An artery can be occluded by implanting an occlusion implant within a subintimal space within a wall of the artery. As an example, a catheter having a side port just proximal of an inflatable balloon disposed near a distal end of the catheter can be advanced through the artery to a site at which an occlusion is desired. The inflatable balloon can be inflated and a guidewire can be advanced through a lumen of the catheter, out of the side port and into a subintimal space of the artery, with the inflated inflatable balloon guiding the guidewire towards the artery wall. An occlusion implant can be advanced over the guidewire into the subintimal space and the guidewire can be withdrawn, leaving the occlusion implant positioned within the subintimal space.

A wire lock assembly for an access port of an elongate medical tube includes a body having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a central opening disposed therethrough, an attachment mechanism disposed through the exterior surface of the body, the attachment mechanism having an open end and a closed end, at least one notch arranged on the body and positioned proximate to the central opening and at least one seal supported within the interior surface of the body in communication with the central opening, the seal comprising a passageway therethrough, where the interior surface of the body defines a non-linear pathway for securing one or more medical devices.

An insertion apparatus for inserting an object into a body comprising a housing, a piercing structure with a lumen, wherein the piercing structure extends distally from the housing, a vacuum chamber that communicates with the lumen of the piercing structure, a plunger configured to fit within the vacuum chamber, and a guidewire, wherein the insertion apparatus is configured to be operated with a single hand.

A housing tool suppresses rotation of a tubular body in a winding direction that holds an elongated medical body in a packaging body, and suppresses deformation of a distal end portion of the elongated medical body. The housing tool includes a tube-shaped holder that is wound in a circular shape for holding a guide wire, a fastening member that fixes adjacent portions of the wound holder, and a mounting member that includes engagement portions and to be engaged with the fastening member, reaches an outer side of a circle of the holder wound in a circular shape, and covers an end portion of the holder from which the guide wire is derived.

A robotic catheter system including a first drive mechanism configured to interact with an elongated medical device to cause the elongated medical device to move along its longitudinal axis. A wiper assembly includes a first wiping surface moving toward and away from the longitudinal axis. A controller provides a signal to a motor to move the first wiping surface toward the longitudinal axis when the elongated device is being withdrawn from a patient.

A device that includes a body having an opening through which a wire is configured to extend; a channel defined by an upper wire guiding portion and a lower wire guiding portion; and a wire locking feature configured to immobilize a section of the wire. The channel is configured to guide the wire along a path between the body and the wire locking feature.

A drive mechanism for a robotic catheter system including a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface is provided. The first engagement surface and second engagement surface are configured to engage a catheter device to allow the drive mechanism to impart motion to the catheter device. The first engagement surface is textured to facilitate gripping between the first engagement surface and the catheter device.

A method for venting the left ventricle of a patient's heart includes the step of providing a left heart vent catheter that includes an elongate tube having a hollow passageway. The catheter is provided with a plurality of openings and a balloon near the distal end. The balloon can be inflated after the catheter is in place so as to engage a desired part of the heart such as the aortic valve or tricuspid valve and thereby prevent undesired withdrawal of the catheter. The openings near the distal end permit fluid to be withdrawn from the heart through the hollow passageway. After the surgical procedure has been completed, the balloon can be collapsed and the catheter can be withdrawn.

Applicants hereby present a “clean” copy of the amended Abstract:

A method for venting the left ventricle of a patient's heart includes the step of providing a left heart vent catheter that includes an elongate tube having a hollow passageway. The catheter is provided with a plurality of openings and a balloon near the distal end. The balloon can be inflated after the catheter is in place so as to engage a desired part of the heart such as the aortic valve or tricuspid valve and thereby prevent undesired withdrawal of the catheter. The openings near the distal end permit fluid to be withdrawn from the heart through the hollow passageway. After the surgical procedure has been completed, the balloon can be collapsed and the catheter can be withdrawn.

Torque devices for use with intravascular devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a torque device for use with an intravascular device includes a first component having a body defining a tapered opening for receiving a proximal portion of the intravascular device, a first arm extending from the body, and a second arm extending from the body; and a second component movably coupled to the first component, wherein the second component is movable relative to the first component between an open position where the torque device is configured to slidably receive the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member between the first and second arms of the first component and a closed position where the torque device fixedly engages the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member between first and second arms of the first component.

A method of accessing a hollow anatomical structure (HAS) of a patient includes puncturing the patient's skin with a needle, upon which is disposed a cannula. A tip portion of the needle is inserted into the HAS. A distal portion of the cannula is advanced distally along the needle, until the distal portion of the cannula is in the HAS. The needle is removed from the HAS while the distal portion of the cannula remains in the HAS. A guide wire is inserted into the HAS via the cannula. The cannula is removed from the HAS while at least a portion of the guide wire remains in the HAS.