Abstract: Implantable medical devices for connecting tissue layers, such as for connecting a gallbladder and a portion of a gastrointestinal tract to create an anastomosis, include a tubular structure having a plurality of apposition portions, a central region, and a covering material. The devices are endoscopically deployable and may include open cells or undulating edges that facilitate a secure connection between the tissue structures.

Abstract: A stent designed to reduce risk of restenosis opens peripherally within a blood vessel so that, when deployed, a periphery of the stent has a longitudinal opening spanning a length of the stent, the longitudinal opening spanning between 30 and 170 degrees. The stent does not scrape or penetrate the blood vessel wall when it opens because the peripheral surface of the stent slides along an interior blood vessel wall without leading edges of the peripheral surface contacting the interior blood vessel wall.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.

Abstract: A stent that includes a stent body and one or more weld joints, wherein the weld joints include a radiopaque material, and a method of making a stent that includes using a radiopaque filler material in a welding process.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent includes a proximal portion having a first cross-sectional area in an expanded state, a distal portion having a second cross-sectional area in an expanded state, a narrowed portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the narrowed portion comprising a cross-sectional area when in an expanded state that is less than the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area, wherein the narrowed portion is configured to increases flow velocity in the narrowed portion while reducing reduce pressure against a distal wall of the aneurysm by being axially disposed substantially between a proximal edge and a distal edge of an aneurysm neck or ostium, the flow traversing through the lumen of the self-expanding stent. In use, the self-expanding stent is positioned at the site of an aneurysm and expanded via release from a stent delivery device.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems and methods for making and using stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include a guide member having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A stent may be disposed about the distal portion of the guide member. The stent may have a wall having an opening formed therein. A pusher member may be disposed about the guide member and positioned proximal of the stent. A holding filament may be disposed at the opening and may extend to the proximal portion of the guide member. The holding filament may be configured to releasably secure the position of the stent relative to the pusher member. The holding filament may be releasable from the stent independently of movement of the guide member.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the controlled over-expansion of a body conduit and controlled constriction or expansion of a vessel in a patient are disclosed. The devices and methods can employ a bio-corrodible expandable support structure and an implant coaxially adjacent the support structure. The support structure can have a delivery diameter and an expanded supporting diameter. The implant can have a collapsed deformed diameter, an undeformed neutral diameter and an over-expanded deformed diameter. Contraction of the implant can occur when the support structure is bioabsorbed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes treatment of the vasculature of a patient with an expandable implant. The implant is constrained to a reduced delivery diameter for delivery within the vasculature by at least one sleeve. The implant can be constrained to other diameters, such as an intermediate diameter. The sleeves can be expanded, allowing for expansion of the diameter of the expandable implant, by disengaging a coupling member from the sleeve or sleeves from outside of the body of the patient. The expandable implant can comprise a steering line or lines which facilitate bending and steering of the expandable implant through the vasculature of a patient.

Abstract: A removable blood clot filter includes a number of locator members and anchor members disposed radially and extending angularly downward from a hub. The locator members include a number of linear portions having distinct axes configured to place a tip portion approximately parallel to the walls of a blood vessel when implanted to apply sufficient force to the vessel walls to position the filter near the vessel centerline. The anchor members each include a hook configured to penetrate the vessel wall to prevent longitudinal movement due to blood flow. The hooks may have a cross section sized to allow for a larger radius of curvature under strain so that the filter can be removed without damaging the vessel wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent graft and to an insertion system for the stent graft according to the invention. The stent graft includes a stent graft portion with a self-expanding stent having successive rings of meandering supports and a first prosthesis material secured on the rings. On at least one of its rings, the stent graft portion has two loop-shaped fixing elements which are attached via a common fixing area and which are attached to the supports of the rings in such a way that, due to the fact that they are guided in opposite directions around the hollow cylindrical body, the latter is compressible. Furthermore, the insertion system according to the invention also has a pin element with which the loop-shaped fixing elements can be threaded on.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device for extracting and/or morcellating tissue or other unwanted material from within a patient's body. In one embodiment, a medical device may include an elongate member including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The medical device may also include an expandable member disposed at the distal end, wherein an interior of the expandable member is in fluid communication with the lumen in the elongate member, wherein the expandable member includes a plurality of conducting elements extending from and disposed circumferentially about the elongate member, wherein at least two of the plurality of conducting elements are joined together by a material extending therebetween.

