An electrophysiology catheter constructed with assembly and wiring of ring electrodes using spacer rings of electrically-nonconductive material, whose length is predetermined/premeasured, includes a distal section with at least one spine having two electrodes, and a spacer member therebetween, wherein the spacer member configured to provide a separation gap between the two electrodes. The separation gap may span in an axial direction and/or in a circumferential direction. The spacer member may be configured generally as a ring with a center axial opening configured to receive the spine therethrough. The spacer member may include an axial extension providing a first separation gap between a first pair of electrodes in a circumferential direction, and a circumferential providing a second separation gap between a second pair of electrodes in an axial direction.

A positioning device is configured to selectively position or otherwise manipulate one or more organs within the body of a subject. The positioning device includes a shaped expandable element that is configured to be selectively transitioned between an unexpanded, or collapsed, state and an expanded state. While in the expanded state, the expandable element repositions or otherwise manipulates an organ. Systems that include positioning devices are also disclosed, as are methods for positioning or otherwise manipulating organs.

A stent delivery system including an elongate shaft of a medical device, a stent selectively coupled to a distal portion of the elongate shaft, and a coupling mechanism for selectively coupling the stent to the elongate shaft by inserting a tab on one of the stent or the elongate shaft into an opening in the other of the stent or the elongate shaft. The tab may be deflected from a first position to a second position to disengage the tab from the opening.

An intravascular catheter device includes an expandable portion with a plurality of struts operable between a closed position where the expandable portion has a first diameter, and an opened position where the expandable portion has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. An incising element is provided on and extends from the outward facing surface of a particular one of the struts. A medication delivery tube is associated with the particular one of the struts and the incising element.

An everting balloon system is disclosed that can be used for biopsy within a body of a patient or animal. The everting balloon system can be used to access a bodily cavity or vessel for tissue specimen collection at specific bodily locations. The everting catheter system described simplifies the process of tissue biopsy.

A method of aspirating a vascular occlusion from a remote site is provided. The method includes the steps of advancing a first elongate tubular body through a vascular access site and into a body vessel, advancing a second tubular body distally to extend beyond the first elongate tubular body to reach the remote site, and aspirating thrombus from the site into the lumen by applying pulsatile vacuum to the first elongate tubular body. The second tubular body has a lumen and a length that is shorter than the first elongate tubular body. The pulsatile application of vacuum may cause the distal tip of the second tubular body to open and close like a jaw, which facilitates reshaping the thrombus or biting or nibbling the thrombus material into strands or pieces to facilitate proximal withdrawal under negative pressure through the lumen of the second tubular body.

Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary device in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.

A tissue-removing catheter for removing tissue in a body lumen includes an elongate body having an axis, and proximal and distal end portions spaced apart from one another along the axis. The elongate body is sized and shaped to be received in the body lumen. A tissue-removing element is mounted on the distal end portion of the elongate body. The tissue-removing element is configured to remove the tissue as the tissue-removing element is rotated by the elongate body within the body lumen. An inner liner is received within the elongate body and defines a guidewire lumen. The inner liner is coupled to the tissue-removing element at a distal end portion of the inner liner. A coupling assembly is disposed in the tissue-removing element for coupling the inner liner to the tissue-removing element. The coupling assembly includes a bushing attached directly to the distal end portion of the inner liner.

Methods and devices for performing minimally invasive procedures useful for Fallopian tube diagnostics are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the proximal os of the Fallopian tube is accessed via an intrauterine approach; an introducer catheter is advanced to cannulate and form a fluid tight seal with the proximal os of the Fallopian tube; a second catheter inside the introducer catheter is provided to track the length of the Fallopian tube and out into the abdominal cavity; a balloon at the end of the second catheter is inflated and the second catheter is retracted until the balloon seals the distal os of the Fallopian tube; irrigation is performed substantially over the length of the Fallopian tube; and the irrigation fluid is recovered for cytology or cell analysis.

A device for assisting in the removal of items endovascularly includes a catheter, an engagement head, and a pull rod. The pull rod has a proximal portion and a distal end connected to the engagement head. The pull rod is movable within the catheter to selectively extend and retract the engagement head from the distal end of the catheter. The engagement head is arranged to grab an item without regard to a particular orientation of the item. The engagement head has a generally cylindrical outer shape that corresponds to an internal surface of the catheter. The engagement head has a serrated proximal edge arranged to grab and hold an item against the distal end of the catheter, and an internal relief area located radially inwardly from said serrated proximal edge to aid in engaging an item.