Abstract: Devices for securing open a stoma in the abdomen of a patient are disclosed. Additionally, devices that secure a percutaneously-implanted tube are disclosed. In one embodiment, a helically would wire forms a first coil arrangement inside of the stomach cavity of a patient and a second coil arrangement outside of the body of the patient, the first coil arrangement and second coil arrangement cooperating to squeeze the stomach wall and the abdominal wall into an adjacent position. Methods and other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present invention provide devices for occluding vascular vessels. In some preferred forms, these devices are able to move from a first condition to a less compact, second condition in a vascular vessel so as to fully or partially prevent fluid from passing through the vessel. One such device includes a frame and a flexible sheet material. The device also includes an occluding material that is located in an interior region of the frame. The flexible sheet material and frame are associated with one another such that when the device is in the second condition in the vascular vessel, the sheet material is positioned in the vessel lumen so as to block fluid flow through the lumen.

Abstract: A medical device assembly having a polarizable delivery mechanism reversibly engaged with a medical device and a method used by an operator to deploy said medical device at a targeted site in a body vessel is provided. The polarizable release mechanism generally comprises a pusher element having a distal end including at least two tines; the tines having a proximal section and a distal section, the tines being capable of exhibiting polarizable properties. The medical device has an opening sized to receive and to detachably engage the distal section of the tines. The delivery mechanism has an engaged position in which the tines securely hold the medical device and a detached position in which the tines and medical device are substantially unengaged. The operator causes the delivery mechanism to move from the engaged position to the detached position by applying or removing an energy stimulus to change the polarization.

Abstract: Among other things, a gastrostomy tube including a feeding tube that spans between an outer retention device and an inner retention device is disclosed. Embodiments of the inner retention device include an ultrasonic marker positioned within the inner retention device. The inner retention device and the ultrasonic marker have a variety of shapes or embodiments. The ultrasonic marker positioned in the inner retention device eliminates or reduces the use of fluoroscopy or endoscopy to position and later verify the location of the gastrostomy tube in a patient. Beneficially, the health risks associated with fluoroscopy and endoscopy are thereby eliminated or reduced with their associated disuse thereof. Moreover, the use of expensive hospital suites or operating rooms is eliminated or reduced with the use of portable ultrasound equipment that can be transported to a patient's bedside for verification of the location of the ultrasonic marker.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device for occluding a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises a hub having proximal and distal ends and a plurality of anchoring struts. Each anchoring strut has a first end and a second end. The first ends are connected together at the hub. Each of the second ends extends freely from the first end to engage the body vessel for anchoring the device therein. The device further comprises a central strut attached to the proximal end of the hub. The device further comprises a proximal and distal members and an extracellular matrix material. The proximal and distal members are slidibly disposed about the central strut. The extracellular matrix material is disposed about the central strut between the proximal and distal members.

Abstract: Devices for securing open a stoma in the abdomen of a patient are disclosed. Additionally, devices that secure a percutaneously-implanted tube are disclosed. In one embodiment, a helically would wire forms a first coil arrangement inside of the stomach cavity of a patient and a second coil arrangement outside of the body of the patient, the first coil arrangement and second coil arrangement cooperating to squeeze the stomach wall and the abdominal wall into an adjacent position. Methods and other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device assembly having a polarizable delivery mechanism reversibly engaged with a medical device and a method used by an operator to deploy said medical device at a targeted site in a body vessel is provided. The polarizable release mechanism generally comprises a pusher element having a distal end including at least two tines; the tines having a proximal section and a distal section, the tines being capable of exhibiting polarizable properties. The medical device has an opening sized to receive and to detachably engage the distal section of the tines. The delivery mechanism has an engaged position in which the tines securely hold the medical device and a detached position in which the tines and medical device are substantially unengaged. The operator causes the delivery mechanism to move from the engaged position to the detached position by applying or removing an energy stimulus to change the polarization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a delivery system for deploying an embolization coil. The delivery system comprises a delivery tube, a flexible sleeve extending distally from the delivery tube, and a mandril slidably disposed in the lumens of the delivery tube and the flexible sleeve. The present invention also provides an embolization coil delivery assembly comprising the delivery system of the present invention and an embolization coil. A proximal portion of the embolization coil is frictionally engaged by the flexible sleeve of the delivery system. The present invention also provides a method for positioning and deploying an embolization coil at a deployment site in a patient's vasculature using the delivery assembly of the present invention.

Abstract: An occluding device apparatus includes an embolization coil with a distal end and a proximal end with an opening and an attacher that is threaded through the opening at the proximal end of the embolization coil. The apparatus further comprises a delivery kit for delivery of the embolization coil in a body cavity. The kit comprises a guide catheter for percutaneous introduction of the embolization coil and an inner catheter slidably disposed within the guide catheter during insertion. The inner catheter comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The inner catheter further includes a hub disposed adjacent the proximal end. The kit further comprises a guide wire slidably disposed within the inner catheter. The guide wire is configured to provide a path during insertion thereof within a body cavity. The kit further comprises a pushwire to advance the embolization coil through the inner catheter.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device for occluding a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises a hub having proximal and distal ends and a plurality of anchoring struts. Each anchoring strut has a first end and a second end. The first ends are connected together at the hub. Each of the second ends extends freely from the first end to engage the body vessel for anchoring the device therein. The device further comprises a central strut attached to the proximal end of the hub. The device further comprises a proximal and distal members and an extracellular matrix material. The proximal and distal members are slidibly disposed about the central strut. The extracellular matrix material is disposed about the central strut between the proximal and distal members.