Inflatable devices are disclosed including a surface which has a network of polymer chains and is configured to be inflatable into a therapeutically or diagnostically useful shape, and at least one ultrashort laser pulse-formed modification in the surface. The network can, for example, include a network morphology that is substantially unchanged by modification with the ultrashort pulse laser. Ultrashort laser pulses can be laser pulses equal to or less than 1000 picoseconds in duration. Advantageously, the etching process uses a relatively low-heat laser to avoid significant heating of surrounding polymers while modifying the surface (and other structures) of the device. The process is configured so that the polymer chain morphology adjacent the modification is substantially unaffected by the low-heat laser. The resulting inflatable device has customized surface features while still retaining substantially homogenous polymer network morphology. This preserves the elasticity, especially the surface elasticity, of the inflatable device.

A catheter has an elongate shaft with a longitudinal drainage bore for conveying fluid along the shaft. An elongate, tapered tip portion extends from an end of the shaft, the tip portion having a distal end furthest from the shaft, and a drainage aperture is provided in the tip portion, being in fluid communication with the bore. An inflatable balloon element is attached to the tip portion. The balloon element is configured such that when it is fully inflated, at least a portion of the balloon element extends around the distal end of the tip portion and extends along the tip portion to a point on an opposite side of the drainage aperture to the distal end, a surface of the balloon element including a depression providing a passageway in fluid communication with the drainage aperture.

This invention relates to a catheter (220), and in particular to a urinary catheter. A catheter comprises an elongate shaft (222) having a longitudinal drainage bore (224) for conveying fluid along the shaft; an elongate, tapered tip portion (228) extending from an end of the shaft, the tip portion having a distal end (230) furthest from the shaft; a drainage aperture (232) provided in the tip portion, said aperture being in fluid communication with said bore; and an inflatable balloon element (236) attached to said tip portion, the balloon element being configured such that, when fully inflated, the balloon element fully surrounds the distal end of the tip portion and extends along the tip portion to a point on an opposite side of the drainage aperture to said distal end, a surface of the balloon element including a depression (242) providing a passageway in fluid communication with the drainage aperture.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods for merging a balloon catheter onto a locked guidewire. In one implementation, a balloon catheter may include an inflatable balloon affixed thereto and a slit extending from a distal end of a guidewire lumen to a position proximal of the balloon. The slit may be widened by a working member of an adapter to allow passage of the locked guidewire into the guidewire lumen of the balloon catheter. The balloon catheter may be merged onto the guidewire via the slit and delivered to the desired treatment device without requiring the guidewire to be unlocked. Advantageously, access to at least one desired treatment site may be maintained with the guidewire during merging of the balloon catheter.

Disclosed herein are improved over-the-wire balloon catheters having at least one of a lockable structure that is removably engageable with a guidewire, a partial-flow opening in the catheter body to allow fluid flow through and out of the guidewire lumen, and a partial-flow channel defined in the inflatable body of the catheter, or some combination thereof. Also disclosed herein are methods of using fluid pressure detection devices in combination with the catheter embodiments to detect fluid pressure distal of the inflatable body.

Inflatable devices are disclosed including a surface which has a network of polymer chains and is configured to be inflatable into a therapeutically or diagnostically useful shape, and at least one ultrashort laser pulse-formed modification in the surface. The network can, for example, include a network morphology that is substantially unchanged by modification with the ultrashort pulse laser. Ultrashort laser pulses can be laser pulses equal to or less than 1000 picoseconds in duration. Advantageously, the etching process uses a relatively low-heat laser to avoid significant heating of surrounding polymers while modifying the surface (and other structures) of the device. The process is configured so that the polymer chain morphology adjacent the modification is substantially unaffected by the low-heat laser. The resulting inflatable device has customized surface features while still retaining substantially homogenous polymer network morphology. This preserves the elasticity, especially the surface elasticity, of the inflatable device.

Some embodiments relate to a catheter system having a changeable or adjustable working length. The catheter system can comprise a proximal end, a distal end, and a first axial lumen configured to receive a guidewire formed through at least a portion of the catheter body. A first opening can be formed through a portion of the catheter body and be in communication with the first lumen. The sheath can be rotatable, axially movable, or otherwise changeable from at least a first position to a second position, wherein the sheath can substantially cover the first opening in the catheter body in the first position, and can substantially expose the first opening in the catheter body in the second position.

The present invention provides a method to treat sinusitis, a method for improved medication delivery to the sinus mucosa, and a method for staunching bleeding of the sinus mucosa comprising of comprising compressing sinus mucosa of a sinus of a patient against bone tissue of the sinus to a predetermined level without damaging the bone tissue. The present invention further provides a method to treat nasal polyposis comprising compressing nasal polyps contained within the nasal cavity against its lining to reduce volume of the nasal polyps. The present invention provides a method to treat chronic urethral syndrome comprising compressing interior surfaces of an urethra in order to stimulate and cause excretion out of urethral mucosa located along length of the urethra. The present invention further provides additional methods relating to drug delivery and visualization.

Inflatable devices are disclosed including a surface which has a network of polymer chains and is configured to be inflatable into a therapeutically or diagnostically useful shape, and at least one ultrashort laser pulse-formed modification in the surface. The network can, for example, include a network morphology that is substantially unchanged by modification with the ultrashort pulse laser. Ultrashort laser pulses can be laser pulses equal to or less than 1000 picoseconds in duration. Advantageously, the etching process uses a relatively low-heat laser to avoid significant heating of surrounding polymers while modifying the surface (and other structures) of the device. The process is configured so that the polymer chain morphology adjacent the modification is substantially unaffected by the low-heat laser. The resulting inflatable device has customized surface features while still retaining substantially homogenous polymer network morphology. This preserves the elasticity, especially the surface elasticity, of the inflatable device.

A balloon catheter and balloon system particularly useful with drug-coated balloons is described. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter system includes various features designed to address problems with drug rubbing off due to contract friction during delivery of the balloonincluding by utilizing a protective sleeve to shield the drug-coated balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter system includes an inner high-pressure balloon and an outer drug-coated balloon to mitigate the time associated with performing vessel dilation.