An apparatus includes at least one link and a plurality of beads. The plurality of beads are joined using the at least one link and configured to be arranged in an annular arrangement. Each bead includes at least one magnet. The annular arrangement is sized and configured to form a loop around an anatomical structure in a patient. Adjacent beads are magnetically attracted together at a plurality of magnetic interfaces that include first and second magnetic interfaces. The first magnetic interface has a first magnetic field strength. The second magnetic interface has a second magnetic field strength that is less than the first magnetic field strength so that the beads forming the second interface are configured to separate prior to the beads forming the first interface when the loop moves from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration, thereby providing uniform radial expansion of the loop.

An apparatus includes a plurality of beads a linking assembly joining the beads together. The beads and the linking assembly are arranged in an annular arrangement and sized to form a loop around an anatomical structure in a patient. The loop may move between a contracted and expanded configuration. The loop is magnetically biased toward the contracted configuration by a magnetic bias of the beads. Each bead includes a housing having a first piece and a second piece that together define a magnetic chamber. A magnetic is within the magnetic chamber. A weld joins the first piece and the second piece while hermetically sealing the magnet chamber. The first piece of the housing includes a mounting feature integrated with a surface of the first piece. The mounting feature mates with a fixture to constrain the first piece of the housing as the weld is formed.

An apparatus includes at least one link and a plurality of beads. The plurality of beads is joined using the at least one link. The housing includes a magnet chamber. The magnet is configured to emit a magnetic field to magnetically bias the loop toward the contracted configuration. The magnet is sized and configured to move within the magnet chamber. A consistent angular orientation of adjacent housings is determined by at least one of the following adjustment parameters: a magnitude of the magnetic fields of adjacent magnets disposed in the adjacent housings by altering a distance between the adjacent housings, a directionality of the adjacent magnets within adjacent magnet chambers by allowing for twist of the magnet within the magnet chamber, or a freedom of the adjacent magnets to move within the adjacent magnet chambers by allowing the magnets to move laterally within the respective magnet chambers.

A punching device for punching a lumen and implanting an implant device includes at least the implant device for punching the lumen and for implantation into the lumen. In addition, the punching device includes an implantation device, a closure device, and an actuation device.

An endovascular apparatus, including an elongated catheter having an inner lumen extending therethrough; a balloon affixed to the catheter for expansion into the inner lumen of the catheter when the balloon is inflated; and a tube secured relative to the balloon, wherein the tube is configured to enable selective inflation and deflation of the balloon, and wherein an outer diameter of a portion of the catheter adjacent the balloon is substantially the same when the balloon is inflated and when the balloon is deflated.

A catheter devices/systems and methods therefrom are described herein for treating acute kidney in-jury, especially the contrast-induced acute kidney injury wherein the devices prevent the contrast dyes from entering into kidney and/or facilitate blood flow of kidney by said catheter system.

An occlusion catheter system includes a proximal hub having an inflation connection port and an inflation pathway. An inflation catheter member is connected to the proximal hub and has an inflation lumen. A stiffener member defines a longitudinal axis. The proximal end of the stiffener member is connected to the proximal hub. The stiffener member extends through a portion of the inflation lumen. An occlusion balloon has a proximal balloon end and a distal balloon end. A distal catheter member is positioned substantially on the longitudinal axis and is connected to the distal end of the stiffener member. An atraumatic tip is positioned on a distal end of the distal catheter member. The atraumatic tip has a substantially circular profile in a relaxed configuration. A pressure sensor is connected to the occlusion catheter system distally relative to the occlusion balloon and is connected to a processor by electrical wiring.

Medical devices and methods are provided. In some aspects, devices useful for applying therapy locally within a body vessel are disclosed, the devices having a stent graft with flared end regions with a catheter providing fluid communication to the outer side of the narrower, intermediate region of the stent graft. Kits and systems including the same devices and methods are also disclosed.

A variable flow stent is described for use with AV fistulas, TIPS procedures or dialysis grafts. The flow may be varied by adjusting the diameter of the stent. Embodiments include: a covered stent having a secondary chamber that functions as an air or fluid bladder; an expandable chamber within an interior stent covering; a retractable jack device with hooks that engage (snag) opposing walls of the stent; and, a stent with a hollow chamber or pocket in the interior stent covering into which an expandable balloon can be inserted. A self-healing valve is described for inflating or deflating expandable elements within the stent and may be implemented using a self-healing membrane. A radiopaque collar may be used to provide a marker surrounding the self-healing valve. If under-shunting or over-shunting occurs over time, the variable diameter stent may be adjusted using a second procedure.

An occlusion balloon device includes a shaft comprising at least one inflation lumen and an inflatable balloon, the inflatable balloon having a plurality of independently inflatable and deflatable balloon portions and being in communication with the at least one inflation lumen. A method and a system comprising the occlusion balloon device enable assessment and treatment of a perforation in a vessel of a patient.