Abstract: Disclosed is a localized method for treatment of cancer including the steps of providing a drug delivery catheter; navigating the catheter to the bile duct; and delivering a therapeutic agent into the bile duct. According to one aspect of the method, the drug delivery catheter is a multi-occlusion balloon catheter. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may include at least two balloons. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may optionally include a pressure transducer between the balloons to optimize delivery technique.

Abstract: Disclosed is a localized method for treatment of cancer including the steps of providing a drug delivery catheter; navigating the catheter to the bile duct; and delivering a therapeutic agent into the bile duct. According to one aspect of the method, the drug delivery catheter is a multi-occlusion balloon catheter. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may include at least two balloons. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may optionally include a pressure transducer between the balloons to optimize delivery technique.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an expandable member, a blood pump, and a set of struts. The expandable member is configured to transition from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The expandable member includes a set of flexible segments that form a tubular wall defining an interior volume. The flexible segments contact an inner surface of a blood vessel when the expandable member is in the expanded position. The expandable member includes a set of attachment portions. Each of the struts has a first end portion coupled to a housing of the blood pump. Each of the struts has a second end portion configured to be removably coupled to a corresponding attachment portion such that the blood pump can be removably coupled to the expandable member with at least a portion of the housing disposed within the interior volume of the expandable member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a localized method for treatment of cancer including the steps of providing a drug delivery catheter; navigating the catheter to the bile duct; and delivering a therapeutic agent into the bile duct. According to one aspect of the method, the drug delivery catheter is a multi-occlusion balloon catheter. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may include at least two balloons. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may optionally include a pressure transducer between the balloons to optimize delivery technique.

Abstract: Ventricular assist devices configured to be placed in a ventricle of a heart are described. In one embodiment, a ventricular assist device may include a pumping pouch. The pumping pouch may have an opening. The pumping pouch may be flexible, and may define an internal volume configured to fill with blood in through the opening. The ventricular assist device may also include a contraction element coupled to the contraction pouch. The contraction element may be capable of squeezing at least a portion of the pumping pouch to force at least a portion of the blood out through the opening. The ventricular assist device may also include a frame coupled to the pumping pouch. The frame may be configured to be coupled to a wall of the heart.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods described herein relate to treating cancerous tumors using radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In some embodiments, a method of treatment includes administering radiation therapy targeting a tumor, isolating a segment of a vessel proximate to the tumor, and administering a dose of a chemotherapeutic agent to the segment of the vessel. The method can further include waiting a period of time after administering the radiation therapy before administering the dose of the chemotherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, a catheter device including first and second occluding elements can be used to isolate the segment of the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a stent configured to releasably support a blood pump within an inner lumen of the stent. The stent can include one or more arms configured to bend radially inward and releasably couple to attachment portions on a housing of the blood pump. The attachment portions of the blood pump housing may include one or more slotted openings for accepting the arms extending from the stent. A magnetic member may assist in coupling the arms to the blood pump housing. When decoupling the blood pump from the stent, a position of the blood pump may be adjusted relative to the stent to cause the arms to be released from the attachment portions. Once released, the arms may bend radially outward in alignment with a diameter of the stent.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for treating tumors. A method of treatment may include reducing the microvasculature of a region between a tumor and a lumen through or adjacent to the tumor (e.g., by administering radiation therapy targeting the tumor), isolating a segment of a lumen proximate to the tumor, and administering a dose of a chemotherapeutic agent to the segment.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods described herein relate to treating cancerous tumors using radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In some embodiments, a method of treatment includes administering radiation therapy targeting a tumor, isolating a segment of a vessel proximate to the tumor, and administering a dose of a chemotherapeutic agent to the segment of the vessel. The method can further include waiting a period of time after administering the radiation therapy before administering the dose of the chemotherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, a catheter device including first and second occluding elements can be used to isolate the segment of the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an expandable member, a blood pump, and a set of struts. The expandable member is configured to transition from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The expandable member includes a set of flexible segments that form a tubular wall defining an interior volume. The flexible segments contact an inner surface of a blood vessel when the expandable member is in the expanded position. The expandable member includes a set of attachment portions. Each of the struts has a first end portion coupled to a housing of the blood pump. Each of the struts has a second end portion configured to be removably coupled to a corresponding attachment portion such that the blood pump can be removably coupled to the expandable member with at least a portion of the housing disposed within the interior volume of the expandable member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a localized method for treatment of cancer including the steps of providing a drug delivery catheter; navigating the catheter to the bile duct; and delivering a therapeutic agent into the bile duct. According to one aspect of the method, the drug delivery catheter is a multi-occlusion balloon catheter. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may include at least two balloons. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may optionally include a pressure transducer between the balloons to optimize delivery technique.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods described herein relate to treating cancerous tumors using radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In some embodiments, a method of treatment includes administering radiation therapy targeting a tumor, isolating a segment of a vessel proximate to the tumor, and administering a dose of a chemotherapeutic agent to the segment of the vessel. The method can further include waiting a period of time after administering the radiation therapy before administering the dose of the chemotherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, a catheter device including first and second occluding elements can be used to isolate the segment of the vessel.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods described herein relate to treating cancerous tumors using radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In some embodiments, a method of treatment includes administering radiation therapy targeting a tumor, isolating a segment of a vessel proximate to the tumor, and administering a dose of a chemotherapeutic agent to the segment of the vessel. The method can further include waiting a period of time after administering the radiation therapy before administering the dose of the chemotherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, a catheter device including first and second occluding elements can be used to isolate the segment of the vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a localized method for treatment of cancer including the steps of providing a drug delivery catheter; navigating the catheter to the bile duct; and delivering a therapeutic agent into the bile duct. According to one aspect of the method, the drug delivery catheter is a multi-occlusion balloon catheter. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may include at least two balloons. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may optionally include a pressure transducer between the balloons to optimize delivery technique.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods described herein relate to treating cancerous tumors using radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In some embodiments, a method of treatment includes administering radiation therapy targeting a tumor, isolating a segment of a vessel proximate to the tumor, and administering a dose of a chemotherapeutic agent to the segment of the vessel. The method can further include waiting a period of time after administering the radiation therapy before administering the dose of the chemotherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, a catheter device including first and second occluding elements can be used to isolate the segment of the vessel.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first catheter movably disposed within a first lumen of a second catheter. The first catheter has a first occlusion member disposed at a distal end portion and the second catheter has a second occlusion member disposed at a distal end portion. A third catheter has a third occlusion member disposed at a distal end portion and is moveably disposable within a second lumen of the second catheter. The second catheter has a side port in fluid communication with the second lumen and the third catheter can be extended out of the second lumen through the side port. The first occlusion member, second occlusion member and third occlusion member can collectively isolate a target region including a portion of a first body lumen (e.g., a main vessel) and a portion of a second body lumen (e.g., a branch of the main vessel).

