Abstract: A device for intravascular intervention can comprise an intervention element, an elongate manipulation member, and a joining element. The elongate element can comprise a hooked portion extending about a proximal portion of the intervention element. The hooked portion can comprise a bend. The hooked portion can have (i) no substantial surface crack at an interior region of the bend and (ii) a maximum lateral dimension that is less than 0.027 inch. The joining element can substantially permanently attach the hooked portion to the intervention element.

Abstract: Methods for forming an expandable tubular body having a plurality of braided filaments including a first filament including platinum or platinum alloy and a second filament including cobalt-chromium alloy. The methods include applying a first phosphorylcholine material directly on the platinum or platinum alloy of the first filament and applying a silane material on the second filament followed by a second phosphorylcholine material on the silane material on the second filament. The first and second phosphorylcholine materials each define a thickness of less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an intraluminal device may include elongated structure formed of a plurality of wires. The intraluminal device may also include a plurality of sets of looped wires longitudinally located at an intermediate area of the elongated structure and the plurality of sets may be spaced circumferentially about the structure and being configured to cooperate with each other to form a plurality of clot entry openings. At least one grouping of woven wires may be longitudinally located adjacent the intermediate area and the at one grouping of woven wires may be configured such that when an opening force is exerted on the elongated structure, the at least one grouping provides structural support to hold open first interstices between the plurality of sets of looped wires.

Abstract: Delivery and detachment of an implant can be enhanced by a retraction mechanism to secure portions of a delivery wire within an interior space of the implant. A delivery system can include an implant having a proximal end portion. A delivery wire can include (i) a detachment zone proximal to the proximal end portion and (ii) a distal region distal to the proximal end portion. An expansion member can be located between the proximal end portion and the distal region of the delivery wire. The expansion member can be biased to move the distal region of the delivery wire distally away from the proximal end portion when severed at the detachment zone.

Abstract: A method of preparing a filter for delivery into a body vessel. The filter includes a hub disposed along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of anchor members extending from the hub. Each anchor member includes either a cranial extension or a caudal extension at a distal end thereof. At least one anchor member distal end may be spaced from the hub at each of a first, second, and third distance along the longitudinal axis. The filter also includes a plurality of locator members extending from the hub, the locator members alternatingly interposed between the anchor members.

Abstract: A left atrial appendage occluder which includes a closure disc, a mesh anchoring apparatus, and a thin-film body, connected to one another. The anchoring apparatus extends from the closure disc toward the distal end to form a conical part having a distal-end opening, and the conical part extends toward the proximal end and rolls up to form an anchoring part. The thin-film body is fixed on the outside surface of at least one part of the anchoring part, and part or all of it covers the distal-end opening. The left atrial appendage occluder is provided with the thin-film body on the anchoring apparatus, which constrains the deformation of different parts, and accordingly improves the radial supporting force of the occluder so as to prevent it from falling out after implantation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for closing an atrial appendage, particularly the left atrial appendage, comprising a closing element, designed to be arranged in an atrial appendage entrance and to prevent an entrance of blood into the atrial appendage and/or a leakage of thrombus out of the atrial appendage, which is configured that it does not, in the implanted state, protrude out of the atrial appendage into the atrium of the heart; a first anchoring element, which is arranged adjacent to the closing element and connected to the closing element, wherein the first anchoring element is designed for an anchoring on an atrial appendage tissue wall, a connecting element which is at least in a radial direction flexible and connected to the first anchoring element and a second anchoring element, which is connected to the connecting element and designed for an anchoring on an atrial appendage tissue wall.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube sound device is presented having a sound bead connected to the distal end of a wire. A retaining piece is affixed to the wire adjacent to the sound bead. A handle is connected to the proximal end of the wire. Using this device, the sound bead may be inserted into an endotracheal tube to determine if the endotracheal tube is deformed and then removed from the endotracheal tube by pulling on the handle.

Abstract: Described herein are flexible implantable occluding devices that can, for example, navigate the tortuous vessels of the neurovasculature. The occluding devices can also conform to the shape of the tortuous vessels of the vasculature. In some embodiments, the occluding devices can direct blood flow within a vessel away from an aneurysm or limit blood flow to the aneurysm. Some embodiments describe methods and apparatus for adjusting, along a length of the device, the porosity of the occluding device. In some embodiments, the occluding devices allows adequate blood flow to be provided to adjacent structures such that those structures, whether they are branch vessels or oxygen-demanding tissues, are not deprived of the necessary blood flow.

