Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes inserting an intramural crossing device into the vascular lumen, positioning at least the distal tip of the crossing device in the vascular wall, advancing an orienting device over the crossing device such that an orienting element of the orienting device resides in the vascular wall, inserting a reentry device, and re-entering the true vascular lumen.

A cannula for moving fluids between a pump and the circulatory system of a patient. The cannula includes a liner having an intermediate portion between a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal portions. At least the intermediate portion of the liner is constructed from a tissue in-growth material for supporting the growth of endothelial cells. A jacket surrounds at least part of the liner.

Systems and methods for implanting an endovascular shunt in a patient is disclosed. The system having an expandable anchor configured for being deployed in a dural venous sinus of a patient at a location distal to a curved portion of a wall of an inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) of the patient; an elongate guide member coupled to, and extending proximally from, the anchor; a shunt delivery catheter having a first lumen configured to receive the guide member, and a second lumen extending between respective proximal and distal openings in the shunt delivery catheter, the shunt delivery catheter further having a penetrating element coupled to a distal end of the catheter; and the system further having a guard at least partially disposed over, and movable relative to, the penetrating element.

A method of producing an arteriovenous (AV) fistula includes producing an anastomosis between a primary blood vessel (e.g., a vein) and a secondary blood vessel (e.g., an artery). A collateral (or competing) blood vessel in fluid communication with one of the primary blood vessel or the secondary blood vessel is identified. A reversible flow restrictor is then applied to the collateral blood vessel to reduce a blood flow rate through the collateral blood vessel. In some embodiments, the anastomosis can be produced percutaneously. In some embodiments, the reversible flow restriction (or a portion thereof) can be removed from the collateral blood vessel. In other embodiments, the reversible flow restriction (or a portion thereof) can be adjusted to allow increased blood flow therethrough while within the collateral blood vessel.

An occlusion device includes an elongate shaft; a lower jaw extending from a distal end of the elongate shaft; an upper jaw pivotably mounted relative to the lower jaw; and a control member at a proximal end of the elongate shaft, the control member being operatively associated with the upper jaw to cause pivot of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw. A method is also disclosed.

A device for treating heart failure in a patient. The device comprising a body, at least one passage through the body, at least one one way valve in the passage and a mounting means adapted for mounting the body in an opening provided in the patient's atrial septum. In use, the device is oriented such that, when the patient's left atrial pressure exceeds the patient's right atrial pressure by a predetermined amount, the one way valve(s) opens to allow blood flow through the passage(s) from the left atrium to the right atrium to thereby reduce the left atrial pressure.

Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary device in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.

An apparatus for determining alignment between a source device and a target device includes the source device, the target device, and a processing system. The source device includes a first spatially variant field generator for generating a first spatially variant electric field, and a second spatially variant field generator for generating a second spatially variant electric field. The second spatially variant electric field is angularly offset with respect to the first spatially variant electric field. The target device includes a sensor configured to detect a first signal from the first spatially variant electric field and a second signal from the second spatially variant electric field. The processing system is configured to determine alignment between the first source device and the target device based on the first and second signals from the first and second spatially variant electric fields by the target device.

A shunt comprises a central flow portion configured to fit at least partially within an opening in a tissue wall. The tissue wall is situated between a first anatomical chamber and a second anatomical chamber and the opening represents a blood flow path between the first anatomical chamber and the second anatomical chamber. The central flow portion is further configured to maintain the blood flow path from the first anatomical chamber to the second anatomical chamber. The shunt further comprises a barrier configured to alter growth of tissue around the shunt.

The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for treating heart failure by normalizing elevated blood pressure in the left and right atria of a heart of a mammal. The present disclosure includes methods for creating and maintaining an opening in the atrial septum. Tools for making an opening and enlarging the opening are also disclosed. Use of the techniques and tools described herein prolongs the patency of an intra-atrial pressure relief opening.