Abstract: An injection device for use with tissue of a mammalian body comprising a first tubular member and a second tubular member slidably disposed in the first tubular member. The first and second tubular members have respective proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity of the second tubular member is provided with a needle that is extendable from the distal extremity of the first tubular member. The proximal extremity of the second tubular member is lockable relative to the proximal extremity of the first tubular member. The second tubular member has a column strength when locked within the first tubular member for limiting retraction of the second tubular member relative to the first tubular member during puncture of the tissue by the needle.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to an improved medical imaging device. In one embodiment, an imaging device includes a drive shaft having proximal and distal ends received within the lumen; and an imaging transducer assembly. coupled to the distal end of the drive shaft and positioned at the distal portion of the elongate member. The imaging transducer assembly includes one or more imaging transducers formed with a piezoelectric composite plate using photolithography based micromachining.

Abstract: An embodiment of a medical retrieval device includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle at the proximal end of the sheath, and a basket. The basket has a collapsed position when the basket is within the sheath and collapsed and an expanded position when the basket is positioned beyond the distal end of the sheath and expanded. The basket includes a plurality of legs, at least one leg having a frangible portion wherein the at least one leg breaks upon application of a predetermined force to the basket. A distal portion of the plurality of legs may be formed from a single piece of material.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for fast and accurate image segmentation through the application of a multi-stage classifier to an image data set. An image processing system is provided having a processor configured to apply a multi-stage classifier to the image data set to identify a distinctive region. The multi-stage classifier can include two or more component classifiers. The first component classifier can have a sensitivity level configured to identify one or more target regions in the image data set and the second component classifier can have a specificity level configured to confirm the presence of the distinctive region in any identified target regions. Also provided is a classification array having multiple multi-stage classifiers for identification and confirmation of more than one distinctive region or for the application of different classification configurations to the image data set to identify a specific distinctive region.

Abstract: A telescoping catheter is adapted to provide improved support and protection for a drive cable by providing, in addition to an outer sheath and a telescoping sheath, an inner sheath surrounding the drive cable. The outer sheath has a relatively larger diameter, to allow for a flared end of the telescoping sheath to pass freely within the outer sheath. The inner sheath protects and supports the drive cable when the telescoping catheter is extended and the drive cable would otherwise only be protected and supported by the outer sheath having a diameter too large to provide the desired amount of support and protection for the drive cable.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to an improved intravascular device. In one embodiment, an intravascular device includes a catheter having proximal and distal portions, and a phased array of imaging elements, having edge elements each having angles of emission, located in the distal portion of the catheter, wherein the phased array is concaved having a radius of curvature such that when the phased array is steered in a maximal azimuthal direction, the angles of emission of the edge elements are substantially similar.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for the improved three-dimensional imaging of the an internal body lumen of a living being. A medical imaging system is provided which can include an image processing system and a medical imaging device. The medical imaging device can be insertable into the internal lumen and can include an image acquisition system configured to image the lumen and detect the position and orientation of the image acquisition system within the lumen. The image acquisition system can output the image, position and orientation data to the image processing system to be used by the processing system to generate and display a virtual three-dimensional image of the internal lumen to the user. The user can use various software tools provided by the image processing system, such as distance and area measuring tools, to interact with the image.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to an improved medical imaging device. In one embodiment, an imaging device includes a drive shaft having proximal and distal ends received within the lumen; and an imaging transducer assembly coupled to the distal end of the drive shaft and positioned at the distal portion of the elongate member. The imaging transducer assembly includes one or more imaging transducers formed with a piezoelectric composite plate using photolithography based micromachining.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for a balloon dilatation catheter includes an elongate tubular member having a neck portion and a slit extending along the entire length of the tubular member from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, wherein a distal portion of the tubular member is flared from the neck portion to the distal end of the tubular member to define an enlarged funnel-like opening.

Abstract: Alloy compositions suitable for fabricating medical devices, such as stents, are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the compositions have small amounts of nickel, e.g., the compositions can be substantially free of nickel.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis for treatment of a condition in a lumen in the vicinity of a branch lumen, the lumen being adapted to resist migration, is provided. In one embodiment, the prosthesis includes a substantially tubular main stent adapted for placement in the main lumen. A substantially tubular anchor stent is connected to the main stent and adapted for placement in the branch lumen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocompatible, three-dimensional scaffold useful to grow cells and to regenerate or repair tissue in predetermined orientations. The scaffold is particularly useful for regeneration and repair of cardiac tissue. The scaffold contains layers of alternating A-strips and S-strips, wherein the A-strips within each layer are aligned parallel to each other and preferentially promote cellular attachment over attachment to the S-strips. Methods of producing and implanting the scaffold are also provided.

Abstract: A multiple catheter system is described. In one embodiment a medical catheter system includes a first catheter having an entrance orifice, an exit orifice, a channel connecting the entrance orifice and the exit orifice, and a wall surrounding the channel. In this embodiment the hardness of the wall surrounding the channel decreases in in hardness, increases in hardness and then decreases in hardness again, when considered from an initial reference point at the entrance orifice and traveling towards the exit orifice. Another medical catheter system includes a first catheter having an entrance orifice, an exit orifice, a channel linking the entrance orifice and the exit orifice, and a first wall surrounding the channel wherein the first wall has a bendable curve memory portion.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device, and related method, for removing material (such as calculi and stones) from the body of a patient has the ability to capture and readily release material. The retrieval device includes a basket having at least one loop with first and second ends including a plurality of bead elements. The first end of the loop is immovable and the second end of the loop is slideably movable.

Abstract: Compositions comprising absorbable implantable vaso-occlusive members are described. Also described are methods of making and using these absorbable vaso-occlusive compositions.

Abstract: A method for treating a mammalian body having tissue comprising creating a cavity in the tissue formed by an internal surface of the tissue. The internal surface is ablated. An implant-forming material is introduced into the cavity to create an implant in the tissue. The ablation of the internal surface inhibits migration of the implant. An apparatus and kit for use with the method are provided.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for a medical device insertable into the body of a living being having an imaging device with a layout that is adjustable from an undeployed layout, where the imaging device is insertable into the inner lumen of a medical device, to a larger deployed layout, where the imaging device preferably has a larger imaging aperture. The medical device can also include a flexible membrane coupled with or located on the distal end of the medical device. The flexible membrane can be expanded or inflated to create a spatial operating region for the deployed imaging device.

Abstract: A graft is provided that is adapted to be secured to a stent surrounding the graft. The graft includes an inner layer of a non-porous material, and an outer layer of material laminated to the inner layer. The graft further includes a plurality of fastening elements adapted to be secured to a stent surrounding the graft. An underside of each fastening element is fixed between the inner layer and the outer layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an endoscope, particularly a bronchoscope, incorporating one or more multifunctional component made of a material that is multifunctional. The endoscopes of this invention comprise at least one multifunctional component having more than one function wherein the functions were previously performed separately by individual components.

Abstract: A graftless prosthetic stent for treatment of vascular lesions such as aneurysms and arterio-venous fistulas, especially in neurovascular vessels, comprises a continuous helical ribbon formed of a shape-retaining metal having a transition temperature at which the stent expands from its contracted condition to a radially expanded condition, the stent remaining substantially cylindrical in its contracted and expanded conditions. The helical windings have variable width, thickness, number or size of openings, or combinations of these features, which affect the stiffness, rate of expansion at the transition temperature, and the area of vessel wall covered by the stent. A catheter device which includes the stent, and a method of treatment using the stent are also provided.