Abstract: A system for mechanically capturing and removing a thrombus from a blood vessel includes a flexible guidewire adapted to contact the thrombus in the blood vessel, an aspiration catheter, an elongate catheter, and a self-expanding body fixedly attached to a distal end portion of the elongate catheter. The self-expanding body extends distally from the elongate catheter for capturing the thrombus. The self-expanding body preferably has a proximal end portion with a tapered shape and an open distal end. The self-expanding body is permeable for allowing blood to pass through the self-expanding body and into the central lumen of the aspiration catheter. The system may further include a thrombolytic drug to help dissolve the thrombus before capturing the thrombus with the self-expanding body.

Abstract: A method for selecting a medical device for use in the performance of a medical procedure. The method comprises acquiring image data relating to an anatomical region of interest of a patient's body and generating a multi-dimensional depiction of the anatomical region of interest using the acquired image data. The method further comprises defining a plurality of points relative to the multi-dimensional depiction, determining one or more measurements based on the defined plurality of points, and then selecting a medical device to be used based on the determined measurements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing device for repair of cardiac and vascular defects or tissue opening such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or shunt in the heart, the vascular system, etc. and particularly provides an occluder device and trans-catheter occluder delivery system. The sealing device would have improved conformity to heart anatomy and be easily deployed, repositioned, and retrieved at the opening site.

Abstract: A replaceable left atrial appendage occluder includes a stepped balloon and an occlusion disc. The left atrial appendage orifice occlusion portion of the stepped balloon is configured to completely occlude the left atrial appendage orifice. The left atrial anchor portion of the stepped balloon is configured to be clamped on the left atrial wall to prevent the left atrial appendage occluder from shifting. The occlusion disc is released in the pericardial cavity, and is connected to the stepped balloon by the connecting column of the occlusion disc, so that the left atrial appendage is pressed and occluded between the stepped balloon and the occlusion disc. The stepped balloon occludes the left atrial appendage orifice. The surface of the stepped balloon is smooth and coated with an anticoagulant coating.

Abstract: Blood filter devices, systems, and methods of using the same to detect the presence of a thrombus within said filter devices. A device of the present disclosure for detecting a thrombus or other blood particulate matter of a threshold size within a vessel can comprise a filter having a head and a plurality of legs extending distally therefrom, configured to capture the thrombus or other blood particulate matter of at least a threshold size, and at least one impedance element positioned distal to the head and configured to detect a presence of the thrombus or other blood particulate matter of at least a threshold size within the filter by obtaining data within a bloodstream when the filter is positioned within the bloodstream.

Abstract: A composition and method are provided for producing a 3-D printable material comprised of a marine biodegradable base polymer and a gelling agent in a ratio preselected to achieve a desired rate of degradation of a structure printed from the material. Suitable polymers include polycaprolactone (PCL), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), or polybutylene succinate (PBS). The gelling agent is typically agar. Faster rates of degradation of the structure are obtained with larger proportions of gelling agent in the composition. The composition may also include biological materials to further promote or control the biodegradation of the structure, and other additives such as nutrients for microorganisms or solidifying agents. 3-D printing of the material occurs at relatively lower temperatures to avoid damage to the biological materials.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems of resuscitating a patient including accessing an arterial vessel positioning a catheter into the arterial vessel advancing the catheter through the arterial vessel to position it below a vessel supplying blood to a heart and a brain expanding an expandable portion of the catheter to prevent blood from flowing past the expanded portion and infusing a substance retrograde into the artery within the arterial section between the bean and the expanded portion of the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter that comprises a hub, an elongated conduit, and at least one lumen therein. The lumen includes a proximal lumen section, a distal lumen section, and an intermediate lumen section extending between the proximal and distal lumen sections. The cross-sectional dimension of the intermediate lumen section is less than the cross-sectional dimension of the distal lumen section. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional dimension of the intermediate lumen section is less than the cross-sectional dimension of the proximal lumen section. In certain embodiments, the lumen tapers from the distal and/or proximal lumen sections to the intermediate lumen section.

