Abstract: A catheter device having a shaft that extends from a proximal end to a distal end to carry on its distal end a self-expanding implant for intraluminal advance on a guidewire and delivery of the implant to an implant site by proximal withdrawal of a sheath that lies radially outside the implant in the catheter, the catheter including a first shaft element to pull the sheath proximally and a second shaft element to push the implant distally to prevent the implant moving proximally with the sheath when the sheath is pulled proximally, wherein the second shaft element carries a stopper for abutting the implant, the stopper comprising proximal and distal portions having different radiopacities.

Abstract: An implant delivery device preferably includes a first shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The first shaft includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a first lumen along a longitudinal axis. The distal portion includes a tip defining a taper in the distal direction toward the longitudinal axis and terminating at a distal opening. The device also includes a second shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion and an inner surface defining a second lumen therebetween having a first cross-section. The second shaft is disposed within the first lumen such that the second lumen is generally coaxial with the first lumen to define a chamber. The distal portion of the second shaft terminates in a port having an opening in communication with the distal opening of the first shaft. The port preferably includes a second cross-section greater than the first cross-section.

Abstract: A device for trans-luminal delivery of a self-expanding stent or other surgical device and which is designed for rapid exchange over a guidewire has a guidewire lumen that adjacent its proximal exit port lies side -by-side with the line of the shaft of the device. A sleeve which surrounds and confines the stent has a proximal end that is shaped around the guidewire exit port to show in profile a shape reminiscent of the nose of a dolphin. In preferred embodiments, the sleeve also has a tapered distal tip that is withdrawn proximally over the length of the stent to release it, progressively, from its distal end. The configuration delivers simplicity of design, enhanced performance and reliability in use.

Abstract: A stent includes a series of helical windings defining an outer circumference of a cylinder. The helical windings include a plurality of struts having straight portions connected by curved portions. The straight portions may be substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the stent when the stent is in a reduced state. A plurality of bridges connect adjacent windings. The bridges may be substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stent in the reduced state. A plurality of radiopaque members extend from a terminal helical winding. The radiopaque members include an extension portion and an end portion. The extension portion may have a first width and the end portion may have a second width greater than the first width. The end portion may include an extreme end substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: A method for making a tool to remove a discrete object from the body of a human or animal patient includes a single length of Nitinol tubing and a sheath. The tubing includes a tool head section at a distal end of the tubing and a shaft section extending from a proximal end of the tubing to the tool head section. The tool head section includes a slitted section and a non-slitted section. The non-slitted section is disposed at a distal most end of the tubing. The slitted section includes a plurality of longitudinal slits forming a plurality of strands.

Abstract: A catheter device having a shaft that extends from a proximal end to a distal end to carry on its distal end a self-expanding implant for intraluminal advance on a guidewire and delivery of the implant to an implant site by proximal withdrawal of a longitudinal sheath that lies radially outside the implant in the catheter, the catheter including a first shaft element to pull the sheath proximally and a second shaft element to push the implant distally to prevent the implant moving proximally with the sheath when the sheath is pulled proximally, wherein the sheath is freely rotatable with respect to the first shaft element during the said intraluminal advance and, during proximal movement, is caused to abut the first shaft element at an abutment position by a reduced inner diameter portion of the sheath proximal of the abutment position.

Abstract: A tubular implant having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the implant. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of attaching elements to an axial end of a tubular implant comprising the steps of providing said elements on one end of a support tube having a radius substantially that of the implant in its unexpanded configuration, abutting the implant and elements end-to-end, fixing the elements to the implant, and parting the elements from the support tube. In a third aspect, the invention provides an implant carrying an element of another material, the element and implant having complementary tapered mating surfaces for achieving a taper form-fit of the element onto the implant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for delivering self-expanding stents to stenting sites within the body, which minimizes trauma to the affected tissue of the patient yet, at the same time, offers the medical practitioner a robust and simple system for stent placement. These technical effects are achieved by providing a catheter which receives the stent at its proximal end and guides it to the stenting site. The catheter serves as a guide catheter and has a tapered distal tip from which the stent emerges at the site of stenting. A stent pusher can be used which abuts the proximal end of the stent inside the guide catheter. The tapered tip can be molded and can be integral with the catheter shaft or bonded to it. The guide catheter can include a figurated portion towards its distal tip. The system has particular application to stenting the carotid artery.

Abstract: A pusher assembly for a delivery system for a self-expanding stent (6) which is delivered by proximal withdrawal of a sheath (4) radially surrounding the stent has a stent pusher element (8) which defines a lumen for a guidewire (2), a pusher strand (16) that extends to the proximal end of the delivery system and bears an end-wise compressive stress during release of the stent. A transfer shaft (12) links the distal end of the pusher strand (16) to the pusher element (8) and lies side-by-side with the guidewire (2). In a rapid exchange version, an adapter (20) provides two lumens side-by-side, one (22) carrying the pusher strand (16) and the other (14) defining a proximal guidewire part. To the adapter is mounted the proximal end of the stent sheath (4). The system allows modular (14) construction, a tapered tip (4A) on the sheath, and an uncluttered internal configuration which facilitates passage of pulses (F) of liquids from the proximal to the distal end of the system.

