Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coupling, in particular a hub (2 a-i), with a base body (23 a-i) having a proximal end (24 a-i), embodied as a connecting region (25 a-i) for an applicator (26 a-i), and a distal end (27 a-i), embodied as connecting region (28 a-i) for a delivery device (29 a-i) with a tubular member (30 a-i) for delivering a medical device (31 a-1) into a part of an animal or human body, and having a recess (9 a-i) extending between the proximal end (24 a-i) and the distal end (27 a-i). It is provided that the recess (9 a-i) is positioned eccentrically from an outer diameter (20 a-i) of the base body (23 a-i) and a central axis (18 a-i) of the recess (9 a-i) is nonparallel in respect to a central axis (32 a-i) of the outer diameter (20 a-i) of the base body (23 a-i).

Abstract: An expandable medical sheath is configured to be introduced into a body in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and expanded to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration by structures or elements within the sheath wall that maintain a collapsed shape. Upon expansion with a dilator, the sheath maintains a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration by elements or structures within the sheath tubing wall that resist re-collapse. The sheath includes a nose cone or tapered fairing to deflect tissue from entering the collapsed distal end of the sheath during introduction. The fairing collapses following expansion and subsequent deflation of the dilator, thus allowing the tapered fairing to be withdrawn proximally through the central lumen of the sheath. In one application, the sheath is utilized to provide access for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure such as percutaneous nephrostomy or urinary bladder access.

Abstract: Device for placement of a self-expanding endoprosthesis, extending between a proximal end and a distal end. An outer sheath (1) is able to keep an endoprosthesis (21) in radial contraction. A mandrel (4), which extends axially inside the outer sheath, is movable axially with respect to the outer sheath and has, at its distal end (3), a chamber (2) able to receive an endoprosthesis (21) in radial contraction, the chamber being delimited at its distal end by an atraumatic tip (6) which can occlude the outer sheath. The atraumatic tip (6) is made of elastomer material that forms a thin-walled inflatable chamber (10) which can be inflated by a pressure insufficient to widen a channel intended to receive the prosthesis, and into which there leads a lumen (9) extending from the distal end to the proximal end of the mandrel for passage of an inflation fluid.

Abstract: Methods for assembling a stent delivery system are provided, as well as the stent delivery assemblies and devices formed by such methods. Also provided is a method for loading a stent into a delivery system.

Abstract: Each of the clip units 13 includes a clip body 35 having a pair of arm parts 41 that can ligate the biological tissue and a fastening ring 37 that accommodates the clip body 35, and the plurality of clip units 13 are disposed in series within the distal end of the outer sheath member 19. Each of the fastening rings 37 includes a connecting mechanism 85 consisted by a locking member 87 that connects the adjacent fastening rings 37 each other and a fitting support 101, the manipulation wire 23 engaged with the locking member 87 is pulled to release the connection of the fastening rings 37 by the connecting mechanism 87.

Abstract: Instruments are provided, representative embodiments of which have a first and a second jaw, from each of which at least one engaging element, whose distal end is suitable for engaging the skin tissue to be stretched, protrudes; an elastic member connecting the jaws, stressing them against each other when subjected to a traction force; and elements for adjusting the distance separating the jaws in the absence of traction force on the elastic member.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes first and second delivery catheters. The first catheter has a first shaft, a first expandable member adjacent the distal end of the first shaft, an auxiliary expandable member disposed under the first expandable member, and a first radially expandable stent disposed over both the first expandable member and the auxiliary expandable member. The second delivery catheter has a second shaft, and a second expandable member adjacent the distal end of the second shaft. A portion of the second catheter is disposed under a portion of the first stent, and a portion of the second delivery catheter passes through a side hole in the first stent. The first stent is crimped over the first and second catheters such that the first stent remains attached to the first and the second catheters during advancement of the catheters through a blood vessel.

Abstract: A nasal dilator of vertically laminated layers, each consisting of one or more components. The laminated layers form a unitary truss with end regions for engaging outer wall tissues of a user's nasal passages and for traversing the bridge of the nose. The dilator includes means to direct its resilient properties comprising material separations or shape discontinuities formed in at least one region of the truss and extending through at least one layer of the dilator. Said material separations or discontinuities may comprise an opening, relief cut, slit or notch, and may be configured to separate or vertically protrude from the dilator when it is in use. The separations transform the angle of focused delaminating spring biasing forces generated by the resilient layer from primarily peel forces into primarily shear forces, and further redistribute the transformed forces to tissue-engaging surface areas extending outward and beyond the separations.

Abstract: A nasal dilator is constructed as a single body truss having a resilient member structure comprising a plurality of overlaid, island-placed, or overlapping resilient members. Methods of mass producing dilator devices, individual resilient members, and overlapped, overlaid, and island-placed resilient member structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue has a handle portion; a body extending distally from the handle portion; a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the body; and a jaw assembly mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body. The jaw assembly includes first and second jaw portions movable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position. The apparatus also has a wedge plate longitudinally movable between the first and the second jaw portions, a clip pusher configured to individually distally advance a surgical clip to the jaw assembly while the jaw portions are in the spaced apart position; an actuator at least partially disposed within the body and longitudinally movable in response to actuation of the handle portion; and a jaw closure member positioned adjacent the first and second jaw portions to move the jaw portions to the approximated position.

