Abstract: A temporary diameter reduction constraint arrangement for a stent graft in combination with a stent graft is disclosed. The stent graft has a proximal end and a distal end and comprises a biocompatible graft material tube and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart self-expanding stents fastened thereto, including at least an end stent and a plurality of intermediate stents. The constraint arrangement comprises: an elongate receiver extending longitudinally within the graft material tube; a first wire extending longitudinally along the graft material tube in a first serpentine pattern; and a second wire extending longitudinally along the graft material tube in a second serpentine pattern, wherein at least one of the first and second wires repeatedly loops over the receiver along a longitudinal length of the stent graft thereby securing the stent graft to the receiver. In one embodiment there is also a plurality of loops of thread to reduce the stent graft.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention provide compositions and implantable devices including a water-insoluble therapeutic agent solubilized in a matrix of a gallate-containing compound. Other aspects provide methods of manufacturing and using such compositions and devices.

Abstract: A stent may include a tubular stent body having a lumen extending therethrough. The stent may further include an anchor portion attached to an end of the tubular stent body, where the lumen continues through the anchor portion, and where the anchor portion includes at least one opening configured to facilitate tissue ingrowth. The anchor portion may be detachable from the tubular stent body while the stent is in a deployed state.

Abstract: A medical device for stone management comprises a catheter comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen and a second lumen disposed therethrough. A handle assembly is interconnected with the proximal end of the catheter, the handle assembly comprising a body defining an interior cavity, a first section and a second section. An interior passageway is disposed within the interior cavity and in fluid communication with the first lumen of the catheter. A valve assembly interconnected with the interior passageway. An actuator assembly is engaged with the valve assembly, the actuator having a first position and a second position. A vacuum port is in communication with the interior passageway and positioned on the second section of the handle. The second section of the handle forms an angle with respect to the first section of the handle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of improving the reliability of coating an implantable medical device, such as a stent, with bioactive material in the absence of a carrier material such as a matrix or polymer layer. The method involves cleaning volatile components from the exposed surfaces of the medical device, removing carbon deposits and then applying a uniform carbon layer in a controlled environment. The deliberately applied carbon layer masks impurities of the underlying native oxide layer and leads to more uniform bioactive material coating not only a over the surfaces of a single medical device but also from device to device within a batch and between batches of devices. This improves production as well as optimising the amount and release of drug on the medical device without the need for a carrier material.

Abstract: A device may include a flask for holding liquid. The flask may include liquid sensors for determining a fill level of the liquid in the flask. Control circuitry may be obtain readings from the sensors and determine the fill level of the flask by applying one or single-threshold conditions for elevated fill levels and a multiple-threshold condition when determining that the fill level of the liquid is at a bottom fill level.

Abstract: An endograft delivery device assembly a guide wire cannula extending distally from the tip to a handle assembly at the distal end. A positioner is disposed around the guide wire cannula. A sheath extends from the handle assembly over the positioner towards the tip. A sheath splitter assembly is within the handle assembly, and includes a splitter body attached to the positioner and disposed within the sheath and at least one splitter arm. The splitter body defines a through-hole through which a guide wire cannula passes. The splitter arm extends laterally from the splitter body though a slit though the sheath to a support within the handle assembly. The splitter body includes a circumferential sealing surface extending towards the tip, the sealing surface and the inner surface of the sheath dimensioned such that the sheath is circumferentially stretched over the sealing surface thereby forming a seal.

Abstract: A method of protecting a fetus from injury during umbilical cord prolapse includes delivering a device which includes a hollow sheath and a compliant portion partially or completely surrounding the hollow sheath into a vaginal canal of a patient. The device is maneuvered within the vaginal canal and/or cervical opening such that a prolapsed umbilical cord enters the hollow sheath. The device is then positioned within a uterus of the patient, such that a first face of the compliant portion contacts a fetus and a second face of the compliant portion contacts a wall of the uterus.

Abstract: Valve devices, methods of making valve devices, and methods of treating various venous-related conditions, disorders and/or diseases are described. In one embodiment, a valve device includes an expandable support frame and a bioprosthetic valve attached to the support frame. The bioprosthetic valve comprises a leaflet and a contiguous wall portion harvested from a multi-leaflet xenogeneic valve. The contiguous wall portion includes the attachment region where the leaflets attaches to the vessel wall and, in some embodiments, includes the natural margins of attachment between the leaflet and vessel wall.

Abstract: A medical device includes: a secondary electrode assembly comprising a plurality of periphery secondary electrode sets configured to sense a plurality of localized impedances for a periphery of a primary electrode assembly. Additionally, a controller is configured to: permit delivery of electrosurgical energy to the primary electrode assembly in response to a determination that the primary electrode assembly is sufficiently contacting the tissue based on the plurality of localized impedances sensed by the secondary electrode assembly.

