A discectomy instrument for use with a cutting tool including a flexible shaft and an implement extending from the shaft generally includes a guard including a shaft and a foot extending therefrom, wherein the foot has a port and a plurality of teeth. The instrument also includes a guide including a rod, a finger extending from the rod, and an actuator operably connected to the finger such that the finger is adjustable via the actuator. The instrument further includes a sheath including at least one channel, wherein, when the guide and the sheath are coupled to the guard, the channel aligns with the port to permit insertion of the implement through the port via the channel.

A method for performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure on a partial occlusion within a blood vessel, includes positioning a guide having a sensor configured and adapted to measure at least one of pressure, volume or flow within a blood vessel, advancing the guide through an at least partial occlusion within the blood vessel such that the sensor is downstream of the occlusion, measuring at least one of pressure, volume or flow downstream of the occlusion using the sensor and analyzing data obtained from the sensor to assist in determining the viability of tissue of the blood vessel downstream of the occlusion.

An apparatus, system or device and methods for applying one or more stimuli to an implantation, occlusive device, or embolization are described. The implantation can include a polymer or polymer composition such as a hydrogel and can be used for sterilizing a subject in need of contraception by occluding the vas deferens, fallopian tube(s), or uterus, but can also be used to occlude, in whole or part, any other body ducts or organs. The one or more stimuli can modify the occlusion so that is removed from the body lumen in situ, there by reversing the contraception or other effects of the occlusion.

The invention relates to a magnetic-field driven colloidal microbot that employs wall-based propulsion, method of forming the microbot and a method of using the microbot. The microbot can be formed in situ with the use of magnetic fields, and the magnetic fields can be used to translate the microbot to a specified location in a patient. The microbot does not depend on swimming or flow currents within a patient to move, but instead can propel itself along a surface using a magnetic field. Once the magnetic field is removed, the microbot disassembles into colloidal particles.

A clot removal system includes a catheter having proximal and distal ends and defining a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion, a vacuum pump supplying vacuum, a vent container holding vent liquid, a vent valve configured to fluidically communicate with the vent liquid and with the proximal portion of the liquid column at the proximal end of the catheter, a vacuum valve configured to fluidically communicate with the vacuum and with the proximal portion of the liquid column at the proximal end of the catheter, and a controller configured to carry out a pre-determined pattern of opening and closing the vent and vacuum valves to change a level of vacuum at the distal end and, while changing the level of vacuum at the distal end, to substantially prevent forward flow of the liquid at a distal end of the liquid column.

Methods and devices are disclosed herein that allow for infusion and aspiration through a single device. The device can be used to treat a stroke by delivering the device to the site of a blood clot and simultaneously or sequentially infusing a thrombolytic or other drug into the clot and aspirating the dissolving clot from the patient. The methods and devices can advantageously permit more efficient thrombolytic infusion and clot aspiration. Modular systems are also disclosed, as are methods of treating subdural hematoma or other conditions.

A medical device comprises a substrate (10) defining a major surface (9) defining a plane, including a plurality of first struts (14) along a first direction interconnected with a plurality of second struts (12) extending along a second direction not parallel with the first direction, wherein widths (11) of the second struts as measured along the major surface are larger than thicknesses of the second struts as measured perpendicular to the major surface such that when the substrate is stretched in the first direction, intermediate sections (15) of the second struts (12) rotate relative to the first struts (14) and the intermediate sections of the second struts bend out of the plane of the major surface. The medical device is operable to extend and/or retract elements suitable for a particular purpose. The elements are extended and/or retracted in response to a stress applied by way of stretching and/or retracting the device, among other methods. The elements may remain extended and/or retracted or may recoil back to an initial position upon the removal of the force. In various embodiments, the elements are used to treat or deliver treatment to a target site within a body.

An atherectomy device comprising a rotatably motor-driven flexible hollow shaft that is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the guidewire; an annular distal end of the hollow shaft having a diameter that is only slightly larger than the diameter of the guidewire and configured with cutting surfaces for piercing hardened atherosclerotic plaque! a tubular sleeve secured to a first peripheral surface of the hollow shaft and configured with cutting surfaces for enlarging an opening formed in the plaque; and an asymmetric cutting unit extending between the sleeve and a second peripheral surface of the hollow shaft, to enable eccentric rotation of the hollow shaft for cutting and removing additional occlusive material from the blood vessel to open a chronic total occlusion. In one embodiment, the cutting unit is a helical strand unit having a polygonal cross section with a first side that atraumatically contacts a blood vessel wall.

A method for performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure on a partial occlusion within a blood vessel, includes positioning a guide having a sensor configured and adapted to measure at least one of pressure, volume or flow within a blood vessel, advancing the guide through an at least partial occlusion within the blood vessel such that the sensor is downstream of the occlusion, measuring at least one of pressure, volume or flow downstream of the occlusion using the sensor and analyzing data obtained from the sensor to assist in determining the viability of tissue of the blood vessel downstream of the occlusion.

An interventional catheter for treating an artery includes an elongated body sized and shaped to be transcervically introduced into a common carotid artery at an access location in the neck. The elongated body has an overall length such that the distal most section can be positioned in an intracranial artery and at least a portion of the proximal most section is positioned in the common carotid artery during use.