Abstract: A delivery device (12) for delivering a stent device (3) in a reduced profiled delivery configuration is provided. A distal region (9) of the stent device is axially anchored to an inner catheter (2) by annular rings (5, 6) about the inner catheter. A remaining portion (10) of the stent device is spaced radially from the inner catheter. A proximal stop (4) is spaced axially from a proximla end of the stent device. The stent device is maintained in the reduced profile delivery configuration by a retractable outer sheath (1).

Abstract: The repair fabric includes a dual bar warp knit mesh for use in repairing soft tissue and muscle wall defects, including hernia repair and chest wall reconstruction. The repair fabric may be produced according to a first bar pattern chain of 4/2 4/6 4/2 6/8 6/4 6/8 and a second bar pattern chain of 6/8 2/0 6/8 4/2 8/10 4/2.

Abstract: A steerable catheter includes control handle having a generally tubular housing with a longitudinal slot therein in which an axially or longitudinally movable two-part slideblock resides, and a generally cylindrical, rotatably mounted thumbwheel surrounding a distal portion of the tubular housing, for controlling the axial translation of the slideblock. The pullwire passes into the distal end of the control handle and is only secured to the proximal part of the two-part slideblock so as to prevent the user from placing the pullwire under compression. A tip radius adjusting wire is attached to and extends distally from a slide actuator in the control handle into and through the main catheter shaft portion. The free distal end of the tip radius adjusting wire is selectably locatable at different positions. The radius of curvature of the tip portion, when deflected, depends upon how far distally into the deflectable tip portion the radius adjusting wire has been advanced by the user.

Abstract: A radio-frequency ablation system is disclosed in which the power, voltage, or temperature delivered to multiple electrodes may be dynamically controlled, and in which the electrodes may be simultaneously energized in phase with each other to achieve a desired lesion pattern. The system comprises a multiple electrode ablation catheter, each electrode having a temperature sensor operatively associated therewith. Each electrode is energized by its own RF amplifier, and all of the electrodes are driven in phase with each other by a common sine wave oscillator. A feedback network controls the degree of amplification of the separate RF amplifiers. According to a further aspect of the invention, a modular power supply arrangement is disclosed which is configurable to dynamically control the power, voltage, or temperature delivered to multiple electrodes of a multipolar ablation device.

Abstract: A radio-frequency ablation system is disclosed in which the power, voltage, or temperature delivered to multiple electrodes may be dynamically controlled, and in which the electrodes may be simultaneously energized in phase with each other to achieve a desired lesion pattern. The system comprises a multiple electrode ablation catheter, each electrode having a temperature sensor operatively associated therewith. Each electrode is energized by its own RF amplifier, and all of the electrodes are driven in phase with each other by a common sine wave oscillator. A feedback network controls the degree of amplification of the separate RF amplifiers. According to a further aspect of the invention, a modular power supply arrangement is disclosed which is configurable to dynamically control the power, voltage, or temperature delivered to multiple electrodes of a multipolar ablation device.

Abstract: A multilayer high strength balloon for a dilation catheter is provided. The balloon comprises a plurality of balloon layers, including an inner layer which has a cylindrical midportion, a cone at each end, and necks at the ends of the cones, and at least one additional layers which have the cylindrical midportions and cones. Each layer is formed from an inelastic, polymeric material, and perhaps an inelastic, biaxially oriented, thermoplastic material. Preferably, one or more of the balloon layers is blow molded and stretched to biaxially orient the material to form a very high strength layer. The multilayer balloon resulting from the plurality of balloon layers, of which one or more has been biaxially oriented, is stronger than a single layer balloon of the same finished diameter which has been made from the same material with comparable thickness.

Abstract: A system for percutaneous transluminal front-end delivery and retrieval of a collapsible prosthetic occluder includes a front-end loading portion, a control assembly and an introducer and retrieval sheath assembly. The front-end loading portion includes a tapering lumen portion and a smaller diameter distal lumen portion. An infusion port communicates with the distal lumen portion immediately adjacent the distal end of the tapering lumen portion. A valve assembly seals the front-end loading portion lumen proximally of the collapsed occluder. The distal end of the front-end loading portion lumen is inserted into the proximal end of an introducer and retrieval sheath assembly. A control assembly advances the occluder through the front-end loading portion, the introducer and retrieval sheath assembly and into the defect site. The retrieval sheath assembly is less flexible than the introducer sheath and is sufficiently rigid to evert the deployed occluder when retracted thereagainst.

Abstract: A method for percutaneous transluminal front-end delivery of a collapsible prosthetic occluder using a front-end loading portion, a control assembly and an introducer sheath. The prosthetic device is collapsed in a lumen of a front-end loading portion. A valve assembly seals the front-end loading portion lumen proximally of the collapsed occluder. Fluid is then infused through a port extending into the front-end loading portion in communication with the front-end loading portion lumen to remove air bubbles from the collapsed prosthetic device. The prosthetic device is advanced using a control assembly from the front-end loading portion into the introducer and ultimately into the defect site.

Abstract: A cannula assembly suitable for rapid, closed-chest cannulation of the cardiopulmonary system to an extracorporeal bypass machine through punctures in the femoral veins and arteries is disclosed. The assembly comprises a conduit made of a smooth, flexible, thin-walled material and capable of longitudinal insertion through these vessels by use of an associated "introducer" and conventional guide wire. The conduit has adequate hemodynamic flow capacity and sufficient unsupported hoop strength to resist collapse from suctional and vasoconstrictive forces during use.

Abstract: A new ostomy bag having an integral breathable ostomy gasket derived from the non-aqueous reaction of a polyisocyanate and a polyoxyalkylene polyol moiety having a hydrophilic filler incorporated within the polyol moiety prior to the reaction of the polyisocyanate and the polyol. The bag includes hydrophobic material welded to the bag serving as a backing for the gasket.