Abstract: A delivery sheath for an intravascular emboli capturing filter including an elongate tube having a distal region having a reduced thickness distal wall region. The delivery sheath, according to the present invention, can have a thinner, softer, distal most portion for superior and more benign interaction with vessel interior walls. The present invention includes an intravascular emboli filter system including an elongate shaft having a distal region, an expandable emboli filter operably coupled to the elongate shaft distal region, and an elongate sheath having a lumen therethrough disposed over the elongate shaft. The elongate sheath can have a distally decreasing outside diameter taper or reduced wall thickness region having improved atraumatic characteristics.

Abstract: A guide wire having a coil disposed over the guide wire, wherein the coil is integrally formed of a single wire and has regions of differing properties over its length. Some wire embodiments have longitudinally alternating layer segments having differing properties including radiopacity, lubricity, hydrophilicity, hemo-compatibility, flexibility, malleability, stiffness, and shape memory properties. A coil may have numerous distinct property segments, while being formed from only a single wire and requiring only two points for affixation to the guide wire.

Abstract: Processes of manufacturing polymeric microspheres facilitate the generation of polymeric microspheres of size ranges smaller than 600 microns diameter by forming beads of a predetermined size from a starting material which may include a template polymer, and subsequently contacting the beads with a structural polymer. After crosslinking of the structural polymer has taken place, the template polymer may be removed to form the finished microspheres.

Abstract: Medical device used to cause hemostasis of blood vessels using a clip arrangement delivered to a target region through an endoscope. Method for using the device to cause hemostasis of a blood vessel through an endoscope. Medical device including a reversibly closeable clip, a locking arrangement, a control wire, a sheath, and a handle with an actuating trigger. Through the endoscope, hemostatic clipping device that is fully reversible and lockable. Hemostatic clip that reversibly targets and clips bleeding ulcers.

Abstract: A balloon angioplasty catheter having a balloon head assembly carried at the distal end of an elongated catheter body. The balloon head assembly includes an inflatable balloon envelope and a perfusion lumen extending through the balloon envelope to provide a blood flow passage during inflation of the balloon envelope. The invention also encompasses embodiments having a collapsible guidewire lumen for increasing perfusion blood flow upon guidewire withdrawal. Also within the scope of the invention is a distally stepped down perfusion catheter, allowing for decreased distal cross section. In another preferred embodiment, the perfusion lumen is inflatable. In yet another embodiment, the guidewire lumen is external to the perfusion lumen.

Abstract: Medical devices have material that that has a laser induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS) pattern on at least a portion thereof. The LIPSS pattern is provided by exposing a material surface to a pulsed polarized laser energy fluence below the ablation threshold. The LIPSS pattern is useful for purposes such as reducing contact areas on sliding surfaces, increasing total surface area for adhesions, providing anisotropic reinforcement of a material layer or layers, and to provide multiple channels for directing cell growth.

Abstract: Endoscopic devices and methods used for fastening multiple tissue layers, such as, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The device may include, for example, an elongated tubular member having a proximal end for extending outside of the body and a distal end for positioning proximate the multiple tissue layers, a grasper configured for positioning proximate the distal end of the tubular member and for grasping at least one of the multiple tissue layers, a device coupled to the distal end of the tubular member for folding the multiple tissue layers together, a tissue fastener configured to be inserted into the tissue layers to hold the tissue layers together, and a fastener head for inserting the tissue fastener into the tissue layers.

Abstract: Prostheses with improved chemical and mechanical properties manufactured that includes a radiation resistant and hydrolytically stable biocompatible fabric having outer and first and second ends with a textile fabric that includes a naphthalene dicarboxylate derivative polymer having the general formula: wherein R1 and R3 are the same or different groups and are independently selected from the naphthalene dicarboxylate derivative repeating unit (I), a hydrogen radical and a methyl radical. R2 is an alkylene radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; n is from 10 to 200. Also contemplated are implantable prostheses that are flat constructions useful as patches and filters or tubular constructions useful as vascular grafts. A further aspect of this invention provides a method for making a radiation and thermal resistant and hydrolytically stable, steam sterilizable biocompatible prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards an imaging transducer assembly. Generally, the imaging transducer assembly is combined with a sensor of a medical positioning system. In one aspect, the transducer assembly and the sensor share the same voltage source. In another aspect of the invention, the sensor surrounds a portion of the imaging transducer assembly, forming a housing that reinforces the assembly.

