Methods and devices described herein facilitate diaphragm entry for posterior access of body organs.

Catheter system, devices and methods for diagnosing and treating lateral stenosis causing back pain and or leg pain. The devices comprise a tubular part for insertion into a working cannula to self-position itself safely within the foramen, and minimize the risk of displacement medially or laterally, to prevent nerve or dura injury. An expandable membrane is configured to maintain the catheter device within the foramen. Expansion of this membrane would decompress the nerve within the foramen by opening the foraminal canal as the membrane expands. Inserts may be used in connection with the expandable member.

A puncture assistance device for use in connection with an ultrasound probe to guide a Veress needle through the layers of the wall into a bodily cavity is provided. The puncture assistance device comprises a tenaculum-like forceps, a needle guide body provided with a slot for guiding the Veress needle within the scan plane of the ultrasound probe, attachment means to the ultrasound probe, and attachment means of the needle guide to the tenaculum-like forceps. Also provided is a balloon catheter for use as a retractor in gaining access into the abdominal cavity, presenting at its distal end an inflatable balloon membrane and an framework of non-distendable flexible fibers disposed in a specific arrangement. A method access the abdominal cavity with the aid of said devices under ultrasound guidance is also provided.

Devices and methods are disclosed herein for accessing the hip joint. A first device can be securely attached to the capsule of a joint. The first device can tent the capsule to increase the volume of the peripheral compartment. A second device can be biased against the first device to pierce the tented capsule and create a portal. Devices and methods are also disclosed herein for distending the capsule of a joint. A distention device may access a portal established within the capsule. The distention device can expand the capsule by applying an expansive force within the peripheral compartment. The distention device can maintain distention of the peripheral compartment while other devices access the joint.

Systems and methods for creating autologous monocuspid and bicuspid valves can include a catheter having a single expandable element or a double expandable element. Once the leaflets of the valve are created, various techniques can be used to fix the leaflets to the vessel wall or to each other, including clips, tissue anchors, adhesives, and heat.

The present application pertains generally to medical systems and methods for creation of an autologous tissue valves within a mammalian body. In some embodiments, a system for creating an endoluminal valve from a blood vessel wall is provided. The system includes a tubular assembly having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal portion with a distal end, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to a distal port located proximate the distal portion. The distal portion can have a supporting surface that extends in a longitudinal direction and is offset from a surface of the tubular assembly proximal the distal port. The system can further include a tissue dissection probe disposed within the first lumen.

Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved access of locations within the body by providing a variety of dissection modes on a single access device.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of tissue removal and more particularly to methods and devices for use in medical applications involving selective tissue removal. One exemplary method includes the steps of providing a tissue cutting instrument capable of distinguishing between target tissue to be removed and non-target tissue, urging the instrument against the target tissue and the non-target tissue, and allowing the instrument to cut the target tissue while automatically avoiding cutting of non-target tissue. Various tools for carrying out this method are also described.

The present invention relates generally to the field of micro-scale or millimeter scale devices and to the use of multi-layer multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods for producing such devices with particular embodiments relate to shredding devices and more particularly to shredding devices for use in medical applications. In some embodiments, tissue removal devices are used in procedures to removal spinal tissue and in other embodiments, similar devices are used to remove thrombus from blood vessel.

Devices, systems, and methods to generate a bypass lumen in connection with a chronic total occlusion procedure. An exemplary method comprises introducing at least part of a first elongated body into a lumen of an artery so that a distal tip of the first elongated body is positioned on a first side of an occlusion within the lumen of the artery; inserting the distal tip of the first elongated body into a wall of the artery in between a tunica media and a tunica intima of the artery; advancing the distal tip of the first elongated body in between the tunica media and the tunica intima; and further advancing the distal tip of the first elongated body back into the lumen of the artery to generate a bypass lumen and so that the distal tip is positioned on an opposite second side of the occlusion within the lumen.