Abstract: A valve configured for a lumen of medical device is provided. The valve includes a valve body that may be elastically deformed from a first configuration to a second configuration. The valve body includes a lumen having a closed configuration and an open configuration. The lumen may be actuated from the closed configuration to the open configuration by elastically deforming the valve body from the first configuration to the second configuration. The valve body may include a portion configured to form a seal with an interior surface of a lumen of a medical device.

Abstract: A hub device and a method for reception of a flexible elongate device therethrough are provided. The hub device includes a proximal portion having a substantially cylindrical opening defined in the proximal portion, a first connector at a proximal end of the proximal portion for connecting to a medical device and a distal portion connectable to an elongate shaft. The hub device further includes a lumen extending from the cylindrical opening in the proximal portion to a non-cylindrical cross-sectional lumen portion in the distal portion of the hub device, the lumen including a distal tapered portion tapering to the non-cylindrical cross sectional lumen portion. The distal tapered portion includes a first pair of longitudinal loop guides positioned on opposite sides of the lumen and configured to receive and collapse a loop of an elongate device received and distally advanced through the lumen.

Abstract: A method is provided for a ablating dilation beads on a balloon with a laser. The laser removes integral dilation beads from the neck regions and/or the tapered regions of a blow molded balloon. Part of the neck portions of the dilation beads may remain on the body of the balloon after the dilation beads have been removed.

Abstract: A valve configured for a lumen of medical device is provided. The valve includes a valve body that may be elastically deformed from a first configuration to a second configuration. The valve body includes a lumen having a closed configuration and an open configuration. The lumen may be actuated from the closed configuration to the open configuration by elastically deforming the valve body from the first configuration to the second configuration. The valve body may include a portion configured to form a seal with an interior surface of a lumen of a medical device.

Abstract: A method is provided for a ablating dilation beads on a balloon with a laser. The laser removes integral dilation beads from the neck regions and/or the tapered regions of a blow molded balloon. Part of the neck portions of the dilation beads may remain on the body of the balloon after the dilation beads have been removed.

Abstract: A hub device and a method for reception of a flexible elongate device therethrough are provided. The hub device includes a proximal portion having a substantially cylindrical opening defined in the proximal portion, a first connector at a proximal end of the proximal portion for connecting to a medical device and a distal portion connectable to an elongate shaft. The hub device further includes a lumen extending from the cylindrical opening in the proximal portion to a non-cylindrical cross-sectional lumen portion in the distal portion of the hub device, the lumen including a distal tapered portion tapering to the non-cylindrical cross sectional lumen portion. The distal tapered portion includes a first pair of longitudinal loop guides positioned on opposite sides of the lumen and configured to receive and collapse a loop of an elongate device received and distally advanced through the lumen.

Abstract: A dual-lumen catheter for use in a body vessel. The catheter includes an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis and defining at least a first and a second lumen. The elongate shaft has a cross sectional width normal to the longitudinal axis and a webbing section disposed between the two lumens. The webbing section has a webbing length less than the cross sectional width to reduce a tendency of the shaft to bend perpendicular to the webbing length when the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for facilitating folding of a balloon before, during or after a medical procedure. In a first embodiment, the apparatus generally comprises at least one catheter shaft member, a balloon disposed on a distal region of the catheter shaft member, and at least one folding member disposed along at least a proximal region of the balloon. The folding member may comprise at least one radially-outward projecting member integrally formed with or attached to the balloon, or an internally-formed groove in the balloon, which is adapted to promote twisting of the balloon to reduce the profile of the balloon in the deflated state. Optionally, biasing members may be disposed between the folding member and an adjacent portion of the balloon to promote folding of the balloon in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

Abstract: A dual-lumen catheter for use in a body vessel. The catheter includes an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis and defining at least a first and a second lumen. The elongate shaft has a cross sectional width normal to the longitudinal axis and a webbing section disposed between the two lumens. The webbing section has a webbing length less than the cross sectional width to reduce a tendency of the shaft to bend perpendicular to the webbing length when the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for facilitating folding of a balloon before, during or after a medical procedure. In a first embodiment, the apparatus generally comprises at least one catheter shaft member, a balloon disposed on a distal region of the catheter shaft member, and at least one folding member disposed along at least a proximal region of the balloon. The folding member may comprise at least one radially-outward projecting member integrally formed with or attached to the balloon, or an internally-formed groove in the balloon, which is adapted to promote twisting of the balloon to reduce the profile of the balloon in the deflated state. Optionally, biasing members may be disposed between the folding member and an adjacent portion of the balloon to promote folding of the balloon in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.