Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a water-swellable polymer material and a complex of a carrier and a therapeutic agent chemically bonded to the carrier. The complex is embedded in the polymer material. The therapeutic agent is not chemically bonded to the water-swellable polymer material. The drug-loaded microbead composition has a water content of less than 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the drug-loaded microbead composition. The drug-loaded microbead composition may be rehydrated to form an embolization composition for use in in embolization therapy. Methods for preparing the drug-loaded microbead compositions and the embolization compositions include loading a therapeutic agent into a water-swellable polymer material to form microbeads, then removing water from the microbeads.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use in a vascular space in a body. A catheter has a lumen adapted for communicating fluid between a distal end for insertion in the vascular space and a proximal end. A transducer is adapted for removably connecting to the catheter for contacting the fluid and transmitting energy through the fluid in the lumen for dissolving an obstruction therein. A suction is provided for removing any debris from the obstruction in the lumen of the catheter. The wave guide may be tubular, and may have a length corresponding to the length of the lumen. A catheter or an implantable port including an embedded ultrasonic transducer is also provided.

Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a biodegradable material and vesicular agents located within or associated with the biodegradable material of the microbeads. The vesicular agents include a lipid bilayer and comprise liposomes or ethosomes. The drug-loaded microbeads include a first therapeutic agent associated with the vesicular agents, and a second therapeutic agent different from the first therapeutic agent. The vesicular agents include a lipid bilayer surrounding a vesicular core. The second therapeutic agent is contained within the microbeads or associated with the microbeads through ionic or non-covalent interaction and may or may not be associated with the vesicular agents. Drug-loaded biodegradable microbead compositions include microbeads of biodegradable material and a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A surgical fastener deployment system may include a plurality of coil fasteners having a head and coil body. In some embodiments, the head is comprised of a bioabsorbable polymer. In one embodiment, the coil body may be comprised of a shell and a core and one of the shell and the core may be comprised of one of a magnesium alloy or a bioabsorbable polymer, and the other of the shell and core is formed of the other of the magnesium alloy and the bioabsorbable polymer. The coil body may also include an internal channel which may have a support coil disposed within.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cylindrical hollow stylet having a proximal end, a distal end, and a uniform wall thickness. The proximal end and the distal end are disposed on the longitudinal axis. A longitudinal recess forms a sample chamber and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the cylindrical hollow stylet. A longitudinal insert has a longitudinal length, a distal terminal end, and an elongate channel. The longitudinal insert is positioned within the cylindrical hollow stylet with the distal terminal end proximal to the longitudinal recess. The longitudinal insert is immovably connected to the cylindrical hollow stylet. The elongate channel is configured to maintain a fluid passageway through the cylindrical hollow stylet from the proximal end to the longitudinal recess.

Abstract: A method of making a delivery system for a prosthesis includes providing a catheter shaft, sliding a plurality of rings over the catheter shaft, each of the rings having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the catheter shaft, fixing a pull wire to each of the plurality of rings at a common circumferential location of the catheter shaft, and coupling a sheath to the pull wire, the sheath positioned over the prosthesis at a distal end of the catheter shaft. Fixing the pull wire to each of the plurality of rings can include wrapping a heat shrink film around each of the plurality of rings and the pull wire, and heating the heat shrink material.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a medical procedure and, in particular, an aortic valvuloplasty, in a vessel for transmitting a flow of fluid. The apparatus comprises a shaft, an inflatable perfusion balloon supported by the shaft and including an internal passage for permitting the fluid flow in the vessel while the perfusion balloon is in an inflated condition, and a valve for controlling the fluid flow within the passage. The valve may be connected to the shaft, or may comprise an elongated tube partially connected to the balloon. The balloon may comprise a plurality of cells in a single cross-section, each cell including a neck, and the valve may be positioned in a space between the shaft and the necks for controlling the fluid flow within the passage. A connector may also be provided to control the position of the valve.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The catheter insertion device includes a retractable needle for establishing access to a subcutaneous vessel of the patient and a manually extensible guidewire for guiding the initially attached catheter into the vessel. In one embodiment, the catheter insertion device comprises a housing, a hollow needle retractably extending from the housing, a catheter initially disposed on a portion of the needle, a guidewire including a portion initially disposed within the needle, a guidewire advancement feature configured to selectively advance a distal end of the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle, and a needle retention component configured to selectively enable retraction of the needle into the housing. The needle retention component is configured to be actuated by the guidewire advancement feature. In one embodiment, one-handed operation of the device is possible.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including a reinforcement structure and a catheter disposed over the reinforcement structure. The reinforcement structure includes a first outer wall reinforcement portion, a second outer wall reinforcement portion, and a septum reinforcement portion connecting the first outer wall reinforcement portion to the second outer wall reinforcement portion. The catheter includes a catheter outer wall and a catheter septum. The first outer wall reinforcement portion and the second outer wall reinforcement portion can be positioned at least partially in the catheter outer wall, and the septum reinforcement portion can be enveloped by the catheter septum. The catheter assembly can also include an outer tube disposed over the catheter and the reinforcement structure.

Abstract: A removable blood clot filter includes a number of locator members and anchor members disposed radially and extending angularly downward from a hub. The locator members include a number of linear portions having distinct axes configured to place a tip portion approximately parallel to the walls of a blood vessel when implanted to apply sufficient force to the vessel walls to position the filter near the vessel centerline. The anchor members each include a hook configured to penetrate the vessel wall to prevent longitudinal movement due to blood flow. The hooks may have a cross section sized to allow for a larger radius of curvature under strain so that the filter can be removed without damaging the vessel wall.

