Abstract: A catheter system for imparting pressure to induce fractures at a treatment site within or adjacent a blood vessel wall includes a catheter, a fortified balloon inflation fluid and a first light guide. The catheter includes an elongate shaft and a balloon that is coupled to the elongate shaft. The balloon has a balloon wall and can expand to a first expanded configuration to anchor the catheter in position relative. The fortified balloon inflation fluid can expand the balloon to the first expanded configuration. The fortified balloon inflation fluid includes a base inflation fluid and a fortification component. The fortification component reduces a threshold for inducing plasma formation in the fortified balloon inflation fluid compared to the base inflation fluid. The fortification component can include at least one of carbon and iron. The first light guide is disposed along the elongate shaft and is positioned at least partially within the balloon.

Abstract: A gastric bypass device includes an occlusion device that is adapted to be deployed relative to a patient's pyloric sphincter, an anastomosis anchor that is adapted to be deployed relative to an anastomosis between the patient's stomach and their small intestine, and a tether that extends through the patient's small intestine between the occlusion device and the anastomosis anchor. A dynamic leash may be secured relative to the occlusion device and may work in conjunction with the tether to help hold the occlusion device in place. The gastric bypass device may be deployed using a variety of methods including a push-pull wire method, a rail method, a garage method, a two-piece method and a comprehensive method.

Abstract: A gastric bypass device includes an occlusion device that is adapted to be deployed relative to a patient's pyloric sphincter and a liner that extends distally from the occlusion device. A tether extends from the occlusion device. A dynamic leash may be secured relative to the occlusion device and may work in conjunction with the tether to help hold the occlusion device in place.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for intravascular lesion disruption. In an embodiment, a catheter system for imparting pressure to induce fractures upon a vascular lesion within or adjacent a blood vessel wall is included. The system includes a catheter configured to advance to a vascular lesion, the catheter including an elongate shaft that defines at least a first orifice for fluid flow; a balloon, coupled to the elongate shaft, that surrounds the first orifice where the balloon can expand from a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the catheter through a patient's vasculature to a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the catheter in position relative to a treatment site; and a propulsion system configured to propel a fluid from the first orifice toward the balloon wall to create an inertial impulse in a vessel wall to transfer momentum to the vascular lesion. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A photoacoustic catheter adapted for placement within a blood vessel having a vessel wall includes an elongate shaft, a balloon and a photoacoustic transducer. The elongate shaft can extend from a proximal region to a distal region. The elongate shaft can include a light guide that is configured to be placed in optical communication with a light source. The balloon is coupled to the elongate shaft, and can be configured to expand from a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the photoacoustic catheter through a patient's vasculature to a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the photoacoustic catheter in position relative to a treatment site. The photoacoustic transducer can be disposed on a surface of the balloon and in optical communication with the light guide. The photoacoustic transducer can include a light-absorbing material and a thermal expansion material.

Abstract: A catheter system for imparting pressure to induce fractures at a treatment site within or adjacent a blood vessel wall includes a catheter, a fortified balloon inflation fluid and a first light guide. The catheter includes an elongate shaft and a balloon that is coupled to the elongate shaft. The balloon has a balloon wall and can expand to a first expanded configuration to anchor the catheter in position relative. The fortified balloon inflation fluid can expand the balloon to the first expanded configuration. The fortified balloon inflation fluid includes a base inflation fluid and a fortification component. The fortification component reduces a threshold for inducing plasma formation in the fortified balloon inflation fluid compared to the base inflation fluid. The fortification component can include at least one of carbon and iron. The first light guide is disposed along the elongate shaft and is positioned at least partially within the balloon.

Abstract: A gastric bypass device includes an occlusion device that is adapted to be deployed relative to a patient's pyloric sphincter, an anastomosis anchor that is adapted to be deployed relative to an anastomosis between the patient's stomach and their small intestine, and a tether that extends through the patient's small intestine between the occlusion device and the anastomosis anchor. A dynamic leash may be secured relative to the occlusion device and may work in conjunction with the tether to help hold the occlusion device in place.

Abstract: A gastric bypass device includes an occlusion device that is adapted to be deployed relative to a patient's pyloric sphincter, an anastomosis anchor that is adapted to be deployed relative to an anastomosis between the patient's stomach and their small intestine, and a tether that extends through the patient's small intestine between the occlusion device and the anastomosis anchor. A dynamic leash may be secured relative to the occlusion device and may work in conjunction with the tether to help hold the occlusion device in place.

Abstract: A gastric bypass device includes an occlusion device that is adapted to be deployed relative to a patient's pyloric sphincter, an anastomosis anchor that is adapted to be deployed relative to an anastomosis between the patient's stomach and their small intestine, and a tether that extends through the patient's small intestine between the occlusion device and the anastomosis anchor. A dynamic leash may be secured relative to the occlusion device and may work in conjunction with the tether to help hold the occlusion device in place.

Abstract: A gastric bypass device includes an occlusion device that is adapted to be deployed relative to a patient's pyloric sphincter, an anastomosis anchor that is adapted to be deployed relative to an anastomosis between the patient's stomach and their small intestine, and a tether that extends through the patient's small intestine between the occlusion device and the anastomosis anchor. A dynamic leash may be secured relative to the occlusion device and may work in conjunction with the tether to help hold the occlusion device in place.