Abstract: A stent delivery system that includes an inner member and an outer retractable sheath is operated by a handle that permits retraction of the sheath at more than one speed. The sheath may be retracted in small, incremental steps or in a single, more rapid stroke. The stent delivery system may include releasably locking of the inner member and outer sheath in a fixed position and also may facilitate admission of liquid into the device.

Abstract: A tubular implant having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the implant. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of attaching elements to an axial end of a tubular implant comprising the steps of providing said elements on one end of a support tube having a radius substantially that of the implant in its unexpanded configuration, abutting the implant and elements end-to-end, fixing the elements to the implant; and parting the elements from the support tube. In a third aspect, the invention provides an implant carrying an element of another material, the element and implant having complementary tapered mating surfaces for achieving a taper form fit of the element onto the implant.

Abstract: A stent delivery catheter for rapid exchange carries at its distal end a sleeve (12) to surround a self-expanding stent (10) and a tension wire (30) running the length of the catheter to release the stent by proximal withdrawal of the sleeve. A tubular catheter shaft (62) surrounds the tension wire. An inner catheter (44) defines a guidewire lumen (48) with a proximal guidewire exit part (58) at the distal end of the catheter shaft. The inner catheter carries an abutment (32) to restrain the stent from moving proximally when the sleeve is pulled proximally. There is a gap (74) between the abluminal surface of the inner catheter and the luminal surface of the catheter shaft, in which the tension wire is accommodated.

Abstract: For welding a polished component of one metal to a polished prosthesis of another metal, ramp surfaces are used, to compensate for loss of precise dimensions of the two components at the surfaces that face each other at the weld interface, during the respective polishing procedures for the two metals.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a stent with a high degree of flexibility are shown and described. The stent can include a continuous helical winding and at least one bridge. The continuous helical winding has a plurality of circumferential sections that circumscribe a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end to define a tube. The circumferential sections are spaced apart along the axis. The at least one bridge is configured to connect one circumferential section to an axially-spaced adjacent circumferential section. The at least one bridge extends on a plane generally orthogonal with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A medical implant such as a self-expanding shape memory alloy stent with a strut matrix formed by cut patterns in a wall of a tubular workpiece (12) can be enhanced by arranging for the line of the laser beam when cutting the struts (62) to be one that does not pass through the longitudinal rotational axis (10) of the tubular workpiece. Such “off-axis-” cutting can modify the cross-sectional shape and area of each strut, along its length. Such modulation can enhance the fatigue resistance of the stent matrix, or increase the radial force that the stent matrix is capable of exerting on bodily tissue within which it is implanted.

Abstract: To improve radiopacity in a stent, and to reduce trauma while improving stent anchoring, imported beads are mounted To stent precursor matrices. Specially attractive is to provide a ring of such beads on the end rings of stent structures featuring a cylindrical mid length section flanked by outwardly flared ends. The beads can be of the same or different material from that of the stent matrix. The beads can assist in drawing the stent into a sleeve of a delivery system. Beads can be used to reveal features of the stent away from an end ring, such as a fenestration in the cylinder. Beads can be fixed in a position mechanically or by welding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implant 100 which comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive closed loops (300A, 300B, 300C, 300D; 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D each constituted from a plurality of loop portions such as struts (400, 500). The loops together form apertured walls of a cage with an interior volume, and the portions in any one said loop providing electrically-conductive pathways within which eddy currents are liable to be induced when the implant is subjected to an time-dependent external magnetic field, with each said loop comprising at least first and second said pathways. The implant is characterized in that the first and second pathways are arranged such that, in any particular magnetic field, the direction of the eddy current that would be induced in the second pathway is the reverse of the direction of the eddy current that would be induced in the first pathway, so as to mitigate the tendency of the implant to function in said magnetic field as a Faraday cage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for removing a foreign object from the body of a human or animal patient, the device being formed from a single length of tubing, slit lengthwise at its distal end to define an envelope of a basket cavity, the envelope featuring a set of second strands, each formed by slitting one of the first strands over a distal portion of the first strand, which distal portion is less than the full length of the first strand.

Abstract: A tubular implant having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the implant. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of attaching elements to an axial end of a tubular implant comprising the steps of providing said elements on one end of a support tube having a radius substantially that of the implant in its unexpanded configuration, abutting the implant and elements end-to-end, fixing the elements to the implant; and parting the elements from the support tube. In a third aspect, the invention provides an implant carrying an element of another material, the element and implant having complementary tapered mating surfaces for achieving a taper form fit of the element onto the implant.