Abstract: An apparatus for modulating the pressure of a fluid such as a gas within the expandable portion of a guide wire catheter. A preferred embodiment apparatus features a mechanism for controllably gripping and releasing the open, proximal end of a tubular guide wire, a mechanism for introducing a fluid to a desired pressure and volume into the expandable portion of the tubular guide wire through the open end, and, while maintaining the pressure and volume of fluid in the tubular guide wire, a mechanism for introducing a sealing member into the chamfered, open end of the tubular guide wire to consistently seal the fluid in the tubular guide wire. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus also features a deflation tool for piercing the seal and letting the fluid out. Using this apparatus, the tubular guide wire can be re-sealed and re-opened as necessary.

Abstract: An implantable device for facilitating the healing of voids in bone, cartilage and soft tissue is disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes a cartilage region comprising a polyelectrolytic complex joined with a subchondral bone region. The cartilage region, of this embodiment, enhances the environment for chondrocytes to grow articular cartilage; while the subchondral bone region enhances the environment for cells which migrate into that region's macrostructure and which differentiate into osteoblasts. A hydrophobic barrier exists between the regions, of this embodiment. In one embodiment, the polyelectrolytic complex transforms to hydrogel, following the implant procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for modulating the pressure of a fluid such as a gas within the expandable portion of a guide wire catheter. A preferred embodiment apparatus features a means for controllably gripping and releasing the open, proximal end of a tubular guide wire, means for introducing a fluid to a desired pressure and volume into the expandable portion of the tubular guide wire through the open end, and, while maintaining the pressure and volume of fluid in the tubular guide wire, a means for introducing a sealing member into the open end of said tubular guide wire to seal the fluid in the tubular guide wire. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus also features a deflation tool for piercing the seal and letting the fluid out. Using this apparatus, the tubular guide wire can be re-sealed and re-opened as necessary.

Abstract: The construct described herein allows opposing tissues to form adhesions with either side of the construct, as part of the natural healing process. The construct however is multi-layered, wherein the space between the layers provides the protection from unwanted adhesions forming between and bonding separate tissues. In one embodiment, this space between layers of the construct may be developed spontaneously, that is the multiple layers are released by design after a finite time and the opposing tissues are free to move independent of each other, free of adhesions.

Abstract: An attachment tool to facilitate the attachment of one or more catheters or similar elongated instruments to a guide-wire or other elongated guide member, without requiring access to either end of said wire or member. The tool provides repeatable and reliable alignment of components to be attached, while being operated with a single hand. The catheter systems can be used for revascularization or treatment of arteries and lumens within the body, and the associated delivery of therapies therein and can include side attachable and over-the-wire components and/or low profile combination catheters to allow for flush and extraction of debris in small or tortuous anatomic pathways.

Abstract: A high strength porous polymeric material manufactured by a compression process is disclosed. The material results in a network of interconnected collapsed pores, which forces thin overlapping walls and passages to be created. The network provides permeable access for fluid migration throughout the material. The strength and/or permeability are advantageous for medical devices and implants.

Abstract: An attachment tool to facilitate the attachment of one or more catheters or similar elongated instruments to a guide-wire or other elongated guide member, without requiring access to either end of said wire or member. The tool provides repeatable and reliable alignment of components to be attached, while being operated with a single hand. The catheter systems can be used for revascularization or treatment of arteries and lumens within the body, and the associated delivery of therapies therein and can include side attachable and over-the-wire components and/or low profile combination catheters to allow for flush and extraction of debris in small or tortuous anatomic pathways.

Abstract: A system and method of use for effecting the bypass or other anastomosis, connection, or port in a portion of a native blood vessel, duct, lumen or other tubular organ within the body of a living being. The system includes a connector assembly and a deployment instrument for carrying the device to the desired position within the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ. The system includes a piercer-dilator instrument to form an opening in the wall of the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ into which a connector assembly may be deployed by the deployment instrument. The connector assembly may be at least partially formed of a resorbable material and includes movable members for securing it to the tissue of the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ contiguous with the opening. Other components may be included in the device for expediting the procedure, with or without the use of sutures.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention provides a catheter suitable for use in performing a procedure within a vessel, lumen or organ of a living having a distal end which is steerable, such as upon the application of compression. The catheter may be of the over the wire type, or alternatively may be a rapid exchange catheter. The catheter may provide for a rotating element which may be used to open a clogged vessel, or alternatively to provide information about adjacent tissues, such as may be generated by imaging or guiding arrangements using tissue detection systems known in the art, e.g., ultrasound, optical coherence reflectometry, etc. For rapid exchange catheters having a rotating element, there is provided an offset drive assembly to allow the rotary force to be directed from alongside the guidewire to a location coaxial to and over the guidewire.

Abstract: Delivery systems for accessing the targeted tissue within the living being and introduction of at least one agent at select locations into the tissues of the heart such as the myocardium and other select tissues. Where appropriate, portions of the system are steerable to properly orient the device. When tissue penetration is utilized, the device may include a feature to control the depth of penetration. removal. The system may utilize some form of mechanical action or application of energy (e.g. electrical, sonic, thermal, optical, pressurized fluid, radio frequency (RF), nuclear) in the process. The agent delivered to the tissue may include one or more of pharmaceuticals, biologically active agents, radiopaque materials, etc.

