Abstract: According to various embodiments, systems, devices and methods for modulating targeted nerve fibers (e.g., hepatic neuromodulation) or other tissue are provided. Systems, devices and methods for cooling energy delivery members are also provided. The systems may be configured to access tortuous anatomy of or adjacent hepatic vasculature. The systems may be configured to target nerves surrounding (e.g., within adventitia of or within perivascular space of) an artery or other blood vessel, such as the common hepatic artery.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, systems, devices and methods for modulating targeted nerve fibers (e.g., hepatic neuromodulation) or other tissue are provided. Systems, devices and methods for cooling energy delivery members are also provided. The systems may be configured to access tortuous anatomy of or adjacent hepatic vasculature. The systems may be configured to target nerves surrounding (e.g., within adventitia of or within perivascular space of) an artery or other blood vessel, such as the common hepatic artery.

Abstract: A method for the use of a composite plug for arteriotomy closure which includes an elongate core member and one or more layers disposed at least in part about the elongate core member. The composite plug may include an outer member at least partially surrounding the elongate core member. The method of use of the composite plug results in a progression of radial swelling along the longitudinal axis of the composite plug.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, systems, devices and methods for modulating targeted nerve fibers (e.g., hepatic neuromodulation) or other tissue are provided. The systems may be configured to access tortuous anatomy of or adjacent hepatic vasculature. The systems may be configured to target nerves surrounding (e.g., within adventitia of or within perivascular space of) an artery or other blood vessel, such as the common hepatic artery.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a device for sealing an opening in a vessel wall and/or tissue tract may include an anchor, a filament, a plug, and a knot. The anchor may be configured to be disposed adjacent to an interior surface of the vessel wall adjacent the opening in the vessel wall. The filament may have a distal end coupled to the anchor and may be configured to extend proximally through the vessel opening and/or tissue tract. The plug may be disposed about at least a portion of the filament member. The knot may be disposed about the filament proximal of the plug and may be configured to move over the filament and secure the plug relative to the anchor. The knot may be independent of the filament member.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, systems, devices and methods for modulating targeted nerve fibers (e.g., hepatic neuromodulation) or other tissue are provided. Systems, devices and methods for cooling energy delivery members are also provided. The systems may be configured to access tortuous anatomy of or adjacent hepatic vasculature. The systems may be configured to target nerves surrounding (e.g., within adventitia of or within perivascular space of) an artery or other blood vessel, such as the common hepatic artery.

Abstract: Embolic protection aspirators and methods for extracting debris from the vasculature during interventional procedures are provided. One such system may include an aspirating filter delivery catheter having a filtration device, an operable end cap, and a plurality of aspiration ports. The delivery catheter may be fluidly coupled to a suction providing means for extracting debris while traversing a target site for distal delivery of the filtration device. Another such system may include an aspirating filter retrieval catheter having an aspiration lumen and a balloon. The aspiration lumen may be fluidly coupled to a suction providing means for extracting debris from the filtration device prior to and/or during retrieval of the filtration device. By inflating the balloon to partially or fully restrict blood flow, suction pressure proximal of the filtration device may be increased to enhance debris extraction.

Abstract: Medical devices including catheters for renal nerve ablation and/or modulation as well as methods for making and using such devices are disclosed. An example catheter may, have a proximal region and a distal region. The catheter may be configured to shift between a first straightened configuration and a second deflected configuration. The catheter may also include an ablation member coupled to the distal region and a handle coupled to the proximal region. The handle may include an actuation member for shifting the catheter between the first configuration and the second configuration. A lock may be coupled to the handle that maintains the catheter in either the first configuration or the second configuration.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a device for sealing an opening in a vessel wall and/or tissue tract may include an anchor, a filament, a plug, and a knot. The anchor may be configured to be disposed adjacent to an interior surface of the vessel wall adjacent the opening in the vessel wall. The filament may have a distal end coupled to the anchor and may be configured to extend proximally through the vessel opening and/or tissue tract. The plug may be disposed about at least a portion of the filament member. The knot may be disposed about the filament proximal of the plug and may be configured to move over the filament and secure the plug relative to the anchor. The knot may be independent of the filament member.

Abstract: A composite plug for arteriotomy closure, a method of manufacturing a composite plug for arteriotomy closure, and a method for the use of a composite plug for arteriotomy closure may include an elongate core member, and one or more layers disposed at least in part about the core member, where the composite plug has been partially compacted in a radial direction. The composite plug may include an outer member at least partially surrounding the core member.

