Abstract: An implantable composite medical device having a longitudinal length a woven textile portion having yarns interlaced in a woven pattern, a knitted textile portion having yarns interlooped in a knitted pattern. The woven and knitted portions are securably attached to one and the other to provide a composite woven and knitted textile surface along the longitudinal length of the device. The woven portion may have a permeability from about 30 to about 500 ml/min/cm2, and the knitted portion may have a permeability from about 30 to about 15,000 ml/min/cm2. Further, a crimped woven portion with a resiliently longitudinal stretchability from about 10 to about 100 linear percent over its quiescent longitudinal dimension or an uncrimped woven portion with a resiliently longitudinal stretchability of less than about 10 linear percent over its quiescent longitudinal dimension are useful.

Abstract: The present invention embodies an endovascular graft having an attachment frame connection mechanism that allows placement of the main body component in vasculature in combination with limb components. Various limb component-to-main body component attachment mechanisms are provided which ensure a reliable bond while facilitating a smaller delivery profile.

Abstract: An instrument and technique for the removal of epidermal layers in a controlled manner utilizing a hand-held instrument with a working end that (i) a vacuum aspiration system, (ii) a source for delivery of a sterile fluids or pharmacological agents to the skin; and (iii) a skin interface surface in the working end that has specially shape structure for abrading surface layers of the patient's epidermis as the working end is moved over the patient's skin while at the same time causing rapid penetration of the fluids into the skin for therapeutic purposes. Movement of the working end across the skin causes abrasion of the surface layers in a path over the patient's skin. The method of the invention may be used in a periodic treatment for the removal of superficial skin layers that enhances the synthesis of dermal collagen aggregates by inducing the body's natural wound healing response.

Abstract: A device for treating GERD is provided. The device includes a device body capable of at least partially preventing reflux of stomach content to the esophagus while enabling flow of esophageal content around said device body and into the stomach.

Abstract: An intravascular stent especially suited for implanting in curved arterial portions. The stent retains longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The stent is formed of intertwined meander patterns forming triangular cells. The triangular cells are adapted to provide radial support, and also to provide longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The triangular cells provide increased coverage of a vessel wall. The stent can have different portions adapted to optimize radial support or to optimize longitudinal flexibility. The stent can be adapted to prevent flaring of portions of the stent during insertion.

Abstract: A robotic medical system comprises a medical instrument assembly having a retainer, a serial array of instruments disposed in the retainer, a chamber, and an instrument driver. The robotic medical system further comprises a user interface configured for generating at least one command signal, a drive unit coupled to the first mechanism, second mechanism, and instrument driver, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command signal(s), for directing the drive unit to linearly displace the array of instruments within the retainer, to displace a selected one of the instruments from the retainer into the chamber, and to distally advance the instrument driver within the chamber to engage the selected instrument.

Abstract: A device for closure of a patent foramen ovale. The device includes at least one elongated tissue anchor at the distal end of the device. A distal end portion of the tissue anchor is selectively deployable between a closed position in which the distal end portion of the tissue anchor is capable of penetrating the septum and the flap, and a radially extensible position in which the distal end portion of the tissue anchor is capable of engaging the septum or flap so that the septum and flap may be urged into registry. A deployment member is associated with the tissue anchor for selectively deploying the distal end portion of the tissue anchor between the closed position and the radially extensible position. A closure element is disposed at the distal end of the device. The closure element is engageable with the septum and the flap when the septum and flap are in registry, for maintaining such registry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stent comprising a tubular flexible body having a wall with a web structure that is expandable from a contracted delivery configuration to deployed configuration. The web structure comprises a plurality of neighboring web patterns, where each web patterns is composed of adjoining webs, and the web patterns are interconnected. Each adjoining web comprises a central section interposed between two lateral sections to form concave or convex configurations.

Abstract: An instrument is disclosed including: a top jaw member extending between a proximal end and a distal end and including a first top anchor target slot and a second top anchor target slot; a bottom jaw member extending between a proximal end and a distal end and including a first bottom anchor target slot and a second bottom anchor target slot; and a joint member connected to the proximal ends of the top jaw member and the bottom jaw member.

Abstract: A system for improving cardiac function is provided. A foldable and expandable frame having at least one anchoring formation is attached to an elongate manipulator and placed in a catheter tube while folded. The tube is inserted into a left ventricle of a heart where the frame is ejected from the tube and expands in the left ventricle. Movements of the elongate manipulator cause the anchor to penetrate the heart muscle and the elongate manipulator to release the frame. The installed frame minimizes the effects of an akinetic portion of the heart forming an aneurysmic bulge.

