Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and dilate body lumen and cavities. For example, the systems can be used to dilate the cervix and access the uterine cavity. The systems can also be used to occlude the cervix. The systems can also be used to occlude the urethra.

Method and system for treating a patient using a compressible, pressure-attenuating device. According to one embodiment, the system is used to treat urinary tract disorders and can include one or more of an access device, a delivery device, a pressure-attenuating device, and a removal device. The access device may be used to create a passageway to an anatomical structure, such as the patient's bladder. The delivery device may be inserted through the passageway created by the access device and may be used to deliver the pressure-attenuating device to the anatomical structure. The removal device may be inserted through the passageway created by the access device and may be used to view the bladder and/or to capture, to deflate and to remove the pressure-attenuating device.

Disclosed is an instrument having an elongated shaft, a first member configured in the elongated shaft such that the first member can be deployed from a first portion of the instrument. The first member, when deployed, is configured over a tissue bridge within a heart, the tissue bridge having a clip or suture. A second member is also configured in the elongated shaft such that the second member is deployed from a second portion of the elongated shaft, wherein the second member, when deployed, is configured under the tissue bridge and the clip or suture. The elongated shaft is configured such that the second member, when deployed, moves towards the first member to yield a combined member which receives the tissue bridge and the clip or suture. The elongated shaft receives the combined member. The first member and/or the second member include a signal emitter to cut the tissue bridge.

Mechanical thrombectomy systems including an elongate catheter configured as an elongate inversion support, a flexible tractor configured to roll and invert over the distal end of the elongate inversion support, and a clot engaging member on the distal end of an elongate manipulator are described herein. These systems may capture a clot using the clot engaging member and draw the clot and clot engaging member and roll the flexible tractor into the catheter to remove the clot and clot engaging member from a vessel.

Mechanical atherectomy and/or thrombectomy devices configured to remove obstructions (e.g., plaque material) of different consistencies and/or sizes from blood vessels. The devices may include a tractor comprising a flexible tube of material that inverts as it rolls over itself while being drawn into the open distal end of a catheter in a conveyor-like motion. The flexible tube can include features that facilitate engagement with the obstruction, enhance smooth tractor motion and/or promote movement control of the device within the blood vessel.

Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and dilate body lumen and cavities. For example, the systems can be used to dilate the cervix and access the uterine cavity. The systems can also be used to occlude the cervix. The systems can also be used to occlude the urethra.

A retractor/protector suitable for use in a surgical incision or a natural orifice comprises a longitudinal axis defining an instrument access channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a flexible outer ring; an inner ring; a flexible sheath extending between the outer ring and the inner ring; and at least one rigid segment adapted to attach to the flexible outer ring to thereby increase the rigidity of the outer ring. Embodiments of the retractor/protector are described that have interlocking and non-interlocking rigid segments. Embodiments are also described that have bases that insert into or under the flexible outer ring in addition to or in lieu of rigid segments to increase rigidity and/or provide support for a detachable cap.

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.

An everting balloon system is disclosed that can be used for biopsy within a body of a patient or animal. The everting balloon system can be used to access a bodily cavity or vessel for tissue specimen collection at specific bodily locations. The everting catheter system described simplifies the process of tissue biopsy.

Mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses including an inverting, rolling conveyor region (tractor) at the distal end that are configured to grab and remove thrombus material. In particular, described herein are mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses that are adapted to prevent premature deployment of the tractor, e.g., by including a tractor hold (e.g., a housing, a lock, a clamp, etc.) or the like to secure the outer end of the tractor against and/or relative to the elongate inversion support.