Abstract: A method for forming a surgical snare, the method comprising: providing a plurality of filaments; braiding the plurality of filaments together so as to form a braided tubular construct comprising: a proximal tube having an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a proximal tube lumen extending there between; a distal tube having an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a distal tube lumen extending there between; and a loop region disposed between the distal end of the proximal tube and the proximal end of the distal tube, the loop region comprising at least one loop structure, the at least one loop structure comprising at least three of the plurality of filaments braided together; inserting the distal end of the distal tube into the open distal end of the proximal tube and into the proximal tube lumen such that (i) the distal tube is disposed in the proximal tube lumen such that the at least one loop structure extends distally of the distal end of the proximal tube in the form of at least one loop, a

Abstract: A blood clot filter, collapsible toward a central longitudinal axis into a collapsed configuration for insertion into a blood vessel and radially expandable outwardly from the longitudinal axis to an expanded configuration for contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel at two longitudinal spaced locations. A first plurality of elongate arms, in the expanded configuration, curve outwardly from the longitudinal axis toward the leading end of the filter to form a first filter basket and to center a hub at the trailing end of the filter within the vessel. A second plurality of elongate legs angle outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the leading edge of the filter in the expanded configuration to form a second filter basket opening toward the leading end. The ends of these legs include hooks, at least a portion of which is a reduced cross sectional area relative to the cross sectional area of the adjacent leg to permit the hooks to bend and straighten.

Abstract: A blood filter includes a hub, a plurality of legs, and a plurality of arms. Each of the legs includes a hook at a distal end thereof, a first linear segment extending substantially parallel to a hub longitudinal axis, a second linear segment extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis at a first angle, and an intermediate linear segment coupled to the first and second segments, the intermediate segment extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis at a second angle less than the first angle. Each of the arms has a free end closer to the longitudinal axis than the hook of each of the legs. The free ends of the arms are spaced radially transverse to the longitudinal axis at substantially the same radial distance.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate body having first and second chambers extending within the elongate body from a proximal end to an intermediate section, the first chamber having a first opening and the second chamber having a second opening at the intermediate section. The catheter also includes a valve structure that may have first and second barrier elements to open or close the first and second openings, respectively. The first and the second barrier elements may be coupled by a connecting structure moving within an opening in a guide structure. Alternatively, the first and the second barrier elements may be coupled in a U-shaped structure that moves over the guide structure. To permit flushing of the chambers when the first and second openings are closed, the first and second chambers may also be connected by a connecting channel defined by an opening in a wall of the elongate body.

Abstract: A blood filter includes a hub, a plurality of legs, and a plurality of arms. Each of the legs includes a hook at a distal end thereof, a first linear segment extending substantially parallel to a hub longitudinal axis, a second linear segment extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis at a first angle, and an intermediate linear segment coupled to the first and second segments, the intermediate segment extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis at a second angle less than the first angle. Each of the arms has a free end closer to the longitudinal axis than the hook of each of the legs. The free ends of the arms are spaced radially transverse to the longitudinal axis at substantially the same radial distance.

