Abstract: Catheters, assemblies, and methods for delivering and recovering embolic protection devices. Catheters are provided that can be advanced over single length guide wires and which can be retracted over single length wire shafts of distal embolic protection devices. One catheter is a two-port catheter having two sidewall ports, a distal end port, and a proximal end port. The two-port catheter can be advanced over a guide wire threaded between the distal end port and the distal sidewall port. An embolic protection device wire shaft can be back loaded into the distal end port and out the proximal sidewall port. A three-port catheter includes a distal end port, and distal, intermediate, and proximal sidewall ports. The distal sidewall port can be dimensioned to accept passage of a filter body through the port. The distal end port can be dimensioned to accept only a guide wire to provide a smooth transition from the guide wire to the small profile distal end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of deploying a medical filter within a channel in a patient's body and filter systems which can be used in such a method. Such a filter may include a radially expandable body 52 having an opening 56 in a proximal length thereof. In one method, the filter is urged along a length of the channel with the filter body in a radially reduced configuration. This body is expanded to substantially fill the lumen of the vessel and orient the opening in the body proximally. Body fluid is permitted to enter the filter body through the proximally oriented opening and pass distally through the distal length of the body so that the distal length of the body filters from the body fluid particulate material entrained therein. The proximal length of the body can be drawn into the retrieval catheter, thereby effectively closing the proximally oriented opening within the catheter to retain the particulate material within the enclosure.

Abstract: Catheters, assemblies, and methods for delivering and recovering embolic protection devices. Catheters are provided that can be advanced over single length guide wires and which can be retracted over single length wire shafts of distal embolic protection devices. One catheter is a two-port catheter having two sidewall ports, a distal end port, and a proximal end port. The two-port catheter can be advanced over a guide wire threaded between the distal end port and the distal sidewall port. An embolic protection device wire shaft can be back loaded into the distal end port and out the proximal sidewall port. A three-port catheter includes a distal end port, and distal, intermediate, and proximal sidewall ports. The distal sidewall port can be dimensioned to accept passage of a filter body through the port. The distal end port can be dimensioned to accept only a guide wire to provide a smooth transition from the guide wire to the small profile distal end.

Abstract: Disclosed are implants and methods for remote remodeling of a mitral valve annulus. The implant comprises a body transformable from a flexible configuration for navigation to a treatment site, to a remodeling configuration for, in one application, applying pressure to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. On board electronics allow post deployment adjustment of the implant.

Abstract: A collapsible medical device for use, e.g., as a vascular filter. The device includes a mandrel having a distal end and a stop spaced proximally of the distal end. A proximal length of the mandrel extends proximally of the stop and a distal length of the mandrel extends distally of the stop. A functional element (e.g., a vascular filter) has a radially expandable body and includes a proximal slider and a distal slider. The proximal and distal sliders are slidable along the mandrel independently of one another such that the distance between the proximal slider and distal slider can be varied to effect different configurations of the functional element. In one method of using such a device, the functional element is urged distally to a treatment site by urging the mandrel distally.

Abstract: An embolic protection device comprising an expandable structure and a catheter. The catheter has a distal region and a working channel dimensioned to slideably receive an interventional device. The expandable structure is attached to the distal region of the catheter. The expandable structure has an expandable working channel extension and a working channel opening, the expandable working channel extension has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the working channel extension is attached to a distal end of the working channel, and the distal end of the working channel extension forms the working channel opening. The working channel opening is disposed proximate an exterior surface of the expandable structure when the expandable structure is expanded. The working channel, working channel extension, and the working channel opening form a continuous lumen.

Abstract: An intravascular medical device including an elongated member configured to be advanced along a vascular path of a patient, the elongated member having opposite first and second ends, the first end and second ends both being adapted for intravascular insertion, and the first end having a different structure than the second end. The elongated member has sufficient flexibility to be advanced through a human vasculature. Preferably, the first and second ends are adapted to have different operating characteristics. Depending on the operating characteristics needed for a particular procedure, a physician can insert either the first end portion or the second end portion of the elongated member into the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: An intravascular medical device including an elongated member configured to be advanced along a vascular path of a patient, the elongated member having opposite first and second ends, the first end and second ends both being adapted for intravascular insertion, and the first end having a different structure than the second end. The elongated member has sufficient flexibility to be advanced through a human vasculature. Preferably, the first and second ends are adapted to have different operating characteristics. Depending on the operating characteristics needed for a particular procedure, a physician can insert either the first end portion or the second end portion of the elongated member into the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering stents to target vessel regions, including stent delivery through microcatheters to narrow cerebral arteries. One stent delivery device includes a stent having the distal region everted over the distal end of a delivery tube, having the everted stent distal end captured by a distal element of a elongate release member disposed through the delivery tube. The delivery tube can have a distal taper to a small profile distal end. The everted stent distal region can be captured between the release member distal element and the surrounding delivery tube distal region walls. The captured and everted stent can be distally advanced to a target site, followed by manipulating the release member to free the captured stent. Some devices utilize distal advancement of the release member while other devices use proximal retraction of the release member to free the captured stent distal end.

