Abstract: Loading systems for compressing and loading an implantable medical device into a device chamber of a medical device delivery system are described. The loading systems include an elongate holding chamber within which the intraluminal medical device is disposed. A plunger has one or more attached pushers adapted to axially advance the intraluminal medical device through an intermediate portion of the holding chamber that has a tapered surface, which compresses the intraluminal medical device over a dilator of a medical device delivery system that has been introduced through the distal end of the elongate holding chamber. The elongate holding chamber can be placed within an outer storage container with an appropriate seal to for storage of the intraluminal medical device within the loading system. Methods of preparing an intraluminal medical device for implantation in a patient and kits useful in such methods are also described.

Abstract: A filter device assembly and a method of using such a device to capture and remove embolic material from a body lumen or blood vessel is provided. The filter device assembly generally comprises a structure having a collapsed state and an expanded state with first, second, and optionally N additional filter members circumferentially attached thereto. Each filter member forms an annulus chamber with the first filter member having porosity P1; the second filter member circumferentially having porosity P2; and the N additional filter members each having porosity [P3 . . . P(2+N)]. The magnitude of the porosity for the first, second, and N additional filter members follows the relationship P1>[P3> . . . >P(2+N)]>P2. The first, second, and N additional filter portions are configured in the expanded state to allow blood to flow there through and to capture emboli in the annulus chambers.

Abstract: A cutting tool is provided for cutting the end of a catheter to provide custom length catheters. The cutting tool has a cutting member that moves within the cutting passageway in the housing. The catheter is positioned within a catheter passageway in the housing. The cutting passageway transacts the catheter passageway so that a blade on the cutting member crosses the catheter passageway and cuts through the width of the catheter to form a cut end on the catheter.

Abstract: A deployment device for repair of a transected body vessel is described herein. Device can have a handle and one or more shafts coupled thereto. A prosthesis being retained by a sheath can be coupled to the delivery device. The sheath can have end portions coupled to one or more shafts. Rotation of a shaft can retract a sheath portion away from either end of the prosthesis for expansion thereof prior to the middle of the prosthesis. Continued rotation of a shaft can completely remove the sheath from the prosthesis, so that the prosthesis is fully expanded and couples the first and second vessel portions of the transected vessel together. Prosthesis may be retained by overlapping a tubular sheath and lacing a threading member therethrough. Prosthesis may be retained by a splittable sheath.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis may include a tubular graft extending in a longitudinal direction, where the graft has an inner surface forming a lumen extending a length of the graft. An elongate member may be attached to the graft in a circumferentially and longitudinally extending manner such that the elongate member forms a series of longitudinally spaced apart turns, each turn extending substantially around a circumference of the graft. The elongate member may torsion the graft in at least the circumferential direction and cause the graft to form circumferentially and longitudinally extending folds in the portions of the graft disposed between longitudinally adjacent turns of the elongate member.

Abstract: A system includes a generator with a grinder subgenerator and an ultrasonic subgenerator, a grinder handpiece, and an ultrasonic handpiece. The grinder handpiece is connected in electrical communication with the grinder subgenerator. The grinder handpiece includes a motor and a grinding tool connected mechanically to the motor. The rotational speed of the grinding tool is associated with electrical energy provided by the grinder subgenerator to the motor. The ultrasonic handpiece is connected in electrical communication with the ultrasonic subgenerator. The ultrasonic handpiece includes a transducer and a ball tip connected mechanically to the transducer. The amplitude of the vibrations at the ball tip is associated with electrical energy provide by the ultrasonic subgenerator to the transducer.

Abstract: A filter device assembly and a method of using such a device to capture and remove embolic material from a body lumen or blood vessel are provided. The filter device assembly generally includes a structure having a collapsed state and an expanded state with first, second, and optionally N additional filter members circumferentially attached thereto. Each filter member forms an annulus chamber with the first filter member having porosity P1; the second filter member circumferentially having porosity P2; and the N additional filter members each having porosity [P3 . . . P(2+N)]. The magnitude of the porosity for the first, second, and N additional filter members follows the relationship P1>[P3> . . . >P(2+N)]>P2. The first, second, and N additional filter portions are configured in the expanded state to allow blood to flow there through and to capture emboli in the annulus chambers.

Abstract: Medical devices useful in the ligation of tissue, apparatuses useful in the making and using of the medical devices, and methods of making and using the medical devices are described. A method of ligating tissue includes placing a ligating band on an introducer, stretching the ligating band, transporting the ligating band to a position adjacent a tissue using the introducer, passing the ligating band over the tissue, and releasing the ligating band from the introducer to place the ligating band in an unstretched configuration around the tissue. A ligating band includes an elongate fiber having first and second ends and forming a series of loops. The second end can be free of direct securement to the first end and secured to a portion of the fiber positioned within a loop of the series of loops.

Abstract: Loading systems for compressing and loading an implantable medical device into a device chamber of a medical device delivery system are described. The loading systems include an elongate holding chamber within which the intraluminal medical device is disposed. A plunger has one or more attached pushers adapted to axially advance the intraluminal medical device through an intermediate portion of the holding chamber that has a tapered surface, which compresses the intraluminal medical device over a dilator of a medical device delivery system that has been introduced through the distal end of the elongate holding chamber. The elongate holding chamber can be placed within an outer storage container with an appropriate seal to for storage of the intraluminal medical device within the loading system. Methods of preparing an intraluminal medical device for implantation in a patient and kits useful in such methods are also described.

