Abstract: A vascular implant may comprise at least a first layer having one or more drawn fill tube wires (DFT wires) and at least a second layer having one or more non-DFT wires. The first layer may be braided from only a single DFT wire, and the second layer may be braided from a plurality of non-DFT wire. A vascular implant may also include a connecting wire composed of a shape memory alloy and that is shape set prior to connection to one or more implant layers composed of DFT wires.

Abstract: Described are medical devices including expandable tubular bodies configured to be implanted into a lumen, wherein the outer surface of the expandable tubular bodies are coupled to a polymer(s).

Abstract: Embolic coils with detachable segments that are separated by detachment capsules that are thermolytically degradable such that varying lengths of coil may be implanted into a vascular malformation to occlude same. The capsules are radiotransparent when compared to the adjoining coil segments to the location of the segments is easily seen. The capsules further include protruding electrical contacts that make positive contact with terminals on a delivery catheter. The terminals on the delivery catheter serve as markers so the relationship between the detachment capsules and the terminals is easily visible under x-ray.

Abstract: A catheter that decreases in stiffness (i.e., increases in flexibility) toward a distal end of the catheter and then increases in stiffness (i.e., decreases in flexibility) further toward the distal end. Thus, a distal portion of the catheter, including its distal tip, may have a greater stiffness than a penultimate distal portion of the catheter immediately adjacent proximally to the distal portion. The penultimate distal portion may have a substantially uniform stiffness before transitioning to a penultimate proximal portion in which the stiffness ramps up. The penultimate proximal portion may transition to a proximal portion having a substantially uniform stiffness that is greater than the stiffnesses of the remaining portions. The manner by which the stiffness is varied along the length of the catheter may vary, including but not limited to various properties of an outer jacket, coiled wire, braided tubular mesh layer, inner coil, and/or radiopaque marker, among others.

Abstract: Catheters are described that have improved flow characteristics that may be particularly helpful when delivering embolic agents within a blood vessel. One catheter includes a fluid flow modifier that is configured to create laminar fluid flow out of a distal end of the catheter to help reduce turbulence and achieve predictable fluid movement. Another catheter includes scavenging ports that are configured to suction in embolic agents that have refluxed proximally back from a distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An implant delivery system may have a pusher. The pusher may have an elongated shape. A distal end of the pusher may be configured to connect to an implant. The implant delivery system may have a tether connected to the pusher and to the implant. The implant delivery system may have a heating element mounted over the tether biased to contract a first surface of the heating element towards a second surface of the pusher. The implant delivery system may have an expander disposed between the first surface of the heating element and the second surface of the pusher. The expander may be configured to melt, allowing the first surface to contact the second surface, upon activation of the heating element.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to medical devices including occlusion devices, clot retrieval systems, and stents. More particularly, the medical devices described herein measure characteristics for intravascular treatment sites. The medical devices may include pressure sensors and/or length sensors that may be used to determine the effectiveness of the medical devices during or after treatment. These sensors may be particularly helpful when used on an occlusion device or a clot removal device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inner support catheter comprising an elongated catheter body with a distal region having a constrained linear shape and an unconstrained shape. The distal region includes a distal first section and a proximal second section that forms a major curve with the proximal second section in the unconstrained shape. In the unconstrained shape, the proximal second section lies substantially in a first reference plane, while the distal first section is positioned at least partially outside of the first reference plane. This configuration may allow for improved maneuverability and flexibility of the inner support catheter during medical procedures.

Abstract: Implant engagement mechanisms are disclosed for maintaining engagement with a stent until it has been fully deployed and expanded from a catheter or sheath. The apparatus, method and system involving these engagement mechanisms allow a physician to withdraw or retract a sheath prior to full deployment, thereby allowing for redeployment of the stent at a more desirable position.