Abstract: A blood filter includes a hub, a plurality of legs, and a plurality of arms. Each of the legs includes a hook at a distal end thereof, a first linear segment extending substantially parallel to a hub longitudinal axis, a second linear segment extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis at a first angle, and an intermediate linear segment coupled to the first and second segments, the intermediate segment extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis at a second angle less than the first angle. Each of the arms has a free end closer to the longitudinal axis than the hook of each of the legs. The free ends of the arms are spaced radially transverse to the longitudinal axis at substantially the same radial distance.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for anchoring a medical implant device within a blood vessel or other body passageway are described herein. An anchor delivery system houses one or more expandable anchors connected to the medical implant device. The anchors remain housed in a non-expanded configuration until the medical implant device has been placed in a desired position within the body, and then the anchors are propelled through a body wall where each anchor expands outwardly from an anchor shaft. In one configuration, each anchor is formed as a compressible closed loop which extends outwardly from an anchor shaft and loops back to cross over and extend beyond the anchor shaft. To propel the anchors, a drive shaft is connected to a triggering unit which, when activated, causes the drive shaft to drive the anchor shafts in a direction such that the anchors are propelled through the body wall.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprising an elongated tubular structure having a distal end and a proximal end; a septum disposed within the interior of the tubular structure so as to define a first lumen and a second lumen, and a valve element disposed at the distal end of the tubular structure and configured to move longitudinally relative to the tubular structure between (i) a closed position in which the distal end of the tubular structure is closed off by the valve element, and (ii) an open position in which the distal end of the tubular structure is not closed off by the valve element; wherein the tubular structure, septum and valve element are configured so as to provide fluid communication between the first and second lumen when the valve element is disposed in its closed position.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate body having first and second chambers extending within the elongate body from a proximal end to an intermediate section, the first chamber having a first opening and the second chamber having a second opening at the intermediate section. The catheter also includes a valve structure that may have first and second barrier elements to open or close the first and second openings, respectively. The first and the second barrier elements may be coupled by a connecting structure moving within an opening in a guide structure. Alternatively, the first and the second barrier elements may be coupled in a U-shaped structure that moves over the guide structure. To permit flushing of the chambers when the first and second openings are closed, the first and second chambers may also be connected by a connecting channel defined by an opening in a wall of the elongate body.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate body having first and second chambers extending within the elongate body from a proximal end to an intermediate section, the first chamber having a first opening and the second chamber having a second opening at the intermediate section. The catheter also includes a valve structure that may have first and second barrier elements to open or close the first and second openings, respectively. The first and the second barrier elements may be coupled by a connecting structure moving within an opening in a guide structure. Alternatively, the first and the second barrier elements may be coupled in a U-shaped structure that moves over the guide structure. To permit flushing of the chambers when the first and second openings are closed, the first and second chambers may also be connected by a connecting channel defined by an opening in a wall of the elongate body.

Abstract: A blood clot filter is collapsible toward a longitudinal axis into a collapsed configuration for insertion into a blood vessel, and is radially expandable outwardly from the longitudinal axis to an expanded configuration for contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel at two longitudinal spaced locations. A first plurality of spaced, elongate arms, in the expanded configuration, curve outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the leading end of the filter to form a first filter basket and to center a hub at the trailing end of the filter within the vessel. A second plurality of spaced elongate legs angle outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the leading edge of the filter in the expanded configuration to form a second filter basket opening toward the leading end. The ends of these legs include hooks to bend and straighten in response to withdrawal force.

Abstract: A blood filter includes a hub, a plurality of legs, and a plurality of arms. Each of the legs includes a hook at a distal end thereof, a first linear segment extending substantially parallel to a hub longitudinal axis, a second linear segment extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis at a first angle, and an intermediate linear segment coupled to the first and second segments, the intermediate segment extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis at a second angle less than the first angle. Each of the arms has a free end closer to the longitudinal axis than the hook of each of the legs. The free ends of the arms are spaced radially transverse to the longitudinal axis at substantially the same radial distance.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for anchoring a medical implant device within a blood vessel or other body passageway are described herein. An anchor delivery system houses one or more expandable anchors connected to the medical implant device. The anchors remain housed in a non-expanded configuration until the medical implant device has been placed in a desired position within the body, and then the anchors are propelled through a body wall where each anchor expands outwardly from an anchor shaft. In one configuration, each anchor is formed as a compressible closed loop which extends outwardly from an anchor shaft and loops back to cross over and extend beyond the anchor shaft. To propel the anchors, a drive shaft is connected to a triggering unit which, when activated, causes the drive shaft to drive the anchor shafts in a direction such that the anchors are propelled through the body wall.

