Abstract: Embodiments may include an expandable access system having contracted and expanded configurations. The system and methods may include an expandable access device having a helix or wrapped shape. Embodiments may include a cannula, stent, needle, trocar, introducer, fastener, and/or any other devices disclosed herein. Embodiments may also include an expandable trocar positionable in at least a portion of the access device. A sleeve or band may be disposed over at least a portion of the access device and configured to resist radial expansion of the access device. Expansion of the trocar and/or receipt of an object may radially expand the access device between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for expanding a polymeric tube using one or more deformable members. The methods can involve disposing the polymeric tube within the one or more deformable members and radially deforming the polymeric tube and the one or more deformable members. The rate of deformation of the polymeric tube and/or the extent of deformation of the one or more polymeric tubes can advantageously be controlled along one or more axes by at least one of the one or more deformable members.

Abstract: An illustrative stent may comprise an elongated tubular member having a first end and a second end and an intermediate region disposed therebetween. The elongated tubular member may include at least one flexible tie affixed to an end thereof. The tie may allow the stent to be attached to a lumen wall with a clip, such as a retention clip, to inhibit migration of the stent within the body lumen.

Abstract: A portal saver device for installing a flexible cannulated tube at a surgical site. A portal saver device includes an obturator. The obturator has an obturator body having a cannulated outer obturator tube extending therethrough. The outer obturator tube has a distal tip with a dilating assembly movable between a collapsed, first configuration and an expanded, second configuration. A shaft expander has a cannulated inner obturator tube, which is movable between a first position and a second position within the outer obturator tube. In the first position, the inner obturator tube is retracted from the distal tip of the outer obturator tube and the dilating assembly is in the first configuration. In the second position, the inner obturator tube is advanced within the distal tip of the outer obturator tube and the dilating assembly is in the second configuration.

Abstract: Interbody spacers are expandable horizontally and vertically by an application of axial force, and lockable in an expanded configuration. The spacers include support members interconnected to end bodies by pivotable link members. The spacers are introduced between vertebral bodies in a compressed configuration and expanded to fill the intervertebral space and provide support and selective lordotic correction. Graft material may be introduced into the expanded spacer. Provisional and/or supplementary locking means lock the spacers in the expanded configuration. Embodiments of the spacers include symmetrically and asymmetrically configured spacers. Methods of expansion include symmetric expansion or asymmetric expansion along each of two directions.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve. The system includes a delivery catheter having a steering mechanism thereon for delivering a balloon-expandable prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve through an introducer passing into the left ventricle through its apex. The introducer may have a more floppy distal section than a proximal section to reduce trauma to the heart wall while preserving good operating field stability. The delivery catheter includes a deflecting segment just proximal to a distal balloon to facilitate positioning of the prosthetic heart valve in the proper orientation. A trigger in a catheter handle may be coupled to a deflection wire that actuates the deflecting segment, while a slider in the handle controls retraction of a valve pusher. The prosthetic heart valve may be installed over the existing calcified leaflets, and a pre-dilation valvuloplasty procedure may also be utilized.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus can include a handle, a first shaft extending from the handle and having a proximal end portion coupled to the handle and a distal end portion and a second shaft extending coaxially over the first shaft and having a proximal end portion coupled to the handle and a distal end portion. The delivery apparatus can further include a shoulder coupled to the distal end portion of the second shaft and having a flared end portion configured to abut a prosthetic valve positioned around the first shaft in a radially compressed state, an extension portion extending from the shoulder, and at least one radiopaque marker disposed on the extension portion at a location within the prosthetic valve when the prosthetic valve is in a radially compressed configuration on the first shaft.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include systems including a delivery device having a handle assembly, a shaft assembly having a distal portion, and a helical elongated member positioned at least partially over the shaft assembly and interconnected to the handle assembly. The system also includes a prosthesis positioned over the distal portion. The prosthesis has a stent frame having an inner surface and an outer surface, a valve structure positioned within the stent frame, and a track formed by one or more guides positioned on and extending from one of the inner or outer surfaces of the stent frame. The helical elongated member is configured to be moved in and out of the track to selectively compress or allow the prosthesis to expand. Methods of loading and delivering the prosthesis using systems of the disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for placement in the aortic arch of a patient is provided. The device includes a distal portion for being engageably received in an aortic arch of a patient beyond the left subclavian artery and a stent portion fluidly engaged with the distal portion, the stent portion being permeable and configured to span a portion of the aortic arches to which the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery attach to the aortic arch. A diameter of the stent portion may be modified by translation of the proximal portion to thereby alter a length of the stent portion thus causing modification of the diameter of the stent portion to fit anatomical features of differing dimensions.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a medical device includes an elongate member and a sleeve. The elongate member defines a lumen and has a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion has a first configuration and a second configuration. The second end portion has a first size when the second end portion is in its first configuration and a second size when the second end portion is in its second configuration. The first size is smaller than the second size. The second end portion is biased to its second configuration. The sleeve defines a lumen extending from a first end portion of the sleeve to a second end portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA). The device excludes the LAA from blood flow to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. The implantable device is delivered via transcatheter delivery into the LAA and secured within the LAA. The implant comprises an expandable and compliant frame and an expandable and conformable tubular foam body carried by the frame. The device may have a thromboresistant cover at a proximal end and a thromboresistant coating on the foam body. The frame may have recapture struts inclining radially outwardly in the distal direction from a central hub. The frame may have axially extending side wall struts, with adjacent pairs of side wall struts joined at one or more apexes. Anchors extend from the frame to engage tissue. The anchors can also be reversible to allow retraction of the anchors and repositioning or retrieval of the device.