Abstract: A medical device is configured to prevent a member attached to the distal end of an operation wire passing through a catheter from dropping out from an operation wire. The medical device includes an operation wire which passes through a catheter and which is advanceable and retractable toward the axial direction with respect to the catheter, a distal member interlocked on the distal side of the operation wire, and a grasping unit which is interlocked on the proximal side of the operation wire. The medical device also includes a safety mechanism for releasing the interlock between the operation wire and the grasping unit by a load lower than the breaking strength between the operation wire and the distal member.

Abstract: Catheter for delivering an expandable prosthetic device. The catheter has a guidewire channel for delivering a side branch guidewire to a side branch target site. An expandable prosthetic device can be loaded on to the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A medical instrument for dilating osseous structures, with a shaft on whose distal end a tool point is positioned and on whose proximal end a handle is positioned, such that the handle and the tool point are in active connection with one another by means of an actuating element in such a way that by actuating the handle the tool point can spread radially at least partially and where the distal end of the actuating element has a thickened configuration. To provide a dilating instrument that is sufficiently stable and allows for sensitive actuation, it is proposed with the invention that the tool point should consist of several segments that can radiate radially outward and enclose the thickened distal end of the actuating element essentially completely, when the tool point is in the closed position.

Abstract: A medical assembly is disclosed comprises a stent and a catheter having a balloon, wherein the coefficient of friction and/or the adhesion at the stent/balloon interface are reduced.

Abstract: In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to an endovascular prosthesis. The endovascular prosthesis comprises a first expandable portion expandable from a first, unexpanded state to a second, expanded state to urge the first expandable portion against a vascular lumen and a retractable leaf portion attached to the first expandable portion. The retractable leaf portion comprises at least one spine portion and a plurality of rib portions attached to the spine portion. Longitudinally adjacent pairs of rib portions are free of interconnecting struts. The endovascular prosthesis that can be unsheathed and re-sheathed for repositioning of the endovascular prosthesis prior to final deployment thereof. There is also described a delivery device that that is particularly well suited to delivering the present endovascular prosthesis through tortuous vasculature in the body.

Abstract: There is disclosed a porous emboli deflector for preventing cerebral emboli while maintaining cerebral blood flow during an endovascular or open surgical procedure. The device prevents the entrance of emboli of a size able to cause stroke (such as greater than 100 microns) from entering either the right or left common carotid arteries, and/or the right or left vertebral arteries by deflecting emboli downstream of these vessels. The device can be placed prior to any manipulation of the heart or aorta allowing maximal protection of the brain during the index procedure. The deflector has a low profile within the aorta which allows sheaths, catheters, or wires used in the index procedure to pass. Also disclosed are methods for insertion and removal of the deflector.

Abstract: A control system for controlling movement of a medical device delivery system, a stent delivery system and a method for controlling movement of a medical device delivery system are provided. The control system includes a first extendable arm comprising a plurality of first struts interconnected at intermediate points and end points of the first struts. The first arm is movable between a first position and a second position and the first arm is operably connected to one of the first shaft and the second shaft. The control system also includes a first actuator operably connected to the first arm and the first actuator is operable to move the first arm from the first position to the second position. Movement of the first arm moves the first shaft relative to the second shaft to change the position of the second shaft relative to the first shaft.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering and deploying a stent graft includes a guidewire catheter, an apex release catheter, an apex capture device, a relatively rigid, hollow catheter, and a distal nose. The apex capture device includes a distal capture portion fixedly connected to the distal end of the guidewire catheter and having a distal portion and a proximal stopper having an exposed side facing distally in a plane approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the guidewire catheter. The apex capture device also includes a proximal capture portion fixedly connected to the distal end of the apex release catheter and has fingers extending toward the distal capture portion in a distal direction that define an interior cavity to receive the proximal stopper. The proximal and distal capture portions of the apex capture device define a stent capture state.

Abstract: An intragastric balloon and method of adding and/or removing fluid therefrom are disclosed. The intragastric balloon includes a shell, a grasping tab, and a self-sealing portion. A gastroscopic instrument which includes a grasping tool is inserted into the stomach of a patient and used to grasp the grasping tab located on the surface of the shell. Using the grasping tool, the intragastric balloon is securely fastened to the gastroscopic instrument. A filling instrument, such as a needle, is advanced through the self-sealing portion of the shell for the filling or deflating of the intragastric balloon. After inflation or deflation is complete, the filling instrument is then withdrawn from the balloon and the gastroscopic instrument withdrawn from the stomach.

Abstract: A hybrid stent prosthesis including a biodegradable tubular body, a first non-biodegradable self-expanding ring coupled to a proximal end of the biodegradable body, and a second non-biodegradable self-expanding ring coupled to a distal end of the biodegradable body. The hybrid stent includes a mechanism for longitudinally compressing the tubular body to increase the radial or hoop strength thereof. The longitudinally compressing mechanism may be protruding elements coupled to and extending radially outward from the hybrid stent or elastomeric compression bands or tethers extending between the non-biodegradable rings. The compression bands may be pre-connected to both non-biodegradable rings prior to stent delivery, or may be connected to one non-biodegradable ring prior to insertion and connected to the other non-biodegradable ring in situ.