The present invention relates to a perfusion balloon catheter that has an expandable (enlargeable) inner lumen (114) with a novel design feature that allows a continuous flow through this enlarged lumen sufficient perfusion to the distal lumen of the blood vessel or air passage concurrent to and independently of balloon (104) inflation or deflation resulting in the prolonged dilatation and avoiding the high risks of blood or air flow stricture during balloon inflation.

Cannula assemblies and methods of manufacturing cannula assemblies are provided. The cannula assembly includes a cannula and a pigtail extension coupled to the cannula. The pigtail extension includes a proximal section having a first stiffness and a distal section having a second stiffness, the first stiffness greater than the second stiffness. The proximal section of the pigtail extension is positioned between the cannula and at least a portion of the distal section.

A circulatory assist apparatus comprises an inflatable pumping balloon having a proximal end joined to an elongated balloon catheter, the catheter having a distal end joined to the pumping balloon and a proximal end, separated from the distal end by a length sufficient to extend from within the circulatory lumen to the outside of a patient's body, for receiving positive and negative pressure pulses from a pump to inflate and deflate the pumping balloon; a proximal expandable frame comprising a distal portion of an elongated shaft surrounding the catheter; and a distal expandable frame. The distal end of the elongated shaft is abuttable against a stopping element surrounding the catheter as the shaft is advanced towards the inflatable pumping balloon, or is joined to the catheter in which case the proximal expandable frame is heat set to deploy spontaneously to a predetermined diameter upon release of the elongated shaft.

A circulatory assist apparatus comprises an inflatable pumping balloon having a proximal end joined to an elongated balloon catheter, the catheter having a distal end joined to the pumping balloon and a proximal end, separated from the distal end by a length sufficient to extend from within the circulatory lumen to the outside of a patient's body, for receiving positive and negative pressure pulses from a pump to inflate and deflate the pumping balloon; a proximal expandable frame comprising a distal portion of an elongated shaft surrounding the catheter; and a distal expandable frame. The distal end of the elongated shaft is abuttable against a stopping element surrounding the catheter as the shaft is advanced towards the inflatable pumping balloon, or is joined to the catheter in which case the proximal expandable frame is heat set to deploy spontaneously to a predetermined diameter upon release of the elongated shaft.

A catheter system includes a catheter, an introducer sheath, and a tubular plug. The catheter comprises an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof. The introducer sheath comprises an elongate body defining a lumen therein. The introducer sheath is disposed over the catheter to form a gap therebetween. The tubular plug comprises an elongate body and extends through the lumen of the introducer sheath. The tubular plug is disposed between the catheter and the introducer sheath to occlude the gap. Further, the tubular plug is releasably fixed relative to the introducer sheath such that the tubular plug is removable from the lumen to allow the expandable medical device to pass therethrough.

A catheter system includes a catheter, an introducer sheath, and a tubular plug. The catheter comprises an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof. The introducer sheath comprises an elongate body defining a lumen therein. The introducer sheath is disposed over the catheter to form a gap therebetween. The tubular plug comprises an elongate body and extends through the lumen of the introducer sheath. The tubular plug is disposed between the catheter and the introducer sheath to occlude the gap. Further, the tubular plug is releasably fixed relative to the introducer sheath such that the tubular plug is removable from the lumen to allow the expandable medical device to pass therethrough.

A minimally invasive VAD installation system includes a curved hook having another hook at its distal end. The installation system also has a valve insertion tool having a gimbaled set of clamp jaws configured for releasably holding the inflow tube of a VAD pump. The installation system further has a pushing tool having a distal opening configured to pass over a tube.

A minimally invasive VAD installation system includes a curved hook having another hook at its distal end. The installation system also has a valve insertion tool having a gimbaled set of clamp jaws configured for releasably holding the inflow tube of a VAD pump. The installation system further has a pushing tool having a distal opening configured to pass over a tube.

Devices for moving blood within a patient, and methods of doing so. The devices can include a pump portion that includes an impeller and a housing around the impeller, as well as a fluid lumen. The impeller can be activated to cause rotation of the impeller and thereby move fluid within the fluid lumen.

A catheter system includes a catheter, a recovery sheath, and an outer sheath assembly. The catheter includes an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof. The recovery sheath is disposed around a proximal section of the catheter body, and is sized and shaped to receive the expandable medical device therein. The recovery sheath is axially movable relative to the catheter body. The outer sheath assembly includes an outer sheath disposed over the catheter body. The outer sheath includes an elongate body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, where the proximal end of the outer sheath body is positioned distally of the recovery sheath. The outer sheath includes a retention section sized and shaped to receive the expandable medical device therein and constrain the expandable medical device in a stored configuration. The outer sheath is removable from the catheter body.