Abstract: A system for delivering an implant device to a vascular site in a patient a delivery pusher apparatus, an implant device detachably connected to the delivery pusher apparatus by a tether having a distal end connected to a proximal end of the implant device, wherein the tether is substantially non-tensioned when connecting the implant device to the delivery pusher, and an electrical heating element configured coaxially around at least a portion of the tether, wherein heat generated by the heating element severs the tether at a point near the proximal end of the implant device.

Abstract: An obstruction removal device is described, having one or more engaging members which can engage portions of the clot. The one or more engaging members have a collapsed, delivery state, and an expanded, deployed state which in some embodiments can be locked to maintain its fixed configuration.

Abstract: A powered catheter and/or powered catheter system is described. The catheter includes a catheter hub with one set of contact components that are configured to connect to a mating cable with a corresponding second set of contact components. The mating cable can be part of another device, such as a controller or power source.

Abstract: An implantable embolic device having a stretch-resistant member passing therethrough that also serves as a tether for connecting the device to a delivery system. The stretch-resistant member is attached at a proximal and distal end of the device and extends proximally to the delivery device. The proximal attachment point serves to isolate a distal, stretch resisting segment of the member from axial tension placed on a proximal, connecting section of the member. Thus, the portion of the stretch-resistant member being used to connect the embolic device to a delivery device may be placed under tension without placing tension or distorting the implant.

Abstract: A device for treatment of a vascular defect within a patient's vasculature includes a self-expanding permeable shell having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis, the shell comprising a plurality of elongate resilient filaments having a braided structure, wherein the filaments are secured at at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the permeable shell, wherein the permeable shell has a radially constrained elongated state configured for delivery within a microcatheter and has an expanded state with an axially shortened configuration relative to the radially constrained state, the permeable shell having a plurality of openings formed between the braided filaments, wherein the permeable shell in its expanded state comprises a plurality of circumferentially-arrayed lobes.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions comprising, a polymer; a non-physiological solution; and a visualization agent; wherein the polymer is soluble in the non-physiological solution and insoluble at physiological conditions. Methods of preparing the compositions are disclosed as well as methods of using these compositions to treat vascular conditions.

Abstract: Described herein are syringe caps including a plug portion and a protruding member extending from one end of the plug portion. The protruding member can extend a length greater than a depth of an accumulated component in the syringe. Also described herein, are systems including a syringe containing a composition and a syringe cap. The syringe cap can include a luer-lock with a projecting member that projects into the syringe. The projecting member can assist in creating a tunnel through the accumulated material thereby allowing degassing of the composition. The projecting member can also help to prevent accumulation of a radiopaque visualization agent or contrast agent that may accumulate along one end of the syringe.

Abstract: An embolic agent and a piezoelectric substance are mixed together. The mixture can be delivered to a tumor or other object by a non-invasive method. The embolic agent prevents movement of the piezoelectric substance from the target location. Subsequent impulses applied to the target location cause ablation of the surrounding area due to the piezoelectric effect of the particles, promoting highly accurate and precise ablation without the need for more invasive procedures.

Abstract: Described are coatings for medical devices and methods of forming same.

Abstract: Methods of braiding using a braiding mechanism are described. The braiding mechanism includes a disc defining a plane and a circumferential edge, a mandrel extending from a center of the disc that is adapted to hold a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel toward the circumferential edge of the disc, a plurality of catch mechanisms positioned circumferentially around the edge of the disc, a plurality of actuators adapted to move the plurality of catch mechanisms in a substantially radial direction relative to the circumferential edge of the disc, and a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel towards circumferential edge of the disc. A middle portion of each filament of the plurality of filaments contacts an end of the mandrel.

Abstract: Catheters are described that have improved flow characteristics that may be particularly helpful when delivering embolic agents within a blood vessel. One catheter includes a fluid flow modifier that is configured to create laminar fluid flow out of a distal end of the catheter to help reduce turbulence and achieve predictable fluid movement. Another catheter includes scavenging ports that are configured to suction in embolic agents that have refluxed proximally back from a distal end of the catheter.