Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices and methods for treating disorders in a hollow body organ by ablating the tissue therein. At least one set of bipolar electrodes is deployed in the hollow body organ to contact the inner wall of the organ. In the deployed position, each positive electrode is positioned in a location substantially opposite each negative electrode. The tissue contact areas of the positive and negative electrodes are substantially the same and the electrodes are separated from one another by a distance of at least 10 times the width of each of the electrodes. The electrodes thereby produce lesions that are substantially identical to one another and also similar to those produced with monopolar electrodes. The electrodes are used to produce an ablation pattern that can electrically isolate regions of the hollow body organ, thereby treating the disorder(s).

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods to treat a urinary bladder are disclosed. An expandable member is introduced and expanded in the urinary bladder to appose one or more elongate conductors on the outer surface of the expandable member against the inner wall of the urinary bladder. The one or more elongate conductors are used to create a predetermined pattern of electrically isolated tissue regions having reduced electrical propagation such that electrical propagation through the urinary bladder as a whole is reduced. A mucus layer may be removed from the inner bladder wall prior to the ablation. Ablation may be regulated by impedance measurement with the one or more elongate conductors. The urinary bladder may be filled with a fluid to facilitate the impedance measurement.

Abstract: Regions of tissue having reduced electrical propagation are created in a bladder to affect its electrical or mechanical properties. To create these tissue regions, a tubular device is advanced through the urethra leading to the interior of the bladder, a distal expandable structure of the device is expanded to contact the inner wall of the bladder, and electrodes or other active energy delivery elements of the device are activated to deliver ablation energy. The electrodes or other active energy delivery elements are disposed over the expandable structure which is shaped to conform to the interior of the bladder. The inner wall of the organ is ablated in a predetermined pattern. The same or other electrodes disposed over the expandable structure can used to electrically map the bladder. This map of electrical activity can be used to create the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides for devices and methods for providing endovascular therapy, including facilitating establishment of vascular access, placement of endovascular sheaths, catheter tip localization, and administration of vascular occlusion. The invention includes a vessel cannulation device, an expandable sheath, an occlusion catheter, and a localizer each of which may be provided separately or used as part of a system. One embodiment of the invention is a vessel cannulation device including: a housing having a distal end with a distal tip and a proximal end; a guidewire lumen passing through the housing and at least the distal tip; a sensor coupled to the guidewire lumen; and an advancing member, which is configured for advancing at least one of a guidewire or a sheath and which is operably coupled to the sensor.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for automatic vascular access. An automatic vessel cannulation device, mechanical or electronic, has a sensor configured to detect a physiologic parameter of a needle tip, and a blunting device advancing member released in response to the sensor. The sensor may measure pressure or any other physiological parameter. A processor is configured to analyze data sent by the sensor and is pre-set to identify parameters unique to arteries, veins, or other body cavities or organs. A method may include comparing a physiologic parameter with pre-determined parameters to deploy a blunting element if the physiologic parameter is within a range of the pre-determined parameters. An expandable sheath may be included. A device can be provided having a motor controlling the cannulation device orientation to scan tissue with the tip of the needle by moving the cannulation device through the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for automatic vascular access. An automatic vessel cannulation device, mechanical or electronic, has a sensor configured to detect a physiologic parameter of a needle tip, and a blunting device advancing member released in response to the sensor. The sensor may measure pressure or any other physiological parameter. A processor is configured to analyze data sent by the sensor and is pre-set to identify parameters unique to arteries, veins, or other body cavities or organs. A method may include comparing a physiologic parameter with pre-determined parameters to deploy a blunting element if the physiologic parameter is within a range of the pre-determined parameters. An expandable sheath may be included. A device can be provided having a motor controlling the cannulation device orientation to scan tissue with the tip of the needle by moving the cannulation device through the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods to treat a urinary bladder are disclosed. An expandable member is introduced and expanded in the urinary bladder to appose one or more elongate conductors on the outer surface of the expandable member against the inner wall of the urinary bladder. The one or more elongate conductors are used to create a predetermined pattern of electrically isolated tissue regions having reduced electrical propagation such that electrical propagation through the urinary bladder as a whole is reduced. A mucus layer may be removed from the inner bladder wall prior to the ablation. Ablation may be regulated by impedance measurement with the one or more elongate conductors. The urinary bladder may be filled with a fluid to facilitate the impedance measurement.

Abstract: A medical device for minimally invasive separation and/or removal of tissue from a body lumen, can include: a tool configured to encircle a tissue while positioned between the tissue and a body lumen. Wherein the tool has at least one wire arm. The tool may also have at least one connection element.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods to treat a urinary bladder are disclosed. An expandable member is introduced and expanded in the urinary bladder to appose one or more elongate conductors on the outer surface of the expandable member against the inner wall of the urinary bladder. The one or more elongate conductors are used to create a predetermined pattern of electrically isolated tissue regions having reduced electrical propagation such that electrical propagation through the urinary bladder as a whole is reduced. A mucus layer may be removed from the inner bladder wall prior to the ablation. Ablation may be regulated by impedance measurement with the one or more elongate conductors. The urinary bladder may be filled with a fluid to facilitate the impedance measurement.

Abstract: A medical device for minimally invasive removal of tissue from a body lumen, can include: a sheath having a proximal and a distal end; and a tool configured to pass through the sheath and configured to transition from a crimped state to a deployed state and to a closed state, wherein the tool forms an aperture at a distal end, the distal end of the tool having at least one tube loop and at least one wire loop, wherein the tool is configured to dissect tissue in the deployed state.

