An apparatus comprises a shaft, an expandable dilator, and at least one ventilation pathway. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and comprises a distal and proximal ends with at least one shaft lumen. The expandable dilator comprises body with its own proximal and distal ends. The body is configured to transition between a contracted state and an expanded state. The body is configured to dilate a Eustachian tube of a patient in the expanded state. The at least one ventilation pathway is configured to provide ventilation from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body when the body is in the expanded state. In some examples, the ventilation pathway comprises a set of transversely oriented vent openings formed through the shaft. In some other examples, the ventilation pathway comprises a space defined between one or more radially outwardly protruding features of the expandable dilator.

An apparatus is configured to be implanted within a biological lumen. The apparatus includes a plurality of magnetic elements and a coupling body. The magnetic elements are arranged in an annular array extending form an axis. The annular array defines an occludable opening configured to transition between an occluded state and an opened state. The magnetic elements include a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element. The second magnetic element is located adjacent to the first magnetic element. The second magnetic element includes a polymer magnetic material formed in a shape designed to geometrically interlock with the first magnetic element in the occluded state. The second magnetic element is configured to elastically deform to transition the occludable opening from the occluded state to the opened state. The coupling body is configured to affix to a portion of the first magnetic element and a portion of the second magnetic element.

An apparatus is configured to be implanted within a biological structure. The apparatus includes an annular retaining assembly and an occlusion member. The annular retaining assembly defines an annular opening and includes an outer ring and an inner ring. The outer and inner rings are disposed about a central axis. The outer ring also has an outer wall, an inner wall, and a bio-absorbable material. The inner ring defines an annular opening and is attached to the inner wall of the outer ring. The inner ring also includes a surface to promote tissue in-growth. The occlusion member extends from the annular retaining assembly toward the central axis. The occlusion member also includes a plurality of magnetics. The occlusion member is magnetically biased to a first position that substantially occludes the annular opening. The occlusion member is configured to elastically deform to a second position that substantially unblocks the annular opening.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of devices and methods for forming a seal covering an incision in tissue. In some embodiments, a deformable member can be loaded into a catheter and inserted into the tissue incision. The deformable member can unfold into a cup-shape which can form a seal around the incision during a procedure. Once the procedure is finished, the deformable member can be drawn back into the tube.

A clot removal device has an expandable treatment member having a distal tip and a proximal end, a delivery wire having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the expandable treatment member, and a flow restrictor carried along the delivery wire at a location that is separate and proximal from the expandable treatment member. The flow restrictor has a body with a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section being covered and the proximal section being uncovered. The expandable treatment member is moveable relative to the flow restrictor, and can be retracted into the distal section.

A vascular occlusion device includes a structural component comprising an axis and a membrane that contacts the structural component and is constructed of a polymeric material. The membrane includes a first end and a second end. At least one of the first end and the second end extends axially beyond the structural component along the axis and includes a sintered seal. The sintered seal may seal off a cavity delineated by the membrane to occlude blood flow that is incident on the sintered seal.

A clot removal device has an expandable treatment member having a distal tip and a proximal end, a delivery wire having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the expandable treatment member, and a flow restrictor carried along the delivery wire at a location that is separate and proximal from the expandable treatment member. The flow restrictor has a body with a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section being covered and the proximal section being uncovered. The expandable treatment member is moveable relative to the flow restrictor, and can be retracted into the distal section.

A vascular occluder includes a tubular support element and a sleeve of occluding material disposed within the support element. The sleeve is twisted in the support creating a constriction which closes the lumen of the sleeve. The lumen of the sleeve can nevertheless be opened by a guide wire or cannula for over the wire delivery. Once the guide wire or cannula are withdrawn from the sleeve, the sleeve will close again by the action of blood pressure thereon. Blood pressure will act to maintain closing pressure on the sleeve, thereby avoiding or reducing the risk of recanalization.

The present disclosure relates to the treatment of venous incompetence. More specifically, the present disclosure reduces the volume of chemical needed to treat incompetent veins by distorting the luminal vessel. A device for treating incompetent veins comprises a catheter disposed within a sheath; and an expansion element disposed within the sheath in a compressed state and attached to the catheter, the expansion element configured such that when the sheath is retracted within a luminal vessel the expansion element expands to contact a wall of the luminal vessel, wherein expansion of the expansion element is configured to reduce a cross-sectional area of the luminal vessel. Related methods of venous incompetence are also disclosed.

An endovascular assembly of a guidewire having two stoppers and a deformable element having a deformable basket/braid and two sliders sliding over the guide wire. The distance between the stoppers is smaller than the distance between the sliders so that when the stoppers each engages a slider, the deformable basket is thicker than its rest shape. In one embodiment, the distance between the stoppers may be altered to facilitate e.g. retrieval of the assembly.