Abstract: The composite guidewire includes an elongated, flexible core formed from a nickel titanium alloy, with a distal tapered portion, a reinforcement tube disposed over the proximal region of the core, a primary coil disposed over the tapered distal region of the core, and a coating of a heat shrinkable material. A distal tip is secured to the distal end of the core. The proximal reinforcement member has a distal tapered portion, to provide for a transition in stiffness of the guidewire. The heat shrinkable coating is formed from an elongated tube of PTFE, and the distal primary coil is formed from one or more nickel titanium alloy strands or wires, one or more platinum wires, or a combination. The distal tip may be formed of platinum or a tantalum filled epoxy.

Abstract: The shape memory clot retrieval device can be placed in the vasculature of a patient for retrieving and removing distal clots. The clot retrieval device has an elongated catheter member that can be inserted in the vasculature, with one or more clot retrieval members on the elongated catheter member that are movable between an initial compressed configuration in which the clot retrieval device is inserted into the vasculature and an expanded configuration extending outwardly from the elongated catheter member to trap and hold clots within the vessel. The clot retrieval device typically can be introduced to the desired treatment site in the vasculature through a guiding catheter.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil detachably mounts the therapeutic device to a distal portion of a pusher member. In one embodiment, the therapeutic device is detachably mounted to the distal portion of the pusher member by a tubular collar that can be heated by a heater such as an electrical resistance coil to expand the collar and release and deploy the therapeutic device. The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil may also provide for a pusher member and a connector fiber for securing the therapeutic device to the pusher member. The connector fiber passes through a heater within the distal portion of the pusher member, for heating and breaking the connector fiber to release the therapeutic device when a desired placement of the therapeutic device within the vasculature is achieved.

Abstract: An intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement for treatment of aneurysms is formed of one or more loops of wire of resilient material formed into a series of transverse loops and longitudinal connecting sections to configure an essentially cylindrical reinforcement device that still allows, if desired, access to the neck of an aneurysm for insertion of embolic coils and the like. The proximal and distal regions of the sinusoidal loops may be more tightly coiled than the intermediate regions of the loops, or may have a larger diameter than the intermediate regions. The intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement device can be provided with an outer covering that can be formed as a fiber, and can be woven, or can be formed as a ribbon wound about the intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement device. The wire of resilient material can also be coated with a hydrophilic material. One or more round or oval intermediate loops extending radially outward may also be provided.

Abstract: The variable stiffness heating catheter includes a heating catheter shaft including at least one electrically conductive member, a reinforcing tube with apertures formed around the surface of the reinforcing tube, and at least one coaxial outer layer of a polymer, metal, or both for providing desired variations in stiffness along at least a portion of the length of the shaft. The apertures can be formed as axial or helical slits in the surface of the reinforcing tube, and the reinforcing tube can also be formed to be tapered at the point where the apertures are formed in the reinforcing tube to provide a heating catheter that is torqueable and pushable at the proximal end, yet soft and flexible at the distal end.

Abstract: An intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement for treatment of aneurysms is formed of one or more loops of wire of resilient material formed into a series of transverse loops and longitudinal connecting sections to configure an essentially cylindrical reinforcement device that still allows, if desired, access to the neck of an aneurysm for insertion of embolic coils and the like. The proximal and distal regions of the sinusoidal loops may be more tightly coiled than the intermediate regions of the loops, or may have a larger diameter than the intermediate regions. The intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement device can be provided with an outer covering that can be formed as a fiber, and can be woven, or can be formed as a ribbon wound about the intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement device. The wire of resilient material can also be coated with a hydrophilic material. One or more round or oval intermediate loops extending radially outward may also be provided.

Abstract: The variable stiffness vasoocclusive coil is given variable stiffness along the length of the coil by selectively heat treating certain segments of a primary or secondary coil. The primary coil can be selectively heat treated to form soft or deformable segments along the length of the coil, and can then be shaped into a secondary shape that is set by a heat treatment process. Distal regions of the coil can also be heat treated to make the distal ends of the coil softer, more deformable, or less traumatic.

