Methods and apparatuses for pumping blood within a blood vessel are described. The methods and apparatuses can be used for renal decongestion by pumping blood through the kidney(s), thereby increasing a pressure gradient across the kidney(s). The apparatuses can include one or more inflatable elements that can be repeatedly inflated and deflated to cause a pumping action within the blood vessel. In some embodiments, the one or more inflatable elements are positioned within one or more stents.

Methods and devices for performing minimally invasive procedures useful for Fallopian tube diagnostics are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the proximal os of the Fallopian tube is accessed via an intrauterine approach; an introducer catheter is advanced to cannulate and form a fluid tight seal with the proximal os of the Fallopian tube; a second catheter inside the introducer catheter is provided to track the length of the Fallopian tube and out into the abdominal cavity; a balloon at the end of the second catheter is inflated and the second catheter is retracted until the balloon seals the distal os of the Fallopian tube; irrigation is performed substantially over the length of the Fallopian tube; and the irrigation fluid is recovered for cytology or cell analysis.

Aortic occlusion and embolic protection devices include radially expandable and collapsible proximal and distal end portions, such as annular self-expanding stents or frames, that are configured to radially expand within an aorta to secure the device within the aorta. The devices can also include a catheter extending axially between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion and a porous covering, or filter, positioned around the catheter and between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion and configured to filter emboli from blood flowing into upper-body arteries. The device can further include a one-way valve positioned at or adjacent to the distal end portion of the device and configured to restrict retrograde blood flow through the device toward the heart.

A balloon catheter including a heating element disposed about a portion of an outer surface of a catheter shaft; a balloon mounted about the outer surface of the catheter shaft to coincide with the heating element; and thermally expandable material disposed inside the mounted balloon. The balloon catheter eliminating the need for pressurized liquid inflation media to be dispensed into/expelled from the balloon in order to inflate/deflate, respectively, the balloon.

A device for secluding a body vessel may include a distal balloon, a proximal balloon, an aspiration port positioned adjacent to the distal balloon, an injection port positioned adjacent to the proximal balloon, and a lumen assembly. The lumen assembly may comprise a central lumen, a distal balloon lumen operably coupled to the distal balloon, a proximal balloon lumen operably coupled to the proximal balloon, an aspiration port lumen operably coupled to the aspiration port, and an injection port lumen operably coupled to the injection port. The distal balloon and the proximal balloon may define a treatment chamber therebetween, and the aspiration port and the injection port may be positioned within the treatment chamber on the lumen assembly.

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for assessing collateral ventilation. An illustrative embodiment includes a flexible insertion catheter device includes an outer tube having an inner diameter. The outer tube includes a plurality of ports at a distal end and an occlusion device filling port located proximal from the plurality of ports. Also, the flexible insertion catheter device includes an inner tube receivable within the outer tube. The inner tube includes a flow lumen and an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the outer tube. The flexible insertion catheter device further includes an occlusion device attachable to the outer tube and configured to selectively seal a bronchial passageway to occlude a lobe of a lung.

Surgical systems are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical system includes a first scope device having a first portion within an extraluminal space and a second portion positioned within an intraluminal space. The first scope device transmits image data of a first scene. A second scope device is disposed within the extraluminal space and transmits image data of a second scene. The first portion of the first instrument is present within the field of view of the second scope device to track the first scope device relative to the second scope device. A controller receives the transmitted image data of the first and second scenes, to determine a relative distance from the first scope device to the second scope device within the extraluminal space, and to provide a merged image. At least one of the first and second scope device in the merged image is a representative depiction thereof.

Disclosed are embodiments of a method for occluding a left atrial appendage (LAA) and other cavities or openings within a body. Some embodiments of the method can include an implant configured to be deployed within the LAA or other cavity, configured to be expanded or moved against a wall portion of the LAA or other cavity, and configured to twist at least a portion of the LAA or other cavity when the implant is rotated. Thereafter, one or more securing elements, staples, sutures, or other fasteners can be implanted in the gathered tissue to hold the tissue in the gathered state, thereby occluding the opening of the LAA or other cavity. In some embodiments, the opening of the LAA or other cavity can be occluded by elongating or otherwise reshaping the opening using an implant device, and securing the opening in the occluded state.

Devices and methods are described for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) to exclude the LAA from blood flow to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. An implant is delivered via transcatheter delivery into the LAA. The implant includes a conformable structure comprising a foam body and internal support. The support includes anchors that penetrate the foam body and anchor the implant to the walls of the LAA. The implant provides compliance such that it conforms to the native configuration of the LAA.

Systems and methods and devices are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The occlusion device may include a lumen obstructed by a relief valve that may permit fluid flow through the occlusion device to release an excessive build-up of pressure.