Abstract: A catheter device that includes a double-threaded guidance wire that allows multiple use of a compliant cavity creation device (i.e., treatment of more than one level). The double-threaded guidance wire may be connected with the luer part of the device and a distal part of the balloon using a threaded engagement to avoid lengthening of the inner tube, avoid lengthening of the balloon, and to limit the plastic deformation of the system in axial direction. In other implementations, the double-threaded guidance wire may be reconnected to the distal part of the balloon with a distal thread of the double-threaded guidance wire in order to restore the nominal length.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoprosthesis (1), in particular a vascular or cardiac endoprosthesis (1), having a body (2) and also one or more thrombogenic elements (3) that are fixed to the endoprosthesis (1) and that are able to extend a distance away from the body outside the latter. The endoprosthesis comprises means (33) for selectively retaining the thrombogenic elements near the body (2). The release of the one or more thrombogenic elements, after the endoprosthesis has been fitted in place by a conventional method via a sheath, promotes thrombosis.

Abstract: A method for treating an aneurysm can include inserting a medical device partially in a first artery and partially in a third artery. The device can be expanded radially outwardly from a first position to a second position to engage an inner surface of the first artery and an inner surface of the third artery, so as to maintain a fluid pathway through said arteries. Further, the device can be positioned such that, when the device is in the second position, a porous membrane of the device is located at a neck of the aneurysm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating thrombosis and or emboli in a peripheral vasculature of a patient are disclosed herein. The method can include providing a thrombus extraction device including a proximal self-expanding coring portion formed of a unitary fenestrated structure and a distal expandable tubular portion formed of a braided filament mesh structure; advancing a catheter constraining the thrombus extraction device through a vascular thrombus in a vessel; deploying the thrombus extraction device from the catheter from a constrained configuration to an expanded configuration; retracting the thrombus extraction device proximally so that the coring portion cores and separates a portion of the vascular thrombus from the venous vessel wall while the mesh structure captures the vascular thrombus portion; and withdrawing the thrombus extraction device from the patient to remove the vascular thrombus portion from the vessel.

Abstract: A method for controlling appetite by means of a satiation device is disclosed. The device, which includes a flexible webbing defining proximal and distal openings and a biasing structure, is attached to the patient's stomach with the proximal opening positioned adjacent and below the patient's gastro-esophageal junction. The biasing structure imparts pressure against the wall of the patient's stomach adjacent the gastro-esophageal junction.

Abstract: A catheter that includes storage for an embolic protection device in an accessible, out-of-the-way location within the advancing catheter.

Abstract: A device and method for minimizing exposure of soft mucosa tissues to radiation, the device including a low-volume intracavity balloon catheter having multiple expansion portions, including an isometrically expanding portion and a substantially planar anterior portion.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a catheter having a combined infusion/aspiration lumen, a three lumen proximal portion and a two lumen distal portion. An infusion/aspiration valve located at the distal end of the catheter facilitates performing infusion and aspiration through the same lumen, which in turn reduces the number of lumens, and enables the combined infusion/aspiration lumen to be made larger without the need to increase the diameter of the catheter. Differing material properties in the proximal and distal portions of the catheter enable the proximal portion to be made stiffer for pushability, while the distal portion is more flexible to navigate tortuous vasculature and enable a greater amplitude agitator to be received within the catheter.

Abstract: An expandable introducer sheath for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient includes a body which extends from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis. The body includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and an expandable reinforcement member which is disposed between said inner and outer layers. The expandable reinforcement member is configured to radially expand as the medical device is axially advanced or retracted through said introducer sheath. Once the medical device has exited the introducer sheath, the expandable reinforcement member facilitates a return of the introducer sheath to its original or unexpanded condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for folding or unfolding at least one medical implant (300) by using at least one tension thread (11, 11?), wherein the apparatus (100) includes a shaft (1) including a reception area for receiving the implant (300), a tensioning device for altering a shape of the foldable and/or unfoldable implant (300) by the tension thread (11, 11?), and a clamping mechanism for clamping at least one section of at least one of the tension threads (11, 11?). The present invention further relates to a set and a method.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent and a valve assembly attached to the stent. The stent has a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end adapted to reside adjacent the aortic annulus of a patient. The proximal end of the stent is oriented at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway. The invention also discloses a method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.

