Abstract: An aneurysm neck covering device which is particularly useful for sealing the neck of an aneurysm located in the vicinity of a bifurcated blood vessel. The neck covering device includes a self-expanding stent for supporting and retaining a self-expanding neck cover which seals the neck of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A reattachable introducer and method of using such introducer is disclosed for inserting an embolic coil deployment system into the tortuous vasculature of the human brain for placing an embolic coil within an aneurysm. The introducer includes a sheath having a lumen, a side opening and a longitudinal slit and includes a cylindrical sleeve slideably disposed about the sheath. A deployment catheter with a conical expander member is slideably disposed through the side opening of the sheath and through the lumen of the sheath. The conical expander member detaches the introducer from the deployment catheter through the longitudinal slit of the sheath, while the cylindrical sleeve reattaches the introducer to the deployment catheter through the longitudinal slit.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for retrieving embolic coils used for treating an aneurysm of a patient. The method comprises the steps of providing a wire device that is pushable through a microcatheter and has a flexible distal portion comprising distal collapsible arms with a latch member carried by one of the arms. The microcatheter is introduced into a patient's vessel leading to the aneurysm. The wire device, distal end first, is introduced into the microcatheter whereby the arms collapse while they are within the microcatheter. The distal end of the wire device is pushed through the microcatheter whereby the arms open when they extend out of the distal end of the microcatheter. The latch member is manipulated so that it engages an embolic coil to be retrieved. The latch-engaged embolic coil and wire device are withdrawn through the catheter, whereby the arms become collapsed as the arm is withdrawn through the catheter, securing the latch and the embolic coil.

Abstract: An expandable stent and delivery system is provided for enhancing luminal dilation of a blood vessel. The delivery system includes proximal, intermediate and distal cylindrical members disposed on and spaced apart along an elongated core member such that first and second gaps are formed. The expandable stent includes proximal and distal anchor members which align with the gaps. The expandable stent is mounted on the intermediate cylindrical member, and the anchor members are disposed within the gaps thereby locking the stent onto the core member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a very small diameter intravascular stent, or aneurysm cover, which may be used to occlude, or partially occlude, an aneurysm in the human brain. The stent is comprised of a thin-walled skeletal tubular member formed of interconnected sinusoidal members to thereby form a pattern of cells along the skeletal tubular member. The stent also includes anchor members, which are comprised of a longitudinal leg member having a radiopaque coil disposed about the leg member, which serve to retain the stent during delivery of the stent.

Abstract: An aneurysm neck cover is disclosed for use in occluding the flow of blood within an aneurysm. The aneurysm neck cover includes a first and second expandable sealing member having a circular joining member and reinforcing spokes which give the sealing members a slightly cupped configuration. The expandable sealing members are connected with a support element. When the aneurysm neck cover is deployed within the aneurysm, the first sealing member expands within the aneurysm while the second sealing member expands within an adjacent blood vessel thereby forming a seal around the mouth of the aneurysm and preventing the flow of blood within the aneurysm.

Abstract: An embolic coil deployment system for placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel of the human body. The deployment system includes a heating element at the distal end of a delivery member and a heat responsive coupling for holding the coil during positioning of the coil and the heating element is heated to reduce the strength of the heat responsive coupling for releasing the coil at a desired position within the vessel.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter which includes a purge mechanism for purging air from the catheter prior to use. The purge mechanism is sized to allow air to pass through, but highly restricts the flow of liquids. Air remaining in the catheter after purging is allowed to diffuse through the balloon prior to use. The mechanism is especially useful with low-pressure, gas-permeable, compliant balloons.

Abstract: An expandable stent having a covering which exhibits the characteristic of being normally dissolvable in blood, but upon being activated, becomes inert to blood. The stent may be placed across the neck of an aneurysm to seal the aneurysm and thereafter the portion of the covering of the stent across the neck of the aneurysm is activated to become inert to blood and the balance of the covering dissolves to permit blood to flow to adjacent vessels.

