Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a woven fabric layer composed of at least two woven fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Abstract: A non-compliant fiber-reinforced medical balloon comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer embedded in a continuous matrix of thermally-weldable polymer material defining a barrel wall, cone walls and neck walls. The fibers of the first fiber layer run substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fibers of the first fiber layer have a pattern of different lengths and are divisible into a first group and a second group based on length. Each fiber of the first group begins in the neck wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the neck wall at the opposite end of the balloon. Substantially all of the fibers of the first group have a generally uniform length. Each fiber of the second group begins in the cone wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the cone wall at the opposite end of the balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing an endoluminal prostheses, having at least one layer of biocompatible material, for loading into a delivery device. The apparatus ensures the uniform collapse of the prosthesis and enables the use of diminished loading forces for loading the prosthesis into the delivery device. The apparatus includes a device to stabilize the prosthesis so that the prosthesis can be incrementally axially rotated, as well as a device to manipulate the layer of biocompatible material simultaneously at several distinct points along an axis of the prosthesis so that a set of alterations is formed in the layer of biocompatible material.

Abstract: A method for making an encapsulated stent includes providing a first seamless unsintered ePTFE tube, providing a second seamless sintered ePTFE tube, positioning a self-expanding stent between the first and second ePTFE tubes to form an assembly, disposing an ePTFE interlayer member between the first and second ePTFE tubes, and joining the first ePTFE tube to the second ePTFE tube through openings in a wall of the stent by applying first pressure, and then heat, to the assembly.

Abstract: A shaft for a balloon dilation catheter comprises a proximal portion wherein a guidewire tubular member is disposed coaxially within an outer tubular member, a shaft transitional portion, wherein the guidewire member is disposed within the outer member, with at least one distal tubular member not present in the proximal portion, a shaft distal portion, wherein the guidewire member and the distal members are disposed side-by-side and encased within a distal body, and fluid-tight barrier within a proximal lumen blocking the flow of fluid in the proximal lumen, but allowing the proximal lumen to remain in fluid communication with a distal lumens.

Abstract: A rapid ex balloon dilation catheter includes a catheter shaft with a proximal tubular member defining a proximal inflation/deflation lumen for conveying fluids therethrough with a distal portion of the bore of proximal tubular member filled with a fluid-impervious barrier, a distal body extending from the fluid-impervious barrier to the distal end of the shaft, a plurality of distal tubular members defining distal inflation/deflation lumens in fluid communication with the proximal inflation/deflation lumen and extending through the fluid-impervious barrier and the distal body to the distal end of the shaft distal portion, a guidewire tubular member having a bore extending from a side aperture formed in the distal body through the distal body alongside the distal tubular members in a multi-lumen arrangement, and a plurality of stiffening members extending from within the fluid-impervious barrier into the distal body to a point within the shaft distal portion.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis including a radially expandable frame and an anchoring member. The anchoring member includes a first arm attached to a first strut of the frame and a second arm attached to a second adjacent strut of the frame. The first arm is joined to the second arm to form a vessel engaging end that, together with at least a portion of the first arm and second arm, is directed toward a central axis of the frame in the frame's collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A method for making an encapsulated stent includes providing a first seamless unsintered ePTFE tube, providing a second seamless sintered ePTFE tube, positioning a self-expanding stent between the first and second ePTFE tubes to form an assembly, and joining the first ePTFE tube to the second ePTFE tube through openings in a wall of the stent by applying first pressure, and then heat, to the assembly.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon, where the non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon, is made with a first fiber layer, a second fiber layer over said first fiber layer such that the fibers of the first fiber layer and the fibers of the second fiber layer form an angle and a binding layer coating the first fiber layer and said second fiber layer. The interior surface area of the non-compliant medical balloon remains unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Abstract: A method of making an implantable medical device includes extruding a first ePTFE tube and a second ePTFE tube, cutting a plurality of slits in the first ePTFE tube, positioning a radially expandable support layer between the first and second ePTFE tubes so that the slits span portions of the support layer, and laminating the first ePTFE tube to the second ePTFE tube through openings in the support layer.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis including a radially expandable frame and an anchoring member. The anchoring member includes a first arm attached to a first strut of the frame and a second arm attached to a second adjacent strut of the frame. The first arm is joined to the second arm to form a vessel engaging end that, together with at least a portion of the first arm and second arm, is directed toward a central axis of the frame in the frame's collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A self-contained, self-piercing, and side-expelling marking apparatus for percutaneously placing a imaging marker in a tissue mass.

