Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of fluid management procedures for the treatment of fluid management disorders in a patient, and related components and methods. In particular, the present invention is directed to bearing arrangements used in intravascular blood pump assembly designed and configured to generate low bearing interfacial resistive force when operated in a blood or plasma protein containing environment.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of edema which devices use an intravascular edema pump with an anticoagulant. The invention provides devices and methods for treating edema that use an indwelling catheter to place an impeller in a blood vessel of a patient, near an outlet of a lymphatic duct. Operating the impeller creates a local depression in blood pressure, which promotes drainage of lymph from the lymphatic system. The catheter is also used to release an anticoagulant such as heparin to wash and lubricate the impeller. Specifically, the anticoagulant inhibits clotting, hemolysis, or thrombosis from occurring and interfering with smooth operation of the impeller.

Abstract: A fixation device delivery system is described. The system includes a driver and a cooperating fixation element featuring a barb which becomes active upon deployment in the inner abdominal wall.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of edema which devices use an intravascular edema pump with an anticoagulant. The invention provides devices and methods for treating edema that use an indwelling catheter to place an impeller in a blood vessel of a patient, near an outlet of a lymphatic duct. Operating the impeller creates a local depression in blood pressure, which promotes drainage of lymph from the lymphatic system. The catheter is also used to release an anticoagulant such as heparin to wash and lubricate the impeller. Specifically, the anticoagulant inhibits clotting, hemolysis, or thrombosis from occurring and interfering with smooth operation of the impeller.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of edema, which devices use a restrictor for flow compensation. Devices and methods of the invention further use a flow-restrictor in the circulatory system, upstream of an intravascular pump, to balance pressure changes induced by the pump and to compensate for downstream flow. The device may be provided as an indwelling, intravascular catheter with a mechanical pump such as an impeller and a selectively deployable restrictor such as an inflatable balloon. Congestive heart failure or edema is treated by \ operating the pump in an innominate vein and using the restrictor for flow compensation, to restrict the upstream flow and thus amplify or maintain pressure reduction at the lymphatic outlet.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of edema using a purge-free system. The invention provides devices and methods useful for treating edema by means of an indwelling catheter that is placed in a blood vessel of a patient and used to pump blood to cause a decrease in pressure at an outlet of a lymphatic duct. The catheter pumps blood by means of an impeller but is purge-free in that the catheter does not include a system for purging or flushing catheter components with a purge fluid. The purge-free catheter avoids blood-related mechanical complications such as clotting or thrombosis by means of an impermeable sleeve or shroud that protects moving parts of the impeller drive system.