Abstract: A stent includes a high radial force segment and a highly flexible segment, where the diameters of the high radial force segment and the highly flexible segment are substantially the same. The stent may further be placed with an additional stent segment, where the additional stent segment has a radial force similar to the radial force of the highly flexible force segment.

Abstract: A disposable, sterile guide constructed of medically-acceptable plastic used for compartmentalizing and therefore protecting the ligament or fascia during three different orthopedic surgical procedures: ECTR, ECuTR, and EPFR. This device reduces the risk of damage to any other part of the surrounding anatomy. The device is disposable and packaged so as to be sterile and therefore readily usable by the surgeon means that it can reduce the risk of infection and is a less expensive alternative to traditional non-disposable, metal instruments that must be sterilized prior to each procedure.

Abstract: Stents that are adapted to be balloon-expanded and include a plurality of rings of repeating cells, wherein adjacent rings are connected by s-shaped or omega-shaped crosslink connectors or a combination of both connectors. The configurations, materials, and/or dimensions of these devices, including the unit cells and/or crosslink connectors allow the stents to be expanded to a greater extent (e.g., up to or greater than 12 mm of diameter), and optionally with reduced foreshortening and without increasing the strain on the materials forming the crosslink connectors and unit cells. The biphasic arrangement of trapezoidal unit cells, as well as the configuration and arrangement of the s-shaped connectors, may allow these stents to expand while maintaining their radial compression strength and longitudinal compression strength with minimal recoil and stent foreshortening.

Abstract: Bone anchors and bone anchor insertion systems are provided that enable smaller bone holes for inserting a bone anchor by eliminating the need for a cannula. Smaller bone holes may help reduce patient recovery times. The provided bone anchor includes two flexible wings extending from a base portion that splay away from the base portion's central axis at rest, though may be bent towards or away from the central axis in response to an applied force. The bone anchor includes a drive feature that enables an inserter to couple and decouple to the bone anchor. A surgeon may drive the bone anchor through a bone hole via the coupled inserter while the bone hole maintains the bone anchor in a compressed state, and may decouple the inserter when the bone anchor is properly positioned, thereby eliminating the need for a cannula.

Abstract: A novel hydraulic implant delivery system for introducing a hydrogel implant into a cartilage repair site is disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of devices and methods of use are provided. The device can include a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The device can include an extractor. The extractor can include engagement panels located at a first longitudinal location and engagement panels located at a second longitudinal location. The extractor can include a spacer between engagement panels located at the first longitudinal location and engagement panels located at the second longitudinal location. The device can include a sheath, wherein the extractor comprises a collapsed state within the sheath for delivery and an expanded state within a blood vessel. In the expanded state, the engagement panels are configured to engage material between engagement panels located at a first longitudinal location and engagement panels located at a second longitudinal location.

