Abstract: Described herein are cryolipolysis devices, systems, and methods for facilitating percutaneous access to a target blood vessel by performing cryolipolysis on subcutaneous adipose tissue obscuring the target blood vessel (e.g., a vessel used for hemodialysis treatment). Generally, the devices include a cooling member carrying a coolant that cools a selected portion of adipose tissue overlying the target blood vessel to reduce the selected portion of adipose tissue, thereby forming a depression in the adipose tissue and allowing the target blood vessel closer to the surface of the skin. In some variations, the cooling member is placed subcutaneously to directly cool the selected portion of adipose tissue. In other variations, the cooling member is placed external to the patient to indirectly cool the selected portion of adipose tissue through the skin.

Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for treating hypertension by forming a fistula between two blood vessels to reduce blood pressure of a patient. The fistula may be formed using a catheter having an electrode that is placed in a first blood vessel. In some instances, a desired amount of blood pressure is determined. In other instances, the hypertension is drug resistant hypertension.

Abstract: A method is used to reduce a volume of a stomach of a patient. The method includes inverting a portion of a stomach wall to thereby create an inverted portion. An expandable member is positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the inverted portion. The expandable member is expanded to thereby expand the inverted portion. The expanded expandable member has a first outer diameter. A base region of the inverted portion is cinched to thereby capture the expanded expandable member in the expanded inverted portion. The expanded expandable member has a first outer diameter. Expanding and cinching provide a cinch diameter to first outer diameter ratio from approximately 0.5:1 to approximately 0.9:1.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Abstract: A cardiac device for implantation proximate an exterior of a heart, the cardiac device including an inflatable bladder including an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall itself is more expandable than the outer wall itself such that the inflatable bladder itself is configured to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart when the inflatable bladder is positioned adjacent the region of the heart and inflated.

Abstract: A novel catheter-based system which ligates the left atrial appendage (LAA) on the outside of the heart, preferably using a combination of catheters and/or instruments, e.g., a guide catheter positioned inside the left atrial appendage which may assist in locating the left atrial appendage and/or assist in the optimal placement of a ligature on the outside of the appendage, and a ligating catheter and/or instrument outside the heart in the pericardial space to set a ligating element at the neck of the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for cannulating a vessel. Generally, the method may comprise advancing a stent into a first vessel and deploying the stent in the first vessel to hold open one or more valves. This may permit retrograde blood flow through the blood vessel in peripheral vasculature and aid in cannulation of the blood vessel.

Abstract: An assembly for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Abstract: A method for implanting a cardiac support device (CSD) on a patient's heart. An amount of contrast agent sufficient to cause structures on the heart to be visible upon fluoroscopic or other imaging is introduced into the pericardial space surrounding the heart. The heart and contrast agent are imaged to provide a visual indication of the location of the structures of the heart. The CSD is placed on the heart using the visual indications provided by the imaging.

Abstract: A novel catheter-based system which ligates the left atrial appendage (LAA) on the outside of the heart, preferably using a combination of catheters and/or instruments, e.g., a guide catheter positioned inside the left atrial appendage which may assist in locating the left atrial appendage and/or assist in the optimal placement of a ligature on the outside of the appendage, and a ligating catheter and/or instrument outside the heart in the pericardial space to set a ligating element at the neck of the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning a wire for advancement through a vessel wall, and advancing it through one or more vessel walls, generally include a delivery catheter and an alignment catheter or a receiving catheter, and a guidewire. In some variations, the systems and methods may be used to bypass an occlusion or other barrier that may prevent advancement of a wire or tools through an endoluminal space. In these variations, the systems and methods include a delivery catheter, a bypass catheter, a receiving catheter, and a guidewire. The delivery and receiving catheters each generally include a side aperture, a deflection surface, and an alignment element, and the bypass catheter generally includes two side apertures, two deflectors, and two alignment elements. In some variations, the systems and methods may assist in treatment of a patient suffering from critical limb ischemia.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for adhering tubular structures, such as blood vessels. Generally, the methods may comprise advancing a first catheter comprising a first adhesion element into a first blood vessel and a second catheter comprising a second adhesion element into a second blood vessel. The vessels may be adhered together by heating tissue using the first and second adhesion elements.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube, such as a chest tube, is disclosed in various embodiments. The device features a clearance member in the form of a loop. The loop desirably has a diameter that substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the medical tube. Also desirably, the loop presents a substantially unobstructed pathway therethrough for the flow of material from a location in the medical tube distal to the loop to a location in the medical tube proximal to the loop regardless whether the clearance member is being translated or is at rest in the medical tube. Methods of utilizing such a device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical devices and methods related thereto are disclosed. In an embodiment, the medical device including a pump configured to be inserted within an atrium of a heart, said pump comprising an inlet and an outlet. In addition, the pump includes a flexible outflow conduit coupled to the outlet and configured to carry blood. The outflow conduit includes a radially inner surface defining a throughbore, and a radially outer surface. Further, the pump comprises a driveline configured to conduct control and power signals between the pump and an external device. The driveline extends through the outflow conduit between the radially inner surface and the radially outer surface.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Abstract: A method for implanting a cardiac support device (CSD) on a patient's heart. An amount of contrast agent sufficient to cause structures on the heart to be visible upon fluoroscopic or other imaging is introduced into the pericardial space surrounding the heart. The heart and contrast agent are imaged to provide a visual indication of the location of the structures of the heart. The CSD is placed on the heart using the visual indications provided by the imaging.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube, such as a chest tube, is disclosed in various embodiments. The device features a clearance member in the form of a loop. The loop desirably has a diameter that substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the medical tube. Also desirably, the loop presents a substantially unobstructed pathway therethrough for the flow of material from a location in the medical tube distal to the loop to a location in the medical tube proximal to the loop regardless whether the clearance member is being translated or is at rest in the medical tube. Methods of utilizing such a device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems and methods for forming a fistula between two blood vessels. Generally, the systems may comprise a first catheter which may comprise a fistula-forming element. The fistula-forming element may comprise one or more electrodes, mechanical cutting elements, laser sources, or combinations thereof, and may be used to assist in fistula formation. In some instances, a system may comprise a second catheter, which may comprise a fistula-forming element. One or more of the catheters may comprise one or more markers, magnetic alignment elements, and/or one shape-changing elements.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.