An injection device is described including a detection unit that includes an electrode that detects electrical characteristics of a biological tissue, a follow-up mechanism that follows motions of the biological tissue, and a puncture unit capable of puncturing the biological tissue. The injection device is configured to administer a predetermined substance to the biological tissue through a hollow portion defined in the puncture unit. A position of the puncture unit is specified based on a position of the electrode. The follow-up mechanism includes a spiral portion spirally extending around the puncture unit, and being stretchable and compressible along an extending direction of the puncture unit. Electrodes are disposed on an annular distal-end projected plane of the spiral portion, as seen from a distal end side of the puncture unit, along a circumferential direction of the puncture unit.

A blood pump for supporting a patient's heart includes a flow cannula having a distal portion including a distal end and a proximal portion including a proximal end opposite the distal end, the distal end of the flow cannula configured to be connected to the patient's heart or a blood vessel to establish fluid communication between the blood pump and the patient's heart and blood vessel, respectively. The flow cannula further includes an intermediate portion attached to the distal portion and the proximal portion, wherein the intermediate portion allows twisting thereof with a lower force than the distal portion and the proximal portion. The intermediate portion can be fully occluded by twisting it. At least a portion of the intermediate portion either alone or in combination with the distal portion is adapted to be permanently attached to the patient's heart or a blood vessel.

Delivery devices, systems, and methods may be configured to define a barrier region at a treatment site to deliver one or more therapeutic materials. A device for delivering one or more therapeutic materials to a treatment site may include a body; one or more members that are movable with respect to the body and that are configured to define a barrier region at the treatment site; and one or more delivery lumens configured to deliver one or more therapeutic materials to the barrier region.

A split-tip catheter and methods for deploying a split-tip catheter in a right atrium are provided. The catheter is configured with a distal potion including a first and a second distal end regions elastically divergable from alignment along a splitting plane to regain a relaxed configuration. The first distal end region terminates in a first tip having a first forward opening, and the second distal end region terminates in a second tip having a second forward opening. Catheter deployment may include directing the first forward opening generally towards an anterior right atrium wall portion and applying the first forward opening to withdraw blood from the right atrium.

The present invention provides a coronary sinus inspiration catheter comprising a catheter head section and an extension tube, which are hollow tubular structures, the catheter head section and a distal section of the extension tube are substantially arc-shaped, the catheter head section comprises an arc section and a bend section, and its length is about 4-10 cm, the distal end is small (3-6 F) and the tube diameter of the catheter head section increase gradually toward the proximal end (6-12 F), the catheter head section is bent at a 15-45° angle at the position which has a distance of 0.5-1.5 cm from the distal end, the bend section is a straight or slightly arc-shaped structure. The catheter head section is provided with an end hole and a plurality of side holes, and is equidistantly provided with radiopaque markers from the distal end to the proximal end.

A system and method used to deliver a percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) or other cardiac therapeutic device to a site within the heart, such as a site at the aortic valve. A flexible device is percutaneously introduced into a vasculature of a patient and positioned to run from a femoral vein, through the heart via a transseptal puncture, and to a femoral artery. The venous-side end of the flexible device is withdrawn out the venous vasculature superior to the heart, and a pVAD is secured to the flexible device. The pVAD is pushed in a distal direction while the arterial-side end of the flexible device is pulled in the proximal direction to advance the pVAD to the target site. A left ventricle redirector aids in orienting the pVAD and preventing migration of the flexible member towards delicate structures of the heart during advancement of the pVAD.

Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guide extension catheter. The guide extension catheter may include a proximal shaft having a first outer diameter. A distal sheath may be attached to the proximal shaft and may have a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter. The distal sheath may be designed to extend past a coronary ostium and into a coronary artery so that another medical device can pass therethrough toward the coronary artery. An expandable balloon may be coupled to the distal sheath.

An apparatus for performing a medical procedure and, in particular, an aortic valvuloplasty, in a vessel for transmitting a flow of fluid. The apparatus comprises a shaft, an inflatable perfusion balloon supported by the shaft and including an internal passage for permitting the fluid flow in the vessel while the perfusion balloon is in an inflated condition, and a valve for controlling the fluid flow within the passage. The valve may be connected to the shaft, or may comprise an elongated tube partially connected to the balloon. The balloon may comprise a plurality of cells in a single cross-section, each cell including a neck, and the valve may be positioned in a space between the shaft and the necks for controlling the fluid flow within the passage. A connector may also be provided to control the position of the valve.

An apparatus for performing a medical procedure and, in particular, an aortic valvuloplasty, in a vessel for transmitting a flow of fluid. The apparatus includes an inflatable perfusion balloon including an internal passage for permitting the fluid flow in the vessel while the perfusion balloon is in an inflated condition, the balloon including a plurality of cells in a single cross section and a covering for at least partially covering the cells. A valve associated with the balloon controls the fluid flow within the passage, the valve being arranged external to the passage. The valve may form a tubular extension of the covering, or may be separate from the covering, and may comprise flaps. A spiral covering may also form the valve.

A medical device system may include a catheter sheath and a catheter shaft sized for delivery through a lumen of the catheter sheath. The catheter shaft may be coupled to an end effector at or adjacent a distal end of the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft may include a lumen and a control element. The control element may be coupled to the end effector and may reside within the lumen of the catheter shaft. Physical access may be provided to the control element, to allow the control element to be severed to facilitate removal of the end effector from a bodily cavity. The control element may include a lumen and a control cable therein. A liquid entry port may be provided in the lumen of the control element toward a distal end of the control element to allow expedited provision of fluid to a distal portion of the control element.