Abstract: A repair device (10) for affixing a migrating stent graft (30) to the interior surface of a vessel wall (31). The repair device includes tubular graft (11) with a bare or uncovered stent (16) affixed to the proximal end (12). The bare stent includes a plurality of distally pointed barbs (17) for securing the repair device to a vessel wall. A second stent (15) is positioned in the passage (14) of the tubular graft to expand the graft against the interior surface of the migrating stent graft (30). Proximally pointing barbs (20) are affixed to the struts of the second stent and extend through the graft material for securing the repair device to the migrating stent graft. Biological glue (22) and other sealing material (23) can be applied to the tubular graft and/or stents for sealing the repair device against the vessel wall and/or the interior of the migrating stent graft.

Abstract: An occlusion device delivery system can deliver an implant using a catheter. A distal section of the catheter has proximal and distal apertures extending through a wall of the catheter. The implant can be wound about the distal section and secured to the catheter via an engagement mechanism. The implant has a proximal segment that curves inwardly across the proximal aperture and a distal segment that curves inwardly across the distal aperture. The engagement mechanism engages the proximal and distal segments within their respective apertures to secure the implant to the catheter.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a device comprising a balloon disposed at least partially along a template, the template including an aperture, wherein the template has a substantially cylindrical portion that resists deformation in a radial direction, wherein the balloon expands radially during inflation, wherein a portion of the balloon at least partially protrudes about the aperture. Other embodiments are directed toward balloons having textured surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel medical apparatus for treatment of obesity, diabetes, and/or other obesity-associated health problems. The apparatus is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., substantially isolating nutrients from a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The apparatus can be implanted using minimally invasive techniques, such a transesophageal approach under visualization. More specifically, the apparatus is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., substantially isolating nutrients from a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The apparatus may include a sleeve and at least one anchoring component attached to the sleeve with a releasable component. The sleeve may have different properties along its length or there may be multiple sleeves having different properties.

Abstract: A temporary diameter reduction constraint arrangement for a stent graft is disclosed. The arrangement comprises: primary and secondary release wires extending along the graft; a plurality of loops of thread, each loop engaged with either the primary or secondary wire and engaged around a portion of the graft circumferentially spaced away from its release wire, and drawn tight to reduce the diameter of the graft; an end constraint arrangement comprising four of the plurality of loops of thread arranged into a first and second pairs engaged with respective primary and secondary wires; and an intermediate constraint arrangement comprising a fifth and sixth of the plurality of loops of thread arranged into a third pair, the third pair engaged with the primary release wire, the primary release wire deviating towards the secondary release wire so as to locate the intermediate constraint arrangement substantially in-line with the end constraint arrangement.

Abstract: Devices including, but not limited to, a self-expandable member having a proximal end portion and a main body portion. The self-expandable member is movable from a first delivery position to a second placement position, in the first delivery position the expandable member being in an unexpanded position and having a nominal first diameter and in the second position the expandable member being in a radially expanded position and having a second nominal diameter greater than the first nominal diameter for deployment within a vessel or duct of a patient. The expandable member includes a plurality of cell structures with the cell structures in the main body portion extending circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the expandable member and the cell structures in the proximal end portion extending less than circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the expandable member.

Abstract: A stent graft 30 has a bare end stent 31 which partially overlaps the next stent 32 with the end 36 of the graft material 34 being shaped to follow the distal peaks 35 of the end stent and the proximal peaks 47 of the next stent. The proximal peaks 37 of the end stent have a greater radius of curvature than the distal peaks 35 of the end stent.

Abstract: A catheter for detachably receiving an expandable and/or decollapsible or unfoldable, respectively, implant, in particular a stent may include at least one assembly for controlling the expansion and/or the unfolding or decollapsing, respectively, of the implant from a first diameter to a second diameter and/or its return back from the second diameter to the first diameter. Furthermore, an implant, in particular a stent, and a set including a catheter and an implant are proposed.

Abstract: A deep brain magnetic stimulator is disclosed that is placed within a vessel of the body to provide targeted location specific application of a magnetic field within the brain. The deep brain magnetic stimulator has a stimulation coil affixed to an expandable device core where the device core has a lumen to allow the passage of blood. A source of electrical energy is provided as well as related control circuitry to govern the activation of the stimulation coil and also govern such parameters as magnetic field strength, duration, waveform, and the like.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen. The stent can be compressed or crimped onto a catheter to a very low profile since the peaks that are adjacent the curved portion of the undulating link are shorter than other peaks in the same cylindrical ring to prevent overlap yet still achieve a very low profile, tightly crimped stent onto a catheter.

