1207results about "Guide needles" patented technology

Apparatus and methods provide distal protection while accessing blood vessels within a patient's vasculature. A flexible sheath and distal protection element, e.g., a balloon or filter, are carried by a stiffening member. The sheath is lubricious and has a relatively thin wall, thereby providing a collapsible/expandable guide for delivering fluids and/or instruments. The sheath is advanced into a blood vessel in a contracted condition, expanded to an enlarged condition to define a lumen, and the distal protection element is deployed within the vessel beyond the sheath. Fluids and/or instruments are introduced into the vessel via the sheath lumen, the distal protection element retaining the fluids and/or capturing emboli released by the instruments. Upon completing the procedure, the sheath, distal protection element, and stiffening member are removed from the vessel.

A method of securing tissue is provided. The method includes obtaining a section of tubing, sizing the section of tubing to a desired length, securing the section of tubing to a connector member, securing the connector member to an end effector of a surgical instrument, guiding the end effector to a target location using the section of tubing, and performing a surgical procedure with the end effector.

Apparatus and methods are provided for delivering a guidewire, agents, and the like through an occlusion in a body vessel or other body lumen. The apparatus includes a flexible catheter or other elongate member including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a body lumen, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to a distal region of the tubular member. An expandable sheath is provided on the distal region of the catheter that is expandable from a contracted condition to minimize a profile of the sheath to allow insertion along with the tubular member into a body lumen, to an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen communicating with and extending distally from the first lumen of the tubular member.

Apparatus, systems, methods, and kits are provided for isolating a target lung segment and treating that segment, usually by drug delivery or lavage. The systems include at least a lobar or sub-lobar isolation catheter which is introduced beyond a second lung bifurcation (i.e., beyond the first bifurcation in a lobe of the lung) and which can occlude a bronchial passage at that point. An inner catheter is usually introduced through the isolation catheter and used in cooperation with the isolation catheter for delivering and/or removing drugs or washing liquids from the isolated lung region. Optionally, the inner catheter will also have an occluding member near its distal end for further isolation of a target region within the lung.

A system for accessing a patient's cardiac anatomy which includes an endovascular aortic partitioning device that separates the coronary arteries and the heart from the rest of the patient's arterial system. The endovascular device for partitioning a patient's ascending aorta comprises a flexible shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a first inner lumen therebetween with an opening at the distal end. The shaft may have a preshaped distal portion with a curvature generally corresponding to the curvature of the patient's aortic arch. An expandable means, e.g. a balloon, is disposed near the distal end of the shaft proximal to the opening in the first inner lumen for occluding the ascending aorta so as to block substantially all blood flow therethrough for a plurality of cardiac cycles, while the patient is supported by cardiopulmonary bypass. The endovascular aortic partitioning device may be coupled to an arterial bypass cannula for delivering oxygenated blood to the patient's arterial system. The heart muscle or myocardium is paralyzed by the retrograde delivery of a cardioplegic fluid to the myocardium through patient's coronary sinus and coronary veins, or by antegrade delivery of cardioplegic fluid through a lumen in the endovascular aortic partitioning device to infuse cardioplegic fluid into the coronary arteries. The pulmonary trunk may be vented by withdrawing liquid from the trunk through an inner lumen of an elongated catheter. The cardiac accessing system is particularly suitable for removing the aortic valve and replacing the removed valve with a prosthetic valve.

Disclosed is an expandable transluminal sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion of at least a part of the distal end of the sheath to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is configured for use in the vascular system. The access route is through the inferior vena cava to the right atrium, where a trans-septal puncture, followed by advancement of the catheter is completed. The distal end of the sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration during advancement through the atrial septum into the left atrium. The distal end of the sheath is expanded using a radial dilator. In one application, the sheath is utilized to provide access for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure such as electrophysiological mapping of the heart, radio-frequency ablation of left atrial tissue, placement of atrial implants, valve repair, or the like.

