Abstract: An intravascular catheter with micro spines that penetrate arterial wall to delivery drug or mechanical injury to the vessel wall inducing a “stent” like healing process in the vessel.

Abstract: An intravascular radiation delivery system including a catheter, a radiation source disposed in an open-ended lumen in the catheter and a closed-ended sheath surrounding the radiation source so as to prevent blood and other fluids from coming into contact with the radiation source. Preferably, the open-ended lumen is centered in the balloon for uniform radiation delivery. The catheter may include a blood perfusion lumen under the balloon or around the balloon. The open-ended lumen in the catheter may have a reduced diameter adjacent the distal end of the catheter to prevent the radiation source from exiting the lumen. Methods of using the radiation delivery system are also disclosed. An alternative method of delivering radiation to a treatment site inside the vasculature of a patient using a gas-filled balloon catheter and a radiation source disposed in the balloon catheter. The treatment site is exposed to radiation, preferably beta radiation, through the gas-filled balloon.

Abstract: An intravascular radiation delivery system including a catheter, a radiation source disposed in an open-ended lumen in the catheter and a closed-ended sheath surrounding the radiation source so as to prevent blood and other fluids from coming into contact with the radiation source. Preferably, the open-ended lumen is centered in the balloon for uniform radiation delivery. The catheter may include a blood perfusion lumen under the balloon or around the balloon. The open-ended lumen in the catheter may have a reduced diameter adjacent the distal end of the catheter to prevent the radiation source from exiting the lumen. Methods of using the radiation delivery system are also disclosed. An alternative method of delivering radiation to a treatment site inside the vasculature of a patient using a gas-filled balloon catheter and a radiation source disposed in the balloon catheter. The treatment site is exposed to radiation, preferably beta radiation, through the gas-filled balloon.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. By selectively and controllably activating baroreceptors, the present invention reduces excessive blood pressure, sympathetic nervous system activity and neurohormonal activity, thereby minimizing their deleterious effects on the heart, vasculature and other organs and tissues. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably in the carotid sinus and/or the aortic arch. The baroreceptor activation device may comprise a wide variety of devices which utilize mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical or biological means to activate the baroreceptor. A control system may be used to generate a control signal to modulate the baroreceptor activation device.

Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.

Abstract: A device adapted for deployment in a body vessel for collecting floating debris and emboli in a filter. The device includes a collapsible proximally tapered frame for operably supporting the filter between a collapsed insertion profile and an expanded deployment profile. The tapered collapsible frame includes a mouth which is sized to extend to walls of the body vessel in the expanded deployed profile to seal the filter relative to the body vessel for collecting debris floating in the body vessel.

Abstract: A device, system and method for delivering radiation to interior body sites, including stenosed blood vessel regions for the purpose of inhibiting restenosis after angioplasty. A string having a radioactive first region, a second region, and an intermediate region is disposed within or along an elongate shaft having a distal return member. The string intermediate portion is typically initially looped over the distal return member. The radioactive region is normally initially disposed within a radiation shielding vault or enclosure. The elongate shaft can be advanced within a vessel to the site to be treated, followed by pulling the string to advance the string radioactive region within the shaft to the treatment site. After exposure, the string can be retracted, placing the radioactive string region back within the vault. The string can be used and re-used without sterilization when used within catheter lumens not in fluid communication with bodily fluids.

Abstract: A device adapted for deployment in a body vessel for collecting floating debris and emboli in a filter. The device includes a collapsible proximally tapered frame for operably supporting the filter between a collapsed insertion profile and an expanded deployment profile. The tapered collapsible frame includes a mouth which is sized to extend to walls of the body vessel in the expanded deployed profile to seal the filter relative to the body vessel for collecting debris floating in the body vessel.

Abstract: An implantable container is used to stabilize or restore height in a vertebral body. After insertion the container is filled with a bone filler material such as bone cement.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein. An administering portion is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and is configured to administer a bolus of liquid in response to positive pressure in a distal portion of the lumen. The catheter system of the present invention has a dead space of less 0.32 cc and preferably less than 0.15 cc in which residual therapeutic agents remain after delivery. The present invention also includes a method of administering a liquid to a treatment site. The distal end of the catheter is transluminally positioned proximate the treatment site. The catheter is charged by placing a bolus of the liquid in the lumen A positive pressure is created to drive the bolus to the administering tip to express the bolus from the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus stabilize a vascular wall or vascular tissue during a surgical procedure. A stiffening member is inserted in a vessel to be accessed. The stiffening member is formed of a material having sufficient rigidity to significantly dampen movement of the vessel caused by normal heart action.

