Abstract: A medical device may include a plurality of links reciprocally movable between a loose configuration having a first rigidity and a compact configuration having a second rigidity greater than the first rigidity, wherein application of a force to a distalmost link of the plurality of links when the plurality of links are in the loose configuration causes the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another, and application of the force to the distalmost link when the plurality of links are in the compact configuration does not cause the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another.

Abstract: Medical devices and method for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example method for treating a blood vessel may include disposing a medical device within the blood vessel at a position adjacent to a lesion. The medical device may comprise an elongate shaft having a distal end region, a balloon coupled to the distal end region, and a force transmitting member at least partially disposed at least partially within the balloon. The force transmitting member may be designed to transmit energy to the lesion. The method may also include inflating the balloon to a first pressure, actuating the force transmitting member to at least partial break apart the lesion, and inflating the balloon to a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: Medical devices and method for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example method for treating a blood vessel may include disposing a medical device within the blood vessel at a position adjacent to a lesion. The medical device may include an elongate shaft having a distal end region, a balloon coupled to the distal end region, and a cavitation member disposed within the balloon. The method may also include inflating the balloon to a first pressure, activating the cavitation member, and inflating the balloon to a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: Medical devices and method for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example method for treating a blood vessel may include disposing a medical device within the blood vessel at a position adjacent to a lesion. The medical device may include an elongate shaft having a distal end region, a balloon coupled to the distal end region, and an iron-containing fluid disposed within the balloon. The method may also include inflating the balloon to a first pressure, delivering a plurality of electromagnetic pulses to the iron-containing fluid, and inflating the balloon to a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: An aortic arch embolic protection device may include an anchoring structure including a first anchoring ring at an upstream end and a second anchoring ring at a downstream end. A first filter element may extend from the first anchoring ring to the second anchoring ring and define a lumen through the aortic arch embolic protection device. A second filter element may be disposed within the lumen of the first filter element, wherein the second filter element includes an access port configured to facilitate passage of an interventional catheter through the access port. The anchoring structure may include a tubular scaffold extending from the first anchoring ring to the second anchoring ring. The second filter element may extend from the second anchoring ring upstream to the access port. The second filter element may extend transversely across the lumen of the first filter element at a plurality of axial locations.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for crossing a tissue region. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a catheter and a tip section arranged therewith. The tip section may be configured to puncture the tissue region and create an opening therein, dilate the opening in the tissue region, and pass through the opening.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for applying ablation therapy to a tissue region. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a balloon structure and one or more electrodes arranged on or within the balloon structure and configured to deliver energy to the tissue region.

Abstract: A balloon catheter visualization device includes a handle, an elongate shaft, and an asymmetrical balloon. The elongate shaft includes a distal end, a proximal end, and defines a lumen and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The proximal end is coupled to the handle. The asymmetrical-shaped balloon including a distal portion and a proximal portion. The proximal portion is coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft. The proximal portion has one or more reinforcement features including a layer of material coupled to the asymmetrical-shaped balloon and forming an outer contour at the proximal portion of the asymmetrical-shaped balloon that is asymmetrical to an outer contour of the distal portion of the asymmetrical-shaped balloon.

Abstract: An elongate medical device may have an elongate tubular body including a proximal portion configured for isotropic bending and a distal portion configured for anisotropic bending. A first steering wire may extend through a first plurality of steering wire guides formed along a first side of the distal region of the elongate tubular body and a second steering wire may extend through a second plurality of steering wire guides formed along a second side of the distal region of the elongate tubular body.

Abstract: An electrical implantable lead includes an elongated lead body having a plurality of lumens therein, including at least one linear lumen and at least one planar, non-linear lumen and a plurality of conductor cables disposed within the plurality of lumens. The electrical implantable lead further includes a terminal connector coupled to a proximal end of the lead body, the terminal connector being in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductor cables. Further, the electrical implantable lead includes at least one electrode coupled to the lead body, the at least one electrode in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductor cables. In accordance with various embodiments, the at least one non-linear lumen extends longitudinally along a portion of the lead body and includes a plurality or crests and a plurality of troughs.

