Abstract: An aneurysm neck cover is disclosed for use in occluding the flow of blood within an aneurysm. The aneurysm neck cover includes a first and second expandable sealing member having a circular joining member and reinforcing spokes which give the sealing members a slightly cupped configuration. The expandable sealing members are connected with a support element. When the aneurysm neck cover is deployed within the aneurysm, the first sealing member expands within the aneurysm while the second sealing member expands within an adjacent blood vessel thereby forming a seal around the mouth of the aneurysm and preventing the flow of blood within the aneurysm.

Abstract: An aneurysm embolic device is disclosed for use in occluding the flow of blood within an aneurysm. The aneurysm embolic device includes an expandable sealing member having a circular joining member and reinforcing spokes which give the sealing member a slightly cupped configuration. The embolic device also includes an occlusive member carried by the expandable sealing member. When the aneurysm embolic device is deployed within the aneurysm, the sealing member expands and the occlusive member fills the aneurysm preventing the flow of blood within the aneurysm.

Abstract: An aneurysm embolic device is disclosed for use in occluding the flow of blood within an aneurysm. The aneurysm embolic device includes an expandable sealing member having a circular joining member and reinforcing spokes which give the sealing member a slightly cupped configuration. The embolic device also includes an occlusive member carried by the expandable sealing member. When the aneurysm embolic device is deployed within the aneurysm, the sealing member expands and the occlusive member fills the aneurysm preventing the flow of blood within the aneurysm.

Abstract: An aneurysm embolic device is disclosed for use in occluding the flow of blood within an aneurysm. The aneurysm embolic device includes an expandable sealing member having a circular joining member and reinforcing spokes which give the sealing member a slightly cupped configuration. The embolic device also includes an occlusive member carried by the expandable sealing member. When the aneurysm embolic device is deployed within the aneurysm, the sealing member expands and the occlusive member fills the aneurysm preventing the flow of blood within the aneurysm.

Abstract: An aneurysm neck cover is disclosed for use in occluding the flow of blood within an aneurysm. The aneurysm neck cover includes a first and second expandable sealing member having a circular joining member and reinforcing spokes which give the sealing members a slightly cupped configuration. The expandable sealing members are connected with a support element. When the aneurysm neck cover is deployed within the aneurysm, the first sealing member expands within the aneurysm while the second sealing member expands within an adjacent blood vessel thereby forming a seal around the mouth of the aneurysm and preventing the flow of blood within the aneurysm.

Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining the embolic coil which when pressurized with a fluid expands outwardly to release the coil at the preselected position. The positioning catheter includes a coaxial stiffening tube and helically wound coil transition zone to provide improved positioning of the embolic coil.

Abstract: A catheter suitable for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures and the like is provided. The catheter includes an annular balloon having an exterior wall, an interior wall and an inner longitudinal passageway defined by the interior wall. An elongated flexible tube extends into an interior compartment formed between the exterior and interior walls to pass fluid therebetween and inflate and deflate the balloon between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. When in its expanded condition, the balloon engages a body vessel wall for dilating the body vessel, while simultaneously permitting perfusion of blood through the longitudinal passageway without need for an additional mechanism for pumping or channeling the blood.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for facilitating balloon catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient. The apparatus and method concern means for holding a guidewire longitudinally fixed with respect to a guiding catheter while a balloon catheter is moved over the guidewire. Specifically, the guidewire is held longitudinally fixed with respect to the guiding catheter by way of magnetic coupling. A first magnetic element constitutes a portion of the guide wire or is attached to the guide wire to move with it. A second magnetic element is located proximate the balloon catheter but is not fixed to the balloon catheter. When the guidewire is moved within the guiding catheter to a location at which the first magnetic element reaches its point of closest approach to the second magnetic element, magnetic force holds the guidewire against movement relative to the guiding catheter even while a balloon catheter is being moved over the guidewire.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter introducer which comprises a tubular sheath having a distal end, for extending through the skin of a patient and into the vascular system. The sheath defines a lumen for receiving a catheter. A hub is carried on the proximal end of the sheath. The hub defines a bore communicating between the lumen and the exterior. A catheter-penetratable seal is carried in the bore, with the sheath carrying an embedded tubular reinforcing strand member along at least a majority of its length. Thus improved kink resistance is provided. Also, improved frictional characteristics are provided when the tubular sheath comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for facilitating balloon catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient. The apparatus and method concern means for holding a guidewire longitudinally fixed with respect to a guiding catheter while a balloon catheter is moved over the guidewire. Specifically, the guidewire is held longitudinally fixed with respect to the guiding catheter by way of magnetic coupling. A first magnetic element constitutes a portion of the guide wire or is attached to the guide wire to move with it. A second magnetic element is located proximate the balloon catheter but is not fixed to the balloon catheter. When the guidewire is moved within the guiding catheter to a location at which the first magnetic element reaches its point of closest approach to the second magnetic element, magnetic force holds the guidewire against movement relative to the guiding catheter even while a balloon catheter is being moved over the guidewire.

Abstract: A medical implant particularly suited for stabilizing an aortic aneurism. The implant is intended to be inserted into the patient and expanded to bring a graft into contact with inner wall linings of a blood vessel. The act of expanding the device also causes the device to separate from an insertion catheter used in placing the device. A preferred implant includes two plastic tubes spaced apart by a wire mesh that expands as the two tubes are moved closer together. A flexible graft covers the wire mesh so that as the mesh expands, the graft contacts inner wall linings of a blood vessel, typically the aortic artery.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for facilitating balloon catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient. The apparatus and method concern means for holding a guidewire longitudinally fixed with respect to a guiding catheter while a balloon catheter is moved over the guidewire. Specifically, the guidewire is held longitudinally fixed with respect to the guiding catheter by way of magnetic coupling. A first magnetic element constitutes a portion of the guide wire or is attached to the guide wire to move with it. A second magnetic element is located proximate the balloon catheter but is not fixed to the balloon catheter. When the guidewire is moved within the guiding catheter to a location at which the first magnetic element reaches its point of closest approach to the second magnetic element, magnetic force holds the guidewire against movement relative to the guiding catheter even while a balloon catheter is being moved over the guidewire.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps device includes a handle assembly having a handle portion and a hub portion. An elongated flexible hollow body portion preferably in the form of a coiled spring guide wire extends from the hub portion to a forceps assembly. A control wire extends through a lumen in the guide wire as well as a lumen in the hub portion and is coupled at one end to the handle portion and at the other end to the forceps assembly. A flexible coupling interconnects the hub portion with the handle portion so that the hub portion may be angularly displaced with respect to the distal end of the handle portion. The flexible coupling takes the form of a ball and socket arrangement with the ball being carried by the hub portion and the socket being carried by the handle portion.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps device includes a handle assembly having a handle portion and a hub portion. An elongated flexible hollow body portion preferably in the form of a coiled spring guide wire extends from the hub portion to a forceps assembly. A control wire extends through a lumen in the guide wire as well as a lumen in the hub portion and is coupled at one end to the handle portion and at the other end to the forceps assembly. A flexible coupling interconnects the hub portion with the handle portion so that the hub portion may be angularly displaced with respect to the distal end of the handle portion.