Devices and methods are provided for temporarily inducing cardioplegic arrest in the heart of a patient and for establishing cardiopulmonary bypass in order to facilitate surgical procedures on the heart and its related blood vessels. Specifically, a catheter based system is provided for isolating the heart and coronary blood vessels of a patient from the remainder of the arterial system and for infusing a cardioplegic agent into the patient's coronary arteries to induce cardioplegic arrest in the heart. The system includes an endoaortic partitioning catheter having an expandable balloon at its distal end which is expanded within the ascending aorta to occlude the aortic lumen between the coronary ostia and the brachiocephalic artery. Means for centering the catheter tip within the ascending aorta include specially curved shaft configurations, eccentric or shaped occlusion balloons and a steerable catheter tip, which may be used separately or in combination. The shaft of the catheter may have a coaxial or multilumen construction. The catheter may further include piezoelectric pressure transducers at the distal tip of the catheter and within the occlusion balloon. Means to facilitate nonfluoroscopic placement of the catheter include fiberoptic transillumination of the aorta and a secondary balloon at the distal tip of the catheter for atraumatically contacting the aortic valve. The system further includes a dual purpose arterial bypass cannula and introducer sheath for introducing the catheter into a peripheral artery of the patient.

Apparatus for sealing a puncture includes an elongate occlusion member having a balloon attached to distal ends of telescoping inner and outer members. A housing on the proximal end of the outer member includes a piston coupled to the inner member and slidable within a chamber communicating with a fluid reservoir. A switch on the housing is actuated to direct fluid from the reservoir through the outer member into the balloon to expand the balloon and into the chamber to move the piston and pull the inner member, shortening the balloon as it expands. During use, the distal end of the occlusion member is introduced into a puncture communicating with a vessel until the collapsed balloon is disposed within the vessel. The balloon is expanded, and a tensioner is connected to the housing to apply a proximal force holding the balloon against the vessel wall to seal the puncture.

An apparatus for accessing a body lumen includes a tubular member including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body lumen, and a passage extending along a steerable distal portion of the tubular member. The passage includes a first region extending substantially parallel to a center of modulus of the distal portion and a second region offset from the center of modulus. A steering element is disposed through the passage extending along the distal portion that includes a proximal end disposed adjacent the tubular member proximal end, and a distal end fixed to the tubular member distal end beyond the distal portion. A steering adjustment member is slidable within the passage for selectively directing a portion of the steering element between the first and second regions to vary the steerability of the distal portion.

A vascular access system comprises a needle having a distal tip and a proximal fitting section and a dilator having a solid distal section connected to a solid proximal section and an annular recess therebetween, the dilator having a passageway so that the dilator is coaxially positioned around the needle. The needle has at least one opening positioned proximal to its distal tip so that, when the distal end of the needle enters a blood vessel, blood enters the annular recess to show the operator that access has been achieved. Optionally, a sheath having a distal tip, a proximal fitting section, and a lumen sufficient to coaxially fit over the dilator.

Pressure is measured on both sides of an occluding member for determining when pressure forces on the occluding member may cause migration of the occluding member. An alarm indicates when the pressure force on the balloon exceed a predetermined threshold. In another aspect of the invention, a pressure monitor determines when a rate of pressure increase with respect to the fluid volume in the balloon reaches a predetermined threshold when inflating the occluding member. A predetermined amount of fluid is then added to the balloon so that the balloon is not under inflated or over inflated.

The invention is directed to a delivery system for implantation a self-expanding medical device in a body which includes a control handle and a catheter portion. The catheter portion includes an outer restraining member which covers the collapsed, medical device, an inner catheter member having a distal end including a region upon which the medical device is mounted, and an outer sheath which is removably attached to the control handle. The outer sheath creates a conduit for the catheter portion to prevent the inner catheter member from moving axially when the outer restraining member is retracted. The control handle has a rotatable thumbwheel to actuate a retraction mechanism attached to the proximal end of the outer restraining member which moves the restraining member in a proximal direction to deploy the medical device.

A cryocatheter for introduction into a body vessel or into an organ, with a catheter inner surrounded by a catheter sheath, and with a catheter tip arranged at its distal end, with a feed line for an expansion or cooling agent arranged in the catheter sheath or the catheter inner, and with a balloon, arranged close to the catheter tip, which can be expanded and contracted again by means of the expansion and cooling agent, is to be constructed in such a way that by simple manipulation it can be positioned at a precise target position in the body vessel and, in addition, it minimizes the burden on the patient from invasive interventions. For this purpose, in accordance with the invention an image capture device, with at least one imaging sensor for mapping the region of the vessel around the balloon, is positioned in the region of the catheter tip.

