Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a renal nerve modulation device. The renal nerve modulation device may include an elongate shaft. A balloon may be coupled to the shaft. The balloon may have a hydrophilic electrode region. A sensor may be coupled to the balloon and may be disposed adjacent to the hydrophilic electrode region. An electrode may be coupled to the catheter shaft and may be disposed within the balloon.

Abstract: In an assembly of a balloon mounted on a catheter and a stent mounted over the deflated balloon, the balloon is provided with a fugitive plasticizer before the stent is crimped over the balloon. The fugitive plasticizer can soften the balloon surface so that molding of the balloon surface to conform to the crimped stent occurs. The fugitive plasticizer is removed before the assembly is used.

Abstract: A navigation system for an airway of a lung includes a wire configured to be inserted into the airway of a patient. The wire may include at least one fiber optic cable with a bragg grating. The system may also include a processing system configured to display a map of at least a portion of the airway. The processing system may be operably coupled to the wire and may be configured to identify a location of the wire on the map.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a medical instrument. Systems and methods are provided for stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract. The medical instrument may include an elongate component having a proximal end and a distal end. The medical instrument may be configured for insertion in a natural orifice of a patient and to traverse the gastrointestinal tract of the patient. The medical instrument may include a handle at the proximal end and a stimulator at the distal end wherein the stimulator may be configured to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract to effect coordination of peristaltic waves.

Abstract: A drug eluting balloon device is disclosed, comprising a balloon and a sheath disposed around the balloon, the sheath comprising a plurality of drug delivery areas. When the sheath is in a first position, the drug delivery areas are in the form of pockets adapted to contain a therapeutic agent. When the sheath is expanded, the pockets invert into protrusions in order to deliver the therapeutic agent. In an alternative embodiment, the pockets are adapted to be pushed outwardly upon inflation of the balloon. The device may further comprise a fluid or shape memory material to force the pockets outwardly.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a renal nerve modulation device. The renal nerve modulation device may include an elongate shaft. A balloon may be coupled to the shaft. The balloon may have a hydrophilic electrode region. A sensor may be coupled to the balloon and may be disposed adjacent to the hydrophilic electrode region. An electrode may be coupled to the catheter shaft and may be disposed within the balloon.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple guidewires comprises a guiderail, which has a housing that defines a first guidewire lumen and a second guidewire lumen. The guidewire lumens extend through the entire length of the guiderail. The guiderail housing further defines a first longitudinal opening that extends from the first guidewire lumen to the exterior of the guiderail, and a second longitudinal opening that extends from the second guidewire lumen to the exterior of the guiderail.

Abstract: A drug eluting balloon device is disclosed, comprising a balloon and a sheath disposed around the balloon, the sheath comprising a plurality of drug delivery areas. When the sheath is in a first position, the drug delivery areas are in the form of pockets adapted to contain a therapeutic agent. When the sheath is expanded, the pockets invert into protrusions in order to deliver the therapeutic agent. In an alternative embodiment, the pockets are adapted to be pushed outwardly upon inflation of the balloon. The device may further comprise a fluid or shape memory material to force the pockets outwardly.

Abstract: A stent delivery system which includes a stent delivery catheter, the stent delivery catheter having a stent mounting region, the stent mounting region having an inflatable portion. A stent is disposed about the stent mounting region, the stent having an unexpanded position and an expanded position. At least one stent retaining sleeve is also included having first and second ends, the first end being attached to the stent delivery catheter, the at least one stent retaining sleeve disposed about at least a portion of the stent in the unexpanded position, the stent retaining sleeve being constructed and arranged to retract toward the attached first end when the stent is expanded.

Abstract: Catheter devices having an expandable balloon for delivering a therapeutic agent to a body site. In one aspect, one or more sheaths are disposed around the balloon with the therapeutic agent being disposed within the sheath, being disposed over the sheath, being contained in the space between the sheath and the balloon, or being otherwise associated with the sheath. In another aspect, the balloon includes a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) for drug delivery.

