Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of imaging a portion of a body vessel using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), methods of performing interventional medical treatment under MRI, interventional medical devices, such as wire guides, useful in performing treatment under MRI, and methods of making interventional medical devices. A method of imaging a portion of a body vessel of a patient using MRI includes advancing through a body vessel an end of a wire guide comprising a continuous metal core member and a continuous jacket disposed over the entire core member through a body vessel and scanning the portion of the patient that is positioned within an MRI scanner and that includes a portion of the body vessel within which the end of the wire guide is disposed. A secondary medical device, such as a catheter, can be disposed over the wire guide and manipulated in the method.

Abstract: Example medical systems for performing treatment under magnetic resonance imaging and related devices, kits, and methods are described. An example medical system includes a first medical device, a second medical device, and a marker. The first medical device is formed of a first material. The first material has a first magnetic susceptibility. The second medical device is formed of a second material. The second material has a second magnetic susceptibility. The marker is disposed on the second medical device and is formed of a third material. The third material has a third magnetic susceptibility that is different than the first magnetic susceptibility and the second magnetic susceptibility.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes intraluminal support devices having high radial stiffness regions with smaller diameter and low radial stiffness regions with larger diameter. When deployed to the vasculature of a patient in need of treatment, the high radial stiffness region is sized such that it has approximately the diameter of the vessel in need of treatment, so that it produces substantially zero chronic radial force when the vessel is not being subjected to external compression. The low radial stiffness regions anchor the device to the vessel wall and provide a less-abrupt transition from the high radial stiffness structure. Methods of making and using such devices are also described.

Abstract: A method of treatment for a body vessel is provided. The body vessel includes a dissection flap formed from a wall of the body vessel, which longitudinally separates a natural body vessel lumen into a true lumen and a false lumen. One or more cuts are formed in the dissection flap with a cutting device or system. An expandable device is inserted within the true lumen, and expanded to reappose the dissection flap against the wall of the body vessel where the dissection flap was detached from the wall such that the false lumen is closed. A variety of cut patterns are disclosed.

Abstract: Cutting devices useful for cutting objects or materials are described. Examples of cutting devices useful for creating avulsions in animals, such as human beings, are described. A cutting device includes an elongate main body having proximal and distal ends. A first portion of the main body has a cross-sectional shape that substantially lacks flat surfaces and a second portion of the main body has a cross-sectional shape having one, two or more flat surfaces. The distal end defines a hook having one or more sharpened edges disposed within the notch of the hook. Methods of making cutting devices are also described.

Abstract: An ultra-sonic medical dissector includes a vibration generator and a wire that defines a cutting loop remote from a first end and a second end. The wire is coupled to the vibration generator in a cutting configuration, and a cutting surface is located on an inner curvature of the cutting loop. A vibration is generated by the vibration generator is transmitted to the cutting loop by the wire when the wire is in tension. The cutting loop can free an embedded end of a vena cava filter from a vessel wall to ease retrieval.

Abstract: An implanted device, such as an inferior vena cava filter, that is partially embedded in soft tissue is retrieved by coupling a vibration device to the implanted device. The implanted device is disembedded from the soft tissue at least in part by generating a vibration with a vibration generator, transmitting the vibration along the vibration transmission apparatus to the implanted device, and vibrating the implanted device. The implanted device is then moved away from the embedding site. A medical device assembly includes the vibration generator, the implantable device and the vibration transmission apparatus.

Abstract: A method of treating a vessel, such as sclerotherapy, includes moving a short balloon catheter to a position at which a compliant extra-luminal balloon is outside of the vessel at an occlusion site, and between the vessel and a non-compliant bearing surface. The vessel is occluded at the occlusion site by inflating the compliant extra-luminal balloon of the balloon catheter, and bearing an outer surface of the balloon against the vessel and the non-compliant bearing surface. The vessel is medically treated upstream from the occlusion site. The short balloon catheter includes a wire guide lumen.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes intraluminal support devices having high radial stiffness regions with smaller diameter and low radial stiffness regions with larger diameter. When deployed to the vasculature of a patient in need of treatment, the high radial stiffness region is sized such that it has approximately the diameter of the vessel in need of treatment, so that it produces substantially zero chronic radial force when the vessel is not being subjected to external compression. The low radial stiffness regions anchor the device to the vessel wall and provide a less-abrupt transition from the high radial stiffness structure. Methods of making and using such devices are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes intraluminal support devices having high radial stiffness regions with smaller diameter and low radial stiffness regions with larger diameter. When deployed to the vasculature of a patient in need of treatment, the high radial stiffness region is sized such that it has approximately the diameter of the vessel in need of treatment, so that it produces substantially zero chronic radial force when the vessel is not being subjected to external compression. The low radial stiffness regions anchor the device to the vessel wall and provide a less-abrupt transition from the high radial stiffness structure. Methods of making and using such devices are also described.

