Ancora Heart, Inc.

Biosensors International Group, Ltd.

Guided Delivery Systems, Inc.

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

Avantec Vascular Corporation

Brightwater Medical, Inc.

Eugene Serina

Tammy Y Tam

Huu Nguyen

Mariel Fabro

Son Truong Nguyen

Stephen Clark Meier

Roseann Ward

Emilio Crisolo

Kent C B Stalker

Timothy H Williams

Harry Robinson Smouse

Niel F Starksen

Eric Jones

Shih-Hsiung Albert Yuan

Marlone Legaspi

John P Lunsford

Udayan G Patel

Brian Tang

Charles J Adam

Tenny C Calhoun

Stephen Olson

Jennifer Henderson

Didier Loulmet

Karl S Im

John To

Tiffany Huynh Mirchandani

Son Nguyen

Described herein are devices and methods for delivering implants that include multiple coupled anchors. The anchors are secured to tissue using a multi-opening guide tunnel that is configured to releasably retain one or more portions of the implant located between two of the anchors. The releasable retention of one or more intervening portions of the implant maintains the position of the implant and the guide tunnel until the implant is secured to the tissue. The multi-opening guide tunnel permits securement of the multiple anchors without requiring repositioning of the guide tunnel for each anchor.

Multi-window guide tunnel

A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.

Systems and methods for coupling and decoupling a catheter

A catheter having a multilumenal tube surrounded by a slotted hypotube is provided. The catheter has a tube holder that houses the multilumenal tubing and slidably engages the hypotube, and has internal passages configured to receive one of more tubes from the multilumenal tube. The multilumenal tubing separates into one or more tubings, each comprising a lumen, such that the tubings exit the tube holder at different locations. The slotted hypotube slidably engages a key in the tube holder that prevents the multilumenal tubing from rotating relative to the tube holder and the one of more tubings that separate from the multilumenal tubing. Advantages provided by the slotted hypotube/tube holder assembly are described.

Bi-lumenal tube catheter support system

The present disclosure describes an angioplasty balloon catheter having a retractable sheath and a flexible tip attached to the distal end of the sheath. The flexible tip is made of an elastomeric plastic that is capable of returning to its original shape after being expanded multiple times. The tip allows for the sheath to be retractable and the balloon inflated multiple times to treat or expand different locations within the vessel. Because the tip returns to its original shape each time, the tip is less likely to damage the vessel wall when the sheath is repositioned in the vessel, and also is easier to retract through a guide-catheter.

Elastic tip for an adjustable length angioplasty balloon sheath

Described here are devices, methods, and kits for the deployment of tissue anchors. In some variations, the devices may comprise a shaft defining a lumen for housing at least one anchor therein and a mechanism for deploying the anchor distally from the lumen. In certain variations, the devices may comprise one or more stop elements. For example, a device may comprise a stop element that limits the advancement of the device through an opening in a wall portion or at the distal end of another device.

Anchor deployment devices and related methods

Described herein are devices and methods for guide catheters having one or more regions of increased flexibility. A flexibility region comprises one tubular segment of the guide catheter with a non-linear seam between two non-concentric layers of material having different durometers. A non-linear seam, such as a zig-zag or sinusoidal configuration, permits controlled compression of lower durometer material between portions of higher durometer material.

Deflectable guide

Described herein are devices and methods for delivering implants that have multiple coupled anchors. The anchors have an elongate form following a curved arcuate path in a single turning direction. Each anchor has two legs arranged to diverge away from each other, where each leg has a substantially non-constant radius of curvature and a substantially straight distal tip. The anchors are secured to tissue using a multi-opening guide tunnel that is configured to releasably retain one or more portions of the implant located between two of the anchors. The releasable retention of one or more intervening portions of the implant maintains the position of the implant and the guide tunnel until the implant is secured to the tissue. One variation of a multi-opening guide tunnel has releasable retention flaps and an aperture capable of deploying a fluid contrast medium into a patient without interfering with anchor delivery.

Devices and methods for anchoring tissue

Described herein are devices and methods for delivering implants that comprise multiple coupled anchors. The anchors are secured to tissue using a multi-opening guide tunnel that is configured to releasably retain one or more portions of the implant located between two of the anchors. The releasable retention of one or more intervening portions of the implant maintains the position of the implant and the guide tunnel until the implant is secured to the tissue. The multi-opening guide tunnel permits securement of the multiple anchors without requiring repositioning of the guide tunnel for each anchor.

Devices and methods for locking and/or cutting tethers during a tissue modification procedure are described. In some variations, a tether may be used to tighten tissue by bringing two pieces or sections of the tissue together. The tether, which may be under tension, may be locked to maintain the tension, and excess tether may be severed, using one or more of the devices and/or methods. The devices and/or methods may be used, for example, in minimally invasive procedures.

Termination devices and related methods

Growing community of inventors

Fremont, CA, United States of America

Eugene Serina