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 invention is a surgical device. In particular, it is a catheter suitable for 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 stiffener ribbon, typically metallic, wound within the catheter body in such a way as to create a catheter having controllable stiffness. The stiffener ribbon is adhesively bonded to a flexible outer tubing member so to produce a thin wall catheter section which is exceptionally flexible but highly kink resistant. The catheter sections made according to this invention may be used in conjunction with other catheter sections either using the concepts shown herein or made in other ways. Because of the effective strength and ability to retain a generally kink-free form, these catheters may be effectively used in sizes which are quite fine, e.g., 0.015" to 0.020" in diameter, and usable within typical vascular catheters.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating an aneurysm in a vessel that isolates a volume around the aneurysm, evacuates that volume and heats the aneurysmal wall. A catheter includes one or more inflatable balloons for defining the isolated volume and occluding and preventing any blood flow through the volume. Suction applied through the catheter to the isolated volume withdraws any blood in the isolated volume and displaces the tissue for contact with a thermal source that heats the aneurysmal wall. When the treatment is completed, the balloons are deflated and the catheter is removed from the vessel.

Abstract: This is a device for bridging the necks of wide-necked or narrow-necked aneurysms in the vasculature. It is a device which may be used by itself to bridge the neck of an aneurysm or used to stabilize the presence of other vaso-occlusive devices such as helically wound coils in that aneurysm. The included vaso-occlusive devices may be delivered to the aneurysm in a variety of different ways, e.g., by a core wire which is linked to the coils by an electrolytically severable or mechanically detachable joint. The vaso-occlusive devices may also be simply pushed into the aneurysm. The aneurysm neck bridge may also be delivered in a variety of ways, but preferably is attached to an electrolytically severable joint for its deployment. The inventive neck bridge may contain one or two sections: a first or inner section to be placed within the aneurysm and an optional second or outer section suitably placed outside the aneurysm.

Abstract: This is an implantable vaso-occlusive device. It is a complex, helically wound coil having multiple secondary layers of primary windings. The final shape is often chunky in nature and may be used in the approximate shape of an anatomical cavity. It may be deployed in the approximate shape of a sphere, an ovoid, or other distorted spherical shape. The device is a self-forming shape made from a pre-formed linear vaso-occlusion member. Fibers may be introduced onto the device and affixed to the pre-formed linear member. The constituent member may be also be covered with a fibrous braid. The device is typically introduced through a catheter. The device is passed axially through the catheter sheath and assumes its form upon exiting the catheter without further action. The invention also includes methods of winding the anatomically shaped vaso-occlusive device into appropriately shaped forms and annealing them to form various devices.

Abstract: This is a catheter having a shaft, the layers of which are coextruded in an intermittently changing pattern that produces particular mechanical and frictional properties in the structure. The outer layer of the catheter shaft is comprised of a material which has greater flexibility than the material which comprises the inner layer of the catheter shaft. The stiffer material which comprises the inner layer has frictional properties which facilitate guidewire passage and control. The invention includes the substituent shaft per se and a method of making the shaft.

Abstract: This is a procedure for stabilizing or filling an aneurysm in the vasculature. The procedure involves the introduction into the aneurysm of a solid vaso-occlusive device such as a coil or braid and a polymeric composition which may be reformed or solidified in situ. The solid vaso-occlusive device is at least partially surrounded or enveloped by that polymeric composition. The polymeric composition is reformed via light, heat, R.F. or the like to form a rigid mass with the solid vaso-occlusive device. These steps may be carried out sequentially or the steps of introducing the vaso-occlusive device and reforming the polymeric composition may be carried out simultaneously. The procedure may be accomplished using intravascular catheters to access the desired site and to deliver the noted materials.

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 catheter assembly having an expandable balloon adjustably positionable over a polymeric delivery catheter shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for occluding a lumen, such as a vessel, in a mammal using alternating current and monitoring reflected power from the occlusion site to determine vessel constriction and/or electrocoagulation. The apparatus is provided with an alternating current (AC) power generator, a first electrode electrically coupled to the generator, a dispersive electrode electrically coupled to the generator and forming in-part with the generator and the first electrode a drive circuit and a reflected power monitoring circuit coupled to the drive circuit for monitoring power reflected back toward the generator from the first electrode. With this construction, occlusion and/or thermocoagulation can be accurately detected so that the power delivered to the first electrode when positioned in the mammal can be terminated. In this manner, the risk of overheating tissue in the vicinity of the constricted vessel is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: This is a single lumen balloon catheter having an infusion section distal of that balloon for infusing liquids into the bloodstream. In general, the infusion section has a plurality of holes in the wall of the section proximal of the tip so to allow infusion of that selected material. Depending upon the variation of the invention selected, the infusion section may have valve seats at either or both ends of that infusion section. The device may include a core wire for assistance in controlling the infusion of liquids through the distal sections orifices. The core wire, in most variations of the invention, may also be used as a guidewire for introducing the catheter with its attendant balloon to a suitable site. The single lumen is used both for inflation of the balloon and infusion of the treatment or diagnostic material. The balloon itself, depending upon the use to which the catheter is to be placed, may be either a compliant balloon or one having a predetermined fixed diameter.

