Medical devices including balloons and balloons are provided that include an elongate body and an inflatable balloon defining a longitudinal axis, the inflatable balloon being attached to and partially surrounding at least a section of the elongate body. The medical device further includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the inflatable balloon. When the inflatable balloon is in an unstrained state, each of the plurality of protrusions extends in a first transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis. In certain implementations, the inflatable balloon may also be configured to collapse such that, when in a collapsed state, an untextured portion of the inflatable balloon extends to a radius and the plurality of protrusions does not extend beyond the radius.

Various embodiments of the systems, methods and devices are provided for breaking up calcified lesions in an anatomical conduit. More specifically, an electrical arc is generated between two spaced-apart electrodes disposed within a fluid-filled balloon, creating a subsonic pressure wave. In some embodiments, the electrodes comprise a plurality of points that allow the electrical arc to form at any one of the plurality of points to, among other things, extend the electrode life.

Various embodiments of the systems, methods and devices are provided for breaking up calcified lesions in an anatomical conduit. More specifically, an electrical arc is generated between two spaced-apart electrodes disposed within a fluid-filled balloon, creating a subsonic pressure wave. In some embodiments, the electrodes comprise a plurality of points that allow the electrical arc to form at any one of the plurality of points to, among other things, extend the electrode life.

Devices, systems, and methods for performing thrombectomy procedures are disclosed herein. The devices can include an aspiration catheter which optionally has a beveled distal end. The aspiration catheter is advanced to a position adjacent a thrombus. A blocking element can be expanded near the distal end of the aspiration catheter to block fluid flow during the procedure. The devices can include a thrombus retrieval device supporting a braided assembly that grips and facilitates removal of the thrombus. The braided assembly is expandable to a range of expanded outer diameters by varying the level of tension in an activation wire attached thereto. An expander can be deployed beneath the braided assembly to exert an outward expansion force upon the braid, thereby increasing the grip between the braided assembly and the thrombus. The braided assembly contacts the thrombus and the retrieval device pulls it proximally toward the aspiration catheter.

A serration balloon can have a number of different components and can be made in a number of different manners. One or more longitudinally extending members with periodic raised wedges can be attached to a medical balloon. They can be attached with a fiber coating, a polymer coating, or other methods. A polymer matrix can be used to bond the longitudinally extending member to the surface of the balloon. The fiber coating can be, for example, a thread or mesh that secures the longitudinally extending member to the balloon. The medical balloon can be an angioplasty balloon, such as an off-the-shelf angioplasty balloon.

Disclosed is a catheter device including a proximal tube having a first part of a first lumen; a distal tube having a second part of the first lumen; a second lumen connecting the proximal tube and the distal tube; wherein the connection comprise an area of discontinuity between the first part and second part; wherein the area of discontinuity comprises a support element configured to resist axial movement of the distal tube relative to the proximal tube and vice versa; and wherein the second lumen is arranged to activate or cause at least one obstruction element to restrict the flow of urine from the proximal tube to the area of discontinuity and to restrict the flow of urine from the area of discontinuity to the distal tube.

A method of manufacturing includes forming a medical balloon with a scoring element along at least a barrel section by expanding a tubular parison in a mold cavity including a closed end groove corresponding to the scoring element. The scoring element may extend longitudinally, circumferentially, or helically, and a plurality of scoring elements may be provided. Medical balloons formed using the method and a mold for forming such balloons are also disclosed.

An alternative to using a stent, a catheter apparatus and method removes arterial plaque within an isolated environment at a target site while separately maintaining continuous blood flow, then removed post procedure. A catheter head has a tubular array for providing a plaque treatment solution within a first layer of the catheter apparatus without the same entering the blood stream, and for receiving a guide-wire to position the apparatus at the target site. The first layer has a plurality of flap members, with each defining an air pressure regulated pore for plaque removal using an inflow tube and an outflow tube. A separate second layer of the catheter apparatus accommodates continuous blood flow during the procedure. A third layer of the catheter apparatus contains the selectively inflatable balloon. When the balloon is inflated, the catheter head and the catheter end cap each inflate to supports the arterial wall.

A method for minimizing infectious particle exposure during endonasal surgeries includes the steps of: introducing an aspiration device through a mouth of a patient and positioning a distal tip within the nasopharynx space, the aspiration device comprising an elongated balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon located within a distal region thereof and a distal aspiration port that is positioned distal to the balloon; inflating the balloon so that the balloon occupies the nasopharynx space; and aspirating any infectious particles within the nasopharynx space via the distal aspiration port.

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.