A medical device to be inserted into a blood vessel for effectively removing an object flowing in a biological lumen while reducing the burden on the living body includes an elongated shaft portion, and an expansion portion which is an elastically deformable cylindrical body having a plurality of gaps and in which a proximal portion or a distal portion of the cylindrical body is interlocked with the shaft portion. The expansion portion has a ring-shaped or annular bent portion which protrudes toward a proximal side position radially outside the expansion portion in a bent state of being bent along an axial direction, and an axial length of a second portion from the bent portion to a proximal end of the expansion portion is shorter than an axial length of a first portion from the bent portion to the distal end of the expansion portion.

A method for treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) utilizes an RF ablation electrode needle system that has an RF ablation generator, and an electrode needle. The electrode needle is introduced to puncture within myocardium and to reach the hypertrophic area of the interventricular septum. The RF ablation generator is then turned on to implement single-point or multi-point ablation on the hypertrophic area of the interventricular septum, and then the RF electrode needle is withdrawn from the patient.

Devices and methods are configured to allow transcarotid or subclavian access via the common carotid artery to the native aortic valve, and implantation of a prosthetic aortic valve into the heart. The devices and methods also provide for embolic protection during such an endovascular aortic valve implantation procedure.

Devices and methods for providing protection from embolisms and microembolisms in a subject undergoing catheter-based intravascular procedures. The embolic protection devices have an expandable support frame comprising U-shaped members and leg members which facilitate proper placements in a defective valve annulus. The filtering devices expand in the vessels and allow blood flow to continue through the vessels, thereby catching and removing debris of the flowing blood. Also disclosed are embolic protection devices for use with a sutureless valve prosthesis which is implanted via catheter-based methods.

A controllable stiffness endoscope overtube includes an overtube shaft including an inner sheath defining an access lumen and an outer sheath surrounding the inner sheath from proximal to distal end of inner sheath to define an annulus therebetween having a proximal portion with a vacuum connection. The sheath distal ends are longitudinally fixed to one another and sized to receive an endoscope. The outer sheath has a constant outer diameter over at least a distal portion of the annulus proximate to the distal ends of the sheaths. A vacuum device is fluidically connected to the vacuum connection and applies vacuum to the annulus. Responsive thereto, annulus pressure is lowered, the sheaths are drawn together, and the overtube shaft is stiffened over at least the distal portion to stiffen and maintain a current shape of the overtube shaft over at least the distal portion of the annulus.

Described here are expandable devices and methods for using them. The devices generally comprise a hub and a plurality of legs extending therefrom. In some variations, the hub may comprise one or more domed portions, tapered portions, or the like. The legs may comprise one or more straight segments, one or more curved segments, or a combination thereof. The devices may comprise one or more polymers, and/or one or more portions of the device may be configured to biodegrade. In other variations, the device may be configured to release one or more drugs therefrom. Additionally, in some variations the devices may be configured to be self-expandable from a low-profile configuration to an expanded configuration.

Arterial access sheaths for delivering a treatment, such as a transcatheter aortic valve treatment, having markers configured to illustrate orientation of the distal end region of the sheath. Related systems, devices, and methods are provided.

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for retaining a mechanical connection between an intravascular medical device and a delivery system during deployment until deliberately released in a vessel. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the deployment and retrieval of a vena cava filter.

Described here are expandable devices and methods for using them. The devices generally comprise a hub and a plurality of legs extending therefrom. In some variations, the hub may comprise one or more domed portions, tapered portions, or the like. The legs may comprise one or more straight segments, one or more curved segments, or a combination thereof. The devices may comprise one or more polymers, and/or one or more portions of the device may be configured to biodegrade. In other variations, the device may be configured to release one or more drugs therefrom. Additionally, in some variations the devices may be configured to be self-expandable from a low-profile configuration to an expanded configuration.

Devices, systems, and methods used to seal a treatment area to prevent embolic agents from migrating are described. The concept has particular benefit in allowing liquid embolic to be used with a variety of intravascular therapeutic applications, including for occluding aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations in the neurovasculature.