Abstract: A medical device for minimally invasive removal of tissue from a body lumen, can include: a sheath having a proximal and a distal end; and a tool configured to pass through the sheath and configured to transition from a crimped state to a deployed state and to a closed state, wherein the tool forms an aperture at a distal end, the distal end of the tool having at least one tube loop and at least one wire loop, wherein the tool is configured to dissect tissue in the deployed state.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for percutaneously treating atherosclerotic plaques within blood vessels. Atherosclerotic plaques cause significant morbidity and mortality by narrowing the arteries, which adversely affects blood flow, and by acting as a source for thrombi and emboli thus causing acute organ ischemia. Current treatments include open surgery with its inherent drawbacks, and stenting, which is less invasive but leaves the plaque material in the artery, which promotes restenosis. The present invention combines the advantages of both approaches. In general, the invention provides tools that enable percutaneously dissecting the plaque from the arterial wall and removing it from the body.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices and methods for treating disorders in a hollow body organ by ablating the tissue therein. At least one set of bipolar electrodes is deployed in the hollow body organ to contact the inner wall of the organ. In the deployed position, each positive electrode is positioned in a location substantially opposite each negative electrode. The tissue contact areas of the positive and negative electrodes are substantially the same and the electrodes are separated from one another by a distance of at least 10 times the width of each of the electrodes. The electrodes thereby produce lesions that are substantially identical to one another and also similar to those produced with monopolar electrodes. The electrodes are used to produce an ablation pattern that can electrically isolate regions of the hollow body organ, thereby treating the disorder(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides for devices and methods for providing endovascular therapy, including facilitating establishment of vascular access, placement of endovascular sheaths, catheter tip localization, and administration of vascular occlusion. The invention includes a vessel cannulation device, an expandable sheath, an occlusion catheter, and a localizer each of which may be provided separately or used as part of a system. One embodiment of the invention is a vessel cannulation device including: a housing having a distal end with a distal tip and a proximal end; a guidewire lumen passing through the housing and at least the distal tip; a sensor coupled to the guidewire lumen; and an advancing member, which is configured for advancing at least one of a guidewire or a sheath and which is operably coupled to the sensor.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for percutaneously treating atherosclerotic plaques within blood vessels. Atherosclerotic plaques cause significant morbidity and mortality by narrowing the arteries, which adversely affects blood flow, and by acting as a source for thrombi and emboli thus causing acute organ ischemia. Current treatments include open surgery with its inherent drawbacks, and stenting, which is less invasive but leaves the plaque material in the artery, which promotes restenosis. The present invention combines the advantages of both approaches. In general, the invention provides tools that enable percutaneously dissecting the plaque from the arterial wall and removing it from the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides for devices and methods for providing endovascular therapy, including facilitating establishment of vascular access, placement of endovascular sheaths, catheter tip localization, and administration of vascular occlusion. The inventions includes a vessel cannulation device, an expandable sheath, an occlusion catheter, and a localizer each of which may be provided separately or used as part of a system.

Abstract: The present invention provides for devices and methods for providing endovascular therapy, including facilitating establishment of vascular access, placement of endovascular sheaths, catheter tip localization, and administration of vascular occlusion. The invention includes a vessel cannulation device, an expandable sheath, an occlusion catheter, and a localizer each of which may be provided separately or used as part of a system. One embodiment of the invention is a vessel cannulation device including: a housing having a distal end with a distal tip and a proximal end; a guidewire lumen passing through the housing and at least the distal tip; a sensor coupled to the guidewire lumen; and an advancing member, which is configured for advancing at least one of a guidewire or a sheath and which is operably coupled to the sensor.

Abstract: Regions of tissue having reduced electrical propagation are created in a bladder to affect its electrical or mechanical properties. To create these tissue regions, a tubular device is advanced through the urethra leading to the interior of the bladder, a distal expandable structure of the device is expanded to contact the inner wall of the bladder, and electrodes or other active energy delivery elements of the device are activated to deliver ablation energy. The electrodes or other active energy delivery elements are disposed over the expandable structure which is shaped to conform to the interior of the bladder. The inner wall of the organ is ablated in a predetermined pattern. The same or other electrodes disposed over the expandable structure can used to electrically map the bladder. This map of electrical activity can be used to create the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: Regions of tissue having reduced electrical propagation are created in a bladder to affect its electrical or mechanical properties. To create these tissue regions, a tubular device is advanced through the urethra leading to the interior of the bladder, a distal expandable structure of the device is expanded to contact the inner wall of the bladder, and electrodes or other active energy delivery elements of the device are activated to deliver ablation energy. The electrodes or other active energy delivery elements are disposed over the expandable structure which is shaped to conform to the interior of the bladder. The inner wall of the organ is ablated in a predetermined pattern. The same or other electrodes disposed over the expandable structure can used to electrically map the bladder. This map of electrical activity can be used to create the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A medical device for minimally invasive removal of tissue from a body lumen, can include: a sheath having a proximal and a distal end; and a tool configured to pass through the sheath and configured to transition from a crimped state to a deployed state and to a closed state, wherein the tool forms an aperture at a distal end, the distal end of the tool having at least one tube loop and at least one wire loop, wherein the tool is configured to dissect tissue in the deployed state.