A system for retrieving material or objects from a biological vessel is provided. the system includes an elongated braid structure configured for transitioning between collapsed and expanded states, the elongated braid structure surrounding a lumen having a distal opening when in the expanded state. The system further includes a closure wire positioned along a length of the elongated braid structure, the closure wire being actuatable to pull inward a distal portion of the elongated braid structure and thereby at least partially close the distal opening.

The present subject matter is directed to an endoscopic grasping device for capturing objects within a human subject. The device includes a fork; and two jaws pivotally mounted about a pivot point to the fork, and movable between a predetermined closed position and a predetermined open position. Each jaw comprises front teeth near a distal end of the jaw. The front teeth of both jaws are configured to substantially mesh with each other when the jaws are in the closed position. The substantially meshed front teeth of both jaws in the closed position form a substantially hemisphere-shaped distal tip.

A placement device is provided for causing a catheter to be placed inside of a body. The placement device includes an insertion unit, a transmission unit and a supply member. The supply member includes a supply unit main body, and a projection. A through-hole is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the supply unit main body at a position closer to a distal end side of the supply portion main body than the projection, and the through-hole communicates with an inside of the supply unit main body at the distal end side of the supply unit main body.

Methods and devices for catheter-based removal of unwanted tissue or occlusive matter from blood vessels and other body lumens rely on a wire advanced from a tube to deploy a capture net that can be drawn over the clot. Apparatus include simple and reliable mechanisms for deployment of nets, funnels, and other clot capturing mechanisms for retrieving clot material from inside a blood vessel.

A device and method for establishing retrograde blood flow during recanalization of a vessel having a targeted blockage. While in a collapsed state an occluding component is introduced distally intravascularly traversing the targeted blockage to its distal side. Then, the occluding component transitions to an expanded state having an enlarged diameter forming a seal with an internal wall of the vessel prohibiting anterograde blood flow beyond the expanded occluding component. Retrograde blood flow is thereby established in a region of the vessel bound at one end by the occluding component and at an opposite end by the targeted blockage by dispensing a flushing fluid into the region of the vessel.

A method and apparatus for treating or removing an obstruction in the body lumen of a patient, and particularly the treatment of a pulmonary embolism is disclosed. The treatment involves macerating and dissolving the clot by providing mechanical means of breaking up the obstruction while applying a dissolving agent such as a lytic agent to the specific area. A means of aspirating the obstruction debris is provided. In addition, various means of grasping an obstruction and removing it from the body lumen are disclosed.

An endoscopic device for retrieving an object from within a human body is disclosed. The device includes a support assembly, a transmitting assembly, a wire, and a net element. The support assembly has a base and a tubular member. The transmitting assembly includes a handle and a motion transmitting link fixed to the handle and extending through at least a portion of the tubular member. The wire defines a loop portion and two leg portions. A proximal end of each leg portion is secured to the link by a first connection and the two leg portions are secured to each other by at least a second connection distal from the first connection. The net element has a distally protruding portion secured to the loop portion and a proximally protruding portion secured relative to the leg portions.

A retrieval device may have a contracted state and an expanded state. The retrieval device may include a sheath and at least three support members. Each of the support members may have a first portion with a first cross-sectional shape and a second portion with a second cross-sectional shape different from the first cross-sectional shape. A proximal end fixed of each of the support members may be coupled to the sheath, and a distal end may be movable relative to the sheath. The retrieval device may further include at least three movable members movable relative to the support members. Each movable member may extend through a lumen of one support member of the at least three support members and through a lumen of a different support member of the at least three support members.

A method and devices for relieving pressure in the left atrium of a patient's heart is disclosed. The method includes using an ablative catheter in a minimally invasive procedure to prepare an opening from the coronary sinus into a left atrium of the patient's heart. Once the opening is prepared, the opening may be enlarged by a technique such as expanding a balloon within the opening. A stent is then placed within the coronary sinus of the patient, with a transverse portion expanding within the opening, allowing blood to flow from the left atrium to the coronary sinus and then to the right atrium. Pressure within the left atrium is thus relieved.

A catheter system for retrieving a leadless cardiac pacemaker from a patient is provided. The cardiac pacemaker can include a docking or retrieval feature configured to be grasped by the catheter system. In some embodiments, the retrieval catheter can include a snare configured to engage the retrieval feature of the pacemaker. The retrieval catheter can include a torque shaft selectively connectable to a docking cap and be configured to apply rotational torque to a pacemaker to be retrieved. Methods of delivering the leadless cardiac pacemaker with the delivery system are also provided.