Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatuses for identifying a clot material in contact with a suction catheter. For example, an apparatus as described herein may include a flexible elongate body having a suction lumen, and an aspiration opening sensor comprising at least two electrodes, and a controller configured to distinguish between clot and blood based on an impedance signal between the two or more electrodes.

Abstract: Aspiration catheters for removing clot material from a patient, systems including these catheter as well as methods of making and using these aspiration catheters may be configured to remove clot material in long, continuous strips that prevent release of smaller clot fragments back into the vessel. Also described herein are blood collection apparatuses that may allow safe and easy reperfusion of collected blood.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatuses for characterizing a material at a distal end of an aspiration catheter using one or more sensors. The methods and apparatuses described herein may include a plurality of sensing electrodes at a distal end region of the apparatus, and a controller configured to sense contact and/or close proximity to the sensing electrodes. These methods and apparatuses may determine or detect vessel size. These methods and apparatuses may include distal contrast ports for applying contrast material distal to the aspiration catheter. In some examples these apparatuses include one or more reference electrodes near the sensing electrodes that may enhance detection of material (e.g., clot, blood vessel wall). These methods and apparatuses may include a steerable distal end region. In some cases the apparatuses and methods may include a retriever probe to assist in capturing clot material.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here generally relates to devices used to identify the location of a never in order to modify a property of the nerve. Specifically, the invention utilized pre-operative scans of a patient's nasal cavity in order to identify target treatment locations when a nerve to be treated is located. The image of the nasal cavity and target treatment location can be registered with the real time position of the nasal cavity using a surgical navigation system in order to assist in guiding a surgical probe to the target treatment location.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating conditions such as rhinitis are disclosed herein where a distal end of a probe shaft is introduced through the nasal cavity where the distal end has an end effector with a first configuration having a low-profile which is shaped to manipulate tissue within the nasal cavity. The distal end may be positioned into proximity of a tissue region having a post nasal nerve associated with a middle or inferior nasal turbinate. Once suitably positioned, the distal end may be reconfigured from the first configuration to a second configuration which is shaped to contact and follow the tissue region and the post nasal nerve may then be ablated via the distal end. Ablation may be performed using various mechanisms, such as cryotherapy, and optionally under direct visualization.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for distinguishing a blood clot from a vessel wall. These methods and apparatuses may include an aspiration opening into a suction lumen, an aspiration opening sensor(s) positioned at a rim of the aspiration opening, and a controller that interprets signals from the aspiration opening sensor(s) to determine when the aspiration opening is contacting a clot material or a vessel when a force is applied.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for identifying and/or ablating targeted nerves are provided. A probe with stimulating electrodes and/or ablation members are provided. The probe may be inserted into a nasal cavity and current may be introduced through the electrodes to stimulate a targeted area. The response to stimulation may be used to identify the targeted nerve. Once identified, the ablation member may ablate the targeted nerve.

Abstract: Described here are methods and apparatuses for tracking a clot material within a lumen of a suction catheter. For example, an apparatus as described herein may include a flexible elongate body having a suction lumen, a first pair of electrodes within the suction lumen, a second pair of electrodes proximal to the first pair of electrodes, and a controller configured to track a clot material within the suction lumen based on signals from the first pair of electrodes and the second pair of electrodes.

Abstract: A medical manipulation assembly comprises a sheath steerable in response to rotational movement of a sheath steering mechanism. The assembly also comprises a catheter extendable through the sheath. The catheter is steerable in response to rotational movement of a catheter steering mechanism. The sheath and catheter are independently steerable. The assembly also comprises a set of control wires. At least one of the sheath or the catheter includes a plurality of lumens with at least two of the plurality of lumens each sized for passage of one of the control wires of the set of control wires. The steerable catheter includes a working channel sized to receive a visualization instrument therethrough.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating rhinitis are described where the devices are configured to ablate a single nerve branch or multiple nerve branches of the posterior nasal nerves located within the nasal cavity. A surgical probe may be inserted into the sub-mucosal space of a lateral nasal wall and advanced towards a posterior nasal nerve associated with a middle nasal turbinate or an inferior nasal turbinate into a position proximate to the posterior nasal nerve where neuroablation of the posterior nasal nerve may be performed with the surgical probe. The probe device may utilize a visible light beacon that provides trans-illumination of the sub-mucosal tissue or an expandable structure disposed in the vicinity of the distal end of the probe shaft to enable the surgeon to visualize the sub-mucosal position of the distal end of the surgical probe from inside the nasal cavity using, e.g., an endoscope.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here generally relates to devices that can modify a property of a nerve. Specifically, the subject invention is contemplated to modify the posterior nasal nerve signal conduction in such a way so as to reduce the signals transmitted to the nasal cavity. Reduction or interruption of the nerve signals results in the reduction of the distal organ activity. In particular, embodiments of the present invention allow for increased lateral contact or apposition of the target tissue region having at least one posterior nasal nerve with the end effector surface by lateral and/or longitudinal translation of the end effector relative to the surgical probe shaft. This improved lateral surface contact has several benefits, including improved patient outcomes and patient safety as the end effector is adequately in contact with target tissue for subsequent ablation therapy.