Abstract: Delivery devices, systems, and methods for delivering an implantable leadless pacing device having an outer peripheral surface are disclosed. An example delivery device may include a proximal section including a distal end, and a distal holding section extending distally of a distal end of the proximal section. The distal holding section defines a cavity therein for receiving the implantable leadless pacing device, and may be configured to apply a holding force to the implantable leadless pacing device. In some cases, the distal holding section may be configured to apply a compressive force to the outer peripheral surface of the leadless pacing device when the leadless pacing device is disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: An obstruction removal device is described, having one or more engaging members which can engage portions of the clot. The one or more engaging members have a collapsed, delivery state, and an expanded, deployed state.

Abstract: A method and system for deleting a node of a knowledge graph may be provided. The method comprises receiving knowledge graph data comprising nodes and edges, determining a first relevance degree value for a node and a second relevance degree value for the node, combining the first and the second relevance degree value and marking the node as deletable if the final relevance degree value is above a predefined relevance threshold value. The method comprises further applying queries against the knowledge graph, wherein at least a certain number of such queries invokes accessing of a node, marked as deletable, revising at least one of the first and second relevance degree value based on the accessing of the node marked as deletable, and deleting the node, marked as deletable, if over a predetermined period of time queries against the knowledge graph invoke no access of the node marked as deletable.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-expanding braid for treating an aneurysm. The braid can include a lumen with a proximal end opposite a distal end. Translating the braid can cause a distal segment of the braid to expand and form an outer occlusive sack while a segment proximal the distal segment can invert into the outer occlusive sack like a tube sock. The braid can then be detached from its delivery system.

Abstract: An obstruction removal device is described, having one or more engaging members which can engage portions of the clot. The one or more engaging members have a collapsed, delivery state, and an expanded, deployed state.

Abstract: A blood vessel occlusion device comprising a plurality of legs having a deployed state wherein each of the plurality of legs is angled outwardly toward a vessel wall and a delivery state wherein the plurality of legs are sized and shaped for pushing into a target blood vessel and substantially in parallel to a common longitudinal axis. Each leg has an anchoring tooth at a distal end thereof and a gripping point formed therealong. Each leg switches from deployed state to delivery state by a retention element and maintained in delivery state when said retention element is supported by the gripping point.

Abstract: A left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device that includes an anchor portion having a first segment and a second segment that are connected in spaced-apart manner by a first connector, a sealing portion, and a second connector that connects the anchor portion and the second segment sealing portion. The first segment is adapted to be positioned outside the LAA and in the pericardial sac after deployment of the closure device, and the second segment is positioned between the first segment and the sealing portion inside the LAA.

Abstract: An assembly including an autonomous capsule having an anchoring member adapted to penetrate tissue of the heart and an accessory for implantation of the capsule. The accessory includes a steerable catheter with an inner lumen, having at its distal end a tubular protection tip defining a volume for housing the capsule. The accessory also includes a disconnectable attachment mechanism for supporting and guiding the capsule to an implantation site and a sub-catheter housed within the lumen of the steerable catheter, moveable in translation and in rotation relative to the steerable catheter. The sub-catheter and the capsule are movable between a retracted position and a position wherein the capsule is deployed out of the protection tip. The sub-catheter and the capsule are provided with a first fastening mechanism for fastening the two in translation and in mutual rotation, which is disconnectable under a rotation applied to the sub-catheter.

Abstract: An implantable medical device such as a filter has a generally conical shape formed by a set of filter legs extending from a free distal end to an apex of the assembly and specifically to a coupling device. A retrieval element such as a hook extends from the hub of. A spacer member is disposed at the hub and is formed of a plurality of curved wire elements. The spacer member has a radius or width smaller than the greatest radius of the filter device, defined by the free ends of the filter legs. The spacer member allows the filter assembly to tilt within a vessel but limits the tilt to a maximum desired or permitted tilt, ensuring that the retrieval device remains spaced from the vessel wall and therefore not subject to tissue ingrowth.

Abstract: A thrombus treatment device includes a support wire, a body frame portion that is disposed about an axis defined by the support wire, one or more tethers that each have a first end and a second end. Each of the one or more tethers is attached at its first end to the body frame portion, and at its second end to a collar that couples the second end of each of the multiple tethers to the support wire. When the collar is advanced to a position substantially within a region interior of the body frame portion, a rotational actuation of the support wire causes a swiveling motion of the one or more tethers. The swiveling motion of the tethers operates to macerate a thrombus.

