Abstract: An embolic protection filtering device and method of making and using the same. The present invention comprises a filtering device including an elongate shaft and a filter that may be releasably attachable to the shaft. The filter may include a coupling member that may be used to secure the filter to the shaft.

Abstract: A guidewire having a proximal section, a distal section, and a transition section is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the proximal section may be formed of a relatively stiff, inelastic material, whereas the distal section may be formed of a relatively flexible, elastic material having super-elastic properties. A coupling member may be placed adjacent to the transition section to secure the proximal and distal sections together.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device has a multi-prong retrieval assembly. The multi-prong retrieval assembly has a first position, in which the retrieval assembly extends from the distal end of the sheath to form an open ended grasping device, and a second position, in which the retrieval assembly extends from the distal end of the sheath to form a substantially close ended basket-type retrieval device. When the retrieval assembly is used as a basket-type retrieval device, the distal ends of the prongs of the retrieval assembly that form the basket are not connected to each other. Thus, captured objects may be released by the operator, or by applying sufficient force to separate one or more of the prongs.

Abstract: A distal protection device comprising a filter cartridge having a frame and filter material and a proximal region having a ridge adapted for interface with a retrieval device, wherein the retrieval device includes a distally located expandable cuff. The distal protection device is able to be deployed remotely in a body vessel lumen optionally using a guidewire and sheath and later retrieved using the retrieval device.

Abstract: A radially expandable stent-graft endoprosthesis is provided. The graft included in the stent-graft is a knitted tubular structure circumferentially disposed and securably attached to the stent. The knitted tubular structure has a warp knit pattern of interlacing yarns with at least a two-needle underlap to provide greater than 150 percent longitudinal stretchability while substantially inhibiting dilation. A knitted tubular graft and a knitted medical fabric with greater than 150 percent longitudinal stretchability are also provided.

Abstract: A catheter tip for mapping is provided. The medical probe tip includes a first mapping ring electrode and a second mapping ring electrode that is electrically insulated from the first mapping ring electrode. The second mapping ring electrode is located substantially concentric to the first mapping ring electrode, and is coaxially surrounding the first mapping ring electrode.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing temporary placement of a filter in a blood vessel are disclosed. A filter delivery system in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a catheter having an elongate shaft and a tubular member disposed within a shaft lumen defined by the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft also includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall defining the shaft lumen. The tubular member has a first end fixed to the wall of the elongate shaft, and a second end disposed within the shaft lumen. The tubular member defines a guidewire lumen that is in fluid communication with a distal guidewire port defined by the second end of the tubular member. The catheter also includes a proximal guidewire port extending through the wall of the elongate shaft. A filter may be disposed within a distal portion of the shaft lumen. A distal end of a guidewire is fixed to the filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-functional medical catheters, systems and methods for their use. In one particular embodiment, a medical catheter (100) includes a flexible elongate body (105) having a proximal end (110) and a distal end (120). A plurality of spaced apart electrodes (130–136) are operably attached to the flexible body near the distal end. At least some of the electrodes are adapted for mapping a tissue and, in some embodiments, at least one of the electrodes is adapted for ablating a desired portion of the tissue. The catheter includes a plurality of tissue orientation detectors (140–146) disposed between at least some of the electrodes. In this manner, the medical catheter is capable of tissue mapping, tissue imaging, tissue orientation, and/or tissue treatment functions.

Abstract: A system and method for orienting an endoscope shaft and operator control module. The operator control module includes an engaging mechanism that allows the operator control module to be disengaged from the endoscope shaft. This allows the operator control module to remain in the operator's preferred orientation and then be re-engaged to the endoscope shaft. Remotely powered tip articulation cables are also provided, thus allowing the operator control module the freedom of not having to remain mechanically attached to the endoscope shaft in a fixed position. When the operator wants to rotate the endoscope shaft axially and does not want the position of the operator control module to be changed, the operator control module engaging mechanism is disengaged, after which the endoscope shaft is rotated to the desired position, and the engaging mechanism is then re-engaged to the endoscope shaft or to a fixed feature on the shaft.

Abstract: A catheter comprising a tube having a distal end for deployment in a patient, and a proximal end for remaining outside of the patient; an anchoring mechanism at the distal end of the tube having a fully open configuration, a fully closed configuration, and a range of configurations therebetween; a filamentary member attached to the anchoring mechanism for controlling the configuration of the anchoring mechanism; and a controller located at or near the proximal end of the tube for controlling the filamentary member, wherein the controller comprises an indicator for visually indicating the anchoring mechanism configuration, a locking mechanism for locking the anchoring mechanism in the fully closed configuration; or a combination of the visual indicator and the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A tubular prosthesis is provided which includes a tubular member and an outer covering sealed to portions of the tubular member, with a pocket being defined therebetween. A filling agent, preferably a substantially incompressible agent, is disposed in the pocket so as to cause portions of the outer covering to expand from the tubular member. As an endovascular prosthesis, the filled pocket can be used as a seal against the wall of a blood vessel to prevent Type I endoleaks.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter having an improved filter frame and method of making the same. In at least some embodiments, the present invention includes an embolic protection filter coupled to an elongate shaft. The filter may include a filter frame assembly having one or more frame members. The frame members may include a filter mouth defining portion.