Abstract: Stents (10) that are implanted within or around a hollow organ, especially self-expanding stents, comprising several annular wall segments (11) which are provided with an elastic structure and are joined to each other by means of connecting elements (12), are often problematic because the length of said stents is modified due to compressive stress, tensile stress, or contraction thereof, potentially resulting in undesired displacement of the stent (10). In order to prevent such positional changes of an implanted stent (10), the inventive connecting elements (12) form at least one continuous longitudinal web (13) which is provided with at least one component in an axial direction for receiving compressive stress or tensile stress in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A catheter system having an intussuscepting balloon and a handle for a catheter system. The handle includes a fluidic system for preventing overpressure conditions during balloon intussuscepting and includes a locking mechanism disposed outside of the fluidic system for preventing unintended or accidental movements of a plunger assembly included in the fluidic system. The system includes standard sized components and non-standard sized components. During handle assembly, specific sizes of non-standard sized components are selected to match the length and/or the diameter of a specific selected balloon and are assembled with the standard sized components to form the catheter system.

Abstract: Devices and methods for balloon delivery of rapamycin and other hydrophobic compounds to the wall of blood vessels. Balloon catheters, such as those used for balloon angioplasty, are modified with the addition of a reservoir of dry micelles, disposed at a suitable location within the balloon or catheter. The reservoir may be installed within the angioplasty balloon, within a lumen in communication with the angioplasty balloon, either as a loose or packed powder or as a film coating. The micelle preparation is reconstituted and the micelles are mobilized when the aqueous solution used to inflate the balloons is injected into the catheter. The micelles are infused into tissue surrounding the balloon when pressurized fluid within the balloon leaks through the wall of the balloon.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a soft distal tip member having a non-tacky inner (liner) layer material and a soft flexible outer layer material, with both materials being readily thermally bondable to the catheter balloon.

Abstract: Deflection devices, systems, and methods for the prevention of stroke. Devices hereof comprise an extension portion and an anchor portion, both of which are configured to prevent the device from advancing into the artery extending from the aortic arch in which the device may be positioned. Additionally, a retrieval system is provided, the system comprising a sleeve catheter and a retrieval device slidably disposed therein. The distal end of the retrieval device comprises one or more attachment portions configured to engage at least a portion of the anchor portion of a device positioned within an artery extending from the aortic arch.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a guidewire and a fixator catheter. The fixator catheter comprises a tubular body with a distal portion and a proximal portion, and further includes a distal opening, a fixator secured to the distal portion, and a body opening arranged between the fixator and the proximal portion. The guidewire passes through the body opening and the distal opening of the fixator catheter. The fixator is movable between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration and, in the expanded condition, is capable of anchoring the guidewire and fixator catheter in a lumen of a blood vessel.

Abstract: A single port entry surgical instrument has an elongated structure with lumens through which surgical tools and an image capturing device may be inserted and controllably extended out of its distal end for performing a medical procedure, a tubular-shaped balloon disposed around the elongated structure, and an expandable retractor disposed around the balloon so that when the balloon is inflated, the retractor expands and locks in an expanded configuration to retract extraneous tissue. The port entry may be secured using the expandable retractor or sealed using another inflatable balloon disposed around the proximal end of the elongated structure and centered in the port entry.

Abstract: A stent graft has a cylindrical wall, an internal lumen within the cylindrical wall and a fenestration in the wall. The fenestration is closed off by a valve arrangement to prevent the flow of liquids from within the internal lumen to outside of the wall. The valve arrangement is a tube of graft material which can be closed off by pressure on its outside surface. The end of the tube remote from the fenestration can be held shut by having its periphery fastened to a flattened resilient ring. Fluid pressure on the tube of graft material causes the tube to close off to prevent fluid flow therethrough and by resilient deflection of the resilient ring the end of the tube of graft material can be opened to enable the passing of a medical device therethrough.