Abstract: Medical device for embolic protection in an aortic arch, comprising a catheter having a shaft and a distal end portion of the shaft, an expandable embolic protection device having a filter membrane and a frame. The frame comprises a frame loop and an elongated frame shaft having a distal end portion connected to the frame loop in a connection point, in its expanded state the frame loop spans said filter membrane and bending means to bend the distal end portion of the catheter and/or the distal end portion of the frame shaft. The medical device comprises a protective state in which the distal end portion of the catheter is bent, the embolic protection device is expanded, the frame shaft extends in a longitudinal direction of the bent distal end portion and the expanded frame loop being completely positioned distally of the connection point.

Abstract: A device for occluding an aperture in a body of a patient includes a frame that includes a plurality of elongate members and a hub component that includes a plurality of attachment members, wherein for each elongate member of the plurality of elongate members a first end of the elongate member is fixedly attached to an attachment member of the plurality of attachment members at an attachment region. The frame and the hub component together form at least one occlusive element. Each receptacle of the plurality of attachment members is configured to pivot with respect to the hub component, such that each attachment region is movable with respect to the hub component.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating vascular defects, such as, for example, balloon-type aneurysms, are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an insertion portion and an expandable implant. The expandable implant is configured to be deployed in an aneurysm and is coupled to the insertion portion. The expandable implant has a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The expandable implant is movable between a first configuration in which the first portion and the second portion are substantially linearly aligned and a second configuration in which the second portion at least partially overlaps the first portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of aortic occlusion devices are described herein that include radially expandable and collapsible proximal and distal end portions, such as annular self-expanding stents or frames, that are configured to radially expand within an aorta to secure the device within the aorta. The devices can also include a catheter extending axially between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion and a porous covering, or filter, positioned around the catheter and between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion and configured to filter emboli from blood flowing into upper-body arteries. The device can further include a one-way valve positioned at or adjacent to the distal end portion of the device and configured to restrict retrograde blood flow through the device toward the heart.

Abstract: A treatment aiding device includes a flexible shaft; a filter; linear supporting members; an elastomer member composed of an elastomer in which a penetrating hole is formed, which elastomer member is arranged in the proximal side relative to the opening section of the filter such that the shaft penetrates the penetrating hole, wherein the outer diameter of the end face in which the penetrating hole is formed is larger than the outer diameter of the opening-section side of the filter when the filter is closed; and an outer tube in which a penetrating hole is formed, which outer tube is arranged in the proximal side relative to the opening section of the filter such that the shaft penetrates the penetrating hole in a state which allows movement of the shaft in the longitudinal direction; wherein the elastomer member is fixed in the distal side of the outer tube.

Abstract: A braided implant is provided that can secure within an aneurysm sac, occlude a majority of the aneurysm's neck, and at least partially fill the aneurysm sac. The implant can include a tubular braid that can be set into a predetermined shape, compressed for delivery through a microcatheter, and implanted in at least one implanted position. In some examples, the tubular braid can be implanted in two distinct implanted shapes, allowing for treatment of a wide range of aneurysm sizes. In some examples, the implanted braid can include a compaction resistant column spanning the height of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A left atrial appendage occluder (200) comprises a sealing part (220), a fixing part (210) disposed at one side of the sealing part (220), and a connection part (230) for connecting the sealing part (220) and the fixing part (210). The radial deformation capacity of the sealing part (220) is greater than the radial deformation capacity of the fixing part (210), and/or, the axial deformation capacity of the sealing part (220) is greater than the axial deformation capacity of the fixing part (210). In the left atrial appendage occluder (200), the radial or axial deformation capacity of the sealing part (220) is configured to be greater than the radial or axial deformation capacity of the fixing part (210), thereby avoiding the situation in which the sealing part (220) is not optimally fitted with the opening of the left atrial appendage (10) when the fixing part (210) is placed inside of the left atrial appendage (10), which in turn enhances the occlusion effect.

Abstract: A stent delivery system provided by the present application comprises: a radiopaque tip located at the distal end of the stent delivery system; a beads component comprising at least one expandable part; a funnel component comprising a distal flare structure and a proximal collapsed end, wherein the cross-section of the flare structure gradually increases from its minimum diameter to its maximum diameter along the proximal-to-distal direction; and a core wire located at the proximal end of the stent delivery system; and wherein the distal end of the beads component is fixed on the radiopaque tip and the proximal end of the beads component is fixed on the core wire; wherein the funnel component is coupled with the beads component and the core wire, and is fixed on the core wire through the collapsed end. The present application also provides a flow diversion device and an assembly method of the flow diversion device.

