Abstract: An implantable access port comprises a housing defining a fluid receiving chamber and a septum covering an opening of the housing to permit access to the fluid receiving chamber in combination with a light source coupled to the housing, the light source aimed so that, when the port is implanted subcutaneously in a desired orientation, light transmitted from the light source impinges on an area of skin adjacent to a location of the septum.

Abstract: A tissue treatment system comprising a tissue treatment probe to be introduced in a target tissue region, wherein the probe comprises one or more perfusion ports that perfuse electrically conductive fluid to the target tissue region, one or more electrodes that deliver RF energy to the target tissue region to therapeutically treat the tissue, and at least one occlusive body that expands to occlude an anatomical vessel in or near where the probe is located in order to prevent heat generated by the delivery of the RF energy from being lost to mobile bodily fluids.

Abstract: An effusion drain includes a fluid collection element moving between an operative shape for receiving a fluid and a reduced volume shape for connecting to a fluid drain and a compressible member biasing the fluid collection element to the operative shape, the compressible member being incorporated into the fluid collection element such that release of a compression on the compressible member expands the fluid collection element to the operative shape.

Abstract: Embolic particles, embolic particle chains, and methods for making embolic particles and embolic particle chains are described.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a catheter, a conductive element and a balloon. The catheter has a lumen. The conductive element is disposed along the catheter. The balloon has an interior in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter. The balloon is formed of a conductive material conductively coupled to the conductive element. The balloon has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: An agent delivery device includes an inner tubular body having a proximal end, a sharpened distal end, a delivery lumen extending therebetween, and one or more outlet ports on the distal end communicating with the delivery lumen. The device also includes one or more seals sealing the one or more outlet ports, the one or more seals capable of being melted to allow a fluid to be delivered from the delivery lumen through the one or more outlet ports. The agent delivery device may further include a monopolar or bipolar electrode and/or a radio-opaque marker carried at the distal end of the device. The inner tubular body can be made from a conductive material to thereby allow the inner tubular body to function as an electrode.

Abstract: A catheter comprises an elongated body extending from a flexible distal portion to a proximal portion and including a fluid transport lumen extending therethrough and a tensioning member lock collar slidably coupled to the proximal portion for movement relative thereto, the tensioning member lock collar including a connection for coupling the proximal portion of the catheter to a fluid receiving structure in combination with a tensioning member coupled between the flexible distal portion and the tensioning member lock collar so that movement of the tensioning member lock collar proximally along the elongated body draws the tensioning member proximally a first distance and curls the flexible distal portion by a first amount.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a catheter, a conductive element and a balloon. The catheter has a lumen. The conductive element is disposed along the catheter. The balloon has an interior in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter. The balloon is formed of a conductive material conductively coupled to the conductive element. The balloon has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: A fluid infusion system comprises a flexible elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a fluid transport lumen extending therethrough and a fluid source having a connector for coupling to the proximal end to provide fluid to the fluid transport lumen in combination with an ultrasound energy source delivering ultrasound energy to the fluid to reduce a viscosity of the fluid and a waveguide directing the ultrasound energy to a desired region of the fluid.

Abstract: Described is a catheter which includes a reinforced polymer shaft. The polymer includes nano particles having a dimension of less than about 6 nm. Described is also a method of forming a medical device. Granules of a selected polymer are prepared. Reinforced granules of the selected polymer are prepared. The reinforced granules include nano particles. The granules and the reinforced granules are then mixed in a ratio selected to obtain a desired concentration of the nano particles. The granules and the reinforced granules are extruded to form a substantially tubular element.

Abstract: An endoluminal device including a prosthesis and at least one indicator member affixed to the prosthesis that can be remotely monitored to indicate a change in pressure or morphology of the prosthesis. The indicator member may be an optical fiber, a strain gauge, or a first material having a first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) susceptibility value that contrasts with a second MRI susceptibility value of a second material that comprises one or more remaining members of the prosthesis. A prosthesis monitoring system includes an endoluminal device as well as a subcutaneous electronics package and external electronics. Methods of detecting endoleaks or changes in morphology involve implanting an endoluminal device with the indicator and detecting information from the indicator.

Abstract: A resection device includes an elongated probe shaft and a tissue resection member disposed at a distal end of the elongated probe shaft. The tissue resection member has a cutting surface configured for being placed in contact with tissue. In one aspect of the invention, at least one ejection port is located adjacent to the cutting surface of the tissue resection member, wherein the at least one ejection port is coupled to a source of a polymerizable hemostasis-promoting material that is delivered to the resection site of interest. In certain embodiments, polymerization of the hemostasis-promoting material may be accelerated by application of heat, radiofrequency energy, or ultra violet light.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate body having a plurality of discretely controllable portions. The plurality of discretely controllable portions are configured to be maneuvered within a body lumen along a predetermined path associated with an image of the body lumen. At least one portion from the plurality of discretely controllable portions may include a marker. A method includes inserting an elongate body at least partially into a body lumen. The elongate body has a plurality of discretely controllable portions. The elongate body is maneuvered within the body lumen along a predetermined path associated with an image of the body lumen. The maneuvering includes changing the relative orientation of the plurality of discretely controllable portions.