Abstract: The invention in certain aspects relates to a one-piece coil-shaped surgical fastener for fastening tissue segments, especially suitable for fastening segments of the lower esophogeal sphincter and fundus in an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of GERD. The invention also relates to related methods and devices for insertion of such a fastener, especially along a juncture of the surfaces of such tissue segments.

Abstract: Guidewire with an improved distal end. A guidewire with an improved distal end may include a core wire, a solder tip disposed at a distal end of the core wire, a radiopaque inner coil coupled to the distal end of the core wire, an outer coil disposed along the length of the core wire, and a distal hub coupled to the core wire and disposed proximate a distal end of the inner coil.

Abstract: Baskets with atraumatic distal tips allow the capture of material from difficult-to-reach areas of the body, while reducing the risk of tissue damage.

Abstract: An insertion tool for use in inserting a guide wire into a guide wire lumen of a catheter for use in a lumen of an endoscope. The insertion tool includes a main body having a main lumen and a funnel-shaped extension connected to and disposed atop the main body. The funnel-shaped extension having a funnel lumen. The funnel lumen has a top opening and a bottom opening. The funnel lumen tapering from the top opening to the bottom opening. The bottom opening positioned and sized to communicate with the guide wire lumen of the catheter such that, when the catheter is disposed in the main lumen, the guide wire may be easily inserted into the top opening of the funnel lumen and into the guide wire lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip designs including coiled safety/shaping structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for performing endoluminal fundoplication are described. A device is inserted in the patient's stomach through the esophagus, including an unit adapted to grasp and pull a portion of the gastroesophageal junction into the stomach, and an unit adapted to move a portion of the fundus towards the esophagus. The device also can place fasteners to hold the gastric wall and the esophageal wall secured together, thus forming a valve between esophagus and stomach. An adhesive compound can be used to stabilize the juncture of the two walls.

Abstract: Medical probe kits and methods for treating tissue regions (e.g. tumors) are provided. The kit comprises a delivery cannula and an ablation probe. The delivery cannula comprises a shaft, a lumen extending through the shaft, and a plurality of windows formed through a wall of the shaft in communication with the cannula lumen. The ablation probe is configured to be removably disposed within the cannula lumen. The ablation probe has a shaft and proximal and distal arrays of electrodes that are deployable from the probe shaft. The electrodes of the proximal array are configured to be deployed out from the respective windows when the ablation probe is disposed within the cannula lumen. The electrodes of the distal array may be configured to be deployed out from an axial opening at the distal end of the cannula shaft when the ablation probe is disposed within the cannula lumen.

Abstract: A controllable sheath for optimizing the control of surgical instruments at the operation site includes a flexible sheath surrounding an endoscope and including a lumen extending along the walls of the sheath and adjacent to the endoscope. The lumen permits the passage of surgical instruments from the proximal end of the endoscopic device to the operation site. The lumen extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope and deflects at the distal end as desired by the operator's manipulation of a controller device. This distal end deflection may occur through various different techniques where the ability to deflect the lumen gives the operator increased control and maneuverability over the surgical implements located in the lumen. Depending upon the particular requirements of the surgical procedure, the controllable sheath may include any number of lumens capable of distal end deflection.

Abstract: In an assembly of a balloon mounted on a catheter and a stent mounted over the deflated balloon, the balloon is provided with a fugitive plasticizer before the stent is crimped over the balloon. The fugitive plasticizer can soften the balloon surface so that molding of the balloon surface to conform to the crimped stent occurs. The fugitive plasticizer is removed before the assembly is used.

Abstract: A tubular, expandable prosthesis comprises a framework with a plurality of openings therethrough and a carbon nanotube sheet. The carbon nanotube sheet extends across at least one of the openings.

Abstract: An assembly for occluding a vascular site (e.g., an aneurysm) of a human or veterinary patient includes a vaso-occlusive member, a pusher member having a distal end and a severable junction located proximal to the distal end, and a pivotable coupling that couples the pusher member to the occlusive member. A delivery catheter can be used to deliver the vaso-occlusive member to the vascular site. A method of using the assembly to occlude an aneurysm having an aneurysmal sac and an aneurysmal neck, comprises locating the catheter within the aneurysmal neck, and manipulating the pusher member to place the vaso-occlusive member within the aneurysmal sac. The method further comprises severing the severable junction to detach the vaso-occlusive member from the pusher member. As a result, an axial force is applied by the vaso-occlusive member in a proximal direction, which buckles the pivotable coupling to laterally deflect the axial force.