Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus for locating a surface of a body lumen is disclosed. The apparatus includes a locator assembly that has a distal end region configured to extend into an opening of the body lumen and to selectably engage at least a portion of the body lumen adjacent to the opening. The distal end region includes at least one surface engaging element that is configured to engage the surface of the body lumen. The apparatus includes a measuring device that is in electrical communication with the surface engaging element. The measuring device is configured to determine changes in measurable characteristics of the surface engaging element. Methods and apparatus for locating a surface of a body lumen are also disclosed.

Abstract: A steerable catheter comprises a flexible catheter body including a proximal shaft section and a distal articulating section, a proximal steering interface coupled to the proximal shaft section, and at least one hollow stiffening member extending through the proximal shaft section. The stiffening member(s) is more rigid than the proximal shaft section and is laterally offset from a geometric cross-sectional center of the proximal shaft section. The steerable catheter further comprises circumferentially spaced lumens extending through the distal articulating section, and pullwires extending through the stiffening member(s) in the proximal shaft section and the respective lumens in the distal articulating section. Each of the pullwires has a distal end that terminates in the catheter body distal to the distal articulating section and a proximal end that terminates in the steering interface. The steering interface is manipulatable to selectively tension the pullwires to bend the distal articulating section.

Abstract: A coating and drying apparatus for the application of a coating substance to a stent and drying the stent is provided.

Abstract: An embolic protection device for use in a blood vessel when an interventional procedure is being performed in a stenosed or occluded region to capture any embolic material which may be created and released into the bloodstream during the procedure. The device includes a filtering assembly having a self-expanding strut assembly and a filter element attached thereto. In one embodiment, the filtering assembly is attached to the distal end of a guidewire and is deployed within the patient's vasculature as the guidewire is manipulated into the area of treatment. A restraining sheath placed over the filtering assembly in a coaxial arrangement maintains the filtering assembly in its collapsed position until it is ready to be deployed by the physician. Thereafter, the sheath can be retracted to expose the filtering assembly which will then self-expand within the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: An exemplary drive apparatus is disclosed having a roller assembly configured to impart axial motion to the elongate member along a first continuous surface configured to maintain contact with the elongate member during axial motion. The drive apparatus may further include a roller support configured to rotate the roller assembly, thereby imparting rotational motion to the elongate member. The roller support may be configured to rotate the roller assembly about a second continuous surface configured to maintain contact with the roller support during rotational motion. Moreover, the roller assembly and roller support may be configured to impart axial and rotational motion independently of one another, such that a first one of the roller assembly and the roller support imparts their associated motion regardless of a presence or absence of motion by the other of the roller assembly and the roller support.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a body, a cannula extending distally from the body, and a cylindraceous member disposed within the cannula. The cylindraceous member comprises a tubular portion and a plurality of leaves positioned at the distal end of the tubular portion. The leaves are movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The cylindraceous member is slidable relative to the cannula to selectively expose the leaves relative to the open distal end of the cannula. A first leaf of the plurality of leaves has a sharp distal point configured to pierce a tympanic membrane and a longitudinally extending sharp edge. The cylindraceous member may be used to create and dilate a myringotomy incision in a tympanic membrane. The tympanostomy tube delivery device may then be used to deploy a tympanostomy tube through the myringotomy incision.

Abstract: Various exemplary drive apparatuses and associated methods are disclosed for driving an elongated member, e.g., a catheter, sheath, or guidewire. An exemplary drive apparatus may include a first component and a moveable component, each configured to selectively grip the elongated member. In some examples, the first and moveable components may each include a gripping device. The moveable component may be configured to selectively move axially and rotationally with respect to a support surface to effect axial movement and rotation movement, respectively, of the elongated member with respect to the support surface within a range of motion of the moveable component. The moveable component may be configured to move the elongated member across a predetermined movement having a magnitude greater than the range of motion.

Abstract: A catheter rotation drive apparatus includes first and second drives that are engageable to an output shaft. When the first drive is engaged to the output shaft and rotated, the output shaft rotates in an output rotation direction, and when the second drive is engaged to the output shaft and rotated, the output shaft rotates in the output rotation direction.

Abstract: An introducer sheath. The introducer sheath includes a tubular body. The tubular body extends from a distal end toward a proximal end. The tubular body includes a lumen. The lumen is defined at least partially by a wall. The tubular body includes a secondary channel. The secondary channel is disposed within the wall. The secondary channel is configured to receive a guidewire.

