Abstract: An anatomical manometry catheter system, comprising a plurality of balloons on the distal end and being configured to be inflatable and/or deflatable. The system includes a connector assembly coaxially aligned with the catheter assembly, the connector assembly being connectable to the proximal end of the catheter. The connector assembly may have a connector interface connected to the proximal end of the catheter. The connector assembly may include a manifold comprising a plurality of channels configured to deliver the pressure transmission medium therethrough toward a respective catheter lumen for inflating one or more balloons. The connector assembly may include a charging mechanism fluidly coupled to the catheter that facilitates inflating each balloon of the plurality of balloons by a common actuating mechanism so as to simultaneously charge each balloon of the plurality of balloons.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for maintaining a patent ductus arteriosus in a pediatric patient. The method includes deploying a first end of a self-expanding stent at a first end of a lumen defined by a ductus arteriosus; anchoring at least a portion of a first flange of the first end of the stent such that the first flange at least partially circumferentially covers one of: a pulmonary artery ostium or an aortic ostium; deploying a second end of the stent, such that a stent body covers an entire length of the lumen defined by the ductus arteriosus; and anchoring a least a portion of a second flange of the second end of the stent such that the second flange at least partially circumferentially covers the other of the pulmonary artery ostium or the aortic ostium. The methods described herein may be used to increase pulmonary dependent circulation or systemic circulation.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to a balloon dilator system, including: a hand piece including an attachment mechanism for removably coupling to a proximal end of an endoscope; a hole for inserting a distal end of a balloon catheter including an inflatable balloon; and a hollow tube distally extending from the hand piece, a proximal end of the hollow tube configured to receive the balloon catheter inserted through the hole and advance the balloon catheter such that the distal of the balloon catheter exits a distal end of the hollow tube. The hand piece may include a pump handle that, when actuated, pumps pressurized fluid to inflate the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for delivering electromagnetic energy to biological tissue, the instrument comprising an active tip having an electrically conductive protective hull mounted on an underside thereof. The hull has a smoothly contoured convex undersurface, and is formed as a shaped piece of electrically conductive bio-compatible material having a low coefficient of friction with biological tissue (e.g. stainless steel) which has the dual function of (i) physically protecting tissue that lies underneath the active tip, and (ii) providing an electrical connection between a coaxial feed line and the active tip.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a material, i.e. a device, which is insertable into a vein of a outer parts of a sheath, two-sidedly adhesive tubular material with a supporting material and protrusions, either a balong or an inner protective film, and a control cable for the insertion and extraction of the device along the vein. The supporting material may be compressed initially, and after removal of the outer part of the sheath, the supporting material with protrusions will expand towards the vein walls. After removal of the inner part of the sheath and the control cable, the treated vein area can be manually pressed on top of the skin, thus closing the vein through inner and outer adherence of the material. The protrusions may have a barbed shape.

Abstract: A prosthetic delivery system may include a plurality of concentric shafts and an actuator mechanism for actuating one or more of the concentric shafts. A stop mechanism may be coupled to the actuator mechanism. The stop mechanism prevents advancement or retraction of at least some of the shafts beyond a predetermined position unless the stop mechanism is released. A second stop mechanism may be included in the system for controlling another of the shafts. A plurality of filaments may be coupled to a prosthesis carried by the delivery system and actuation of the filaments may be used to control deployment or retrieval of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A method for treating a target vascular portion of a subject including: providing an angioplasty balloon system including a balloon carrying a first therapeutic agent and a second therapeutic agent on a surface of the balloon, wherein the first therapeutic agent is an anti-proliferative or anti-mitotic agent and the second therapeutic agent is a drug that aids in vascular healing on a surface of the balloon; positioning the balloon proximate the target vascular portion; expanding the balloon to engage the target vascular portion; thereby delivering at least a portion of the active agent to the target vascular portion; and withdrawing the balloon from the subject.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermal therapy in a male prostate patient. The apparatus includes a long tubular element that is to be inserted into a patient's urethra so that a first tip end of it reaches up into the patient's diseased prostate. The elongated portion includes a narrow cylindrical tube within which an ultrasonic array is disposed along the long axis of the cylinder. Fluid is pumped into and out of a treatment zone of said patient as needed to control a temperature of a region in said treatment zone. A motorized driver is used to controllably rotate said elongated portion and the ultrasound array therein about the long axis of the apparatus so as to deliver acoustic energy to said diseased tissue. Various control and monitoring components may be used in conjunction with the present apparatus to design, control, and terminate the therapy.

