Implants comprising electrically-responsive hydrogel are described. Systems to provide electricity to induce response in hydrogel-containing implants are described. Methods for utilizing said system and methods for utilizing said hydrogel-containing implants are described.

A device for use within an occluded biological vessel and a method of using same to remove occlusion material from a vessel are provided. The device includes an elongated body configured for delivering extensions arranged around a distal portion thereof into the biological vessel. Each of the extensions includes an array of projections spaced apart to match openings in a biological mesh forming a part of the occlusion material.

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 distal end of the sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration and expanded using a radial dilatation device. In an exemplary application, the sheath is utilized to provide access for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure such as ureteroscopy or stone removal.

A thrombectomy device including a delivery catheter; a tapered dilator catheter configured to be movably disposed within the delivery catheter; and an expandable aspiration funnel configured to be movably disposed within the delivery catheter in a retracted position and at least partially outside the delivery catheter in an extended position, the funnel comprising a non-permeable covering, a diameter of a distal end of the funnel being greater in the extended position than in the retracted position, the funnel being configured to adapt its shape and length to a surrounding blood vessel such that the funnel lengthens as it narrows to retain a thrombus within the funnel. The invention also includes methods of using the device.

Mechanical thrombectomy systems including an elongate catheter configured as an elongate inversion support, a flexible tractor configured to roll and invert over the distal end of the elongate inversion support, and a clot engaging member on the distal end of an elongate manipulator are described herein. These systems may capture a clot using the clot engaging member and draw the clot and clot engaging member and roll the flexible tractor into the catheter to remove the clot and clot engaging member from a vessel.

Mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses (devices, systems, etc.) and methods for positioning them within a vessel and using them to remove a thrombus, e.g., clot, from within a vessel. In particular, described herein are methods of advancing an inverting tractor thrombectomy apparatus having a tractor comprising a flexible tube of material that inverts over itself as it rolls over a distal end opening of an elongate inversion support by extending the tractor region and/or a puller coupled to the tractor distally beyond the end of the catheter. Also described herein are power-driven mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses.

Mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses that may be configured to prevent or reduce jamming (e.g., “anti-jamming” thrombectomy devices), grab clot, and/or macerate the thrombus, e.g., clot, being removed. These mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses may include a tractor comprising a flexible tube of material that inverts as it rolls over itself while being drawn into a catheter in a conveyor-like motion. In particular, described herein are mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses having tractors selectably extendable projections that may aid in grabbing and/or macerating a clot. Also described herein are seesawing tractors for mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses.

Tortuosity of vessels at or leading to the site of minimally invasive procedures is a problem for conducting such procedures as they increase the difficulty to guide the procedural catheters through tortuous vessels. Methods and apparatus for stabilization of the sheaths and catheters during access, procedures, and withdrawal in these tortuous vessels are disclosed. The apparatus and method for improving access include application of a pull component to the stabilized procedural catheter using a stabilization catheter/wire in addition to a push component from the percutaneous access to make the access easier while enabling use of more flexible catheters and softer wires. These methods and devices address the problems of trauma to the vessels during access, procedure and removal of catheters and wires, improve pushability of softer catheters and wires, and also substantially reduce substantially the procedure time.

A tool for a medical instrument includes a stationary component, a branch which is pivotable relative to the stationary component about a pivot axis, a transmission device for transmitting a force to the pivotable branch, and a coupling device for coupling the transmission device to the pivotable branch in such a way that a translation of the transmission device entails a pivoting movement of the pivotable branch about its pivot axis. The coupling device includes several coupling portions on the pivotable branch and several coupling portions on the transmission device. Each coupling portion on the pivotable branch is assigned to a corresponding coupling portion on the transmission device. The coupling portions are arranged and designed such that the coupling of pivotable branch and transmission device is effected, depending on the positions of pivotable branch and transmission device, by different pairs of corresponding coupling portions.

Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices for percutaneous retrieval of objects, such as endovascular devices, from an internal body space. The present inventions have vascular, non-vascular (gastrointestinal), and surgical (laproscopic) applications. The inventions include a a wire woven distal end that is formed from wires and includes a substantially cylindrical main body section comprising a leading end, a trailing end, and a middle portion extending between the leading end and the trailing end and defining a longitudinal axis of the main body section, and a flare defining a mouth of the wire woven distal end that projects circumferentially from the leading end of the main body section, wherein when at least a portion of the retrieval end is transitioned to a compressed state following capture of an object, the retrieval end exerts an inward force that at least partially collapses or compresses the object.