Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include devices for obtaining tissue including a proximal actuator and a distal assembly having first and second end effectors. The first and second end effectors include the features of at least one element within the inner surface either of the first and second end effectors for aiding in the capture and retention of a targeted tissue sample.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel stent apparatuses for use in treating lesions at or near the bifurcation point in bifurcated cardiac, coronary, renal, peripheral vascular, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, urinary and neurovascular vessels and brain vessels. More particularly, the invention concerns a stent apparatus with at least one side opening which may further comprise an extendable stent portion laterally extending from the side opening and at least partly in registry with the wall of the side opening.

Abstract: An elongate medical device including an inner elongate member, a reinforcing member, and an outer tubular member is described. The reinforcing member may be a helically wound continuous wire including a first portion having a first cross-sectional profile, a second portion having a second cross-sectional profile, and a transition region located between the first portion and the second portion. The first cross-sectional profile may be different from the second cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the first cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular and the second cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular.

Abstract: A cryoplasty catheter and method for preventing or slowing reclosure of a lesion following angioplasty. The cryoplasty catheter includes a shaft having proximal and distal ends and a dilatation balloon disposed at the distal end. An intake lumen and exhaust lumen are defined by the shaft to deliver coolant to the balloon and to exhaust or drain coolant from the balloon. The method in accordance with the present invention includes cooling a lesion to aid in remodeling the lesion through dilatation and/or freezing a portion of the lesion adjacent the dilatation balloon to kill cells within the lesion to prevent or retard restenosis.

Abstract: A tissue engineering composition adapted for application to an interior surface of a body lumen of a patient. The composition comprises (a) a carrier medium that is adapted to flow and to stably adhere the composition to the body lumen and (b) microcapsules, which are dispersed within the carrier medium and which contain one or more living cells encapsulated within a coating that includes a biodegradable polymer. The composition promotes growth of the cells on the lumen surface subsequent to application of the composition to the lumen.

Abstract: A catheter for medical procedures comprises a shaft portion having a distal end insertable into a body lumen, the shaft portion having a wall defining a working lumen extending therewithin and a first strengthening element coupled to the wall to increase a burst pressure of the shaft portion, wherein the first strengthening element cooperates with a base material of the wall to define a flexible region of the shaft portion allowing the shaft portion to be atraumatically inserted into the body lumen.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to internal (e.g., implantable, insertable, etc.) drug delivery devices which contain the following: (a) one or more sources of one or more therapeutic agents; (b) one or more first electrodes, (c) one or more second electrodes and (d) one or more power sources for applying voltages across the first and second electrodes. The power sources may be adapted, for example, to promote electrically assisted therapeutic agent delivery within a subject, including electroporation and/or iontophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second electrodes are adapted to have tissue of a subject positioned between them upon deployment of the medical device within the subject, such that an electric field may be generated, which is directed into the tissue. Furthermore, the therapeutic agent sources are adapted to introduce the therapeutic agents into the electric field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-size catheter for use in biliary endoscopic procedures. The multi-size catheter comprises an outer diameter defined by a plurality of superimposed peelable layers. The peelable layers allow the multi-size catheter to function as a single operator exchange catheter without the need, and additional expense, of an endoscope sheath. Before positioning the multi-size catheter within the working channel of an endoscope, the peelable layers may be selectively removed in order to obtain an outer diameter for the catheter that is less than, but approximate to, the inner diameter of the working channel of the endoscope. The resulting fit eliminates the potential for a guidewire to slip out of the guidewire channel and become pinched between the catheter and the endoscope working channel. With an incorrect fit, a pinched guidewire would restrict the desired movements of both the guidewire and the catheter.

Abstract: An imaging endoscope comprising a shaft having a proximal end adapted to be secured to a handle, and a distal end having a biopsy forceps disposed therein. The biopsy forceps includes one or more end-effector elements that are actuated with a control cable that may be connected to the handle. The endoscope shaft includes a biopsy sample lumen that is configured to receive a biopsy sample obtained from the forceps assembly. A sample collection apparatus is attached to the handle to capture multiple biopsy samples. In some embodiments, the endoscope is a single-use endoscope.

Abstract: Some embodiments of pacing systems employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy. The wireless electrode assemblies may wirelessly receive energy via an inductive coupling so as to provide electrical stimulation to the surrounding heart tissue. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assembly may be pivotable so that the proximal end of the wireless electrode assembly may be shifted to a position against the heart wall after the distal end has been secured to the heart wall.

Abstract: The present invention includes catheters and catheter shafts having a curved portion, for example, a curved distal portion. The curved distal portion may be formed by subjecting the distal portion, which might include one or more polymeric segments or layers, to heat at or above the melt temperature thereof. Heating at or above the melt temperature may to reduce residual stress and eliminate heat history.