Abstract: Balloon catheter includes an outer shaft having a hypotube and a monolithic single-layer distal outer member, a balloon in fluid communication with an inflation lumen, and a monolithic inner tubular member having a guidewire lumen defined therethrough. The outer shaft has the inflation lumen defined therethrough. The monolithic single-layer distal outer member is necked to a reduced diameter along an entire length thereof. A proximal end of the monolithic single-layer distal outer member is coupled to the hypotube. A distal section of the hypotube comprises a skive defined by a first angled cut, an axial cut, and a second angled cut. The balloon has a proximal balloon shaft coupled to a distal end of the monolithic single-layer distal outer member. The monolithic inner tubular member extends distally from a proximal port in the monolithic single-layer distal outer member through the balloon to form a tip.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a flexible outer cylinder shaft, a holding member connected to a proximal end portion of the outer cylinder shaft, a sealing member that maintains liquid tightness incorporated in the holding member, a flexible inner cylinder shaft, a tube having a Rockwell hardness of R 115 or more, a flexural modulus of 3.0 to 4.5 GPa, and a thickness of 0.06 to 0.12 mm, a push-in member connected to a proximal end portion of the inner cylinder shaft, a pull-out prevention member connected to the push-in member, and a balloon composed of an elastic material and connected to each of the distal end portion of the outer cylinder shaft and the proximal end portion of the inner cylinder shaft, wherein the tube is inserted over the inner cylinder shaft over an area thereof except for a connecting portion between the balloon and the inner cylinder shaft.

Abstract: Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities/nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a shaft, a distal-end assembly and a puller-wire. The shaft is configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The distal-end assembly, which is coupled to the shaft, includes a telescopic assembly, configured to elongate so as to collapse the distal-end assembly, and to compress so as to expand the distal-end assembly. The distal-end assembly further includes an elastic element, coupled to self-elongate and thus elongate the telescopic assembly. The distal-end assembly also includes an inflatable balloon, which is coupled to the telescopic assembly and is configured to collapse by the telescopic assembly elongating, and to expand by the telescopic assembly compressing. The puller-wire runs through the shaft and is connected to a distal end of the telescopic assembly, and is configured, when pulled, to compress the telescopic assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter, and an electrode and methods of delivering molecules to eukaryotic cells using such an apparatus. The catheter defines a fluidic channel and has a distal opening. The electrode is within the fluidic channel and is spaced a distance from the distal opening of the catheter. The catheter is arranged to prevent direct contact between any electrode of the apparatus and tissue. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A balloon (12) having a drug carried on a working surface (W) of the balloon wall and a radiopaque identifier (30) identifying the location of the drug (D) on the balloon (12), wherein a portion of the balloon is coated with a radiopaque material to which a drug formulation adheres, and uncoated areas are not covered by the drug (D) or the drug (D) is adhered to the working surface (W), that is not treated with radiopaque material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a uterus OCT catheter, comprising: a catheter body; the catheter body comprises an outer sleeve, an OCT imaging catheter and a Luer connector; the outer sleeve is provided with an exit window; the reflecting surface of the reflecting prism in the OCT imaging catheter faces the exit window. The present invention further provides a uterus OCT equipment with pull-back function, comprising a pull-back device and the catheter body, the pull-back device comprises a first housing, a driving connector, a fixing sleeve and a catheter fixing tube. The invention adopts the way that the outer sleeve wraps the OCT imaging catheter to increase the overall strength and diameter; a pull-back device is adopted, the pull-back process is stable and in uniform speed, and can effectively prevent complications during human operation and damage to human tissue during pull-back process.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a shaft, a distal-end assembly and a puller-wire. The shaft is configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The distal-end assembly, which is coupled to the shaft, includes a telescopic assembly, configured to elongate so as to collapse the distal-end assembly, and to compress so as to expand the distal-end assembly. The distal-end assembly further includes an elastic element, coupled to self-elongate and thus elongate the telescopic assembly. The distal-end assembly also includes an inflatable balloon, which is coupled to the telescopic assembly and is configured to collapse by the telescopic assembly elongating, and to expand by the telescopic assembly compressing. The puller-wire runs through the shaft and is connected to a distal end of the telescopic assembly, and is configured, when pulled, to compress the telescopic assembly.

