Methods and devices are configured for neurointerventional procedures. The methods and devices enable safe and rapid access to the cerebral or intracranial arteries for the introduction of interventional devices such as to treat stroke and/or other disease conditions. The methods and devices include a vascular access and retrograde flow system that can be used safely and rapidly in the neurointerventional procedures.

A catheter system that is actuatable to a deployed state and includes a catheter body and a dilator positioned at least partially within the lumen of the catheter. A distal end of the dilator can be releasably connected to a distal tip of the catheter body. The dilator can be retractable to expand and invert the distal tip and form a funnel shape in the deployed state.

In various embodiments, the present specification discloses an aspiration catheter that has a slim profile, can effectively anchor or self-center in a location, within a patient's vessel lumen, to better provide directed suction or vacuum/negative pressure, and/or can effectively funnel or direct suction or vacuum/negative pressure toward an occlusion or obstruction within the patient's vessel lumen.

Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by use of a distal element comprising an expandable mesh, a treatment device includes an elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion configured to be positioned within a blood vessel at a treatment site at or near a thrombus. A distal element comprising an expandable mesh is coupled to the distal portion of the elongated member via a connection assembly. In an expanded state, at least a portion of the mesh is configured to be in apposition with the blood vessel wall at the treatment site to anchor or stabilize the elongated member with respect to the blood vessel. The distal element can be electrically coupled to an extracorporeal current generator.

A system for treating a patient having thrombus including an aspiration catheter having an aspiration lumen configured to be coupled to a vacuum source and configured for aspirating thrombus therethrough, an elongate member having a straight distal portion configured to extend from the aspiration lumen into a thrombus within the blood vessel, and a manipulation device selectively coupled to the elongate member, the manipulation device being configured to apply motive force to the elongate member, wherein the motive force comprises a combination of motive force components comprising an alternating clockwise motion and counter-clockwise motion.

The present specification is directed towards catheter devices having expandable and collapsible lumens. Air or fluid is pumped into the catheter wall to cause it to expand. Alternatively, wires are embedded within the wall and a direction of flow of electrical current through the wires is modulated to enable the catheter device to be in the collapsed or expanded state. For example, a first wire is embedded within the wall and is helically wound along a length of the catheter device. A second wire is provided that can be removably positioned within the lumen. The direction of flow of electric current through the first and second wires is modulated to enable the catheter device to be in the collapsed or expanded state.

A valve system for a catheter, such as an aspiration catheter, is disclosed and includes a valve having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the valve is coupled to the catheter. The valve has a flexible lumen in a first state that is constricted or twisted. The valve system is housed within a hub, where actuation of a button on the hub causes the proximal and distal ends of the valve to rotate relative to each other to put the lumen in a second state that is unconstricted or untwisted state.

Described herein are shock wave devices and methods for the treatment of calcified heart valves. One variation of a shock wave device may comprise an elongated flexible tube carried by a sheath. The tube may have a fluid input end, which may be located near a proximal end of the sheath. The tube may include a loop portion. The loop portion may be configured to be at least partially accommodated within a cusp of the heart valve. The tube may be fillable with a conductive fluid. In some variations, the shock wave device may include an array of electrode pairs associated with a plurality of wires positioned within the loop portion of a tube. The electrode pairs may be electrically connectable to a voltage source and configured to generate shock waves in the conductive fluid in response to voltage pulses.

An insertable device is designed to control uterine hemorrhaging after birth by facilitating contractile movement of the uterus. An insertable device comprises a tube having a connecting portion and a suction portion and a seal positioned along the length of the connecting portion proximal to the suction portion. Upon insertion of the suction portion and seal into the uterus, the seal abuts a vaginal canal and forms a seal between a vaginal opening and the uterus. The suction portion comprises a first loop having an opening that is oriented away from an interior wall of the uterus when inserted into the uterus. The connecting portion of the tube couples to a pump that when actuated generates a negative pressure within the uterus, resulting in a uniform mechanical stimulus to the uterine wall in order to facilitate tamponade and contractile movement of the tissue.

A catheter is provided which includes an outer catheter and an extendable inner catheter. A sealing feature is positioned between the inner catheter and the outer catheter to seal the annular gap between the two while allowing axial translation. The seal may be a compliant protrusion surrounding the inner catheter and may have a chevron-shape for facilitating axial translation. The seal may be a one-way valve configured to allow antegrade flushing but prevent retrograde flow. The seal may be squeegee-like flange on the distal tip of the outer catheter. The seal may be an expandable bulge, which may be mechanically expandable or inflatable or which may be a photosensitive or electrosensitive hydrogel. The seal may include a spring that is radially compressed upon translation or rotation of the inner catheter to transiently break the seal. Also provided is a seal for sealing between the catheter and the vasculature.