Abstract: Described herein are a collapsible medical device and associated methods of occluding an abnormal opening in a body organ, wherein the medical device is shaped from plural layers of a heat-treatable metal fabric. Each of the fabric layers is formed from a plurality of metal strands and the assembly is heat-treated within a mold in order to substantially set a desired shape of the device. By incorporating plural layers in the thus-formed medical device, the ability of the device to rapidly occlude an abnormal opening in a body organ is significantly improved.

Abstract: A vascular filter system comprises a vascular filter (1), a clamp device (50), and a delivery catheter (51). The filter (1) comprises filter elements (6). When used without the clamp device (50), the filter elements (6) move from a closed state to an open state upon elapse of a predetermined period of time. In the closed state the filter elements (6) capture thrombus passing through the inferior vena cava (2). The delivery catheter (51) is employed to deliver the clamp device (50) to the filter (1) after the filter (1) has been deployed in the inferior vena cava (2). The clamp device (50) engages with the filter elements (6) of the filter (1) to clamp the filter (1) in the closed state beyond elapse of the predetermined period of time. Because of the presence of the clamp device (50), the filter elements (6) are no longer free to move from the closed state to the open state upon elapse of the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An intravascular filter assembly has an expanded state for capturing thrombi in a patient's blood vessel, a first a collapsed state for removal from the patient's blood vessel in a first direction and a second collapsed state for removal from the patient's blood vessel in a second direction. A plurality of first struts extends from a first axial side of a fixed hub, and a plurality of second struts extends from the opposite axial side of the fixed hub. An axially movable hub has a first position radially surrounding the tubular body, a second position axially spaced apart from the fixed hub along the first struts, and a third position axially spaced apart from the fixed hub along the second struts. The first struts are collapsed when the movable hub is in the second position, and the second struts are collapsed when the movable hub is in the third position.

Abstract: An embolic protection device comprises a tubular filter body attached to a sheath. The tubular filter body has an open upstream end and a generally closed downstream end for capturing emboli. A self-opening passage through the emboli capture end of the tubular filter body allows multiple catheters to be advanced from the sheath or otherwise into the filter body simultaneously or sequentially. The sheath is attached to a peripheral support structure near the emboli capture end of the filter body to facilitate deployment and retrieval of the filter body through a restraining delivery catheter.

Abstract: A catheter that comprises a hub, an elongated conduit, and at least one lumen therein. The lumen includes a proximal lumen section, a distal lumen section, and an intermediate lumen section extending between the proximal and distal lumen sections. The cross-sectional dimension of the intermediate lumen section is less than the cross-sectional dimension of the distal lumen section. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional dimension of the intermediate lumen section is less than the cross-sectional dimension of the proximal lumen section. In certain embodiments, the lumen tapers from the distal and/or proximal lumen sections to the intermediate lumen section.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) to exclude the LAA from blood flow to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. A foam implant is delivered via transcatheter delivery into the LAA and anchored using an internal locking system of the implant. The locking system includes deployable anchors that can be deployed after deployment of the foam implant from the delivery catheter and expansion of the foam within the LAA. The implant location can thus be verified before deploying the anchors to secure the implant. The locking system can be reversible to allow retraction of the anchors and repositioning or retrieval of the implant.

Abstract: An embolic protection device, kit, and medical procedure prevent embolic material from entering into side branch vessels of the aortic arch. The device is a collapsible embolic protection device devised for temporary transvascular delivery to an aortic arch of a patient and has a protection unit that comprises a selectively permeable unit adapted to prevent embolic material from passage with a blood flow into a plurality of aortic side branch vessels at the aortic arch. The protection unit is permanently attached to a transvascular delivery unit and a first support member that is at least partly arranged at a periphery of the selectively permeable unit. In an expanded state of the device, the connection point is enclosed by the first support member or arranged at said support member.

