A method for thrombus detection comprising employing an elongate tube having at least one opening at a distal end of the elongate tube. A coupling is attached or formed at the proximal end of the elongate tube. The detection of the presence of a thrombus is performed by using a syringe to withdraw blood through the at least one thrombus detection opening at the distal end of the elongate tube. If little or no blood is withdrawn, or if the withdrawal of blood is more difficult than expected, the presence of a thrombus obstructing the openings is indicated.

A clot capture device for restoring blood flow to a vessel occluded by a clot including a plurality of struts formed by interconnected fibers terminating in a distal end. An open proximal end includes a clot capture space larger than the distal end. The device includes an expanded deployed configuration and a retracted delivery configuration whereby the device is advanceable through a microcatheter across the clot, and the device is configured such that upon deployment the device is deployed distal to the clot and then withdrawn to remove the clot from the vessel.

A catheter for intraluminal lithotripsy including an outer wall, at least one balloon extending from the outer wall, the balloon having a first portion, a second portion proximal of the first portion and an intermediate portion between the first and second portions such that a transverse dimension of the intermediate portion is less than a transverse dimension of the first and second portions. The catheter includes a first lumen, at least one energy emitter mounted on the balloon for emitting energy to break down or soften calcium and a connector connecting the at least one energy emitter to an external energy source, the connector extending through the catheter.

Devices, systems, and methods used to seal a treatment area to prevent embolic agents from migrating are described. The concept has particular benefit in allowing liquid embolic to be used with a variety of intravascular therapeutic applications, including for occluding aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations in the neurovasculature.

A method for mechanically capturing and removing a thrombus from a blood vessel includes contacting the thrombus with an inner catheter. A self-expanding body is advanced toward the thrombus, wherein the self-expanding body has a proximal end fixed to a distal end of an elongate catheter. The self-expanding body is preferably made from nickel-titanium and includes a tapered proximal end portion and an open distal end. The self-expanding body preferably has a mesh structure. The self-expanding body is allowed to self-expand in the blood vessel. At least a portion of the thrombus is captured by the self-expanding body and the captured thrombus is then retrieved into a lumen of an aspiration catheter. Negative pressure is applied through the lumen of the aspiration catheter during retrieval of the captured thrombus. A thrombolytic drug may be delivered into the blood vessel before capturing and removing the thrombus.

The invention relates to a safety cartridge (1) for a removable vena cava filter (20), having a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3) and having an inner channel (4) extending between the ends. The cartridge is characterized in that it comprises, on the distal end (3) thereof, a linking device (5) for forming a link with a catheter (30) and, in the inner channel thereof, a projection (6) having a limited size in the axial direction of the cartridge (1) so as to locally reduce the cross-section of the channel (4).

A surgical apparatus for treating a vessel blockage in a vessel of a patient having an elongated member having an outer wall, a first hole at a distal portion and a second hole spaced proximally from the first hole positioned in a side wall. A first lumen is provided within the elongated member for blood flow through the second hole, through the lumen and exiting the first hole to maintain blood flow during treatment of the vessel blockage. A motor driven impeller is rotatable during blood flow through the first lumen to enhance blood flow as blood flows into the second hole positioned proximal of the vessel blockage and exits the first hole distal of the vessel blockage during injection of fluid through one or more openings to treat the vessel blockage.

A retrieval catheter operable by a single clinician that will neither displace a deployed stent nor cause undue trauma to the vascular lumen or lesion. The retrieval catheter may be sized to accommodate both a guidewire and a balloon wire. The retrieval catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways and will cross a previously deployed stent or stent-graft easily with minimal risk of snagging on the deployed stent or stent graft. The sheath and dilator are adapted to allow a guidewire or balloon wire to pass through the walls of both and to allow the sheath and dilator to move axially with respect to each other.

A treatment device (500) is provided including a shaft (507), an expandable member, a first elongated control member (508) and a second elongated control member (502). The expandable member can further include at least a first controllable portion (504) and a second controllable portion (503), where the expandable member, including the first controllable portion and the second controllable portion, is configured to transition between at least a partially retracted configuration and an expanded configuration under control of at least the first elongated control member (508). Further still, the first controllable portion can be configured to transition between at least a partially retracted configuration and an expanded configuration, while the second controllable portion (503) is configured to remain substantially unchanged, under control of at least the second elongated control member (502).

A treatment method and medical device are disclosed for cutting a substance inside a body lumen. The medical device for cutting substances inside a body lumen, the medical device including a rotatable tubular drive shaft; a treatment member connected to a distal side of the drive shaft; an elongated tube extending through the drive shaft; and a bearing member connecting a distal side of the treatment member and the elongated tube.