Apparatus for passing a blocked vein, including: (a) an intravascular catheter body defining at least one lumen; (b) a radially expandable anchor at a distal end of said catheter; and (c) a penetration tool sized and shaped to be delivered by the lumen to a point distal of the expandable anchor, the penetration tool including a tip and configured for being pushed through venous blockage more than one week old and present with a young's modulus greater than 1 MPa. Optionally, the penetration tool tip comprises a sharpened tip. Optionally or additionally, the penetration tool tip is controllably bendable.

Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary device in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.

Guide extension catheters and related methods are disclosed. A guide extension catheter can comprise an elongate tube member, a push member, and an external manipulation member. The push member can be eccentrically coupled relative to the tube member and extend proximally therefrom for slidably positioning the tube member within and partially beyond a distal end of a guide catheter. The manipulation member can be coupled to a proximal end of the push member, where the manipulation member can be configured to secure the guide extension catheter in place during use by attaching to an external object such that the tube member and push member remain stationary without user engagement.

A system for treating a patient having thrombus including an aspiration catheter having an aspiration lumen configured to be coupled to a vacuum source and configured for aspirating thrombus therethrough, an elongate member having a straight distal portion configured to extend from the aspiration lumen into a thrombus within the blood vessel, and a manipulation device selectively coupled to the elongate member, the manipulation device being configured to apply motive force to the elongate member, wherein the motive force comprises a combination of motive force components comprising an alternating clockwise motion and counter-clockwise motion.

The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for treating heart failure by normalizing elevated blood pressure in the left and right atria of a heart of a mammal. The present disclosure includes methods for creating and maintaining an opening in the atrial septum. Tools for making an opening and enlarging the opening are also disclosed. Use of the techniques and tools described herein prolongs the patency of an intra-atrial pressure relief opening.

Devices and methods for securing a cover of a retrieval device while the retrieval device is resheathed to a more proximal position within a delivery sheath are disclosed herein. A retrieval device may include, for example, a securing element configured to grip the cover when the retrieval device is pulled proximally, to thereby secure the cover. A method of positioning the retrieval device may include, for example: (a) advancing the retrieval device distally through a delivery sheath to a partially deployed state while the securing element is in a first state, and (b) retracting the clot retrieval proximally from the partially deployed state while the securing element is in a second state that grips the cover to secure the cover.

Methods and devices are disclosed for passing Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) from subintimal location and re-entry into a true-lumen of the patient using transient fenestration approach. The transient fenestration is induced by balloon dilatation within the CTO, and a guidewire quickly trails into a true lumen.

Devices and methods for securing a cover of a retrieval device while the retrieval device is resheathed to a more proximal position within a delivery sheath are disclosed herein. A retrieval device may include, for example, a securing element configured to grip the cover when the retrieval device is pulled proximally, to thereby secure the cover. A method of positioning the retrieval device may include, for example: (a) advancing the retrieval device distally through a delivery sheath to a partially deployed state while the securing element is in a first state, and (b) retracting the clot retrieval proximally from the partially deployed state while the securing element is in a second state that grips the cover to secure the cover.

Thrombectomy systems and devices and methods of using the same. In an exemplary embodiment of a thrombectomy system of the present disclosure, the thrombectomy system comprises a thrombectomy sheath, comprising a circumferential outer wall reinforced with a reinforcement, configured as an elongated tube having a lumen therethrough; and a sonovisible element positioned at or near a distal end of the circumferential outer wall; wherein the thrombectomy sheath is sized and shaped to be at least partially positioned within a vein proximal to a thrombus or other item within the vein and further configured to expand to contact the vein to secure the thrombectomy sheath within the vein; and wherein the lumen is sized and shaped to receive a device selected from the group consisting of a balloon catheter and a snare having a loop.

Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary device in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.