Abstract: Methods and materials related to ostomy devices, and particularly to valves for use with continent ostomies (e.g., ileostomies) are provided herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a valve structure that comprises a flexible structure having a distal portion configured for attachment to a first member and a proximal portion configured for attachment to a second member. The flexible structure is configured such that when the first member is extended distally relative to the second member, the flexible structure adopts a reduced width profile and such that when the first member is retracted proximally relative to the second member to a point of maximal retraction, the flexible structure adopts an expanded width profile, which is more resistant to deformation due to fluid pressure in a proximal direction than it is to deformation due to fluid pressure in a distal direction. The present disclosure is also directed to devices and methods pertaining to such a valve structure.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a first component including a first material, a second component including a second material, and a fiber matrix including a plurality of fibers. The fiber matrix joins the first component to the second component. The fiber matrix includes a first a first portion connected to the first component, and a second portion connected to the second component. The first portion of the fiber matrix is interpenetrated with, and mechanically fixed to, the first material. The first portion of the fiber matrix directly contacts the first material.

Abstract: An electrical implantable lead includes an elongated lead body having a plurality of lumens therein, including at least one linear lumen and at least one planar, non-linear lumen and a plurality of conductor cables disposed within the plurality of lumens. The electrical implantable lead further includes a terminal connector coupled to a proximal end of the lead body, the terminal connector being in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductor cables. Further, the electrical implantable lead includes at least one electrode coupled to the lead body, the at least one electrode in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductor cables. In accordance with various embodiments, the at least one non-linear lumen extends longitudinally along a portion of the lead body and includes a plurality or crests and a plurality of troughs.

Abstract: Tissue regions are treated using a multiple lead electrode probe. A plurality of electrodes may be disposed about an elongate shaft. The elongate shaft may be slidably disposed within a lumen of a delivery sheath. One or more probes including one or more electrically active regions may also be slidably disposed within the delivery sheath. The one or more probes may be configured to extend radially about the elongate shaft. The plurality of electrodes and the electrically active regions may be individually connected to a control and power unit through individual channels.

Abstract: An electrical implantable lead includes an elongated lead body having a plurality of lumens therein, including at least one linear lumen and at least one planar, non-linear lumen and a plurality of conductor cables disposed within the plurality of lumens. The electrical implantable lead further includes a terminal connector coupled to a proximal end of the lead body, the terminal connector being in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductor cables. Further, the electrical implantable lead includes at least one electrode coupled to the lead body, the at least one electrode in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of conductor cables. In accordance with various embodiments, the at least one non-linear lumen extends longitudinally along a portion of the lead body and includes a plurality or crests and a plurality of troughs.

Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, a system may include a loading device including an exterior surface. The system may also include an expandable member mounted on the exterior surface of the loading device. The expandable member may be configured to selectively transition between a collapsed state and an expanded state. The system may also include a covering mounted on the expandable member. The covering may extend around the expandable member and the loading device. The loading device may be configured to position the expandable member and the covering for mounting on an exterior surface of an elongate introduction sheath.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device may include a deflation catheter assembly. The deflation catheter assembly may include a tubular member having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a central lumen defined by the inner surface. The deflation catheter assembly may also include a plurality of passages extending through a side of the tubular member and from the inner surface to the outer surface. The deflation catheter assembly may also include an anchoring member coupled to the tubular member. A distal portion of the tubular member may extend distal the anchoring member. The plurality of passages may be at the distal portion of the tubular member. The anchoring member may be configured to move between an unexpanded state and an expanded state. At least a portion of the anchoring member may protrude radially outwardly from the outer surface of the tubular member when the anchoring member is in the expanded state.

Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, a retrieval catheter assembly for retrieving an intragastric balloon may include a tubular member configured to pass through a wall of the intragastric balloon. The retrieval catheter assembly may also include a retrieval member coupled to the tubular member and movable between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the undeployed configuration the retrieval member may be substantially aligned with the tubular member. In the deployed configuration at least a portion of the retrieval member may diverge from the tubular member and may be configured to engage the wall of the intragastric balloon.

Abstract: Specified information can be provided to a user, to a machine, or to an automated process using a specified configuration of a plurality of radiopaque rings about at least a portion of an implantable lead.