Abstract: Thrombectomy catheters are presented that have curved tip portions. A suction lumen extends from at or near the proximal end of the catheter to a suction port at or near the tip portion of the catheter. The curves of the thrombectomy catheter can be selected to place a suction port at or near a vessel wall for the more effective removal of thrombus resulting from directing the suction in the direction of the thrombus. In some embodiments, the tip portion of the catheter can be transitioned from a first configuration for delivery of the catheter into the vessel to a second more curved configuration with a desired design for application of suction. The catheter can be moved in a circumferential and/or lateral direction to cover selected portions of the inner vessel wall. In some embodiments, a partially occlusive structure can be used to reduce and/or redirect flow within the vessel to improve performance of the thrombectomy.

Abstract: In general, aspiration catheters have a suction device, a proximal portion and a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end. Improvements in the aspiration catheter design provide for improved tracking and/or reduced chance of snagging during delivery of the aspiration catheter. In some embodiments, the tip of the shaft has a curve relative to the neutral orientation of the remaining portions of the shaft. In other embodiments, the aspiration catheter further comprises a tracking portion that has a guide lumen. A guide structure can extend through the guide lumen to limit the motion of the tip of the catheter relative to the guide structure during delivery of the aspiration catheter within a patient's vessel. In further embodiments, the aspiration catheter comprises a deflection structure having a tether and a bumper. Improved methods for using the aspiration catheter to recover an embolism protection device are described.

Abstract: Aspiration catheters generally comprise a tube or shaft with an aspiration opening at or near its distal end and a suction device that is at or near the proximal end of the catheter. An aspiration lumen extends from the suction device to the aspiration opening. The aspiration catheter can be associated with an extendable device such that their functions can be combined advantageously. The extendable device can function as a treatment structure and/or as a flow modifier. A treatment structure can be used to expand a constriction in a vessel or to deliver a treatment element into the vessel. A flow modifier generally controls the flow to decrease flow in the vicinity of the aspiration opening to improve the efficiency of the aspiration. Various relationships between the extendable structure and the aspiration catheter are described.

Abstract: In general, aspiration catheters have a suction device, a proximal portion and a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft is operably connected at its proximal end to the proximal portion. The suction device is attached or attachable to the proximal portion to form a continuous lumen from the suction device to an aspiration opening at the distal end of the shaft. Improvements in the aspiration catheter design provide for improved tracking and/or a reduced chance of snagging during delivery of the aspiration catheter. In some embodiments, the tip of the shaft has a natural curve relative to the neutral orientation of the remaining portions of the shaft. In other embodiments, the aspiration catheter further comprises a tracking portion that has a guide lumen. A guide structure can extend through the guide lumen to limit the relative motion of the tip of the catheter relative to the guide structure during delivery of the aspiration catheter within a patient's vessel.

Abstract: A balloon angioplasty catheter having a balloon head assembly carried at the distal end of an elongated catheter body. The balloon head assembly includes an inflatable balloon envelope and a perfusion lumen extending through the balloon envelope to provide a blood flow passage during inflation of the balloon envelope. The invention also encompasses embodiments having a collapsible guidewire lumen for increasing perfusion blood flow upon guidewire withdrawal. Also within the scope of the invention is a distally stepped down perfusion catheter, allowing for decreased distal cross section. In another preferred embodiment, the perfusion lumen is inflatable. In yet another embodiment, the guidewire lumen is external to the perfusion lumen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making an anastomotic connection between a first conduit and a second conduit. A connector structure having a first end portion and a second end portion is positioned about a balloon catheter, which when pressurized, expands to a significant extent at the distal end thereof. The balloon enlarges the connector structure when positioned at the distal end portion of the balloon to create the anastomosis, and at the same time reduces the axial length of the connector, thereby compressing the first conduit to the second conduit, creating a hemodynamic seal and a firm attachment of the two conduits. After enlargement, the connector structure remains in place and adds structure to the anastomosis. During introduction, the second end portion of the connector is covered by a nosecone assembly to prevent trauma to the second conduit while the apparatus is being introduced.

