Abstract: A metal balloon catheter having a main tubular body, a metal balloon proximate a distal end of the main tubular body, a central annulus extending along an entire longitudinal aspect of the catheter for accommodating a guidewire therethrough and an inflation annulus adjacent the central annulus which extends along the longitudinal axis of the main tubular body and terminates in fluid flow communication with an inflation chamber of the metal balloon. The metal balloon catheter may be either unitary integral metal catheter in which the main tubular body and the balloon are fabricated of metal, or it may consist of a polymeric main tubular body and a metal balloon.

Abstract: Surgical tools for use during scarless or near scarless surgical procedures. At least some of the surgical tools can include a handle portion and a working end removably connected to the handle portion.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes: a distal-side tube; a proximal-side tube; a tubular member which contains a stent; a wire which has one end fixed to the tubular member; and an operating section which has a wire winding mechanism and a wire winding amount restriction mechanism for restricting the length of wire which is pulled. The operating section has an operating rotary roller; a winding shaft section and driving gear which are provided coaxially and integrally with the roller; and a driven gear which is intermittently rotated by the driving gear. The driving gear and the driven gear have the stopper function by which rotation of the driving gear is stopped after the driving gear is rotated a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A system for repairing body lumens including a modular graft and a method for deploying the graft within the body lumen. The modular graft includes a first component having first and second legs portions which mate with second and third graft components, respectively. The second leg portion has a bell bottom shape. The modular graft further includes expandable members which aid in implanting the modular graft as well as facilitates the mating of its components. In order to repair the body lumen, the first component is placed at the repair site and thereafter the first and second legs are advanced to the repair site and attached to the first component. A further aspect of the invention is a fixation device which is adapted to perform an attachment function. The graft and the fixation device are configured to be axially separated from one another so as to allow the graft to attach to the vascular wall proximal of the graft.

Abstract: A lead assembly includes a lead and a stylet. The lead has a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer lead covering. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, and at least one lumen defined in the lead that extends from the distal end to the proximal end. The lead also includes a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals. The stylet is configured and arranged for inserting into one of the at least one lumens of the lead. The stylet includes an elongated body and a protective feature that is coupled to the elongated body. The protective feature is configured and arranged for absorbing or redirecting an amount of force applied to the stylet above a threshold amount of force.

Abstract: A variable length endovascular prosthesis to prevent endoleaks includes a substantially tubular first graft member having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an open end, and a substantially tubular second graft member engaged coaxially within the first graft member, the second graft member having a proximal end. The prosthesis further includes a substantially tubular fluid-tight connecting member attached at one end to the first graft member and attached at another end to the second graft member, where the connecting member is axially compressible and expandable to facilitate engagement of the proximal end of the second graft member within the first graft member while maintaining a seal between the proximal end of the second graft member and the open end of the first graft member.

Abstract: A metal balloon catheter having a main tubular body, a metal balloon proximate a distal end of the main tubular body, a central annulus extending along an entire longitudinal aspect of the catheter for accommodating a guidewire therethrough and an inflation annulus adjacent the central annulus which extends along the longitudinal axis of the main tubular body and terminates in fluid flow communication with an inflation chamber of the metal balloon. The metal balloon catheter may be either unitary integral metal catheter in which the main tubular body and the balloon are fabricated of metal, or it may consist of a polymeric main tubular body and a metal balloon.

Abstract: An end effector assembly with increased clamping force for a surgical instrument including a hollow shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a clevis coupled to the distal end of the hollow shaft, a flat support coupled to the clevis, a deflection member, a procedural member assembly rotatably coupled to the flat support and a pair of actuation means attached to the procedural member assembly and slidable relative to the hollow shaft for rotationally moving the procedural member assembly between a closed and an open position wherein the deflection member engaged the actuation means. The deflection member may be integral with the clevis, coupled to the clevis and the flat support, coupled to just the flat support, may be adjustable or rotatable or coupled to hollow shaft.