Abstract: A device for assisting in the removal of items endovascularly includes a catheter, an engagement head, and a pull rod. The pull rod has a proximal portion and a distal end connected to the engagement head. The pull rod is movable within the catheter to selectively extend and retract the engagement head from the distal end of the catheter. The engagement head is arranged to grab an item without regard to a particular orientation of the item. The engagement head has a generally cylindrical outer shape that corresponds to an internal surface of the catheter. The engagement head has a serrated proximal edge arranged to grab and hold an item against the distal end of the catheter, and an internal relief area located radially inwardly from said serrated proximal edge to aid in engaging an item.

Abstract: A device for retrieving items endovascularly includes a sheath having a first lumen containing a snare that can be deployed out a distal end of the sheath and retracted back into the sheath for pulling an IVC filter into the sheath. The sheath has a second lumen that opens through a sidewall of the sheath proximal of the distal end. The second lumen contains a removal assist device that can be deployed through the sidewall and used to dislodge and/or cut an item to be retrieved from a vein wall. The removal assist device includes a catheter, a cutting head, and a pull wire. The pull wire has a proximal portion protruding from a proximal end of the catheter and a distal end connected to the cutting head. The pull wire is movable within the catheter to selectively extend and retract the cutting head from the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A medical device and method are provided for accessing a side branch in an artery utilizing an on-board imaging device. The device includes a catheter having a sidewall, an internal lumen, and a side port formed through the sidewall. A perforating guide wire has a proximal portion within the internal lumen and a distal portion arranged to be movable out of the side port. The guide wire can be delivered through the side port to a side branch artery when the catheter is deployed to a location with the side port aligned with the side branch artery. In one embodiment, the catheter includes an on-board imaging system disposed adjacent the side opening. The imaging system images tissue adjacent the side opening to assist with alignment of the guide wire to enter a side branch and/or cross an occlusion within the side branch.

Abstract: A device for assisting in the removal of items endovascularly includes a catheter, a cutting head, and a pull wire. The pull wire has a proximal portion protruding from a proximal end of the catheter and a distal end connected to the cutting head. The pull wire is movable within the catheter to selectively extend and retract the cutting head from the distal end of the catheter. The cutting head is arranged to hold and/or cut an item to be removed.

Abstract: A device for retrieving items endovascularly includes a sheath having a first lumen containing a snare that can be deployed out a distal end of the sheath and retracted back into the sheath for pulling an IVC filter into the sheath. The sheath has a second lumen that opens through a sidewall of the sheath proximal of the distal end. The second lumen contains a removal assist device that can be deployed through the sidewall and used to dislodge and/or cut an item to be retrieved from a vein wall. The removal assist device includes a catheter, a cutting head, and a pull wire. The pull wire has a proximal portion protruding from a proximal end of the catheter and a distal end connected to the cutting head. The pull wire is movable within the catheter to selectively extend and retract the cutting head from the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A medical device and method are provided for accessing a side branch in an artery. The device includes a catheter having a sidewall, an internal lumen, and a side port formed through the sidewall. A perforating guide wire has a proximal portion within the internal lumen and a distal portion arranged to be movable out of the side port. The guide wire can be delivered through the side port to a side branch artery when the catheter is deployed to a location with the side port aligned with the side branch artery. In another embodiment, the catheter has inner and outer telescoping tubes with offset exit ports formed therein. The telescoping tubes can be used to change the degree of deflection of the perforating guide wire by changing the relative positions of the offset exit ports.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical tubing and methods of manufacturing medical tubing. In particular, the present disclosure relates to medical catheters and methods of manufacturing medical catheters, including rapid exchange catheters. In some embodiments, catheters of the present disclosure have varying stiffness or rigidity along their length. In some embodiments, catheters of the present disclosure have a guiding portion with a different color than a main body portion. In some embodiments, catheters of the present disclosure have wrapped filaments imbedded therein to provide structural integrity and desired handling characteristics for the catheter. Additional aspects of the present disclosure are apparent from the detailed description.