Abstract: A clot retrieval device 1 for removing occlusive clot from a blood vessel, the device comprises an inner elongate body 3 having a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration and an outer elongate body 2 at least partially overlying the inner elongate body 2. The outer elongate body 2 is expandable to a radial extent which is greater than the radial extent of the inner body 3 in the deployed configuration to define a clot reception space 11. The outer elongate body 2 comprises a distal end portion 24,49 and the inner elongate body 3 comprises a main body portion 10 and a distal portion which extends in the deployed configuration towards the outer elongate body 2 to a greater extent than the main body portion. The distal portion 10 of the inner elongate member 3 and the distal end portion 24,49 of the outer elongate body 2 together define a three dimensional protective structure to substantially prevent distal egress of clot or clot fragments from the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of endovascular treatment. More particularly, the present invention uses a modified hydrogel intrasaccular occlusion device designed to implement an endovascular treatment to ameliorating or eliminating aneurysm recurrence, which hydrogel may optionally be impregnated with pharmaceutical compounds. The present invention also teaches the use of thin hydrogel coatings to ameliorate endovascular treatment related difficulties.

Abstract: A non-occlusive blood-restricting device is provided for use with a microcatheter and for treating a vascular malformation. The device includes a first section, a second section, and an intermediate section. The first section is configured to assume a first shape when deployed from the microcatheter within a portion of the vascular malformation so as to at least partially cover an orifice of the vascular malformation. The first shape defines a sequence of loops having a gradually decreasing diameter. The second section is configured to assume a second shape when deployed from the microcatheter, wherein the second shape defines a sequence of one or more loops having a constant or gradually decreasing diameter. The intermediate section connects the first and the second sections and is configured to space apart the first and the second sections when deployed from the microcatheter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A temporary percutaneous valve-filter device having valve portions non-porous to blood and filter portions non-porous to emboli but at least in part porous to blood. In one embodiment, the device has a substantially flat valve unit and a substantially flat filter unit. In another embodiment, the device has at least one open umbrella deployed configuration. In one aspect, the device has a unitary construction with one umbrella canopy with one or more filter areas with flaps allowing unidirectional blood flow. In another aspect, the device has a valve unit and filter unit, the umbrella canopies oriented in opposite directions, and the valve unit “closes” and opens to allow blood to flow to one direction. Also provided is a temporary valve system, including a core having an inverted delivery configuration and everted deployed configuration, that may be used with or without a filter unit, and a method of deployment.

Abstract: Nano-actuators having a helical member formed with a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) are disclosed that are elastically deformable between a compressed state and an expanded state by the application of a magnetic field. The nano-actuators may include a ferromagnetic head portion, that may be formed from the FSMA or from another material. A thin biocompatible external layer provides a platform for attaching a ligand that is selected to bind with a target cell type, for example, a target cancer cell. The nano-actuators are magnetically propelled to the target cells, and oscillated and/or rotated to mechanically damage the target cells to induce apoptosis. The nano-actuators may be formed by electro deposition of the FSMA into a nano-helical template.

Abstract: A tissue anchor is provided that includes a head connected to a shaft, and a tissue-coupling element extending from the shaft. When the tissue anchor is unconstrained, the head is coaxial with an axis of the shaft, and the tissue-coupling element is generally orthogonal to the axis and is shaped such that if the tissue-coupling element were to be projected onto a plane that is perpendicular to the axis, (a) at least 80% of an area of a projection of the tissue-coupling element on the plane would fall within a first angle of 180 degrees in the plane having a vertex at the axis, and (b) the area would partially overlap, at least 3 mm from the vertex, both rays of a second angle of between 45 and 180 degrees in the plane having the vertex at the axis. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention provide an apparatus and a method of removing an orthopedic implant from a patient. In one embodiment, the method includes cycling the temperature of at least a portion of the orthopedic implant between a first temperature and a second temperature that differs from the first temperature. In one embodiment, the first temperature is above 0° C. and the second temperature is below 0° C. The temperature cycling causes a thermal expansion differential between at least a portion of the orthopedic implant and material in a region contacting the orthopedic implant. In one embodiment, the thermal expansion differential is of an extent sufficient to cause physical separation of at least a portion of the surface of the orthopedic implant from material contacting the surface of the orthopedic implant.

Abstract: A clot capture system for disengaging a clot from a vessel wall and removing the clot from the vessel. The system may include a clot capture device for placement on a distal side of a clot. The clot capture device may have a retracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The clot removal device may have a proximal support frame, and a distal fiber net. The support frame may have a retracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The proximal support frame in the expanded configuration may define a proximal inlet mouth for engaging a clot and a net for confining the clot. An elongate member may facilitate capture and/or withdrawal of a clot from a vessel.