Abstract: The invention relates generally to a de-aeration apparatus and system, and more particularly, to an apparatus and system suitable for de-aerating highly viscous fluids comprising a vacuum chamber, an annular disk for rotating within the chamber, and a fixed baffle covering a portion of the surface of the annular disk and thereby defining a predetermined path by which the fluid to be de-aerated is spread more quickly into a thinner layer on the disk, exposing a greater amount of air/gas bubbles from the fluid in a shorter amount of time and resulting in a higher quality product than conventional de-aeration systems allow.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a de-aeration apparatus and system, and more particularly, to an apparatus and system suitable for de-aerating highly viscous fluids comprising a vacuum chamber, an annular disk for rotating within the chamber, and a fixed baffle covering a portion of the surface of the annular disk and thereby defining a predetermined path by which the fluid to be de-aerated is spread more quickly into a thinner layer on the disk, exposing a greater amount of air/gas bubbles from the fluid in a shorter amount of time and resulting in a higher quality product than conventional de-aeration systems allow.

Abstract: A method of joining and/or sealing tissues in a surgical procedure or medical treatment, comprising the steps of: (1) applying a matrix protein, a photoactivatable metal-ligand complex and an electron acceptor to a tissue portion; (2) irradiating said tissue portion to photactivate the photoactivatable metal-ligand complex: thereby initiating a cross-linking reaction of the matrix protein to seal said tissue portion or join said tissue portion to an adjacent tissue portion.

Abstract: A multistage balloon catheter that uses a single lumen to inflate a balloon in stages is disclosed. A fluid port provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen in the balloon catheter to the inner volume of a distal balloon. The distal balloon expands as fluid in delivered to the inner volume of the distal balloon. Once inflated, the pressure continues to rise until a threshold pressure is exceeded. A pressure sensitive inflation valve provides fluid communication into an inner volume of a second balloon disposed at least partially proximal to the distal balloon. The pressure sensitive valve allows fluid communication into the second balloon once the threshold pressure is reached in the first balloon thereby inflating the second balloon.

Abstract: A variable length balloon catheter assembly and methods for inflating a variable length balloon to a predetermined length. The variable length balloon catheter has a balloon at a distal end and a plurality of stricture mechanisms securing the balloon to the catheter. The stricture mechanisms are provided at known intervals and have a known rupture pressure. The balloon is inflated and a known number of stricture mechanisms are ruptured providing for a variable balloon length based on the number of stricture mechanisms ruptured.

Abstract: An introduction system and method of use is provided. The introduction system includes a catheter assembly, a member, and a tactile indicator. The member is configured to be introduced through the catheter assembly and the tactile indicator is configured to provide a tactile sensory input when the member reaches a predetermined position relative to the catheter assembly. As such, the tactile indicator provides increased resistance to the relative motion between the member and catheter assembly when the member reaches the predetermined position.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus and methods for removing thrombosis in vessels. The apparatus includes a sheath catheter combined with an aspiration catheter. The sheath catheter includes a first sheath opening in a proximal end of the sheath catheter, a second sheath opening in a distal end of the sheath catheter, a first balloon disposed on an outer surface of the distal end of the sheath catheter, and a passageway extending between the first and second sheath openings. The aspiration catheter is configured to pass through the first and second sheath openings and the passageway of the sheath catheter. The aspiration catheter includes a second balloon, a plurality of infusion ports, and an aspiration port disposed on an outer surface of a distal portion of the aspiration catheter. A relative position between the sheath catheter and the aspiration catheter controls the number of unblocked infusion ports.

Abstract: An intravascular filter configured for retrieval through a patient's femoral vein and a method for retrieving the filter through the patient's femoral vein. The filter includes a plurality of struts having connected ends attached together along a longitudinal axis, a shaft disposed along the longitudinal axis and having a first end disposed with the connected ends of the struts, a first cuff slidably disposed on the shaft, and a second cuff disposed over the struts and connected to the first cuff.

Abstract: The present invention provides a closure device for blocking blood flow into an aneurysm. The closure device includes a frame for positioning the closure device in the aneurysm and a cover supported by the frame to block blood flow through the frame into the aneurysm. The present invention also provides a method of blocking blood flow into an aneurysm using the closure device of the present invention.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an introducer for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient is provided. The introducer comprises a housing having a proximal opening, a distal opening and a chamber extending therebetween. A seal in diaphragm form is disposed in the chamber. The seal is formed of polymeric material having a first phase transition temperature higher than about body temperature and a second phase transition temperature that is less than the first phase transition temperature but is greater than about room temperature. The seal is in a first configuration and has an opening formed therethrough when at about room temperature for advancing the medical device through the seal. The seal self-configures to a second configuration when at a temperature of at least the second phase transition temperature for obstructing the body fluid from flowing through the opening of the seal.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a barbed stent includes providing a sheet of stent material, cutting the sheet to form a stent wire with integral barbs extending therefrom, and forming the stent wire into a final stent shape having a longitudinal axis. A stent for deployment within the body of a patient includes integral barbs.

