Abstract: A guidewire made from a drawn filled tube composite wire is described. The composite wire has a stainless steel outer sheath jacketing a nitinol core wire. The drawn filled tube composite wire is ground at its distal end to expose the nitinol core, which has superelastic and kink resistant properties that are desirable for the distal end of a guidewire. The proximal end of the drawn filled tube is not ground or if ground, the outer sheath of stainless steel is not removed to an extent sufficient to expose the nitinol core.

Abstract: Woven structures and associated systems for weaving such structures are disclosed. Some disclosed innovations pertain to braided structures, such as braided wire structures, with axially asymmetric woven structures (or “directional meshes”) being examples. Other innovations disclosed herein pertain to methods of manufacturing woven structures, with automated methods of braiding directional meshes being examples. Some directional mesh embodiments can be configured and used as energizable electrodes for electrosurgical therapies, for example, bipolar vaporization therapies.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for detecting and measuring pressure within a region of a body lumen or vessel. The pressure sensing system includes a light source for transmitting light through a pathway of polarization maintaining fiber optic wire. A distal portion of the polarization maintaining fiber optic wire is engaged to and extends along a guidewire. The distal portion of the fiber optic wire includes pressure sensing station(s) made up of fiber Bragg gratings (FBG). The light transmitted to and reflected from the FBGs on the two polarization modes of the polarization maintaining fiber optic wire can be analyzed to provide one or more pressure values.

Abstract: Woven structures and associated systems for weaving such structures are disclosed. Some disclosed innovations pertain to braided structures, such as braided wire structures, with axially asymmetric woven structures (or “directional meshes”) being examples. Other innovations disclosed herein pertain to methods of manufacturing woven structures, with automated methods of braiding directional meshes being examples. Some directional mesh embodiments can be configured and used as energizable electrodes for electrosurgical therapies, for example, bipolar vaporization therapies.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument or prosthesis and an injection moulded surgical instrument or prosthesis are described. A first material is injected into a first mould to form an interim component. A second material is injected into a second mould containing at least part of the interim component to form the surgical instrument or prosthesis such that portions of the first and second materials are exposed at the external surface of the surgical instrument or prosthesis. The first and second materials are visually distinct such that at least one exposed portion of the first or second material adjacent to an exposed portion of the other material forms a marking which is visible to a user.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for detecting and measuring pressure within a region of a body lumen or vessel. The pressure sensing system includes a light source for transmitting light through a pathway of polarization maintaining fiber optic wire. A distal portion of the polarization maintaining fiber optic wire is engaged to and extends along a guidewire. The distal portion of the fiber optic wire includes pressure sensing station(s) made up of fiber Bragg gratings (FBG). The light transmitted to and reflected from the FBGs on the two polarization modes of the polarization maintaining fiber optic wire can be analyzed to provide one or more pressure values.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for detecting and measuring pressure within a region of a body lumen or vessel. The pressure sensing system includes a light source for transmitting light through a pathway of fiber optic wire. A distal portion of the fiber optic wire is engaged to and extends along a guidewire. The distal portion of the fiber optic wire includes sensor station(s) made up of fiber Bragg gratings (FBG). The light transmitted to and reflected from the FBGs of the pressure sensing stations can be analyzed to provide one or more values.

Abstract: A part ejector is shown and described wherein a machined part in a CNC lathe is ejected from a spindle of the lathe by means of an air pressure differential. The part ejector includes inner and outer tubes that are coupled to, and aligned with a spindle collet. Machined parts are received within the inner tube and a pin tool moves a pin into the inner tube to pneumatically seal the inner tube and push a machined part past one or more air ports that pneumatically connect the inner tube with an air channel located between the inner and outer tubes. Pressurized air is applied to the air channel and the pin is partially retracted to uncover the air ports thus allowing the pressurized air to enter the inner tube and eject the machined part out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering drugs having e.g., anti-proliferative activity in the vascular, preferably, the cardiovascular, system locally or systematically using an at least partially drug-coated guidewire. The drug-coated guidewire, particularly an expansion member or portion thereof, is brought into contact with the target tissue or in circulation and the drugs are quickly released into the area surrounding the device in a short time after the contact step. Once the therapeutic drugs are released, they are quickly and effectively absorbed by the surrounding cells or circulation.

Abstract: A guide wire having dual coil on core configuration. The guide wire has a core wire with distal and proximal ends or segments wherein two coils are tandomly disposed on its distal end. The more proximally-disposed of the distal coils is multifilar having from 4 to 15 filars all wound in one direction. The multifilar coil comprises a super elastic material. The more distal of the distally-disposed coils comprises a radiopaque material, the core wire terminating with an atraumatic tip. A guide wire of this invention is particularly well suited to navigation of the neuroanatomy.