Abstract: A surgical system and method are used to position a guidewire within an anatomical passageway includes the guidewire, a dilator, a reference feature, and a marker. The guidewire has a guidewire body extending to a distal body end portion. The dilator is secured on the distal body end portion and configured to expand from a contracted state to an expanded state. The dilator in the contracted state is configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube. The dilator in the expanded state is configured to dilate the Eustachian tube. The reference feature secured relative to the guidewire, and the marker is positioned on the guidewire a predetermined distance from the reference feature. Thereby, the marker is configured to indicate the predetermined distance to an operator for determining a depth of the reference feature in the anatomical passageway.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are medical instrument and medical method for localized drug delivery. The medical instrument can comprise a catheter shaft assembly, a hub coupled to the proximal end of the catheter shaft assembly, an inflatable component at the distal end of the catheter shaft assembly, a tissue penetrating member coupled to the inflatable component in an orientation transverse to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft assembly, and at least one protective element coupled to the inflatable component in proximity to the tissue penetrating member. The protective element can be configured to prevent any damage of the inflatable body during a placement of the medical instrument and an actuation of the inflatable component.

Abstract: The subject guide catheter extension/pre-dilatation system includes an outer delivery sheath, an inner member extending within the sheath, and a mechanism for engagement/disengagement of the inner member to/from the sheath. The inner member is configured with a tapered distal tip having a delivery micro-catheter and a pre-dilatation balloon member attached to the tapered distal tip in proximity to the micro-catheter. The outer delivery sheath and the inner member are modified for different engagement/disengagement mechanisms operation. The delivery micro-catheter provides for an improved crossability for the balloon member to the treatment site in an atraumatic, expedited and convenient fashion. During the cardiac procedure, a guidewire and a guide catheter are advanced to the vicinity of the treatment site within a blood vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a balloon catheter (1000) with a drug coating. The balloon catheter comprises a pushing catheter (310), at least one expandable first balloon (100) located at a distal end of the pushing catheter (310), and a pre-expansion mechanism. The first balloon (100) is fixedly arranged on the pushing catheter (310). The pre-expansion mechanism (200) comprises an expansion sleeve (220) and a connector (240). The expansion sleeve (220) is used for housing the first balloon (100) before the first balloon (100) is not expanded and when same is pre-expanded. The connector (240) is connected to the expansion sleeve (220) and axially moves with respect to the pushing catheter (310) after the first balloon (100) is pre-expanded, so that the first balloon (100) is exposed outside the expansion sleeve (220).

Abstract: A balloon catheter adapted for use with a guidewire includes an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An inflatable balloon is supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including first and second spaced ends and a working surface between the ends. An insert located within the interior compartment of the balloon includes at least a radiopaque portion separate from the shaft. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary device in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.

Abstract: Catheter having an elongate tubular shaft including an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen defined therein, the guidewire lumen extending along at least a distal length of an inner tubular member of the elongate tubular shaft. The catheter includes a distal tip member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal tip member is monolithic and the proximal end of the distal tip member is secured to a distal end of the inner tubular member. The catheter includes a balloon having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the balloon sealingly coupled to the distal portion of the elongate tubular shaft. The distal portion of the balloon is sealingly coupled to the distal tip member and the balloon defines an inner chamber in communication with the inflation lumen, wherein the proximal end of the distal tip member is disposed within the inner chamber.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods from delivering prosthetic devices, such as prosthetic heart valves, through the body and into the heart for implantation therein. The prosthetic devices delivered with the delivery systems disclosed herein are, for example, radially expandable from a radially compressed state mounted on the delivery system to a radially expanded state for implantation using an inflatable balloon of the delivery system. Exemplary delivery routes through the body and into the heart include transfemoral routes, transapical routes, and transaortic routes, among others.

