Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method for activating muscle contractions along a GE tract portion. Implantable apparatus includes: elongated member configured for positioning lengthwise in GI tract across a target GI tract portion; plurality of electrodes distributed longitudinally spaced in a series along the elongated member; and array of controlled relays coupled to the electrodes, that facilitates selective transition of each electrode between positively connected, grounded, and disconnected states.

Abstract: Hemodialysis catheter with corrugated tips. Includes elongated body having first and second distal end regions terminating in tips opened to lumens extending continuously along both elongated body and distal end regions. Each tip includes a tip edge extending from tip tubular wall and surrounding tip opening. Each tip tubular wall has a corrugated configuration with at least two grooves, including outer and inner grooves, merging into the tip edge. Grooves may have same or different lengths, widths, or/and spatial configurations. Distal end regions may be elastic and configured to have non-stressed form when divergent, via diverging angles, from elongated body longitudinal axis, and may be rotationally symmetric relative to the axis. In some embodiments, tip inner wall and hollow outer surfaces merge into a corrugated form having alternating grooves and ridges along distal ends of the tip, that enable the catheter to facilitate active lateral or frontal fluid traversability therethrough.

Abstract: Infusion balloon catheter with fortified proximal infusion outlet port, and manufacturing thereof. Infusion balloon catheter includes: inflatable balloon member; shaft having distal end attached to balloon member, and shaft wall enclosing: first lumen providing passage to balloon inflation fluid, and second lumen providing passage to infusion fluid and guidewire; and bending-resistant insert member housed in second lumen and located proximally to balloon member, insert member is affixed to, and conforms to shape of, shaft inner wall surface, and includes one or more openings(s). Shaft wall has infusion outlet port located along, and providing opening to, second lumen proximally to balloon member. Insert opening(s) is/are in direct fluid communication with infusion outlet port whose cross-sectional area is larger than that of infusion inlet opening. Bending-resistant insert member provides fortifying structural support to shaft wall portion surrounding infusion outlet port.

Abstract: System for generating a distally traveling synthetic esophageal motion within a subject's esophagus. Includes: elongated member sized and configured for nasal or oral placement into the esophagus; series of stimulators mounted/mountable on and distributed along a length of elongated member, for stimulating portions along an esophageal length spanning between esophagus LES and UES, and include at least two longitudinally spaced electrodes, chargeable to opposite polarities; and signal generator for generating and sending sequences of stimulating signals to stimulators, to evoke a plurality of local esophageal contractions as distally traveling synthetic esophageal motion along the esophageal length. Also disclosed is an implant suitable for use in generating a distally traveling synthetic esophageal motion within a subject's esophagus, for example, suitable for use in the disclosed system.

Abstract: Microcatheters and methods for modifying and delivering suspended particles to target bodily parts (e.g., of the cardiovascular system). Embolization microcatheters and uses thereof in performing local embolization procedures, involving modifying flow characteristics (momentum) of suspensions during delivery. Applicable for delivering embolization material in a small blood vessel towards a target bodily part, and for performing local embolizations in small blood vessels feeding (possibly, cancerous) target bodily parts, thereby forming emboli therein, while preventing or minimizing non-target embolization.

Abstract: Devices, methods and kits for preventing or reducing non-target microparticles deposition and embolization, in conjunction with delivering microparticles (e.g., embolization material) via a blood vessel to a target bodily part. Applicable for entrapping infiltrated microparticles within heart right atrium. Entrapping device includes: filter; and filter collapsing mechanism sized for positioning in catheter lumen of a filter delivering catheter, and having proximal end actuatable from outside of subject. Filter configured for positioning within heart right atrium, for self-expanding and covering right atrium inlet opening, and configured, when expanded, to collect embolic material delivered to target organ and infiltrated into outflow vessel thereof draining to right atrium.

