71 results about "Tip catheter" patented technology

Implants and methods for minimally invasive augmentation and repositioning of vertebrae may comprise one or more expandable members, e.g., stents, implants, surrounding a balloon-tipped catheter or other expansion device, inserted into a vertebral body or other bone. Expansion of the expandable member within the vertebral body or other bone may reposition the fractured bone to a desired height and augment the bone to maintain the desired height. A bone cement or other filler can be added to further augment and stabilize the vertebral body or other bone.

An enhanced method and device are provided to treat atrial fibrillation or inhibit or reduce restenosis following angioplasty or stent placement. A balloon-tipped catheter is disposed in the area treated or opened through balloon angioplasty immediately following angioplasty. The balloon, which can have a dual balloon structure, may be delivered through a guiding catheter and over a guidewire already in place. A fluid such as a perfluorocarbon flows into the balloon to freeze the tissue adjacent the balloon, this cooling being associated with reduction of restenosis. A similar catheter may be used to reduce atrial fibrillation by inserting and inflating the balloon such that an exterior surface of the balloon contacts at least a partial circumference of the portion of the pulmonary vein adjacent the left atrium. In another embodiment, blood perfusion is performed simultaneously. In another embodiment, tissue contacted by the cryoablation catheter, undesired to be ablated, is protected against damage by a separate heating step.

An enhanced method and device are provided to treat atrial fibrillation or inhibit or reduce restenosis following angioplasty or stent placement. A balloon-tipped catheter is disposed in the area treated or opened through balloon angioplasty immediately following angioplasty. The balloon, which can have a dual balloon structure, may be delivered through a guiding catheter and over a guidewire already in place. A fluid such as a perfluorocarbon flows into the balloon to freeze the tissue adjacent the balloon, this cooling being associated with reduction of restenosis. A similar catheter may be used to reduce atrial fibrillation by inserting and inflating the balloon such that an exterior surface of the balloon contacts at least a partial circumference of the portion of the pulmonary vein adjacent the left atrium. In another embodiment, blood perfusion is performed simultaneously. In another embodiment, tissue contacted by the cryoablation catheter, undesired to be ablated, is protected against damage by a separate heating step.

A multi-lumen catheter comprising a loop-like structure at the distal portion of the catheter is disclosed herein. In one variation, the loop-tip catheter comprises a dual lumen catheter and a loop-like structure at the distal end of the catheter. The loop-like structure includes at least one lumen, which is in fluid communication with at lease one of the two lumens in the dual lumen catheter. One or more ports are provided on the loop-like structure for accessing the lumens within the loop. In another variation, the loop-tip catheter is configured with an arterial inlet positioned on an inner surface of the loop, while a venous outlet is positioned on an outer surface of the loop. Methods for making and using variations of the loop-tip catheter are also disclosed herein.

Catheter device comprising a catheter (2), particularly an intravascular catheter, for insertion into an organ or vessel of the human or animal body, with a device for ablation of the adjacent organ tissue or vessel tissue using high-frequency currents in the region of the tip of the catheter, a device (3, 11, 12, 18, 19, 23, 24) being integrated for capturing images of the organ or vessel in the region of the tip of the catheter (10, 17, 22).

Splitable-tip catheters are disclosed with bioresorbable adhesive to provide spatial separation of distal tip elements during use. The invention can be particularly useful in hemodialysis applications where it is desirable to separate blood extraction and return lumens. The adhesive facilitates insertion of the distal end of the catheter as an assembly, e.g., into a blood vessel using a single guidewire, while the bioresorbable nature of the adhesive allows the tip elements to separate in vivo.

A multi-lumen catheter comprising a loop-like structure at the distal portion of the catheter is disclosed herein. In one variation, the loop-tip catheter comprises a dual lumen catheter and a loop-like structure at the distal end of the catheter. The loop-like structure includes at least one lumen, which is in fluid communication with at lease one of the two lumens in the dual lumen catheter. One or more ports are provided on the loop-like structure for accessing the lumens within the loop. In another variation, the loop-tip catheter is configured with an arterial inlet positioned on an inner surface of the loop, while a venous outlet is positioned on an outer surface of the loop. Methods for making and using variations of the loop-tip catheter are also disclosed herein.

