The present technology relates to interatrial shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes interatrial shunting systems that include a shunting element having a lumen extending therethrough that is configured to fluidly couple the left atrium and the right atrium when the shunting element is implanted in a patient. The system can also include an energy receiving component for receiving energy from an energy source positioned external to the body, an energy storage component for storing the received energy, and/or a flow control mechanism for adjusting a geometry of the lumen.

The present technology is generally directed to adjustable shunting systems for draining fluid from a first body region to a second body region. The adjustable shunting systems include a flow control plate or cartridge for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. For example, the flow control plate can include a shape memory actuation assembly having one or more nitinol actuators for controlling the flow of fluid through the system. The flow control plate can further include a plurality of discrete sheets or layers adhered together to encase the shape memory actuation assembly. The discrete sheets or layers can form flow channels for directing fluid through the flow control plate.

The present technology is directed to adjustable shunting systems having a shunting element, a shape memory actuator, and a lumen extending therethrough for transporting fluid. The shape memory actuator can have a plurality of struts proximate the shunting element and a plurality of projections extending from the plurality of struts. In operation, the shape memory actuator can be used to adjust a geometry of the lumen. In some embodiments, the system is configured such that (a) any strain in the shape memory actuator is concentrated in the struts, and/or (b) the struts experience greater resistive heating than the projections when an electrical current is applied to the actuator.

Fluid removal systems and methods for removing a fluid from a tissue site are presented. The systems include a semi-permeable inbound conduit, which is fluidly coupled to a treatment-fluid delivery unit, for placement proximate to the tissue site, and a semi-permeable outbound conduit, which is fluidly coupled to the inbound conduit and to a treatment-fluid collector, for placement proximate to the tissue site of a patient. The treatment-fluid collector receives a treatment fluid and a recruited fluid from the tissue site. A recruited-fluid determination unit may be coupled to the treatment-fluid collector to determine a volume of the recruited fluid recruited from the patient. The treatment fluid is any fluid (including a gas) that pulls the fluid from an interstitial and intracellular space. A reduced-pressure treatment subsystem may also be included, among other things, for removing ascites and other fluids from a body cavity.

An implantable, body-driven shunt pump includes a pump body defining a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a fluid chamber therebetween; an inlet valve arranged in the fluid inlet, the inlet valve being a one-way valve arranged such that it is operable to allow fluid flow into the fluid chamber and to prevent fluid flow out of the fluid chamber; and an outlet valve arranged in the fluid outlet, the outlet valve being a one-way valve arranged such that it is operable to allow fluid flow out of the fluid chamber and to prevent fluid flow into the fluid chamber. The pump body includes an expandable and contractible component in a portion of the pump body that defines the fluid chamber such that the fluid chamber changes volume in response to a change in pressure of fluid in the fluid chamber.

The present technology is generally directed to implantable medical devices and associated methods. For example, a system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include a body implantable into a patient and configured to undergo a shape change, the body having a conductive path with variable conductivity in portions thereof for selective and/ or preferential heating. The body can be coupled with an energy source that can delivery energy to the body and/or conductive path, to promote the shape change in the body.

A shunt device is configured to be inserted into a puncture in a tissue wall that defines a horizontal reference plane. The shunt device includes a shunt body. The shunt body includes a central flow tube extending from a first axial end to a second axial end and defining a central axis therethrough that is angled from a reference axis extending perpendicular through the horizontal reference plane; a flow path extending through the central flow tube; and a plurality of arms extending outward from the central flow tube and configured to secure the shunt device to the tissue wall. The plurality of arms includes a first distal arm and a second distal arm attached to the first axial end of the central flow tube and a first proximal arm and a second proximal arm attached to the second axial end of the central flow tube.

Devices are provided with an internal dimension that can be reduced and increased in vivo. In one example, an interatrial shunt for placement at an atrial septum of a patient’s heart includes a body. The body includes first and second regions coupled in fluid communication by a neck region. The body includes a shape-memory material. The body defines a passageway through the neck region for blood to flow between a first atrium and a second atrium. The first and second regions are superelastic at body temperature, and the neck region is malleable at body temperature. A flow area of the passageway through the neck region may be adjusted in vivo.

A pancreatic stent includes a main body convertible between a compressed configuration for delivery and an expanded configuration once deployed, the main body including an inner surface defining a stent lumen and an outer surface. A plurality of drainage features are formed within the outer surface of the main body, the plurality of drainage features permitting placement of the pancreatic stent within a patient's pancreas without blocking side branches of the pancreas.

A stent including a tubular body formed of one or more interwoven wires, a first anchor member disposed adjacent the first open end of the stent, a second anchor member disposed adjacent the second open end of the stent, and at least one divider disposed between the first and second anchor members. The first and second anchor members and the divider extend radially outward from the tubular body to divide the tubular body into at least a first saddle region extending between the first anchor member and the divider and a second saddle region extending between the second anchor member and the divider.