Abstract: Resorbable polymer barrier membranes and methods of their applications are disclosed. In a broad embodiment, methods of governing bone growth, or preventing bone growth into a certain spatial area, includes the step of forming a spatial barrier with the present resorbable barrier membrane. The barrier membrane separates a bone-growth area and a non-bone-growth area, and prevents bone from growing into the non-growth area.

Abstract: A system and method for opening a lumen in an occluded blood vessel, e.g., a coronary bypass graft, of a living being. The system comprises an atherectomy catheter having a working head, e.g., a rotary impacting impeller, and a debris extraction sub-system. The atherectomy catheter is located within a guide catheter. The working head is arranged to operate on, e.g., impact, the occlusive material in the occluded vessel to open a lumen therein, whereupon some debris may be produced. The debris extraction sub-system introduces an infusate liquid at a first flow rate adjacent the working head and withdraws that liquid and some blood at a second and higher flow rate, through the guide catheter to create a differential flow adjacent the working head, whereupon the debris is withdrawn in the infusate liquid and blood for collection outside the being's body.

Abstract: A transmyocardial revascularization system including a plurality of inserts formed of a material to elicit a healing response in tissue of the myocardium and deployment instruments and associated components for deploying the inserts into the wall of the myocardium. The inserts are arranged to be disposed within respective lumens or channels in the wall of the myocardium. The inserts can take various forms, e.g., be solid members, tubular members, or porous members, and may be resorbable, partially resorbable or non-resorbable. In some embodiments the inserts are arranged to be left in place within the channels in the wall of the myocardium to result in plural lumens which enable blood to flow therethrough and into contiguous capillaries. The deployment instruments are arranged to pierce the tissue of the myocardium from either the endocardium or the epicardium to insert the inserts into the myocardium, depending on the particular deployment instrument used.

Abstract: A method of vascularizing cardiac tissue using an instrument through the vascular system to an entry situs located at or adjacent the cardiac tissue is provided including providing a flowable agent comprising microspheres or microparticles having a particulate size range of 1 micron to 1 mm, introducing the agent through the instrument, imparting a particle moving force through the instrument that is generated externally to cause the microspheres or microparticles to pass directly through contiguous tissue to target cardiac tissue, the particle-moving force imparting a high pressure on the agent of several thousand psi, the microspheres or microparticles passing through the contiguous tissue without any mechanical means, whereupon the microspheres or microparticles directly enter the target cardiac tissue, forming channels in the wall of the myocardium at spaced locations and in communication with the interior of the heart, and introducing the flowable agent in the channels.

Abstract: An implantable delivery system includes a macrostructure formed of bioresorbable material selected from a group of alphahydroxy acids and defined to include an internal architecture of intercommunicating void spaces. A first cytotoxic agent in the preferred form of cisplatin is joined to the macrostructure during formation. A microstructure in the preferred form of a blend of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid conjugated with a second cytotoxic agent in the preferred form of paclitaxel and of pure high molecular weight hyaluronic acid is invested in the void spaces. Thus, when implanted, the paclitaxel and cisplatin are released sequentially, each initially at high level concentrations followed by lower release. Radiotherapy can be begun after the release of the paclitaxel has been completed but while the cisplatin is being released.

Abstract: A device is formed by the process into a bone screw or fastener, wherein the head has a degree of polymer alignment and strength, and wherein the shank has a higher degree of polymer alignment and strength. In practice of the present invention, the polymer slug is pressed into the die cavity by the actuation of ram press, causing the slug to conform to the die cavity. Through this process, the polymer molecular orientation is aligned to different degrees, in different zones of the device.

Abstract: A method for opening a lumen in an occluded blood vessel, e.g., a coronary bypass graft, of a living being. The method entails using an instrument to deploy the stent at occlusive material within the blood vessel to open the lumen, whereupon some debris may be produced. Operating a debris extraction system for removing debris during deployment of the stent.

Abstract: A system for opening a lumen in an occluded blood vessel, e.g., a coronary bypass graft, of a living being. The method entails using an instrument to deploy the stent at occlusive material within the blood vessel to open the lumen, whereupon some debris may be produced. Operating a debris extraction system for removing debris during deployment of the stent.

Abstract: An attachment tool to facilitate the attachment of one or more catheters or similar elongated instruments to a guide-wire or other elongated guide member, without requiring access to either end of said wire or member. The tool provides repeatable and reliable alignment of components to be attached, while being operated with a single hand. The catheter systems can be used for revascularization or treatment of arteries and lumens within the body, and the associated delivery of therapies therein and can include side attachable and over-the-wire components and/or low profile combination catheters to allow for flush and extraction of debris in small or tortuous anatomic pathways.

Abstract: An implantable delivery system includes a macrostructure formed of bioresorbable material selected from a group of alphahydroxy acids and defined to include an internal architecture of intercommunicating void spaces. A first cytotoxic agent in the preferred form of cisplatin is joined to the macrostructure during formation. A microstructure in the preferred form of a blend of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid conjugated with a second cytotoxic agent in the preferred form of paclitaxel and of pure high molecular weight hyaluronic acid is invested in the void spaces. Thus, when implanted, the paclitaxel and cisplatin are released sequentially, each initially at high level concentrations followed by lower release. Radiotherapy can be begun after the release of the paclitaxel has been completed but while the cisplatin is being released.