Abstract: Delivery catheters useable to deliver substances, articles or devices to target locations within the bodies of human or animal subjects. The delivery catheter generally comprises a catheter having a tissue penetrating distal tip member on the distal end and one or more delivery aperture(s) whereby a substance, article or device may be delivered through the lumen of the catheter body and out of the delivery aperture(s). In some applications, the substance delivery catheter is used in combination with a transluminal tissue penetrating catheter having a penetrator that is advanced to a first location. The delivery catheter is then advanced through (or over) the penetrator, through intervening tissue, to a desired target location.

Abstract: A transvascular system (10) for delivering a drug to a tissue region from a blood vessel, such as a coronary vein, includes a catheter (12) having a distal portion (26) with puncturing (14), orientation (16), drug delivery (62), and imaging elements (18). The puncturing element (14) is deployable for penetrating the vessel wall to access the tissue region. The orientation element (16), e.g. a “cage” including a plurality of struts (38) (40) and/or a radiopaque marker, has a predetermined relationship with the puncturing element (14), the imaging element (18) detecting the location of the orientation element (16) with respect to the tissue region to orient the puncturing element. The catheter (12) is percutaneously introducing into the vessel, the puncturing element (14) is oriented towards the tissue region, the puncturing element (14) is deployed to access the tissue region, and the drug is delivered to the tissue region.

Abstract: A transvascular system (10) for delivering a drug to a tissue region from a blood vessel, such as a coronary vein, includes a catheter (12) having a distal portion (26) with puncturing (14), orientation (16), drug delivery (62), and imaging elements (18). The puncturing element (14) is deployable for penetrating the vessel wall to access the tissue region. The orientation element (16), e.g. a “cage” including a plurality of struts (38) (40) and/or a radiopaque marker, has a predetermined relationship with the puncturing element (14), the imaging element (18) detecting the location of the orientation element (16) with respect to the tissue region to orient the puncturing element. The catheter (12) is percutaneously introducing into the vessel, the puncturing element (14) is oriented towards the tissue region, the puncturing element (14) is deployed to access the tissue region, and the drug is delivered to the tissue region.

Abstract: An elastic percutaneous elastic introducer sheath is disclosed which can locally expand and reduce to accommodate a transcatheter medical device. The elastic introducer sheath includes a non-circumferentially continuous elastic frame, a liner, and a jacket.

Abstract: An elastic percutaneous elastic introducer sheath is disclosed which can locally expand and reduce to accommodate a transcatheter medical device. The elastic introducer sheath includes a non-circumferentially continuous wire structure, a liner, and a jacket.

Abstract: Devices and methods for simultaneous injection or delivery of two or more substances from separate syringes. The syringes are loaded into a device that has a handle and a screw driven mechanism for simultaneously depressing the plungers of the syringes. The user grasps the handle and positions the device. Thereafter, the screw mechanism is used to simultaneously advance the plungers of the syringes thereby simultaneously expelling the substances from the syringes.

Abstract: A tray and packaging system for a prosthetic valve delivery system permits conversion from a storage and/or shipping configuration to a set up and preparation configuration. In a first configuration, a delivery system can be supported by first and second main trays with the elongate catheter of the delivery system arranged to extend linearly from the first main tray to the second main tray, and in a second configuration, the delivery system can be supported by the first and second main trays with the elongate catheter of the delivery system turned back in a U-shaped manner with the deployment portion of the delivery system positioned to the side of the control handle portion of the delivery system.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve delivery system that is improved in controllability by way of a proximal handle system. Such a handle system of the present invention advantageously permits a controlled fine or micro movement or adjustment of a distal sheath for uncovering a plunger that is to be loaded with a prosthetic valve for deployment thereof. The delivery system of the present invention permits a trigger-release for a gross or macro movement to the sheath relative to the plunger. Also, the control handle of the delivery system is shaped and contoured for ease in manipulation of the micro-control actuator.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance image (MRI) guided tissue penetrating catheters and their methods of use. One or more MRI apparatus (e.g., one or more coils) are positioned on or in a catheter device that includes a tissue penetrator that may be used to form a penetration tract from a body lumen in which the catheter is positioned to a target location outside of that body lumen. The MRI apparatus (e.g., coil(s)) is/are used in conjunction with an MRI imaging system to indicate the position and/or rotational orientation of the penetrating catheter within the subject's body.

Abstract: Devices and methods for simultaneous injection or delivery of two or more substances from separate syringes. The syringes are loaded into a device that has a handle and a screw driven mechanism for simultaneously depressing the plungers of the syringes. The user grasps the handle and positions the device. Thereafter, the screw mechanism is used to simultaneously advance the plungers of the syringes thereby simultaneously expelling the substances from the syringes.

Abstract: A transvascular system for delivering a drug to a tissue region from a blood vessel includes a catheter having a distal portion with puncturing, orientation, drug delivery, and imaging elements. The puncturing element is deployable for penetrating the vessel wall to access the tissue region. The orientation element has a predetermined relationship with the puncturing element, the imaging element detecting the location of the orientation element with respect to the tissue region to orient the puncturing element. The catheter is percutaneously introduced into the vessel, the puncturing element is oriented towards the tissue region, the puncturing element is deployed to access the tissue region, and the drug is delivered to the tissue region. An ablation device may also be deployed to create a cavity or fluid reservoir in the tissue region for receiving the drug therein, or an indwelling catheter may be advanced into and left in the tissue region.