Abstract: A biopsy system for harvesting tissue samples from a suspect tissue mass in a body of a living being, e.g. in per-cutaneous aspiration biopsy, comprises a hollow needle (50) and a sample-receiving device (52), which is movable in the hollow needle. A first user-operable firing mechanism (110) is provided for causing the hollow needle and the sample-receiving device to be substantially simultaneously displaced in a distal direction, so as to penetrate body tissue at or near the suspect tissue mass. A second user-operable firing mechanism (112) may cause the hollow needle solely to be longitudinally displaced in a distal direction from a position, in which the sample-receiving device (52) projects from the distal end of the hollow needle (50), to a position, in which the hollow needle essentially accommodates the sample-receiving device, so as to sever said tissue sample from remaining body tissue at the harvesting site.

Abstract: A subcutaneous marking apparatus for placement of an imaging marker at a predetermined site in a tissue mass comprises a handle having a front portion and a rear portion, a cannula, a stylet slidably received within the cannula, a trigger extending from the front portion of the handle and operably engaging the stylet, and an imaging marker disposed within a marker recess in a distal end of the cannula. A user can firmly grasp the marking apparatus in one hand and simultaneously actuate the trigger with a finger or a thumb of the same hand to move the stylet and thereby place the imaging marker at the predetermined site.

Abstract: A biopsy marking apparatus for placing a radiopaque marker at the location of a percutaneous biopsy. The biopsy marking apparatus comprises an introducer in combination with a radiopaque marker. The introducer ejects the radiopaque marker at the location of the biopsy. The introducer is configured to completely eject the radiopaque marker and prevent it from being subsequently drawn into the introducer as the introducer is removed from the biopsied tissue mass. The radiopaque marker has enhanced radiopaque characteristics and enhanced non-migration characteristics.

Abstract: An inventive flanged graft for end-to-side anastomosis includes a tubular graft member and a flanged section The type and size of the flanged section is determined by various factors such as identity of the receiving artery, position of the arteriotomy on the receiving artery, and luminal diameter of the graft. The graft is preferably anastomosed to the receiving artery using continuous sutures to join the arteriotomy to the peripheral edges flanged section.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for the percutaneous placement of a medical device at an area of interest in a tissue mass comprises an introducer comprising a cannula having an insertion tip, an expulsion opening near the insertion tip, and a medical device within the cannula comprising an imaging element, and a guide element connected to the imaging element and having a separable portion, and wherein the cannula is inserted into the tissue mass such that the medical device can be expelled through the expulsion opening into the tissue mass, and when the cannula is withdrawn from the tissue mass, the imaging element is placed within the tissue mass at the area of interest, and at least part of the guide element extends exteriorly of the tissue mass, and when the separable portion is separated from the guide element, no part of the guide element extends exteriorly of the tissue mass.

Abstract: An anchoring device for incorporation into an endoluminal prosthesis to prevent migration thereof in a reliable way without the problems associated with intraluminal delivery of the prosthesis. The anchoring device allows smooth, efficient delivery of the prosthesis by providing an anchoring system that does not engage the delivery catheter or sheath upon deployment of the prosthesis within a body lumen.

Abstract: A method for making an encapsulated stent-graft having an essentially tubular configuration with a central longitudinal lumen and having a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. The stent-graft may include a self-expanding stent and a first and second tube of biocompatible material between which the stent is positioned. The stent-graft may also include an interlayer member between the first and second tube. The method generally includes applying pressure and heat to a stent-graft assembly to form a monolithic layer of biocompatible material around the stent.

Abstract: A high density microwall ePTFE structure and a method for making, involving the manipulation of a standard extruded ePTFE graft. The final product has the desired characteristics of high density, reduced wall-thickness, above-average radial strength and enhanced suture retention.