Embodiments related to cryogenically ablating a portion of the inner surface of a vessel by constraining a cryoballoon using various apparatuses and methods are disclosed. For example, a catheter can include a cryoballoon for ablation of the vessel wall and a constraining element disposed substantially in parallel with the cryoballoon to deflect or offset a portion of the cryoballoon away from non-target tissue of the vessel wall and prevent ablation of the non-target tissue. Partial circumferential, non-continuous, or helical ablation can be effective for treating a variety of renal, cardio-renal, and other diseases including but not limited to hypertension, heart failure, renal disease, renal failure, contrast nephropathy, arrhythmia, and myocardial infarction. The constraining element may be, for example, a second inflatable balloon or one or more self-expanding prongs.

A method for performing a medical procedure in an intestine of a patient is provided. The method comprises providing a system comprising: a catheter for insertion into the intestine, the catheter comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a distal portion; and a functional assembly positioned on the shaft distal portion and comprising at least one treatment element. The catheter is introduced into the patient, and target tissue is treated with the at least one treatment element. The target tissue comprises mucosal tissue of the small intestine, and the medical procedure can be configured to treat one or more diseases or disorders based on a measured physiologic parameter of the patient.

A medical device including a handle; a flexible conduit having a proximal segment and a distal segment, wherein the proximal segment is coupled to the handle; and a substantially contiguous shaping structure coupled to the distal segment of the flexible conduit, wherein the shaping structure is configured to transition from (i) a substantially linear configuration to (ii) a configuration where a portion of the contiguous shaping structure is laterally displaced from remaining portions of the contiguous support structure upon the application of an axial compression force to the shaping structure.

An example medical system for ablating and occluding the left atrial appendage is disclosed. The example system includes a catheter sized and shaped for vascular access and including an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end. A first expandable member may be positioned near the distal end of the elongate body and have a first region configured to permeate a liquid therethrough. A first set of one or more electrodes may be arranged within the first expandable member and may be configured to deliver energy to the tissue region. An occlusive implant may be releasably secured to the distal end of the elongate body.

Ablation catheters and systems include flexible catheter tips with a distal needle or ports for delivery of an ablative agent to a target tissue. Pressure monitoring during ablation ensure operation is performed within safe limits and with desired efficacy. Positioning elements help maintain the devices in the proper position with respect to the target tissue and also prevent the passage of ablative agent to normal tissues.

An apparatus includes a body, a catheter, and a deflection assembly. The catheter includes a proximal segment defining a first longitudinal axis, a medial segment defining a second longitudinal axis, and a distal segment. The deflection assembly is configured to deflect the medial segment away from the first longitudinal axis and to deflect the distal segment away from the second longitudinal axis. The deflection assembly includes first and second input members associated with the body. The deflection assembly also includes a first translating assembly coupled to the medial segment. The first input member is configured to drive the first translating assembly to deflect the medial segment away from the first longitudinal axis. The deflection assembly further includes a second translating assembly coupled to the distal segment. The second input member is configured to drive the second translating assembly to deflect the distal segment away from the second longitudinal axis.

A cryoablation catheter, including a first capsule body, a core tube and a heat insulation part, wherein the first capsule body is mounted at a front end of the core tube, and has a front end area adapted for fitting to myocardial tissue during a cryoablation process and a rear end area exposed to blood; the core tube has a first looping path provided therein which is adapted for a first fluid with low temperature to be filled into or flow out of the first capsule body; the heat insulation part is at least partially fitting to the rear end area, and is adapted for reducing heat exchange efficiency between the first fluid and the blood in an atrium. The cryoablation operating apparatus and the cryoablation equipment thereof can effectively reduce the heat exchange between the cryoablation catheter and the blood during a cryoablation process.

Catheter ablation systems are used to isolate the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA), or portions of the LAA, by using balloons. The systems deliver an ablation fluid such as alcohol in order to destroy the LAA tissue isolated between the balloons, deliver saline to dilute the ablation fluid, and remove excess fluid and particulates by suction to prevent excess residual alcohol from remaining in the LAA.

Ablation catheters and systems include flexible catheter tips with a distal needle or ports for delivery of an ablative agent to a target tissue. Pressure monitoring during ablation ensure operation is performed within safe limits and with desired efficacy. Positioning elements help maintain the devices in the proper position with respect to the target tissue and also prevent the passage of ablative agent to normal tissues.

Methods and apparatus are provided for monopolar neuromodulation, e.g., via a pulsed electric field. Such monopolar neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, monopolar neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. In some embodiments, such monopolar neuromodulation is performed bilaterally.