Abstract: A blood clot filter is collapsible toward a longitudinal axis into a collapsed configuration for insertion into a blood vessel, and is radially expandable outwardly from the longitudinal axis to an expanded configuration for contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel at two longitudinal spaced locations. A first plurality of spaced, elongate arms, in the expanded configuration, curve outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the leading end of the filter to form a first filter basket and to center a hub at the trailing end of the filter within the vessel. A second plurality of spaced elongate legs angle outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the leading edge of the filter in the expanded configuration to form a second filter basket opening toward the leading end. The ends of these legs include hooks to bend and straighten in response to withdrawal force.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes a catheter with an axially extending inner core and outer sheath. Axially spaced rings extending from a relatively narrow diameter portion of the inner core proximate the distal end thereof. The rings engage proximal portions of a compacted stent disposed within the sheath and over the core and rings. A proximal handle of the system has a first portion that supports the sheath and a second portion that supports the core for relative displacement of the core and the sheath. Retraction of the sheath relative to the core uncovers the stent engaged by the rings which tends to remain stationary relative to the core so that upon partial retraction of the sheath a distal end of the stent expands to its expanded form. Further retraction of the sheath deploys the stent, retracting the core returns the distal portion of the stent into the sheath.

Abstract: A blood clot filter which is collapsible toward a central longitudinal axis into a collapsed configuration for insertion into a blood vessel and which is radially expandable outwardly from the longitudinal axis to an expanded configuration for contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel at two longitudinal spaced locations. A first plurality of spaced, elongate arms, in the expanded configuration of the filter, curve outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the leading end of the filter to form a first filter basket and to center a hub at the trailing end of the filter within the vessel. A second plurality of spaced elongate legs angle outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the leading edge of the filter in the expanded configuration thereof to form a second filter basket opening toward the leading end. The ends of these legs include hooks to bend and straighten in response to withdrawal force.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate body having first and second chambers extending within the elongate body from a proximal end to an intermediate section, the first chamber having a first opening and the second chamber having a second opening at the intermediate section. The catheter also includes a valve structure that may have first and second barrier elements to open or close the first and second openings, respectively. The first and the second barrier elements may be coupled by a connecting structure moving within an opening in a guide structure. Alternatively, the first and the second barrier elements may be coupled in a U-shaped structure that moves over the guide structure. To permit flushing of the chambers when the first and second openings are closed, the first and second chambers may also be connected by a connecting channel defined by an opening in a wall of the elongate body.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate body having first and second chambers extending within the elongate body from a proximal end to an intermediate section, the first chamber having a first opening and the second chamber having a second opening at the intermediate section. The catheter also includes a valve structure that may have first and second barrier elements to open or close the first and second openings, respectively. The first and the second barrier elements may be coupled by a connecting structure moving within an opening in a guide structure. Alternatively, the first and the second barrier elements may be coupled in a U-shaped structure that moves over the guide structure. To permit flushing of the chambers when the first and second openings are closed, the first and second chambers may also be connected by a connecting channel defined by an opening in a wall of the elongate body.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes a catheter with an axially extending inner core and outer sheath. Axially spaced rings extending from a relatively narrow diameter portion of the inner core proximate the distal end thereof. The rings engage proximal portions of a compacted stent disposed within the sheath and over the core and rings. A proximal handle of the system has a first portion that supports the sheath and a second portion that supports the core for relative displacement of the core and the sheath. Retraction of the sheath relative to the core uncovers the stent engaged by the rings which tends to remain stationary relative to the core so that upon partial retraction of the sheath a distal end of the stent expands to its expanded form. Further retraction of the sheath deploys the stent, retracting the core returns the distal portion of the stent into the sheath.

Abstract: A stent delivery system a catheter has an axially extending inner core and outer sheath. Axially spaced rings extending from a relatively narrow diameter portion of the inner core proximate the distal end thereof. The rings engage proximal portions of a compacted stent disposed within the sheath and over the core and rings. A proximal handle of the system has a first portion that supports the sheath and a second portion that supports the core for relative displacement of the core and the sheath. Retraction of the sheath relative to the core uncovers the stent engaged by the rings which tends to remain stationary relative to the core so that upon partial retraction of the sheath a distal end of the stent expands to its expanded form. Further retraction of the sheath deploys the stent, retracting the core returns the distal portion of the stent into the sheath.