Abstract: An obstruction removal system for percutaneous removal of clots or obstructions within the vascular system is disclosed. The obstruction removal system includes a multi-lumen catheter with a plurality of circulating capture devices attached to or integral with a drive belt. The circulating capture or interference devices affect removal of the clot or obstruction bit-by-bit through a series of passes. The obstruction removal system may include one or more drive mechanisms, such as a pulley system and/or a vacuum source and/or a pressurization source, on its proximal end for driving the drive belt and capture devices through the catheter in a circulating manner. The obstruction removal system may also include one or more cleaning mechanisms, such as a vacuum chamber and/or a fluid rinse chamber, for removing the captured clot pieces from the capture devices.

Abstract: RF power is applied to a circular RF electrode cutting a side opening in a graft material of a main stent-graft in situ. As the side opening is formed by the applied RF power and the associated plasma discharge, the side opening is formed with a minimal application of force to the graft material. Further, the side opening is circular and has a fused edge.

Abstract: Devices and methods for simultaneous injection or delivery of two or more substances from separate syringes. The syringes are loaded into a device that has a handle and a screw driven mechanism for simultaneously depressing the plungers of the syringes. The user grasps the handle and positions the device. Thereafter, the screw mechanism is used to simultaneously advance the plungers of the syringes thereby simultaneously expelling the substances from the syringes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for occluding blood flow within a blood vessel. In a first series of embodiments, the present invention comprises a plurality of embolic devices deployable through the lumen of a conventional catheter such that when deployed, said embolic devices remain resident and occlude blood flow at a specific site within the lumen of the blood vessel. Such embolic devices comprise either mechanical embolic devices that become embedded within or compress against the lumen of the vessel or chemical vaso-occlusive agents that seal off blood flow at a given site. A second embodiment of the present invention comprises utilization of a vacuum/cauterizing device capable of sucking in the lumen of the vessel about the device to maintain the vessel in a closed condition where there is then applied a sufficient amount of energy to cause the tissue collapsed about the device to denature into a closure.

Abstract: A transvascular system (10) for delivering a drug to a tissue region from a blood vessel, such as a coronary vein, includes a catheter (12) having a distal portion (26) with puncturing (14), orientation (16), drug delivery (62), and imaging elements (18). The puncturing element (14) is deployable for penetrating the vessel wall to access the tissue region. The orientation element (16), e.g. a “cage” including a plurality of struts (38) (40) and/or a radiopaque marker, has a predetermined relationship with the puncturing element (14), the imaging element (18) detecting the location of the orientation element (16) with respect to the tissue region to orient the puncturing element. The catheter (12) is percutaneously introducing into the vessel, the puncturing element (14) is oriented towards the tissue region, the puncturing element (14) is deployed to access the tissue region, and the drug is delivered to the tissue region.

Abstract: Devices and methods for limiting the depth to which a penetrator is advanced into an organ or mass of tissue. The device generally comprises a first member and a second member. The penetrator is attached to and extends from a second member. The first member has a penetrator shroud and a hollow bore extending therethrough. The second member is engageable with the first member such that a distal portion of the penetrator extends through the penetrator shroud. The distance to which the penetrator protrudes out of and beyond the distal end of the penetrator shroud is adjustable in accordance with the desired depth of penetration. The penetrator may then be advanced into the organ or tissue mass until the distal end of the shroud abuts against the organ or tissue mass, thereby stopping further advancement of the penetrator. The penetrator may have one or more lumen(s) for aspirating or infusing substances.

Abstract: Devices and methods for simultaneous injection or delivery of two or more substances from separate syringes. The syringes are loaded into a device that has a handle and a screw driven mechanism for simultaneously depressing the plungers of the syringes. The user grasps the handle and positions the device. Thereafter, the screw mechanism is used to simultaneously advance the plungers of the syringes thereby simultaneously expelling the substances from the syringes.

Abstract: An obstruction removal system for percutaneous removal of clots or obstructions within the vascular system is disclosed. The obstruction removal system includes a multi-lumen catheter with a plurality of circulating capture devices attached to or integral with a drive belt. The circulating capture or interference devices affect removal of the clot or obstruction bit-by-bit through a series of passes. The obstruction removal system may include one or more drive mechanisms, such as a pulley system and/or a vacuum source and/or a pressurization source, on its proximal end for driving the drive belt and capture devices through the catheter in a circulating manner. The obstruction removal system may also include one or more cleaning mechanisms, such as a vacuum chamber and/or a fluid rinse chamber, for removing the captured clot pieces from the capture devices.

Abstract: RF power is applied to a circular RF electrode cutting a side opening in a graft material of a main stent-graft in situ. As the side opening is formed by the applied RF power and the associated plasma discharge, the side opening is formed with a minimal application of force to the graft material. Further, the side opening is circular and has a fused edge.