Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat. Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat.

Methods for treatment of a cerebral aneurysm within a cerebral vasculature of a patient are described. A microcatheter and a device for treatment of the aneurysm are provided. The device is a self-expanding resilient permeable shell having a plurality of elongate resilient filaments with a woven structure. The plurality of filaments includes small and large filaments. The filaments are bundled and secured to each other at a proximal end. A ratio of the total cross-sectional area of small filaments to the total cross-sectional area of large filaments may be between 0.56 and 1.89. The distal end of the microcatheter is advanced to a region of interest within a cerebral artery. The device is advanced through the lumen and out of the distal end of the microcatheter such that the permeable shell deploys and expands within the cerebral aneurysm. The microcatheter is then withdrawn from the cerebral artery.

Methods for treatment of a cerebral aneurysm within a cerebral vasculature of a patient are described. A microcatheter and a device for treatment of the aneurysm are provided. The device is a self-expanding resilient permeable shell having a plurality of elongate resilient filaments with a woven structure. The plurality of filaments includes small and large filaments. The filaments are bundled and secured to each other at a proximal end. A ratio of the total cross-sectional area of small filaments to the total cross-sectional area of large filaments may be between 0.56 and 1.89. The distal end of the microcatheter is advanced to a region of interest within a cerebral artery. The device is advanced through the lumen and out of the distal end of the microcatheter such that the permeable shell deploys and expands within the cerebral aneurysm. The microcatheter is then withdrawn from the cerebral artery.

An introducer set (1) for providing vascular access in a patient's body comprises an introducer sheath (10) and a dilator (20). The introducer sheath (10) has a tubular body (11) made of flexible material with a distal portion (12), a proximal portion (13) and an inner surface, the proximal portion (13) being configured to be inserted into a patients vessel to allow a medical device (100) to be inserted through the introducer sheath (10) into the patient's vessel. At least one of the dilator (20) and the introducer sheath (10) comprises a stiffening structure (25) imparting stiffness to the tubular body (11) of the introducer sheath (10), wherein said stiffening structure (25) can be released, removed or otherwise deactivated.

An introducer set (1) for providing vascular access in a patient's body comprises an introducer sheath (10) and a dilator (20). The introducer sheath (10) has a tubular body (11) made of flexible material with a distal portion (12), a proximal portion (13) and an inner surface, the proximal portion (13) being configured to be inserted into a patients vessel to allow a medical device (100) to be inserted through the introducer sheath (10) into the patient's vessel. At least one of the dilator (20) and the introducer sheath (10) comprises a stiffening structure (25) imparting stiffness to the tubular body (11) of the introducer sheath (10), wherein said stiffening structure (25) can be released, removed or otherwise deactivated.

An introducer sheath is disclosed, which includes a tube body that is percutaneously inserted into a body lumen; and a hub that is connected to a proximal portion of the tube body. The tube body contains a polyvinylidene fluoride resin, a ratio of a thickness to an inner diameter of the tube body is 1/16 or lower, and a ration of a kink radius to an outer diameter of the tube body is 9.5 or lower.

An introducer sheath is disclosed, which includes a tube body that is percutaneously inserted into a body lumen; and a hub that is connected to a proximal portion of the tube body. The tube body contains a polyvinylidene fluoride resin, a ratio of a thickness to an inner diameter of the tube body is 1/16 or lower, and a ration of a kink radius to an outer diameter of the tube body is 9.5 or lower.

A system for manipulating a guide catheter within a patient's nasal passages or sinus cavities includes a guide catheter formed from an elongate flexible member having a lumen passing there through. A wire guide is slidably disposed within the lumen of the guide catheter. The system further includes a steering member fixedly secured to a proximal end of the wire guide and a proximal hub secured to a proximal end of the guide catheter. The system further includes a recessed handle having a first recess for fixedly receiving the proximal hub of the guide catheter and a second recess for receiving the steering member, the second recess being dimensioned to permit axial and rotational movement of the steering member while disposed in the second recess.

A system for manipulating a guide catheter within a patient's nasal passages or sinus cavities includes a guide catheter formed from an elongate flexible member having a lumen passing there through. A wire guide is slidably disposed within the lumen of the guide catheter. The system further includes a steering member fixedly secured to a proximal end of the wire guide and a proximal hub secured to a proximal end of the guide catheter. The system further includes a recessed handle having a first recess for fixedly receiving the proximal hub of the guide catheter and a second recess for receiving the steering member, the second recess being dimensioned to permit axial and rotational movement of the steering member while disposed in the second recess.

Devices and methods for treating obesity are provided. More particularly, intragastric devices and methods of fabricating, deploying, inflating, monitoring, and retrieving the same are provided.