Described here are devices, systems, and methods for forming a fistula between two blood vessels. Generally, the systems may comprise a first catheter and a second catheter, which may comprise one or more fistula-forming elements. The first and second catheters may comprise one or more magnetic elements, which may be used to assist in bringing the first and catheters in closer proximity to facilitate fistula formation. In some variations, the magnetic elements may have magnetization patterns such that the flux generated by the magnetic elements is locally concentrated. In some instances, the system may comprise a magnetic control device, which may comprise a magnet, and may be used to increase or create an attractive force between the first and second catheters.

Devices, systems, and methods for reducing stress on a blood vessel are disclosed herein. A damping device configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include an anchoring member coupled to a flexible, compliant damping member including a generally tubular sidewall having an outer surface, an inner surface defining a lumen configured to direct blood flow, a first end portion and a second end portion, and a damping region between the first and second end portions. The inner and outer surfaces of the damping member can be spaced apart by a distance that is greater at the damping region than at either of the first or second end portions. When blood flows through the damping member during systole, the damping member absorbs a portion of the pulsatile energy of the blood, thereby reducing a magnitude of the pulse pressure transmitted to a portion of the blood vessel distal to the damping device.

An insertion system and a method for protecting an insertion device, for example, a needle, a catheter, a stent, etc., from infection and/or damage before, and/or during, and/or after insertion of the insertion device into an insertion site, are provided. The insertion system includes a hub or an introducer sheath with a hub, the insertion device, and an insertion device protection apparatus. The insertion device protection apparatus includes at least two elongate protective covers detachably engaged to each other and defining a channel extending through a length of the insertion device protection apparatus for enclosing the insertion device therewithin before, and/or during, and/or after inserting the insertion device into the insertion site. The elongate protective covers are progressively disengaged from each other from a proximal end and/or a distal end of the insertion device protection apparatus before, and/or during, and/or after insertion of the insertion device into the insertion site.

An apparatus for sealing a puncture includes a positioning member including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a puncture, an expandable element on the distal end, and a tension indicator on the proximal end. The tension indicator includes a distal housing portion fixed relative to the proximal end, and a proximal housing portion or handle movable proximally relative to the distal housing portion. The handle is biased towards the distal housing portion such that, when sufficient tensile force is applied between the expandable element and the handle, the handle moves away from the distal housing portion. During use, the distal end is introduced through a puncture into a vessel, the expandable element is expanded, and the positioning member is partially withdrawn until the expanded element contacts a wall of the vessel and the handle separates from the distal housing portion, indicating that sufficient tension is applied.

Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes a catheter, a first impeller disposed on the catheter, and a second impeller disposed on the catheter, proximally to the first impeller. A motor drives the first and second impellers to pump blood of a subject, by driving the first and second impellers to rotate. The blood pumps is configured such that (a) the first and second impellers are shaped differently from each other when the first and second impellers are in non-radially-constrained configurations, (b) the first and second impellers are sized differently from each other when the first and second impellers are in non-radially-constrained configurations, and/or (c) the first and second impellers are driven by the motor to rotate under respective rotation conditions that are different from each other. Other applications are also described.

Disclosed herein is a method of producing high purity pentagalloyl glucose (PGG), analogues or derivatives thereof, at least 99.9% pure, by washing with dimethyl ether. PGG may be provided in a kit, including a hydrolyzer for dissolving the PGG and a saline solution. Also disclosed herein is a device for delivery of a therapeutic solution to a blood vessel. The device may be a catheter having an upstream balloon and a downstream balloon. The upstream balloon may be expanded to anchor the catheter and occlude antegrade blood flow. The downstream balloon may be expanded to occlude retrograde blood flow, creating a sealed volume within the blood vessel. The downstream balloon may have pores configured to deliver a therapeutic inflation solution into the sealed volume or a portion thereof. The downstream balloon may be expanded by the expansion of a balloon disposed inside the downstream balloon.

An oocytes or ovum retrieval device is disclosed. The device may include a retrieval catheter dimensioned for transvaginal insertion into a cervical canal and for advancing distally into a fallopian tube and the ampulla of a female mammal. The retrieval catheter may include one or more fluid delivery lumens having a fluid delivery port for delivering a flushing fluid into said fallopian tube, an at least one aspiration opening in fluid connection with an internal aspiration lumen of said retrieval catheter, wherein the size of the at least one aspiration opening is determined based on a size of oocytes or ovum.

Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a control system and catheter device operated in a manner to intermittently occlude a heart vessel for controlled periods of time that provide redistribution of blood flow. In particular embodiments, the system and methods may be configured to monitor at least one input signal detected at a coronary sinus and thereby execute a process for determining a satisfactory time period for the occlusion of the coronary sinus. In further embodiments, after the occlusion of the coronary sinus is released, the control system can be configured to select the duration of the release phase before the starting the next occlusion cycle.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward systems, methods, and apparatuses that include an occlusion device having a barrier member. The barrier member may include an enlargeable portion and a tail portion extending from the enlargeable portion. The enlargeable portion and the tail portion are releasably coupled to the delivery catheter such that the tail portion is radially unsupported and collapsible upon deployment.

An assembly-type device for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation is proposed. The assembly-type device includes: a fixing member for the pulmonary artery, the fixing member installed in the pulmonary artery; a connecting tube provided with a connecting tube lumen formed therein to be movable along a connecting wire; an assembly part provided with a first assembly coupled to a lower end of the fixing member for the pulmonary artery and a second assembly coupled to an upper end of the connecting tube, wherein the fixing member for the pulmonary artery and the connecting tube are assembled together; a fixing member for inferior vena cava, the fixing member coupled to a lower end of the connecting tube and installed in the inferior vena cava; and a blocking part coupled to one side of the connecting tube and obliquely passing through a tricuspid valve to block an orifice of the tricuspid valve.