Abstract: A medical device including a tube having a coil fitted around at least a part of an inner liner, such as PTFE, and a braid extending over at least part of the coil. A polymeric layer is positioned over the braid to adhere to the inner liner. A portion of the coil advantageously comprises a polymer, such as PEEK, while the coil may also have a metal portion. The polymer coil may extend along at least at the proximal region of the tube, and the metal coil may extend along at least at the distal region of the tube. A polymer coil, a metal coil or any combination thereof can extend along the intermediate region of the tube. The polymer coil can be configured so that the tube is longitudinally splittable with a cutting instrument.

Abstract: An introducer assembly for accessing a target site in the anatomy of a patient includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a lumen extending therethrough. At least a portion of the sheath distal end has a curved configuration. A tapered dilator has a proximal end and a distal end, and is sized to be received in the sheath lumen. The dilator has a length such that at least a distal tip portion of the dilator extends beyond the distal end of the sheath when the dilator is received in the sheath lumen. The dilator may be formed of polyurethane, and has a stiffness not exceeding a stiffness of the sheath curved portion such that the sheath substantially maintains the curved configuration when the dilator is received in the sheath lumen.

Abstract: A method of forming an introducer sheath having a crease-free tapered distal tip portion. A mandrel is provided having an outer configuration comprising an elongated body and a tapered distal tip portion. A generally tubular inner liner comprising heat shrinkable PTFE, is positioned over the mandrel. The inner liner is heat shrunk to the outer configuration of the mandrel, in a manner that avoids the formation of creases along the inner diameter of the liner. A reinforcing member is positioned over a length of the inner liner, and an outer jacket is positioned over the reinforcing member and the inner liner. The liner, reinforcing member, and outer jacket are heated in a heat shrink enclosure, whereby the outer jacket melts and bonds to an outer surface of the inner liner.

Abstract: The medical devices, such as stent grafts, described herein preferably include a tubular remodelable graft material attached to a support frame formed at least in part from a metallic bioabsorbable material. The remodelable graft material preferably includes an extracellular matrix material such as small intestinal submucosa (SIS). The support frame attached to the graft is preferably a bioabsorbable magnesium alloy. The devices may be implanted within a peripheral vascular body vessel from a percutaneous delivery catheter.

Abstract: A coated implantable medical device 10 includes a structure 12 adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract; at least one coating layer 16 posited on one surface of the structure; and at least one layer 18 of a bioactive material posited on at least a portion of the coating layer 16, wherein the coating layer 16 provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material from the coating layer. In addition, at least one porous layer 20 can be posited over the bioactive material layer 18, wherein the porous layer includes a polymer and provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material therethrough. Preferably, the structure 12 is a coronary stent. The porous layer 20 includes a polymer applied preferably by vapor or plasma deposition and provides for a controlled release of the bioactive material.

Abstract: A coupling wire guide structured to be slidably coupled to a previously introduced wire guide. The coupling wire guide includes a main body having a distal section. The distal section includes an outer wire disposed over a safety wire. A loop wire is connected to the safety wire at two axially spaced points. At least a portion of the loop wire is positioned outside of the outer wire to define a loop area sized to receive the previously introduced wire guide.

Abstract: An introducer for deploying an implantable medical device such as a stent (60), stent graft (80) or other similar device is provided with an outer sheath (132,232) which is provided with a series of internally longitudinally extending channels (136. 236) and interdigitating protrusions (134, 234) extending therein. At least on stent ring (0) of the medical device is provided with one or more barbs (104) which point radially outwardly of the device, including when this is compressed onto the introducer. The barbs (104) lie within the channels (136, 236) which the remainder of the medical device is retained in its compressed form by the elongate protrusions (134, 234). The channels (136, 236) allow for the provision of relatively stiff barbs (104). The barbs (104) can be better suited to ensuring the correct placement of the medical device than flexible barb arrangements.

Abstract: A modular stent assembly (20) is provided with stent sections (22-26) which are coupled together by a coupling arrangement formed of first (30) and second (32) coupling elements. The first and second coupling elements (30, 32) provide a strong coupling between adjacent stent sections (22-26) which behaves in a manner substantially identical to the conventional unitary tie bar. The modular nature of the stent assembly (20) reduces manufacturing costs, can provide for replacement of only a defective part of the assembly 20 and can facilitate the assembly of a stent having differing characteristics along its length optimised for a particular medical application.

Abstract: A guide wire (10) for a catheter carrying an implant includes alternating radio-opaque zones (16) and radio-transparent zones (18) formed from a granular material at a portion of the guide wire (10) just proximal to a flexible tip (12). The granular material is compressed within a sheath formed by the guide wire (10) and held in place by a bung (11). By regularly spacing the radio-opaque zones (16), the guide wire (10) enables in situ measurements to be taken within a patient's vasculature. The use of granular material to form the radio-opaque zones (16) and the radio-transparent zones (18) provides rigidity to the portion of the guide wire (10) proximal to the tip (12).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to implantable prosthetic valves comprising support frames. The support frames may include a plurality of symmetrically arrayed interconnected U-shaped member structures. Preferred support frames are tubular structures enclosing a longitudinal axis and including a plurality of U-shaped member structures facing a distal or a proximal end of the support frame. Each U-shaped member structure may be connected to a single longitudinally adjacent U-shaped member facing in an opposite longitudinal direction, as well as two laterally adjacent U-shaped members.

