Abstract: A filter retrieval system for retrieving a previously implanted medical filter, and methods of using the retrieval system, are disclosed. The filter retrieval system has a flexible shaft, a retrieval element, and a handle with an actuator. The flexible shaft may be catheter-based, and has a proximal and a distal end, and has an opening near its distal end. The handle is affixed to the shaft near the proximal end of the shaft, and the actuator is adapted to manipulate the retrieval element to grasp or hook or otherwise engage a portion of the filter, and then pull the filter in through the opening into a passage or lumen of the catheter shaft. The retrieval system is capable of retrieving a filter in into a proximal and distal space defined by the flexible shaft, though only one space at a time.

Abstract: An endoprosthetic device for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms using suprarenal fixation. A stent ring is anchored in an area above the renal arties using self-flaring barbs that project during the nitinol expansion process. Sutures extend from the stent ring to an area below the renal arties to a bifurcated trunk portion comprising a nitinol fabric on a non-kinking frame. The bifurcated trunk is sealed proximal the iliac arteries and includes iliac leg holders having self-flaring retention struts for non-traumatic holding of iliac leg prosthetics. Suprarenal fixation and collapsible cells having retention projections and barbs that only flare during the nitinol expansion process assist in lowering the devices profile and sheathability for percutaneous delivery and may provide for recapturing the anchored device.

Abstract: A biocompatible material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including a vascular closure device. The vascular closure device includes a fibrous structure formed from at least one randomly oriented fiber, the randomly oriented fiber comprising at least one polymer, and at least one agent, in therapeutic dosage, incorporated into at least one of the fibrous structure and the at least one randomly oriented fiber.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to stents having a coating applied thereto, wherein the coating comprises a biocompatible polymer/drug mixture, as well as devices comprising a metallic stent, a biocompatible polymeric carrier and a drug.

Abstract: A device and method for deploying a mechanical closure device for closing a passageway in a body, for example a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a heart. The deployment device has a first tubular structure having proximal and distal ends. A second tubular structure is substantially coaxial to and slideably engaged within the first tubular structure. The second tubular structure has a first substantially linear shape when constrained within the first tubular structure, and a second curvilinear shape when telescopically extended from the distal end of the first tubular structure. A third tubular structure is substantially coaxial to and slideably engaged within the second tubular structure. The third tubular structure is configured to provide sufficient rigidity to push the mechanical closure device from the distal end of the second tubular structure, and provide sufficient flexibility to assume a curvilinear shape when deflected by the second tubular structure.

Abstract: A stent attachment and deployment mechanism is utilized to prevent the distal end of an endoprosthesis comprising fixation barbs or other fixation mechanism from deploying prior to the remaining sections of the fixation device. With this stent attachment and deployment mechanism accurate deployment may be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an intraluminal guiding device having an expandable guiding member so as to facilitate and overcome the difficulties associated with obtaining contra-lateral leg access of a bifurcated stent or a bifurcated stent graft with a second guidewire and a method for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms with such a device. The guiding device comprises a pre-loaded second wire positioned within the contra-lateral leg which facilitates access to said leg in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an intraluminal guiding device having an expandable guiding member so as to facilitate and overcome the difficulties associated with obtaining contra-lateral leg access of a bifurcated stent or a bifurcated stent graft with a second guidewire and a method for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms with such a device. The guiding device comprises an expandable member releasably or permanently affixed to a delivery system which facilitates placement and advancement of a second delivery system.

Abstract: Devices and methods for their use in increasing the aortic valve flow of a stenotic aortic valve are provided. The subject devices include an aortic valve isolation element and an aortic valve flushing element. The aortic valve isolation element is made up of a ventricular side aortic valve occlusion element, coronary ostia occlusion elements and an ascending aorta occlusion element. The aortic valve flushing element is made up of a dissolution fluid introducing element and a fluid removal element. In practicing the subject methods, a stenotic aortic valve is first isolated. Next, the isolated valve is flushed with a dissolution fluid, e.g., an acidic dissolution fluid, for a period of time sufficient for the aortic valve flow of the treated valve to be increased. In certain embodiments, the valve is also contacted with a dissolution fluid attenuating fluid, e.g., a buffer, during the flushing step in order to limit the contact of non-valve tissue with the dissolution fluid.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to medical devices, particularly to a SDS (stent delivery system) that incorporates a spring stent stop. The delivery system, owing to a novel stent stop construction, can be assembled, with the crimped stent in place within the outer sheath of the device, to enable the device to be assembled with considerably greater efficiency by eliminating processes and component(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method of forming the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical device having a tubular membrane structure over a radially expandable structural frame, and to a method of forming the tubular membrane on the radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electro-statically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer.

Abstract: A guidewire having a spreader or at least one centering device which may be used to open occluded vessels or other biological passages, especially chronic total occlusions. The guidewire may be used to either open the lumen or to center a boring device within the lumen, so that the chronic total occlusion can be crossed, and an interventional procedure can then be performed.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a delivery system for delivering a medically useful payload through the vasculature to a site of interest in the patient's body. The medically useful payload may be a therapeutic device, such as a stent, and it may be a diagnostic tool, such as an imaging device. Owing to its structural attributes, the presently-inventive delivery system is well suited for carrying medical payload to and through vessel curvature and to branched regions (i.e., bifurcations) in same. Also, the device is well-suited to traveling through a vessel over a guiding element, such as a guidewire, which itself exhibits curvature.

Abstract: A tissue repair matrix has an intricate pattern of loops, struts and bridges and is made of a super elastic alloy. The repair matrix includes hooks which improve the ingrowth when implanted and amorphic circles which provide rounded surfaces to the outer edges which made the repair matrix a-traumatic when implanted. When the repair matrix is cooled the molecular phase becomes martensitic which allows the tissue repair matrix to be compressed for easier insertion into a patient. When the tissue repair matrix is heated, the molecular phase changes to austenitic which causes the tissue repair matrix to expand to a size suitable for medical procedure.

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 guidewire comprising a spreader or at least one centering device which may be used to open occluded vessels or other biological passages, especially chronic total occlusions. The guidewire may be used to either open the lumen or to center a boring device within the lumen, so that the chronic total occlusion can be crossed, and an interventional procedure can then be performed.

Abstract: A guidewire comprising a spreader or at least one centering device which may be used to open occluded vessels or other biological passages, especially chronic total occlusions. The guidewire may be used to either open the lumen or to center a boring device within the lumen, so that the chronic total occlusion can be crossed, and an interventional procedure can then be performed.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for their use in enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion are provided. The subject catheter systems include at least an aspiration catheter and at least one of a total occlusion insert catheter and a partial occlusion insert catheter, where the insert catheters are capable of being slidably moved in the lumen of the aspiration catheter. In practicing the subject methods, a surface of the vascular occlusion is flushed with an acidic dissolution fluid using the subject catheter systems for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow through the vascular site to be enhanced, e.g. increased or established. The subject catheter systems and methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different vascular diseases characterized by the presence of calcified vascular occlusions, including peripheral and coronary vascular diseases.

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

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