Abstract: A thrombectomy system may include an elongate shaft that defines a high pressure lumen and a low pressure lumen. The high pressure lumen may terminate near an end of the low pressure lumen. An expandable capture basket may be disposed near the end of the low pressure lumen. A thrombectomy apparatus may include an elongate shaft, an evacuation lumen extending within the elongate shaft and a high pressure lumen extending within the elongate shaft. A capture apparatus may be disposed within a wire lumen that extends within the elongate shaft such that the capture apparatus extends distally from the wire lumen.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided to treat diseased cardiac valves. The device includes a percutaneous heart valve having an expandable valve frame including valve frame members, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, and an expandable stent anchoring frame coupled to the valve frame including stent frame members defining a first portion and a second portion having greater flexibility than the first portion, where the first portion and the valve frame define a length, and where the stent frame members and the valve frame members along the length provide a contiguous surface over which a delivery device can repeatedly slide over the length in its entirety in two longitudinal directions when the first portion and the valve frame are in a partially expanded state during delivery from the delivery device.

Abstract: A first spacing structure is provided at a distal end of a first catheter. The first spacing structure is configured to position at least one arterial electrode at a predefined distance away from a wall of the renal artery. A second spacing structure is provided at the distal end of the first catheter or at a distal end of a second catheter. The second spacing structure is configured to position at least one aortal electrode at a predefined distance away from a wall of the aorta. The arterial and aortal electrodes are operable as a bipolar electrode arrangement. The first and second spacing structures respectively maintain the arterial and aortal electrodes at a predefined distance away from the renal artery and aortal walls while electrical energy sufficient to ablate perivascular nerve tissue adjacent the renal artery and aortal walls is delivered by the bipolar electrode arrangement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for closing and/or sealing an opening in a vessel wall and/or an adjacent tissue tract. In some cases, the device includes a sheath having a distal end that can expand radially as needed. In some cases, the distal portion of the sheath is weakened so that it may tear in a predetermined manner. In some cases, the distal portion of the sheath is weakened so that it may deform plastically in a predetermined manner. In some cases, the distal portion of the sheath or the entire sheath may be folded so that it unfolds in a predetermined manner. In general, each of these sheaths may have a relatively small introduction profile, may have a distal portion that can expand to a larger diameter than the introduction profile during use, and can be collapsed again to a smaller profile for removal.

Abstract: A filter system, comprising an elongate filter body defining a lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end. A valve can be provided defining a lumen and having a reversibly sealable opening for unidirectional flow of a fluid through the lumen. The valve can be adjoined proximal the distal end of the elongate filter body, wherein the elongate filter body filters the unidirectional flow of the fluid passing through the lumen of the valve and the lumen of the elongate filter body.

Abstract: A catheter is configured to access a renal artery. A lumen of the catheter's shaft is dimensioned to receive a flexible actuation member which extends between the shaft's proximal and distal ends. The actuation member is moveable within the lumen and subject to elastic deformation, friction, and/or whip along its length. A flexible support member is coupled to a distal end of the actuation member and extendible beyond a distal tip of the shaft. An RF ablation electrode at a distal end of the support member is configured to ablated perivascular renal nerve tissue. A position converter at the distal end of the shaft is configured to convert movement of the actuation member into one or both of controlled rotational and axial movement of the support member and electrode to one of a multiplicity of stable circumferential positions substantially free of elastic deformation, friction, and/or whip impacting actuation member movement.

Abstract: A filter system, comprising an elongate filter body defining a lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end. A valve can be provided defining a lumen and having a reversibly sealable opening for unidirectional flow of a fluid through the lumen. The valve can be adjoined proximal the distal end of the elongate filter body, wherein the elongate filter body filters the unidirectional flow of the fluid passing through the lumen of the valve and the lumen of the elongate filter body.

Abstract: A catheter includes a flexible shaft having a lumen arrangement and a length sufficient to access a target vessel of a patient. A balloon at the distal end of the shaft is fluidly coupled to the lumen arrangement. The balloon body comprises a first material and a second material different from the first material. The second material comprises a hydrophilic polymer that becomes electrically conductive in response to absorption of the conductive fluid. The fluid conductive regions facilitate perfusion of the conductive fluid through the balloon body to an inner wall of the target vessel during ablation of perivascular tissues. A cooling arrangement is configured for one of receiving a thermal transfer fluid from the lumen arrangement or facilitating perfusion of blood passing through the target vessel to cool the balloon body during ablation of the perivascular tissues.

Abstract: A catheter includes a flexible shaft having a lumen arrangement and a length sufficient to access a target vessel of a patient. A balloon at the distal end of the shaft is fluidly coupled to the lumen arrangement. The balloon body comprises a first material and a second material different from the first material. The second material comprises a hydrophilic polymer that becomes electrically conductive in response to absorption of the conductive fluid. The fluid conductive regions facilitate perfusion of the conductive fluid through the balloon body to an inner wall of the target vessel during ablation of perivascular tissues. A cooling arrangement is configured for one of receiving a thermal transfer fluid from the lumen arrangement or facilitating perfusion of blood passing through the target vessel to cool the balloon body during ablation of the perivascular tissues.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for closing an arteriotomy site are disclosed which may employ the use of a delivery sheath within which is provided an anchoring device formed of memory metal wherein the anchoring device can be extended into the blood vessel itself. The memory metal, has a linear insertion configuration and obtains a non-linear or coiled configuration which can then be pulled back against the inner surface of the blood vessel to form a backstop. A biodegradable plug is then introduced into the tissue tract until it engages the backstop thereby ensuring proper positioning of the biodegradable plug. The anchoring device can then be retracted through the biodegradable plug leaving the arteriotomy site substantially closed with hemostasis being formed therearound.

