An apparatus is provided that operable in different modes to perform various functions for treating a body lumen. The apparatus includes a shaft including a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending therebetween, and a balloon on the distal end having an interior communicating with the lumen. 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 apparatus also includes an actuator for axially compressing the balloon, and a helical member extends between ends of the balloon interior that expands the balloon from a contracted condition to an expanded helical shape when the actuator is activated.

Disclosed is a balloon catheter that can prevent or reduce axial rotation and circumferential shift of the elongate body while ensuring good passage of the balloon in the blood vessel. The balloon catheter (100) has a shaft (110); a balloon (120); an elongate body (180) extending along the shaft (110) and having a body tissue contacting part at its distal end part; and an elongate body lumen (130), the elongate body lumen (130) having a first engagement part (131) so that axial rotation angle of the elongate body (180) is 0° to 60°, and the first engagement part (131) being located between the distal end (130d) of the elongate body lumen (130) and a position 30 cm from the distal end of the elongate body lumen (130) toward the proximal side.

Methods and devices for performing transjugular carotid flow reversal are provided. A flow reversal sheath is advanced through a transjugular carotid fistula. An occlusion balloon is inflated, causing carotid inflow to be diverted through the sheath and through a flow reversal region positioned in the jugular vein. After reversal of blood flow, a carotid intervention is performed.

A guide wire, for use, for example, in guiding an elongated catheter through an artery or vein of a mammalian body having a stenosis and/or an occlusion therein, includes an elongated conductor having a longitudinal dimension, a proximal end and a distal end. The guide wire further includes an insulator overlying the elongated conductor. The insulator exposes a portion of the longitudinal dimension of the elongated conductor to form an electrode. The elongated conductor is arranged to be connected to a source of high voltage pulses to cause electrical arcs at the electrode that in turn form steam bubbles and shock waves to break the stenosis and/or open the occlusion and permit the guide wire to pass there through. Other embodiments are directed to a system including the guide wire and a method of using the guide wire.

An apparatus and methods tissue restoration are provided. The apparatus may include a catheter shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal tip and a translucent first distal balloon positioned on a translucent distal segment of the catheter shaft inside of and concentric with a second distal balloon proximal to the distal tip in fluid communication with a drug source via a first lumen, the first distal balloon may include first and second outer surfaces, and longitudinal and circumferential channels. A first light fiber and a second light fiber each positioned in the catheter shaft and extending through the translucent distal segment. The drug source provides at least one drug to the first distal balloon via the first lumen.

Balloon guide catheter with a balloon bonded thereto maximizing bonding strength and integrity while minimizing outer profile. Reflow jacket(s) is melted to/embedded within a braid supporting structure of the catheter securing beneath the balloon. Radially arranged apertures and/or recesses may be defined in the balloon through which adhesive is seepable upwards when secured about the catheter shaft. Proximal and distal bond interface areas of the balloon may be skived at right angles into two sections each extending radially 180°. Proximal and/or distal edges of the balloon may be flipped inwards prior to securing to the catheter shaft to form respective proximal and/or inverted bonds. During prepping of the catheter, residual air may be purged from the balloon via an exhaust hole defined in the compliant balloon or an exhaust tube secured between the exterior surface of the catheter shaft and the balloon.

A medical elongated body or a balloon catheter that include a catheter main body, a tubular body, and a distal member at a distal end of the tubular body. The distal member is more flexible than the tubular body. The distal end of the tubular body is joined to the distal member at a joint portion. The tubular body includes an outer layer and an inner layer disposed inside of the outer layer in the radial direction of the tubular body. The material of the inner layer possesses better fusing properties with respect to the distal member than the fusing properties of the outer layer material with respect to the distal member material. The inner layer is interposed between the distal member and the outer layer by extending between the distal member and the outer layer at the joint portion.

A method of inflating a catheter balloon may include providing a balloon assembly operable to provide a balloon diameter vs. balloon pressure profile generally depicting a balloon inflation sequence providing at least one intermediate inflated diameter and a final inflated diameter of a balloon such that the balloon attains the at least one intermediate diameter at a predetermined pressure, and attains the final diameter at a final predetermined pressure that is lower than a predetermined pressure of a last intermediate pressure.

Various methods for optimizing coating of medical devices, such as balloon catheters are disclosed. One method configures catheter balloon folds based on balloon diameter and volume. Other methods include using a specifically-sized protective sheath, using a vacuum, using pressure, pulling the balloon through a coating solution, using at least one spacer or a wick between at least one fold for metering a therapeutic coating into the folds of the balloon, placing an intermediate layer between the balloon and the therapeutic coating, placing a soluble film having a therapeutic agent around the catheter balloon or inside the folds, and any combination thereof. Balloon catheters and catheter balloons having a specific folding configuration, a specifically-sized protective sheath, an intermediate layer, or a soluble film are also disclosed.

There is provided a microcatheter having a proximal solution lumen and a distal tip portion with a guidewire lumen. The microcatheter and methods of use thereof allows for introduction of solution into a vessel while manipulating the guidewire and/or the microcatheter itself. The solution may be a contrast solution, for viewing of the vessel, a therapeutic or diagnostic solution, or any other type of solution.