Abstract: An anchoring delivery system for use in an intracranial artery is provided including a tethering device having an elongated tether and an anchor coupled to a distal end of the tether. The anchor is deployable from a low profile configuration to a higher profile configuration to fix the distal end of the tether at an anchoring site in an anchoring vessel. The tethering device is configured to be used with a guide-sheath having a lumen configured to receive the tether. Related devices, systems, and methods are also described.

Abstract: Examples of a mitral heart valve apparatus are described. In one example, the apparatus has an annular body made of a first material, and a plurality of first anchor members and at least two paddles made of a second material extending from the annular body. In a compressed state, the first anchor members extend substantially longitudinally from the first end of the annular body, and the paddles extend substantially longitudinally from the second end of the annular body. In an expanded state, the annular body has a larger diameter, the first anchor members extend outward from the first end for engaging an upstream portion of a mitral valve annulus to resist displacement of the annular body towards a left ventricle, and the paddles extend outward from the second end for engaging chordae tendineae. In another example, the annular body, anchor members, and paddles are made of the same material.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an elongate member having a cross-sectional dimension that is less than 0.00085 inch, wherein the elongate member is made from a material comprising a platinum-tungsten alloy having a percentage of tungsten that is at least 10% by weight or alternatively the implantable medical device includes an elongate member made from a material comprising an alloy containing rhenium.

Abstract: The invention related to a balloon dilation device having a distal end and a proximal end. The balloon dilation device comprises a handle, a shaft, an inflatable balloon and at least one sensor coil. The handle extends from the proximal end of the balloon dilation device towards the distal end of the balloon dilation device. The shaft extends from the distal end of the balloon dilation device towards the proximal end of the balloon dilation device, said shaft having an inflation lumen. The inflatable balloon is fixedly arranged at the shaft. The balloon is fluidly connected to the inflation lumen such that the balloon can be inflated and deflated by feeding a fluid through the inflation lumen into the balloon. The at least one sensor coil is arranged at the shaft. The at least one sensor coil is configured for capturing an electromagnetic field and for providing a sensor coil signal representing position and orientation of the sensor coil.

Abstract: A method of delivering a prosthetic mitral valve includes delivering a distal anchor from a delivery sheath such that the distal anchor self-expands inside a first heart chamber on a first side of the mitral valve annulus, pulling proximally on the distal anchor such that the distal anchor self-aligns within the mitral valve annulus and the distal anchor rests against tissue of the ventricular heart chamber, and delivering a proximal anchor from the delivery sheath to a second heart chamber on a second side of the mitral valve annulus such that the proximal anchor self-expands and moves towards the distal anchor to rest against tissue of the second heart chamber. The self-expansion of the proximal anchor captures tissue of the mitral valve annulus therebetween.

Abstract: A steering device and navigation system for interventional procedures. Included are devices, systems, and methods that incorporate a steering device which consists of an expandable structure that can be controlled to spread out within the vessel lumen, or cardiac chamber, and may apply circumferential force to the tissue. This structure, once spread out, can anchor relative to the anatomy and provides support for an internal catheter through a set of strings connected to the internal catheter. The internal catheter is configured to allow an interventional device, such as a guidewire or catheter, to pass through it. Using the strings that are connected to actuation mechanisms within the device's handle, the internal catheter can be manipulated to allow controlling the position of a device that runs within it or is connected to it and can be used for the purpose of navigation of devices and obtaining measurements from known positions.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for applying pulsed or modulated electric fields to tissue. In some variations, a device may comprise a first elongate body comprising a lumen, a second elongate body at least partially positioned within the lumen, and an expandable member rolled about the second elongate body. The expandable member may comprise an inner end coupled to the second elongate body, an outer end coupled to the first elongate body, and an electrode array.