Abstract: A support catheter is used together with a guiding catheter in which a treatment catheter is inserted, the guiding catheter guiding the treatment catheter in a blood vessel, the support catheter being inserted in the guiding catheter from a proximal-side opening of the guiding catheter and having such a length that the support catheter protrudes from a distal-side opening of the guiding catheter, the support catheter guiding a distal end portion of the treatment catheter to a treatment site. The support catheter includes: a distal shaft forming a distal-side portion of the support catheter, the distal shaft having a tubular shape such that the treatment catheter is insertable in the distal shaft; and a proximal shaft forming a proximal-side portion of the support catheter. The proximal shaft is joined to a proximal-side portion of the distal shaft by a modified polyolefin-based adhesive.

Abstract: A catheter includes a first hollow shaft made of a first material, a second hollow shaft made of a second material, a mesh member with a tubular shape configured to expand and contract in a radial direction, a front end tip, and a core wire. The core wire extends inside the mesh member, inside a lumen of the second hollow shaft, and inside a lumen of the first hollow shaft. The core wire has a front end side small-diameter portion and a large-diameter portion. The large-diameter portion has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the front end side small-diameter portion, and is located on the base end side relative to the front end side small-diameter portion. At least a portion of the large-diameter portion is located in the lumen of the second hollow shaft in a state where the mesh member remains contracted radially.

Abstract: An occlusion device suitable for endovascular treatment of an aneurysm in a blood vessel in a patient, including a substantially tubular structure having a proximal end region and a distal end region, having a first, expanded condition and a second, collapsed condition. The device has dimensions in the second, collapsed condition suitable for insertion through vasculature of the patient and through a neck of the aneurysm. The device further includes a control ring having a substantially annular body disposed on the proximal end region of the structure and at least substantially circumscribing the proximal end region to prevent radial expansion of the proximal end region and to provide an engagement feature during manipulation of the occlusion device.

Abstract: A neurosurgical apparatus includes a guide device and a neurosurgical instrument is disclosed. The guide device includes a tube for insertion into the brain and a head attached to the proximal end of the tube for affixing the guide device to a hole formed in the skull. The head has a passageway therethrough in communication with the bore of the tube such that the bore of the tube and the passageway through the head define an internal channel through which a neurosurgical instrument can be passed into the brain of the subject. The neurosurgical instrument is for insertion to a desired brain target through the internal channel of the guide device. The apparatus includes one or more sealing elements for providing a fluid tight seal between the internal channel of the guide device and the exterior of the neurosurgical instrument to prevent fluid leakage from guide tube.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a multi-lumen catheter for extracting or aspirating a blood clot or thrombus from arterial or veinous sites. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter may be adapted for placement within a blood vessel having a vessel wall for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent the vessel wall. The ultrasound catheter includes an elongate shaft extending from a distal region to a proximal region and an ultrasound transducer that is disposed relative to the distal region of the elongate shaft and is adapted to impart near-field acoustic pressure waves upon the vascular lesion in order to mechanically modify the vascular lesion. An inflatable balloon is disposed about the ultrasound transducer and is coupled to the elongate shaft, the inflatable balloon having a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the ultrasound catheter through a patient's vasculature and an expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the ultrasound catheter in position relative to a treatment site.

Abstract: An occlusion device suitable for endovasculature treatment of an aneurysm in a blood vessel in a patient, including a substantially tubular structure having a proximal end region and a distal end region, having a first, expanded condition and a second, collapsed condition. The device has dimensions in the second, collapsed condition suitable for insertion through vasculature of the patient and through a neck of the aneurysm. The device further includes a control ring having a substantially annular body disposed on the proximal end region of the structure and at least substantially circumscribing the proximal end region to prevent radial expansion of the proximal end region and to provide an engagement feature during manipulation of the occlusion device.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for swallowing impairment detection, a candidate executes one or more swallowing events, and dual axis accelerometry data is acquired representative thereof. Upon feature extraction and classification, vibrational data acquired in respect of each swallowing event is classified as indicative of one of normal or possibly impaired swallowing.

Abstract: Provided is a connector suitable for securely infixing a catheter, electrode, hollow needle, probe, or other styliform device with its tip stabilized within a nontubular anatomical structure. Secure junctions between fluid lines and/or electrodes and tissue are essential for automatic controls and permanent nephrostomies and suprapubic cystostomies, for example, using synthetic materials. These can be made self-contained and fully implanted to treat one chronic condition, or represent but one module controlled as an axis or channel of control in an adaptive ambulatory hierarchical prosthetic disorder response system used to automatically coordinate the treatment of chronic comorbid disease. Such applications require prosthesis-to-native tissue junctions which are secure, immobile, unsusceptible to leaks or microbial intrusion, and require little if any maintenance. Connection for securely and least disruptively merging catheteric and native lumina is described in nonprovisional application Ser. No.

