An implantable tissue marker incorporates a contrast agent sealed within a chamber in a container formed from a solid material. The contrast agent is selected to produce a change, such as an increase, in signal intensity under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An additional contrast agent may also be sealed within the chamber to provide visibility under another imaging modality, such as computed tomographic (CT) imaging or ultrasound imaging.

A neurovascular catheter extension segment is provided, such as for distal neurovascular access or aspiration. The neurovascular catheter extension segment includes 1) an elongate flexible control wire having a proximal end and a distal end and 2) a tubular extension segment having a side wall defining a central lumen carried by the distal end of the control wire. The side wall of the tubular extension segment includes a tubular inner liner, a tie layer separated from the lumen by the inner liner, a helical coil surrounding the tie layer, and an outer jacket surrounding the helical coil. The extension segment may be introduced into the proximal end of a neurovascular catheter and advanced distally to extend beyond the catheter and thereby extend the reach of the catheter.

Apparatus for optical imaging of Cerenkov luminescence from an object subsequent to the object receiving a dose of a radiopharmaceutical, the apparatus comprising: a light tight enclosure within which the object can be received at a sample location; an imaging means; a means to mitigate direct particle impingement between the sample location and the imaging means; and one or more optical elements for transmitting Cerenkov photons from within the light tight enclosure to the imaging means.

A fluid path set including a multi-patient use section adapted for connection with a pump device and a source of injection fluid, and a per-patient use section adapted for removable fluid communication with the multi-patient use section. The per-patient use section includes a pressure isolation mechanism having a first port adapted for connection to the pump device via the multi-patient use section, a second port adapted for connection to a patient, and a pressure isolation port adapted for connection to a source of medical fluid via the multi-patient use section. The per-patient use section includes a valve member biased to a normally open position permitting fluid communication between the first port, the second port, and the pressure isolation port, and movable to a closed position to close the pressure isolation port when fluid pressure reaches a predetermined pressure level sufficient to overcome a biasing force applied to the valve member.

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

A method of monitoring a fluid injection procedure is provided. The method includes: disposing a sensor on a catheter, where the sensor is in proximity to a tip of the catheter; inserting at least the tip of the catheter into a patient; delivering a fluid to a location within the patient via the tip of the catheter; and automatically monitoring a sensor signal from the sensor while the fluid is being delivered. Reflux end-point detection using an electrical impedance sensor has been demonstrated in a phantom. Applications include embolotherapy and angiography.

A diffusing applicator is provided and generally includes a head unit, and extension shaft, and a dispensing device. The head unit includes a fluid receiving space and a plurality of dispensing passageways in communication the fluid receiving space. The extension shaft is securely connected to head unit. The dispensing device holds a fluid and is connected to the extension shaft. The dispensing device is in communication with the plurality of dispensing passageways.

A catheter assembly is disclosed, which includes a catheter, a catheter hub, a guide wire, and a guide wire hub. The guide wire has a guide wire rigidity changing portion that gradually decreases in rigidity from a proximal side toward a distal side, and the catheter has a catheter rigidity changing portion that gradually decreases in rigidity from a proximal side toward a distal side. In the catheter assembly, the catheter hub and the guide wire hub are connected to each other in a state where the distal side of the guide wire is exposed from a distal end of a lumen of a shaft portion and a guide wire rigidity changing point and a catheter rigidity changing point are aligned with each other in an axial direction.

Embolization particles can be safely delivered to the left gastric artery of a patient by introducing the distal end of a catheter in the patient's left gastric artery, inflating a balloon located near the distal end of the catheter so that the balloon prevents blood from flowing through the left gastric artery, and injecting a mixture of particles and contrast agent into the proximal end of the catheter so that they flow through the catheter. In addition, a path is provided for blood to flow into the catheter through an opening in the sidewall of the catheter at a position that is proximal to the balloon, and out through the distal end of the catheter. This blood flow helps to carry the particles along to their destination in the distal portion of the left gastric artery. The particles are also prevented from flowing into portions of the patient's artery system that are proximal of the balloon.

A multi-purpose balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a non-branching distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the non-branching distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated or deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a medical treatment. The catheter can include an extraction point associated with a lumen to remove fluids and materials from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a fluid medium or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the medical treatment.