Abstract: A dual throw advancer/retractor has a pair of finger rings that can independently advance or retract a medical device into a catheter. The advancer/retractor has a body and a channel wherein each finger ring moves independently in the channel. One end of the medical device is preferably secured to the body and forms a loop within the finger ring such that movement of the finger ring creates an amplified movement in the medical device.

Abstract: An implantable textile prosthesis includes a first woven section having a tubular branch wall defining a fluid passageway therethrough. The tubular branch wall includes an elongate tubular extent and an asymptotically flared tubular extent, which is asymptotic with respect to the tubular branch wall. The asymptotically flared tubular extent includes a weaving pattern having a plurality of warp yarns and fill yarns and incorporating a gradual change in the number of warp yarns with respect to the fill yarns to provide a seamless and substantially fluid-tight transition region along said flared tubular extent. The tubular branch wall may be sutured to an elongate tubular main wall to provide an implantable tubular textile prosthesis particularly useful in branched end-to-side anastomoses. The tubular main wall may be heat-settably arched to resemble the natural arch of the aorta.

Abstract: Devices and methods for extracting core material contained in plaque deposits inside a blood vessel are presented. A device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a catheter having an elongate shaft, a collection array of a plurality of collection lumens disposed about the distal portion of the elongate shaft, a means for radially extending and/or collapsing the collection array, and a suction means for extracting material from the lumen of the blood vessel. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of inserting the distal portion of the catheter into a lumen of the blood vessel, positioning the distal end of the collection array proximate plaque deposits, extending the collection array to rupture the plaque deposits and urging core material therefrom, and extracting the material using a suction means fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the collection array.

Abstract: An endoluminal device for deployment in a body lumen includes a radially expandable stent, a graft attached to the stent, and a plurality of indicator members affixed to the graft and adapted to form a normal pattern in response to a normal pressure differential and an abnormal pattern in response to an abnormal pressure differential across the graft. By forming different patterns at different pressure differentials, the indicator members enable the detection of a change in pressure which could be evidence of a leak. A system for detecting a change in pressure differential includes the endoluminal device and an imaging system for displaying the indicator members. A method for detecting a change in pressure includes the steps of identifying the normal pattern, implanting the device, imaging the indicator members, and comparing the imaged pattern with the normal pattern to determine whether the normal pressure or an abnormal pressure differential exists.

Abstract: A composite stent-graft tubular prosthesis includes an inner PTFE tubular structure, an outer PTFE tubular structure positioned about the inner PTFE tubular structure and a diametrically deformable stent interposed between the inner and outer PTFE tubular structures. The interposed stent is formed from an elongate wire helically wound with a plurality of longitudinally spaced turns into an open configuration. Each of the turns includes successive aligned upper and lower wave-like peaks. Selective ones of said upper and lower peaks are exposed exteriorly of the outer PTFE structure to render the composite prosthesis longitudinally flexible.

Abstract: A guidewire torque device formed from a single piece that may be either molded or machined. The device includes an insertion slot for receiving a guidewire, such that the device does not have to be backloaded over the end of the guidewire. Two rotation slots, provided in opposite sides of the device, allow the device to be rotated so as to secure the guidewire within the device. The rotation slots terminate at a hole in the center of the device that is sized to secure a guidewire of a selected diameter. The device can be operated by a physician with a single hand, and is particularly useful during rapid exchange procedures.

Abstract: A medical probe assembly and method are provided for ablating tissue. The probe assembly comprises an elongated shaft and an electrode array mechanically coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The electrode array is configured to assume an outwardly curved shape, when exposed to a first temperature, and assume a pointed tip when exposed to a second temperature less than the first temperature. The first temperature is preferably greater than body temperature, e.g., equal to the tissue ablation temperature, and the second temperature is preferably less than a tissue ablation temperature, e.g., body temperature. In this manner, the pointed tip assumed by the electrode array facilitates introduction of the probe assembly through the tissue prior to the ablation process, while the outwardly curved shape assumed by the electrode array facilitates deployment of the electrode array within the tissue during the ablation process.

Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip constructions and/or designs including methods and techniques of construction are also disclosed.