Abstract: Injectable embolization particulates (e.g., particles, microstructures, beads) employed in embolization procedures, for facilitating blood vessel occlusion. Exemplary embolization particulates for occluding a blood vessel include a plurality of embolization beads, each bead having a plurality of outwardly protruding portions, wherein, upon a first one and a second one of the beads accumulating against a boundary of the blood vessel, protruding portions of the first bead are configured to intermesh with protruding portions of the second bead, so as to occlude the blood vessel. Also disclosed are compositions of embolization particulates including a plurality of shaped embolization beads, and methods for embolizing or occluding a blood vessel using embolization particulates or compositions thereof.

Abstract: Microcatheter for delivering a substance (e.g., infusion agent including embolization material and/or contrast enhancing material) in a small blood vessel towards a target bodily part. Includes a single lumen surrounded by tubular wall having outer diameter and opened at both ends; tubular wall proximal portion is connectable to a pressure source and reservoir containing infusion agent, and tubular wall distal portion ends with a tip; the tubular wall distal portion includes an infusion agent flow disruption section configured to disrupt passage therethrough of incoming retrograded flow of infusion agent, during continuous delivery of infusion suspension from the reservoir to the tip. Disclosed are methods using the microcatheter for performing local embolization in a small blood vessel feeding a (for example, cancerous) target bodily part, and for delivering infusion agent in a small blood vessel towards such target bodily part. Also disclosed are devices and methods for filtering non-target infusion agent.

Abstract: A split-tip catheter and methods for deploying a split-tip catheter in a right atrium are provided. The catheter is configured with a distal potion including a first and a second distal end regions elastically divergable from alignment along a splitting plane to regain a relaxed configuration. The first distal end region terminates in a first tip having a first forward opening, and the second distal end region terminates in a second tip having a second forward opening. Catheter deployment may include directing the first forward opening generally towards an anterior right atrium wall portion and applying the first forward opening to withdraw blood from the right atrium.

Abstract: Double-lumen infusion catheter including: a shaft having proximal section, distal section, and intermediate section therebetween; first and second lumens extending along a length of the shaft and having arc shaped wall therebetween; and an inflatable member provided distally to intermediate section, and over the distal section. First lumen has cross section larger than cross section of second lumen and is configured to receive a guidewire therethrough and allow fluid flow via an unobstructed portion of first lumen. Unobstructed portion is formed along guidewire outer surface, between guidewire outer surface and inner wall of first lumen, and extends from an inlet at proximal end of intermediate section to an outlet at distal end of intermediate section. First lumen is narrowed to approximate a first diameter in shaft proximal and distal sections, and is widened to approximate a second diameter greater than first diameter in the shaft intermediate section.

Abstract: Rapid exchange balloon catheter, and applications thereof. The balloon catheter includes a shaft and a guidewire channel. Shaft includes infusion and inflation walls. Infusion wall encloses an infusion lumen and comprises fluid inlet and fluid outlet located distally to fluid inlet. The inflation lumen extending axially therealong opened at a distal end thereof into an inner volume of a dilatation balloon. Guidewire channel is sized to closely fit over a pre-scribed guidewire for allowing unhindered passing therethrough with the guidewire. Guidewire channel includes a channel distal end protruding distally from the balloon with a distal guidewire opening, and a channel proximal end with a proximal guidewire opening at the shaft between fluid inlet and fluid outlet. Applications include methods for angioplasty and revascularization in which a single balloon catheter is used for dilatation and/or occlusion, and for delivering fluid proximally to the balloon.

Abstract: Method for sealing a stent graft in an endovascular aneurysm repair. Includes following steps/procedures. Positioning the stent graft to extend across an aneurysm in aneurysmatic host vessel. Introducing and placing a balloon catheter in the host vessel at a location distal to the graft distal end. Inflating balloon to pressure configured for unconstrained balloon expansion with maximal balloon diameter equal to or greater than smallest inner diameter of host vessel, thereby occluding normal blood flowing thereacross. Infusing contrast enhancing material through balloon catheter for allowing radiographic visualization of endoleakage between stent graft and a host vessel wall. Deflating and repositioning balloon to another location within stent graft. Pressurizing balloon to another pressure configured for plastically expanding selected section of stent graft from a smaller diameter to a fixed enlarged diameter.

