Abstract: Apparatus for use in deploying medical devices. The apparatus includes a wire having a diameter such that the wire can appropriately be used with either a corresponding over-the-wire configured catheter or a rapid-exchange configured catheter. The wire has a location at which it can be easily fractured, when desired, in order to convert the length of the wire from a length for use in an over-the-wire configuration to a rapid-exchange configuration.

Abstract: A device, method, and system of deploying an embolic protection device at a location distal to a treatment site in a vessel of a patient. A delivery catheter is encircled by a sealing member which is expandable from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration. The device creates a seal to prevent the flow of blood during the treatment of vascular disease. A distal protection element is delivered by the delivery catheter and deployed to filter or remove embolic debris.

Abstract: A collapsible medical device for use, e.g., as a vascular filter. The device includes a mandrel having a distal end and a stop spaced proximally of the distal end. A proximal length of the mandrel extends proximally of the stop and a distal length of the mandrel extends distally of the stop. A functional element (e.g., a vascular filter) has a radially expandable body and includes a proximal slider and a distal slider. The proximal and distal sliders are slidable along the mandrel independently of one another such that the distance between the proximal slider and distal slider can be varied to effect different configurations of the functional element. In one method of using such a device, the functional element is urged distally to a treatment site by urging the mandrel distally.

Abstract: A device, method, and system of deploying an embolic protection device at a location distal to a treatment site in a vessel of a patient. A delivery catheter is encircled by a sealing member which is expandable from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration. The device creates a seal to prevent the flow of blood during the treatment of vascular disease. A distal protection element is delivered by the delivery catheter and deployed to filter or remove embolic debris.

Abstract: A distal tip for use with a medical catheter. The tip includes a member having a wall which defines a lumen therewithin. The wall has a portion at a distal end thereof, the portion curving inwardly toward an axis of the lumen. The lumen is provided with a diameter adaptable to accommodate a device to be recovered therewithin.

Abstract: Medical devices for filtering fluids flowing through a lumen and a method of forming medical devices. The devices can be used in vascular channels, urinary tracts, biliary ducts and the like, and filter emboli and other debris generated at a treatment site.

Abstract: Medical devices for filtering fluids flowing through a lumen and a method of forming medical devices. The devices can be used in vascular channels, urinary tracts, biliary ducts and the like, and filter emboli and other debris generated at a treatment site.

Abstract: A distal tip for use with a medical catheter. The tip includes a member having a wall which defines a lumen therewithin. The wall has a portion at a distal end thereof, the portion curving inwardly toward an axis of the lumen. The lumen is provided with a diameter adaptable to accommodate a device to be recovered therewithin.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a fatigue resistant stent comprises a flexible tubular structure having an inside diameter, an outside diameter, and a sidewall therebetween and having apertures extending through the sidewall. According to other aspects of the invention, processes for making a fatigue resistant stent are disclosed. According to further aspects of the invention, delivery systems for a fatigue resistant stent and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: Material removed by a debulking catheter from a body lumen can be preserved. Materials can be collected from many different patients and/or from multiple procedures on individual patients. Data which describe the properties or qualities of the removed material and/or the patient and/or the patient's family or environment can be stored on computer readable media. The stored data can be used to draw correlations, to stratify groups of patients, to provide risk assessments, to provide diagnoses and/or prognoses. Further tests can be done on the stored materials at later times after the procedures have been completed.

Abstract: A stent may include a stent body having a stent axis. The stent body may include structural members defining openings through the stent body. The structural members are provided with regions having different widths. The relative sizes of the widths are selected to control the length of the stent body as the stent body is radially expanded from an undeployed orientation to a deployed orientation. In one embodiment, the regions having different widths are provided by tapering the widths of selected segments of the structural member.

Abstract: Catheters, assemblies, and methods for delivering and recovering embolic protection devices. Catheters are provided that can be advanced over single length guide wires and which can be retracted over single length wire shafts of distal embolic protection devices. One catheter is a two-port catheter having two sidewall ports, a distal end port, and a proximal end port. The two-port catheter can be advanced over a guide wire threaded between the distal end port and the distal sidewall port. An embolic protection device wire shaft can be back loaded into the distal end port and out the proximal sidewall port. A three-port catheter includes a distal end port, and distal, intermediate, and proximal sidewall ports. The distal sidewall port can be dimensioned to accept passage of a filter body through the port. The distal end port can be dimensioned to accept only a guide wire to provide a smooth transition from the guide wire to the small profile distal end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of deploying a medical filter within a channel in a patient's body and filter systems which can be used in such a method. Such a filter may include a radially expandable body 52 having an opening 56 in a proximal length thereof. In one method, the filter is urged along a length of the channel with the filter body in a radially reduced configuration. This body is expanded to substantially fill the lumen of the vessel and orient the opening in the body proximally. Body fluid is permitted to enter the filter body through the proximally oriented opening and pass distally through the distal length of the body so that the distal length of the body filters from the body fluid particulate material entrained therein. The proximal length of the body can be drawn into the retrieval catheter, thereby effectively closing the proximally oriented opening within the catheter to retain the particulate material within the enclosure.

