Abstract: A method of making a self-expanding stent includes disposing a stent comprising a shape memory alloy about an inflatable body, and applying a coolant to a surface of the stent. The inflatable body is inflated to radially expand the stent to an expanded diameter from an initial diameter, and the coolant is reapplied to the surface of the stent. The inflatable body is deflated, and the stent is positioned about a mandrel sized to accommodate the expanded diameter of the stent, where the stent reaches a mandrel-defined diameter. The stent is heat set at the mandrel-defined diameter so as to impart a memory of an expanded configuration of the stent to the shape memory alloy.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a medical surgical device and specifically a wire guide for percutaneous placement within a body cavity. In one embodiment, the wire guide includes an elongated core member having a proximal stop and a distal stop and a rib positioned between the proximal stop and the distal stop. A first coil is positioned over the elongated core member and extends between the proximal stop and the rib. A second coil is positioned over the elongated core member and extends between the rib and the distal stop.

Abstract: A slip layer delivery catheter includes a slip layer delivery catheter includes an outer tube configured with a plurality of strips extending therefrom and terminating in a plurality of distal strip end ends, the plurality of strips defined by empty slotted regions disposed between adjacent strips. An inner tube is coaxially disposed in the outer tube. The inner tube includes a proximal inner tube portion and a distal inner tube portion connected to the distal strip ends. An endoluminal medical device is collapsibly disposed over the inner tube. The plurality of strips is folded back into the outer tube, concentrically orienting the device between the outer tube and the inner tube such that at least a portion of the strips are disposed between the outer tube and the ablumenal device side.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a medical surgical device and specifically a wire guide for percutaneous placement within a body cavity. The flexibility of the wire guide may be varied while it is in place within the body vessel.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a retrieval device for entrapping and retaining a foreign object located in a body vessel for its extraction therefrom is provided. The device comprises a cage having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. The cage is radially expandable about the longitudinal axis to define an expanded state and to form an opening at the distal end for receiving the foreign object. The cage is collapsible to define a collapsed state and to retain the foreign object therein such that the foreign object is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis. Extending proximally from the proximal end of the cage is a cable for retrieval of the device in the collapsed state.

Abstract: An valve prosthesis, such as an artificial venous valve, having a support frame and leaf structure comprising one or more leaflets in which the outer edge of each leaflet engages the inner circumference of the bodily passageway along a serpentine path urged against the passageway by an expandable frame, while the inner edges move in response to fluid to restrict retrograde flow. Optionally, one or more elements can extend from the support frame/leaf structure to provide centering support and/or protection from the leaflet adhering to the vessel wall. In one embodiment, the centering support structure comprises a second or third expandable frames attached to and extending from the proximal and/or distal ends of main valve structure and support frame. In another embodiment, one or more support elements extend outward from the valve support frame to engage the vessel wall to provide greater longitudinal stability.

Abstract: Medical devices for implantation in a body vessel are provided. Each medical device comprises a main body, a valve, and a vessel engaging member. The vessel engaging member is disposed on an outer surface of the main body. Kits including a plurality of vessel engaging members for use with one or more valve members are also provided. The vessel engaging members have varying radial dimensions, allowing assembly of medical devices having varying radial dimensions. Methods of treating a patient using medical devices according to the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for insertion into a vertebral body is provided. The balloon catheter includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A lumen extends through the shaft along a longitudinal axis. An inflatable balloon having an uninflated configuration and an inflated configuration is disposed near the distal end of the shaft. The balloon has a proximal portion and a distal portion and an interior and an exterior. The lumen is in fluid communication with the interior of the balloon. An expandable band is wrapped around a section of the exterior of the balloon in a generally proximal-distal direction. The balloon catheter is configured to be positioned within the vertebral body such that the expandable band is configured to prevent leakage of a bone-filling material in a generally lateral direction relative to a vertebral body and facilitate adhesion of the bone-filling material within the vertebral body.

Abstract: A catheter device including an elongate tubular shaft having a consistent material composition for a substantial proportion of its length. The device includes a proximal shaft portion having a first flexibility and a distal shaft portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is greater than the first flexibility and wherein at least the distal shaft portion comprises at least one score in a surface thereof. The device includes a wholly external wire guide structure secured to the tubular shaft by a figure-eight polymer sleeve.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided for releasing a medical device within a body cavity. The delivery system may be used in an intravascular procedure to implant a self-expandable stent. A helical structure on the shaft of the delivery system engages the inner surface of the stent. As a result, the stent may be released by rotating the shaft relative to the stent which pushes the stent forward from the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: Implantable frames for use in body passages are provided herein. The implantable frames can include a plurality of hoop members joined by a plurality of longitudinal connecting members to form a tubular frame defining a cylindrical lumen. The plurality of longitudinal connecting members may include one or more pairs of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implantable frame. The circumferential distance between the closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members preferably subtends an angle less than (2?/n) radians, where (n) is an integer equal to the total number of longitudinal connecting members connecting two longitudinally adjacent hoop members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a removable vena cava filter for capturing thrombi in a blood vessel. The filter comprises a plurality of primary struts having first ends attached together along a longitudinal axis. Each primary strut includes an arcuate segment having a first tensile strength. The arcuate segment extends from the first end to an anchoring hook. The anchoring hook is integral with the arcuate segment and having the first thickness and first tensile strength. The filter further comprises a plurality of secondary struts freely spaced between the primary struts and having connected ends attached together along the longitudinal axis. Each secondary strut freely extends from the connected end to a free end avoiding contact with other secondary struts and primary struts. Each secondary strut has a second tensile strength.