Abstract: Methods are provided for loading polymeric regions of medical devices with therapeutic agents. In these methods, a polymeric region of a medical device is first pretreated with a solvent system. Subsequently, therapeutic-agent-containing particles are impacted into the pretreated polymeric region at a velocity that is effective to at least partially embed the particles within the pretreated polymeric region. The pretreatment step parameters (e.g., the particular solvent system employed, amount of time that the solvent system contacts the polymeric region, etc.) are typically selected such that the surface tack of the polymeric region is increased. Consequently, the depth, the amount, or both the depth and the amount of the particles that become at least partially embedded in the polymeric region is/are typically increased, relative to what would be achieved in the absence of the pretreatment step. Also provided are medical devices made by such methods.

Abstract: Anchoring mechanisms for releasably securing an intravascular device along an elongated member such as a guidewire or catheter. The anchoring mechanism may include an object that can be actuated between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the anchoring mechanism is slidably and rotationally disposed about the elongated member. In the locked position, the anchoring mechanism is releasably secured to the elongated member, preventing movement thereon. A placement mechanism such as a tubular member can be utilized to actuate the anchoring mechanism between the unlocked and locked positions.

Abstract: A dedicated distal protection guidewire having proximal and distal stops disposed about an elongated core wire is disclosed. A guidewire in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated core wire having a relatively stiff proximal section and a relatively flexible distal section, a distal stop disposed about a portion of the elongated core wire, and a proximal stop disposed about a portion of the elongated core wire proximal the distal stop. The distal stop may be formed from an enlarged outer diameter portion on the elongated core wire, or may be formed from an object disposed about and secured to a portion of the elongated core wire. The proximal stop may include an O-ring disposed within a recessed surface on the elongated core wire, or an annular ring having several circumferentially disposed notches.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter having a reduced profile for placement within a body lumen is disclosed. An embolic protection filter in accordance with the present invention includes a filter frame slidably and rotationally disposed along a guidewire, a plurality of retaining collars coupled to a proximal end of the filter frame, a plurality of expandable struts each having a proximal section adapted to slide within a corresponding retaining collar, and a filter mesh coupled to a distal section of the expandable struts for filtering embolic debris.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a device for sealing an opening in a vessel wall and/or tissue tract may include an anchor, a filament, a plug, and a knot. The anchor may be configured to be disposed adjacent to an interior surface of the vessel wall adjacent the opening in the vessel wall. The filament may have a distal end coupled to the anchor and may be configured to extend proximally through the vessel opening and/or tissue tract. The plug may be disposed about at least a portion of the filament member. The knot may be disposed about the filament proximal of the plug and may be configured to move over the filament and secure the plug relative to the anchor. The knot may be independent of the filament member.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a device for sealing an opening in a vessel wall and/or tissue tract may include an anchor, a filament, a plug, and a knot. The anchor may be configured to be disposed adjacent to an interior surface of the vessel wall adjacent the opening in the vessel wall. The filament may have a distal end coupled to the anchor and may be configured to extend proximally through the vessel opening and/or tissue tract. The plug may be disposed about at least a portion of the filament member. The knot may be disposed about the filament proximal of the plug and may be configured to move over the filament and secure the plug relative to the anchor. The knot may be independent of the filament member.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a modified arteriotomy closure plug, said modification selected from the group consisting of a slit, a notch, a groove, and combinations thereof and a method of manufacturing the arteriotomy closure plug.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a composite arteriotomy closure plug, a method of manufacturing the composite arteriotomy closure plug, and a method for the use thereof.

Abstract: Alternative coating compositions and/or methods of coating a medical device. Some examples include coating compositions comprising a polyester urethane and a polyether in a substantially aqueous carrier. The coating composition may be provided as a one or two part system and may be applied by a variety of coating methods, in some cases without a requirement for special equipment or undue industrial hygiene concerns. Additionally, methods of coating medical devices with substantially aqueous coating compositions and the resulting coated medical devices. The composition may be applied to all or part of a medical device by spraying, dipping, brushing, extruding, or the like. After the coating composition has been applied, the substantially aqueous carrier, including any attendant cosolvents or other volatile species, may be removed, typically by heating with optional enhanced air flow although simple evaporation at ambient conditions may also be used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrostatic spray deposition of small targets, such as medical devices, like stents. The apparatus includes a target holder that applies a first electrical potential to the target, and an electrostatic dispensing nozzle that applies a second potential sufficient to attract the coating fluid from the nozzle toward the target. Because the entire dispensing nozzle is conductive, the coating fluid may receive a greater charge than may be obtained with internal electrode-type nozzles. Electrostatic attraction of the coating fluid to the target is enhanced by the combination of higher charge density imparted to the coating fluid by the conductive nozzle, and application of a momentary voltage spike to the target to provide consistent conductivity between the target and its holder, thereby ensuring the target is presented with the full first potential applied to the holder. The voltage spike may also be used independently of the conductive nozzle.