Abstract: An intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement for treatment of aneurysms is formed of one or more loops of wire of resilient material formed into a series of transverse loops and longitudinal connecting sections to configure an essentially cylindrical reinforcement device that still allows, if desired, access to the neck of an aneurysm for insertion of embolic coils and the like. The proximal and distal regions of the sinusoidal loops may be more tightly coiled than the intermediate regions of the loops, or may have a larger diameter than the intermediate regions. The intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement device can be provided with an outer covering that can be formed as a fiber, and can be woven, or can be formed as a ribbon wound about the intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement device. The wire of resilient material can also be coated with a hydrophilic material. One or more round or oval intermediate loops extending radially outward may also be provided.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil detachably mounts the therapeutic device to a distal portion of a pusher member. In one embodiment, the therapeutic device is detachably mounted to the distal portion of the pusher member by a connector fiber for securing the therapeutic device to the pusher member. The connector fiber passes through a cutter member such as a cutting ring within the distal portion of the pusher member, for cutting the connector fiber to release the therapeutic device when a desired placement of the therapeutic device within the vasculature is achieved.

Abstract: The introducer sheath can be loaded onto a vasoocclusive device after removal of the vasoocclusive device from a microcatheter, to permit the vasoocclusive embolic coil assembly to be used again during a clinical procedure. The sheath includes a hollow, elongated tubular member with a longitudinal slot formed in the upper wall of the elongated tubular member and extending along the length of elongated tubular member. The upper wall of the elongated tubular member adjacent to the slot has an angled configuration to accept the vasoocclusive device. The sheath may include wing members extending outwardly from the angled configuration on the outside surface of the hollow, elongated tubular member to facilitate insertion of the vasoocclusive device into the sheath. The elongated tubular member may also consist of a segment with no slot attached to a flexible pusher member to facilitate initiation of loading of the vasoocclusive device into the sheath.

Abstract: A shape memory clot retrieval device which can be placed in the vasculature of a patient for retrieving and removing distal clots. The clot retrieval device has an elongated catheter member that can be inserted in the vasculature, with one or more clot retrieval members on the elongated catheter member that are movable between an initial compressed configuration in which the clot retrieval device is inserted into the vasculature and an expanded configuration extending outwardly from the elongated catheter member to trap and hold clots within the vessel. The clot retrieval device typically can be introduced to the desired treatment site in the vasculature through a guiding catheter.

Abstract: The endoluminal device delivery assembly and method for release and deployment of an endoluminal therapeutic device at a desired location for treatment within the vasculature of a patient utilizes an elongated flexible tubular catheter with a tubular distal tip formed of a yieldable material mounted to the distal end of the catheter for releasably holding the proximal end of the endoluminal device. The endoluminal device can be dislodged from the tubular distal tip by a pusher member or pressurized fluid to expel the endoluminal device through at the desired location for treatment within the vasculature of a patient. A flexible coil can be mounted to the distal end of the elongated pusher member to provide for improved tracking.

Abstract: The variable stiffness vasoocclusive coil is given variable stiffness along the length of the coil by selectively heat treating certain segments of a primary or secondary coil. The primary coil can be selectively heat treated to form soft or deformable segments along the length of the coil, and can then be shaped into a secondary shape that is set by a heat treatment process. Distal regions of the coil can also be heat treated to make the distal ends of the coil softer, more deformable, or less traumatic.

Abstract: An intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement for treatment of aneurysms is formed of one or more loops of wire of resilient material formed into a series of transverse loops and longitudinal connecting sections to configure an essentially cylindrical reinforcement device that still allows, if desired, access to the neck of an aneurysm for insertion of embolic coils and the like. The proximal and distal regions of the sinusoidal loops may be more tightly coiled than the intermediate regions of the loops, or may have a larger diameter than the intermediate regions. The intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement device can be provided with an outer covering that can be formed as a fiber, and can be woven, or can be formed as a ribbon wound about the intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement device. The wire of resilient material can also be coated with a hydrophilic material. One or more round or oval intermediate loops extending radially outward may also be provided.

