Degree of occlusion is monitored for an occlusive device configured to occlude passage of fluid between two compartments in a lumenal space of a body of a patient. In some embodiments, changes in an electrical signal measured from the body of the patient are induced by perturbing the fluid; for example, by “tagging” a portion of fluid with a perturbation of temperature and/or composition. The degree of occlusion is estimated based on the measured changes. The electrical signal changes may be indicative of fluid movements redistributing the perturbed fluid among the two compartments; for example, by diffusion, mixing, and/or jetting of fluid.

A conformational state of a medical device operated within a body lumen is determined by measuring, using the medical device as an electrode, an electrical parameter which varies in a correspondence with a conformational state (e.g., deployment state) of the portion of the medical device used as the electrode. The conformational state of the medical device is determined, based on the electrical parameter; and an image is presented indicating the determined conformational state. In some embodiments, the electrical parameter is a self-impedance of the portion of the medical device used as the electrode. In some embodiments, current positioning of the medical device is used as part of calibrating a parametric relationship between the electrical parameter and conformational states of the medical device.

Electrical field-guided positioning of a second device within a body cavity, using electrical field mapping information generated from electrical field measurements by electrodes of a first device. The first device, in some embodiments, is a catheter electrode probe, and the second device is an internally implantable and/or operated medical device. An exposed, electrically conductive portion of the second device is optionally configured to be used as an electrical field measuring electrode. A rule is applied to measurements made by this electrode to estimate its position within a body cavity. The rule is generated, in some embodiments, using measurements made by the first device. In some embodiments, electrical measurements are used to guide implantation verification. In some embodiments, electrical measurements are used to guide navigation at and through a septal wall between body cavities.

Some embodiments are directed to methods and systems for percutaneously treating dissections in a patient's vasculature, such as, without limitation, the aorta. The method can include deploying a catheter containing a collapsed anchoring element, frame, and cover through a first vessel to an entry point of the dissection. The anchoring element can be secured to the second branch vessel. The frame can be expanded in the first branch vessel. The cover can be unfolded over at least a portion of the entry point. The cover then reduces blood flow into the entry point.

What is disclosed are medical devices comprising a rounded, thin-walled, expandable metal structure (“ballstent”) and a flexible, elongated delivery device (“delivery catheter”) and systems and methods of use for treating saccular vascular aneurysms with the medical devices. Ballstents comprised of gold, platinum, or silver that can be compressed, positioned in the lumen of an aneurysm, and expanded to conform to the shape of the aneurysm are disclosed. The external surface of ballstents can be configured to promote local thrombosis and to promote the growth of tissue into and around the wall of the ballstent in order to seal the aneurysm and fix the ballstent in place in the aneurysm. The wall of the ballstent can also be configured to release drugs or pharmacologically active molecules, such as those that promote thrombosis, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition, and tissue growth.

Filtration systems with integrated filter element(s) forming portions of the wall of the filtration catheter are disclosed. The filtration catheters disclosed herein are designed to be used alone or in conjunction with another filter device to provide embolic protection of both carotid arteries. Occlusive element such as balloon is placed on the exterior of the filtration catheter to redirect blood flow in the vessels during the filtration process as well as to help anchor the filtration catheter inside the vessel. The integrated filter element(s) does not require collapsing thus significantly reduces the complexity of the filtration system retrieval process and the chances of releasing emboli back into the blood stream. The compact design of the filtration systems makes them particularly suitable for embolic protection during endovascular procedures on or close to the heart.

A device for occluding an atrial appendage includes a catheter-deliverable epicardial implant that is detachably secured to a delivery device. The implant includes an inflatable cuff that is positionable about the atrial appendage to an extent that, when adjustably inflated, the cuff physiologically occludes the atrial appendage. Such occlusion addresses health risks associated with atrial fibrillation and cardiac rhythm disorder.

A method is described herein for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The method comprises inserting into an aneurysm an embolism coil coated with a polymeric coating comprising a genipin, such as genipin or a derivative thereof, thereby increasing the stability of clots within the aneurysm. According to one example, the coating is a poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) is used to release genipin to crosslink fibrin clots thereby creating more stable occlusions. Increased clotting can improve segregation of the weakened portion of the blood vessel from the rest of the vasculature and reduce the risk of recurrence.

The present disclosure provides a variety of prostheses, delivery systems and techniques to facilitate closure of transvascular or transcameral access ports. Various embodiments of prostheses are provided including a plurality of radially expandable discs that can be filled with material to facilitate coagulation and to reduce or stop leakage from punctures in vessel walls.

A bariatric clamp may include substrate members overmolded in polymer forming first and second elongated portions, a bight portion having a flexible hinge, one or more inflatable portions disposed at least partially along interior sections of the first and second elongated portions; and a port coupled to at least one of the inflatable portions and configured to adjust inflation of the inflatable portions. The inflatable portions are provided to assist in retaining the clamp in a closed position to partition the stomach and to adjust a pressure of the clamp when partitioning the stomach.