Abstract: A catheter is configured to access a renal artery. A lumen of the catheter's shaft is dimensioned to receive a flexible actuation member which extends between the shaft's proximal and distal ends. The actuation member is moveable within the lumen and subject to elastic deformation, friction, and/or whip along its length. A flexible support member is coupled to a distal end of the actuation member and extendible beyond a distal tip of the shaft. An RF ablation electrode at a distal end of the support member is configured to ablated perivascular renal nerve tissue. A position converter at the distal end of the shaft is configured to convert movement of the actuation member into one or both of controlled rotational and axial movement of the support member and electrode to one of a multiplicity of stable circumferential positions substantially free of elastic deformation, friction, and/or whip impacting actuation member movement.

Abstract: Methods of installing a vascular closure device, the vascular closure device adapted for sealing an opening in biological tissue and comprising an anchor, a compressible plug, a cinch and a suture, the method comprising the steps of providing an insertion sheath, inserting the insertion sheath into the opening in the biological tissue, providing a device sheath having the vascular closure device preloaded therein with a proximal portion of the suture attached to the device sheath, subsequent to the step of inserting the insertion sheath, inserting the device sheath into the insertion sheath, and retracting the insertion sheath and device sheath simultaneously, wherein during the retraction, the insertion sheath and the device sheath are fixed to one another and devices adapted to the methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for closing and/or sealing an opening in a vessel wall and/or an adjacent tissue tract. In one illustrative embodiment, a device is provided for delivering and deploying an anchor, plug, filament, and locking element adjacent to the opening in the vessel wall and/or tissue tract.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for providing an indication as to the relative position of a vessel or artery opening thereby facilitating the choice of which several closure techniques to use. A disclosed device includes an outer tube and a collapsible foot slidably disposed within a distal end of the outer tube. The device may further include one or more threaded suture needles, a biodegradable plug or other wound closing device that is connected to another shaft. The collapsed or folded foot is pushed distally out of the tube and through the opening in the vessel whereupon the foot expands. Pulling the expanded foot in the proximal direction provides an indication as to the orientation of the opening in the vessel, which assists in determining the type of closing procedure to be carried out.

Abstract: A first catheter is dimensioned for deployment within a renal artery. A second catheter has a shaft with an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first catheter's open lumen. A gap is formed between the shaft and the first catheter when the second catheter is situated within the first catheter. The gap facilitates transport of a fluid, such as imaging contrast media, along the first catheter. An electrode arrangement at the distal end of the shaft is configured to deliver ablative energy to perivascular renal nerves, and has an outer diameter about the same size as the inner diameter of the first catheter such that a fit therebetween substantially blocks fluid flow within the gap yet provides for relative movement between the electrode arrangement and the luminal wall. A conductor extends between the proximal and distal ends of the shaft and is coupled to electrode arrangement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and performing tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include an elongate shaft having a distal end region and a proximal end and having at least one modulation element and one sensing electrode disposed adjacent to the distal end region. The sensing electrode may be used to determine and monitor changes in tissue adjacent to the modulation element.

Abstract: A catheter has a flexible shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen arrangement, and a length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery. A conductor arrangement extends between the proximal and distal ends of the shaft. An actuatable helical tip region is provided at the distal end of the shaft, and a bend region is located proximal of the actuatable helical tip region. An electrode arrangement is provided at the actuatable helical tip region and dimensioned for deployment within the target vessel, such as the renal artery. The electrode arrangement is coupled to the conductor arrangement and includes a multiplicity of electrodes positioned on the distal end of the shaft in a spaced relationship. The electrodes have a protruding portion that extends out a distance beyond an outer surface of the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may be a renal nerve modulation catheter. The catheter may include an elongate catheter shaft. The catheter shaft may have a plurality of cuts formed therein define a plurality of electrode assemblies. The electrode assemblies may each include a main strut, one or more branched spacer struts extending from the main strut, and an electrode extending from the main strut and positioned radially inward from the spacer struts.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may be a deflectable medical device that includes a catheter shaft having a distal end. An ablation electrode may be disposed at the distal end. A deflection mechanism may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The deflection mechanism may include a deflection body and a pull wire coupled to the deflection body. The deflection body may have a longitudinally-extending furrow formed therein. A flex member may be disposed adjacent to the deflection mechanism.

Abstract: A catheter includes a flexible shaft having a length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery. A treatment element at the distal end of the shaft is dimensioned for deployment within the renal artery. The treatment element comprises a radially expandable structure configured to maintain positioning within the renal artery. A multiplicity of electrodes are spaced apart on the treatment element and configured for switchable activation and deactivation in a predetermined sequence to generate overlapping zones of heating directed at perivascular nerves of the renal artery. The overlapping heating zones comprise a distal zone associated with relatively high current densities at a distance from the treatment element sufficient to ablate the perivascular renal nerves and a proximal zone associated with current densities lower than those of the distal zone and insufficient to cause thermal injury to tissue of the renal artery adjacent the treatment element.