Abstract: This patent document discloses perfusion catheters and related methods for treating complications related to CTO interventions or dilating a vessel occlusion while maintaining a passage through the treated vessel segment. A perfusion catheter can include a balloon formed of an inflatable tube and an elongate shaft having a lumen for providing inflation fluid to, or withdrawing inflation fluid from, the balloon. The inflatable tube can be coiled in a helical manner around a central axis into a series of windings. Adjacent windings can be stacked against and bonded to each other, and an inner surface of the series of windings, when inflated, can define the passage. The elongate shaft can be eccentrically attached to a proximal portion of the balloon and the shaft's lumen can be in fluid communication with the interior of the balloon, specifically the inflatable tube. The inflatable tube can include two different polymer tubes, one slightly smaller than the other.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a needle comprising a distal shaft and a proximal shaft joined at a junction, the needle having a distal tip which includes an electrode for delivering energy to puncture a tissue, wherein the distal shaft is comprised of a superelastic material. In typical embodiments, the needle includes a lumen for delivering and withdrawing fluids from a treatment site. In some embodiments the junction is comprised of a superelastic material.

Abstract: Method and system for treating a patient using a compressible, pressure-attenuating device. According to one embodiment, the system is used to treat urinary tract disorders and comprises an access device, a delivery device, a pressure-attenuating device, and a removal device. The access device may be used to create a passageway to an anatomical structure, such as the patient's bladder. The delivery device may be inserted through the passageway created by the access device and may be used to deliver the pressure-attenuating device to the anatomical structure. The removal device may be inserted through the passageway created by the access device and may be used to view the bladder and/or to capture, to deflate and to remove the pressure-attenuating device.

Abstract: A dilation catheter system comprises a guide member, a dilation catheter, and an image sensor. The guide member includes a shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end. The shaft further defines a longitudinal axis. The dilation catheter is movable relative to the guide catheter member and comprises an expandable dilator. The expandable dilator is sized to fit within one or both of a Eustachian tube or a passageway associated with a paranasal sinus. The image sensor is configured to provide visualization within anatomy of a patient. The image sensor is integral with the guide member.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient may include establishing an anastomosis between a pulmonary artery and an aorta; and pumping blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta when the pulmonary artery has a pressure lower than or equal to a pressure of the aorta.

Abstract: A method of transarterial embolization agent delivery at a low pressure is provided. The method comprises advancing a delivery device with an occlusion structure in a retracted non-occlusive configuration through a supply artery to a vascular position in the supply artery that is in the vicinity of a target anatomical structure, the target structure having terminal capillary beds, expanding the occlusion structure from the retracted non-occlusive configuration to an expanded occlusive configuration, lowering a mean arterial pressure in a vascular space distal to the expanded occlusion structure, redirecting fluid flow from the collateral vessels toward the lowered pressure vascular space and into the target anatomical structure, injecting an embolization agent through the delivery device and into the lowered pressure vascular space, and delivering the embolization agent from the lowered pressure vascular space into the target anatomical structure.

Abstract: A dilation catheter system comprises a guide member, a dilation catheter, and an image sensor. The guide member includes a shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end. The shaft further defines a longitudinal axis. The dilation catheter is movable relative to the guide catheter member and comprises an expandable dilator. The expandable dilator is sized to fit within one or both of a Eustachian tube or a passageway associated with a paranasal sinus. The image sensor is configured to provide visualization within anatomy of a patient. The image sensor is integral with the guide member.

Abstract: A low profile occlusion catheter having a guiding atraumatic tip that prevents entry of the balloon into collateral vessels. The occlusion catheter system is particularly well suited for use in vascular occlusion and includes a pressure monitoring line to monitor the degree and state of occlusion.

Abstract: A device for occluding a perforation in a blood vessel includes a catheter shaft that has a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen is adapted to receive at least one of a guidewire and an implanted cardiac lead, and the second lumen is adapted to receive an inflation fluid. The device further includes an inflatable balloon that is carried by the catheter shaft. The inflatable balloon is adapted to receive the inflation fluid from the second lumen. The inflatable balloon has a working length of about 65 mm to about 80 mm and an inflated diameter of about 20 mm to about 25 mm.

