Abstract: A method of cutting, polishing and then welding together two metallic components (10, 18), in which the respective components (10, 18) are cut to define respective cut surfaces (14, 16) that are to be polished and fitted together, both to define the relative positions of the two components (10, 18) to be fixed by the welding and to provide facing weld surfaces at which the two components (10, 18) can be welded together.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a radially expansible stent formed from a tube, comprising a continuous spiral of tube material with a plurality of turns (30, 32) wrapping about a longitudinal axis from a first end of the stent to a second end of the stent, the spiral including a plurality of struts (40, 42) in a zig-zag arrangement joined at points of inflection (44), wherein each strut includes a double bend (46) remote from a point of inflection (44) and first (58, 60) and second (62, 64) length portions on opposite sides of the double bend (46); adjacent struts (40, 42) have handed double bends that are substantially mirror images of one another, the handed double bends facing each other such that in a stent collapsed configuration the length portions (58, 60) of adjacent struts on a first side of the double bends (46) are spaced closer than the length portions (62, 64) of adjacent struts on a second side of the double bends (46) opposite the first side, the adjacent struts on said first side of the double bend

Abstract: Multi-lumen catheters with improved tip configurations, including a triple-lumen catheter which may be useful for apheresis. In one variation, the catheter has three lumens with distal openings angularly spaced apart and staggered axially with respect to one another. In another variation, the catheter has two lumens exiting distally and one centrally positioned lumen exiting proximally. A third variation is a catheter with a single distal opening and two proximal openings. The staggered lumen openings along the axial length of the catheter may decrease recirculation while maximizing flow rates.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon is formed with a first fiber layer including a first fiber and a second fiber layer over said first fiber layer. The first fiber is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the non-compliant medical balloon.

Abstract: An access port for providing subcutaneous access to a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the port includes an internal body defining a fluid cavity that is accessible via a septum. A compliant outer cover including silicone is disposed about at least a portion of the body. A flange is included with the port body and is covered by the outer cover. The flange radially extends about a perimeter of the port body proximate the septum so as to impede penetration of a needle substantially into the outer cover in instances where the needle misses the septum. The flange can further include both an anchoring feature for securing the outer cover to the port body and an identification feature observable via x-ray imaging technology for conveying information indicative of at least one attribute of the access port. The outer cover provides a suitable surface for application of an antimicrobial/antithrombotic coating.

Abstract: A removable blood clot filter includes anchor members with a sharp edge configured so that when the filter is removed the sharp edge aids in passing the anchor members through endothelial tissue. The filter may also include a sharp edge on locator members configured to aid pulling the locator members away from the endothelial tissue.

Abstract: A self-sealing vascular graft, including a substrate with a sealant layer and several optional additional layers, is described. The substrate can be ePTFE and the material used for the sealant and additional layers can be polyurethane. The sealant layer and additional layers may include one or more base layers, one or more foam layers, beading of different sizes and shapes, and ePTFE tape. A flared cuff may be integral to one or both ends of the substrate or may be attached to one or both ends. Various methods of making a self-sealing vascular graft are also described, including methods of disposition, methods of forming, methods of bonding and methods of attaching.

Abstract: A biopsy site marker is disclosed. The biopsy site marker includes a first marker element and a second marker element. The first marker element is configured for detection by a first imaging modality. The second marker element is configured for detection by a second imaging modality different from the first imaging modality. The second marker element may be a non-absorbable wire having a predetermined shape and is substantially engaged with the first marker element.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device may include an elongated member having first and second end portions and a middle portion, The elongated member may be configured such that the first and second end portions are proximal one another and extend substantially parallel to one another along a longitudinal axis The middle portion may have an unconstrained basket configuration A first sheath may be configured to receive at least a portion of the first end portion, and a second sheath may be configured to receive at least a portion of the second end portion At least one of the first and second sheaths may be movable relative to the middle portion so as to constrain the middle portion in an elongated configuration.

Abstract: A user interface for a sonographic device is disclosed that displays a sonographic image and at least one reference object corresponding to a catheter size. The reference object may be scaled in proportion to the sonographic image. In addition, the user interface may further display a plurality of vertical lines and a plurality of horizontal lines arranged in a grid-like pattern and placed over the sonographic image. The size of both the sonographic image and the at least one reference object may change in proportion to a chosen insertion depth. A display device, a sonographic device and corresponding methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Guidance to an operator to more accurately position electrodes upon a segmented heart model (SGM). The SGM is included in a map panel on a display screen. A catheter advanced into a beating heart supports one or more electrodes. During a single beat of the heart, an image is obtained with darkened portions corresponding to locations of the electrodes. The image is presented in the same map panel as the SGM. The current location of the electrodes is confirmed relative to the SGM, either manually or through automated software algorithms. EP data is captured that represents electrophysiological signals of the beating heart at the current location for each of the electrodes. A signal processing algorithm is applied to the captured EP data in view of the confirmed current location of the electrodes to result in a calculation that is mapped at the confirmed location of the electrodes.

