An apparatus and methods tissue restoration are provided. The apparatus may include a catheter shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal tip, a plurality of serial balloons positioned on a translucent distal segment of the catheter shaft proximal to the distal tip and positioned inside of and concentric with a second distal balloon, the plurality of serial balloons in fluid communication with an inflation source via a first lumen, each of the plurality of serial balloons having a selectively expandable outermost radial surface. The plurality of serial balloons may include a translucent material, a series of isolated volumetric regions positioned between the plurality of serial balloons and recessed from the outermost radial surfaces of the serial balloons. The apparatus may include a distal balloon positioned around the plurality of serial balloons, and a light fiber positioned in the catheter shaft and extending through the translucent distal segment.

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.

A multi-lumen catheter for monitoring intramuscular pressure having an elongated body configured and dimensioned for insertion into a compartment of a patient. The catheter has a pressure sensor to determine if excessive pressure is being applied. A sensor is in communication with the lumen to continuously measure pressure to provide continuous readings of intramuscular pressure.

A medical balloon assembly including an inner balloon nested within an outer balloon. The inner balloon has a first target burst pressure at which the inner balloon bursts and the outer balloon has a second target burst pressure at which the outer balloon bursts. A differential between the first and second target burst pressures is sufficient to allow the outer balloon to remain intact upon inflation of the inner and outer balloons causing the inner balloon to burst.

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.

In some examples, a catheter includes one or more balloons that, when inflated, are configured to be apposition with vasculature or other hollow anatomical structure of a patient to help anchor the catheter within the vasculature, while still permitting fluid to flow past the inflated balloons. When inflated, the one or more balloons define one or more passageways configured to enable fluid to flow past the inflated balloons in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the catheter. For example, the catheter may comprise a plurality of balloons that are circumferentially and longitudinally staggered relative to each other.

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.

An apparatus for providing at least one treatment to at least one tissue having a first structural arrangement configured to expand a first portion at a distal end of the apparatus, a second structural arrangement configured to expand a second portion at the distal end and at least one lumen associated with at least one of the first structural arrangement and/or the second structural arrangement. The first structural arrangement and/or the second structural arrangement can be configured to position the at least one lumen at a particular position with respect to the tissue. A tip is configured to aid in the insertion of the apparatus into the tissue(s).

A method and apparatus are disclosed for regulating a temperature of an esophagus when heat or cold is delivered to a left atrium, the method including altering a heat exchange device from an insertable configuration to a heat exchanging configuration which conforms and corresponds with a cross-section of an inside of the esophagus such that the esophagus is maintained in its natural shape and location. In some embodiments the heat exchange device has a heating/cooling balloon which is inflated to be in the heat exchanging configuration. Some alternative embodiments includes altering the configuration of the balloon to conform to or correspond with the cross section of an esophagus by means other than inflation.

Methods and apparatus are provided to facilitate the minimally invasive removal of tissue and to facilitate the direct approach to anesthetizing a body wall of a patient. A pull-type cutting device also is disclosed to introduce an opening into the body wall to provide access for intra-chest surgical interventions, for example a minimally invasive biopsy technique as also described for excising target tissue from within a patient, including a nodule from within the patient's lung.