Abstract: A kit for treating a gastrointestinal tract of a mammal and including a package and a tubular needle, an end piece and a container of an implant-forming material carried within the package. The end piece has an outer surface provided with at least one recess and an internal passageway communicating with the recess. The end piece is mounted on the distal extremity of an elongate probe member and introduced into the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract. A portion of the wall of the gastrointestinal tract is drawn into the recess and the tubular needle is extended through the elongate probe member and the internal passageway into the portion of the wall in the recess. Material from the container is loaded into the tubular needle and injected into the portion of the wall to form an implant in the wall.

Abstract: A method of managing catheter data for a catheter-based imaging system includes coupling a catheter to a control module. The catheter includes a memory structure that includes catheter management data. The control module includes a processor. The catheter management data is accessed from the memory structure using the processor. Patient tissue is imaged using control module settings that are selected based, at least in part, on the accessed catheter management data. At least one image is displayed based, at least in part, on the imaged patient tissue.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter and a delivery element. The catheter has a distal end with a distal tip, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length. The catheter includes a body that defines a central lumen extending along the catheter to the distal end. The catheter also includes a forward-facing transducer array disposed at the distal tip of the catheter. The transducer array is configured and arranged for transforming applied electrical signals to acoustic signals and also for transforming received echo signals to electrical signals. At least one catheter conductor is electrically coupled to the transducer array and extends along the catheter. The delivery element is disposed in the lumen of the catheter. The delivery element includes a distal tip that is configured and arranged for contacting patient tissue. The distal tip of the delivery element is configured and arranged to extend beyond the distal tip of the catheter.

Abstract: A bifurcated catheter assembly has an undeployed state and a deployed state. The assembly comprises a bifurcated inflation shaft defining a shaft inner lumen, a first balloon defining a first balloon lumen, and a second balloon defining a second balloon lumen. The inflation shaft has a first inflation shaft defining a first lumen and a second inflation shaft defining a second lumen. The first balloon defines a first balloon lumen which is in fluid communication with the first lumen. The second balloon defines a second balloon lumen which is in fluid communication with the second lumen. The second balloon has a conical shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling coating material deposition on to a medical device. Images of material drops in flight are captured and an average single drop volume value is calculated by conversion of the captured drop images to a volume measurement. The average single drop volume value is used to calculate a total number of drops necessary to apply a desired amount of coating. Alternately, material is applied and the amount of material deposited is accumulated and adjustments are made to deposit only a desired amount of coating material. A drop volume is determined for either every drop or a sampling of drops as the drops are being applied. Adjustments to the coating process include changing drop size and changing a number of drops to be deposited.

Abstract: A rapid exchange sheath comprising an elongate tubular member, a guidewire, and support wire having an expandable filter at a distal end. The guidewire passes through a first opening at a distal end of the tubular member and a second opening a short distance proximal from the distal end. The support wire is received in a lumen of the tubular member, or, in certain embodiments, extends proximally through a third opening a short distance proximal from the distal end. Methods of using the sheaths for deploying and/or exchanging medical device(s) in a patient's vessel are also disclosed.

Abstract: In at least one other embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently from other cells of the stent. The side branch structure comprises a first serpentine ring, a second serpentine ring and a plurality of side branch connectors. The first serpentine ring extends around the inner side branch cell and comprises alternating inner turns and outer turns. The second serpentine ring extends around the first serpentine ring and comprises alternating inner turns and outer turns. The second serpentine ring has the same number of outer turns as the first serpentine ring. Each side branch connector spans between the first serpentine ring and the second serpentine ring in a side branch radial direction.

Abstract: A stent for maintaining an open passageway through a body lumen, such as the prostatic urethra of a male patient, includes an elongated segment including a flexible polymer material bridging a plurality of hoops. The elongated segment defines a lumen extending therethrough and has a distal end. A retention structure may be coupled to the distal end of the elongated segment to inhibit the distal end from migrating when the stent is placed within a body of a patient. The flexible polymer material is disposed between the plurality of hoops, thereby creating hinged members that allow for the spaces between the hoops to expand and contract longitudinally to accommodate prostatic swelling when the stent is placed within the prostatic urethra of the patient.

Abstract: A stent comprises a plurality of connected serpentine circumferential bands. Adjacent serpentine circumferential bands are connected via a plurality of longitudinal connectors extending between peaks on one serpentine circumferential band and troughs on the serpentine circumferential band adjacent thereto. The struts of the serpentine bands are arranged such that on expansion of the stent, peaks and troughs which are substantially circumferentially aligned with one another, but not connected with one another, on adjacent serpentine circumferential bands are circumferentially displaced from one another.