Abstract: This is an implantable vaso-occlusive device. It is typically a vaso-occlusive coil comprising a primary helically wound coil which may then be wound into a secondary shape. Central to the invention is the use of a stretch-resisting member extending through the lumen formed, which stretch-resisting member is fixedly attached, directly or indirectly, to the coil in at least two locations. The stretch-resisting member is preferably somewhat loose within the interior of the lumen so to prevent the coil from collapsing, binding, and therefore stiffening during passage of turns through the human body. The coil should bend easily. In some variations of the invention, the stretch-resisting member may be formed into coil tips at the ends of the coil using simple equipment such as soldering irons or the like. The tips are typically of the same diameter as is the coil body itself. This stretch-resisting member is for the primary purpose of preventing stretching of the coil during movement of that coil, e.g.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. In particular, this invention is directed to a multilumen catheter for accessing the vascular system of a body. The multilumen catheter includes a catheter shaft, at least a portion or which includes at least one lumen reinforced with a support member which may include a polymeric or metallic braid, coil or knit material. The reinforced lumen may further include a thin-walled liner or coating of lubricious material. The reinforced lumen may have a circular cross-section adapted to receive a guidewire. The interior surface of the reinforced lumen may have a smooth and continuous surface or a non-uniform surface.

Abstract: This is an implantable vaso-occlusive device. It is typically a vaso-occlusive coil comprised of a primary helically wound coil which may then be wound into a secondary shape. Central to the invention is the use of a stretch-resisting member fixedly attached within at least a portion of the primary coil. The stretch-resisting member may be formed into coil tips at the ends of the coil by melting the polymeric fibers or alloys or by attaching the fibers with a glue. This stretch-resisting member is for the primary purpose of preventing stretching of the coil during movement of that coil, e.g., by retrieval or repositioning after deployment. The device typically has a self-forming secondary shape made from a pre-formed primary linear helically wound coil, although it need not have the secondary form. External fibers may be attached to the device and affixed to the pre-formed linear member to increase . The vaso-occlusive member may be also be covered with a fibrous braid.

Abstract: A vasoocclusive device in the form of a coil for placement in the vasculature of an animal to form thrombus in a selected site such as an aneurysm or AVM. The device involves a primary coil form having thrombogenic fibers placed on the coil in a specified fashion. The coil will pass through the lumen of a vascular catheter in the primary coil form and evolve into a convoluted or complex secondary form when ejected from the catheter's distal end. The fibers are attached to the coil and cooperate with the coil so that upon ejection from the catheter, the convoluted coil forms a shape in which the central region or secondary coil form center that contains the majority of these fibers.

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 is electrically isolated from the electrolytically severable joint by a highly resistive or insulative layer. Such isolation and minimization of the conductive pathway from the placement apparatus to the body's fluids appears to enhance the susceptibility of the electrolytic joint to quick erosion and detachment of the implant from the deployment media. 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.

Abstract: This is a surgical instrument. It is a guidewire made of a stainless steel alloy core which is coated with a non-hydrophilic lubricious polymer on the majority of its length located proximally and a hydrophilic polymer located at the majority of the remaining distal length of the guidewire. Preferably, the guidewire has a polymeric tie layer located between the metallic core of the guidewire assembly and the hydrophilic polymeric layer. The metallic core is one of a number of stainless steels so to preserve its torque transmitting capabilities. Desirably the outside diameter of the guidewire is constant from the distal end to the proximal end. The metallic core may be tapered at appropriate locations along the guidewire assembly.

Abstract: A vaso-occlusive device having a bioactive inner coating and a water-soluble outer coating. Methods of preparing the devices are also provided.

Abstract: This is an artificial occlusion kit for implanting and retaining an artificial occlusion device in a body space adjacent to and extending from a body lumen in a mammal. The includes at least one occlusion device and a retaining device for blocking the migration of the occlusion device out of the occlusion site. The retaining device is radially expandable at a retaining site adjacent the body space to be occluded to a diameter that is sufficient to engage the body lumen wall at the retaining site and form a barrier across the entrance zone of the body space to be occluded. The expanded retaining device also forms a lumen for flow through body lumen at the retaining site. At least one semi-penetrable space may also be provided in the retaining device, allowing introduction of occlusion devices into the body space to be occluded, but preventing subsequent migration of the occlusion devices out of the body space.