Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope channel cap that may be used separately with two or more endoscopes each having a cap interface portion with a different configuration. The channel cap also may include one or more seals to maintain insufflation pressure both when an endoscopic instrument is inserted in a working channel of the endoscope and when the instrument is not inserted in the channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for, and a method of, accurate positioning of endoscopic instruments. Accurate positioning of the instruments is accomplished through the inclusion of a steering ability within the device. After the endoscopic instrument is properly positioned, the present invention may use rapid exchange technology, soft locks, and mechanical locks to maintain the position of the endoscopic instrument. Rapid exchange technology is used to minimize displacement forces present on the guidewire or catheters. Soft locks and mechanical locks resist movements caused by displacement forces.

Abstract: In certain aspects of the invention, an extrusion apparatus for making a multilayer article includes multiple discs, each of which has at least one passageway configured to permit fluid flow therethrough in a flow direction. At least one of the discs includes a cone shaped portion extending substantially parallel to the flow direction.

Abstract: Introducer Device comprises (a) Housing including (1) Housing Lumen sized and shaped to slidably receive a visualization device therein and (2) Slot sized to receive therein a projection extending from visualization device received in Lumen radially away from Lumen; (b) Sheath extending distally from handle and being sized and shaped for insertion through a natural body opening into a hollow body organ, Sheath including a fluid delivery lumen delivering heated fluid to the organ and a fluid return lumen withdrawing the fluid after it has been circulated through the organ; (c) Connector including Connector Lumen aligned with Lumen and sized and shaped to slidably receive therein visualization device; (d) Locking arrangement movably coupled to Housing, movement relative to the housing opening and closing Slot; and (e) Adjustment mechanism moving Connector relative to Housing to adjust distance between a proximal end of Connector Lumen and a distal end of Sheath.

Abstract: Retrievable blood clot filter devices implantable within a blood vessel, including methods and apparatuses for retrieving such devices, are disclosed. The retrievable blood clot filter device can include an apical head, and a plurality of elongated filter legs configured to expand between a collapsed position and an expanded position within the blood vessel. A bendable anchoring member disposed on one or more filter support members can be used to secure the blood clot filter device along the inner wall of the blood vessel. The anchoring members can be configured to bend and retract into a number of filter tubes slidably disposed along the support members, allowing the blood clot filter device to be removed with a retrieval apparatus.

Abstract: Tissue can be removed from a patient with a catheter or other medical device having a cutting member. A source of suction can be coupled to the device for suctioning removed tissue through a lumen in the device and out of the patient's body.

Abstract: A system for ablating tissue includes a reusable control unit including a processor monitoring and controlling ablation and a control interface receiving input to and output from the processor in combination with a disposable procedure set releasably connectable to the control unit to couple to the control interface for communication with the processor.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter introduced through the groin and inferior vena cava into the right side of the heart comprises an elongate flexible shaft having a steerable distal section and a prolapsing section located proximally of the distal section. The distal section is inserted into the coronary sinus and a back-steering force is applied to the catheter to anchor the distal section therein, after which the catheter is further advanced to prolapse the prolapsing section against the high right atrium. Electrical pathways in both the coronary sinus and the high right atrium are mapped using respective electrode pairs carried on the distal and prolapsing sections of the catheter.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention may include a medical device. The medical device may include a flexible tube, an elongate member configured to cut tissue and extend from the flexible tube, and a cauterizing member configured to cauterize tissue and to move relative to the elongate member and the flexible tube. The cauterizing member may substantially surround at least a portion of the elongate member.