Abstract: A method and device for implantation into a curved vessel is described. The device may be a stent with a generally curved configuration in its radially expanded state. The stent may have a first series of linkages located along a first side of the stent and a second series of linkages located along a second side of the stent. Both series of linkages interconnect structural elements of the stent. During deployment of the stent into a vessel, the second series of linkages undergo longitudinal expansion sufficient to produce a stent having a longer second side than a first side. This difference in longitudinal length between the second side and first side of the stent creates a curved configuration which conforms to the curvature of the vessel which it is implanted into.

Abstract: An expandable venous valve having a support structure that configured to enlarge the area adjacent to the valve structure such that the flow patterns of retrograde flow are modified in a way that facilitates the flushing of the pockets at the base of the valve area to prevent stagnation of bodily fluid, which in the venous system, can lead to thrombus formation. The enlarged pocket areas can be created by forming an artificial sinus adjacent the valve structure in an unsupported section of vessel wall between two support frame section or the support frame can comprise an expanded-diameter intermediate or proximal section that forms an artificial sinus adjacent the valve structure.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a device for mixing and dispensing a bone cement mixture is provided. The device comprises a housing having a chamber configured to contain a first and second bone cement. A plunger including a plunger rod having a piston at a first end and a plunger handle at a second end is configured to actuate within the chamber. A mixing element is disposed adjacent the piston and is configured to rotate within the chamber to mix the first and second bone cement components to form the bone cement mixture. The plunger is configured to rotate the mixing element to mix the bone cement mixture. The plunger is also configured to advance through the chamber. As the plunger is advanced through the chamber, the piston is configured to receive the mixing element and dispense the bone cement mixture from the device.

Abstract: An improved delivery system for an implantable medical device includes a retention sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The implantable medical device is disposed within the inner lumen of the retention sheath, which restrains the implantable medical device. A plurality of substantially incompressible rings are disposed within the inner lumen of the retention sheath in a stacked co-axial configuration that extends from the proximal end of the retention sheath in a pre-deployment position to a proximal end of the implantable medical device. Each ring in the plurality of separate rings abuts at least a portion of an adjacent ring. The plurality of separate rings is configured to prevent the implantable medical device from moving toward a proximal end of the retention sheath when the retention sheath is moved from the pre-deployment position to a deployment position.

Abstract: A coating can be applied to an endolumenal wall of a medical device by positioning an optical fiber within the lumen, providing a photo-activated chemical to contact the endolumenal wall, supplying the optical fiber with radiation capable of activating the chemical within the lumen, and withdrawing the optical fiber from the lumen at a controlled rate while the radiation is being emitted from the optical fiber to activate the chemical in close proximity to the endolumenal wall.

Abstract: A pre-clot dilator is described that may be used to dilate hardened regions of an occluded region. The pre-clot is provided with one or more struts that extend along a surface of a balloon. Each strut has a proximal fixed end and a distal free end. The distal free end extends past the distal end of the shaft. The distal free end is designed with a penetrating tip that is capable of boring through a proximal portion of the occlusion. Expansion of the balloon allows the strut to pivot about the proximal fixed end of the strut, thereby producing a force sufficient to push out the occlusion towards the vessel wall. The balloon may be deflated so that the strut can collapse over the balloon to create a low profile which enables distal advancement deeper into the occlusion. The procedure is repeated until the occlusion is separated.

Abstract: A delivery cartridge, delivery system and a method for delivering a medical device are provided. The delivery cartridge includes a housing having a proximal end, a distal end and a cavity defined therein. The delivery cartridge further includes a proximal end covering member connected to the proximal end, a distal end covering member connected to the distal end, and a medical device positioned within the cavity. The housing is adapted to fit within a lumen of a delivery system.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method for making a guidewire is provided. The method comprises removing material from a distal portion of a core wire to define a distal tip extending from a proximal portion of the core wire. A collar is positioned adjacent to the distal tip about the proximal portion.