Abstract: A method of treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an endovascular graft configured to be disposed within an aorta of a patient and to be attached to an aortic wall to channel aortic blood flow therethrough; advancing a temporary stent catheter endovascularly to a location of the aneurysm, the catheter being attached to a temporary stent, the temporary stent and the graft being constrained by one or more constraining devices during advancement of the graft; removing the one or more constraining devices from the graft and temporary stent, to allow the temporary stent to stabilize the graft against the aortic wall; fixing the graft to the aortic wall; reconstraining the temporary stent with one of the one or more constraining devices; and withdrawing the temporary stent catheter, temporary stent and the one or more constraining devices, releasing the graft.

Abstract: An RF ablation device comprises an electrode including a DLC coating deposited on at least a portion thereof. A method of forming an RF ablation device, comprises forming a DLC coating on a portion of a metallic electrode.

Abstract: A method includes identifying an area of interest within a gastrointestinal lumen based on a virtual imaging modality. Energy is applied using an external energy source directed at the area of interest sufficient to disrupt at least a portion of an undesired tissue. In another embodiment, the method includes introducing a contrasting agent into a gastrointestinal lumen. The gastrointestinal lumen is imaged with an imaging device. An area of interest within the gastrointestinal lumen is identified, where the area of interest is indicated by the contrasting agent. Energy is applied using an external energy source directed at the area of interest to disrupt at least a portion of a tissue located at the area of interest. The disrupted tissue is removed from the gastrointestinal lumen.

Abstract: A device is provided for endoluminal delivery of a luminary graft. As applied in the vascular system, the device comprises a catheter configured to be advanced endovascularly to a graft location. A generally tubular temporary stent having a distal end and a proximal end is tapered and attached to the catheter at the proximal end. The temporary stent comprises helically braided thread members that expand radially outwardly to a maximum diameter in a resting state. The temporary stent terminates in discrete ends temporarily affixed to the graft at the distal end. A tubular sheath selectively and reversibly radially constrains the temporary stent. The sheath is configured to be longitudinally moveable relative the temporary stent to constrain and reconstrain the temporary stent when positioned over the temporary stent, and to release the temporary stent when withdrawn from over the temporary stent.

Abstract: A method, therapeutic probe, and system for treating a tissue margin surrounding an interstitial cavity is provided. The interstitial cavity may be created by resecting tissue, e.g., malignant tissue, from the patient's body to create the interstitial cavity. The interstitial cavity may assume any shape, but in a typical method, the interstitial cavity is spherically shaped. An expandable hyperthermic body of the therapeutic probe is expanded within the interstitial cavity into contact with the tissue margin. The tissue margin is heated with the hyperthermic body, and therapeutic x-ray radiation is conveyed from the hyperthermic body into the tissue margin. Heating of the tissue margin with the hypothermic body may ablate the tissue margin.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for resecting a portion of tissue to be removed (e.g., unhealthy tissue, such as cancerous tissue) from a portion of the tissue to be retained (e.g., healthy tissue) within a patient is provided. An electrically conductive fluid, such as saline, may be absorbed into a hydrophilic electrode. Electrical energy (e.g., radio frequency (RF) energy) is conveyed to or from the hydrophilic electrode while being moved in proximity to the tissue along a resection line, whereby tissue adjacent to the resection line is coagulated. A resection member, such as a blunt resection member or a resection electrode, which may be on the same device as the hydrophilic electrode, is used to separate the tissue along the resection line to resect the tissue portion to be removed from the tissue portion to be retained.

Abstract: A tissue ablation probe, system, and method are provided. The ablation probe comprises an elongated member, an ablative element mounted on the distal end of the elongated member, and at least one thermoelectric device mounted to the member in thermal communication with the ablative element. The system may include the ablation probe, thermal control circuitry for controlling the thermal effect of the thermoelectric device, and an ablation source for suppying ablation energy to the ablative element. A plurality of circumferentially distributed thermoelectric devices can be provided, so that radial tissue sectors can be selectively affected by independently controlling the thermal effect of the thermoelectric devices. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric device(s) can be used to cool a heat ablative element. In another embodiment, the thermoelectric device(s) can be used to heat an ablative element, thereby forming a heat ablative element.