Abstract: A method of treatment for a body vessel is provided. The body vessel includes a dissection flap formed from a wall of the body vessel, which longitudinally separates a natural body vessel lumen into a true lumen and a false lumen. One or more cuts are formed in the dissection flap with a cutting device or system. An expandable device is inserted within the true lumen, and expanded to reappose the dissection flap against the wall of the body vessel where the dissection flap was detached from the wall such that the false lumen is closed. A variety of cut patterns are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for treatment for a body vessel having a dissection flap formed from a wall of the body vessel, which longitudinally separates a natural body vessel lumen into a true lumen and a false lumen. One or more cuts are formed in the dissection flap with the cutting device or system including cutting blades. An expandable device is inserted within the true lumen, and expanded to reappose the dissection flap against the wall of the body vessel where the dissection flap was detached from the wall such that the false lumen is closed. A variety of cut patterns are disclosed.

Abstract: Tissue cutting systems and methods of tissue cutting are provided. In one example, the tissue cutting system includes a first device and a second device adapted for coupling to a power supply. The first device includes a conductive probe. The second device includes a conductive material, for example, as part of an expandable structure, having an outer surface area of conductive material that may be larger than a surface area of the conductive probe. The conductive probe and the conductive material are deployed along opposite sides of a body tissue, such as an aortic dissection flap. Selective electrical power is applied to the conductive probe and the conductive material to cut the body tissue.

Abstract: An ultra-sonic medical dissector includes a vibration generator and a wire that defines a cutting loop remote from a first end and a second end. The wire is coupled to the vibration generator in a cutting configuration, and a cutting surface is located on an inner curvature of the cutting loop. A vibration is generated by the vibration generator is transmitted to the cutting loop by the wire when the wire is in tension. The cutting loop can free an embedded end of a vena cava filter from a vessel wall to ease retrieval.

Abstract: Cutting devices useful for cutting objects or materials are described. Examples of cutting devices useful for creating avulsions in animals, such as human beings, are described. A cutting device includes an elongate main body having proximal and distal ends. A first portion of the main body has a cross-sectional shape that substantially lacks flat surfaces and a second portion of the main body has a cross-sectional shape having one, two or more flat surfaces. The distal end defines a hook having one or more sharpened edges disposed within the notch of the hook. Methods of making cutting devices are also described.

Abstract: A method of treating a vessel, such as sclerotherapy, includes moving a short balloon catheter to a position at which a compliant extra-luminal balloon is outside of the vessel at an occlusion site, and between the vessel and a non-compliant bearing surface. The vessel is occluded at the occlusion site by inflating the compliant extra-luminal balloon of the balloon catheter, and bearing an outer surface of the balloon against the vessel and the non-compliant bearing surface. The vessel is medically treated upstream from the occlusion site.

Abstract: An implanted device, such as an inferior vena cava filter, that is partially embedded in soft tissue is retrieved by coupling a vibration device to the implanted device. The implanted device is disembedded from the soft tissue at least in part by generating a vibration with a vibration generator, transmitting the vibration along the vibration transmission apparatus to the implanted device, and vibrating the implanted device. The implanted device is then moved away from the embedding site. A medical device assembly includes the vibration generator, the implantable device and the vibration transmission apparatus.

Abstract: Cutting devices useful for cutting objects or materials are described. Examples of cutting devices useful for creating avulsions in animals, such as human beings, are described. A cutting device includes an elongate main body having proximal and distal ends. A first portion of the main body has a cross-sectional shape that substantially lacks flat surfaces and a second portion of the main body has a cross-sectional shape having one, two or more flat surfaces. The distal end defines a hook having one or more sharpened edges disposed within the notch of the hook. Methods of making cutting devices are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes intraluminal support devices having high radial stiffness regions with smaller diameter and low radial stiffness regions with larger diameter. When deployed to the vasculature of a patient in need of treatment, the high radial stiffness region is sized such that it has approximately the diameter of the vessel in need of treatment, so that it produces substantially zero chronic radial force when the vessel is not being subjected to external compression. The low radial stiffness regions anchor the device to the vessel wall and provide a less-abrupt transition from the high radial stiffness structure. Methods of making and using such devices are also described.

Abstract: A tubular medical device, such as an elongate catheter is provided. The catheter includes an anchor mechanism with two or more arms biased toward an expanded position and can be urged toward a narrower insertion position. Each of the two or more arms are fixed to the tube proximate a nonexpandable distal tip of the tube and to the central portion of the tube. A biasing member is disposed in conjunction with the anchor mechanism, the biasing member is connected to the tube at the central portion proximate to a position where the two or more arms connect to the tube and is also connected to the tube proximate to the distal tip. The biasing member urges the two or more arms toward the expanded position.