Abstract: A medical device and method are provided for accessing a side branch in an artery. The device includes a catheter having a sidewall, an internal lumen, and a side port formed through the sidewall. A perforating guide wire has a proximal portion within the internal lumen and a distal portion arranged to be movable out of the side port. The guide wire can be delivered through the side port to a side branch artery when the catheter is deployed to a location with the side port aligned with the side branch artery. In another embodiment, the catheter has inner and outer telescoping tubes with offset exit ports formed therein. The telescoping tubes can be used to change the degree of deflection of the perforating guide wire by changing the relative positions of the offset exit ports.

Abstract: Percutaneous medical procedures are provided, which use endovascular instruments to install mechanical closures for closing vessels, such as veins. The mechanical closures can be one or more sutures that are anchored to the vessel walls and then cinched to closed the vessel. The mechanical closures can also be resilient clips or stents that are expanded within the vessel to pierce the vessel walls, and are then contracted to pull the vessel closed. Various techniques for installing the mechanical closures are also described.

Abstract: A method of making catheters is disclosed in which the wall of the catheter has a porous structure for carrying additional agents, such as therapeutic agents, diagnostic agents and/or device enhancements. The method includes applying a base polymer material and an inert material over the outer surface of a core, and curing or consolidating the base polymer material to form a catheter having a porous polymer layer with the inert material contained within the pores thereof. The inert material can be applied with the base polymer material or in a separate step after the base polymer material has been partially cured or consolidated to form the porous polymer layer. Additional agents can be mixed with the inert material before it is applied to the catheter, or can be applied to the porous polymer layer of the catheter in a separate step after the inert material is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A medical device and method for traversing an occlusion in a vessel includes a straightening sleeve positioned at a distal aspect of a catheter, a steering sleeve having an arcuate distal end, and a guidewire disposed through the steering sleeve. The steering sleeve has a first position in which the arcuate distal end is straightened within the straightening sleeve, and a second position in which the steering sleeve extends distally past the straightening sleeve to expose the arcuate distal end. The tip of the arcuate distal end of the steering sleeve or the guidewire can be used to pierce the occlusion. An arrangement of hub assemblies with locking mechanisms and motion limiting structures facilitates adjusting and locking the relative positions of the straightening sleeve, the steering sleeve, and the guidewire. Detent mechanisms are associated with the motion limiting structures for providing controlled incremental movement of the sleeves and the guidewire.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for curving a catheter after deployment include a catheter having a primary lumen, a secondary lumen, and a resilient fiber contained within the secondary lumen. The resilient fiber and the secondary lumen have corresponding, preformed curve shapes when the catheter is in a straight, unstressed condition. The resilient fiber is slidable within the secondary lumen to create a desired curve shape in the catheter as the curved portion of the resilient fiber slides into an originally straight portion of the secondary lumen. In another embodiment, the preformed curve shape of the resilient fiber is held in a straight condition within a stiff, marker ring segment of the catheter until after the catheter is deployed. Once deployed, the resilient fiber is slid out of the marker ring segment, and the preformed curve shape of the resilient fiber creates a corresponding curve shape in the catheter.

Abstract: A medical device and method are provided for accessing a side branch in an artery. The device includes a catheter having a sidewall, an internal lumen, and a side port formed through the sidewall. A perforating guide wire has a proximal portion within the internal lumen and a distal portion arranged to be movable out of the side port. The guide wire can be delivered through the side port to a side branch artery when the catheter is deployed to a location with the side port aligned with the side branch artery. In another embodiment, the catheter has inner and outer telescoping tubes with offset exit ports formed therein. The telescoping tubes can be used to change the degree of deflection of the perforating guide wire by changing the relative positions of the offset exit ports.

