Abstract: A method of manufacturing an endoluminal graft which is both expandable and supportive is provided in a form suitable for use in a branched body vessel location. The graft expands between a first diameter and a second, larger diameter. The support component is an expandable stent endoprosthesis. A liner is applied to the endoprosthesis in the form of a compliant wall material that is porous and biocompatible in order to allow normal cellular invasion upon implantation, without stenosis, when the expandable and supportive graft is at its second diameter. The supportive endoluminal graft is preferably provided as a plurality of components that are deployed separately at the branching body vessel location, one of which has a longitudinal seam defining leg portions within which the other components fit in a telescoping manner.

Abstract: A method of making an ePTFE tubular structure includes the steps of

Abstract: A radially expandable stent-graft endoprosthesis is provided. The graft included in the stent-graft is a knitted tubular structure circumferentially disposed and securably attached to the stent. The knitted tubular structure has a knit pattern of interlacing yarns in an Atlas or a modified-Atlas pattern to provide greater than 150 percent longitudinal stretchability. A knitted tubular graft and a knitted medical fabric with greater than 150 percent longitudinal stretchability are also provided.

Abstract: An improved ePTFE material and method of preparing the improved ePTFE material provides a tubular structure with enhanced axial elongation, radial expansion, and physical recovery characteristics.

Abstract: An inflatable medical device and method for the placement of a stent in a body passageway by means of a two stage expansion of the stent and for the delivery of medications to precise location in the passageway. The device includes a catheter shaft (14) having a plurality of lumens (13, 22, 28) disposed therein. The catheter shaft has a distal end adapted to be disposed within a vascular passageway. An inflatable balloon is defined by a generally cylindrical wall and is adapted to receive inflation fluids. The balloon is disposed on the distal end of the shaft. An array of circumferentially arranged inflation conduits (40) is disposed in the wall. The conduits (40) are spaced from each other within the wall of the balloon whereby to form a annular array. An array of medication delivering conduits (25) can be disposed within the wall of the balloon. These conduits are adapted to deliver medications to predetermined locations within the body passageway being treated.

Abstract: The invention features a catheter having a stylet that increases columnar strength and axial force transmission ("pushability") of the catheter shaft. This aspect of the invention features the stylet extending distally beyond an exit port which is used in rapid catheter exchange and being embedded in the catheter shaft, there being a stress-transferring relationship between the exterior of the stylet and the substance defining the shaft at least in the vicinity of the exit port, the stylet with the embedded relationship increasing the columnar strength of the shaft in the region of the port and increasing the pushability of the catheter.

Abstract: An acoustical imaging catheter adapted to be used with a drive and control system wherein the system can be automatically advised to compensate for different characteristics of different acoustical imaging catheters used on the drive and control system. The catheter includes an elongated sheath (12) having a proximal end (7) and a distal end. A lumen is disposed within the sheath (12). A drive shaft (18) has an acoustic transducer disposed on the distal end thereof. The drive shaft and the transducer are disposed in the lumen of the sheath. An indicia bearing surface (2) is disposed on the sheath (12). The indicia bearing surface (2) is encoded with identification and characteristics especially related to the catheter and transducer. The indicia bearing surface is adapted to be read by a sensor associated with the control system to enable the control system to compensate for the identification and characteristics of the catheter being used.

Abstract: A medical balloon and catheter in which the balloon (14) is wrapped and folded upon itself tortuously and tightly so outer surfaces (12) contact each other for insertion into the body and in which the balloon is free of bridging and adhesion between abutting surfaces. The balloon has a base of a continuous polymeric surface (10) expandable from a folded, wrapped configuration with surfaces touching each other into a balloon when inflated. A lubricious, biocompatible, hydrogel coating (11) is disposed on the polymeric surface and a thin, lubricious, blood-compatible coating (12) is disposed upon the hydrogel coating and adheres to it to prevent abutting surfaces of the folded polymeric surfaces from adhering to each other during inflation and to prevent delamination of the hydrogel coating and/or rupture of the balloon. Preferably the blood-compatible coating (12) is polyethylene glycol, methoxy polyethylene glycol or mixtures thereof having a molecular weight between about 100 and 20,000 grams per gram mole.

Abstract: An inflatable medical balloon (40) at its distal end for introduction into a body part especially through an endoscope (46) and method of making the balloon. When fully inflated, the balloon (40) is a continuous body of balloon material (which may be formed of one or more polymeric layers) with a generally cylindrical shape and four ribs (44) formed in the body. The ribs (44) are longitudinally and equidistantly arranged around an axis (A) which extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the balloon (40). The ribs (44) are formed of stressed balloon material.

Abstract: A guidewire adapted to be inserted into a vascular vessel or into a catheter that is to be inserted into a vascular vessel or the like. The guidewire comprises a coil of flexible radiotransparent wire having a proximal section and a distal section. The proximal section is formed of a coil of wire having abutting turns and distal section is formed by the same coil of wire with the turns of wire being spaced from each other. A layer of radiopaque material of predetermined length is disposed in a predetermined location on the distal section, the interior of the layer being interstitially disposed within the outer surface of the coil. A hemispherical tip is disposed at the distal end of the distal section. A small braze is made at the juncture between the proximal section and the distal section to prevent spreading of the coils from the abutting relationship in the proximal end of said guidewire.

Abstract: A perfusion catheter for insertion into a body conduit, especially an artery. The catheter comprises a shaft (5) having at least two lumens for delivery of fluid inflation medias and an array (1) formed of a plurality of radially disposed inflatable balloons (3) disposed in a cylindrical array around the shaft (5), each of the balloons (3) sharing a common wall (3a) with adjacent balloons (3). The balloons (3) are inflated by an array (1) of channels (11) and separated from each other by a web (19). There is at least one opening (17) between two adjacent channels (11) to allow the flow of fluids into the array (1). An internal chamber (31) is formed inside the array (1) by the movement of a wall (30) over the axis of the catheter whereby to enable a substantial increase of inflation forces against the body conduit in which the catheter is disposed.

