A coil wire and method of using the coil wire to navigate blood vessels are provided. The coil wire is configured to facilitate coaxial catheter advancement over at least a part of the length of the coil wire. Existing catheters utilize the distal tip of a guidewire to select the vessel origins by shaping it (either during fabrication or by the operating physician) in such a way that the tip will point into the desired vessel as the wire is advanced. The coil wire of the present disclosure functions in a unique manner: its distal tip resumes a pre-formed three-dimensional coil configuration as it is expressed from the catheter. This shape catches the flow of moving blood and propels the coil wire forward while unfurling the coil. As the coil wire is advanced, the small outer diameter of the unfurled coil allows it to pass deep into the selected vessel.

A medical device for left atrial appendage closure includes a support frame with a proximal collar and a distal collar, where the support frame is actuatable from a first constrained configuration to a second radially expanded configuration. A membrane is disposed on at least a portion of the support frame, and an engagement element is coupled to the distal end region of the support frame. The engagement element extends distally from the support frame and is configured to engage an inner surface of the left atrial appendage and prevent the support frame from sliding along the inner surface of the left atrial appendage during implantation.

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.

A method is disclosed, including joining a balloon to a resilient inner body of a balloon assist device, the balloon comprising an axial length shorter than an axial length of the inner body; expanding a slit in the resilient inner body of the balloon assist device; inserting a catheter through the slit; and releasing the slit to contract the balloon assist device around the catheter.

Several embodiments are set forth of devices, systems and methods for modifying an atrial appendage such as a left atrial appendage (LAA). In one embodiment, a medical device includes a frame member and a tissue growth member. The frame member includes a unitary, seamless central portion having a plurality of struts defining a multi-cellular structure and an anchoring system, the plurality of struts extending between and configured to self-expand and directly bias the anchor system to anchor the frame member at least partially within the LAA. With this arrangement, the tissue growth member is attached to the frame member to occlude the LAA.

Devices and methods for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. A foam implant encapsulated with a tough thromboresistent membrane is placed via transvascular means into the LAA and anchored with adhesives and/or mechanical anchors. Tissue over- and in-growth are optimized to anchor the implant in place and provide a permanent occlusion.

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.