Abstract: Storage devices, loading devices, delivery systems, kits, and associated methods for implantable medical devices are described. An example embodiment of a storage device includes a storage member, a first cap, and a second cap. The storage member has a first end, a second end, and a main body that defines a first opening, a second opening, a passageway, a separating wall, and a plurality of holes. The passageway has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from the first end of the storage member to the separating wall and the second portion extends from the second end of the storage member to the separating wall. Each hole of the plurality of holes extends through the separating wall and provides access between the first portion and the second portion. Each of the first and second caps is releasably attached to the storage member.

Abstract: A device for permeation of a biological material may include a lower portion and an upper portion configured to be releasably coupled to the lower portion. The lower portion may include a groove configured to receivingly support a biological material. The lower portion and the upper portion may be coupled such that a first reservoir and a second reservoir are formed collectively by the lower portion and the upper portion. The first reservoir, the second reservoir, and the groove may be in fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: Doppler probes, blood flow monitoring systems, and methods of monitoring blood flow are described. An example probe for monitoring blood flow through a blood vessel includes a retaining member, a first sensor, a first wire member, a second sensor, and a second wire member. The retaining member has a main body that defines an outer surface and an inner surface. The retaining member is moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The inner surface defines a passageway in the closed configuration. The first sensor is disposed on the inner surface of the retaining member. The first wire member is attached to the first sensor and has a first end and a second end. The second sensor is disposed on the first wire member between the first end and the second end of the first wire member. The second wire member is attached to the second sensor.

Abstract: Medical devices useful in interventional procedures performed under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are described herein. A medical device comprises a body member and a marker formed of work-hardened stainless steel attached to the body member. The stainless steel of the marker has an ultimate tensile strength of between about 100 KSI and about 225 KSI. The marker can be attached to the body member in a manner that contributes work to the stainless steel or in a manner that does not contribute work to the stainless steel. Methods of making medical devices, medical imaging methods, and methods of performing interventional medical treatment are also described herein.

Abstract: Described are systems for delivering embolic coil devices, and components useful in such systems. The systems include a flexible elongate delivery shaft having a distal region and an embolic coil device detachably connected to the distal region of the elongate delivery shaft. In some forms, as detachably connected, at least some of the coil windings of the embolic coil device, such as those in a proximal segment of the coil windings, are in a resiliently longitudinally compressed condition. When the embolic coil device is detached from the delivery shaft, the coil windings resiliently move to a longitudinally extended condition, where the coil windings in the longitudinally extended condition are more open than they are in the resiliently longitudinally compressed condition. In some forms, the systems have a coil detachment interface at a distal region of a flexible elongate delivery shaft.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device for retrieving stones, calculi, and the like from various organs and passages may comprising an elongated member, and a first wire and a second wire that forms a retrieval basket. The wires forming the basket and the elongated member may be secured by a crimp joint and a second joint. Processing of the device may include placing all ends of the first wire and the second wire into an elongated member through a distal end of the elongated member, moving said elongated member to a position where the first loop and the second loop start their curvatures, placing said first and second wires and said elongated member through a crimping fixture having thru cuts configured for the interlocked wires, aligning said elongated member in a desired position, and crimping said first and second wires and said elongated member.

Abstract: A method of modifying a surface of a medical device for implantation or disposition inside a patient is described. The medical device comprises a structure having at least one surface. The method includes the steps of: placing the medical device into a plasma chamber substantially free from contaminants and substantially sealing the plasma chamber from the atmosphere; removing at least an outermost layer of any oxide layer from the at least one surface of the structure by a plasma oxide-removal process, whilst maintaining the plasma chamber under seal from the atmosphere; and subsequently forming a new oxide layer at the least one surface of the structure by introducing at least one gas into the plasma chamber, whilst maintaining the plasma chamber under seal from the atmosphere. A medical device including a bulk material and an oxide layer disposed over at least one surface of the medical device. The oxide layer is substantially pure and free from contaminants.

Abstract: Endoscope systems with bending sections that can bend in four directions independent of the rotatable viewing configuration of the endoscope systems are provided. Methods of using the endoscope systems in a patient's body are further provided.

Abstract: Valve devices, methods of making valve devices, and methods of treating various venous-related conditions, disorders and/or diseases are described. In one embodiment, a valve device includes an expandable support frame and a bioprosthetic valve attached to the support frame. The bioprosthetic valve comprises a leaflet and a contiguous wall portion harvested from a multi-leaflet xenogeneic valve. The contiguous wall portion includes the attachment region where the leaflets attaches to the vessel wall and, in some embodiments, includes the natural margins of attachment between the leaflet and vessel wall.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to medical devices and methods of assembling medical devices, such as MRI-compatible interventional wireguides. An example of a wireguide includes a series of individual segments, a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of spacers. Each segment in the series of individual segments has a first end and a second end. Each connector of the plurality of connectors joins adjacent segments in the series of individual segments to one another such that a first end of a first segment and a second end of a second segment in the series of individual segments are attached to a connector of the plurality of connectors. A spacer of the plurality of spacers is disposed between each pair of adjacent segments in the series of individual segments. Each of the segments in the series of individual segments is electrically insulated from an adjacent segment in the series of individual segments.