Abstract: Medical device loading apparatuses, systems, methods and kits are described. A loading apparatus comprises a main body having a proximal end defining a proximal opening, a distal end defining a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. The passageway defines a proximal chamber having a first inner diameter, a distal chamber having a second inner diameter, and a transition chamber disposed between the proximal and distal chambers. The transition chamber has an inner diameter that transitions from the larger second inner diameter to the smaller first inner diameter. The main body has a separable connection that divides the main body between proximal and distal portions when disrupted.

Abstract: An endovascular device tip assembly and method of making the same, incorporating a radiopaque marker usable with catheters and other suitable endovascular devices is provided. The tip assembly incorporates a radiopaque marker device by providing a counterbore within a primary bore of a tubular tip of an endovascular device. The marker device is fitted securely within the counterbore and the tubular tip is further deformed distally of the marker in order to secure the marker within the device.

Abstract: Various systems for compressing and loading an expandable medical device into a sheath are disclosed. One system comprises an array of moveable blades radially disposed about a central axis and forming a radially contractible aperture. The blade array includes at least a first plurality of blades and a second plurality of blades. The first plurality of blades is independently moveable with respect to the second plurality of blades. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of using the various compressor systems to compress and load an expandable medical device into a sheath.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide an elongate medical device comprising a plurality of strands twisted in a generally helical manner to form a tubular shape having a longitudinal axis. A first strand of the plurality of strands is moveable with respect to at least a second strand of the plurality of strands. Actuation of the one or more strands may perform a medical function or actuate an associated distal component. A working lumen of the tubular member may remain unobstructed for delivery of medical components or fluids.

Abstract: Among other things, an apparatus for mixing and dispensing a bone cement mixture are provided. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a housing having a first chamber for containing an ampoule having a first bone cement component. The housing has a second chamber for containing a second bone cement component and the first and second chambers are in fluid communication. An ampoule breaking device is disposed within the first chamber and is configured to engage and break the ampoule for release of the first bone cement component. Disposed within the second chamber is an impeller that is configured to rotate such that the impeller mixes the first and second bone cement components together to form the bone cement mixture. Adjacent the impeller is a displacer that is configured to advance through the second chamber, receiving the impeller and dispensing the bone cement mixture.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal suture anchor set device includes a pusher slidably received in a needle. A suture clamp assembly includes an anchor attached to one end of a length of the suture, which is slidably received in a sequence of passages defined by a suture clamp in a high profile sliding configuration. The anchor is received in the distal end of the needle with the suture extending outside of the needle. The clamp includes a series of disks movable to a low profile clamped configuration at which different segments of the suture are clamped between faces of adjacent disks. The series of disks define a sequence of suture passages that are segments of a tortuous pathway through the clamp traversed by the suture.

Abstract: A suture anchor assembly includes a length of suture having an anchor attached to an end thereof. A releasable suture clamp is disposed in a clamped configuration about the suture. The releasable suture clamp includes a plurality of independent stackable components rotatable about a common axis, which is transverse to opposing faces of the stackable components. Each of the stackable components has a first opening passing through the opposing faces, spaced from the common axis, and sized for receiving the suture therethrough. The releasable suture clamp has an unclamped configuration in which the first openings are aligned relative to an alignment axis and the clamped configuration in which the first openings are misaligned relative to the alignment axis, wherein the alignment axis is parallel to the common axis.

Abstract: A medical device for aspirating and injecting fluid into a body cavity for use with first and second syringes is provided. The medical device includes an outer needle having an outer lumen formed therethrough. A distal end of the outer needle is configured to puncture tissue for insertion of the needle into the body cavity. An inner cannula is disposed within the outer lumen and has an inner lumen formed therethrough. A distal end of the inner cannula is disposed within the outer lumen. A hub has a first hub opening for fluidly connecting the first syringe to the outer lumen and a second hub opening for fluidly connecting the second syringe to the inner lumen. The inner cannula extends from at least one of the first and second hub openings to the distal end of the inner cannula. A method for treating a cyst is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compressing a medical device, such as a self-expanding stent, and loading the compressed medical device into a sheath are disclosed. A plurality of moveable blades are disposed about a central axis and form a radially contractible aperture which receives the device. An operating mechanism moves the blades between an expanded configuration and a radially contracted configuration. A subset of the blades is independently moveable in an axial direction with respect to other of the blades while the blades are in a contracted configuration.

Abstract: A device and a method for preparing foam are provided. The device includes a first housing having a first chamber therein and a first movable member positioned at least partially within the first housing. The device also includes a second housing having a second chamber therein, the second chamber being selectively and operably connectable to the first chamber. The second housing further includes a biasing member and a second movable member therein, the biasing member biasing the movable member toward a first end portion of the second housing. The device includes a valve operably connected to the first chamber and the second chamber and movably positionable to selectively control the connection between the first chamber and the second chamber and a handle operably connected to the first movable member and movable to bias the first movable member toward a first end portion of the first housing.

Abstract: A stent arrangement (12) and a stent graft (2) for curved lumens of the body. The stent graft has a tubular body (4) of a graft material, at least a portion of which may be arcuate to define an inner curved side (4b) and an outer curved side (4a) at least when deployed into the curved vessel. The stent graft has a plurality of self expanding stents (10, 12, 13) affixed thereto with a greater distance (11a) between the stents on the outer curved side than on the inner curved side. The stents can be normal, tapered on one or both ends or skewed. When mounted onto a deployment device a twist (152, 154) may be provided in the graft material between adjacent stents to nest the stents.