A method for conditioning an inflatable balloon of a balloon catheter prior to use inside a patient includes submerging the inflatable balloon in a liquid solution, inflating the inflatable balloon, removing any bubbles on an exterior surface of the inflated, inflatable balloon, deflating the inflatable balloon while maintaining the inflatable balloon submerged in the liquid solution, and retracting the deflated, inflatable balloon into a catheter sheath while maintaining the inflatable balloon submerged in the liquid solution.

An improved system and method for placing implantable medical devices (IMDs) such as leads within the coronary sinus and branch veins is disclosed. In one embodiment, a slittable delivery sheath and a method of using the sheath are provided. The sheath includes a slittable hub, and a substantially straight body defining an inner lumen. The body comprises a shaft section and a distal section that is distal to, and softer than, the shaft section. A slittable braid extends adjacent to at least a portion of one of the shaft section and the distal section. In one embodiment of the invention, the sheath further includes a transition section that is distal to the shaft section, and proximal to the distal section. The transition section is softer than the shaft section, but stiffer than the distal section.

An indwelling venous catheter and method capable of destroying undesirable cellular growth is provided. The catheter includes a shaft having at least one lumen and adapted to be placed inside a vein for long term use. A plurality of electrodes are positioned near a distal section of the shaft and are adapted to receive from a voltage generator a plurality of electrical pulses in an amount sufficient to cause destruction of cells in the undesirable cellular growth that have grown around the shaft. In one aspect of the invention, a probe is configured to be removably insertable into the at least one lumen and the electrodes are positioned near the distal section of the probe.

Unitary endoscopic vessel harvesting devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, such devices comprise an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end; an inflatable, coated or conditioned tip disposed at the distal end of the elongated body; and a cutting unit having a first cutting portion and a second cutting portion, the first cutting portion and the second cutting portion being moveable in a longitudinal direction relative to the elongated body to capture a blood vessel between the first cutting portion and the second cutting portion, and being rotatable relative to one another circumferentially about the tip to cut the captured blood vessel.

A medical device includes an insertion tube, having a distal end for insertion into a body of a subject and an opening at the distal end. A lumen, which includes a flexible tube which passes longitudinally through the insertion tube so as to communicate with the opening at the distal end of the insertion tube, is secured under tension inside the insertion tube.

An improved system and method for placing implantable medical devices (IMDs) such as leads within the coronary sinus and branch veins is disclosed. In one embodiment, a slittable delivery sheath and a method of using the sheath are provided. The sheath includes a slittable hub, and a substantially straight body defining an inner lumen. The body comprises a shaft section and a distal section that is distal to, and softer than, the shaft section. A slittable braid extends adjacent to at least a portion of one of the shaft section and the distal section. In one embodiment of the invention, the sheath further includes a transition section that is distal to the shaft section, and proximal to the distal section. The transition section is softer than the shaft section, but stiffer than the distal section.

A method for visualizing ablation includes displaying to a user a three-dimensional (3D) tube that visually represents a region for ablation in tissue of a patient. Ablation information, which specifies one or more ablation locations along the 3D tube and one or more respective ablation configurations for ablating in the ablation locations, is received from the user. An estimated impact of the ablation in the tissue is displayed to the user on the 3D tube based on the ablation locations and the corresponding ablation configurations.

A neuromodulation catheter includes an elongate shaft and a neuromodulation element. The shaft includes two or more first cut shapes and two or more second cut shapes along a helical path extending around a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The first cut shapes are configured to at least partially resist deformation in response to longitudinal compression and tension on the shaft and torsion on the shaft in a first circumferential direction. The second cut shapes are configured to at least partially resist deformation in response to longitudinal compression on the shaft and torsion on the shaft in both first and second opposite circumferential directions.

An electrosurgical device comprises an electrically conductive elongate member for traversing body vasculature defining a hollow lumen with one or more apertures at or near its distal end, wherein electrical energy can flow through the wall of the elongate member; and an energy delivery device in electrical communication with the elongate member is located distal to the end of the elongate member. The energy delivery device includes an electrode for delivering energy. Methods of using the electrosurgical device include cutting through occlusions and creating transseptal punctures.

A catheter having a distal assembly with multiple spines with proximal ends affixed to the catheter and free distal ends. The spines have different lengths so distal ends of the spines trace different circumferences along an inner tissue surface of a tubular region to minimize risk of vein stenosis. The spine lengths can be configured so that the distal ends trace a helical pattern. The distal assembly may have a plunger which deflects the spines when moved longitudinally relative to the distal assembly. The catheter may include a second distal assembly distal of a first distal assembly wherein the first and second distal assemblies are separated by a fixed distanced or an adjustable distance.