A method of forming a three-dimensional object is carried out by providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid; irradiating the build region through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from the polymerizable liquid and advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form the three-dimensional object from the solid polymer, while also concurrently with the irradiating and/or advancing steps: (i) continuously maintaining a dead zone of polymerizable liquid in contact with the build surface, and (ii) continuously maintaining a gradient of polymerization zone between the dead zone and the solid polymer and in contact with each thereof. The gradient of polymerization zone comprises the polymerizable liquid in partially cured form (e.g., so that the formation of fault or cleavage lines between layers of solid polymer in the three-dimensional object is reduced). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

Devices for preventing and/or otherwise inhibiting biofilm formation include a lumen and/or a cavity coupled with a wall configured for holding oils, which leach through the wall of the devices to a surface, the oils at the surface creating a smooth surface coating.

An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide tube, and a dilation catheter. The guide tube extends distally from the handle assembly. At least a distal portion of the guide tube is malleable. The dilation catheter is slidably positioned in the guide tube. The dilation catheter includes a distal end, a dilator, and a position sensor. The position sensor is configured to generate a signal indicating a position of the position sensor in three-dimensional space. The dilation catheter is configured to translate relative to the guide tube.

An endoscopic peripheral includes a flexible cable connecting a first end and a second end. The first end of a flexible cable including at least a camera and one or more lights positioned at a time of the first end. The tip is configured for insertion of at least a portion of the first end into a body of patient. The second end of the flexible cable terminates in a connector configured to physically connect the endoscopic peripheral to an electronic device external to the body of a patient. The electronic device powers the camera and the one or more lights and displays content captured by the camera.

An introducer sheath for use in hybrid procedures on the heart includes a shaft having a distal balloon which is inflated inside the heart wall. A proximal collar is slidable along the shaft and locked to anchor the sheath to the wall of the heart. The sheath has markings visible to both the naked eye and under fluoroscopy to aid in judging the depth of insertion.

Intravascular delivery system for deployment of a therapeutic device, such as a stent, in a controlled and robust manner is supported by a lockable balloon catheter equipped with a locking mechanism configured to lock in vivo to a delivery component, such as a guidewire. The lockable balloon catheter can be controllably transitioned between a locked and an unlocked modes of operation by inflation/deflation of the balloon of the lockable balloon catheter. Being in the locked mode of operation, the lockable balloon catheter facilitates delivery of the therapeutic element along the delivery component to a target site while enhancing the stability of the delivery component, especially near the target site.

An example apparatus embodiment includes a catheter body and an inflatable balloon having longitudinal edges sealed to the catheter body. The balloon may be configured to extend farther outward from an outer surface of the catheter body in a first direction when inflated than a second direction opposite the first direction. The catheter body may be formed with a lumen for controlling the balloon inflation, another lumen for transporting fluid to and from a diagnostic or therapeutic site in a patient's body, and yet another lumen for transporting a therapeutic or diagnostic instrument or other payload.

A device and method are described for aspirating within a patient during the delivery of a drug-coated treatment device to help remove drug coating dislodged in a patient's blood. The drug treatment device can be a drug-coated balloon, a drug-coated stent, or similar devices. The device can include an occlusion balloon to help contain the dislodged drug coating and aspiration can be applied proximally, distally, or both proximally and distally of the drug coated balloon during a procedure.

A device is disclosed herein, comprising: (a) at least three lumens, comprising a first lumen, a second lumen, and a third lumen, (b) a balloon inflation port in fluid communication with the first lumen, (c) a fluid delivery port in fluid communication with the second lumen, (d) a guidewire port in fluid communication with the third lumen, (e) a balloon in fluid communication with the first lumen, wherein the balloon has a first end and a second end, (f) one or more fluid delivery channels extending a length of the second lumen, and (g) one or more fluid delivery ducts extending from the one or more fluid delivery channels to an exterior surface of the second lumen, wherein the one or more fluid delivery ducts are defined only in a portion of the second lumen that is disposed adjacent the first end of the balloon.

Method and system for treating a patient using a compressible, pressure-attenuating device. According to one embodiment, the system is used to treat urinary tract disorders and comprises an access device, a delivery device, a pressure-attenuating device, and a removal device. The access device may be used to create a passageway to an anatomical structure, such as the patient's bladder. The delivery device may be inserted through the passageway created by the access device and may be used to deliver the pressure-attenuating device to the anatomical structure. The removal device may be inserted through the passageway created by the access device and may be used to view the bladder and/or to capture, to deflate and to remove the pressure-attenuating device.