Excessive dilation of the annulus of a mitral valve may lead to regurgitation of blood during ventricular contraction. This regurgitation may lead to a reduction in cardiac output. Disclosed are systems and methods relating to an implant configured for reshaping a mitral valve. The implant comprises a plurality of struts with anchors for tissue engagement. The implant is compressible to a first, reduced diameter for transluminal navigation and delivery to the left atrium of a heart. The implant may then expand to a second, enlarged diameter to embed its anchors to the tissue surrounding and/or including the mitral valve. The implant may then contract to a third, intermediate diameter, pulling the tissue radially inwardly, thereby reducing the mitral valve and lessening any of the associated symptoms including mitral regurgitation.

Devices, systems and methods for stenting, spacing, draining, ventilating and/or delivering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances to desired locations within the bodies of human or non-human animal subjects, including methods and systems for treating paranasal sinusitis and ethmoid disease.

Methods and apparatus for treating the interior of a blood vessel include a variety of catheter designs, methods and apparatus for occluding a blood vessel, methods and apparatus for locating an occlusion device, methods and apparatus for locating a treating device at the site of blood vessel tributaries, and methods and apparatus for dispensing treating agent.

A medical device for delivery of a fluid to a patient from a line terminating in a tubing needle. The medical device includes a cannula assembly for coupling the fluid into a cannula that is inserted into the patient. The cannula assembly has a first locking element disposed in a fixed position with respect to the cannula. Coupling the line to the cannula assembly is an infusion flap. The infusion flap includes a second locking element for engaging the first locking element of the cannula assembly and a lift tab for disconnecting the infusion flap from the cannula assembly. Coupling of the first and second locking elements requires initial mating of the infusion flap and cannula assembly followed by locking through rotation of the infusion flap with respect to the cannula assembly.

In some embodiments, a medical device for recanalizing a vessel having a blockage and restoring blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes an expandable member coupled to a core wire and a hypotube that are movable relative to each other to manipulate the expandable member between various configurations. The expandable member having a capture structure in an expanded configuration. The expandable member can include multiple interstices formed by woven mesh filaments or braided strands through which the material blocking the vessel can pass. The capture structure can include a shape on its external surface that facilitates dislodgement and capture of the material within capture spaces created by the expandable member. Some embodiments include a capture sack or cap for capturing material and preventing material from migrating down stream of the blockage. Superoxygenated blood can be infused distal to the blockage to minimize loss of function during an ischemic event.

A method of deploying a prosthesis includes engaging a hub assembly of a handle to a threaded outer surface of a slide shaft of the handle; rotating the hub assembly to cause axial translation of the hub assembly and a sheath coupled to the hub assembly to initiate deployment of the prosthesis; disengaging the hub assembly from the threaded outer surface by pivoting a thread tooth of the hub assembly out of threaded engagement with the threaded outer surface; and sliding the hub assembly on the slide shaft to further retract the sheath and complete deployment of the prosthesis.

Methods for easy, atraumatic access to areas of the vasculature that are otherwise difficult to access, using steerable guide catheters constructed with components that are selected to provide optimal navigability, torque transfer, and push ability for a variety of typical percutaneous access routes. The catheter wall thickness in the deflecting segment of the guide catheter is about 1 French (⅓ mm) or less, and includes a slotted deflection tube, and this construction allows a very tight turning radius which in turn enables guide catheter access to regions of the vasculature that are otherwise inaccessible.

Delivery catheters and systems are adapted for delivering multiple discreet prostheses in body lumens. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a sheath, a pusher for moving the prostheses relative to the sheath, and a valve member for selectively retaining the prostheses in the sheath. For balloon expandable stents, an elongated shaft and an expandable member are slidably disposed in the sheath, and the prostheses are positionable on the expandable member for deployment in the body lumen. The valve member allows a selected number of prostheses to be deployed from the sheath while retaining other prostheses within the sheath.

Devices, systems and methods useable for dilating the ostia of paranasal sinuses and/or other passageways within the ear, nose or throat. A dilation catheter device and system is constructed in a manner that facilitates ease of use by the operator and, in at least some cases, allows the dilation procedure to be performed by a single operator. Additionally, the dilation catheter device and system may be useable in conjunction with an endoscope and/or a fluoroscope to provide for easy manipulation and positioning of the devices and real time visualization of the entire procedure or selected portions thereof. In some embodiments, an optional handle may be used to facilitate grasping or supporting a device of the present invention as well as another device (e.g., an endoscope) with a single hand.