Abstract: A medical device (10) for dilating an endovascular lumen and having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the medical device comprising a stem (20) extending along a longitudinal axis of the device; a first plate (30) disposed partly around the stem (20); a second plate (40) disposed partly around the stem (20) angularly separated in a circumferential direction from the first plate (30); and an expansion mechanism (50) configured to move each of the first plate (30) and/or the second plate (40) radially outwardly when the medical device (10) is expanded from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A catheter procedure system including a bedside system and a remote workstation is provided. The bedside system includes a catheter including an expandable percutaneous intervention device, a robotic catheter system configured to move the catheter, and an inflation device configured to cause expansion of the expandable percutaneous intervention device. The remote workstation includes a user interface configured to receive a at least first user input and a second user input and a control system operatively coupled to the user interface for remotely controlling both the robotic catheter system and the inflation device. The remote workstation includes a monitor configured to display information related to the expandable percutaneous intervention device.

Abstract: A stent, shunt, or plug, for at least partial insertion into a patient, can include a deformable elongated tubular body including a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a longitudinal lumen of the tubular body therebetween. The deformable elongated body can be capable of an expanded state and a collapsed state. The tubular body can include a sheath and a plurality of magnetizable or magnetic elements for providing magnetic repulsion, after being magnetically actuated, to maintain the tubular body to maintain the expanded state.

Abstract: A surgical retractor tool includes a handle and a blade extending transversely from a front end of the handle. The blade includes a proximal portion and a distal portion with respective proximal and distal tissue engaging surfaces. The distal tissue engaging surface may be skewed relative to the proximal tissue engaging surface such that the handle may be angled relative to a direction of retraction when the surgical retractor tool is used. A distal tip of the retractor may include a curved tongue that may be curved in a direction opposite the direction of retraction.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the field of medical devices, and specifically relates to a stent-graft. The stent-graft has a proximal greater curvature side and a proximal lesser curvature side. The stent-graft includes a stent body, an inner cover membrane disposed on the inner side of the stent body, and an outer cover membrane disposed on the outer side of the stent body. The stent body includes a plurality of wave rings axially arranged at intervals. Alternatively arranged crests and troughs are formed on the wave rings. The outer cover membrane is provided with a first opening, and the first opening exposes at least one trough located at or nearer to the proximal greater curvature side. According to the stent-graft of the embodiments of the present invention, the exposed trough can easily hang on a vessel wall, and thereby achieving the function of preventing the stent-graft from shifting.

Abstract: A medical device for treating coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease or varicose veins includes an elongated support and a heat expandable element of muscle polymer carried on that elongated support. The medical device may also include a heating element. When activated, the heating element produces heat that causes the muscle polymer to expand into a position in closer proximity to the tissue to be treated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an access instrument for creating a surgical working portal includes a body having a first end and a body length, a first slot having a first slot length running along the length of the body from the first end, and a second slot having a second slot length running along the length of the body from the first end, wherein the first slot length and the second slot length are less than the body length.

Abstract: A surgical access system is disclosed. The surgical access system having a cannula may include a distal tip having one or more longitudinal channels distributed around a circumference of the distal tip, and one or more circumferential channels around the distal tip. The surgical access system also includes an obturator coaxially insertable within the cannula which may include a distal tip and a retractable cutting element having an actuator. The surgical access system also includes an articulation interface. The surgical access system may also include a distal tip of the cannula that may further include one or more bridges distributed circumferentially along the one or more circumferential channels of the distal tip. The obturator further may include an elongated tube and a slidable plunger element configured to control fluid flow inside the elongated tube of the obturator.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of acid reflux disease has an implantable movement restriction device adapted to be at least partly invaginated by a patient's stomach fundus wall. A substantial part of the outer surface of the movement restriction device is adapted to rest against the stomach wall without injuring the latter in a position between the patient's diaphragm and at least a portion of the lower part of the invaginated stomach fundus wall, such that movement of the cardiac notch of the patient's stomach towards the patient's diaphragm is restricted, to thereby prevent the cardia from sliding through the patient's diaphragm opening into the patient's thorax, so as to maintain the supporting pressure against the patient's cardia sphincter muscle exerted from the patient's abdomen. The movement restriction device has a size of at least 125 mm3 and a circumference of at least 15 mm.

