Abstract: Polypectomy devices and methods for making and using polypectomy devices are disclosed. An example polypectomy device may include an elongate sheath having a proximal end region and a distal end region. A shaft may be slidably disposed within the sheath. A handle may be coupled to the proximal end region of the sheath. The handle may be designed to axially shift the shaft relative to the sheath. A snare may be coupled to the shaft. The snare may include a first region, a traction region, and a distal tip region. The first region may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The traction region may include a plurality of traction members. At a position between two adjacent traction members the snare may have a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the first region. The distal tip region may have a circular cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An example occlusive implant is disclosed. The example occlusive implant includes an expandable framework configured to shift between a first configuration and a second expanded configuration, an occlusive member disposed along at least a portion of an outer surface of the expandable framework and a resilient member coupled to the occlusive member. Further, the resilient member is configured to keep the occlusive member taut against an outer surface of the expandable member in both the first configuration and the second configuration.

Abstract: An example medical device for occluding the left atrial appendage is disclosed. The example medical device for occluding the left atrial appendage includes an expandable member having a first end region and a second end region. The expandable member comprises at least one inflation cavity and at least one valve member configured to selectively seal the inflation cavity. A first inflation media may be disposed within the at least one inflation cavity and a second inflation media may be disposed within the at least one inflation cavity. The second inflation media may be different from the first inflation media. The expandable member may be configured to expand and seal the opening of the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: Devices and methods for assisting blood flow are provided. The device includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet, and a fluid barrier separating the housing into a first section containing the inlet and outlet, and a second section. The device also includes an impeller shaft coupled to an impeller and a first magnet in the first section of the housing, and a drive shaft coupled to a second magnet in the second section of the housing. The first and second magnets are arranged such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the second magnet causing rotation of the first magnet, which drives the impeller.

Abstract: An example occlusive implant is disclosed. The example occlusive implant includes an expandable framework configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, an occlusive member disposed along at least a portion of the expandable framework and a sealing member disposed along the occlusive member, wherein the occlusive member includes at least a first cellular tissue growth pathway.

Abstract: An example medical device for occluding the left atrial appendage is disclosed. The example medical device for occluding the left atrial appendage includes an expandable member having a first end region, a second end region and an inflation cavity. The medical device also includes a plurality of spine members coupled to the expandable member, the plurality of spine members spaced circumferentially around an outer surface of the expandable member. Additionally, the medical device includes a valve member extending at least partially into the inflation cavity, wherein the plurality of spine members are configured to position the medical device within an opening of the left atrial appendage and wherein the expandable member is configured to expand and seal the opening of the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: An example occlusive implant is disclosed. The example occlusive implant includes an expandable framework configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, an occlusive member disposed along at least a portion of the expandable framework and a sealing member disposed along the occlusive member.

Abstract: An anatomical model simulator system includes an anatomical model assembly. The anatomical model assembly includes an anatomical model shell having a plurality of apertures defined therein; and a plurality of electrodes. Each electrode of the plurality of electrodes is disposed within one of the plurality of apertures, and each electrode includes at least one of carbon black and silver epoxy. The anatomical model simulator system also includes a model control system. The model control system includes a power supply configured to deliver electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes; and a controller configured to control the delivery of the electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: Pressure sensing guidewires and methods for making and using pressure sensing guidewires are disclosed. An example pressure sensing guidewire may include a tubular member having a proximal region and a housing region. A pressure sensor may be disposed within the housing region. A signal transmitting member may be coupled to the pressure sensor and extending proximally therefrom. A hydrophilic coating may be disposed along an inner surface of the housing region.