Abstract: An intravascular radiation delivery system including a catheter, a radiation source disposed in an open-ended lumen in the catheter and a closed-ended sheath surrounding the radiation source so as to prevent blood and other fluids from coming into contact with the radiation source. Preferably, the open-ended lumen is centered in the balloon for uniform radiation delivery. The catheter may include a blood perfusion lumen under the balloon or around the balloon. The open-ended lumen in the catheter may have a reduced diameter adjacent the distal end of the catheter to prevent the radiation source from exiting the lumen. Methods of using the radiation delivery system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A restriction in a restricted vessel lying closely proximate the heart is bypassed. An aperture is formed in a supply vessel suitable for providing a blood supply. An aperture is formed in the restricted vessel distal of the restriction. Heart tissue is removed from the surface of the heart to form a channel in the heart tissue between the aperture in the supply vessel and the aperture in the restricted vessel distal of the restriction. The channel is covered to form a conduit to conduct blood from the supply vessel to the restricted vessel distal of the restriction.

Abstract: A device adapted for deployment in a body vessel for collecting floating debris and emboli in a filter. The device includes a collapsible proximally tapered frame for operably supporting the filter between a collapsed insertion profile and an expanded deployment profile. The tapered collapsible frame includes a mouth which is sized to extend to walls of the body vessel in the expanded deployed profile to seal the filter relative to the body vessel for collecting debris floating in the body vessel.

Abstract: A vessel lies adjacent heart tissue, and a restriction in the vessel is bypassed. A chamber in the heart is accessed and a lumen is formed through the heart tissue which communicates with the vessel and a region distal to the restriction. Blood flows from the heart chamber into the vessel distal the restriction, thus bypassing the restriction.

Abstract: A fixed wire balloon catheter for use in angioplasty includes an elongated flexible thin walled metal tube which carries an inflatable balloon at its distal end. A metal core member of smaller outer diameter than the metal tube is attached to the distal end of the tube to provide support for and guiding of the balloon section. The proximal end of the balloon is connected either to the distal end of the metal tube or to an intermediate waist tube, with the core extending distally from the metal tube through the balloon. The distal end of the balloon is secured to the core. A vent arrangement is provided to purge the catheter of gases prior to use.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein. An elongate member slidably disposed in the lumen has a distal end located proximate the distal end of the catheter. An administering tip is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and is configured to express a bolus of liquid in response to positive pressure in a distal portion of the lumen created by movement of the elongate member distally in the lumen. The present invention also includes a method of administering a liquid to a treatment site. The distal end of the catheter is transluminally positioned proximate the treatment site. The catheter is charged by placing a bolus of the liquid in a distal end of the lumen between a distal tip of the catheter and a distal end of the elongate member. The elongate member is then moved distally within the lumen to express the bolus from the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A device, system and method for delivering radiation to interior body sites, including stenosed blood vessel regions for the purpose of inhibiting restenosis after angioplasty. A string having a radioactive first region, a second region, and an intermediate region is disposed within or along an elongate shaft having a distal return member. The string intermediate portion is typically initially looped over the distal return member. The radioactive region is normally initially disposed within a radiation shielding vault or enclosure. The elongate shaft can be advanced within a vessel to the site to be treated, followed by pulling the string to advance the string radioactive region within the shaft to the treatment site. After exposure, the string can be retracted, placing the radioactive string region back within the vault. The string can be used and re-used without sterilization when used within catheter lumens not in fluid communication with bodily fluids.

Abstract: An RF activated catheter apparatus for performing transmyocardial revascularization. The catheter apparatus including an elongate catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends, the distal end including an RF emitter which is coupled to an RF generator for cutting channels into the myocardium of a patient's heart.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a blood-free interface for intravascular light delivery is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a balloon catheter into the vasculature of a patient wherein the balloon catheter includes an infusion layer disposed about the balloon; inserting a light delivery catheter into the working lumen of the balloon catheter; inflating the balloon to displace blood inside the vasculature; infusing a liquid to displace blood between the inflated balloon and the inside wall of the vasculature so as to provide a relatively blood-free interface; and delivering light through the blood-free interface to the vasculature from the light delivery catheter. Fluid may be infused into the working lumen of the balloon catheter and around the light delivery catheter in order to displace any blood in the lumen.