Abstract: A medical device for removing a thrombus includes an outer sheath and an inner catheter. The inner catheter is disposed within the inner lumen of the outer sheath. The device also includes a rollsock which is everted upon itself and connected to the distal ends of the outer sheath and inner catheter. A scraping device is attached to the outer surface of the rollsock, such that when the outer sheath is moved relative to the inner catheter the scraping device is exposed to an inner surface of a body vessel.

Abstract: A stent graft for endovascular introduction into the pararenal region of the descending aorta. The stent graft has an elongate tubular body (10) with a proximal portion (12), a distal portion (16) of a diameter less than the proximal portion and a tapered central portion (14). A notional transverse clock face on the tubular body has 12 o'clock at a notional anterior longitudinal datum line. The stent graft has a scalloped cut out (26) centered at about 12:30 o'clock and a fenestration (28) at about 12:00 o'clock in the proximal portion and first and second fenestration assemblies which can be low profile side arms at about 2:15 o'clock and about 10:00 o'clock in the tapered central portion. The tapered central portion can have an arcuate side wall (30) so that the tapered portion has an outer face which is concave.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire guide (20) suitable for use in a body vessel, such as a peripheral vessel. The wire guide comprises a core member (22) and a first coiled member (40), each having proximal and distal ends. In one embodiment, the core member comprises at least one recessed portion (36), wherein the proximal end of the first coiled member is seated at least partially within the recessed portion to form a substantially flush exterior surface with the core member. The wire guide further preferably comprises a second coiled member (50) having proximal and distal ends, wherein the second coiled member is disposed distal to the first coiled member. The distal end of the first coiled member may be partially intertwined with the proximal end of. the second coiled member. A shaping ribbon (60) may be disposed substantially beneath the second coiled member to achieve a desired curvature at the distal tip of the wire guide.

Abstract: A trigger wire guide for a prosthesis deployment device. The prosthesis deployment device has a proximal end extending to a proximal nose cone dilator and having a trigger wire or wires and trigger wire release mechanism to retain the proximal end of a prosthesis adjacent the nose cone dilator. The trigger wire guide retains the trigger wire or wires to prevent fouling of the trigger wire with a prosthesis when the prosthesis is carried on the deployment device. The guide can be crimped or soldered to a guide wire catheter or concentric with it.

Abstract: A coated medical device (10) including a structure (12) adapted for introduction into a passage or vessel of a patient. The structure is formed of preferably a non-porous base material (14) having a bioactive material layer (18) disposed thereon. The medical device is preferably an implantable stent or balloon (26) of which the bioactive material layer is deposited thereon. The stent can be positioned around the balloon and another layer of the bioactive material posited over the entire structure and extending beyond the ends of the positioned stent. The ends of the balloon extend beyond the ends of the stent and include the bioactive material thereon for delivering the bioactive material to the cells of a vessel wall coming in contact therewith. The balloon further includes a layer of hydrophilic material (58) positioned between the base and bioactive material layers of the balloon.

Abstract: A stent (10) is provided with a plurality of stent rings (12) formed of a plurality of interconnected struts (14). Adjacent stent rings (12) are coupled to one another by a plurality of tie bars (16). Within each tie bar (16) there is provided a hinge (36) which facilitates the curving of the stent (10) in its longitudinal direction and minimises the generation of returning force to a non-curved configuration by the stent (10). The hinge could, for example, be formed by heat treating a portion of the tie bar (16). This arrangement is particularly suitable for stents or other medical devices intended to be placed in delicate vessels, such as cerebral vessels.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for coating a medical device. The method includes providing an electrospinning apparatus and simultaneously electrospinning at least one solution onto a first surface and an opposing second surface. The apparatus comprises a first spinneret and a second spinneret. An energy source is electrically coupled to the first spinneret and the second spinneret. The first spinneret and second spinneret comprise a reservoir and an orifice fluidly coupled to the reservoir. The first spinneret orifice is located substantially opposite the second spinneret orifice.

Abstract: An electropolishing apparatus and method are provided for polishing stents and other medical implants. The apparatus includes a motor that rotates a roller. The roller continuously rotates the medical implant to be electropolished. One of the advantages of the apparatus and method is that marks generated around the electrical contact between the anode and the medical implant are minimized. In addition, the medical implant is polished more evenly than conventional electropolishing systems.

Abstract: A coupling wire guide structured to be slidably coupled to a previously introduced wire guide. The coupling wire guide generally includes a main body having a distal end and a coupling tip connection to the distal end. The coupling tip includes a coupling portion defining a coupling passageway having a proximal port and a distal port. A slot is formed in the coupling tip and is in communication with the coupling passageway. The slot extends from the proximal port to the distal port, thereby permitting the coupling wire guide to be “clipped-on” to the mid-section of the previously introduced wire guide or any location having the most efficacy.

Abstract: An adjustable length catheter device, a kit and a method of providing the adjustable length catheter device to a patient are provided. The catheter device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first lumen and a second lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The catheter device further includes a manifold operably connected to the shaft. The manifold is configured to longitudinally move along the shaft towards the distal portion for separating the proximal portion of the shaft into a first proximal shaft portion including the first lumen and a second proximal shaft portion including the second lumen.