Abstract: A dual tip dialysis catheter has a proximal portion with connected lumens and a distal portion with diverging lumens. The lumens may separate at a split junction and diverge in a scissors like manner to reduce or eliminate a crack or gap adjacent to the split junction, thereby reducing clotting. A dual tip dialysis catheter may have forward openings configured to direct flow in opposite directions.

Abstract: System for generating a distally traveling synthetic esophageal motion within a subject's esophagus. Includes: elongated member sized and configured for nasal or oral placement into the esophagus; series of stimulators mounted/mountable on and distributed along a length of elongated member, for stimulating portions along an esophageal length spanning between esophagus LES and UES, and include at least two longitudinally spaced electrodes, chargeable to opposite polarities; and signal generator for generating and sending sequences of stimulating signals to stimulators, to evoke a plurality of local esophageal contractions as distally traveling synthetic esophageal motion along the esophageal length. Also disclosed is an implant suitable for use in generating a distally traveling synthetic esophageal motion within a subject's esophagus, for example, suitable for use in the disclosed system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a PTA (percutaneous transluminal angioplasty) balloon catheter, preferably high pressure type, optionally introducible as an over the wire catheter. The catheter possess the attribute of injecting fluid to the treated site through a dedicated opening proximal to the balloon member, for introduction of fluids such as contrast enhancing material and/or medication. In some embodiments, a single lumen is used, at least in part, both for fluids transfer and dispersion (“infusion”) as well as for guide wire passage. In some such embodiments, a valve mechanism is used to sustain selective operability of the lumen so that fluids will disperse mostly or solely through the proximal dispersion opening rather than the guide wire distal exit opening.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices, for stimulating one or more esophageal muscle contractions are provided. The system, methods, and devices may be designed to evoke motion and/or restore function in one or more organs that are located distal to the lower esophageal sphincter. A controller and a generator may be used to transmit signals to one or more electrodes in a tube placed in a patient's GI tract. In some aspect, the generator is configures to generate a series of pulses for one or more periods of time. In some aspects, a preliminary pulse is transmitted to narrow and esophageal portion such that an esophageal wall is in contact with at least one electrode thus lowering the nominal stimulation threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, comprising (i) at least two cushions (28), each defining a respective skin-contacting surface (22), configured to be placed on a respective skin site (48) that is superficial to a lacrimal drainage vessel of the subject; (ii) a mount (30), coupled to the cushions, and configured (a) to be placed on a portion of a face of the subject that does not include the skin sites, and (b) to conform to a contour of the portion of the face; and (iii) an adhesive layer (26), disposed on the mount and not disposed on the skin-contacting surfaces, and configured (a) to adhere the mount to the portion of the face, and (b) when adhered to the portion of the face, to cause the mount to provide a pressing force that presses the skin-contacting surface of each cushion against the respective skin site thereof. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Systems for stimulating one or more esophageal muscle contractions are provided. The systems, which are designed to evoke esophageal motion to promote the downward movement of material, include an elongated member for placement in a patient's esophagus and at least one mechanical or electrical stimulator coupled to the elongated member. Methods for stimulating and contracting an esophageal muscle using electrodes and a generated signal sequence are also provided.

Abstract: A percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) catheter may be configured to perform vein expansion and occlusion. A infusion port (132) located proximal to the occlusion feature (162) can be used to inject contract enhancement agent as well as other substances. the catheter can be used espicially advantagrously in vascular regions associated with hemodialysis access.

Abstract: Systems for stimulating one or more esophageal muscle contractions are provided. The systems, which are designed to evoke esophageal motion to promote the downward movement of material, include an elongated member for placement in a patient's esophagus and at least one mechanical or electrical stimulator coupled to the elongated member. Methods for stimulating and contracting an esophageal muscle using electrodes and a generated signal sequence are also provided.