Abstract: A cryotherapy balloon catheter includes a compliant cryotherapy balloon comprising a distal balloon section dimensioned for placement within a renal artery and a proximal balloon section dimensioned to abut against an ostium of the renal artery and extend into at least a portion of the abdominal aorta. The compliant balloon has a diameter that varies non-uniformly along a length of the compliant balloon, such that a diameter at the proximal balloon section is larger than a diameter of the distal balloon section. The cryotherapy balloon catheter may be configured to deliver cryogenic therapy to at least the ostium of the renal artery sufficient to irreversibly terminate renal sympathetic nerve activity, such as by causing neurotmesis of renal nerve fibers and ganglia at the ostium of the renal artery.

Abstract: A renal denervation apparatus includes a treatment element dimensioned for deployment on or within a renal artery of a patient. The treatment element comprises a predefined pattern arranged to complete at least one revolution of the treatment element. The apparatus includes a treatment source. The treatment source and treatment element are configured to cooperatively facilitate communication of an agent from the treatment source to the pattern arrangement of the treatment element. The treatment element is configured to deliver denervation therapy using the agent via the pattern arrangement to one or more regions of the renal artery adjacent the pattern arrangement, such that at least one complete revolution of the renal artery is subjected to the denervation therapy.

Abstract: Medical devices comprising a balloon and a therapeutic agent disposed over the balloon. In one embodiment, an expandable sheath covers the balloon, and the expandable sheath is coated with the therapeutic agent. As the balloon is inflated, the sheath expands and causes the coating of therapeutic agent to break apart. In another embodiment, the balloon has a balloon wall comprising an outermost layer and one or more inner layers. The outermost layer is less compliant than the inner layer(s) such that cracks will form in the outermost layer as the balloon is inflated. The coating of therapeutic agent breaks apart when the relatively less compliant outermost layer cracks with the inflation of the balloon. Also disclosed are methods for making a medical device having a balloon.

Abstract: The invention is directed to mechanisms and methods that reduce the delamination of a therapeutic agent from a stent. The mechanisms include holes (channels, wells, and other hole configurations), protrusions, sintered metal cores, clamps/staples, pins, and stainless steel shields.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are medical devices, such as intravascular stents, for delivering a therapeutic agent to the body tissue of a patient, and a method for making such medical devices. More particularly, the medical devices have a coating that includes a polymer that adheres to the surface of the medical device so that the coating is able to resist damage during loading, deployment and implantation.

Abstract: Catheter devices having an expandable balloon for delivering a therapeutic agent to a body site. In one aspect, one or more sheaths are disposed around the balloon with the therapeutic agent being disposed within the sheath, being disposed over the sheath, being contained in the space between the sheath and the balloon, or being otherwise associated with the sheath. In another aspect, the balloon includes a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) for drug delivery.

Abstract: Catheter devices having an expandable balloon for delivering a therapeutic agent to a body site. The balloon has one or more folds which serve as a reservoir for containing the therapeutic agent. The fold may have any of various configurations to hold the therapeutic agent. In some cases, the balloon comprises one or more lobes that forms the fold(s). The therapeutic agent may be provided in various ways. For example, the therapeutic agent may be contained in packets that rupture upon expansion of the balloon, or as a plurality of discrete bulk masses, or sealed within compartments.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate generally to medical devices that are useful for delivering one or more therapeutic agents to a body tissue of a subject, and methods for making and using such devices. In particular, the embodiments relate to a medical device such as a stent having a sidewall structure comprising a plurality of struts, in which one or more therapeutic agents are released from different surfaces of the struts at different release profiles. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a stent having a sidewall structure comprising a plurality of struts, in which the two side surfaces of each strut are coated with a coating composition that is different from the coating composition used to coat the outer surface and/or inner surface of the strut.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis such as a coronary stent includes a surface region that defines a depression in the form of a channel, the depression having an interior surface, and an enhanced roughness on the interior surface.

Abstract: A method includes: providing a substrate, depositing a ceramic and an extractable material onto the substrate, forming a porous structure in the ceramic by removing the extractable material, and utilizing the ceramic in an endoprosthesis. An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, including a coating formed of a ceramic and an extractable material that can be removed from the coating to form voids is also disclosed.