Abstract: A device for use in a process that involves accessing an epidural space includes an elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end, a sensor located at the distal end of the elongated member, a handle coupled to the proximal end of the elongated member, and an indicator coupled to the sensor, wherein the indicator is configured to provide a sensory indication for assisting a user to identify a desired entry path to access an epidural space, wherein the indicator is configured to provide the sensory indication based at least in part on a signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for quickly inducing therapeutic hypothermia of the heart by perfusing the myocardium with hypothermic fluid in alternatingly antegrade and retrograde directions. The apparatus and method provide rapid cooling of the affected myocardium to achieve optimal myocardial salvage in a patient experiencing acute myocardial infarction. The therapeutic hypothermia system includes one or more coronary artery perfusion catheters, a coronary sinus perfusion catheter and a fluid source for delivering a hypothermically-cooled physiologically-acceptable fluid, such as saline solution, oxygenated venous blood, autologously-oxygenated arterial blood and/or an oxygenated blood substitute. The system may also include one or more guidewires, subselective catheters and/or interventional catheters introduced through a lumen in one or more of the perfusion catheters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catheters for selectively cooling or warming tissue within a patient's vasculature. The present invention utilizes novel heat exchanging devices, which reside inside the catheter body for selectively altering the temperature of fluid that flows through the catheter shaft. In addition, the present invention utilizes novel pumping devices, which reside within a patient's vasculature for withdrawing oxygenated blood into the catheter body where heat exchange occurs across a heat transfer interface for selective cooling or warming of the blood occurs. The present invention can be used in a multiplicity of medical disciplines where it is advantageous to selectively alter the temperature of tissue, including beating heart applications, as well as stopped heart medical interventions.

Abstract: The invention is a catheter with a fluid flow divider positioned near the distal end of the catheter for dividing a first lumen into two channels at a point where a second lumen branches from the first lumen, and for selectively perfusing the branch lumen. The invention is particularly suited for use in the aortic arch. The fluid flow divider may comprise one or more inflatable chambers or one or more deployable shrouds comprising a plurality of arms with a webbing extending between adjacent arms. The inflatable chambers may be relatively noncompliant or they may be compliant, exhibiting elastic behavior after initial inflation, to closely fit the aortic lumen size and curvature. The catheter may further include one or more additional or auxiliary flow control members located upstream or downstream from the fluid flow divider to further segment the patient's circulatory system for selective perfusion to different organ systems within the body or to assist in anchoring the catheter in a desired position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catheters for selectively cooling or warming tissue within a patient's vasculature. The present invention utilizes novel heat exchanging devices, which reside inside the catheter body for selectively altering the temperature of fluid that flows through the catheter shaft. In addition, the present invention utilizes novel pumping devices, which reside within a patient's vasculature for withdrawing oxygenated blood into the catheter body where heat exchange occurs across a heat transfer interface for selective cooling or warming of the blood occurs. The present invention can be used in a multiplicity of medical disciplines where it is advantageous to selectively alter the temperature of tissue, including beating heart applications, as well as stopped heart medical interventions.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and methods for differentially perfusing a patient undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. A cardiopulmonary bypass machine is configured to provide hypothermic oxygenated blood and normothermic oxygenated blood to an aortic balloon catheter. The catheter has arch perfusion ports and corporeal perfusion ports and is introduced into a patient's aorta and navigated transluminally until the occlusion balloon is located in the descending aorta. The occlusion balloon is inflated and hypothermic oxygenated blood is perfused to the arch vessels while normothermic oxygenated blood is perfused to the corporeal circulation. This procedure offers the benefit of cerebral protection from embolic events during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and methods for differentially perfusing a patient undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. A cardiopulmonary bypass machine is configured to provide hypothermic oxygenated blood and normothermic oxygenated blood to an aortic balloon catheter. The catheter has arch perfusion ports and corporeal perfusion ports and is introduced into a patient's aorta and navigated transluminally until the occlusion balloon is located in the descending aorta. The occlusion balloon is inflated and hypothermic oxygenated blood is perfused to the arch vessels while normothermic oxygenated blood is perfused to the corporeal circulation. This procedure offers the benefit of cerebral protection from embolic events during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Abstract: A molded one-piece, self-sealing gasket maintains its seal at all times including during insertion of a tube, such as a catheter, as well as after the tube is withdrawn.