Abstract: A medical catheter (10) having a balloon (3) adapted to be folded into a predetermined configuration. The catheter comprises a flexible inflation member (2) with a balloon (3) disposed on the inflation member (2). The balloon has a flexible wall defining an inflation chamber and the inflation chamber is in fluid flow relation with an inflation lumen in the inflation member. The balloon (3) is adapted for inflation from a folded configuration to an inflated, expanded configuration and back to the folded configuration. An array of longitudinally and circumferentially arranged ribs (6) is disposed in said wall (3a). The ribs (6) are either more stiff or less stiff than the wall (3a) whereby upon evacuation of inflation fluid from the balloon (3) either portions of the wall between the ribs will collapse between the ribs or the ribs will collapse within the wall.

Abstract: An inflatable medical balloon (40) at its distal end for introduction into a body part especially through an endoscope (46) and method of making the balloon. When fully inflated, the balloon (40) is a continuous body of balloon material (which may be formed of one or more polymeric layers) with a generally cylindrical shape and four ribs (44) formed in the body. The ribs (44) are longitudinally and equidistantly arranged around an axis (A) which extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the balloon (40). The ribs (44) are formed of stressed balloon material.

Abstract: A catheter, an acoustic septum and method for diagnosing body interiors utilizing the transmission and receiving of ultrasonic waves generated therewith. The catheter includes an elongated catheter sheath with a proximal end open to the atmosphere and an acoustic septum disposed at the distal end thereof. The septum is formed of a flexible sheet or tube of foraminous thermoplastic material, the depths of the foramina being at a predetermined ratio relative to their diameters. A hydrophilic coating is disposed on the sheet or tube and covers at least the edges of the foramina to allow the passage of liquid therethrough to fill the sheath. The coating is absorbent of the liquid to close the foramina and prevent the passage of liquids in either direction. A mechanism for generating and receiving ultrasonic waves is disposed within the distal end of the catheter and is in an operating relationship with the septum whereby to enable the mechanism to be bathed in the fluid and enable sonic transmissions.

Abstract: An inflatable medical device for the delivery of medications to an organ in the body including a catheter having a plurality of lumens (13, 22, 28) disposed therein. The distal end of the catheter is adapted to be disposed within a bodily organ. A hollow, inflatable, medication-deliverable balloon (16) is disposed on the distal end of the catheter and the interior of the balloon (16) is in fluid flow relationship with one of the lumens (22) to enable the balloon (16) to be inflated. An array of conduits (40) is disposed within the walls of the balloon for the delivery of medications to predetermined locations within said bodily organ. Another lumen (28) in the catheter shaft (14) is provided to deliver medications to the conduits (40) in the wall of the balloon (16). An egress (17) for the medications is provided so that they may be dispensed at the site being treated.

Abstract: A sleeve for attaching a medical balloon to a catheter utilizing a balloon (8). The sleeve comprises a plurality of co-extruded and coextensive layers of different polymeric materials (20A, 20B) at least one of which is a base structural layer (20B) and the other of which (20A) is formed of polyethylene and copolymers thereof or of Selar. The base structural layer is thicker than the other layer. The diameter of the catheter at the joint (10, 11) is substantially the same as the tube.

Abstract: An inflatable medical device for the delivery of medications to an organ in the body including a catheter having a plurality of lumens disposed therein. The distal end of the catheter is adapted to be disposed within a bodily organ. A hollow, inflatable, medication-deliverable balloon is disposed on the distal end of the catheter and the interior of the balloon is in fluid flow relationship with one of the lumens to enable the balloon to be inflated. An array of conduits is disposed within the walls of the balloon for the delivery of medications to predetermined locations within said bodily organ. Another lumen in the catheter shaft is provided to deliver medications to the conduits in the wall of the balloon and an egress for the medications so that they may be dispensed at the site being treated.

Abstract: A guidewire assembly for measuring the size of occlusions in blood vessels which includes a guidewire having a flexible, distal end disposable in a blood vessel. The guidewire has a core wire disposed within it which extends to the distal tip. A linear array of radiopaque markers is disposed adjacent the distal tip of the core wire. The markers are spaced from each other at predetermined distances, whereby to enable the user to accurately measure the size and diameter of occlusions in blood vessels using radiological techniques.

Abstract: A filter device positionable within a blood vessel for trapping blood clots in that vessel, the filter device comprising a head with a plurality of divergent legs each secured at its proximal end, to the head, each leg having a hook arranged at its distal end.Each leg has a radially outwardly directed radius of curvature to create a conical configuration to the filter assembly, while distributing the stress concentration along the length of the bend, so that the elastic limit of the material, stainless steel in this embodiment, is not exceeded, and which permits compact delivery of the filter, and adequate radially directed force to permit slight hook penetration of a vessel wall.

Abstract: An imaging system and an insonifier for detecting the position and orientation of devices adapted to produce intravascular ultrasonic images from a human body, especially from an artery. The system includes a catheter having a pair of transducers rotate about the axis of the catheter. One of the transducers is for transmitting ultrasound and the other is for receiving the transmitted sound. The insonifier includes a third transducer that transmits sound at a frequency that can be received by the transducer in the catheter and is operatively associated with the catheter to provide sound at the same frequency as the first transducer. The sonogram that is produced can be displayed on a CRT and is the product of image detected by receiver in the catheter. Both images are simultaneously displayed to form a composite which enables the user to determine the position and the orientation of the tip of the catheter.