Abstract: A biopsy probe mechanism includes an elongate sample receiving member having a longitudinal axis and a sample receiving notch. A cutting cannula is arranged coaxially with the elongate sample receiving member. The elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are movable relative to one another along the longitudinal axis between a first relative position and a second relative position. A plurality of echogenic features include a first echogenic feature established on the elongate sample receiving member and a second echogenic feature established on the cutting cannula. The first echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in the first relative position. The first echogenic feature is out of longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in the second relative position.

Abstract: A targeted temperature management (TTM) system is disclosed that includes a TTM module to provide a TTM fluid, a fluid delivery line (FDL) including a FDL hub, a fluid delivery lumen and a fluid return lumen, and a pad to facilitate thermal energy transfer between the TTM fluid and a patient, the pad including a fluid delivery conduit extending away from the pad portion and including a first leak prevention valve configured to enable the TTM fluid to flow in a distal direction while preventing flow in a proximal direction, and a fluid return conduit extending away from the pad portion, the fluid return conduit including (i) a return conduit connector at a proximal end thereof, and (ii) a second leak prevention valve configured to enable the TTM fluid to flow in the proximal direction while preventing flow in the distal direction.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing or augmenting anatomical defects, including an inguinal hernia. The prosthesis may include a repair fabric having a body portion and a pocket on one side of the body portion to facilitate deployment and/or placement of the prosthesis at the defect site. For some applications, such as a reversible prosthesis, a second pocket may be provided on the opposite side of the body portion. Each pocket may be configured to receive a sufficient length of one or more fingers of an individual for deploying and/or positioning the prosthesis. A support member may be provided to help deploy the repair fabric at the surgical site and/or help inhibit folding or buckling of the repair fabric.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a housing body, and a cannula assembly that has a first elongate cannula and a second elongate cannula coaxial with the first elongate cannula. The second elongate cannula has a lumen and a side wall having a vacuum side port in fluid communication with the lumen. A vacuum source is positioned in the housing body. The vacuum source has a chamber side wall having a chamber vacuum port. A seal is interposed in sealing engagement between the chamber vacuum port and the second elongate cannula. A trigger slide assembly is coupled to the housing body, and coupled to the cannula assembly, and is configured to move the second elongate cannula to align the vacuum side port of the second elongate cannula with the chamber vacuum port of the vacuum source to supply vacuum from the vacuum source to the lumen of the second elongate cannula.

Abstract: A needle guide for use with a handheld probe having a connector protruding from a probe surface. The needle guide can include an upper portion including an upper surface, a lower portion defining a cavity to receive the connector of the handheld probe, and a needle channel. The needle channel can extend from a proximal portion of the upper surface to a distal end of the upper surface. The needle channel can have a fixed size. The needle guide can include a guide surface extending into the upper portion and the lower portion of the needle guide at a proximal end of the needle guide. The guide surface can include a concave shape with a conical surface that funnels into a proximal end of the needle channel.

Abstract: A method of training includes providing a medical device having a tangible proximal portion including a magnetic element, and using a virtual tracking system to simulate a distal portion of the medical device. The virtual tracking system can include a tracking component and a display. The tracking component can be configured to detect a magnetic field of the magnetic element and to generate magnetic field strength data. The tracking component can include a processor that iteratively computes position data of the distal portion of the medical device according to the magnetic field strength data to simulate insertion of the distal portion of the medical device into a body of a patient. The display can be configured to depict an image of the position data of the distal portion of the medical device.

Abstract: A blood filter delivery system for delivering a filter into a vein includes an introducer and a push rod with a spline member disposed along the push rod. The spline member has a main body, and first and second boss portions spaced apart along the longitudinal axis to provide a gap for retaining anchor member of the filter during delivery via the introducer.

Abstract: A surgical fastener deployment system may include a plurality of coil fasteners having a head and coil body. In some embodiments, the head is comprised of a bioabsorbable polymer. In one embodiment, the coil body may be comprised of a shell and a core and one of the shell and the core may be comprised of one of a magnesium alloy or a bioabsorbable polymer, and the other of the shell and core is formed of the other of the magnesium alloy and the bioabsorbable polymer. The coil body may also include an internal channel which may have a support coil disposed within.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a medical procedure and, in particular, an aortic valvuloplasty, in a vessel for transmitting a flow of fluid. The apparatus includes an inflatable perfusion balloon including an internal passage for permitting the fluid flow in the vessel while the perfusion balloon is in an inflated condition, the balloon including a plurality of cells in a single cross section and a covering for at least partially covering the cells. A valve associated with the balloon controls the fluid flow within the passage, the valve being arranged external to the passage. The valve may form a tubular extension of the covering, or may be separate from the covering, and may comprise flaps. A spiral covering may also form the valve.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system including, in some embodiments, a streamlined port and a port tunneler. The port includes a septum and a stabilizing element. The septum is disposed over a cavity in a body of the port, and the septum is configured to accept a needle therethrough. The stabilizing element is configured to stabilize the port in vivo and maintain needle access to the septum. The port tunneler includes an adapter and a release mechanism. The adapter is in a distal end portion of the port tunneler, and the adapter is configured to securely hold the port while subcutaneously tunneling the port from an incision site to an implantation site for the port. The release mechanism is configured to release the port from the adapter at the implantation site for the port.