Methods for restoring blood flow in occluded blood vessels using an apparatus having a self-expandable distal segment that is pre-formed to assume a superimposed structure in an unconstrained condition but can be made to take on a volume-reduced form making it possible to introduce it with a microcatheter and a push wire arranged at the proximal end, with the distal segment in its superimposed structure assuming the form of a longitudinally open tube and having a mesh structure of interconnected strings or filaments or struts. In a preferred embodiment, the distal segment has a tapering structure at its proximal end where the strings or filaments or struts converge at a connection point.

An angioplasty balloon having an elastic constraining structure that partially expands with the balloon so that, at maximum balloon inflation, the constraining structure forms a pattern of channels or “pillows” on the balloon.

An angioplasty balloon having an elastic constraining structure that partially expands with the balloon so that, at maximum balloon inflation, the constraining structure forms a pattern of channels or “pillows” on the balloon.

To provide a catheter having a simple structure capable of excising an atheroma in a blood vessel and capable of obtaining ultrasonic images of a blood vessel. [Solution] A catheter 10 has a shaft 11 having an opening 20 in a part of the side wall on the distal end side, a cutter 12 which is located in the vicinity of the opening 20 in the internal space of the shaft 11 and which can move in the axial direction 101 of the shaft 11, a balloon 23 which is disposed on the side opposite to the opening 20 with respect to the axis of the shaft 11 and which outwardly expands from the side wall of the shaft 11, and a phased array ultrasound probe 17 disposed along the circumferential direction 102 of the outer peripheral surface of the side wall in the vicinity of the opening 20 at least on the same side as the side where the opening 20 is provided with respect to the axis of the shaft 11.

A stool management system having a tubular body including a first end section disposable in a rectum of a patient and a second end section including a first connector which detachably mates with a second connector coupled to a collection container which receives waste matter passed through the tubular body from the bowel of the patient.

A stool management system having a tubular body including a first end section disposable in a rectum of a patient and a second end section including a first connector which detachably mates with a second connector coupled to a collection container which receives waste matter passed through the tubular body from the bowel of the patient.

A catheter system that is actuatable to a deployed state and includes a catheter body and a dilator positioned at least partially within the lumen of the catheter. A distal end of the dilator can be releasably connected to a distal tip of the catheter body. The dilator can be retractable to expand and invert the distal tip and form a funnel shape in the deployed state.

The designs herein can be for a clot retrieval catheter with a large bore lumen and a distal tip expandable to a diameter larger than that of the guide or sheath through which it is delivered. The designs can have a polymeric flared tip with atraumatic properties and the ability to flexibly expand when ingesting a clot. The tip can have a plurality of axial ribs giving stiffness to certain circumferential regions of the tip for facilitating repeatable collapse when retracted back into the guide or sheath. The tip can also have a metallic support frame within the flared tip for aiding in more gradual compression of clots during aspiration and retrieval with a stentriever. The catheter frame and tip can be sufficiently flexible to navigate highly tortuous areas of the anatomy and recover to maintain the inner diameter of the lumen when displaced in a vessel.

In various embodiments, the present specification discloses an aspiration catheter that has a slim profile, can effectively anchor or self-center in a location, within a patient's vessel lumen, to better provide directed suction or vacuum/negative pressure, and/or can effectively funnel or direct suction or vacuum/negative pressure toward an occlusion or obstruction within the patient's vessel lumen.

A method and device for perforating an aortic valve to remove excessive calcium deposits on aortic valve leaflets improves the implantation of TAVI replacement valves in patients. By removing excessive calcium deposits, the radial pressure exerted by implanted TAVI replacement valves is reduced, such that there is less blood leakage around the valve and less stress on the cardiac conductive system. A device with a collapsible punch is inserted into the aortic valve. The punch is separable such that the aortic valve leaflets are positioned between at least two elements of the punch. The two elements then compress together with the leaflets between them, causing the aortic valve to be perforated. A circumferential ring of the remaining aortic valve and calcium deposits are left to provide stability for the TAVI replacement valve.