Abstract: An expandable stent having a covering which exhibits the characteristic of upon being activated by applying an agent to the covering, dissolving to expose a portion of the underlying stent. The stent may be placed across the neck of an aneurysm to seal the aneurysm and thereafter a selected region of the covering may be dissolved by an activating agent to permit blood to flow to adjacent vessels.

Abstract: A bi-directional steerable guidewire having a deflectable distal tip which comprises a longitudinal hypotube and a spring coil attached to the distal end of the hypotube and also includes a longitudinally movable deflection member which is attached to the distal end of the spring coil and a tip retaining member which extends from the distal end of the hypotube to the distal end of the spring coil for providing very precise deflection of the distal tip.

Abstract: A method for placing an embolic coil into an aneurysm utilizing a delivery system having a deflected distal section. The delivery system stabilizes an embolic coil deployment system thereby placing the embolic coil with greater accuracy.

Abstract: An improved catheter is provided that is particularly useful for mapping the electrical activity in a heart. The catheter comprises a plurality of spines each capable of obtaining electrical, mechanical and locational data. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. Mounted at the distal end of the catheter body is a mapping assembly having at least two spines, each having a proximal end attached at the distal end of the catheter body and a free distal end. Each spine comprises at least one location sensor and at least one electrode, preferably a tip electrode and at least one ring electrode. The spines may be arranged in an expanded arrangement wherein each spine extends radially outwardly from the catheter body or in a collapsed arrangement wherein each spine is disposed generally along the longitudinal axis of the catheter body.

Abstract: An aneurysm embolic device is disclosed for use in occluding the flow of blood within an aneurysm. The aneurysm embolic device includes an expandable sealing member having a circular joining member and reinforcing spokes which give the sealing member a slightly cupped configuration. The embolic device also includes an occlusive member carried by the expandable sealing member. When the aneurysm embolic device is deployed within the aneurysm, the sealing member expands and the occlusive member fills the aneurysm preventing the flow of blood within the aneurysm.

Abstract: An aneurysm embolization device and deployment system for use in occluding the flow of blood at a preselected position within a vessel of the human body comprising a headpiece and a plurality of spherical members linked together with a central connecting member, which, when deployed the embolization device occludes the flow of blood in a high volume or wide neck aneurysm.

Abstract: An expandable stent and delivery system is provided for enhancing luminal dilation of a blood vessel and treating aneurysms. The delivery system includes proximal, intermediate and distal cylindrical members disposed on and spaced apart along an elongated core member such that first and second gaps are formed. The expandable stent includes anchor members which align with the gaps. The expandable stent is mounted on the intermediate cylindrical member, and the anchor members are disposed within the gaps thereby locking the stent onto the core member.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter which includes a purge mechanism for purging air from the catheter prior to use. The purge mechanism is sized to allow air to pass through, but highly restricts the flow of liquids. Air remaining in the catheter after purging is allowed to diffuse through the balloon prior to use. The mechanism is especially useful with low-pressure, gas-permeable, compliant balloons.

Abstract: An expandable stent and delivery system therefor is provided for treating vascular diseases such as partially occluded blood vessels and aneurysms. The delivery system includes proximal, intermediate and distal cylindrical members disposed about an elongated core member. The proximal, intermediate, and distal cylindrical members are spaced apart such that first and second gaps are formed. The expandable stent includes anchor members which are formed by winding a radiopaque coil onto a threaded portion of a strut member of the expandable stent. The expandable stent is mounted on the intermediate cylindrical member with the anchor members disposed within the gaps between the cylindrical members. A deployment catheter is used to compress and constrain the stent about the intermediate cylindrical member to thereby interlock the stent onto the core member.

Abstract: An expandable stent and delivery system is provided for enhancing luminal dilation of a blood vessel. The delivery system includes proximal, intermediate and distal cylindrical members disposed on and spaced apart along an elongated core member such that first and second gaps are formed. The expandable stent includes proximal and distal anchor members which align with the gaps. The expandable stent is mounted on the intermediate cylindrical member, and the anchor members are disposed within the gaps thereby locking the stent onto the core member.