Abstract: This is a catheter assembly and a section of that catheter assembly. That catheter assembly may be used in accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of a braided metallic reinforcing member, typically of super-elastic alloy ribbon, situated within the catheter body in such a way to create a catheter having an exceptionally thin wall, controlled stiffness, high resistance to kinking, and complete recovery in vivo from kinking situations. The braid may have a single pitch or may vary in pitch along the axis of the catheter or catheter section. The braided ribbon reinforcing member typically is placed between a flexible outer tubing member and an inner tubing member to produce a catheter section which is very flexible but highly kink resistant.

Abstract: This invention is in the general field of surgical instruments. It relates specifically to catheters which may be used in cardiovascular and endovascular procedures to deliver diagnostic, therapeutic, or vaso-occlusive agents to a target site within a human or animal body which is accessible by a system of natural passageways within that body. The catheters are coated in such a way that they are exceptionally slippery and the coating is very durable. The invention also relates to methods of coating the catheters and to methods of applying lubricious coatings.

Abstract: This is an implantable vaso-occlusive coil which is implanted using minimally invasive surgical techniques. It is a complex, helically wound coil made up of a primary helically wound coil which is then wound into a specific secondary shape. The secondary shape is itself a series of helical turns. At least a portion of the turns in the secondary shape form a cylindrical region and adjacent that region on at least one end is a conical region which tapers from a diameter approximating that of the central cylindrical region to a smaller diameter. The device is desirably self-forming upon exit from the distal end of a delivery catheter. Also, the conical tipped vaso-occlusive device may also utilize thrombus-enhancing filamentary material.

Abstract: This is a medical catheter made up of a body having on its distal end portion an expandable balloon and, proximal of the balloon, a delivery lumen ending in a port through which therapeutic or diagnostic agents may be delivered. In one variation, a single inflation/wire lumen extends from the catheter proximal end to the catheter distal end, through which the balloon is inflated with pressurized fluid and through which a guide wire extends. The guide wire may have a valve plug for selectively seating against a valve seat of the catheter distal end to seal the inflation/wire lumen for balloon inflations. In another variation, a vaso-occlusive agent is disposable within a delivery lumen in a catheter coupled with a steerable guidewire. The delivery lumen ends in a delivery port near to and proximal of an expandable balloon located at the catheter's end. A single inflation/wire lumen may also be provided for facilitating both balloon inflation and guide wire tracking.

Abstract: This device is an apparatus for endovascular occlusion through the formation of thrombi in arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations, and arteriovenous fistulas. In particular, the device includes multiple vaso-occlusive members connected by electrolytically disintegratible links. Each link connects to the vaso-occlusive member by electrically insulative and conductive joints on opposite ends of the link. The vaso-occlusive members are delivered through a delivery catheter having on its distal end an electrode for electrical contact with the vaso-occlusive member. Upon application of an electrical current through the electrode to the vaso-occlusive member and its conductive joint to the electrolytically disintegratible link, the link disintegrates, selectively detaching the desired number of vaso-occlusive members into the target thrombus formation site.

Abstract: This device is an apparatus for endovascular occlusion through the formation of thrombi in arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations, and arteriovenous fistulas. In particular, the device includes multiple vaso-occlusive members connected by electrolytically disintegratible links. Each link connects to the vaso-occlusive member by electrically insulative and conductive joints on opposite ends of the link. The vaso-occlusive members are delivered through a delivery catheter having on its distal end an electrode for electrical contact with the vaso-occlusive member. Upon application of an electrical current through the electrode to the vaso-occlusive member and its conductive joint to the electrolytically disintegratible link, the link disintegrates, selectively detaching the desired number of vaso-occlusive members into the target thrombus formation site.

Abstract: A solderless sacrificial link between a detachable member which is placed at and is intended to remain at a desired site within the mammalian body and the core wire used to introduce the detachable member. The detachable member device may be one used to create emboli in the vascular system or may be of any other type deliverable into the human body and detached into an ionic aqueous environment, either for later removal or permanent placement.

Abstract: This device is an apparatus for endovascular occlusion through the formation of thrombi in arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations, and arteriovenous fistulas. In particular, the device includes multiple vaso-occlusive members connected by electrolytically disintegratible links. Each link connects to the vaso-occlusive member by electrically insulative and conductive joints on opposite ends of the link. The vaso-occlusive members are delivered through a delivery catheter having on its distal end an electrode for electrical contact with the vaso-occlusive member. Upon application of an electrical current through the electrode to the vaso-occlusive member and its conductive joint to the electrolytically disintegratible link, the link disintegrates, selectively detaching the desired number of vaso-occlusive members into the target thrombus formation site.

Abstract: This invention is to a minimally invasive surgical device. In particular, the invention relates to an infusion catheter which may be used in cardiovascular and endovascular procedures to deliver diagnostic, therapeutic, or vasoocclusive agents to a target site accessible through the vasculature. The device is a flow-directed infusion catheter having a variety of sections of different flexibilities with tapered junctions between those sections. The inventive catheter is directed to that target site by a flow of blood to the site.

Abstract: This is a medical catheter made up of a body having on its distal end portion an expandable balloon and, proximal of the balloon, a delivery lumen ending in a port through which therapeutic or diagnostic agents may be delivered. In one variation, a single inflation/wire lumen extends from the catheter proximal end to the catheter distal end, through which the balloon is inflated with pressurized fluid and through which a guide wire extends. The guide wire may have a valve plug for selectively seating against a valve seat of the catheter distal end to seal the inflation/wire lumen for balloon inflations. In another variation, a vaso-occlusive agent is disposable within a delivery lumen in a catheter coupled with a steerable guidewire. The delivery lumen ends in a delivery port near to and proximal of an expandable balloon located at the catheter's end. A single inflation/wire lumen may also be provided for facilitating both balloon inflation and guide wire tracking.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. It is a composite guidewire for use in a catheter and is used for accessing a targeted site in a lumen system of a patient's body. The composite guidewire assembly is especially useful for accessing peripheral or soft tissue targets. The invention includes multi-section guidewire assemblies having (at least) super-elastic distal portions and super-elastic braided reinforcements along the mid or distal sections. A variation of the inventive guidewire includes the coating of the wire with a tie layer and then with a one or more lubricious polymers to enhance its suitability for use within catheters and with the interior of vascular lumen.

