An apparatus includes an occlusion device operable to fit securely in an anatomical passageway within a head of a human. The occlusion device is configured to move unitarily with the head when the occlusion device is installed in the anatomical passageway. The occlusion device is further configured to prevent passage of fluid through the anatomical passageway when the occlusion device is installed in the anatomical passageway. A position sensor is fixedly integrated into the occlusion device. The position sensor generates signals indicating a position of the occlusion device in three-dimensional space, thereby indicating the position of the head in three-dimensional space. A connector communicatively coupled to the position sensor is operable to receive and transmit the signals generated by the position sensor.

Clot engagement element comprising bundle of unwoven fibers can be assembled to form an acute stroke treatment device. The device has the capability of forming a three dimensional filtration matrix comprising effective pores with a distribution of sizes. The bundle of fiber design allows the device to be effectively delivered into circuitous cerebral arteries to remove clot that causes stroke. The fiber bundle based filtration matrix offers the advantages of conforming to the changing inner perimeter of a blood vessel during a clot removal process and thus the capability to effectively retain and remove a clot in the vessel. The filtration matrix offers the additional advantage to trap any break-off of the clot during the removal process. A plurality of fiber bundles can be combined to form an effective clot engagement element. Supplemental engagement structure as well as mechanical treatment structure can be integrated into the stroke treatment device. The deployment of the fiber based elements can be facilitated by actuation tool. Aspiration can be employed during the clot removal process.

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.

An apparatus for sealing a puncture through a vessel wall including a positioning assembly, a sheath releasably engaged with the positioning assembly, and a support member axially advanceable through the sheath. The positioning assembly includes a positioning element positioned at a distal portion of the positioning assembly and a sealant disposed at a distal portion of the positioning assembly. The sheath guides the sealant and positioning assembly to the puncture in the vessel wall.

A system may comprise a first catheter having a first steerable segment and a second catheter disposed within the first catheter. The second catheter may have a second steerable segment. The system may also comprise an imaging element supported at a distal end of the second catheter, a coil reference sensor supported at a distal portion of the second catheter, and a processor in electrical communication with the coil reference sensor. The processor may be configured to determine a position of a distal portion of the first catheter with reference to the coil reference sensor.

A catheter that fits within a blood vessel wall includes electrodes aligned along a longitudinal axis of the catheter that produce unfocused shock waves that propagate radially toward the blood vessel wall for treatment.

The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. Particularly, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using a vibrational wire guide to cut and/or core through a venous obstruction, such as a chronic clot.

Balloon/infusion catheters comprise internal corewires within a single lumen structure in which the corewire can slide relative to the catheter tube within limits, and the balloon is attached to the catheter tube on one end and to the sliding corewire on the other end. The lumen provides fluid to inflate the balloon and to infuse fluid into the vessel proximal to the balloon. The infusion ports can have a polymer valve to limit infusion to lumen pressures at which the balloon is appropriately inflated. The balloon/infusion catheter can have an integral flow meter near its proximal end. Corresponding methods for use of the balloon/infusion catheter are described, such as for the delivery of hydraulic forces when used in conjunction with an aspiration catheter.

Apparatus for sealing a vascular wall penetration disposed at the end of the tissue tract comprises a shaft, an optional occlusion element, a hydratable hemostatic implant, and a protective sleeve. The apparatus is deployed through the tissue tract with the occlusion element optionally occluding the vascular wall penetration and inhibiting backbleeding therethrough. The hydratable hemostatic implant, which will typically be a biodegradable polymer such as collagen carrying an anti-proliferative agent or coagulation promoter, will then be deployed from the sealing apparatus by retracting the protective sleeve and left in place to enhance closure of the vascular wall penetration with minimum scarring. The hydratable implant will be protected from premature hydration and swelling by a soluble plug covering the implant's distal end prior to sleeve retraction.

A method of inducing retrograde blood flow may include extending a sheath through opposite walls of one of an artery and a vein of a subject and through a wall of the other of the artery and the vein such that a distal end of the sheath may be positioned within one of the artery and the vein. The method may include inducing retrograde blood flow in the artery and delivering the induced retrograde blood flow into the vein of the subject via the sheath.