Disclosed are peritoneal dialysis catheters comprising a distal region comprising a perforated portion and one or more expandable member configured to float the catheters on dialysate fluid within the peritoneal cavity of a patient, and methods for using the catheters.

Apparatus for passing a blocked vein, including: (a) an intravascular catheter body defining at least one lumen; (b) a radially expandable anchor at a distal end of said catheter; and (c) a penetration tool sized and shaped to be delivered by the lumen to a point distal of the expandable anchor, the penetration tool including a tip and configured for being pushed through venous blockage more than one week old and present with a young's modulus greater than 1 MPa. Optionally, the penetration tool tip comprises a sharpened tip. Optionally or additionally, the penetration tool tip is controllably bendable.

An everting balloon system is disclosed that can be used for the placement of an IUD within the uterine cavity of a female patient. The everting balloon system with IUD can be used to access a uterine cavity at specific locations in the fundus. A one-handed IUD delivery system for placement with an everting catheter is disclosed. An IUD loading system for placement within an everting catheter is disclosed. The everting catheter with an IUD can simplify the process of IUD placement within the uterine cavity.

Methods and devices for performing minimally invasive procedures useful for Fallopian tube diagnostics are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the proximal os of the Fallopian tube is accessed via an intrauterine approach; an introducer catheter is advanced to cannulate and form a fluid tight seal with the proximal os of the Fallopian tube; a second catheter inside the introducer catheter is provided to track the length of the Fallopian tube and out into the abdominal cavity; a balloon at the end of the second catheter is inflated and the second catheter is retracted until the balloon seals the distal os of the Fallopian tube; irrigation is performed substantially over the length of the Fallopian tube; and the irrigation fluid is recovered for cytology or cell analysis.

A light treatment system includes: a probe configured to be inserted into a bladder, the probe including an optical fiber configured to propagate light, and a light emitter that is provided at a distal end of the optical fiber, the light emitter being configured to emit the light; and a balloon catheter into which the probe is inserted, the balloon catheter being configured to be inserted into the bladder, the balloon catheter including a distal end portion that is to be dilated in the bladder, a wall configured to divide inside of the distal end portion into two regions, and a reflector configured to reflect the light emitted by the light emitter, the reflector being provided on a surface of the wall, the surface facing a region of the two regions, the region being where the light emitter is positioned.

An invaginating device includes an inner elongate member and an outer flexible tube with invaginated axial ends. The outer flexible tube is: disposed at a first axial end of the inner elongate member; concentric with the inner elongate member; sized to provide a radial gap there between; sealably connected at the axial ends of the outer flexible tube to the inner elongate member, with the axial spacing between such sealed axial ends being less than the axial length of the outer tube; and extendable to protrude from the first axial end of the inner elongate member and retractable to reduce such protrusion from the first axial end of the inner elongate member. Fluid contained within the radial gap defined between the inner elongate member and the outer flexible tube is either pressurized or a non-compressible fluid. An actuator is: movable relative to the inner elongate member; and engageable with the outer flexible tube to extend the outer flexible tube relative to the first axial end of the inner elongate member.

Methods and devices for performing minimally invasive procedures useful for Fallopian tube diagnostics are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the proximal os of the Fallopian tube is accessed via an intrauterine approach; an introducer catheter is advanced to cannulate and form a fluid tight seal with the proximal os of the Fallopian tube; a second catheter inside the introducer catheter is provided to track the length of the Fallopian tube and out into the abdominal cavity; a balloon at the end of the second catheter is inflated and the second catheter is retracted until the balloon seals the distal os of the Fallopian tube; irrigation is performed substantially over the length of the Fallopian tube; and the irrigation fluid is recovered for cytology or cell analysis.

Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and dilate body lumen and cavities. For example, the systems can be used to dilate the cervix and access the uterine cavity. The systems can also be used to occlude the cervix. The systems can also be used to occlude the urethra.

Minimally invasive catheter relates to the field of eversible catheters. It is primarily intended for use as a urinary catheter, but is also usable in other fields. As a urinary catheter this minimally invasive catheter 1 used as an indwelling or intermittent catheter with transurethral or suprapubic approach. This catheter has specific technical solution for eversible motion where tubular membrane 2, attached between distal part 36a of the handle 36 and distal part 3a of the inner tube 3, can in one case free slide between these two parts and in another be fixed to form hermetically sealed space 14. Free sliding of membrane ensures eversible principle of motion during placement and withdrawal of the catheter 1. Fixation of membrane allows a formation of hermetically sealed space 14 with fluid to make catheter surface smoother and softer, and a balloon 33 to hold catheter 1 in place for prolonged period of time. Thus, present invention provides a urinary catheter that enables the reduced incidence of complications arising due to its application.

Method and system for treating a patient using an inflatable device. A removal device may be used to remove the inflatable device from the body. The removal device can have at least one manually-actuatable member and at least two opposing jaws at a distal end. At least one of the at least two jaws can be movable by actuation of the at least one manually-actuatable member. At least one of the at least two jaws can have a puncturing member.