A lumen extension member is provided for a catheter having a catheter body and an elongate electrode coupled to the catheter body. The elongate electrode defines an electrode lumen extending therethrough. The lumen extension member is positioned within the electrode lumen and is coupled to the catheter body. The lumen extension member includes a tubular member including a sidewall and at least one opening that extends through the sidewall.

An enhanced method and device are provided to inhibit or reduce restenosis following angioplasty or stent placement. A porous balloon-tipped catheter is disposed in the area treated or opened through balloon angioplasty immediately following angioplasty. The balloon, which can have a dual balloon structure, may be delivered through a guiding catheter and over a guidewire already in place. A fluid such as a perfluorocarbon flows into the balloon to freeze the tissue adjacent the balloon, this cooling being associated with reduction of restenosis. A similar catheter may be used to reduce atrial fibrillation by inserting and inflating the porous balloon such that an exterior surface of the balloon, as well as a portion of the cold working fluid, from the microporosity contacts at least a partial circumference of the portion of the pulmonary vein adjacent the left atrium.

A multilumen catheter assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end and a first lumen having a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a first distal opening disposed at the distal end, and a first guide wire opening disposed proximally of the distal end and co-planar with the sidewall. The assembly also includes a second lumen connected to the sidewall and extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, proximally of the distal end. The second lumen includes a second opening extending obliquely away from the sidewall distally toward the first distal opening and a second guide wire opening disposed proximally of the second opening and in a plane generally parallel to the sidewall. A method of inserting the catheter into a vessel is also disclosed.

Method and system to provide therapy for obesity, gastric motility, or to induce weight loss comprises ablating the gastric tissue around the “pacemaker” region of the stomach, and electrically pacing the stomach with a pulse generator / stimulator to control the electrical activity of the gastric muscle. The ablation to the gastric tissue may be from the epigastric side, or may be from inside the stomach. The ablation may be performed utilizing any one of: radiofrequency catheter ablation; radiofrequency catheter ablation using an irrigated tip catheter; microwave ablation; cryoablation; high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation; and laser ablation. The ablation of the “pacemaker” region of the stomach may be partial or complete. A gastric pulse generator / stimulator is implanted to provide electrical pulses to the stomach. The function of the gastric stimulator after complete ablation of the pacemaker region, is to provide a basic electrical rhythm (BER) to regulate and control electrical activity of the stomach. Alternatively, if partial ablation is performed the function of the gastric pulse generator / stimulator is to enhance the residual basic electrical rhythm (BER), or to interfere with the residual basic electrical rhythm (BER).

The disclosures made herein relate to methods and equipment adapted for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and for limiting, if not preventing, damage to surface tissue while coagulating tissue within the myocardium. In one embodiment of the disclosures made herein, a cooled tip laser catheter system includes an energy delivery apparatus, a laser apparatus and a cooling medium supply apparatus. The energy delivery apparatus includes a flexible tubular housing, a tip assembly and an optical waveguide. The flexible tubular housing includes a plurality of lumens therein extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the flexible tubular housing. The tip assembly includes a tip body attached at a first end thereof to the distal end of the flexible tubular housing and an optical window mounted at a second end of the tip body. The circulation chamber is defined within the tip body between the distal end of the flexible tubular housing and the optical window. The optical waveguide is mounted within a first of said lumens, wherein a distal end of the optical waveguide is exposed within the circulation chamber. The laser apparatus is attached to the energy delivery apparatus in a manner enabling laser light to be supplied to and transmitted by the optical waveguide. The cooling medium supply apparatus is attached to the energy delivery apparatus in a manner enabling cooling medium to be circulated through the circulation chamber.

Disclosed herein are devices for altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of an individual, particularly individuals having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). More particularly, devices are disclosed to produce collateral openings or channels through the airway wall so that expired air is able to pass directly out of the lung tissue to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and / or to decompress hyper-inflated lungs.

A catheter is provided that includes an elongated tubular body extending to a distal end. The tubular body has a first and a second lumen with a septum disposed therebetween. The tubular body includes a first wall that defines the first lumen and a second wall that defines the second lumen. A portion of the septum extends distally beyond the first lumen and the second lumen. The first wall includes a first wall extension that extends distally beyond the first lumen and is spaced apart from the portion of the septum. The first wall extension defines a concave surface facing the portion of the septum. In an alternate embodiment, the catheter includes a tip with spiraled configuration. The catheter may include a third lumen.

