Abstract: A method of performing a vascular closure whereby closure material is safely injected into the blood vessel and into the vascular opening.

Abstract: A stent deployment system includes a tubular member having a first end and a second end and a generally longitudinal opening between the first and second ends. The tubular member has an inner periphery sized to receive a stent therein. A plurality of apertures are disposed on opposite sides of the generally longitudinal opening. An elongate retainer is removably receivable within the apertures to retain the stent in the tubular member and to release the stent from the tubular member when removed from the apertures.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a perfusion lumen communicating with a blood vessel, and a magnetically driven impeller disposed in the perfusion lumen to increase blood flow through the catheter and the arteries.

Abstract: Methods for coating metallic articles. In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing a metallic article having an external surface with an oxide thereon; removing at least part of the oxide from the external surface of the article; and placing a coating on the article. The invention also includes coated metallic articles, and an apparatus for coating metallic articles.

Abstract: An in vivo source of mechanical energy is provided in close proximity to its load. In the disclosed embodiments, the mechanical energy source is a miniaturized motor (“micromotor”) and the load is a miniaturized perfusion pump located at the distal end of a transluminal catheter. The motor is powerful enough to provide the electrical energy needed by the perfusion pump to fluid, and yet small enough to fit inside a body vessel. A position sensor may be provided for automatically controlling the motor's driving current so that it is corresponds to the applied load. An embodiment of the perfusion pump is also provided in which an external energy source is used. Another embodiment is provided wherein a balloon/pump/miniaturized-motor configuration is provided on a distal end of a catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a swaged medical device tubing assembly such as a stent delivery system handle or catheter system and making the same.

Abstract: The medical appliance has an elongated tubular shaft with a lumen extending therethrough and slots in the distal area for pressure medium entry into the lumen. A stiffening means in the form of an independent wire extends through the lumen with its proximal area extending proximally of the shaft. The proximal area of shaft is affixed to a luer-lock comprising a housing with an inner cavity and a distal end forming a muff fixedly and tightly sealed on the proximal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A balloon catheter which has an elongate shaft with an inflatable balloon connected to its distal end and a manifold connected to its proximal end. The manifold may be fixedly or removably attached to the shaft and includes a barrel with a plunger movably disposed inside it. The barrel has an internal volume of less than 5 cc and an internal diameter of less than 0.25 inches. A pressure transducer may be mounted to the manifold to permit measurement via a sensor tube. A pressure source for a balloon catheter including a barrel with a plunger inside it. The barrel is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen of the catheter and has an internal volume less than 5 cc and an internal diameter of less than 0.25 inches. A pressure sensor may be connected to the barrel with a sensor tube defining a fluid path from the interior of the barrel to the pressure sensor. A lock mechanism may be connected to the barrel to control longitudinal movement of the plunger.

Abstract: The pressure measuring guide wire comprises an elongated flexible shaft with a lumen extending therethrough. The lumen is surrounded by a wall forming the shaft and the distal portion of which is provided with slots for pressure medium entry. The distal portion has a thickness, greater than the thickness of the proximal area of the shaft. A coil surrounds the proximal area of the shaft to compensate the difference in kinking resistance between the proximal and distal areas of the shaft.

Abstract: A vascular access device for infusion of fluids into a patient. The device includes an introducer sheath having one or more side holes and the sheath can be used with a catheter in place through the sheath, with a dilator in place through the sheath, or with the sheath vacant. The device provides for a significant volume of infused fluid to exit the side holes. The side holes allow for the infusion of fluids, such as medications, to be directed to specific patient locations rather than to have the entire volume of infused fluid exit the distal end of the sheath tube.

Abstract: An elongate elastic metal alloy member for use in a medical device. The elongate member may be formed from a linear elastic metal alloy which may be twisted such that the torsional elasticity of the member is removed while the longitudinal flexibility of the member is maintained. The elongate member may further be placed under tension, fixed to prevent rotation, and heat treated such that the stress caused by tensioning and twisting the member is relieved without transforming the linear elastic metal alloy into a super-elastic metal alloy. The resulting elongate elastic metal alloy member may have increased straightness and may be easier to grind.

Abstract: In a catheter system for rapid exchange via a guidewire with a flexible, elongated inner catheter, which has a proximal end and a distal end as well as a guidewire lumen, which extends from an insertion port on the distal end to a lateral through port distally from the proximal end, and a flexible, tubular outer catheter, in which the inner catheter is disposed axially displaceably, and which has a lateral exit port for the guidewire, retaining means are provided on the inner catheter and the outer catheter, which retaining means prevent twisting of the outer catheter relative to the inner catheter. Thus, the through port and the exit port remain aligned with each other and the catheter system can be displaced simply along the guidewire. In addition, the outer catheter can be readily displaced relative to the inner catheter.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device for delivering a stent to a bodily stricture. The delivery device advantageously includes a funnel shaped distal end configured to facilitate compressing the stent onto the delivery device. The funnel may further include a tear away strip suitable for separating the funnel from the delivery device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molded tip on tubing and a method of making the same. The molded tip is molded on the tubing in a mold cavity and is for use in a stent delivery device, guide catheter, or angiographic catheter.

Abstract: A stent deployment catheter includes an elongate catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therethrough. A first stent sheath has a lumen therethrough and an elongate longitudinal opening therein. A second stent sheath also has a lumen therethrough and an elongate longitudinal opening therein. The first and second stent sheaths are disposed at the distal end of the catheter shaft. An elongate actuator is coupled to the first and second stent sheaths and extends to a proximal region of the catheter shaft. The actuator is longitudinally movable relative to the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a perfusion lumen communicating with a blood vessel, and a magnetically driven impeller disposed in the perfusion lumen to increase blood flow through the catheter and the arteries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which tracks over two guidewires. One guidewire is disposed in each branch vessel of a bifurcation. The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which enables efficient and accurate stent deployment and dilatation of bifurcation lesions.

Abstract: An in vivo source of mechanical energy is provided in close proximity to its load. In the disclosed embodiments, the mechanical energy source is a miniaturized motor ("micromotor") and the load is a miniaturized perfusion pump located at the distal end of a transluminal catheter. The motor is powerful enough to provide the electrical energy needed by the perfusion pump to fluid, and yet small enough to fit inside a body vessel. A position sensor may be provided for automatically controlling the motor's driving current so that it is corresponds to the applied load. An embodiment of the perfusion pump is also provided in which an external energy source is used. Another embodiment is provided wherein a balloon/pump/miniaturized-motor configuration is provided on a distal end of a catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure as well as a device for introducing an endoprosthesis into the distal end of a catheter by means of which the endoprosthesis is introduced into a vessel for implantation therein and is released to undergo self expansion by moving the tip of a catheter axially relative to the distal end of an outer catheter. An embodiment of the proposed device comprises a hollow cylindrical housing designed to receive the endoprosthesis, a piston axially displaceable therein which can be brought into engagement with the endoprosthesis, and a nose section arranged at one end of the housing, said nose section being provided with a recess tapering in the direction of an opening, and by means of said recess the endoprosthesis supplied by the piston may be introduced, with compressed diameter and in elongated form, into the distal end of the catheter replaceably arranged on the nose section.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing and sealing a vascular puncture is connected to an energy supply such that heat is generated in, or thermally conducted to, the tissue, thereby thermally fusing the vascular tissue together. The method for closing and sealing a vascular puncture comprises applying radio frequency or other energy to the tissue, the energy being sufficient to thermally fuse the tissue together, thus sealing the puncture. Embodiments of depth finding and guiding devices, as well as blood vessel occluders, are also disclosed.