Abstract: A compact retrievable blood clot filter and a method of retrieving the filter. The retrievable filter has a primary hub, a set of filter struts having a conical configuration and extending from the primary hub, and a set of alignment struts connected to the filter struts to provide centering of the filter. A set of control struts connected to the alignment struts has a secondary hub which is axially movable relative to the primary hub. Movement of the secondary hub causes the control struts to pull the alignment struts radially inward into a retractable state for retrieval of the filter.

Abstract: An implant holder for use with a delivery catheter to deploy an implant, such as a filter, in a tubular body part is provided. The holder includes a cartridge body having a lumen extending between two ends and holding a collapsed implant, and an implant image disposed on the cartridge body. The implant image has an axial orientation corresponding to the axial orientation of the implant held in the cartridge body lumen. The axial orientation of the implant image helps to guide a physician in correctly orienting the implant regardless of which access point is used, thereby reducing the chance of deploying the implant in the wrong axial direction.

Abstract: A lesion treating device for converting a standard balloon catheter into a cutting balloon catheter is provided. The device includes a longitudinal housing such as a tube which is sized to be inserted into a lumen of the balloon catheter and cutting wires disposed within the longitudinal housing in an undeployed position. When the longitudinal housing is moved relative to the cutting wires, the cutting wires extend out of the longitudinal housing. The balloon of the balloon catheter is then moved under the deployed cutting wires and inflated to convert the standard balloon catheter into the cutting balloon catheter.

Abstract: An implantable vascular access port assembly that has a septum, a reservoir, and a catheter connector assembly for use in connecting a catheter with the vascular access port. The catheter connector assembly has an O-ring, an O-ring seal, a locking ring, and a catheter connection plug, which components are located in secured adjacent relationship to one another, respectively, in the vascular access port. The catheter connector assembly securely locks the catheter inside of the vascular access port without compromising the lumen cross-sectional area and can withstand high pressures.

Abstract: A permanent blood clot filter which may be retrieved is provided. The blood clot filter includes a filter section and an alignment section. The filter section includes a filter hub and a set of filter legs whose downstream ends are connected to the filter hub. The filter legs extend axially and radially outwardly from the filter hub to form a conical configuration. The alignment section includes an alignment hub and a set of alignment ribs whose downstream ends are connected to the alignment hub and whose upstream ends are connected to the filter legs. The alignment ribs extend from the alignment hub radially outwardly and then further extend radially inwardly to provide centering of the filter.

Abstract: A compact retrievable blood clot filter and a method of retrieving the filter. The retrievable filter has a primary hub, a set of filter struts having a conical configuration and extending from the primary hub, and a set of alignment struts connected to the filter struts to provide centering of the filter. A set of control struts connected to the alignment struts has a secondary hub which is axially movable relative to the primary hub. Movement of the secondary hub causes the control struts to pull the alignment struts radially inward into a retractable state for retrieval of the filter.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive fluid-cooled insertion sleeve assembly, with an attached balloon and distally-located penetrating tip, into which sleeve any of a group comprising a rigid rod, a microwave-radiator assembly and an ultrasonic-imaging transducer assembly may be inserted, constitutes a probe of the system. The sleeve assembly comprises spaced inner and outer plastic tubes with two fluid channels situated within the coaxial lumen between the inner and outer tubes. The fluid coolant input flows through the fluid channels into the balloon, thereby inflating the balloon, and then exits through that coaxial lumen. An alternative embodiment has no balloon. The method employs the probe for piercing sub-cutaneous tissue and then ablating deep-seated tumor tissue with microwave-radiation generated heat.

Abstract: A compact retrievable blood clot filter has a filter section, a releasable lock and an alignment section connected to the filter section. Alignment ribs of the alignment section have releasable upstream ends that are locked to the filter by the releasable lock. The releasable upstream ends of the alignment ribs are capable of being released from the releasable lock so that during retrieval of the filter, the alignment ribs can slide through the endothelial tissue that may have grown around the alignment ribs.

Abstract: A catheter designed to be anchored in an internal cavity of a patient such as a drainage catheter employs a novel hub design. The hub has a slide member slidably coupled to the hub and a latch that latches the hub and the slide member together when the slide member slidably moves relative to the hub. Preferably, latching takes place when the slide member moves relative to the hub in an axial direction of the hub. A manually operable release member is provided on the hub such that the latch is disabled from unlatching unless the release member is manually operated. This feature advantageously limits a person's ability to accidentally unlatch the hub.

Abstract: A medical device suitable for subcutaneous implantation, generally including a housing having a reservoir, a septum positioned within and supported by the housing, at least one light emitting element placed in position defining relation to the septum, and a pressure actuated, light activating circuitry associated with the at least one light emitting element. The light element(s) may be positioned, for instance, in at least partially surrounding relation around the septum, embedded within or below a translucent housing that supports the septum, positioned within the reservoir and adapted to emit its light through a translucent septum, or positioned on the exterior of the supporting housing. The medical device can be adapted to receive high pressure fluid injections and if so adapted, will include a light emitting element that will provide a visual indication this capacity.