A device for penetrating tissue and removing a biological sample includes a biological sampling element to remove a biological sample. The biological sampling element includes a passage therethrough. The device further includes a penetrator positioned within the passage. The penetrator is energized in a repetitive manner to assist in penetrating tissue. The biological sample element can be adapted to remove a tissue sample or a biological fluid sample (for example, blood). A device for penetrating tissue and positioning a tissue resident conduit (for example, a catheter), includes a tissue resident conduit (for example, a catheter) including a passage therethrough; and a penetrator in operative connection with the catheter. A device for inserting a tissue resident conduit includes at least one component that is energized during penetration to assist in penetrating tissue. In one embodiment, the tissue resident conduit is flexible and the energized component is positioned or a forward end of the tissue resident conduit. The device can further include a mechanism for directing the penetration of the tissue resident conduit. A needle for penetrating tissue includes a first effector including a surface and at least one actuator in operative connection with the first effector. The actuator is adapted to cause motion of the first effector such that tearing of tissue takes place in regions where there is close proximity of tissue to the surface of the first effector.

An extravascular system is provided which includes a catheter adapter having a blood control septum configured to control flow of a fluid through the catheter adapter, the catheter adapter further having a catheter configured for intravenous insertion. The extravascular system further includes a septum activator slidably inserted within the catheter adapter and configured for advancement through the blood control septum to provide a fluid pathway through the blood control septum. Further still, the extravascular system includes an external safety mechanism comprising a needle hub and a needle shield interconnected via a tether, wherein the needle shield includes a safety clip that is configured to retain a sharpened end of the introducer needle within the needle shield. Some implementations further comprise an access port forming a portion of the catheter adapter and providing selective access to the lumen of the catheter adapter.

A catheter that comprises a sheath that is connected at opposing ends to concentric tubes that move relative to each other in a manner that alternatively covers and exposes a medical device loaded onto the catheter. A portion of the sheath is arranged so as to invert upon itself so that axial movement of one tube relative to the other simultaneously moves the inversion point over or away from the device, alternatively covering or exposing the device.

A system for inducing cardioplegic arrest and performing an endovascular procedure within the heart or blood vessels of a patient. An endoaortic partitioning catheter has an inflatable balloon which occludes the ascending aorta when inflated. Cardioplegic fluid may be infused through a lumen of the endoaortic partitioning catheter to stop the heart while the patient's circulatory system is supported on cardiopulmonary bypass. One or more endovascular devices are introduced through an internal lumen of the endoaortic partitioning catheter to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic endovascular procedure within the heart or blood vessels of the patient. Surgical procedures such as coronary artery bypass surgery or heart valve replacement may be performed in conjunction with the endovascular procedure while the heart is stopped. Embodiments of the system are described for performing: fiberoptic angioscopy of structures within the heart and its blood vessels, valvuloplasty for correction of valvular stenosis in the aortic or mitral valve of the heart, angioplasty for therapeutic dilatation of coronary artery stenoses, coronary stenting for dilatation and stenting of coronary artery stenoses, atherectomy or endarterectomy for removal of atheromatous material from within coronary artery stenoses, intravascular ultrasonic imaging for observation of structures and diagnosis of disease conditions within the heart and its associated blood vessels, fiberoptic laser angioplasty for removal of atheromatous material from within coronary artery stenoses, transmyocardial revascularization using a side-firing fiberoptic laser catheter from within the chambers of the heart, and electrophysiological mapping and ablation for diagnosing and treating electrophysiological conditions of the heart.

A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

An insertion assisting tool for an endoscope into which an insertion section of the endoscope is inserted from a base end portion side, comprising: a fluid sealing device which seals a space between a base end part of the insertion assisting tool and the endoscope insertion section, the space being formed while the insertion section of the endoscope is inserted into the base end portion side.

Methods and apparatus are provided for removing emboli during an angioplasty, stenting or surgical procedure comprising a catheter having an occlusion element, an aspiration lumen, and a blood outlet port in communication with the lumen, a guide wire having a balloon, a venous return sheath with a blood inlet port, and tubing that couples the blood outlet port to the blood inlet port. Apparatus is also provided for occluding the external carotid artery to prevent reversal of flow into the internal carotid artery. The pressure differential between the artery and the vein provides reverse flow through the artery, thereby flushing emboli. A blood filter may optionally be included in-line with the tubing to filter emboli from blood reperfused into the patient.

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for treating a vascular occlusion by providing an infusion catheter having an atraumatic tip and at least one delivery port configured to infuse fluid into the occlusion. The fluid that is infused dilutes the occlusion and reduces adhesion of the occlusion to an intima of the vessel wall, thereby causing the occlusion to dislodge. Emboli generated in the process are directed into an emboli removal catheter for removal.