Abstract: An electrode carrier system includes one or more electrode assemblies having an electrode body. One or more tubular members extend from the electrode body and define a lumen terminating in a distal opening. The electrode assemblies carry a reservoir containing a conductive fluid or gel. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the lumens in the tubular members, and the electrode assemblies are typically supported on a backing which may optionally be configured as a headband. Systems are for tracking patient movement may be used in combination with the electrode carrier system.

Abstract: A system for visualizing a tissue region of interest includes an imaging element, a sheath, and a dilator. The imaging element is configured to visualize tissue. The sheath includes a channel configured to receive the imaging element. The imaging element is positionable along a central longitudinal axis of the sheath and positionable in an off-axis position relative to the central longitudinal axis. The sheath comprises a flexible section defining at least a portion of the channel. The dilator is configured to advance through the channel to force the imaging element into the off-axis position. The dilator is configured to cause the imaging element to bulge the flexible section as the dilator is advanced through the channel.

Abstract: Described here are methods and apparatuses for tracking a clot material within a lumen of a suction catheter. For example, an apparatus as described herein may include a flexible elongate body having a suction lumen, a first pair of electrodes within the suction lumen, a second pair of electrodes proximal to the first pair of electrodes, and a controller configured to track a clot material within the suction lumen based on signals from the first pair of electrodes and the second pair of electrodes.

Abstract: Methods for removing clot material by directional aspiration may include removing clot material from a side vessel while the suction catheter remains in the main vessel. These methods may include a steerable distal end region. In some cases the apparatuses and methods may include the use of a guide catheter and/or a guidewire in orienting the suction catheter to laterally capture clot material from a side vessel without having to enter the side vessel. Any of these methods may include optionally sensing and confirming clot material (e.g., electrically sensing).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods for treating conditions such as chronic daily headache, cluster headache, tension headache, migraine, or acute headache of a patient. In example methods, a cryotherapy element is introduced into the nasal cavity or pterygopalatine fossa to cool or cryoablate at least one of a nasal nerve tissue or nasal blood vessel. The cryotherapy element may be introduced into the nasal cavity in a collapsed position, and prior to cooling a target treatment site may be expanded to an expanded configuration.

Abstract: A system comprises an elongate flexible catheter including a lumen extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the elongate flexible catheter and terminating at a distal opening of the elongate flexible catheter. The system further comprises a circuit assembly including a plurality of conductors wrapped in a spiral configuration around the elongate flexible catheter. At least one of the plurality of conductors of the circuit assembly is coupled to an electrode. The system further comprises at least one processor configured to determine a location of the elongate flexible catheter based on at least one signal received from the electrode.

Abstract: Devices for the disruption and/or removal of obstructive material in a blood vessel. The device can comprise an elongated shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a lumen extending therebetween. The device can further comprise a capture structure carried by the distal portion of the elongated shaft and having a greater cross-sectional dimension than a cross-sectional dimension of the elongated shaft. The capture structure can comprise an opening at a first end portion that is fluidly coupled to the lumen of the elongated shaft, a fluid impermeable sidewall enclosing an interior region, and an opening extending through a thickness of the sidewall. A portion of the sidewall surrounding the opening can be configured to deform towards or away from the interior region such that a cross-sectional dimension of the opening increases to receive the obstructive material therethrough.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods for treating conditions such as chronic daily headache, cluster headache, tension headache, migraine, or acute headache of a patient. In example methods, a cryotherapy element is introduced into the nasal cavity or pterygopalatine fossa to cool or cryoablate at least one of a nasal nerve tissue or nasal blood vessel. The cryotherapy element may be introduced into the nasal cavity in a collapsed position, and prior to cooling a target treatment site may be expanded to an expanded configuration.