Abstract: Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include an intravascular nerve modulation system including an elongated shaft having a first tubular member and a second tubular member. Each of the tubular members may have a proximal end a distal end. The distal end of the second tubular member may be extended distally beyond the distal end of the first tubular member. The system may further include at least one transducer affixed to the distal end region of the second tubular member. In addition, the system may include an infusion sheath having a proximal end and a distal end and the proximal end of the infusion sheath may be fixedly secured to the catheter shaft adjacent the distal end of the first tubular member.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for use in a vascular system. The apparatus include a circulatory valve having a valve frame in which frame members define frame cells. Frame cells include joints in opposing relationship, where the joints transition from a first stable equilibrium state through an unstable equilibrium state to a second stable equilibrium state as the joints are drawn towards each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for closing an opening in a blood vessel wall is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one member which is extended through a tissue tract formed through the epidermis and subcutaneous layer of skin and through the opening in the blood vessel. The member includes a proximal end and a distal end with the distal end being positionable proximate to the opening in the blood vessel wall. A positive electrode is positioned next to the distal end with a negative electrode being positioned next to the proximal end When the electrodes are energized an electric field is created therebetween, blood cells are attracted to the positive electrode, and a thrombus is formed at the opening in the blood vessel wall. The member may include a balloon at the distal end to temporarily occlude blood flow from the blood vessel to the tissue tract to facilitate formation of the thrombus.

Abstract: Medical devices for ablating nerves perivascularly and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include an expandable frame slidably disposed within a catheter shaft. The expandable frame may be configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. One or more electrodes may be disposed on a surface of the expandable frame. The one or more electrodes may be disposed radially inward relative to the greatest radial extent of the expandable frame when the expandable frame is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A combined battery and wireless-communications apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a support, a first conductive layer deposited on a first surface area of the support, a thin-film battery including a cathode layer, a solid-state electrolyte layer, and an anode layer deposited such that either the anode layer or the cathode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, an antenna mounted to the support structure, and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support and electrically coupled to the battery and the antenna to transceive radio communications. Other embodiments include an energy-receiving device mounted to the support structure, and an electronic communications circuit mounted to the support structure and including a recharging circuit, the recharging circuit electrically coupled to the battery and the energy-receiving device to recharge the battery using energy received by the energy-receiving device.

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, suture, and/or locking element adjacent to the opening in the vessel wall and/or tissue tract.

Abstract: An annuloplasty device includes a plurality of corkscrew anchors. The annuloplasty device further includes a core wire extending along the length of the device and at least one corkscrew wire which is operably connected to the corkscrew anchors to screw the corkscrew anchors into heart tissue. One or more of the corkscrew wires can include a drive key; the corkscrew anchors are connected to a sleeve with a keyway that engages the drive key on the corkscrew wires.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for closing an arteriotomy site is disclosed. The apparatus includes inner and outer frames adapted to sandwich a blood vessel wall therebetween. The inner and outer frames may be manufactured from memory metals such that they can be compressed during the insertion into the tissue tract proximate the arteriotomy site, and then deployed into an expanded configuration larger than the dimensions of the arteriotomy opening itself. A universal joint connects the inner and outer frames to ensure proper pivoting therebetween. In addition, polymeric coverings can be provided on the inner and outer frames to ensure closure, while a collagen plug can also be provided between inner and outer frames to facilitate closure as well.

Abstract: Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include a first elongate element having a distal end and a proximal end and having at least one nerve modulation element disposed adjacent the distal end. The nerve modulation element may be positioned or moveable to target a particular target region. The nerve modulation element may be an ultrasound transducer. The nerve modulation element may be configured to be operated at a low intensity to provide a thermal nerve block or a high intensity to effect tissue modulation.

Abstract: Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include an intravascular nerve modulation system including an elongated shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region. The system may further include a bar element extending distally from the distal end region of the elongated shaft and one or more ablation transducers affixed to the bar element.

Abstract: A cardiac valve with a support frame having a first end member and a second end member opposing the first end member in a substantially fixed distance relationship, and a cover extending over the support frame to allow for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve.

Abstract: Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include a first elongate element having a distal end and a proximal end and having at least one nerve modulation element disposed adjacent the distal end. The nerve modulation element may be positioned or moveable to target a particular tissue region. The nerve modulation element may be an ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus related to radio frequency (RF) ablation catheters. The present subject matter provides an ablation catheter system including an ablation catheter, multiple RF electrodes positioned along a distal end of a catheter, an electrical stimulation generator, and a control circuit electrically connected to the stimulation generator. According to various embodiments, the RF electrodes are each connected to the stimulation generator using a switch, and the control circuit is configured to distribute RF power from the stimulation generator to the RF electrodes using the switches to provide ablation therapy.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to magnetically retrievable vena cava filters having a low torque associated therewith when subjected to a strong external magnetic field and retrieval devices therefor. The vena cava filter may include a magnetically permeable sphere or a spherical dipole magnet located within the spherical cavity of the apical hub wherein the spherical dipole magnet is free to rotate about any of three mutually orthogonal axes. The retrieval device is capable of substantially containing the vena cava filter in a collapsed state and includes a magnetically active member capable of interacting with the vena cava filter. The retrieval device may optionally include a supplemental mechanical latch.

Abstract: A combined battery and device apparatus and associated method. This apparatus includes a first conductive layer, a battery comprising a cathode layer; an anode layer, and an electrolyte layer located between and electrically isolating the anode layer from the cathode layer, wherein the anode or the cathode or both include an intercalation material, the battery disposed such that either the cathode layer or the anode layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and an electrical circuit adjacent face-to-face to and electrically connected to the battery. Some embodiments further include a photovoltaic cell and/or thin-film capacitor. In some embodiments, the substrate includes a polymer having a melting point substantially below 700 degrees centigrade. In some embodiments, the substrate includes a glass. For example, some embodiments include a battery deposited directly on the back of a liquid-crystal display (LCD) device.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve assembly has a stent frame and a replacement valve. The replacement valve has a plurality of leaflets and a valve frame. The leaflets are attached to the valve frame. Further, the assembly has a plurality of suspension struts attached to the stent frame and the valve frame. The valve frame is suspended within the stent frame via the suspension struts. In some embodiments, the assembly further has a sealing member attached to the stent frame to prevent leakage around the replacement heart valve assembly.

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: Devices, systems, and methods associated with annuloplasty are described herein. One or more annuloplasty devices include a number of longitudinal filaments moveable between an introductory configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the number of longitudinal filaments are one or more lengths, and a shell, wherein the shell contains the number of longitudinal filaments and a curable polymer to maintain the annuloplasty device in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: Medical devices as well as methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a system for nerve modulation. The system may include an elongate shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region. A helical inflatable balloon may be coupled to the shaft. The balloon may have a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The balloon may be disposed adjacent to the distal end region of the elongate shaft. A first nerve modulation element may be attached to the balloon.

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.