Abstract: A catheter provided with a collapsible inner lumen within a main body. The catheter can deploy a distal protection device using a guidewire which is threaded through the inner lumen, the inner lumen collapsing upon retrieval of the device into the catheter main body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device retrieval system comprising a working element carried by a flexible, elongate shaft, the working element having a proximal profile and the shaft extending proximally from the working element and a retrieval cover slidable carried along the shaft of the medical device, the cover having a deployed configuration and being capable of being compressed into a compressed configuration for deployment, yet resiliently substantially return to the deployed configuration; the cover in its deployed configuration having a radially reduced proximal portion, a distally open distal end defining a distal opening having a maximum dimension at least as great as the maximum dimension of the proximal profile of the working element of the medical device, and an elongate internal recess defined between the proximal portion and the distal end.

Abstract: A catheter provided with a collapsible inner lumen within a main body. The catheter can deploy a distal protection device using a guidewire which is threaded through the inner lumen, the inner lumen collapsing upon retrieval of the device into the catheter main body.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a drug delivery mechanism for use with a protection device. The protection device has an expandable filter. The drug delivery mechanism automatically delivers a drug to the filter without requiring the intervention of the operator of the protection device. The drug delivered to the filter facilitates continued filter patency during the medical procedure.

Abstract: A distal protection device for use in a body lumen. The device includes a functional element which may be a filter or an occlusive element. The device includes means for controlling the movement and placement of the functional element along a guidewire. Motion of the guidewire can be independent of the motion of the functional element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a septal defect closure device (10) having a first occluding disk (30) having a first flexible membrane (32) attached to a first frame (34) and a second occluding disk (20) having a second flexible membrane (22) attached to a separate second frame (24). The first frame has at least two outwardly extending loops joined to one another by flexible joints. These loops are attached to the first membrane to define taut fabric petals when the first disk is in a deployed configuration. A central portion of the first membrane is joined to the central portion of the second membrane via a joining segment, which may comprise a conjoint disk. The flexible joints of the first frame are received within the joining segment. This septal defect closure device provides enhanced retrievability.

Abstract: Catheters, assemblies, and methods for delivering and recovering embolic protection devices. Catheters are provided that can be advanced over single length guide wires and which can be retracted over single length wire shafts of distal embolic protection devices. One catheter is a two-port catheter having two sidewall ports, a distal end port, and a proximal end port. The two-port catheter can be advanced over a guide wire threaded between the distal end port and the distal sidewall port. An embolic protection device wire shaft can be back loaded into the distal end port and out the proximal sidewall port. A three-port catheter includes a distal end port, and distal, intermediate, and proximal sidewall ports. The distal sidewall port can be dimensioned to accept passage of a filter body through the port. The distal end port can be dimensioned to accept only a guide wire to provide a smooth transition from the guide wire to the small profile distal end.

Abstract: The invention provides an embolic protection device for removing emboli from a blood vessel in a patient's body. The device comprises an elongate host element, an embolic protection element having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and a flexible tether connected to a distal end of the host element and to a proximal portion of the embolic protection element. The tether allows the host element to move axially and laterally relative to the embolic protection element over a limited range of motion when the embolic protection element is in an expanded configuration. The embolic protection device has a landing zone of 4 cm or less.

Abstract: An embolic protection device for removing emboli from a blood vessel in a patient's body. The device comprises a mesh element being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration and an elongate tubular element having a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a lumen between the proximal and distal openings. The lumen has a diameter large enough to slideably accommodate a standard guidewire. The mesh element is disposed on the elongate tubular element.

Abstract: A distal protection device for use in a body lumen. The device includes a functional element which may be a filter or an occlusive element. The device includes means for controlling the movement and placement of the functional element along a guidewire. Motion of the guidewire can be independent of the motion of the functional element.

Abstract: Medical devices made at least in part of amorphous metals or alloys are provided. Certain embodiments include filters, stents, guidewires, snares, and coils comprised of amorphous metal. Methods of forming the medical devices, including methods of shape setting amorphous metals or alloys into components of medical devices are also provided. Methods of using amorphous metal medical devices are also provided.