Abstract: The three dimensional, low friction vasoocclusive coil has a portion that is three dimensionally box or cubed shaped. The three dimensional box or cubed shaped portion will form a basket for filling the anatomical cavity at the site in the vasculature to be treated. The vasoocclusive device is formed from at least one strand of a flexible material formed to have a first inoperable, substantially linear configuration for insertion into and through a catheter or cannula to a desired portion of the vasculature to be treated, and a second operable, three dimensional configuration for occluding the desired portion of the vasculature to be treated. The vasoocclusive coil may optionally include a portion that is substantially J-shaped or helically shaped, for filling and reinforcing the three dimensional portion.

Abstract: The three dimensional device is adapted to be inserted into a portion of a vasculature for occluding the portion of the vasculature for use in interventional therapy and vascular surgery. The device is formed from a multi-stranded microcable having a plurality of flexible strands of a shape memory material and at least one radiopaque strand. The device can be bundled by an outer cover to constrain the strands of the micro-cable about a longitudinal axis to produce a composite banded cable. The radiopaque strand can have a core strand with a plurality of intermittently spaced apart enlarged radiopaque portions that may be a plurality of beads of radiopaque material spaced apart and mounted on the core strand, or a plurality of coils intermittently wound about and spaced apart on the core strand.

Abstract: The composite guidewire includes an elongated, flexible core formed from a nickel titanium alloy, with a distal tapered portion, a reinforcement tube disposed over the proximal region of the core, a primary coil disposed over the tapered distal region of the core, and a coating of a heat shrinkable material. A distal tip is secured to the distal end of the core. The proximal reinforcement member has a distal tapered portion, to provide for a transition in stiffness of the guidewire. The heat shrinkable coating is formed from an elongated tube of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the distal primary coil is formed from one or more nickel titanium alloy strands or wires, one or more platinum wires, or a combination. The distal tip may be formed of platinum or a tantalum filled epoxy.

Abstract: The variable stiffness electrically conductive catheter shaft includes one or more electrically conductive members, and at least one coaxial layer of heat shrink polymer disposed over the one or more electrically conductive members of a length shorter than the one or more electrically conductive members, to provide variations in stiffness along the length of the shaft. The variable stiffness electrically conductive catheter shaft preferably includes a plurality of coaxial layers of heat shrink polymer encapsulating the one or more electrically conductive members, extending from the proximal end of the one or more electrically conductive members toward the distal end, the plurality of coaxial layers having different lengths to provide the electrically conductive catheter shaft with varying stiffness over the length of the electrically conductive catheter shaft.

Abstract: The shape memory segmented detachable coil assembly includes a plurality of hollow, tubular coil segments, and a plurality of connector members, with adjacent coil segments connected together by the connector members. The connector members are currently preferably hollow, tubular connector members that are advantageously detachable from selected portions of the coil segments by application of energy to one or more selected connector members. A heat activation member is used for heating one or more selected connector members to disconnect selected portions of the coil assembly. The heat activation member typically can be advanced axially through or over the coil assembly, and currently preferably comprises a fiber optic, although the heat activation member can also comprise a heat pipe, or a device for generating heat by RF energy or electrical resistance.

Abstract: The coated superelastic stent is formed from a tube of collagen having an inner structure of a micro-cable made of strands of a material exhibiting super-elasticity or shape memory properties, such as nickel-titanium, and includes a strand of radiopaque material, such as platinum or gold, in order to provide a radiopaque marker during interventional therapeutic treatment or vascular surgery. The collagen tube can be loaded with a therapeutic agent for treatment of the desired site in the vasculature.