Abstract: An occlusive implant delivery assembly includes a rapid response decoupling or detachment mechanism that does not effect significant migration of the implant during release. The assembly includes an occlusive implant device, such as an embolic coil, a pusher or device to carry the implant to the selected location, and an expandable coupling-decoupling mechanism for releasing the implant at the selected site. The mechanical construction provides rapid release times. In addition, the releasing mechanism generally operates without exerting any significant force on the implant, thereby avoiding any significant displacement of the implant during release.

Abstract: This is an implantable vaso-occlusive device. It is a complex, helically wound coil comprised of a primary helically wound coil which is then wound into a specific secondary shape. The final shape upon deployment is in the approximate shape of an anatomical cavity. upon deployment, the device first fills the periphery of the cavity and then continues to infill the center. The device is a self-forming shape made from a pre-formed linear helically wound. Fibers may be introduced onto the device and affixed to the pre-formed linear member. The constituent member may be also be covered with a fibrous braid. The device is typically introduced through a catheter. The device is passed axially through the catheter sheath and assumes its form upon exiting the catheter without further action. The invention also includes methods of winding the vaso-occlusive device into appropriately shaped forms and annealing them.

Abstract: This invention is in the general field of surgical instruments. It relates specifically to catheters which may be used in cardiovascular and endovascular procedures to deliver diagnostic, therapeutic, or vaso-occlusive agents to a target site within a human or animal body which is accessible by a system of natural passageways within that body. The catheters are coated in such a way that they are exceptionally slippery and the coating is very durable. The invention also relates to methods of coating the catheters and to methods of applying lubricious coatings.

Abstract: This is a delivery catheter assembly used typically, but not exclusively, in the peripheral vasculature of the human body. The catheter is configured in such a way that the lumen is exceptionally large and the catheter wall is exceptionally thin for a catheter of this class. The distal portion of the catheter contains a kink-resisting member, preferably a super-elastic alloy ribbon braid, which is embedded in the catheter wall. Proximally of the kink-resisting member, the catheter typically will have no other kink-resisting members. Finally, the catheter assembly uses long conical joints between component tubular members to provide smooth and strong transitions between those members.

Abstract: A coil-delivery device (20) for delivery of a vaso-occlusion coil (11) to a vascular target site via a catheter (12) is disclosed. The device includes a wire (22) adapted to be slidable received within the lumen (18) of a catheter (12) or an introducer (34), the wire (22) having at its distal end a stiff wavy wire (28) segment adapted to frictionally and releasably engage a vaso-occlusion coil (11) by the end-region inner lumen of the vaso-occlusion coil. Also disclosed are a catheter assembly employing the coil-delivery the device, and a method of releasably engaging a vaso-occlusion coil with the device.

Abstract: This is a catheter section having a number of radially placed holes through the catheter section wall and a catheter assembly including that section. That catheter assembly may be used in accessing and treating a tissue target within the body, typically one which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the catheter section is the presence of a braided metallic reinforcing member, typically of super-elastic alloy ribbon, situated in such a way to provide an exceptionally thin wall, controlled stiffness, high resistance to kinking, and complete recovery in vivo from kinking situations. The orifices in the section are optimally placed in the interstices between the turns of the braid. The braid may have a single pitch or may vary in pitch along the axis of the catheter or catheter section. The braided ribbon reinforcing member typically is placed between a flexible outer tubing member and an inner tubing member to produce a catheter section which is very flexible but highly kink resistant.

Abstract: This is an implantable vaso-occlusive device. It is typically a vaso-occlusive coil comprising a primary helically wound coil which may then be wound into a secondary shape. Central to the invention is the use of a stretch-resisting member extending through the lumen formed, which stretch-resisting member is fixedly attached, directly or indirectly, to the coil in at least two locations. The stretch-resisting member is preferably somewhat loose within the interior of the lumen so to prevent the coil from collapsing, binding, and therefore stiffening during passage of turns through the human body. The coil should bend easily. In some variations of the invention, the stretch-resisting member may be formed into coil tips at the ends of the coil using simple equipment such as soldering irons or the like. The tips are typically of the same diameter as is the coil body itself. This stretch-resisting member is for the primary purpose of preventing stretching of the coil during movement of that coil, e.g.

Abstract: This is a medical device for forming an embolism within the vasculature of a patient. More particularly, it is a vaso-occlusion device at least partially coated with a bioactive agent, a collagenous material, or a collagenous coating optionally containing or coated with other bioactive agents. A coated vaso-occlusive device which is highly flexible is also a variation.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. In particular, it is an implant which may be used to occlude vascular lumens, arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations, arteriovenous fistulas, or other cavities and lumens within a mammalian body. It is typically a substrate coil or braid to which a number of fibers have been secured using heat.

Abstract: This is a surgical device particularly a perfusion catheter having an inflatable membrane or balloon located at the distal end of the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft is comprised of an outer tubing assembly and an inner tubing assembly separated by an open annulus for inflating and deflating the inflatable membrane. The assembly may additionally comprise an inflatable membrane which is detachable. The outer tubing assembly is made up of at least one polymeric layer and a braid which may be polymeric or metallic, perhaps of a super-elastic alloy. At least a portion of the inner tubing assembly is made up of at least one polymeric layer and preferably a super-elastic metallic braid. The inner tubing assembly includes a lumen through which a guidewire may pass. It is further desirable that the inner tubing assembly include a coil member which generally is coextensive with the balloon along its axis. That lumen is preferably lined with a lubricious polymer.

