Filtration systems with integrated filter element(s) forming portions of the wall of the filtration catheter are disclosed. The filtration catheters disclosed herein are designed to be used alone or in conjunction with another filter device to provide embolic protection of both carotid arteries. Occlusive element such as balloon is placed on the exterior of the filtration catheter to redirect blood flow in the vessels during the filtration process as well as to help anchor the filtration catheter inside the vessel. The integrated filter element(s) does not require collapsing thus significantly reduces the complexity of the filtration system retrieval process and the chances of releasing emboli back into the blood stream. The compact design of the filtration systems makes them particularly suitable for embolic protection during endovascular procedures on or close to the heart.

A catheter system can include a tubular body, and at least one of a targeting system coupled to the tubular body, an expandable member, or a fluid injection port. A method of identifying a bifurcation can include inserting a catheter system into a first vessel, positioning the catheter system at a first location, expanding an expandable member to occlude the first vessel, delivering contrast material so the contrast material pooling proximate to the expandable member, and reviewing a shape of the contrast material in the first vessel under fluoroscopy.

Disclosed herein are improved methods and apparatuses for providing hemostasis within a cavity defined by an internal surface of a bleeding tissue space. A catheter comprising a proximal end and a distal end may be advanced into the cavity through a proximal opening of the tissue space into the cavity. A distal balloon coupled to the catheter may be expanded, and the catheter tensioned to apply pressure to the internal surface of the tissue space to inhibit bleeding of the tissue space.

Methods and devices for performing minimally invasive procedures useful for Fallopian tube diagnostics are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the proximal os of the Fallopian tube is accessed via an intrauterine approach; an introducer catheter is advanced to cannulate and form a fluid tight seal with the proximal os of the Fallopian tube; a second catheter inside the introducer catheter is provided to track the length of the Fallopian tube and out into the abdominal cavity; a balloon at the end of the second catheter is inflated and the second catheter is retracted until the balloon seals the distal os of the Fallopian tube; irrigation is performed substantially over the length of the Fallopian tube; and the irrigation fluid is recovered for cytology or cell analysis.

An endovascular catheter combination configured to have multiple capabilities is disclosed. These capabilities include proximal and distal occlusion of a segment of a target blood vessel (such as the carotid artery) thus excluding the segment of the blood vessel from circulation for purposes such as surgical consideration. Another capability includes intravascular shunting of the blood through the excluded portion of the artery during a procedure such as an endarterectomy. Additionally, a microsensor provides a measurement of the rate/volume of blood flow through the distal end of the catheter. In one embodiment, a guidewire is provided with a filtration mesh as an anti-embolic mechanism both at the time of initial positioning of the catheter and after reversing the occlusion.

Catheter devices/systems and methods therefrom are described herein for treating acute kidney injury, especially the contrast-induced acute kidney injury wherein the devices may prevent the contrast dyes from entering into kidney and/or facilitate blood flow of kidney by said catheter system.

A catheter devices/systems and methods therefrom are described herein for treating acute kidney injury, especially the contrast-induced acute kidney injury wherein the devices may prevent the contrast dyes from entering into kidney and/or facilitate blood flow of kidney by said catheter system.

An apparatus and methods to form a tissue scaffolding are provided. The apparatus may include a catheter shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal tip, a distal balloon positioned on the catheter shaft proximal to the distal tip, and a proximal balloon positioned on the catheter shaft proximal to the distal balloon. The apparatus may further include an intermediate balloon positioned on a distal segment of the catheter shaft proximal to the distal balloon and distal to the proximal balloon. The intermediate balloon and the distal segment each include a translucent material. A light fiber may extend through the distal segment. A first lumen and a second lumen may be arranged in the catheter shaft, the first lumen comprising a first port located between the distal balloon and the intermediate balloon, and the second lumen comprising a second port located between the intermediate balloon and the proximal balloon.

Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

A method and a medical elongate body are configured to prevent stagnation or turbulence of blood flow in a recess of a rugged pattern formed in a blood vessel due to bulging of a blood vessel wall at a lesion part of the blood vessel. The method involves partitioning an inside of the blood vessel into upstream and downstream sides of the recess, and introducing gel into the recess to at least partially fill the recess. A blood vessel lumen forming method and medical elongate body to form such a lumen are other aspects of the disclosure and involve introducing gel into the recess to at least partially fill the recess with the gel, and drilling the gel to remove at least some of the gel to form a passage and secure blood flow in the blood vessel.