Abstract: A catheter device has an elongate body and a chamber positioned within the elongate body. The chamber has a chamber opening, and a barrier, such as a gate, moves over the chamber opening. The barrier moves between an uncovered position uncovering the chamber opening and a covered position covering the chamber opening. The catheter has at least one cutting edge by the chamber opening. In particular, the at least one cutting edge may be on the barrier, where the at least one cutting edge is guided over the chamber opening with movement of the barrier between the uncovered position and the covered position. The cutting edge cuts away a fibrin sheath blocking the chamber opening. The catheter may have multiple chambers connected by channels that allow the chambers to be flushed to prevent microbial colonization.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns self sealing access ports, and especially ports usable to provide access to body cavities for surgical procedures. A self-sealing surgical access port permitting a surgical tool to be used within a body cavity, for example during laparoscopic surgery, is disclosed. The tube can be elastically deformable radially outwardly to permit the surgical tool to pass through the duct and into the body cavity.

Abstract: An expandable support device and methods of using the same are disclosed herein. The expandable support device can expand radially when compressed longitudinally. The expandable support device can be deployed in a bone, such as a vertebra, for example to repair a compression fraction. The expandable support device can be deployed into or in place of all or part of an intervertebral disc. The expandable support device can be deployed in a vessel, in an aneurysm, across a valve, or combinations thereof. The expandable support device can be deployed permanently and/or used as a removable tool to expand or clear a lumen and/or repair valve leaflets.

Abstract: A catheter device has an elongate body and a chamber positioned within the elongate body. The chamber has a chamber opening, and a barrier, such as a gate, moves over the chamber opening. The barrier moves between an uncovered position uncovering the chamber opening and a covered position covering the chamber opening. The catheter has at least one cutting edge by the chamber opening. In particular, the at least one cutting edge may be on the barrier, where the at least one cutting edge is guided over the chamber opening with movement of the barrier between the uncovered position and the covered position. The cutting edge cuts away a fibrin sheath blocking the chamber opening. The catheter may have multiple chambers connected by channels that allow the chambers to be flushed to prevent microbial colonization.

Abstract: A device for use within the lumen of a catheter to move an item positioned within the lumen relatively to the catheter is disclosed. The device is formed from an elongated member positionable within the lumen and reciprocably movable relatively to the catheter. A distal end of the member is engaged with the item, and a proximate end extends outwardly from the catheter. A gripping element is attached to the elongated member at the distal end. The gripping element has a free end that extends outwardly from the elongated member. The free end of the gripping element is engageable and disengageable with the item, the item being moved when the gripping element is engaged and the elongated member is moved relatively to the catheter.

Abstract: A device for treating a heart includes an implant and a collar. The implant may be configured to be positioned in a heart wall between a coronary vessel and a chamber of the heart. The collar may be configured to be disposed externally on a portion of the implant such that the collar extends from the implant so as to contact the heart wall for anchoring the implant in position in the heart wall.