Abstract: A fixation device delivery system is described. The system includes a driver and a cooperating fixation element featuring a barb which becomes active upon deployment in the inner abdominal wall.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of edema that uses an impeller with a balloon that may be mounted on the impeller housing. The invention provides devices and methods for treatment of edema that use an indwelling catheter with an impeller to lower pressure at an outlet of a lymphatic duct and a balloon on the impeller to guide and to restrict blood flow. The balloon restricts return flow from the jugular and guides that flow into the impeller cage. By funneling the flow into the impeller cage, a rate of flow down the vessel may be increased, resulting in a lateral pressure decrease effecting the lymphatic outlet. Because the lymphatic outlet is subject to a pressure decrease, fluids in the lymphatic system drain to the outlet and into the circulatory system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of edema, which devices use a restrictor for flow compensation. Devices and methods of the invention further use a flow-restrictor in the circulatory system, upstream of an intravascular pump, to balance pressure changes induced by the pump and to compensate for downstream flow. The device may be provided as an indwelling, intravascular catheter with a mechanical pump such as an impeller and a selectively deployable restrictor such as an inflatable balloon. Congestive heart failure or edema is treated by\operating the pump in an innominate vein and using the restrictor for flow compensation, to restrict the upstream flow and thus amplify or maintain pressure reduction at the lymphatic outlet.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of edema, which devices use a restrictor for flow compensation. Devices and methods of the invention further use a flow-restrictor in the circulatory system, upstream of an intravascular pump, to balance pressure changes induced by the pump and to compensate for downstream flow. The device may be provided as an indwelling, intravascular catheter with a mechanical pump such as an impeller and a selectively deployable restrictor such as an inflatable balloon. Congestive heart failure or edema is treated by\operating the pump in an innominate vein and using the restrictor for flow compensation, to restrict the upstream flow and thus amplify or maintain pressure reduction at the lymphatic outlet.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of edema using a purge-free system. The invention provides devices and methods useful for treating edema by means of an indwelling catheter that is placed in a blood vessel of a patient and used to pump blood to cause a decrease in pressure at an outlet of a lymphatic duct. The catheter pumps blood by means of an impeller but is purge-free in that the catheter does not include a system for purging or flushing catheter components with a purge fluid. The purge-free catheter avoids blood-related mechanical complications such as clotting or thrombosis by means of an impermeable sleeve or shroud that protects moving parts of the impeller drive system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of edema, which devices use a restrictor for flow compensation. Devices and methods of the invention further use a flow-restrictor in the circulatory system, upstream of an intravascular pump, to balance pressure changes induced by the pump and to compensate for downstream flow. The device may be provided as an indwelling, intravascular catheter with a mechanical pump such as an impeller and a selectively deployable restrictor such as an inflatable balloon. Congestive heart failure or edema is treated by \ operating the pump in an innominate vein and using the restrictor for flow compensation, to restrict the upstream flow and thus amplify or maintain pressure reduction at the lymphatic outlet.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of edema that uses an impeller with a balloon that may be mounted on the impeller housing. The invention provides devices and methods for treatment of edema that use an indwelling catheter with an impeller to lower pressure at an outlet of a lymphatic duct and a balloon on the impeller to guide and to restrict blood flow. The balloon restricts return flow from the jugular and guides that flow into the impeller cage. By funneling the flow into the impeller cage, a rate of flow down the vessel may be increased, resulting in a lateral pressure decrease effecting the lymphatic outlet. Because the lymphatic outlet is subject to a pressure decrease, fluids in the lymphatic system drain to the outlet and into the circulatory system.

Abstract: A device is described. The device includes a suture guide and a tissue retracting surface to enable accurate and safe delivery of sutures through tissue.

Abstract: A device is described. The device includes a suture guide and a tissue retracting surface to enable accurate and safe delivery of sutures through tissue.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a catheter with a fluid flow restrictor (e.g., a balloon) that includes a flow path. The catheter is useful for creating, and maintaining, an area of reduced pressure within a blood vessel for removing excess fluid from a patient's body. In particular, the catheter is dimensioned for insertion into a blood vessel and includes a fluid flow restrictor that, when deployed, partially occludes the blood vessel. Pressure is reduced within the blood vessel downstream of the occlusion. The flow path allows some blood to flow past the restrictor, which prevents the blood vessel from stretching due to excessive pressure buildup, thereby allowing the area of reduced pressure to be maintained for extended periods of time.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a catheter system that for precisely positioning fluid flow restrictors within a blood vessel. In particular, this disclosure provides a catheter system that includes a sheath with a first fluid flow restrictor mounted thereto, and a catheter that is slidably disposed within the sheath and has a second fluid flow restrictor mounted thereto. Inside a blood vessel, the sheath and the catheter are separately slidable, thereby allowing the first and second fluid flow restrictors to be positioned at precise locations within the blood vessel.

Abstract: A suture delivery system is described. The system includes an anchor and a cooperating driver, the driver facilitating a delivery of the anchor into the abdominal cavity. The system allows for the deployment of a suture internally into an abdominal wall.

Abstract: The invention provides intravascular devices for treating certain medical conditions such as edema without causing thrombosis. The intravascular devices of the disclosure include non-thrombogenic surfaces that improve blood compatibility by reducing device-related thrombus formation and inflammatory reactions. The non-thrombogenic surfaces may include surface topographies (e.g., surface roughness) and modified chemistries (e.g., coatings and/or treatments), which prevent thrombosis by reducing local shear forces and inhibiting adhesion of blood clotting factors.

Abstract: The invention provides intravascular devices for treating certain medical conditions such as edema without causing thrombosis. The intravascular devices of the disclosure include non-thrombogenic surfaces that improve blood compatibility by reducing device-related thrombus formation and inflammatory reactions. The non-thrombogenic surfaces may include surface topographies (e.g., surface roughness) and modified chemistries (e.g., coatings and/or treatments), which prevent thrombosis by reducing local shear forces and inhibiting adhesion of blood clotting factors.