Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for closing a passageway in a body, for example a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a heart, and related methods of using such closure devices for closing the passageway. The method includes introducing a mechanical closure device into an atrium of the heart and transeptally deploying the closure device across the interatrial septum to provide proximation of the septum secundum and septum primum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for closing a passageway in a body, for example a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a heart, and related methods of using such closure devices for closing the passageway. The method includes introducing a mechanical closure device into an atrium of the heart and transeptally deploying the closure device across the interatrial septum to provide proximation of the septum secundum and septum primum.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an improved endoprosthesis with a device to mitigate or even eliminate Type I endoleaks in AAA stent-graft.

Abstract: A large lumen guide catheter (10) has an elongate tubular body (22), which has an outer surface (24), an inner surface (44), and a braided wire layer between the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein the wires winding a first helical direction are thicker and wider than the wire winding in a second helical direction opposite the first helical direction.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a composite endovascular device (and variations thereof) that include an inner polymer structure and an outer thin-film shape memory structure. The inner polymer structure extends from a distal end to a proximal end along a longitudinal axis. The outer thin-film shape-memory structure has an inner thin-film surface coupled to the outer surface of the inner polymer structure from the distal end to the proximal end with a retrieval member at the proximal end to allow for the prosthesis to be retrieved after placement in a body vessel. The inner polymeric structure can be blended with a suitable bio-active agent or the agent can be loaded into the pores. The device can be permanent or temporary by virtue of being retrievable.

Abstract: Tubing made of two or more polymers circumferentially arranged around the perimeter of the tubing in a single layer may be useful as medical tubing. Specifically, such tubing may be useful in catheters, sheaths, sheath introducers, implant delivery systems, and other medical devices having elongated tubular components. Selection of the two or more polymers based on the durometer and melting temperature permits optimization of axial strength and flexibility for particular applications. Such tubing may be extruded as a single layer tubing or a multi-layer tubing where the additional layers may be single material layers or more multi-polymer layers.

Abstract: An system for treating arterial occlusive disease with rotating cutting baskets whose outer diameter can be infinitely adjusted to adjust by the operator for precise excision of plaque buildup in the body vessel.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an improved endoprosthesis with a device to mitigate or even eliminate Type I endoleaks in AAA stent-graft.

Abstract: A guidewire, consisting of a hollow tube, containing a longitudinal lumen and having a spiral channel cut into the tube, and having a distal end. The guidewire has an elongate flexible core positioned within the longitudinal lumen. The guidewire also has a conductive coil, wound around the core at a location within the lumen in proximity to the distal end, that is coupled to output a signal in response to a magnetic field applied to the guidewire.

Abstract: A method, including advancing a guidewire having a first diameter through a patient lumen, the guidewire being tracked by an electromagnetic system and an impedance system. While advancing the guidewire, signals of both systems, that are generated in response to differing positions of the guidewire in the lumen, are recorded. The method includes recording correspondences between the signals at each of the differing positions. The method also includes withdrawing the guidewire from the lumen, and then advancing through the lumen a second guidewire, having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, which is tracked by the impedance system. While advancing the second guidewire, a signal of the impedance system generated in response to advancement of the second guidewire in the lumen is received. The method includes applying the correspondences to the signal in order to determine a position of the second guidewire in the lumen.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an improved endoprosthesis that includes at least one tubular graft section coupled to additional tubular graft sections which are then coupled to a tubular bifurcated main section. Various embodiments described and shown herein allow for a health care provider to design and select an appropriate AAA implant for AAA presentations other than an infrarenal AAA. The endoprosthesis can also be utilized in other aortic aneurysm.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an improved endoprosthesis that includes at least one tubular graft section coupled to additional tubular graft sections which are then coupled to a tubular bifurcated main section. Various embodiments described and shown herein allow for a health care provider to design and select an appropriate AAA implant for AAA presentations other than an infrarenal AAA.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an improved endoprosthesis that includes at least one tubular graft section coupled to additional tubular graft sections which are then coupled to a tubular bifurcated main section. Various embodiments described and shown herein allow for a health care provider to design and select an appropriate AAA implant for AAA presentations other than an infrarenal AAA. The implants can also be utilized for other arterial aneurysms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery system for an intraluminal thin film medical device particularly well suited for occlusion of an aneurysm, vessel side branch or dissection of a body lumen or duct, such as an artery or vein. The delivery system has an outer sheath attached along the distal end of a relatively long and flexible tubular shaft. The outer sheath is capable of constraining the thin film medical device in a longitudinally stretched position, and subsequently being retracted relative to the flexible tubular shaft to release the thin film medical device from the constrained longitudinally stretched position. The delivery system may additionally have a mechanical expansion catheter substantially coaxial too, and slideably engaged within, the outer sheath and an inner lumen substantially coaxial to the outer sheath and incorporated into the flexible tubular shaft.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for providing a guiding device having a dilatable, drilling tip. The tip is formed by wound helical members such that resistance to rotation in an unwinding direction dilates the tip. The helical members are configured so that the dilatable tip increases in stiffness when the helical members are tensioned by a resistance to rotation in the winding direction. In some embodiments, application of relative force between coaxial inner and outer tubular members is used to control the dilation, stiffness and drilling of the guiding member.

Abstract: A catheter system and corresponding methods are provided for accessing a blood vessel true lumen from a sub-intimal plane of the vessel. The catheter includes components that are symmetric about the longitudinal axis and allow for reentry without the need to ensure a correct orientation of the cannula.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an improved endoprosthesis that includes a generally tubular graft, a plurality of independent stent hoops connected to the graft and at least one suture. The at least one suture connects one apex of one stent hoop to two apices of another stent hoop to reduce a predetermined distance between distinct stent hoops so that in a released configuration in a body vessel, the stent-graft is curved away from the longitudinal axis to conform to the body vessel and reduce formation of a gap between one end of the stent-graft with an inner surface of the body vessel.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of using tissue engineered blood vessels to repair and regenerate blood vessels of patients with vascular disease are disclosed.

Abstract: A thin-walled guide wire tube is fixedly and sealably attached to both a proximal section and a distal section of a balloon angioplasty catheter. A stent is co-axially mounted onto the inflatable balloon of the balloon angioplasty catheter. Because the guide wire tube forms an inner liner for the balloon angioplasty catheter, the fluid inflation lumen of the catheter is sealed so the inflation liquid that pressurizes the balloon will not leak as it would be if there were no “inner liner” and the balloon angioplasty catheter were attached to the guide wire itself. By not having a traditional inner shaft through which a conventional guide wire slides, the deflated balloon on which the stent is mounted can have a reduced diameter.

Abstract: A loading device for self-expanding stents that utilizes a rod with a stop on one end, a compressible sleeve that is slidably mounted on the rod and a compressible member slidably mounted on the rod and configured to increase the diameter of the compressible sleeve when forced against it.