A percutaneous catheter system for use within the human body and an ablation catheter for ablating a selected tissue region within the body of a subject. The percutaneous catheter system can include two catheters that are operatively coupled to one another by magnetic coupling through a tissue structure. The ablation catheter can include electrodes positioned within a central portion. The ablation catheter is positioned such that the central portion of a flexible shaft at least partially surrounds the selected tissue region. Each electrode of the ablation catheter can be activated independently to apply ablative energy to the selected tissue region. The ablation catheter can employ high impedance structures to change the current density at specific points. Methods of puncturing through a tissue structure using the percutaneous catheter system are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for ablating a selected tissue region using the ablation catheter.

A medical device that includes a handle, a sheath extending from the handle, and a tool within the sheath and movable relative to the sheath. The handle includes an inner body and an outer body disposed over the inner body. The outer body is movable relative to the inner body. The handle includes a first actuator secured to the tool. The first actuator has an actuated state permitting movement of the tool relative to the sheath in response to moving the outer body relative to the inner body. The handle includes a second actuator secured to the sheath. The second actuator has an actuated state permitting movement of the sheath relative to the tool in response to moving the second actuator relative to the outer body. An unactuated state of the first actuator and an unactuated state of the second actuator prevents movement of the tool relative to the sheath.

A medical device to be inserted in a defect blood vessel, body cavity, or body duct for treatment thereof is disclosed, wherein it comprises an essentially cylindrically formed elongated resilient sheath device (2) wherein it has a distal end (3) and a proximal end (4), wherein said sheath device (2) along its circumferential surface in the axial direction is provided with a slotted opening (5) having connection with a first bore (6) arranged in the axial direction of said sheath device (2), said first bore (6) having the ability to house an elongated fiber body (7), wherein said sheath device (2) has the ability to be clamped around a major part of the perimeter of said fiber body (7), and wherein said sheath device (2) in its axial direction also is provided with a second bore (8) having the ability to house an injection means (9), as well as a kit containing said medical device, and a method for treatment of defective blood vessels, body cavities, and body ducts by use of said medical device.

A needle-injection catheter includes a catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, a stiff proximal portion, a flexible distal portion, and a delivery lumen extending therethrough. In a first embodiment, a straight injection needle extends coaxially from a distal tip of the flexible portion of the catheter body, and a plurality of penetration limiting elements positioned circumferentially about a base of the straight injection needle and configured to fold radially inwardly against a shaft of the needle when constrained in a tubular lumen and to extend radially outwardly when unconstrained. In a second embodiment, a helical needle extends from the distal tip of the flexible portion of the catheter body. The helical needle has at least one helical delivery lumen connected to receive an injectable substance from the delivery lumen of the catheter body.

A system for treating a patient comprises a delivery device and injectate. The delivery device comprises an elongate shaft with a distal portion and at least one delivery element positioned on the elongate shaft distal portion. The delivery device is constructed and arranged to deliver the injectate through the at least one delivery element and into tissue to create a therapeutic restriction in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods of creating a therapeutic restriction are also provided.

A balloon catheter for treating aneurysms or other intraluminal target sites, having at least one bypass window through which blood flows temporarily and out at least one end hole, and a balloon mounted near the end hole, such that there is no need for repeated inflation/deflation cycles. The invention has an elongated tube, a balloon disposed between the most distal said window and said end hole, and at least two channels. A first channel passes from the proximal end of said tube to the bypass window to allow blood to flow into said window and out said end hole, and a second channel passing from the proximal end of said tube to said balloon to allow inflation material to enter said balloon. In optional embodiments, a micro-catheter may pass through to treat a target site; the inner tube and balloon may be branched to facilitate treatment at a vascular branch, such as for a wide-neck aneurysm by balloon tamponade, a micro-catheter extension or other device passing through a bifurcation hole at the branch point.

Needle assemblies and related methods are disclosed having a needle hub with a needle, a catheter tube with a catheter hub and having the needle extending through the catheter tube; and a valve positioned in an interior cavity of the catheter hub, the valve having a first section with a first chord, a second chord, and a plurality of slits defining a plurality of flaps, a second section attached to the first section, and a third section attached to the first section; an inside edge formed on the second section and pressed against the first section; an inside edge formed on the third section and pressed against the first section; and wherein a first flow path is provided adjacent the first chord and a second flow path is provided adjacent the second chord.

A lymphatic puncture device with a stabilization mechanism preventing overperforation of the lymph node is described. In some embodiments, the device comprises flared tines and a retractable sleeve and a needle extending distal beyond the flared tines. Upon retraction of the sleeve and exposure of the flared tines, the needle can be inserted into the lymph node without risk of overperforation.

A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc is provided. The method comprises inserting a delivery tool containing the therapeutic agent through an anterior portion, a lateral portion, or an anterolateral portion of an annulus fibrosus and into the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc; and delivering the therapeutic agent to the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. Devices and kits are also provided.

A catheter for ablation, mapping, injection, and directional control by an external magnetic system has a catheter body, an intermediate section, and a tip section having a tip electrode with an omnidirectional distal end and a concentric needle port. The tip electrode houses a magnetic device and a position sensor in an integrated configuration that facilitates a path in the tip section for extension and retraction of a component, including an injection needle, with reduced stress and friction. The integrated configuration is an efficient use of space in the tip electrode that allows the tip section to carry both the position sensor and the necessary volume of magnetic or magnetizable material to accomplish magnetic navigation. The catheter also includes a very soft and flexible intermediate section and an even softer and more flexible distal transitional section carrying additional magnetic members to facilitate remote magnetic navigation.