Abstract: A tissue tunneling device is configured to be delivered within the body. The tunneling device includes a shaft with a blunt distal end to prevent coring or other damage to tissue during the delivery of the tunneling device. In some arrangements, the shaft includes one or more lumen, through which medication or another fluid may be administered. An anesthetic or other pain relieving medication may be delivered through the lumen to lessen the discomfort of delivering the tunneling device to the desired anatomical site. The shaft may also include a retractable needle for facilitating the advancement of the tunneling device through skin or other tissue. The shaft may also be provided with an outer sheath, which may be left within the anatomy after the tunneling device has been removed. The shaft may be malleable for custom-shaping the tunneling device prior to and/or during delivery.

Abstract: A catheter having features configured to provide a substantially uniform flow rate of a fluid exiting the catheter and also exhibits anti-microbial properties. The uniform flow rate features may include one or more of a flow restricting membrane or flow restricting component within an infusion section of the catheter. In other arrangements, exit holes defining the infusion section of the catheter may be configured to provide the desired uniform flow rate over the length of the infusion section. Furthermore, the catheter also includes anti-microbial properties to inhibit the growth of microbes on or within the catheter and, preferably, to inhibit microbe growth in an anatomical region surrounding the catheter. The desired anti-microbial properties may be provided by an anti-microbial layer, anti-microbial materials dispersed within the material from which components of the catheters are constructed, or a combination of anti-microbial layers and embedded anti-microbial materials.

Abstract: A catheter having features configured to provide a substantially uniform flow rate of a fluid exiting the catheter and also exhibits anti-microbial properties. The uniform flow rate features may include one or more of a flow restricting membrane or flow restricting component within an infusion section of the catheter. In other arrangements, exit holes defining the infusion section of the catheter may be configured to provide the desired uniform flow rate over the length of the infusion section. Furthermore, the catheter also includes anti-microbial properties to inhibit the growth of microbes on or within the catheter and, preferably, to inhibit microbe growth in an anatomical region surrounding the catheter. The desired anti-microbial properties may be provided by an anti-microbial layer, anti-microbial materials dispersed within the material from which components of the catheters are constructed, or a combination of anti-microbial layers and embedded anti-microbial materials.

Abstract: A catheter having features configured to provide a substantially uniform flow rate of a fluid exiting the catheter and also exhibits anti-microbial properties. The uniform flow rate features may include one or more of a flow restricting membrane or flow restricting component within an infusion section of the catheter. In other arrangements, exit holes defining the infusion section of the catheter may be configured to provide the desired uniform flow rate over the length of the infusion section. Furthermore, the catheter also includes anti-microbial properties to inhibit the growth of microbes on or within the catheter and, preferably, to inhibit microbe growth in an anatomical region surrounding the catheter. The desired anti-microbial properties may be provided by an anti-microbial layer, anti-microbial materials dispersed within the material from which components of the catheters are constructed, or a combination of anti-microbial layers and embedded anti-microbial materials.

Abstract: A tissue tunneling device is configured to be delivered within the body. The tunneling device includes a shaft with a blunt distal end to prevent coring or other damage to tissue during the delivery of the tunneling device. In some arrangements, the shaft includes one or more lumen, through which medication or another fluid may be administered. An anesthetic or other pain relieving medication may be delivered through the lumen to lessen the discomfort of delivering the tunneling device to the desired anatomical site. The shaft may also include a retractable needle for facilitating the advancement of the tunneling device through skin or other tissue. The shaft may also be provided with an outer sheath, which may be left within the anatomy after the tunneling device has been removed. The shaft may be malleable for custom-shaping the tunneling device prior to and/or during delivery.

Abstract: A catheter having features configured to provide a substantially uniform flow rate of a fluid exiting the catheter and also exhibits anti-microbial properties. The uniform flow rate features may include one or more of a flow restricting membrane or flow restricting component within an infusion section of the catheter. In other arrangements, exit holes defining the infusion section of the catheter may be configured to provide the desired uniform flow rate over the length of the infusion section. Furthermore, the catheter also includes anti-microbial properties to inhibit the growth of microbes on or within the catheter and, preferably, to inhibit microbe growth in an anatomical region surrounding the catheter. The desired anti-microbial properties may be provided by an anti-microbial layer, anti-microbial materials dispersed within the material from which components of the catheters are constructed, or a combination of anti-microbial layers and embedded anti-microbial materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon having a radiation carrier such as a radiation delivery layer thereon. In one embodiment, the radiation delivery layer comprises one or more layers of metal foil, such as gold. The foil is irradiated, and the balloon is thereafter positioned at a treatment site in a vessel and expanded to bring the metal foil layer into close proximity with the vessel wall. In another embodiment, the radiation carrier is in the form of a dopant in the balloon material. Methods of using the balloon include radiation dosing a site following a balloon dilatation or other procedure, and simultaneously performing balloon angioplasty and radiation dosing.

Abstract: A medical device applies radiant energy to tissue surrounding or underlying the surface of a duct, hollow organ or body cavity. The energy is emitted through an expandable, energy-transmissive balloon in which a fluid coolant is circulated to cool the surface of the duct, hollow organ or body cavity and the tissue immediately underlying the surface of the duct, hollow organ or body cavity. The device includes an elongated transmission line extending through a catheter, having a proximal end portion, which is connectable to a source of radiant energy, and a distal end portion, to which a radiant energy emitter is coupled. The balloon is mounted on the distal end of the catheter and extends over the emitter. The catheter contains an inlet confined fluid passageway and an outlet confined fluid passageway to provide fluid coolant circulation through the balloon. Microscopic albumen microspheres or particles of quartz or silica are suspended in the fluid coolant to more uniformly diffuse the radiant energy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon having a radiation carrier such as a radiation delivery layer thereon. In one embodiment, the radiation delivery layer comprises one or more layers of metal foil, such as gold. The foil is irradiated, and the balloon is thereafter positioned at a treatment site in a vessel and expanded to bring the metal foil layer into close proximity with the vessel wall. In another embodiment, the radiation carrier is in the form of a dopant in the balloon material. Methods of using the balloon include radiation dosing a site following a balloon dilatation or other procedure, and simultaneously performing balloon angioplasty and radiation dosing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon having a radiation carrier such as a radiation delivery layer thereon. In one embodiment, the radiation delivery layer comprises one or more layers of metal foil, such as gold. The foil is irradiated, and the balloon is thereafter positioned at a treatment site in a vessel and expanded to bring the metal foil layer into close proximity with the vessel wall. In another embodiment, the radiation carrier is in the form of a dopant in the balloon material. Methods of using the balloon include radiation dosing a site following a balloon dilatation or other procedure, and simultaneously performing balloon angioplasty and radiation dosing.