Inflatable medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The devices can be medical invasive balloons, such as those used for transcutaneous heart valve implantation, such as balloons used for transcatheter aortic-valve implantation. The balloons can have high strength, fiber-reinforced walls.

A cryoablation catheter, comprising a balloon (1) and a delivery catheter (2) passing through the balloon (1). The delivery catheter (2) is provided with a fluid inflow cavity (21) and a fluid outflow cavity (22) therein. The fluid inflow cavity (21) extends into the balloon (1), and a side wall of the fluid inflow cavity (21) is provided with a spray head (211) that injects a liquid into the balloon (1). The spray head (211) has a number of spray holes (2111, 2112) circumferentially arranged on the exterior of the fluid inflow cavity (21). An end of the fluid outflow cavity (22) has a cross section (24) that seals the fluid outflow cavity (22), and a side wall of the fluid outflow cavity (22) is provided with a reflow hole (221) in communication with the balloon (1). A fluid flows from the fluid inflow cavity (21) through the nozzle holes (2111, 2112) into the balloon (1). The nozzle holes (2111, 2112) are evenly distributed outside the fluid inflow cavity (21), so that the interior of the balloon (1) is uniformly filled with the refrigeration fluid, ensuring the uniformity of heat exchange at each part of the balloon (1) in an axial direction. The fluid then flows out from the reflow hole (221). The structural design can effectively improve the heat exchange efficiency of the fluid, and the production and processing processes are relatively simple.

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.

The present invention provides methods and devices for controlling a cold slurry that is delivered to a target tissue and for limiting heat transferring from surrounding tissue to the target tissue. In particular, a balloon structure is deployed at or near a point of delivery to act as a physical and/or thermal barrier. In some instances, the balloon structure can act as a pressure device obstructing the flow of warm blood into a treatment area, which can melt the cold slurry.

An apparatus for performing a medical procedure and, in particular, an aortic valvuloplasty, in a vessel for transmitting a flow of fluid. The apparatus comprises a shaft, an inflatable perfusion balloon supported by the shaft and including an internal passage for permitting the fluid flow in the vessel while the perfusion balloon is in an inflated condition, and a valve for controlling the fluid flow within the passage. The valve may be connected to the shaft, or may comprise an elongated tube partially connected to the balloon. The balloon may comprise a plurality of cells in a single cross-section, each cell including a neck, and the valve may be positioned in a space between the shaft and the necks for controlling the fluid flow within the passage. A connector may also be provided to control the position of the valve.

Inflatable medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The inflatable medical devices can be medical balloons. The balloons can be configured to have a through-lumen or no through-lumen and a wide variety of geometries. The device can have a high-strength, non-compliant, fiber-reinforced, multi-layered wall. The inflatable medical device can be used for angioplasty, kyphoplasty, percutaneous aortic valve replacement, or other procedures described herein.

Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat.

An hourglass shaped three-chambered and tunneled balloon catheter suitable for use in the placement of an aortic valve during the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) process.

A method for maintaining a balloon of a balloon catheter at a prescribed pressure of between about 0.2 psi and 1 psi comprises the step of: generating a vacuum within a reservoir defined in a burette that is part of a fluid management system that is configured to controllably inflating and deflating the balloon by circulating balloon fill media along a fluid circuit, wherein generating the vacuum results in formation of a pressure differential along the fluid circuit, thereby allowing the balloon to be maintained at the prescribed pressure between about 0.2 psi and about 1 psi.

A device for obtaining tissue from the aerodigestive tract is provided. The device may have internal and external folds and a tissue collection surface for collecting a tissue sample from a body lumen, such as the nose or throat. The present invention is also directed to methods of collecting a tissue sample using the devices, described herein.