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.

Described herein are methods, devices, and support structures for assembling optical fibers in catheter tips and facilitating alignment and structural support. A method for assembling a plurality of optical fibers and lenses in a support structure for an ablation catheter includes providing a support structure with a proximal end, a body, and a distal end, the distal end including a plurality of alignment orifices or slits. A plurality of optical fibers are threaded through the alignment orifices or slits, such that each optical fiber is threaded through a corresponding alignment orifice or slit. An adhesive material is applied at each alignment orifice or slit to secure the optical fibers, and the plurality of optical fibers are then cleaved at the distal end to remove portions of the fibers extending out of the distal end. Finally, a lens is attached to each of the ends of the plurality of optical fibers.

A device and method for intravascular treatment of atherosclerotic plaque prior to balloon angioplasty which microperforates the plaque with small sharp spikes acting as serrations for forming cleavage lines or planes in the plaque. The spikes may also be used to transport medication into the plaque. The plaque preparation treatment enables subsequent angioplasty to be performed at low balloon pressures of about 4 atmospheres or less, reduces dissections, and avoids injury to the arterial wall. The subsequent angioplasty may be performed with a drug-eluting balloon (DEB) or drug-coated balloon (DCB). The pre-angioplasty perforation procedure enables more drug to be absorbed during DEB or DCB angioplasty, and makes the need for a stent less likely. Alternatively, any local incidence of plaque dissection after balloon angioplasty may be treated by applying a thin, ring-shaped tack at the dissection site only, rather than applying a stent over the overall plaque site.

Example assemblies and techniques for introducing a conductive element into a catheter are disclosed. An example assembly includes a sensing device configured to sense a parameter of interest in a fluid, the sensing device including sensor circuitry at a distal portion, a sensing element at a proximal portion, and a conductive element communicatively coupled to the sensor circuitry and the sensing element. The assembly includes an introducer defining an introducer lumen configured to receive at least a portion of the conductive element of the sensing device, the introducer being configured to be inserted into a catheter lumen of a catheter while the at least the portion of the conductive element is in the introducer lumen. The assembly further includes a rigid member mechanically coupled to the sensing device and configured to open a longitudinal surface of the introducer as the introducer is retracted relative to the sensing device.

A fluid dispensing catheter includes an inner member defining a first passage and an outer member defining a second passage. The inner member is disposed within the second passage. The fluid dispensing catheter also includes a plug having a proximal section positioned within the first passage and a distal section extending distally from the proximal section. The distal section is positioned outside of the first passage and within the second passage.

The present invention describes a method and kit for performing a prostate medical or surgical treatment.

A medical device for treating a vein, including component parts thereof, wherein the device comprises a vein stretching member; a vein stretching member for use with the device; a kit of parts including the device and one or more vein stretching member and a method for treating a vein including use of the device.

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 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.

The present disclosure relates to novel and advantageous systems and methods for deploying a surgical tool or guidewire. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to novel and advantageous systems and methods for deploying a surgical tool for use in changing the shape of portions of luminal systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to novel and advantageous systems and methods including an access catheter to direct an implement, such as a guide wire, off axis into a wall of a vessel or a wall of a tissue structure.