Abstract: A crimping fixture for crimping a stent onto a balloon of a catheter is disclosed. The crimping fixture includes a flexible elastomeric body having a crimping lumen and one or more inflation lumens extending through the flexible elastomeric body. The flexible elastomeric body is elastically stretched such that a pre-crimped stent may be placed in the crimping lumen. The inflation lumens are then pressurized with a fluid to impart an inward crimping force onto the stent to crimp the stent to a balloon.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery and deployment device includes an elongate and flexible outer catheter. The outer catheter has a tubular wall of layered construction, including a translucent inner liner running the complete catheter length, and three outer layers including a translucent distal layer, an opaque medial layer and an opaque proximal outer layer. The outer layers are adjacent one another and are bonded to the liner. A braid composed of helically wound metal filaments is disposed between the liner and the proximal and medial outer layers, and includes a distal portion between the liner and a proximal portion of the distal outer layer. The liner and distal outer layer provide a translucent distal region of the catheter that is adapted to constrain a radially self-expanding prosthesis in a radially reduced, axially elongated state. Because the stent constraining region is translucent, an endoscope can be used to visually monitor the stent when so constrained.

Abstract: A method of occluding a vessel, comprises forming an incision through tissue covering the vessel to expose a portion of the vessel and looping a first suture around the vessel such that ends of the first suture extend out of the incision in combination with closing the incision with the ends of the first suture protruding through the closed incision, placing a force distribution element over the incision and tightening the first suture over the force distribution element to form a kink in the vessel.

Abstract: An adaptor for use with a medical catheter comprises a housing having a first tubular channel with a first longitudinal axis, a dial having a second tubular channel with a second longitudinal axis, and an adaptor fitting removably connected to the second tubular channel. The dial is rotatable between an open position and a closed position when the adaptor fitting is connected thereto. In the open position the first tubular channel is fluidly connected to the second tubular channel, and in the closed position the first tubular channel is not fluidly connected to the second tubular channel. The dial may be configured such that it is not rotatable between the open position and the closed position when the adaptor fitting is not connected thereto. The housing may comprise an upper housing member, an intermediate housing member, and a lower housing member.

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 constructions and/or designs including methods and techniques of construction are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical probe includes an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, an ablative element mounted to the distal end of the elongate member, and a cage assembly mounted to the distal end of the elongate member, the cage assembly at least partially covers the ablative element. A method of treating tissue in a body includes inserting an ablative element in the body, placing the ablative element adjacent the tissue, and maintaining a distance between the ablative element and the tissue using a protective catheter element that circumscribes at least a portion of the ablative element.

Abstract: Methods for making medical devices having porous coatings. Methods may comprise providing a tubing section having inner and outer surfaces and positioning a nozzle proximate to a target surface of the parent tubing section. A powder form of the porous coating may be delivered toward the tubing section, and a laser may be directed at the powder to melt the powder to form a melt pool. The melt pool can solidify to form the porous coating on the target surface. Portions of the parent tubing section may then be cut away to form the support structure of the medical device, such as a stent.

Abstract: Described herein are implantable medical devices comprising a biocompatible polymer comprising a triggerable bioadhesive property that allows the device to adhere to body tissue. The triggerable bioadhesive property of the polymer can be triggered or activated by exposure to a stimulus. Also, the present invention pertains to methods of making an implantable medical device comprising a biocompatible polymer comprising a triggerable bioadhesive property that allows the device to adhere to body tissue.

Abstract: A new multiple component stent arrangement which allows for initial self-expansion and subsequent deformation to a final enlarged size.

Abstract: A method is provided for altering a drug release profile of a coating of a medical device by increasing a surface area of the coating of the medical device. The method may include indenting the coating using a crimping apparatus, a rolling apparatus, or a clamping device. The method may alternatively or additionally include changing a chemical composition of at least one coating component to increase a roughness of a texture of the coating, and/or drying or partially drying the coating before the coating impacts the medical device.

Abstract: A device for penetrating tissue includes an elongated element having a distal end, a proximal end, a body extending between the distal and the proximal ends, and a lumen located within at least a portion of the body, wherein the lumen has a cross-sectional shape that is a polygon. A device for penetrating tissue includes an elongated element having a distal end, a proximal end, and a body extending between the distal and the proximal ends, at least a portion of the body having a cross-sectional profile that is a polygon, wherein the elongated element is a cannula.