Abstract: A system for performing angioplasty and a method of utilizing same are provided. The system includes a balloon mounted on a catheter shaft and an expandable constraining structure mounted over the balloon. The expandable constraining structure includes a plurality of axial struts crossing a plurality of radially-expandable rings being for constraining said balloon such that isolated balloon regions protrude through openings in said constraining structure when the balloon is inflated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of producing high purity pentagalloyl glucose (PGG), analogues or derivatives thereof, at least 99.9% pure, by washing with dimethyl ether. The PGG may be provided in a kit, including a hydrolyzer for dissolving the PGG and a saline solution. Also disclosed herein is a device for delivery of a therapeutic solution to a blood vessel. The device may be a catheter having an upstream balloon and a downstream balloon. The upstream balloon may be expanded to anchor the catheter and occlude antegrade blood flow. The downstream balloon may be expanded to occlude retrograde blood flow, creating a sealed volume within the blood vessel. The downstream balloon may have pores configured to deliver the therapeutic solution into the sealed volume or a portion of the sealed volume The downstream balloon may be expanded by an expansion of a balloon disposed inside the downstream balloon.

Abstract: A cutting grasper for valve leaflet laceration is described. The cutting grasper extends from a distal end of a flexible shaft so that the flexible shaft is configured to advance the cutting grasper through a vascular system of a patient. The cutting grasper includes a base member having a proximal end that is attached to the distal end of the flexible shaft. The cutting grasper also includes an actuating member. A proximal end of the actuating member is rotatably attached to the distal end of the base member forming a hinge of the cutting grasper. The actuating member is configured to rotate relative to the base member about the hinge between open and closed positions. The cutting grasper is configured to grasp a target leaflet in the open position, close into the closed position with the target leaflet disposed between the base and actuating members, and divide the target leaflet.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic heart valve includes advancing a delivery catheter toward a native heart valve, wherein the delivery catheter has a distal capsule containing a prosthetic valve in a compressed state. The prosthetic valve includes a self-expandable interior stent and a self-expandable exterior wire mesh surrounding the interior stent. The exterior wire mesh preferably has a lower radial strength than the interior stent for conforming to a surrounding shape of the native valve. The prosthetic valve is expelled from the distal capsule and allowed to expand within the native valve. Capturing elements extending from a ventricular end of the interior stent trap native leaflets between the capturing elements and an outer surface of the wire mesh.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for accessing the spine to place implants. In one embodiment, a system includes an adjustable rod structure having four rods radially surrounding a probe, a ring and a retractor. The adjustable rod structure is configured to have a closed and open profile controlled by the retractor such that the open profile creates a space between rods of the structure. The ring is configured to be placed within retracted rods to maintain the open profile after retraction. In a method embodiment, the adjustable rod structure is inserted through a percutaneous incision in the closed position until it reaches a target site. The retractor is then attached to the rods and used to retract the rods. The probe is then removed from within an opening created and a ring is advanced into the opening to hold the rods in place.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an elongate member having a cross-sectional dimension that is less than 0.00085 inch, wherein the elongate member is made from a material comprising a platinum-tungsten alloy having a percentage of tungsten that is at least 10% by weight or alternatively the implantable medical device includes an elongate member made from a material comprising an alloy containing rhenium.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for attaching an operator-manipulatable tether(s) to the stent for: loading and/or collapsing the expandable stent into a delivery catheter or sheath, translating the collapsed stent along the delivery catheter or sheath, delivering the expandable stent into the subject heart chamber, repositioning the expandable stent as necessary within the subject heart chamber, recapturing or resheathing the expandable stent within the delivery catheter or sheath if needed, and deploying the expandable stent to, and within, the subject heart chamber.

Abstract: Universal endovascular grafts are provided for evaluation and repair of damaged or aneurismal blood vessels. More particularly, the present invention relates to universal fenestrated and universal branched endografts for repair of blood vessels with branches, methods for implanting the endografts in the vessel and for making connection with one or more branches. The universal fenestrated endografts have a body with a first end, a second end, a first wall, a second wall, and an interior passage or lumen. The body further includes openings in communication with the passage at the first and second ends and one or more lateral fenestrations in communication with the lumen. The body further has a necked portion between the ends and a cannulation member. The universal branched endografts have a tubular body with a main lumen and four branch lumens. A large branch extends from the body. The four lumens are positioned about a circumference of the tubular body.