Abstract: A closure device to be inserted at least partially through a blood vessel wall aperture in a blood vessel wall. The closure device includes at least two parts, an internal part and an external part. The internal part is adapted to be extended at least partially through the blood vessel wall aperture and into the lumen to at least partially block the blood vessel wall aperture. Each of the internal part and the external part consists essentially of a metal that biodegrades within a living being in a period of time that permits biological repair of the blood vessel wall in and around the blood vessel aperture.

Abstract: Removable cardiac implants, applicators for inserting, repositioning and/or removing them, and methods of using them are described. In particular, removable or repositionable ventricular partitioning devices are described. Systems including removable implants and applicators for inserting and/or removing them are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a carrier configured to be movably disposed within a channel defined by an elongate member. The carrier includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is configured to be coupled to an actuator. The distal end portion includes a protrusion and an engagement surface. The protrusion has a tip configured to bodily pierce tissue. The protrusion is configured to be received within a lumen defined by a connecting portion of an implant, such as, for example, a pelvic floor implant, such that the tip extends through the lumen defined by the connecting portion of the implant. The engagement surface is configured to engage a portion of the connecting portion of the implant to limit movement of the connecting portion of the implant relative to the protrusion.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device deployment system for placing an occlusion device at a preselected site within the vasculature of a patient. The deployment system employing a pusher having a lumen with an opening at the distal end of the pusher. A vascular occlusion device is connected to the distal end of the pusher by a portion that is removeably disposed within the opening. The portion of the occlusion device is forced out of the opening by an expandable reaction chamber, thereby deploying the occlusion device. The expandable reaction chamber, prior to deployment, has multiple chambers separated by a heat-dissolvable membrane. When the membrane is dissolved, components from the chambers react and expand, leading to deployment.

Abstract: A vasoocclusive embolic delivery system for use in placement of an embolic coil at a treatment site within a vessel. The embolic coil includes an elongated stretch resistant fiber having its distal end bonded to the distal end of the embolic coil. The stretch resistant fiber extends through a central lumen of the coil and extends beyond the proximal end of the coil. Also included is a generally cylindrical stabilization bead, having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the central lumen of the coil, mounted on the stretch resistant fiber within the lumen of the embolic coil. The stabilization bead serves to keep the stretch resistant fiber centered within the lumen of the embolic coil. Additionally, a headpiece is mounted on the proximal end of the stretch resistant fiber and serves to couple the embolic coil to the delivery system.

Abstract: A method for assembling a stent graft onto a balloon delivery catheter is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: assembling a graft over a stent with attached security rings and inserting the ends of the graft between the stent and the rings; placing the assembled stent graft on the delivery balloon of the delivery catheter; and crimping the stent graft onto the balloon. The stent may include a plurality of axially aligned belts that include a plurality of mid belts, and first and second end belts, where each of the mid belts includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced struts having first and second ends adjoining first sinusoidal-shaped elements, and each of the first and second end belts includes at least about twice the number of circumferentially spaced struts adjoining second sinusoidal-shaped elements. Also disclosed is a stent graft for use in practicing the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the non-surgical clipping of aneurysms. The invention also includes methods of use to treat aneurysms, including intracranial aneurysms. The aneurysm is clipped by positioning a wire comprising a shape memory alloy, pre-set to a mutually twisted conformation, on opposite sides of the neck of the aneurysm and causing the wires to twist around each other. Thus, the aneurysm neck is substantially closed. The resulting thrombosis in the aneurysm further excludes the aneurysm from blood flow and pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a closure element can include a splittable carrier tube and a splitter to split the tube. The carrier tube can have an outer surface retaining a closure element in a tubular configuration and can be split into radially-expandable flaps. A closure element has can have shape-memory body having a relaxed configuration with a planar-annular body defining a lumen with tines directed inwardly from the body. The clip can be held in a retaining configuration having a substantially asymmetrically-elongated tubular shape with a trapezoidal longitudinal cross-sectional profile and a proximal end having the tines being longitudinally directed with a first tine being more distally oriented compared to a substantially opposite second tine being more proximal, and retracting to a deploying configuration having a tubular shape with a rectangular longitudinal cross-sectional profile with the first tine being even with the second tine when being delivered.

Abstract: An intravascular stent especially suited for implanting in curved arterial portion. The stent retains longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The stent is formed of intertwined meander patterns forming triangular cells. The cells are adapted to provide radial support, and also provide longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The cells also provide increase coverage of a vessel wall. The stent has a reduced crimped profile due to the differing lengths of adjacent structural members within the cells, resulting in loops which are not aligned around the circumference of the stent. Also, this stent may contain a second type of square cells, which are adapted predominately to minimize flaring of the stent ends and to provide additional stiffness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for dispensing a beneficial agent into an expandable medical device. The method includes the step of placing an expandable medical device on a support and dispensing a beneficial agent into a plurality of openings in the medical device with a shield gas for controlling a local environment surrounding the dispenser.