Abstract: A device for detaching parietal thrombi from a blood vessel is disclosed, comprising a catheter including at least one catheter section, wherein an outer diameter of the at least one catheter section is changeable and at least one wall opening extends transversely through a wall of the at least one catheter section. The catheter wall along the at least one catheter section is a resilient and deformable material. The catheter is transformed from a smaller catheter outer diameter to a uniform larger catheter outer diameter by a resilient change in shape. A displacement body can be introduced into the at least one catheter section which is transformed in diameter to deform the catheter from the smaller catheter outer diameter to the larger outer diameter for capturing thrombus material.

Abstract: An intravascular device includes a shaft having a body defining a major lumen and a plurality of minor lumen. The minor lumens are spaced about the major lumen. The major lumen and the plurality of minor lumen extend from a proximal end of the body to a distal end of the body. One or more wires may extend through the major lumen and/or minor lumen.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes an inner cylinder shaft having a small-diameter inner cylinder section in a tip side and a large-diameter inner cylinder section in a base-end side; an outer cylinder shaft with the inner cylinder shaft in its lumen; a balloon whose tip is fixed at a tip of the inner cylinder shaft, and whose base end is fixed at the tip of the outer cylinder shaft, wherein the outer cylinder shaft and the inner cylinder shaft slide over each other and cause a shape change between a normal balloon shape and an extended balloon shape; and a housing communicating with the lumen of the outer cylinder shaft, and having a small-diameter lumen in the tip side and a large-diameter lumen in the base-end side; wherein the housing has an insertion inlet for insertion of the inner cylinder shaft, and a liquid inlet/outlet.

Abstract: An occlusion bypassing apparatus for re-entering the true lumen of a vessel after subintimally bypassing an occlusion in a vessel. The apparatus includes an outer shaft component, a needle component, and an inflatable balloon. The outer shaft component has a side port proximal to a distal end thereof and a needle lumen there-through that includes a curved distal portion that terminates at the side port of the outer shaft component. The needle component is configured to be slidably disposed within the needle lumen of the outer shaft component. The inflatable balloon includes a body portion that is disposed distal to the side port of the outer shaft component, and the body portion of the balloon has a flattened profile in an inflated state with first and second chambers that laterally extend from opposing sides of the outer shaft component for stabilizing the apparatus within a subintimal space.

Abstract: Elongated shaft for a catheter including a single layer biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member having a Shore durometer hardness of less than about 75D is provided. Elongated shaft for a catheter prepared by a process is also provided.

Abstract: Inventive embodiments disclosed herein include a catheter for dilating a sinus cavity lumen. The catheter includes a guide tube, having a proximal end and a distal end, that terminates in a distal tip; a sleeve member annularly positioned over the guide tube, wherein the sleeve member is movable relative to the guide tube and is capable of being advanced over the guide tube; and a balloon coupled to the sleeve member, wherein the balloon can be extendable and inflated at or beyond the end of the guide tube.

Abstract: Methods and systems for introducing a delivery device, having a prosthesis, in the heart at or near the apex of the heart are provided. The methods include the steps of piercing the apex of the heart with a tissue piercing end of the delivery device, advancing the prosthesis to the target site and disengaging the prosthesis from the delivery device at the target site for implantation. The valve replacement systems are configured to deliver a replacement heart valve to a target site in or near a heart. The valve replacement system includes a trocar or other suitable device to penetrate the heart at or near the apex of the heart, a delivery member that is movably disposed within the trocar, and a replacement cardiac valve disposed on the delivery member. The delivery member optionally includes mechanical or inflatable expanding members for implantating the prosthetic valve at the target site.

Abstract: An imaging marker for use with a catheter, the imaging marker comprising a plurality of segments including at least two stiff segments and at least one flexible segment, wherein for each pair of stiff segments, one of the flexible segments is located therebetween such that the flexible segment is operable to function as a hinge when the imaging marker is bent. In typical embodiments, the stiff segments are visible under a medical imaging system. In some embodiments, the stiff segments are comprised of a radiopaque material which is visible under an X-ray (fluoroscopy) imaging system.