In some examples, a medical device includes a balloon inflatable to an inflated configuration. The balloon includes an outer layer coextruded on an inner layer. The outer layer has a maximum radial ratio that is lower than that of the inner layer.

The disclosed invention is in the field of medical devices, namely angioplasty balloon catheters. The embodiments provide an angioplasty balloon catheter that has favorable features of both biaxial and coaxial lumen configurations, such as pushability, torque, and trackability, enabled by a transition between a biaxial catheter segment and a coaxial catheter segment. In an exemplary embodiment a biaxial-coaxial lumen configuration facilitates injection of fluids through the catheter and out of the catheter proximal to its distal tip end with a guidewire in place in the catheter.

Apparatus and methods are provided for accessing body lumens and/or for delivering instruments into body lumens, e.g., vessels within a patient's vasculature. A flexible sheath is provided that is expandable from a contracted condition to an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen therein. The sheath is lubricious and has a relatively thin wall, thereby providing a collapsible/expandable guide for delivering fluids and/or instruments through tortuous anatomy and/or into relatively narrow passages. The sheath is advanced from an entry site to a body lumen in the contracted condition. Once the sheath reaches a target body lumen, the sheath is expanded to the enlarged condition, thereby defining a lumen within the sheath, and fluids and/or instruments are introduced into the body lumen via the sheath lumen. Upon completing the procedure, the sheath is removed from the body lumen.

A balloon catheter (10) with a shaft (14,24) extending in a longitudinal direction and having a proximal end and a distal end and an inflatable balloon positioned along the shaft. The balloon (12) includes at least one portion connected to the shaft and adapted for moving toward the proximal end thereof when the balloon is inflated. Related aspects are disclosed.

A balloon catheter includes a balloon that is formed of film and includes an inflation/deflation portion. The inflation/deflation portion includes a plurality of linear projections that projects in a thickness direction of the film and extends along a surface of the film. One of the linear projections is an inner projection that projects inside the balloon.

A method, device, or system for treating eye disorders or conditions, comprising restoring or increasing blood flow or blood flow rate in an artery that supplies blood to or in the eye, thereby increasing the amount of nutrient(s) that reaches the eye or a portion thereof. The invention also includes methods, devices, or systems for treating eye disorders or conditions which use reverse flow or retrograde flow structures and systems during the treatment of the eye disease.

The invention provides a system for treating an occlusion within a body lumen. The system may comprise an insulated outer sheath; an elongated conductive tube, wherein the insulated outer sheath is circumferentially mounted around the elongated conductive tube; and an insulated wire having a helically coiled portion at a distal end of the insulated wire. The coiled portion includes an exposed distal tip, and a distal portion of the elongated conductive tube is circumferentially mounted around the distal coiled portion of the insulated wire. When a voltage is applied across the insulated wire and the elongated conductive tube, a current is configured to flow from the exposed distal tip of the insulated wire to the elongated conductive tube to generate a plurality of cavitation bubbles. In an alternate embodiment, an elongated central electrode is used in place of the conductive tube.

A drive assembly for a catheter procedure includes a body configured to receive a percutaneous device where the body has a first end and a second end. A distal pinch is configured to releasably engage the percutaneous device. A proximal pinch is positioned on the first end of the body and is configured to releasably engage the percutaneous device. A linear drive mechanism is coupled to the body and configured to move the body and the proximal pinch between a first position and a second position to cause linear movement of the percutaneous device along a longitudinal axis of the percutaneous device. A rotational drive mechanism is coupled to the second end of the body and is configured to rotate the body and the proximal pinch to cause the percutaneous device to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the percutaneous device.

An apparatus is provided that is operable in different modes to perform various functions for treating a body lumen. The apparatus includes a shaft including proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending there between, and a balloon on the distal end. The apparatus includes a valve on the distal end that selectively opens or closes an outlet communicating with the lumen. With the valve open, fluid introduced into the lumen exits the outlet into a body lumen. With the valve closed, fluid introduced into the lumen expands the balloon. The valve may be biased to be closed, e.g., by a spring element disposed within the balloon. Optionally, the apparatus also includes an actuator for expanding a helical member within the balloon interior, e.g., either before or after expanding the balloon, such that the helical member and balloon may adopt an expanded helical shape for removing material within a body lumen.

Catheter having an elongate tubular shaft including an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen defined therein, the guidewire lumen extending along at least a distal length of an inner tubular member of the elongate tubular shaft. The catheter includes a distal tip member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal tip member is monolithic and the proximal end of the distal tip member is secured to a distal end of the inner tubular member. The catheter includes a balloon having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the balloon sealingly coupled to the distal portion of the elongate tubular shaft. The distal portion of the balloon is sealingly coupled to the distal tip member and the balloon defines an inner chamber in communication with the inflation lumen, wherein the proximal end of the distal tip member is disposed within the inner chamber.