Abstract: Catheters, assemblies, and methods for delivering and recovering embolic protection devices. Catheters are provided that can be advanced over single length guide wires and which can be retracted over single length wire shafts of distal embolic protection devices. One catheter is a two-port catheter having two sidewall ports, a distal end port, and a proximal end port. The two-port catheter can be advanced over a guide wire threaded between the distal end port and the distal sidewall port. An embolic protection device wire shaft can be back loaded into the distal end port and out the proximal sidewall port. A three-port catheter includes a distal end port, and distal, intermediate, and proximal sidewall ports. The distal sidewall port can be dimensioned to accept passage of a filter body through the port. The distal end port can be dimensioned to accept only a guide wire to provide a smooth transition from the guide wire to the small profile distal end.

Abstract: A debulking catheter comprising a tissue debulking assembly for removing a contiguous strand of material from a body lumen. Catheters of the present invention generally include a catheter body having proximal and distal portions and a tissue debulking assembly disposed at least partially within the distal portion. The tissue debulking assembly is radially movable to expose at least a portion of the assembly through a window on the catheter body. The catheter is advanced transluminally through the body lumen to contact material in the body lumen and remove a plane of contiguous material that has a length that is typically longer than a length of the window on the catheter. The contiguous material may be directed into a collection chamber. Thereafter, the material may be removed from the collection chamber and preserved or tested.

Abstract: A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion comprising: a first elongate tubular body; a second elongate tubular body; and an elongate member joining the first and second elongate bodies. The first elongate tubular body is disposed proximal and tandem to the second elongate tubular body, and the first and second tubular bodies are permanently disposed so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other. The catheter also comprises a third elongate tubular body, at least the proximal portion of the third elongate tubular body being disposed within the lumen of the first elongate tubular body, the third elongate tubular body being slidable within the lumen of the first elongate tubular body, and the distal portion of the third elongate tubular body being able to be disposed in the lumen of the second elongate tubular body.

Abstract: A intraluminal stent comprises a reticulated tube having an un-deployed diameter and expandable to an enlarged diameter. The tube includes a structural beam extending between first and second ends. The structural beam changes from a first geometry to a second geometry when the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter. The structural beam includes first and second longitudinal elements each extending at least partially between the first and second ends and with a spacing between the first and second elements. Each of said first and second elements changes from the first geometry to the second geometry when the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter for the spacing to remain substantially unchanged as the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes outer and inner elongated, flexible tubular members each having a distal and proximal ends. The outer tubular member is sized to be passed through the body lumen with the distal end advanced to the deployment site and with the proximal end remaining external of the patient's body for manipulation by an operator. The inner tubular member is sized to be received within the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member has a stent attachment location at its distal end. A spacer member is disposed between the inner and outer tubular members. The spacer member maintains spacing between the inner and outer tubular members. Opposing surfaces of the inner and outer tubular members define a passageway extending from the proximal end towards the distal end of the outer tubular member. A fluid exchange port is provided in communication with the passageway at the proximal end of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: Medical devices for filtering fluids flowing through a lumen and a method of forming medical devices. The devices can be used in vascular channels, urinary tracts, biliary ducts and the like, and filter emboli and other debris generated at a treatment site.

Abstract: An implant delivery system and method comprises an implant, for example, a stent, and a delivery catheter. The stent has a scaffold with a coating or a shell that retains the scaffold in a collapsed configuration. The coating or shell is made of a material that dissolves or biodegrades upon exposure to a dissolution or biodegradation media. The stent is used with an implant delivery system which has a catheter with a catheter, wherein the stent is mounted on the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft is configured to be withdrawn through the patient's vessel when the scaffold is in its expanded configuration. Advantageously, the implant is thereby prevented from changing length during implant delivery and implant deployment.