Systems and methods are provided for removing air from a medical device, such as a stent-graft and/or its delivery device. In an exemplary embodiment, the stent-graft or its delivery system or both are exposed to perfluorocarbon, by immersing the stent-graft or flushing the delivery device to remove air from the stent-graft. Optionally, the stent-graft and/or delivery system may be flushed multiple times, e.g., with perfluorocarbon before or after flushing with carbon dioxide, saline, a bio-inert gas, and the like. Thereafter, the stent-graft may be introduced into a patient's body and deployed at a target location, such as the site of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

A catheter sheath device may include an elongate member and a moveable member. The elongate member may include a first lumen, and the moveable member may include a second lumen. The moveable member may be physically coupled to a portion of the elongate member to permit relative movement therebetween. A first relative movement between the moveable member and the portion of the elongate member may cause the second lumen to be positioned at a first location that permits delivery of at least a portion of a catheter into the second lumen but not into the first lumen from the second lumen. A second relative movement between the moveable member and the portion of the elongate member may cause the second lumen to be positioned at a second location that permits delivery of the at least the portion of the catheter through both the second lumen and the first lumen.

A catheter priming apparatus may include a barrier forming a reservoir. Fluid may be disposed within the reservoir. A support structure may be disposed within the barrier. The support structure may include an opening extending through the support structure and a connector configured to couple the catheter priming apparatus to a catheter system. A one-way valve may be coupled to the support structure and configured to allow the fluid to flow out of the reservoir through the connector in response to compression of a portion of the barrier aligned with the opening.

An air removal mechanism includes a body having a hollow portion capable of storing a liquid. In a state where the body is mounted on an introducer sheath, a medical device to be inserted into the introducer sheath is insertable via the hollow portion. The body has an injection path which communicates with the hollow portion and on which an outlet is open toward a valve body.

An intravascular balloon catheter device for treating various size stenosed regions within a blood vessel is provided. A clamp located within a body of a handle assembly is movable between a clamped and unclamped position by way of a button. When clamped, an outer member is secured relative to a sheath to as to expose a portion of a balloon located on a distal end of the outer member. The portion of the balloon remaining within the sheath is restricted from inflation beyond the sheath.

A balloon catheter which allows for faster preparation and more effective purging of air within the catheter, while also providing a more space efficient design, wherein the balloon catheter includes a tubular outer member and a tubular inner member disposed in the lumen of the outer member such that the outer member and inner member define an annular fluid path between them. A balloon is secured to and circumferentially surrounds an outer surface of the distal portion of the outer member. A tubular seal is disposed circumferentially around the inner surface of the distal portion of the outer member. The inner member is movable longitudinally relative to the outer member from a non-sealing position in which the annular fluid path is open, and a sealing position in which the distal portion of the inner member contacts the seal thereby sealing the annular fluid path at the seal.

A balloon catheter which allows for faster preparation and more effective purging of air within the catheter, while also providing a more space efficient design, wherein the balloon catheter includes a tubular outer member and a tubular inner member disposed in the lumen of the outer member such that the outer member and inner member define an annular fluid path between them. A balloon is secured to and circumferentially surrounds an outer surface of the distal portion of the outer member. A tubular seal is disposed circumferentially around the outer surface of the distal portion of the inner member. The inner member is movable longitudinally relative to the outer member from a non-sealing position in which the annular fluid path is open, and a sealing position in which the distal portion of the outer member contacts the seal thereby sealing the annular fluid path at the seal.

Methods for purging a balloon catheter of air. An inflation fluid is inserted into a balloon and an inflation lumen of a balloon catheter. The inflation lumen is in fluid communication with the balloon. The balloon catheter is positioned in an inverted orientation with a distal end thereof disposed below a proximal end thereof. The distal end of the balloon catheter includes a balloon. A vibration source is positioned in direct contact with an outer surface of the balloon catheter. The balloon catheter is vibrated via the vibration source. A vacuum is applied or pulled on the inflation lumen of the balloon catheter. The steps of vibrating the balloon catheter and applying the vacuum are performed simultaneously.

The present disclosure provides double-lumen closure balloon catheter, including an inner tube and an outer tube. A distal end of the inner tube extends from a distal end of the outer tube, the inner tube is provided at its distal end with a tubular hydrophobic tip through which air passes, a cavity of the hydrophobic tip is in communication with a cavity of the inner tube, the outer tube is provided at its distal end with an expandable or shrinkable balloon, a proximal end of the balloon is hermetically coupled to the distal end of the outer tube, a distal end of the balloon is hermetically coupled to the hydrophobic tip, and a channel in communication with an inner cavity of the balloon is arranged between the inner tube and the outer tube. The present disclosure further provides a using method thereof. As compared with the related art, the liquid is injected into the channel so as to push air in the inner cavity of the balloon and the channel to the hydrophobic tip and then discharge air in the cavity of the hydrophobic tip through the wall of the hydrophobic tip. As a result, it is able to prevent the balloon from being damaged, and facilitate the operation, thereby to reduce the time for the surgery.

A catheter sheath device may include an elongate member and a moveable member. The elongate member may include a first lumen, and the moveable member may include a second lumen. The moveable member may be physically coupled to a portion of the elongate member to permit relative movement therebetween. A first relative movement between the moveable member and a portion of the elongate member may cause the second lumen to be positioned at a first location that permits delivery of at least a portion of a catheter into the second lumen but not into the first lumen from the second lumen. A second relative movement between the moveable member and the portion of the elongate member may cause the second lumen to be positioned at a second location that permits delivery of the at least the portion of the catheter through both the second lumen and the first lumen.