Abstract: An introducer cannula configured for receiving a medical instrument includes a cannula tube having a side wall surrounding a central lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end. An elongate tissue anchor is positioned in the central lumen of the cannula tube. The elongate tissue anchor has a mounting end and an anchoring free end. The elongate tissue anchor is movable in the central lumen such that the anchoring free end is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. An actuator is coupled to the proximal end of the cannula tube. The actuator is coupled to the mounting end of the elongate tissue anchor. The actuator is operatively configured to selectively position the anchoring free end of the elongate tissue anchor in one of the retracted position and the deployed position.

Abstract: A split-tip catheter for placement within the vasculature of a patient and for use in hemodialysis or other suitable procedures is disclosed. In one embodiment, the split-tip catheter includes a catheter body that defines a first lumen and a second lumen. The catheter body further comprises a split distal region, including a venous segment and an arterial segment. The venous segment includes a recess extending proximally of a nose portion; and a lateral opening in fluid communication with the first lumen. The arterial segment also includes a lateral opening, is separate from the venous segment, and is removably seatable in the recess provided by the venous segment. In one embodiment, the distal region is un-split, but includes symmetrically opposed lateral openings, as well as distal openings, in communication with the first and second lumens for providing a functional stagger for blood flow in both forward and reverse catheter flow directions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of providing a stent with a radiopaque marker comprising the steps of: i) providing in the stent a radiopaque marker carrier portion; ii) sleeving the carrier portion with radiopaque material, with an insulating surface between the carrier and the marker material, and iii) plastically deforming material within the sleeve of radiopaque material, to secure the sleeve on the carrier portion. The invention further concerns a stent with a radiopaque marker, the stent exhibiting a generally annular form with luminal and abluminal major surfaces, the marker also exhibiting opposed major luminal and abluminal surfaces characterized in that i) the marker envelops a carrier portion of the stent and is electrically insulated from it; ii) portions of the material of the marker which exhibit evidence of plastic deformation secure the marker on the carrier portion.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, lubricious coating for a substrate includes a first coating layer having a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea complexed with poly(ethylene oxide) formed by reacting a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a poly(ethylene oxide), and a second coating layer having a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea complexed with polyvinylpyrrolidone formed by reacting a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a polyvinylpyrrolidone. The first layer is substantially covered by the second layer and the second layer at least partially interpenetrates the first layer. The coating is provided by applying the first coating layer, curing to provide a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea/poly(ethylene oxide) coating, applying the second layer, and curing to provide a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea/polyvinylpyrrolidone coating.

Abstract: A covered self-expanding stent (20) can be restrained against axial movement with a pusher (40) within the lumen of the stent that carries a spiral of wire (48) that provides protrusions that are accommodated within a luminal covering layer (24) radially inside the stent body. The protrusions distribute the stress over the full length of the stent. The pusher can be removed from the stent lumen by “unscrewing” the spiral relative to the covering layer (24). When the stent expands, the pusher can be withdrawn proximally, out of the stent lumen, without any need for rotatory movement.

Abstract: A medical device removal system includes a vessel filter repositioning or removal device to remove and/or reposition a medical device, such as a vessel filter. The system includes a gripper to grip a medical device that is located within a body vessel, and a detector, linked to the gripper, to detect the proximity of the medical device to the gripper. The system may also include an output to indicate a signal from the detector.

Abstract: An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. In one embodiment, an identification feature is engraved or otherwise defined by the access port, so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for coating and/or loading a medical device with a therapeutic agent prior to or during the placement of the medical device within the patient's body. In one variation, the medical device is coated and/or loaded with a therapeutic agent while the device is positioned in a delivery apparatus. In another variation, the delivery apparatus comprises a reservoir for retaining a therapeutic agent. The user may release the therapeutic agent from the reservoir prior to or during the placement of the device to coat and/or load the device with the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides for exemplary embodiments of a single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device. Exemplary embodiments of a single-insertion, multiple sampling device with integrated marker release.