Abstract: A blood filter includes a hub, a plurality of legs, and a plurality of arms. Each of the legs includes a hook at a distal end thereof, a first linear segment extending substantially parallel to a hub longitudinal axis, a second linear segment extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis at a first angle, and an intermediate linear segment coupled to the first and second segments, the intermediate segment extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis at a second angle less than the first angle. Each of the arms has a free end closer to the longitudinal axis than the hook of each of the legs. The free ends of the arms are spaced radially transverse to the longitudinal axis at substantially the same radial distance.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame that is adapted for (1) delivery into a patient's native heart valve annulus in a circumferentially collapsed condition, and (2) circumferential re-expansion when in the annulus, the frame, in an expanded condition. The frame having a longitudinal axis, an inflow end and an outflow end, a first portion of the frame adjacent the inflow end inclining radially outwardly in a direction toward the inflow end, and a second portion of the frame between the first portion and the outflow end bulging radially outwardly, the second portion of the frame being positioned between a first axial distance from the inflow end and a second axial distance from the inflow end. The frame also includes a plurality of commissure members. The heart valve further includes a flexible leaflet structure disposed in the frame.

Abstract: In some aspects, graft devices for a mammalian patient can include a tubular member comprising a first end; and a fiber matrix surrounding the tubular member, wherein the fiber matrix is designed and constructed to be substantially continuously tapered at the first end to define a diameter that increases as it approaches the first end.

Abstract: Described in one aspect is a multi-pressure monitoring system for cell or other therapy includes a first catheter having a first lumen for accepting a treatment device, a second lumen for inflating a balloon, a pressure sensor for monitoring fluid pressure within the first lumen, and a flow restrictor such as a hemostasis valve for limiting the exchange of fluids into and out of the first lumen while treatment devices are present or exchanged in the first lumen. Also disclosed is a method of using the first catheter with a first pressure monitor coupled to the first pressure sensor along with a second catheter attached to a second pressure sensor coupled to a second pressure monitor. The second catheter is positioned within the first lumen of the first catheter during treatment operations and the first and second pressure monitors are used to verify proper pressures throughout the procedure.

Abstract: Medical devices which are adapted to be inserted into a patient for a limited period of time using minimally invasive insertion procedures for dilating a stenotic opening, such as a stenotic sinus opening, are provided. The devices and methods can be used for treating sinusitis and other nasal and/or sinus disorders.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery system comprises a sheath defining an axial direction; at least one tether movable axially relative to the sheath; and a holder movable axially within the sheath, configured to constrain radially the tether(s). Collapsing the prosthesis to a collapsed state in the sheath involves constraining radially with a holder the tether(s), attached to the prosthesis; and moving the tether(s) and the holder axially within the sheath such that the prosthesis is forced to collapse into the sheath and the holder is retracted into the sheath.

Abstract: Catheters of the present disclosure include a catheter shaft and an expandable tip, which can retrieve materials slightly larger than an inner diameter of the catheter shaft. The tip may be expandable such that it can easily transform from a first size and shape to a second size and shape to aid in the retrieval of the materials (i.e., the thrombus, embolus, or foreign body). Catheter tips may be expanded by inflation, removal of a constraining member, or an input such as heat, light, or electrical energy.

Abstract: A one way valve for a biological flow passage includes an elongated braided structure sized for insertion in the biological flow passage, a portion of the braided structure forming a substantially tubular shell, the braided structure maintaining an expanded operative shape after being deformed to a small dimension; a non-porous coating of the braided structure; a constricted portion of the elongated braided structure disposed between a proximal end and a distal end thereof, the constricted portion closing off a channel of the braided structure and defining at least one funnel shaped region of the braided structure to prevent flow towards the distal end; at least one hole formed in the non-porous coating, permitting a flow of one of air and fluid towards the proximal end; and an anchoring portion to retain the one way valve in a selected location within the biological flow passage.

Abstract: A constriction resistant tether for a child's article includes an elastomeric body, preferably constructed of any FDA approved food grade or higher grade semi-rigid elastomer. A portion of the tether body has a zig-zag, or modified serpentine shape that resembles a non-coiled tension spring. At one end of the body is an anchoring member for securement to a point of attachment such as a child seat, high chair or wheelchair. The anchoring member may possess a small annulus with a tail having spaced knobs along its length extending therefrom, or the anchoring member may be a plug or bulbous member that snaps into or interlocks with a custom sized and shaped aperture defining an attachment point.