape. Radio frequency current supplied to the electrical cutting probes burn holes into the ventricle wall and myocardium. One embodiment has high pressure fluid jet cutting means. Another embodiment uses a basket as an anchor to position a steerable cutting probe.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing temporary placement of a filter in a blood vessel are disclosed. A filter delivery system in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a catheter having an elongate shaft and a tubular member disposed within a shaft lumen defined by the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft also includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall defining the shaft lumen. The tubular member has a first end fixed to the wall of the elongate shaft, and a second end disposed within the shaft lumen. The tubular member defines a guidewire lumen that is in fluid communication with a distal guidewire port defined by the second end of the tubular member. The catheter also includes a proximal guidewire port extending through the wall of the elongate shaft. A filter may be disposed within a distal portion of the shaft lumen. A distal end of a guidewire is fixed to the filter.

Abstract: Distal protection filter assembly and methods for coupling a filter to an elongate shaft. A filter assembly may include a tubular adaptor having a distal holding receptacle. The filter may include struts adapted and configured for being coupled to the holding receptacle.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate shaft including a proximal and a distal end. The shaft includes a conductor. An electrode is disposed at the distal end of the shaft and is connected to the conductor. The electrode has a generally annular, cross-sectional shape. The annular shape defines an opening within the electrode. An insulator surrounds the conductor. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a crater wound can be formed through the endocardium and into the myocardium of a patient's heart. Collateral damage to the myocardium can be made by infusing pressurized fluid into the crater wound.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate shaft including a proximal and a distal end. The shaft includes a conductor. An electrode is disposed at the distal end of the shaft and is connected to the conductor. The electrode has a generally annular, cross-sectional shape. The annular shape defines an opening within the electrode. An insulator surrounds the conductor. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a crater wound can be formed through the endocardium and into the myocardium of a patient's heart. Collateral damage to the myocardium can be made by infusing pressurized fluid into the crater wound.

Abstract: A PMR catheter including an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a conductor extending therethrough. An insulator disposed around the conductor. At least one conductive loop disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The conductive loop having an electrode disposed at its distal end.