Abstract: A device for dilating an opening through the tracheal wall of a patient includes a loading dilator. A balloon catheter is received in the lumen of the dilator such that the balloon extends distal to the loading dilator distal end. The balloon is configured to radially dilate a portion of the tracheal wall upon inflation. The balloon includes retention structure along its outer surface such that upon inflation, the retention structure inhibits dislodgement of the balloon when the balloon is positioned across the tracheal wall. The retention structure may comprise a pair of spaced elements radially projecting from the outer surface of the balloon, and spaced along the outer surface such that each of the elements is disposed at an opposite side of the tracheal wall when the balloon is positioned along the tracheal wall opening.

Abstract: A venous nitinol embolization insert for restricting blood flow includes a tubular member and an embolization material attached to the tubular member. The embolization insert provides a predetermined blood flow rate based on experimental data. A method of controlling restriction of blood flow to a targeted vascular site within a patient's body includes selecting an insert that provides a predetermined blood flow rate corresponding to a desired blood flow rate. The embolization insert is selected from a plurality of embolization inserts that provide varied blood flow rates.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device includes an intravascular blood pump and a collapsible frame. The collapsible frame receives the blood pump therein and is movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state. The collapsible frame engages an interior wall of a body cavity when in the expanded state and is retrievable from the body cavity in the collapsed state.

Abstract: A medical wire guide may include a mandrel and a cannula disposed about a portion of the mandrel. A spring may be coupled with the mandrel. The spring may be placed in a loaded state in response to relative displacement between the mandrel and the cannula. Upon release from the loaded state, the spring is configured to bias the mandrel in a distal direction relative to the cannula.

Abstract: A deployment device for repair of a transected body vessel is described herein. Device can have a handle and one or more shafts coupled thereto. A prosthesis being retained by a sheath can be coupled to the delivery device. The sheath can have end portions coupled to one or more shafts. Rotation of a shaft can retract a sheath portion away from either end of the prosthesis for expansion thereof prior to the middle of the prosthesis. Continued rotation of a shaft can completely remove the sheath from the prosthesis, so that the prosthesis is fully expanded and couples the first and second vessel portions of the transected vessel together. Prosthesis may be retained by overlapping a tubular sheath and lacing a threading member therethrough. Prosthesis may be retained by a splittable sheath.

Abstract: Coaxial balloon catheters are described herein. The balloon catheter can include outer and inner tubes in a coaxial relationship, with a balloon attached to an end thereof. A support sleeve can be disposed around the inner tubular member proximate the proximal end of the balloon. The support sleeve can have a channel formed therein to communicate with an inflation lumen and a balloon interior. The channel may be formed by separation of two longitudinal edges extending through the support sleeve. The support sleeve can include an outward extending portion that is sized to engage the distal end of the outer tube in order to limit relative movement between the inner and outer tubes. The support sleeve can be configured to orient the inner tube eccentrically or concentrically relative to the outer tube. The support sleeve can have an elongate body that can be extended in proximal or distal direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gaining percutaneous access to a body lumen, preferably without a guidewire, are provided herein. The system can include a tubular medical device and a needle with a distal tip. A side port is provided through a wall of the tubular medical device, to be in communication with a distal end opening of the device via a passageway. The needle can be positioned within the side port to extend the distal tip beyond the distal end opening. In this position, the distal tip can form an entry opening in the body lumen, and a distal portion of the device can be advanced over the indwelling needle into the entry opening. The needle can then be withdrawn from the tubular medical device, while maintaining a portion of the tubular medical device in place within the body lumen.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a catheter for positioning in a contralateral femoral approach in highly angulated iliac bifurcations. The catheter comprises an elongate shaft, an adjustable element, and a wire entrance port on the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft has a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, a curved portion, and a distal portion. The curved portion connects the intermediate portion and the distal portion. The adjustable element is configured to encompass the distal portion and the intermediate portion together in a closed position. The adjustable element can be removed away from the distal portion permitting the distal portion in an open position. The wire entrance port is disposed in the intermediate portion near the curved portion. The distal portion is biased to be spaced away from the intermediate portion in the open position. The adjustable element is connected to an operating wire configured to advance and retreat through the wire entrance port.

Abstract: A multi-sided intraluminal medical device having a self-expanding frame and a pair of guide bars located on opposite ends of the frame and adapted to enable the frame to be retracted for delivery or retrieval from either end is provided. The intraluminal device may further include a partial or full covering that is circumferentially attached to the frame. Such a medical device may be used as a stent to maintain an open lumen in a vessel (e.g., a vein, artery, or duct), as a valve, or as an occlusion device.