An occlusive device, occlusive device delivery system, method of using, and method of delivering an occlusive device, and method of making an occlusive device to treat various intravascular conditions is described.

A system for delivering an implant within a patient is disclosed. The activation of the heater coil causes the degradation, melting or reduction of a component that brings the heater coil into or out of electrical contact with another component, or causes the individual loops of the coil to contact each other, thereby resulting a notable change in resistance in the circuit supplying the heater coil with electricity. A core wire terminates prior to the distal end of the device, allowing for greater flexibility.

An example medical device includes a body portion having a tubular inner wall defining an inner channel, and a tubular outer wall encircling the inner wall. The outer wall defines an outer channel between the outer wall and the inner wall. The body portion also includes an indicator substance disposed within the outer channel. The device also includes an indicator portion defining an indicator channel. The body portion is configured to insert at least in part into a patient, and the indicator portion is configured to remain at least in part along an exterior of the patient when the body portion is inserted into the patient. The device is also configured to transfer at least a portion of the indicator substance from the outer channel to the indicator channel when the body portion is bent.

A multi-lumen catheter including an elliptical cross-sectional profile configuration that enhances fluid flow rate while minimizing the average diameter of the catheter body is disclosed. In one embodiment the catheter includes an elongate catheter tube defining a plurality of lumens. At least a portion of the longitudinal length of the catheter tube may define an elliptical cross section, in turn defined by a major axis and a minor axis. In one embodiment, a ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the elliptical cross section is between about 1.3 and about 1.4. The catheter body can define two, three, or more lumens. In one embodiment, a dual-lumen catheter tube includes an aspect ratio of about 1.1:1, and each lumen thereof includes an inner surface defined by a plurality of radii and an hourglass-shaped septum.

A contact detection instrument 1 is provided with a rod 12, a tip sensor portion 20 that is attached to one end of the rod 12 and is inserted into a living body through a hole, a speaker 14 that, from outside the living body, inputs a sound into a hollow space that is formed in the interior of the rod 12 and the tip sensor portion 20, and a microphone 15 that, outside the living body, outputs an electrical signal that corresponds to the sound inside the hollow space, with the tip sensor portion 20 including an elastic material that covers the hollow space.

The present invention is directed to a novel shape-transferring cannula system, which provides access to tortuous and unsupported paths. The shape-transferring cannula system and method enables exploration of hollow body structures, and creates a custom-contoured access port for insertion and removal of, for example, diagnostic, surgical, or interventional instruments to and from a site within the body to which the physician does not have line-of-sight access.

A catheter assembly for navigation including a flexible catheter having a proximal portion adjacent a proximal end and a distal portion adjacent a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, the flexible catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis and configured to enable translation of an instrument from the proximal end to the distal end. The flexible catheter defines a compound curve formed on the distal portion, wherein the compound curve includes an elbow bend and a radially curved portion. The elbow bend deflecting the distal portion of the flexible catheter from the longitudinal axis, while the radially curved portion extends from the elbow bend farther deflecting the distal portion about a center point. The catheter guide assembly for navigation includes a control handle disposed at the proximal end of the flexible catheter and is configured to advance and rotate the flexible catheter within a luminal structure.

A method of predicting peak pressure within a fluid path, which includes a tubing set and a catheter into which at least one fluid is introduced under pressure by a pressurizing system of a fluid injection apparatus, includes (a) inputting an initial injection protocol into the fluid injection apparatus according to which the at least one fluid is intended to be introduced into the fluid path; (b) predicting an expected peak pressure level that would result in the fluid path if the initial injection protocol were to be used as intended to introduce the at least one fluid into the fluid path. The expected peak pressure level is determined before commencement of the initial injection protocol according to at least one model on the basis of a flow rate of the at least one fluid, at least one catheter characteristic, and a viscosity of the at least one fluid. The at least one model is determined experimentally for a plurality of fluids of different viscosities, for a plurality of catheters of different catheter characteristics, and for at least one tubing set of like kind to the tubing set of the fluid path.

A method of predicting peak pressure within a fluid path, which includes a tubing set and a catheter into which at least one fluid is introduced under pressure by a pressurizing system of a fluid injection apparatus, includes (a) inputting an initial injection protocol into the fluid injection apparatus according to which the at least one fluid is intended to be introduced into the fluid path; (b) predicting an expected peak pressure level that would result in the fluid path if the initial injection protocol were to be used as intended to introduce the at least one fluid into the fluid path. The expected peak pressure level is determined before commencement of the initial injection protocol according to at least one model on the basis of a flow rate of the at least one fluid, at least one catheter characteristic, and a viscosity of the at least one fluid. The at least one model is determined experimentally for a plurality of fluids of different viscosities, for a plurality of catheters of different catheter characteristics, and for at least one tubing set of like kind to the tubing set of the fluid path.

Clot removal from a patient's vessel, such as an artery, are described using aspiration and hydraulic forces supporting the removal process. Hydraulic forces can be generated by occluding the vessel distal to the clot and delivering liquid between the clot and the occlusive device. The aspiration catheter is positioned proximal to the clot. Catheters designed to facilitate the delivery of hydraulic forces can be based on single lumen designs or dual lumen designs. The catheters may have a fixed internal wire, or in some embodiments the catheters can ride over a wire with a valve/seal positioned to restrict flow into or out from the guide lumen such that the guide lumen can further function for balloon inflation and/or for infusion of liquid.