Abstract: A medical device for traversing an occlusion in a vessel includes a straightening sleeve positioned at a distal aspect of a catheter, a steering sleeve having an arcuate distal end, and a guidewire disposed through the steering sleeve. The steering sleeve has a first position in which the arcuate distal end is straightened within the straightening sleeve, and a second position in which the steering sleeve extends distally past the straightening sleeve to expose the arcuate distal end. The tip of the arcuate distal end of the steering sleeve or the guidewire can be used to pierce the occlusion. An arrangement of hub assemblies with locking mechanisms and motion limiting structures facilitates adjusting and locking the relative positions of the straightening sleeve, the steering sleeve, and the guidewire. Detent mechanisms are associated with the motion limiting structures for providing controlled incremental movement of the sleeves and the guidewire.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for curving a catheter after deployment include a catheter having a primary lumen, a secondary lumen, and a resilient fiber contained within the secondary lumen. The resilient fiber and the secondary lumen have corresponding, preformed curve shapes when the catheter is in a straight, unstressed condition. The resilient fiber is slidable within the secondary lumen to create a desired curve shape in the catheter as the curved portion of the resilient fiber slides into an originally straight portion of the secondary lumen. In another embodiment, the preformed curve shape of the resilient fiber is held in a straight condition within a stiff, marker ring segment of the catheter until after the catheter is deployed. Once deployed, the resilient fiber is slid out of the marker ring segment, and the preformed curve shape of the resilient fiber creates a corresponding curve shape in the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for curving a catheter after deployment include a catheter having a primary lumen, a secondary lumen, and a resilient fiber contained within the secondary lumen. The resilient fiber and the secondary lumen have corresponding, preformed curve shapes when the catheter is in a straight, unstressed condition. The resilient fiber is slidable within the secondary lumen to create a desired curve shape in the catheter as the curved portion of the resilient fiber slides into an originally straight portion of the secondary lumen. In another embodiment, the preformed curve shape of the resilient fiber is held in a straight condition within a stiff, marker ring segment of the catheter until after the catheter is deployed. Once deployed, the resilient fiber is slid out of the marker ring segment, and the preformed curve shape of the resilient fiber creates a corresponding curve shape in the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for curving a catheter after deployment include a catheter having a primary lumen, a secondary lumen, and a resilient fiber contained within the secondary lumen. The resilient fiber and the secondary lumen have corresponding, preformed curve shapes when the catheter is in a straight, unstressed condition. The resilient fiber is slidable within the secondary lumen to create a desired curve shape in the catheter as the curved portion of the resilient fiber slides into an originally straight portion of the secondary lumen. In another embodiment, the preformed curve shape of the resilient fiber is held in a straight condition within a stiff, marker ring segment of the catheter until after the catheter is deployed. Once deployed, the resilient fiber is slid out of the marker ring segment, and the preformed curve shape of the resilient fiber creates a corresponding curve shape in the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter and method of making a catheter are disclosed in which the catheter is highly flexible and yet resistant to crushing and kinking. The catheter is made by applying rings of hard polymer material along the tubular shaft as the catheter is manufactured. The catheter thus has a plurality of hard polymer rings formed at spaced locations along its length, and soft segments between the hard polymer rings that allow the catheter to remain very flexible. The hard polymer rings improve the radial strength of the catheter and make the catheter resistant to crushing and kinking.

Abstract: A method of making catheters is disclosed in which the wall of the catheter has a porous structure for carrying additional agents, such as therapeutic agents, diagnostic agents and/or device enhancements. The method includes applying a base polymer material and an inert material over the outer surface of a core, and curing or consolidating the base polymer material to form a catheter having a porous polymer layer with the inert material contained within the pores thereof. The inert material can be applied with the base polymer material or in a separate step after the base polymer material has been partially cured or consolidated to form the porous polymer layer. Additional agents can be mixed with the inert material before it is applied to the catheter, or can be applied to the porous polymer layer of the catheter in a separate step after the inert material is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A method of making catheters is disclosed in which various additives are consolidated into polymer walls of the catheters. The method includes providing a core, spraying a base polymer material over the outer surface of the core, spraying an additive material over or together with the base polymer material, and consolidating the additive material and the base polymer material together to form the catheter wall. The base polymer material and additive material are each applied as a fine particulate powder or solution of fine particulate, which can be sprayed over an outer surface of the core and the catheter wall as the catheter is formed. The additive material can be selected from several therapeutic agents, diagnostic agents, and/or polymers for modifying the base polymer materials. The additive material can be consolidated with the base polymer material throughout the polymer wall or primarily on the outer surface of the polymer wall.