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 delivery member is provided for delivering and deploying an intravascular medical device. The delivery member includes a flexible distal portion including a wound wire coil surrounded by a flexible sleeve and inhibited from extending lengthwise by a stretch resistant member positioned through the lumen of the coil. The delivery member can include hypotubes positioned on either side (distally and proximally) from the wound wire coil to which the stretch resistant member and the wound wire coil can be attached.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for a guidewire that comprises an elongate member with a proximal and distal portion. The distal portion includes a distal curved portion, ending in a distal tip, and a tapered region that reduces the cross-section from a larger cross-section to a smaller cross-section. The elongate member further includes a plurality of flattened regions positioned at discrete locations along the elongate member. Each of the plurality of flattened regions are separated from one another by an unflattened region whereby when a force is exerted onto the guidewire, the guidewire undergoes bending at the plurality of flattened regions.

Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one mounting structure within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical component is coupled to the mounting structure. In some instances, the mounting structure is formed of a plurality of material layers. In some embodiments, the material layers have substantially constant thicknesses. Methods of making and/or assembling such intravascular devices/systems are also provided.

A guidewire assembly configured to be deployed from an ancillary assembly. The guidewire assembly has a distal puncture tip extending from a deployed distal-shaped section configured to mitigate piercing tip touch back on a biological wall after the elongated guidewire assembly is deployed from the ancillary assembly, and the distal puncture tip crosses a biological wall.

A delivery member is provided for delivering and deploying an implantable medical device. The delivery member includes a distal hypotube, a flexible tubular section, a proximal hypotube, a lumen extending through the distal hypotube, flexible tubular section, and proximal hypotube, a stretch resistant member, and a flexible sleeve. The stretch resistant tube can be positioned outside of the lumen, affixed to the proximal and distal hypotubes, and extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of the flexible tubular section. The flexible sleeve can comprise one or more stretch resistant fibers positioned within a wall of the flexible sleeve. The flexible sleeve can cover at least a majority of an outer surface of the flexible tubular section.

A catheter, a guide wire, an opening position identification device, an opening position identification method, an internal object presence determination assistance device, a diagnostic assistance device, and a treatment assistance device that can easily identify the position of an opening of the catheter in a body are provided. A guide wire 20 is inserted into a catheter 30 having openings for introducing a fluid substance into the body, or for sucking the fluid substance in the body. One or more light sources 10 for identifying the positions of openings 32 of the catheter 30 are provided. The catheter 30 may be provided with one or more light sources 10 for identifying the positions of the openings 32 of the catheter 30.

A surgical system and method are used to position a guidewire within an anatomical passageway includes the guidewire, a dilator, a reference feature, and a marker. The guidewire has a guidewire body extending to a distal body end portion. The dilator is secured on the distal body end portion and configured to expand from a contracted state to an expanded state. The dilator in the contracted state is configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube. The dilator in the expanded state is configured to dilate the Eustachian tube. The reference feature secured relative to the guidewire, and the marker is positioned on the guidewire a predetermined distance from the reference feature. Thereby, the marker is configured to indicate the predetermined distance to an operator for determining a depth of the reference feature in the anatomical passageway.

There is described a pressure guidewire. It comprises a sensor housing and a sensor assembly embedded in the sensor housing and comprising a pressure sensor. There is a band to support the pressure sensor assembly, the band being embedded inside the sensor housing and fixed to the pressure sensor assembly for holding the pressure sensor inside the sensor housing.

A biomaterial collection device can include a wire that includes a functional member including a proximal end, a distal end, a first flat surface and a second flat surface opposing the first surface. The functional member can be configured to fit within a body lumen. The functional member can include binding elements configured to bind circulating biomolecules and cells. The functional member can include curved portions that form revolutions around the longitudinal axis of the device.