A method and system of traversing a device through an accommodating conduit to reach a target area within the accommodating conduit can include varying an amount of elasticity of the device or an amount of torsion moment of the device applied to the accommodating conduit or varying both to minimize bending forces as the device traverses the accommodating conduit. The method or system upon reaching the target area within the accommodating conduit, can further include varying the elasticity or the torsion moment of the device or varying both to cause the device to stiffen. Other embodiments are disclosed.

In a system, device and method for treating an aneurysm of a human or mammal patient an implantable member adapted to hold fluid is provided. The member is adapted to be placed in connection with a blood vessel having the aneurysm and to exercise a pressure on the aneurysm of said blood vessel.

Wireless, variable inductance and resonant circuit-based vascular monitoring devices, systems, methodologies, and techniques, including specifically configured anchoring structures for same, are disclosed that can be used to assist healthcare professionals in predicting, preventing, and diagnosing various heart-related and other health conditions.

Wireless, variable inductance and resonant circuit-based vascular monitoring devices, systems, methodologies, and techniques, including specifically configured anchoring structures for same, are disclosed that can be used to assist healthcare professionals in predicting, preventing, and diagnosing various heart-related and other health conditions.

An intravascular sensor delivery device for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, within a vascular structure or passage. In some embodiments, the device can be used to measure the pressure gradient across a stenotic lesion or heart valve. The sensor delivery device can be sized to pass over different sizes of guidewires to enable usage in coronary and peripheral arteries, for example.

The present invention relates to an implantable apparatus for obtaining urinary control and emptying of the urinary bladder. The apparatus operates with a powered member (100) operating from the outside of the urinary bladder assisted by a support structure to discharge urine from the urinary bladder. A control device (200) controls the operation of the powered member. The control device further comprises a source of energy for operating the powered member and other energy consuming parts of the apparatus and a control assembly.

A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame, a valve, and an expansion element. The frame is movable between contracted and expanded configurations and includes first struts and second struts non-hingedly coupled together. The second struts are configured to pivot relative to the first struts as the frame moves between the contracted and expanded configurations. The valve is coupled to the frame and includes leaflets. The expansion element extends through a lumen of the first struts. The expansion element is slidable relative to the lumen of the first struts and is configured to move the frame incrementally from the contracted configuration and the expanded configuration and from the expanded configuration to the contracted configuration.

Medical devices are provided, comprising a medical device and a sensor.

A wireless pressure sensing unit (20) comprises a membrane (25) forming an outer wall portion of a cavity and two permanent magnets (26,28) inside the cavity. One magnet is coupled to the membrane, and at least one magnet is free to oscillate with a rotational movement. At least one is free to oscillate with a rotational movement. The oscillation takes place at a resonance frequency, which is a function of the sensed pressure, which pressure influences the spacing between the two permanent magnets. This oscillation frequency can be sensed remotely by measuring a magnetic field altered by the oscillation. The wireless pressure sensing unit may be provided on a catheter (21) or guidewire.

A biliary diagnostic device comprises a tubular body comprising an outer wall and an internal lumen, and a biliary diagnostic sensor comprising for analyzing biological matter in contact with the tubular body. A method of guiding an endoscope to a bile duct comprises inserting the endoscope into a duodenum, engaging a sensor with biological matter, electrically analyzing biological matter with the sensor to identify an electrical parameter, identifying liver bile in the biological matter from the electrical parameter, and guiding the endoscope through the duodenum based on the bile. A method of identifying biological matter comprises engaging a medical device sensor with biological matter in a bile duct, electrically analyzing biological matter with the sensor to identify an electrical parameter, identifying biological matter from a liver, pancreas or gall bladder from the electrical parameter, and outputting indicia of the biological matter to a user of the medical device.