A medical implant comprises a central flow portion having a first network of struts forming two or more cells, a first set of anchoring arms, and a second set of anchoring arms. The two or more cells are arranged linearly and extend from the first set of anchoring arms to the second set of anchoring arms.

Devices and methods for increasing a patient's pulmonary arterial compliance are disclosed. The devices include catheters designed to create a connection between a patient's venous anatomy and the patient's pulmonary artery. With the arteriovenous connection various devices can be implanted in order to increase the volumetric compliance of the pulmonary artery. The devices include collapsible and expandable mechanisms which allow the effective pulmonary arterial volume to expand during systole and contract during diastole. The devices may include a balloon or balloon-like implants which cyclically shuttle a working fluid from the pulmonary artery to the vein and back. The devices may be adjustable to provide desired hemodynamic benefits. Methods are disclosed for making and using the inventive devices.

A system for creating an arteriovenous (AV) fistula comprises a vessel access sheath having a hollow interior and an exit port, a side access needle catheter configured to fit within the hollow interior of the sheath, a needle configured to be inserted into a blood vessel through the side access needle catheter, a toggle delivery catheter configured to fit within the hollow interior of the sheath, and a toggle apparatus configured to be delivered into a vessel through the toggle delivery catheter. The toggle apparatus comprises a shaft and a toggle member pivotably attached to a distal end of the shaft. A source of RF energy or resistive heat energy may be provided for application to the toggle member and/or to a heater insert in the toggle delivery catheter, for the purpose of creating the fistula.

An apparatus for determining alignment between a source device and a target device includes the source device, the target device, and a processing system. The source device includes a first spatially variant field generator for generating a first spatially variant electric field, and a second spatially variant field generator for generating a second spatially variant electric field. The second spatially variant electric field is angularly offset with respect to the first spatially variant electric field. The target device includes a sensor configured to detect a first signal from the first spatially variant electric field and a second signal from the second spatially variant electric field. The processing system is configured to determine alignment between the first source device and the target device based on the first and second signals from the first and second spatially variant electric fields by the target device.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing fluid communication between body lumens. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for establishing a controlled flow or access passage between body lumens.

The inventive device may include a delivery catheter that remains coupled to an expandable stent portion having an hourglass or “diabolo” shape. The temporary stent device is configured to lodge the shunt portion securely in the atrial septum, preferably the fossa ovalis, to function as an interatrial shunt, allowing blood flow between the left atrium to the right atrium responsive to a pressure differential across the atrial septum. Upon completion of the treatment, a delivery sheath may be used in conjunction with cinching cord coupled to the stent portion to retrieve and remove the temporary shunt device from the patient.

A shunt comprises a central flow portion configured to fit at least partially within an opening in a tissue wall. The tissue wall is situated between a first anatomical chamber and a second anatomical chamber and the opening represents a blood flow path between the first anatomical chamber and the second anatomical chamber. The central flow portion is further configured to maintain the blood flow path from the first anatomical chamber to the second anatomical chamber. The shunt further comprises a barrier configured to alter growth of tissue around the shunt.

Provided herein are novel devices for the formation of arteriovenous fistulas, which may aid subjects in need of hemodialysis. The novel devices are provided in a non-surgical procedure, greatly decreasing the cost and increasing the convenience of placing an arteriovenous fistula. The devices are atraumatic, and consist of a sutureless anastomosis device and conduit. Methods and tools for placing the devices in vivo are disclosed, including a magnetic-assisted method.

An implantable device having an adjustable passage therethrough. The passage may be adjustable to occlude or otherwise to regulate access or flow of materials therethrough. An elongated element may be inserted into the passage when in a closed configuration to selectively open the passage. For instance, the implantable device may be a tubular device with a twisted region closing the passage therethrough, and the elongated device may be configured to engage such twisted region and to be rotated to untwist the closed region. An additional tubular device with a passage therethrough may be inserted into the passage of the implantable device to hold open the passage for a selected period of time.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for stent access and device delivery. In certain instances, the apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a plurality of struts arranged about the one or more cutting blades on a tip portion.