Methods of forming catheters are disclosed, together with methods of forming split tip catheters. In one aspect of the invention, the manufacturing methods can include the steps of: providing first and second catheter tubes each having a substantially D-shaped cross-section, and attaching at least a portion of longitudinal lengths of the first and second catheter tubes along flat surfaces of the first and second catheter tubes to form a dual lumen catheter assembly. The tubes can be fused along at least about 10%, preferably along at least about 50%, more preferably in some applications along at least about 70%, 80% or 90% of the longitudinal length.

Multi-lumen catheter devices having at least one split-tipped end are disclosed, together with methods of forming such split tip catheters. In one aspect of the invention, the manufacturing methods can include the steps of: providing a catheter body having at least a first and a second internal lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter body; removing a distal portion of the catheter body to form a first distal tip segment such that the first lumen extends longitudinally within this tip segment beyond the second lumen; and joining a second lumen tip segment to the catheter body in communication with the second lumen. The second tip segment can be joined to the catheter body such that it is at least partially separated from the first tip segment and, in some embodiments, preferably diverges at an angle relative to the first tip segment.

A multilumen catheter assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end and a first lumen having a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a first distal opening disposed at the distal end, and a first guide wire opening disposed proximally of the distal end and co-planar with the sidewall. The assembly also includes a second lumen connected to the sidewall and extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, proximally of the distal end. The second lumen includes a second opening extending obliquely away from the sidewall distally toward the first distal opening and a second guide wire opening disposed proximally of the second opening and in a plane generally parallel to the sidewall. A method of inserting the catheter into a vessel is also disclosed.

Splitable-tip catheters are disclosed with bioresorbable adhesive to provide spatial separation of distal tip elements during use. The invention can be particularly useful in hemodialysis applications where it is desirable to separate blood extraction and return lumens. The adhesive facilitates insertion of the distal end of the catheter as an assembly, e.g., into a blood vessel using a single guidewire, while the bioresorbable nature of the adhesive allows the tip elements to separate in vivo.

An oral airway consists of an elongate tubular member having a leading distal end and a proximal end, the leading distal end leading the elongate tubular member as it is inserted into the mouth and pharynx of a patient. An opening at the leading distal end of the elongate tubular member is inclined so that a posterior portion of the distal portion extends beyond an anterior portion of the distal end. A flexible tip portion extends distally beyond the opening to aid in insertion of the oral airway into the mouth and pharynx of a patient. The tip is configured to flex toward the opening as it abuts tissue within the mouth and pharynx of a patient.

Multi-lumen catheter devices having at least one split-tipped end are disclosed, together with methods of forming such split tip catheters. In one aspect of the invention, the manufacturing methods can include the steps of: providing a catheter body having at least a first and a second internal lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter body; removing a distal portion of the catheter body to form a first distal tip segment such that the first lumen extends longitudinally within this tip segment beyond the second lumen; and joining a second lumen tip segment to the catheter body in communication with the second lumen. The second tip segment can be joined to the catheter body such that it is at least partially separated from the first tip segment and, in some embodiments, preferably diverges at an angle relative to the first tip segment.

Methods of forming catheters are disclosed, together with methods of forming fixed tip catheters. In one aspect of the invention, the manufacturing methods can include the steps of: providing first and second catheter tubes, a distal end of the first catheter tube extending a longitudinal length beyond a distal end of the second catheter tube, and attaching a flow diverting structure to an outside surface of the first catheter tube between the distal ends of the first and second catheter tubes. The flow diverting structure can be oriented on the first catheter tube to divert fluid flowing through an inner lumen of the second catheter tube.

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to a catheter cap which seals a reservoir of a catheter introducer. The catheter cap secures over an introducer tip to prevent airflow into the introducer tip. The catheter cap utilizes an elongated stem to block a distal opening of the reservoir to further prevent airflow. A lip of the catheter cap may further engage an insertion stop point of the catheter introducer to secure the catheter cap. The catheter cap ensures proper lubrication of the introducer tip and the catheter during insertion of the catheter into the urethra of a user.