Abstract: A lesion treating device for converting a standard balloon catheter into a cutting balloon catheter is provided. The device includes a longitudinal housing such as a tube which is sized to be inserted into a lumen of the balloon catheter and cutting wires disposed within the longitudinal housing in an undeployed position. When the longitudinal housing is moved relative to the cutting wires, the cutting wires extend out of the longitudinal housing. The balloon of the balloon catheter is then moved under the deployed cutting wires and inflated to convert the standard balloon catheter into the cutting balloon catheter.

Abstract: A permanent blood clot filter which may be retrieved is provided. The blood clot filter includes a filter section and an alignment section. The filter section includes a filter hub and a set of filter legs whose downstream ends are connected to the filter hub. The filter legs extend axially and radially outwardly from the filter hub to form a conical configuration. The alignment section includes an alignment hub and a set of alignment ribs whose downstream ends are connected to the alignment hub and whose upstream ends are connected to the filter legs. The alignment ribs extend from the alignment hub radially outwardly and then further extend radially inwardly to provide centering of the filter.

Abstract: A lesion treating device for converting a standard balloon catheter into a cutting balloon catheter is provided. The device includes a longitudinal housing such as a tube which is sized to be inserted into a lumen of the balloon catheter and cutting wires disposed within the longitudinal housing in an undeployed position. When the longitudinal housing is moved relative to the cutting wires, the cutting wires extend out of the longitudinal housing. The balloon of the balloon catheter is then moved under the deployed cutting wires and inflated to convert the standard balloon catheter into the cutting balloon catheter.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus includes a housing having an open end and an interior surface. The interior of the housing defines a cavity within the housing. The cavity, in combination with a piston-like member, defines a reservoir for containing a fluid (e.g. such as an aromatic or other solvent or a solvent in which has been dissolved an aromatic substance). The piston has a port, and fits in piston-like arrangement within a cylinder contained within the housing. The piston moves within the housing, and movement of the piston acts to displace fluid from the port upon contraction of the reservoir (e.g. when the annular piston is driven into the device). Preferably, a fluid tight membrane covers the housing's open end. The apparatus also preferably further includes a conduit to transport fluid from the housing of the reservoir. The conduit has, on a first end, an exterior circumference sized and shaped to interact with the port of the annular member.

Abstract: A controlled delivery device for holding and administering a biologically active agent includes a housing having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a port associated with the housing. Enclosed within the housing is a displacing member, a chemical or electrochemical gas generating cell, activation and control circuitry. The electrochemical or chemical cell generates gas within the housing, forcing the displacing member against the beneficial agents contained within the housing and forcing the beneficial agents through an outlet port and into an animal's body cavity at a predetermined rate. An anchoring mechanism may be associated with the housing for securing the housing inside the body cavity of the animal being treated. Also disclosed are methods of delivering the beneficial agents into the animal's body cavity using the delivery device of the present invention.

Abstract: An electrically controlled pump (20) for dispersing a volatile substance into a local environment includes an enclosure defining a volume, a moveable member (52) separating the enclosure into first (54) and second (56) chambers (the second chamber containing non-solid composition which includes a volatile substance), an electrochemical cell (48) for generating gas. The electrochemical cell is associated with the enclosure, and is in fluid communication with the first chamber. A port preferably communicates the second chamber with a medium for dispersing the volatile substance into the local environment. Also, a case (58) may encase the pump and hold it in an upright position with respect to a surface upon which the case is positioned.

Abstract: An apparatus (120) useful for, among other things, subcutaneous drug delivery includes a housing (124), a fluid reservoir (154) disposed within the housing for storing the fluid, a pump or pressurized chamber for pressurizing a driving gas and exerting a force on the fluid reservoir to expel the fluid reservoir's contents, and a needle (150) or absorbent pad fluidically communicating with the reservoir. The apparatus may further include a pump activation mechanism such as a button and an electrical circuit such that pushing the button activates a circuit and connects a battery (138) to a pump (126), and a pump control mechanism such as electrical circuitry to control the voltage gradient to a pump to control fluid delivery.

Abstract: A fluid pump for infusing medical fluids to a patient includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port. The housing further includes a substantially hemispherically shaped surface which is circumscribed by a periphery. An elastomeric membrane is attached to the periphery of the surface and is stretched over the surface to place the membrane in its region of nonlinear elasticity. With this combination, a potential fluid chamber is established between the surface of the housing and the stretched membrane.In operation, fluid is injected through the inlet port and into the potential chamber between the housing and the elastomeric membrane to fill the chamber with the desired medical fluid. A fluid line is connected to the outlet port of the pump and a flow restrictor is coupled with the fluid line to control the flow of fluid from the chamber. Fluid flows from the chamber as a result of the nonlinear contraction of the elastomer membrane.