Abstract: An embolic coil implant having a stretch resistant fiber therethrough and dual-functional engagement feature at its proximal end is provided. The stretch resistant fiber can be effective to limiting separation of windings of the embolic coil. The engagement feature can provide an attachment for securing the embolic coil to an engagement system of a delivery tube and for securing the stretch resistant fiber at the proximal end of the embolic coil.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

Abstract: A dry shape memory adhesive material for adhering a target surface in the presence of fluid and for providing tunable mechanical contraction of an adhered surface. The dry shape memory adhesive material is pre-stretched and dried to provide an adhesive structure that implements a hydration-based shape memory mechanism to achieve both uniaxial and biaxial contractions of the adhered surface. According to preferred embodiments, the shape memory adhesive material includes a combination of one or more hydrophilic polymers or copolymers, one or more amine coupling group, and one or more cross linkers.

Abstract: An assembly can comprise a prosthetic valve comprising a radially expandable and compressible frame and a rotatable screw connected to the frame, where the screw comprises a screw head having an annular bore with internal threads, and where the screw is rotatable to radially expand the frame. The assembly further comprises a delivery apparatus releasably coupled to the screw, the delivery apparatus comprising a first shaft and a first head disposed at an end of the first shaft, the first head comprising external threads configured to engage with the internal threads of the screw head, and a second shaft that is coaxial with and surrounds the first shaft, the second shaft comprising a second head disposed at an end of the second shaft. The second head is configured to releasably engage with an exterior surface of the screw head and rotate the screw.

Abstract: Delivery systems for expandable elements, such as stents or scaffolds having spikes, flails, or other protruding features for delivering drugs and/or penetrating target tissue within a human patient and associated methods for using such systems. The delivery systems can be configured to deliver and position expandable structures within a body lumen (e.g., vessel). In addition, these delivery systems can also be configured to deploy and expand the expandable structures in the body lumen. The delivery systems can further be configured to engage with the expanded structure and collapse the structure for removal from the body lumen. The delivery systems can be configured to deliver another expandable structure or the same expandable structure to another body lumen, or the same body lumen, in a single procedure or during a plurality of procedures.

Abstract: A vaso-occlusive coil formed of a wire having a primary configuration in a constrained condition. The coil assumes a secondary configuration in a relaxed, unconstrained condition. The secondary configuration comprises a primary portion comprising a plurality of primary loops, including a distal-most primary loop. A distal anchoring loop is connected to the distal end of the distal-most primary loop. The distal anchoring loop has a substantially triangular shape and is much smaller than the distal-most primary loop. The distal anchoring loop prevents herniation of the device during deployment and retention within an anatomical cavity.

Abstract: Stent device has a stent cover bonding to the stent wires forming the stent body at a plurality of bonding portions that are remote from the cross over points of the stent wire. By allocating the bonding portions to the stent wires in between the cross over portions, the axial flexibility of the stent device is maintained. The stent cover bonded by the disclosed bonding portions contributes to preventing lumen tissues to penetrate into the stent body and clogging the stent while placement of the bonding portions bonding the stent cover to the stent device provides variations of positive effects to the cover stent device and to the patient in which the stent device is placed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tube body cleaning apparatus. A tube body cleaning apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a body having a set length and formed from a flexible material; a work member positioned at one point of the length direction of the body and rotatable, about a shaft provided in the length direction of the body, with respect to the body; and an expansion member positioned at one point of the length direction of the body and enabling a volume, which protrudes outward from the body, to increase by expanding.

Abstract: A catheter for dilating and/or destroying a stenosis in a vessel of a patient includes a catheter shaft having a cavity, at least one first active element within the cavity fixedly connected to a wall delimiting the cavity, and at least one radially protruding scoring element arranged on the outside of the catheter shaft at the cavity for exerting a pressure force on a stenosis in a vessel. The at least one first active element is configured to react to an axially movable element by radially expanding the catheter shaft and thereby radially expanding the at least one radially protruding scoring element.