Abstract: A self-expanding stent assembly consisting of one or more Z-stents connected to one another and covered by a flexible sleeve, which can be made from either nylon, plastic or another suitable material. The stents are formed of stainless steel wire arranged in a closed zig-zag configuration which includes an endless series of struts that are joined by an equal number of joints. The stent assembly is compressible into a reduced diameter size for insertion into, and possible removal from, a body passageway. After being properly positioned within a body passageway, the stent assembly is allowed to expand to its larger diameter shape, wherein the sleeve is pressed against the walls of the passageway by the stents. One application of the invention includes dilating a biliary duct which has been occluded by a tumorous growth. The advantage being that the sleeve prevents the tumor from growing between the gaps created by the stent which would otherwise restenose the passageway.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion assembly for therapeutically occluding a vascular site in a patient. The assembly comprises a foldable material occlusion bag having an expanded diamond shape and an elongated flexible filler member which is inserted in the internal cavity of the occlusion bag. When positioned in the internal cavity of the bag, the filler member assumes a convoluted configuration expanding the bag to the expanded shape. The occlusion bag is positioned on the flared distal end of a positioning catheter. A collar is wrapped around the neck of the bag to securely position the bag and prevent premature detachment from the positioning catheter. A pusher catheter is coaxially positioned around the positioning catheter to release the expanded occlusion bag from the flared distal end of the positioning catheter. A handle is releasably attached to the proximal end of the flexible filler member and inserted into the positioning catheter for expanding the occlusion bag to the diamond shape.

Abstract: A wire stent for insertion and expansion into a passageway comprises a plurality of curved sections that are formed into a generally circular configuration. Adjacent curved sections are joined by a bend or cusp, so that a series of alternating opposing loops are formed. The wire stent as formed has a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal opening through which a folded balloon catheter is inserted. The opposing loops are tightly contracted about the catheter so that the cylindrical shape has an overlapping region in which portions of adjacent loops longitudinally overlap. The loops are arranged so that when the balloon catheter is inflated, adjacent loops diverge circumferentially relative to each other, thereby decreasing the overlapping region while increasing the diameter of the cylindrical shape. As the diameter of the cylindrical shape increases, the wire stent contacts the surface of a passageway in which the stent is inserted.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent assembly consisting of one or more Z-stents connected to one another and covered by a flexible sleeve, which can be made from either nylon, plastic or another suitable material. The stents are formed of stainless steel wire arranged in a closed zig-zag configuration which includes an endless series of struts that are joined by an equal number of joints. The stent assembly is compressible into a reduced diameter size for insertion into, and possible removal from, a body passageway. After being properly positioned within a body passageway, the stent assembly is allowed to expand to its larger diameter shape, wherein the sleeve is pressed against the walls of the passageway by the stents. One application of the invention includes dilating a biliary duct which has been occluded by a tumorous growth. The advantage being that the sleeve prevents the tumor from growing between the gaps created by the stent which would otherwise restenose the passageway.

Abstract: A tissue aperture repair device which is inserted using either an openly or minimally invasive surgical procedure for at least partially covering a tissue aperture or hernial ring. The repair device includes a foldable sheet of material that is maintained with support means in an unfolded shape. The support means includes a second sheet of material attached to the circumference of the foldable sheet for forming a cavity therebetween. An elastic stiffener wire is inserted into the cavity for maintaining the device in its unfolded shape. Percutaneous insertion of the device is accomplished with the inclusion of an introducer in which the device is folded about the distal end thereof and contained within a containment sheath. The device is percutaneously inserted into the abdominal cavity of a patient, unfolded, and extended to the unfolded shape with an elastic stiffener wire also percutaneously inserted through the introducer.