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first catheter movably disposed within a first lumen of a second catheter. The first catheter has a first occlusion member disposed at a distal end portion and the second catheter has a second occlusion member disposed at a distal end portion. A third catheter has a third occlusion member disposed at a distal end portion and is moveably disposable within a second lumen of the second catheter. The second catheter has a side port in fluid communication with the second lumen and the third catheter can be extended out of the second lumen through the side port. The first occlusion member, second occlusion member and third occlusion member can collectively isolate a target region including a portion of a first body lumen (e.g., a main vessel) and a portion of a second body lumen (e.g., a branch of the main vessel).

Abstract: Disclosed is a localized method for treatment of cancer including the steps of providing a drug delivery catheter; navigating the catheter to the bile duct; and delivering a therapeutic agent into the bile duct. According to one aspect of the method, the drug delivery catheter is a multi-occlusion balloon catheter. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may include at least two balloons. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may optionally include a pressure transducer between the balloons to optimize delivery technique.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner catheter that is coupled to a handle and defines a lumen configured to receive a guidewire. An outer catheter is movably coupled to the handle and defines a first lumen in fluid communication with a distal opening and that is configured to introduce a therapeutic agent through the distal opening and into a target pancreatic artery(ies). The outer catheter defines a second lumen configured to receive at least a portion of the inner catheter. An actuator is coupled to the handle and configured to move the outer catheter relative to the handle. A first occlusion element is coupled to the inner catheter and a second occlusion element is coupled to the outer catheter and disposed proximal to the first occlusion element. A distance between the first occlusion element and the second occlusion element is adjustable when the outer catheter is moved relative to the handle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner catheter that is coupled to a handle and defines a lumen configured to receive a guidewire. An outer catheter is movably coupled to the handle and defines a first lumen in fluid communication with a distal opening and that is configured to introduce a therapeutic agent through the distal opening and into a target pancreatic artery(ies). The outer catheter defines a second lumen configured to receive at least a portion of the inner catheter. An actuator is coupled to the handle and configured to move the outer catheter relative to the handle. A first occlusion element is coupled to the inner catheter and a second occlusion element is coupled to the outer catheter and disposed proximal to the first occlusion element. A distance between the first occlusion element and the second occlusion element is adjustable when the outer catheter is moved relative to the handle.