Abstract: A steerable catheter comprises a flexible catheter body including a proximal shaft section and a distal articulating section, a proximal steering interface coupled to the proximal shaft section, and at least one hollow stiffening member extending through the proximal shaft section. The stiffening member(s) is more rigid than the proximal shaft section and is laterally offset from a geometric cross-sectional center of the proximal shaft section. The steerable catheter further comprises circumferentially spaced lumens extending through the distal articulating section, and pullwires extending through the stiffening member(s) in the proximal shaft section and the respective lumens in the distal articulating section. Each of the pullwires has a distal end that terminates in the catheter body distal to the distal articulating section and a proximal end that terminates in the steering interface. The steering interface is manipulatable to selectively tension the pullwires to bend the distal articulating section.

Abstract: A coating and drying apparatus for the application of a coating substance to a stent and drying the stent is provided.

Abstract: A stent crimping assembly is provided for crimping a stent from a first diameter to a reduced second diameter. The crimping assembly includes a plurality of movable wedges disposed about a rotational axis to form a wedge assembly. Each wedge includes a respective first side and a second side converging to form a tip portion. The tip portions are arranged to collectively form an iris about the rotational axis thereof. The iris defines a crimp aperture about which the movable wedges are disposed. A control unit is electronically programmed to control the mechanical components. A method of calibrating the control unit includes inserting a quill of known diameter into the iris and reducing the diameter of the iris onto the quill.

Abstract: A system for forming a coating on a stent has a hub for holding a plurality of cartridges. Each cartridge has a plurality of mandrels, each mandrel capable of supporting a stent. A chamber has a drying section and a spray coating section, and is configured to receive a cartridge from the hub. An arm moves a cartridge from the hub to the chamber. A spray applicator applies a coating composition to a stent in the spray coating section.

Abstract: An introducer sheath is described. The introducer sheath may include a tubular body. The tubular body may extend from a distal end toward a proximal end. The tubular body may include a lumen. The lumen may at least partially be defined by a wall. A channel may be disposed within the wall. The channel may be configured to receive a guidewire. The tubular body may include an expandable portion expandable to increase a cross-sectional area of the lumen.

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 can have a 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: A stent crimping assembly is provided for crimping a stent from a first diameter to a reduced second diameter. The crimping assembly includes a plurality of movable wedges disposed about a rotational axis to form a wedge assembly. Each wedge includes a respective first side and a second side converging to form a tip portion. The tip portions are arranged to collectively form an iris about the rotational axis thereof. The iris defining a crimp aperture about which the movable wedges are disposed. Each wedge is associated with a stationary structure and an rotational actuation unit such that during rotation of the actuation unit about the rotational axis, the iris is caused to rotate about the rotational axis, relative the stationary structure, for inward movement of the wedges to decrease the size of the aperture and outward movement of the wedges to increase the size of the aperture.

Abstract: A stent crimping assembly is provided for crimping a stent from a first diameter to a reduced second diameter. The crimping assembly includes a plurality of movable wedges disposed about a rotational axis to form a wedge assembly. Each wedge includes a respective first side and a second side converging to form a tip portion. The tip portions are arranged to collectively form an iris about the rotational axis thereof. The iris defining a crimp aperture about which the movable wedges are disposed. Each wedge is associated with a stationary structure and an rotational actuation unit such that during rotation of the actuation unit about the rotational axis, the iris is caused to rotate about the rotational axis, relative the stationary structure, for inward movement of the wedges to decrease the size of the aperture and outward movement of the wedges to increase the size of the aperture.

Abstract: A mask for masking a stent during a coating procedure may include a mask body that has a negative pattern or an approximate negative pattern of a stent pattern being masked by the mask body. An apparatus for selectively coating a predetermined portion of a medical article may include a dispenser of a coating composition, a mask, a device for creating a relative movement between the mask and the medical article.

Abstract: A system for forming a coating on a stent has a hub for holding a plurality of cartridges. Each cartridge has a plurality of mandrels, each mandrel capable of supporting a stent. A chamber has a drying section and a spray coating section, and is configured to receive a cartridge from the hub. An arm moves a cartridge from the hub to the chamber. A spray applicator applies a coating composition to a stent in the spray coating section.

Abstract: A coating and drying apparatus for the application of a coating substance to a stent and drying the stent is provided. The apparatus can include a cartridge. The cartridge can comprise a core, a plurality of stent mandrels, a first clutch, and a second clutch. The core can extend outwards from a circumference of the core. Each stent mandrel can be capable of supporting a stent. The first clutch can be coupled to the core and capable of being removeably coupled to a first shaft such that rotation of the first shaft enables rotation of the core. The second clutch can be coupled to the plurality of stent mandrels and capable of being removeably coupled to a second shaft such that rotation of the second shaft enables rotation of the stent mandrels.