Abstract: A wire stent for insertion and expansion into a passageway comprises a plurality of curved sections that are formed into a generally circular configuration. Adjacent curved sections are joined by a bend or cusp, so that a series of alternating opposing loops are formed. The wire stent as formed has a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal opening through which a folded balloon catheter is inserted. The opposing loops are tightly contracted about the catheter so that the cylindrical shape has an overlapping region in which portions of adjacent loops longitudinally overlap. The loops are arranged so that when the balloon catheter is inflated, adjacent loops diverge circumferentially relative to each other, thereby decreasing the overlapping region while increasing the diameter of the cylindrical shape. As the diameter of the cylindrical shape increases, the wire stent contacts the surface of a passageway in which the stent is inserted.

Abstract: In a method of the present invention, a wire stent, having a cylindrical shape defined by a series of alternating longitudinally overlapping opposing loops, is fabricated from a wire formed into a planar serpentine configuration. The wire is centered over a semi-cylindrical trough in a flat plate and then pressed into the trough by a forming bar so that a portion of the wire assumes the semi-cylindrical shape. A pulling tool, having a hook at one end, is engaged at the hook with the exposed loops of the serpentine configuration for pulling the exposed loops over the exposed portion of the forming bar to form a generally cylindrical shape from the wire. Once the wire is extracted from the trough and the forming bar is removed, a folded balloon catheter is inserted through the cylindrical shape and the wire is tightly pressed about the catheter.

Abstract: A wire stent for insertion and expansion into a passageway comprises a plurality of curved sections that are formed into a generally circular configuration. Adjacent curved sections are joined by a bend or cusp, so that a series of alternating opposing loops are formed. The wire stent as formed has a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal opening through which a folded balloon catheter is inserted. The opposing loops are tightly contracted about the catheter so that the cylindrical shape has an overlapping region in which portions of adjacent loops longitudinally overlap. The loops are arranged so that when the balloon catheter is inflated, adjacent loops diverge circumferentially relative to each other, thereby decreasing the overlapping region while increasing the diameter of the cylindrical shape. As the diameter of the cylindrical shape increases, the wire stent contacts the surface of a passageway in which the stent is inserted.

Abstract: A device for self-administration of a measured amount of insulin by a diabetic patient by means of digital pressure upon a subcutaneous pump implanted over the sternum.

Abstract: An endovascular stent formed of stainless steel wire of 0.018 inches diameter and arranged in a closed zig-zag pattern. The stent is compressed into a reduced size shape of an outer diameter which is many times smaller than its expanded shape. The stent is positioned in a passageway in the vascular system by means of a sheath while the stent is retained in the compressed reduced size shape. A flat-ended catheter is used through the sheath to hold the stent in place in the passageway while the sheath is withdrawn from the passageway allowing the stent to expand in the passageway into its expanded shape to hold the passageway open and enlarged. Other possible applications of the stent are in the respiratory, biliary and urinary tracts to reinforce collapsing structures.

Abstract: A blood clot filter which is particularly suited for filtering emboli from blood circulating through the inferior vena cava. The filter is comprised of a number of strands of shape memory wire which are interconnected and wadded together to form a curly wire mesh. The wire strands may be substantially straightened in order to permit insertion of the filter within the lumen of an angiography catheter. The filter includes a number of projections which serve as an anchoring means for anchoring the filter at a suitable body location within the inferior vena cava. One of the strands of wire includes a zig-zag which permits the attachment of the filter to the stretched distal end of a helically formed wire guide, thereby permitting the filter to be urged longitudinally through the lumen of the catheter for positioning within the inferior vena cava. In order to implant the filter, a percutaneous catheterization is made using a femoral approach.

Abstract: A catheter plug for sealing the proximal end of a parenterally placed catheter and permitting repeated small volume injections and delivery of parenteral fluids without disturbing the sterility of the catheter. The catheter plug has a compression chamber for applying compression to a self-sealing elastometric septum thereby enhancing the septum's self-sealing characteristics. Compression force is applied to the septum by screw movement between oppositely threaded male and female couplers. The catheter plug is particularly useful in situations where pressures higher than arterial pressures are encountered or where it is desirable to leave the catheter indwelling for long periods of time.