Embodiments generally relate to propulsion tube units and propulsion devices for progressing instruments along passages, and associated methods of use. For example, the instruments may include, tools, sensors, probes and/or monitoring equipment for medical use (such as endoscopy) or industrial use (such as mining).

In some embodiments, the propulsion device may comprise an elongate tube defining a channel configured to accommodate a liquid and a pressure actuator in communication with the channel. The pressure actuator may be configured to selectively adjust a pressure of the liquid in the channel to alternatingly: reduce the pressure to induce cavitation and form gas bubbles in the liquid; and increase the pressure to collapse some or all of the gas bubbles back into the liquid, thereby accelerating at least part of the liquid towards the first end of the tube and transferring momentum to the tube to progress the tube along the passage.

The present invention provides a stretchable material suitable for use in an inflatable medical device. The stretchable material has at least one reinforcing polymer layer with a top and bottom side forming a porous matrix which is imbibed with a sealing material to infiltrate and substantially seal spaces of the porous matrix and extend beyond the reinforcing polymer layer to form a surface coating.

A medical device made of a hybrid polymeric structure includes a tubular body including a first layer and a second layer. The first layer includes a fibrous matrix comprising a plurality of randomly oriented nanofibers made at least in part of a first polymeric material and pores formed between at least a portion of the nanofibers. The second layer is made at least in part of a second polymeric material. At least a portion of the second layer is disposed about and between the plurality of nanofibers such that at least a portion of the second polymeric material is embedded into at least a portion of the pores of the fibrous matrix.

The composite electrode type intracardiac defibrillation catheter of the present invention includes a first electrode group including two or more first electrodes for detecting an electrophysiological electrical signal of a site or a cell group in a heart chamber, and a second electrode group including one or more second electrodes located between adjacent two of the first electrodes for causing an electric current by a high-voltage defibrillation electric shock for defibrillation to flow in a contact site in the heart chamber or in contact sites in the heart chamber and in a vein, and a conductive length of a surface of the second electrode in a longitudinal direction of the catheter shaft is longer than the conductive length of the first electrode.

The present invention is an inflatable balloon which is enclosed by an expandable cover which becomes increasingly porous/permeable during expansion. The balloon is coated or enclosed with a matrix which contains a pharmaceutically active agent. During expansion of the balloon, the pharmaceutically active agent is released or extruded through the expandable cover into a body cavity such as an artery or vein. The present invention also provides for a method of treating a disease or condition by delivering the inflatable balloon to a particular body cavity.

A medical device with an expandable element and expandable tubular sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the expandable element which influences the rate, shape and/or force required to expand the expandable element and methods for use in a body lumen are provided.

One embodiment is directed to a system for deploying a device to a distal location across a vessel, comprising an elongate introducer sheath tubing member comprising open-cell fibrous wall material defining a lumen therethrough, wherein in a collapsed configuration the sheath has a first cross-sectional outer diameter and a first lumen inner diameter, and in an expanded configuration, the sheath has a second cross-sectional outer diameter and a second lumen inner diameter; and a substantially non-porous expandable layer coupled to a proximal portion of sheath and configured to prevent fluids present in the lumen from crossing the fibrous wall material.

Devices and methods for balloon delivery of rapamycin and other hydrophobic compounds to the wall of blood vessels. Balloon catheters, such as those used for balloon angioplasty, are modified with the addition of a reservoir of dry micelles. The micelle preparation is reconstituted and the micelles are mobilized when the aqueous solution used to inflate the balloons is injected into the catheter. The micelles are infused into tissue surrounding the balloon when pressurized fluid within the balloon leaks through the wall of the balloon.

Fibrous materials and methods of manufacturing fibrous materials are disclosed. In particular, this application discloses methods of making and processing serially deposited fibrous structures, such as serially deposited fibrous mats. Serially deposited fibrous mats may be used in implantable medical devices with various characteristics and features. Serially deposited fibrous mats of various mat thickness, fiber size, porosity, pore size, and fiber density are disclosed. Additionally, serially deposited fibrous mats having various amounts of fiber structures (such as intersections, branches, and bundles) per unit area are also disclosed.

The present invention is an inflatable balloon which is enclosed by an expandable cover which becomes increasingly porous/permeable during expansion. The balloon is coated or enclosed with a matrix which contains a pharmaceutically active agent. During expansion of the balloon, the pharmaceutically active agent is released or extruded through the expandable cover into a body cavity such as an artery or vein. The present invention also provides for a method of treating a disease or condition by delivering the inflatable balloon to a particular body cavity.