Abstract: A photoacoustic catheter adapted for placement within a blood vessel having a vessel wall includes an elongate shaft, a balloon and a photoacoustic transducer. The elongate shaft can extend from a proximal region to a distal region. The elongate shaft can include a light guide that is configured to be placed in optical communication with a light source. The balloon is coupled to the elongate shaft, and can be configured to expand from a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the photoacoustic catheter through a patient's vasculature to a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the photoacoustic catheter in position relative to a treatment site. The photoacoustic transducer can be disposed on a surface of the balloon and in optical communication with the light guide. The photoacoustic transducer can include a light-absorbing material and a thermal expansion material.

Abstract: A catheter system for pressure wave and inertial impulse generation for intravascular lesion disruption includes a balloon coupled to an elongate shaft, and a first and second light guide disposed along the elongate shaft. The first and second light guides each include a diverting feature in optical communication with at least one light window to direct light to exit each light guide toward a side surface portion thereof and toward the balloon. A method includes expanding the balloon from a collapsed configuration to a first expanded configuration, and activating a light source in optical communication with each light guide to provide sub-millisecond pulses of light to the diverting features, thereby inducing plasma formation in a balloon fluid, causing rapid bubble formation, and imparting pressure waves upon the treatment site.

Abstract: A catheter system for imparting pressure to induce fractures in a vascular lesion within or adjacent a vessel wall, includes a catheter and a superheating system. The catheter can advance to the vascular lesion. The catheter includes an elongate shaft and a balloon coupled to the elongate shaft. The balloon includes a balloon wall. The balloon moves between a collapsed configuration and a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the catheter in position relative to a treatment site. The superheating system can heat a balloon fluid within the balloon rapidly enough to achieve spontaneous vaporization of the balloon fluid and to generate inertial bubbles and acoustic pressure waves. The superheating system can include a first light guide extending along the elongate shaft. The first light guide is in optical communication with a light source at a proximal portion of the first light guide.

Abstract: A photoacoustic catheter can include an elongate shaft and a first photoacoustic transducer. The elongate shaft can extend from a proximal region to a distal region and can include a first light guide that is in optical communication with a light source. The first photoacoustic transducer can be disposed within the distal region of the elongate shaft and can be in optical communication with the first light guide. The first photoacoustic transducer can impart acoustic pressure waves upon a calcified lesion to induce fractures. The first photoacoustic transducer can include a light-absorbing material and a thermal expansion material that can be in contact with one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus including a first tubular housing including a first exit port and a second tubular housing including a second exit port. The apparatus also includes a third tubular housing coupled to at least one of the first tubular housing and the second tubular housing such that each of the first tubular housing, the second tubular housing, and the third tubular housing are fixed with respect to one another. The apparatus also includes a first catheter including a first plurality of outlets and is configured to be positioned at least partially within the first tubular housing. The apparatus also includes a second catheter including a second plurality of outlets and is configured to be positioned at least partially within the second tubular housing. The apparatus also includes a pressure transducer line positioned in the third tubular housing and a pressure transducer coupled to the pressure transducer line.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter having an elongate shaft, a balloon and a light guide. The balloon expands from a collapsed configuration to a first expanded configuration. The light guide is disposed along the elongate shaft and is in optical communication with a light source and a balloon fluid. A first portion of the light guide extends into a recess defined by the elongate shaft. A protection structure is disposed within the recess and is in contact with the first portion of the light guide. The light source provides pulses of light to the balloon fluid, thereby initiating plasma formation and rapid bubble formation within the balloon, thereby imparting pressure waves upon a vascular lesion. The protection structure can provide structural protection from the pressure waves to the first portion of the light guide.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter having an elongate shaft, a balloon and a light guide. The balloon expands from a collapsed configuration to a first expanded configuration. The light guide is disposed along the elongate shaft and is in optical communication with a light source and a balloon fluid. A first portion of the light guide extends into a recess defined by the elongate shaft. A protection structure is disposed within the recess and is in contact with the first portion of the light guide. The light source provides pulses of light to the balloon fluid, thereby initiating plasma formation and rapid bubble formation within the balloon, thereby imparting pressure waves upon a treatment site. The protection structure can provide structural protection from the pressure waves to the first portion of the light guide.

Abstract: Catheters with weeping balloons can be used for various medical purposes. For example, in some embodiments provided herein weeping balloons are used for catheter visualization devices. In some embodiments, weeping balloons are used to deliver therapeutic agents. Weeping balloons can include openings of a selected size and shape through which a fluid gradually flows or “weeps.” The design of the openings can affect performance characteristics such as, but not limited to, fluid flow rate, tear resistance, and mitigation of counter-flow.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus including a first tubular housing including a first exit port and a second tubular housing including a second exit port. The apparatus also includes a third tubular housing coupled to at least one of the first tubular housing and the second tubular housing such that each of the first tubular housing, the second tubular housing, and the third tubular housing are fixed with respect to one another. The apparatus also includes a first catheter including a first plurality of outlets and is configured to be positioned at least partially within the first tubular housing. The apparatus also includes a second catheter including a second plurality of outlets and is configured to be positioned at least partially within of the second tubular housing. The apparatus also includes a pressure transducer line positioned in the third tubular housing and a pressure transducer coupled to the pressure transducer line.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for intravascular lesion disruption. In an embodiment, a catheter system for imparting pressure to induce fractures upon a vascular lesion within or adjacent a blood vessel wall is included. The system includes a catheter configured to advance to a vascular lesion, the catheter including an elongate shaft that defines at least a first orifice for fluid flow; a balloon, coupled to the elongate shaft, that surrounds the first orifice where the balloon can expand from a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the catheter through a patient's vasculature to a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the catheter in position relative to a treatment site; and a propulsion system configured to propel a fluid from the first orifice toward the balloon wall to create an inertial impulse in a vessel wall to transfer momentum to the vascular lesion. Other embodiments are also included herein.