A lumen extension member is provided for a catheter having a catheter body and an elongate electrode coupled to the catheter body. The elongate electrode defines an electrode lumen extending therethrough. The lumen extension member is positioned within the electrode lumen and is coupled to the catheter body. The lumen extension member includes a tubular member including a sidewall and at least one opening that extends through the sidewall.

A tunneler for a dual lumen tip catheter, comprises an elongated body extending from a distal tissue-penetrating end to a proximal, catheter-coupling end, the catheter coupling end including a catheter tip receiving portion including a cutout sized and shaped to receive a dual lumen tip of a catheter to be coupled thereto and a proximally extending lumen-mating projection oriented so that, when inserted into a lumen of the catheter, the dual lumen tip of the catheter is received in the cutout in an orientation relative to an elongated body of the catheter substantially the same as when the dual lumen tip and the elongated body of the catheter are in an unstressed state.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for inserting flexible, multi-lumen catheters into blood vessels, and in particular, for inserting flexible, split-tip catheters into blood vessels. The invention accomplishes these objects by temporarily stiffening each catheter lumen and tip independently through use of intra-catheter stiffener elements disposed within the catheter lumens. This provides means for advancing the catheter / stiffeners assembly through a subcutaneous tunnel, and over a plurality of guidewires until a distal tip of the catheter is at a desired position within the vessel. The intra-catheter stiffener elements are sufficiently stiffening to allow advancing the catheter over guidewires, but sufficiently flexible to allow bending and looping of the catheter for proper placement within the vessel.

A needle and catheter system, including components, is provided such that the position of an stimulating needle may be identified after insertion into the body of a patient by electrically stimulating and thus locating a specific nerve. Positioning of the stimulating needle while simultaneously controlling and monitoring the electrical impulses applied therethrough is made possible by a control device and monitor integral with the stimulating needle. When a specific nerve is located, the catheter is inserted through the needle to a point slightly beyond the distal tip of the needle. The catheter tip may then be manipulated and the optimum position for the catheter tip determined by applying an electrical impulse through the helical wire and / or the ribbon support wire to the proximal tip catheter, this electrical stimulation being utilized in determining the specific location of the catheter tip within the nerve. Once properly located, or at any time relative movement between the catheter and needle is not desirable, the catheter can be locked into position with a catheter lock which may be part of the stimulating needle hub. A catheter adapter is utilized to allow easy access to the catheter and introduction of fluid into the nerve of the patient through the catheter tip.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for inserting flexible, multi-lumen catheters into blood vessels, and in particular, for inserting flexible, split-tip catheters into blood vessels. The invention accomplishes these objects by temporarily stiffening each catheter lumen and tip independently through use of intra-catheter stiffener elements disposed within the catheter lumens. This provides means for advancing the catheter / stiffeners assembly through a subcutaneous tunnel, and over a plurality of guidewires until a distal tip of the catheter is at a desired position within the vessel. The intra-catheter stiffener elements are sufficiently stiffening to allow advancing the catheter over guidewires, but sufficiently flexible to allow bending and looping of the catheter for proper placement within the vessel.

An improved cryosurgical system for application of medical-grade liquid nitrogen to a treatment area via a small, low pressure, open tipped catheter. The system includes a console, including a touch panel computer, a cryogen module, a suction module and an electronics module, all packaged in a mobile cart, and a disposable spray kit. Improved features include optional low cryogen flow setting to reduce the cryogen flow rate by 50%, improved cryogen flow consistency reducing pressure pulses and peaks (improved sensors, control systems, and control algorithms), an integrated suction pump for improved consistency and self-checks, specified vent tube areas and corresponding maximum expected pressures during cryospray procedure; optional pressure sensing capability to monitor pressure during a treatment, and improved catheter design.

A cryosurgery system for application of medical-grade liquid nitrogen to a treatment area via a small, low pressure, open tipped catheter. The system includes a console, including a touch panel computer, a cryogen module, a suction module and an electronics module, and a disposable spray kit. Features include optional low cryogen flow setting to reduce the cryogen flow rate by 50%, improved cryogen flow consistency reducing pressure pulses and peaks, an integrated suction pump for improved consistency and self-checks, specified vent tube areas and corresponding maximum expected pressures during cryospray procedure; optional pressure sensing capability to monitor pressure during a treatment, and novel catheter designs of multilayer and flexible construction providing a variety of spray patterns.