Abstract: An exceptionally flexible, ultra-soft vasoocclusive or embolism forming device made of a material which may be a braid, coil, or chain which forms a long, thin thread-like device having little rigidity or column strength. The device is sufficiently flexible and small that it may be hydraulically delivered to a site within the vasculature of a human body using an injected drug or fluid flush through a catheter.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The elongate tubular member comprises a relatively stiff proximal section and a relatively flexible distal section. The proximal section includes an inner tubular liner, a first stiffener comprising a metal alloy, and a second stiffener comprising a non-metal alloy. The first and second stiffeners are coaxially wound exterior to the proximal inner liner. The distal section includes a distal inner tubular liner and the second stiffener coaxially wound exterior to the distal inner liner. The first stiffener terminates before reaching the distal section.

Abstract: This is a medical catheter made up of a body having on its distal end portion an expandable balloon and, proximal of the balloon, a delivery lumen ending in a port through which therapeutic or diagnostic agents may be delivered. In one variation, a single inflation/wire lumen extends from the catheter proximal end to the catheter distal end, through which the balloon is inflated with pressurized fluid and through which a guide wire extends. The guide wire may have a valve plug for selectively seating against a valve seat of the catheter distal end to seal the inflation/wire lumen for balloon inflations. In another variation, a vaso-occlusive agent is disposable within a delivery lumen in a catheter coupled with a steerable guidewire. The delivery lumen ends in a delivery port near to and proximal of an expandable balloon located at the catheter's end. A single inflation/wire lumen may also be provided for facilitating both balloon inflation and guide wire, tracking.

Abstract: This is an implant for placement in the human body and an assembly for so placing that implant. Most desirably, it is an implant for use in the vasculature of the human body and is used to occlude some space in that vasculature as a portion of a treatment regimen. The implant itself is preferably a component of a deployment device using an electrolytically severable joint. The implant component is at least partially covered with a highly resistive or insulative covering. The highly resistive or insulative layer or covering appears to enhance the susceptibility of the electrolytic joint to quick erosion and thus detachment of the implant. Although the implant itself is preferably a vaso-occlusive device, it may instead be a stent, a vena cava filter, or other implant which may be installed in this manner. The implant may be independently coated with insulative or resistive material or may be formed using a material with such as tantalum, which forms such an insulator or resistor in situ.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for the formation of occlusions in spaces in the human body, occluding such as thrombi in arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations and arteriovenous fistulas. In particular, it deals with a one piece assembly having an improved electrolytically erodable link to an occlusive member and further having an incorporated return electrode in the assembly. The occlusion-forming member is introduced to and is intended to remain at the desired occlusion site. The invention also relates to the joint itself. The invention further includes a method for introduction and electrolytic separation of the device.

Abstract: This is a surgical device usually delivered through an intravascular catheter. It may be used in several ways. It may, for instance, be used to open a clear passageway adjacent thrombus to allow both blood and medication to bypass the clot. It may be used to pierce and to remove thrombus. These thrombus are often found in tortuous vasculature. The device includes several sections. The device has a core element, typically a core wire. Placed around the distal end of the core element is a collapsible but preferably self expanding proximal cage assembly and a distal filter, preferably a self-expanding cage assembly or other filter component. The various portions of those components are preferably radio-opaque. The proximal end of the proximal cage is typically is affixed to an actuator in such a way as to allow expansion of the cage after deployment.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for the formation of occlusions in spaces in the human body, occluding such as thrombi in arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations and arteriovenous fistulas. In particular, it deals with a one piece assembly having an improved electrolytically erodable link to an occlusive member and further having an incorporated return electrode in the assembly. The occlusion-forming member is introduced to and is intended to remain at the desired occlusion site. The invention also relates to the joint itself. The invention further includes a method for introduction and electrolytic separation of the device.

Abstract: A surgical device for opening a passageway adjacent a thrombus to allow both blood and medication to bypass a clot. The surgical device may also be used to pierce and remove a thrombus. The device includes a core element or wire having an expanding proximal cage assembly and a distal filter or expanding cage assembly placed around the core wire. Components of the device are preferably radio-opaque. The proximal end of the proximal cage may be affixed to an actuator to allow expansion of the cage after deployment. The proximal cage assembly may be used for collecting emboli or for displacing emboli to allow blood flow to resume, either with or without concurrent clot-dissolving drug treatment. The distal section is placed distally of the thrombus to collect portions of the thrombus which may loosen during the treatment or removal procedure.

Abstract: This device is an apparatus for endovascular occlusion through the formation of thrombi in arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations, and arteriovenous fistulas. In particular, the device includes multiple vaso-occlusive members connected by electrolytically disintegratible links. Each link connects to the vaso-occlusive member by electrically insulative and conductive joints on opposite ends of the link. The vaso-occlusive members are delivered through a delivery catheter having on its distal end an electrode for electrical contact with the vaso-occlusive member. Upon application of an electrical current through the electrode to the vaso-occlusive member and its conductive joint to the electrolytically disintegratible link, the link disintegrates, selectively detaching the desired number of vaso-occlusive members into the target thrombus formation site.