Abstract: A temporary hemostatic plug apparatus for use in a patient includes a plug structure configured to be placed within a patient's tubular body structure. The plug structure may be configured to be placed in an incision to create a bloodless operating field for a surgeon to operate, for example to perform an anastomosis. This may be done by deploying the plug structure out from within the lumen to create a hemostatic seal around the incision. Once the surgeon has completed the operation, the plug apparatus may be removed from the lumen through the incision, or through any other point of access in the lumen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making an anastomotic connection between a first conduit and a second conduit. A connector structure having a first end portion and a second end portion is positioned about a balloon catheter, which when pressurized, expands to a significant extent at the distal end thereof. The balloon enlarges the connector structure when positioned at the distal end portion of the balloon to create the anastomosis, and at the same time reduces the axial length of the connector, thereby compressing the first conduit to the second conduit, creating a hemodynamic seal and a firm attachment of the two conduits. After enlargement, the connector structure remains in place and adds structure to the anastomosis. During introduction, the second end portion of the connector is covered by a nosecone assembly to prevent trauma to the second conduit while the apparatus is being introduced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making an anastomotic connection between a first conduit and a second conduit. A connector structure having a first end portion and a second end portion is positioned about a balloon catheter, which when pressurized, expands to a significant extent at the distal end thereof. The balloon enlarges the connector structure when positioned at the distal end portion of the balloon to create the anastomosis, and at the same time reduces the axial length of the connector, thereby compressing the first conduit to the second conduit, creating a hemodynamic seal and a firm attachment of the two conduits. After enlargement, the connector structure remains in place and adds structure to the anastomosis. During introduction, the second end portion of the connector is covered by a nosecone assembly to prevent trauma to the second conduit while the apparatus is being introduced.

Abstract: A bypass graft conduit is installed in the circulatory system of a patient using apparatus which facilitates performing most or all of the necessary work intraluminally (i.e., via lumens of the patient's circulatory system). A guide structure such as a wire is installed in the patient via circulatory system lumens so that a portion of the guide structure extends along the desired path of the bypass conduit, which bypass conduit path is outside the circulatory system as it exists prior to installation of the bypass graft. The bypass graft is then introduced into the patient along the guide structure and connected at each of its ends to the circulatory system using connectors that form fluid-tight annular openings from the bypass graft lumen into the adjacent circulatory system lumens. The guide structure is then pulled out of the patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making an anastomotic connection between a first conduit and a second conduit. A connector structure having a first end portion and a second end portion is positioned about a balloon catheter, which when pressurized, expands to a significant extent at the distal end thereof. The balloon enlarges the connector structure when positioned at the distal end portion of the balloon to create the anastomosis, and at the same time reduces the axial length of the connector, thereby compressing the first conduit to the second conduit, creating a hemodynamic seal and a firm attachment of the two conduits. After enlargement, the connector structure remains in place and adds structure to the anastomosis. During introduction, the second end portion of the connector is covered by a nosecone assembly to prevent trauma to the second conduit while the apparatus is being introduced.

Abstract: Connectors are provided for making connections between tubular conduits in medical procedures such as those involving treatment of a patient's circulatory system. The connectors are variously configured for making end-to-side or end-to-end connections of tubular conduits. One of the tubular conduits may be a graft conduit, which can be artificial conduit, natural conduit, or a combination of both. The connectors for making end-to-side connections can be generally T-shaped or L-shaped. Various portions of the connectors can attach to the inside or outside of the associated conduit, depending on the connector configuration that is selected.

Abstract: A balloon angioplasty catheter having a balloon head assembly carried at the distal end of an elongated catheter body. The balloon head assembly includes an inflatable balloon envelope and a perfusion lumen extending through the balloon envelope to provide a blood flow passage during inflation of the balloon envelope. In a preferred embodiment, the perfusion lumen is formed by a helical member having spaced coils encapsulated with a flexible material. A discharge lumen is formed by a projecting tip, the tip being integrally formed with the balloon envelope. Discharge orifices are provided through the tip sidewall. In a preferred embodiment, the side discharge orifices are elongated in the general direction of perfusion flow through the balloon head. The invention also encompasses means for facilitating discharge of perfused blood through the discharge orifices. This is accomplished by valving perfusate flow through the discharge lumen.