Abstract: This is an artificial occlusion kit for implanting and retaining an artificial occlusion device in a body space adjacent to and extending from a body lumen in a mammal. The includes at least one occlusion device and a retaining device for blocking the migration of the occlusion device out of the occlusion site. The retaining device is radially expandable at a retaining site adjacent the body space to be occluded to a diameter that is sufficient to engage the body lumen wall at the retaining site and form a barrier across the entrance zone of the body space to be occluded. The expanded retaining device also forms a lumen for flow through body lumen at the retaining site. At least one semi-penetrable space may also be provided in the retaining device, allowing introduction of occlusion devices into the body space to be occluded, but preventing subsequent migration of the occlusion devices out of the body space.

Abstract: This is a catheter assembly which may be used in accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of a braided metallic reinforcing member, typically of a stainless steel or super-elastic alloy ribbon, situated within the catheter body in such a way to create a catheter section having a thin wall, controlled stiffness, and high resistance to kinking. The distal-most section of the catheter is much more flexible than are other braided catheters of the genre due to choice of braid construction features of that distal-most section. The distal-most braid, and optionally, intermediate braid components are constructed to be more flexible than the more proximal sections due to deletion of ribbons from the braid structure, change of ribbon material, and change of pitch. The various sections include braids which may have a consistent pitch or may vary in pitch along the axis of the catheter or catheter section.

Abstract: This is a section of a catheter which self-forms a selected shape upon application of a modest amount of heat and retains that shape upon cooling and, indeed, upon any reheating. The catheter section includes in its wall a forming member which typically comprises a super-elastic alloy oven braid or at least one coil. The forming member may include other materials and components in addition to the super-elastic element of the forming member. The forming member is typically covered by at least an outer polymeric covering which holds the forming member in a first shape prior to the heating step. Upon softening of the outer layer during that heating step, the forming member self-forms into the desired second shape. The catheter section may be used either in its first shape or its second shape or in any transitional shape between the two. Often the inner lumen of the forming member may contain a second polymeric tubing member. The inner polymeric tubing member is often lubricious.

Abstract: This is an implant for placement in the human body and an assembly for so placing that implant. Most desirably, it is an implant for use in the vasculature of the human body and is used to occlude some space in that vasculature as a portion of a treatment regimen. The implant itself is preferably a component of a deployment device using an electrolytically severable joint. The implant component is at least partially covered with a highly resistive or insulative covering. The highly resistive or insulative layer or covering appears to enhance the susceptibility of the electrolytic joint to quick erosion and thus detachment of the implant. Although the implant itself is preferably a vaso-occlusive device, it may instead be a stent, a vena cava filter, or other implant which may be installed in this manner. The implant may be independently coated with insulative or resistive material or may be formed using a material with such as tantalum, which forms such an insulator or resistor in situ.

Abstract: This is a catheter suitable for accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the concept of the catheter is the use of a reinforcing member wound within the catheter body in such a way to create a catheter having an exceptionally thin wall, excellent kink-resistance, and controlled stiffness. The catheter assembly desirably is constructed of: (a) an inner, polymeric, lubricious liner, (b) a first, helically wound coil over at least the more distal portions of the inner liner, (c) a second, helically wound coil exterior to the first coil located at least on the more proximal portion of the assembly, and (d) one or more outer polymeric coverings exterior to the second coil. Further polymeric layers may also be placed between the outer polymeric covering and the helically wound coils. The outer polymeric covering may be composed of a series of different polymeric compositions to provide suitably differing flexibilities to the assembly.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. In particular, it is an implant which may be used to occlude vascular lumens, arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations, arteriovenous fistulas, or other cavities and lumens within a mammalian body. It is typically a substrate coil or braid to which a number of fibers have been secured using heat.

Abstract: This is a catheter assembly and a section of that catheter assembly. That catheter assembly may be used in accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of a braided metallic reinforcing member, typically of super-elastic alloy ribbon, situated within the catheter body in such a way to create a catheter having an exceptionally thin wall, controlled stiffness, high resistance to kinking, and complete recovery in vivo from kinking situations. The braid may have a single pitch or may vary in pitch along the axis of the catheter or catheter section. The braided ribbon reinforcing member typically is placed between a flexible outer tubing member and an inner tubing member to produce a catheter section which is very flexible but highly kink resistant.

Abstract: This is a device for bridging the neck of a wide-necked or narrow-necked aneurysm in the vasculature. In general, it is a device used to stabilize aneurysms found in the vasculature by at least partially closing the opening to that aneurysm with consequent limiting of the amount of blood flowing into and out of the chamber. The device is generally made of a metallic or polymeric sheet and is of a shape which may be deployed using a catheter. The device typically has three major components: the central closure area, the centrifugal stabilizers, and the axial stabilizers. The device is intended to be a permanent implant and may be used with or without occlusive devices and materials placed inside the aneurysm volume.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. It is a guidewire for use in a catheter and is used for accessing a targeted site in a lumen system of a patient's body. The guidewire may be of a high elasticity metal alloy, preferably a Ni-Ti alloy, having specified physical parameters, and is especially useful for accessing peripheral or soft tissue targets. A special variation of the inventive guidewire includes the concept of coating the wire with a one or more lubricious polymers to enhance its suitability for use within catheters and with the interior of vascular lumen. The "necked" guidewire tip also forms a specific variant of the invention.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical instrument and specifically is a device for delivering an embolic coil to a selected site within the vasculature of a human body via use of a catheter. In particular, the device uses embolic coils having interlocking clasps on the coils which are secured to each other by a control wire within the catheter. Retraction of the control wire into the catheter body uncouples the distal coil.