Abstract: Polypectomy devices and methods for making and using polypectomy devices are disclosed. An example polypectomy device may include an elongate sheath having a proximal end region and a distal end region. A shaft may be slidably disposed within the sheath. A handle may be coupled to the proximal end region of the sheath. The handle may be designed to axially shift the shaft relative to the sheath. A snare may be coupled to the shaft. The snare may include a first region, a traction region, and a distal tip region. The first region may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The traction region may include a plurality of traction members. At a position between two adjacent traction members the snare may have a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the first region. The distal tip region may have a circular cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for determining blood flow rates based on light reflection measurements. The catheter may include a lumen extending between a proximal end of the catheter and a distal end of the catheter. The catheter may include fluid infusion openings at the distal end region of the catheter that are configured to permit the indicator fluid to exit the catheter from the lumen. The catheter system may include an optical fiber having one or more sensors thereon for sensing light reflected by blood particles in a body vessel lumen. A blood flow rate may be determined based on the sensed light reflected by blood particles in the body vessel lumen.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guide extension catheter. The guide extension catheter may include an elongate tubular member having a proximal region, a distal region, and a slot formed in the tubular member between the proximal region and the distal region. The proximal region of the tubular member may be configured to shift between a first configuration and a collapsed configuration. The guide extension catheter may also include an elongate shaft for shifting the proximal region between the first configuration and the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: Nanoparticles can be embedded into a medical device by accelerating them to a speed of between 100 m/s and 1,000 m/s and embedding the particles into a polymer surface of a medical device or a precursor thereof. In some cases, the nanoparticles can be embedded until the nanoparticles accumulate in sufficient number to adhere together to form a coating over the polymer surface. The nanoparticles can provide a conductive pathway, an abrasion resistant surface, a pro-healing surface, and/or an anti-bacterial surface.

Abstract: Medical devices may include an electrode that has been processed to increase its surface area. In some cases, an electrode may be processed using an ultrafast laser to produce an electrode surface that includes macrostructures formed within the electrode surface and nanostructures formed on the macrostructures. The nanostructures may be formed of material that was removed from the electrode surface in forming the macrostructures.

Abstract: A medical device for sympathetic nerve ablation may include an elongate shaft and an expandable member. A printed ablation electrode assembly may be disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member, the printed ablation electrode assembly including a positive electrical pathway and a ground electrical pathway printed directly on the outer surface of the expandable member. A temperature sensor may be printed directly on the outer surface of the expandable member. A method of manufacturing a medical device for sympathetic nerve ablation may include printing a conductive ink network directly on a surface of a polymeric balloon material in a flat configuration, printing at least one temperature sensor directly on the surface of the polymeric balloon material, forming the polymeric balloon material into an inflatable balloon, and attaching the inflatable balloon to an elongate catheter shaft.

Abstract: Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include an intravascular nerve modulation system including an elongated shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region. The system may include an expandable frame having one or more electrodes positioned on or about the frame. An actuation assembly including a biasing element, a central shaft, and a piston may be configured to provide for controlled expansion of the expandable frame. The system may further include a control element for controlling the actuation assembly.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for determining blood flow rates based on light reflection measurements. The catheter may include a lumen extending between a proximal end of the catheter and a distal end of the catheter. The catheter may include fluid infusion openings at the distal end region of the catheter that are configured to permit the indicator fluid to exit the catheter from the lumen. The catheter system may include an optical fiber having one or more sensors thereon for sensing light reflected by blood particles in a body vessel lumen. A blood flow rate may be determined based on the sensed light reflected by blood particles in the body vessel lumen.

Abstract: Nanoparticles can be embedded into a medical device by accelerating them to a speed of between 100 m/s and 1,000 m/s and embedding the particles into a polymer surface of a medical device or a precursor thereof. In some cases, the nanoparticles can be embedded until the nanoparticles accumulate in sufficient number to adhere together to form a coating over the polymer surface. The nanoparticles can provide a conductive pathway, an abrasion resistant surface, a pro-healing surface, and/or an anti-bacterial surface.

Abstract: Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include an intravascular nerve modulation system including an elongated shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region. The system may include an expandable frame having one or more electrodes positioned on or about the frame. An actuation assembly including a biasing element, a central shaft, and a piston may be configured to provide for controlled expansion of the expandable frame. The system may further include a control element for controlling the actuation assembly.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes an expandable tubular body defined by a plurality of struts. In some embodiments, the expandable tubular body includes a bioerodible metal that has at least a first surface region and a second surface region. The first and second surface regions can have different surface oxide compositions. In some embodiments, the first portion has a thermally altered microstructure and the second portion has a wrought microstructure. The thermally altered microstructure can be a cast microstructure comprising dendritic grains. The first portion forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the expandable tubular body. In some embodiments, the expandable tubular body includes iron or a bioerodible iron alloy and at least one surface of the expandable tubular body includes a substantially uniform coating of iron(III) oxide.