Abstract: A solderless sacrificial link between a detachable member which is placed at and is intended to remain at a desired site within the mammalian body and the core wire used to introduce the detachable member. The detachable member device may be one used to create emboli in the vascular system or may be of any other type deliverable into the human body and detached into an ionic aqueous environment, either for later removal or permanent placement.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical instrument and specifically is a device for delivering embolic coils to a selected site within the vasculature or other lumen of a human body via use of a catheter. The invention includes the coils as well. In particular, the device uses embolic coils having a receiving slot on one end of the coil; a catheter control wire or pusher guidewire having a hook which cooperatingly engages the coil's receiving slot is used as a coil pusher to eject the coil at the chosen site. The coils of this invention may also be placed within the lumen with a catheter in a nose-to-tail fashion and pushed into the body lumen. Pushing the coil assembly via the pusher from the distal end of the catheter body uncouples the most distal coil.

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. The retaining device may be placed in the body temporarily or permanently. 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 percutaneous medical device and related methods for its use. More particularly, it is a percutaneous catheter having ends which are interchangeably capable both of distal introduction into a delivery device lumen or body space and of proximal coupling to other medical devices.

Abstract: This is a distal-most section of a catheter suitable for treating a tissue target within the body, which target is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is a multi-component or multi-layer catheter section used distally on an endovascular catheter. In particular, the inventive catheter section has at least one interior stiffener member and an exterior tubing member. Between the at least one interior stiffener member and the exterior tubing member is a metallic braid.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for the formation of occlusions in spaces in the human body, occluding such as thrombi in arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations and arteriovenous fistulas. In particular, it deals with a one piece assembly having an improved electrolytically erodable link to an occlusive member and further having an incorporated return electrode in the assembly. The occlusion-forming member is introduced to and is intended to remain at the desired occlusion site. The invention also relates to the joint itself. The invention further includes a method for introduction and electrolytic separation of the device.

Abstract: This is a catheter device for delivering vaso-occlusive materials or devices to a desired site with the body. The catheter is a single lumen valved balloon catheter that enhances the accurate placement of the vaso-occlusive material or device. The balloon may be positioned such that it blocks the opening to a vascular malformation such as an aneurysm. In one embodiment, the balloon is automatically inflated as the vaso-occlusive material or device engages a constrictive feature near the distal end as the device is discharged. The catheter device may also have a lengthened distal section that may be placed within the malformation or aneurysm to improving the filling capability of the device. The catheter device may be constructed to have a number of advantageous radioopaque markers to aid in accurately discharging the vaso-occlusive material or device.

Abstract: This is a surgical device usually delivered through an intravascular catheter. It is designed to pierce and remove emboli often found in tortuous vasculature. The device includes several sections. The device has a core element. Placed around the distal end of the core wire is a collapsible but self expanding embolism collection assembly. That collector assembly is typically joined to the core wire at its distal end. The collector assembly may have a generally conical distal portion when expanded and may have a proximal section having varied purposes, e.g. for centering the collector assembly in the vascular lumen. The assembly further may have an actuator which permits the collector assembly to expand after deployment.

Abstract: This is a surgical device usually delivered through an intravascular catheter. It may be used in several ways. It may, for instance, be used to open a clear passageway adjacent thrombus to allow both blood and medication to bypass the clot. It may be used to pierce and to remove thrombus. These thrombus are often found in tortuous vasculature. The device includes several sections. The device has a core element, typically a core wire. Placed around the distal end of the core element is a collapsible but preferably self expanding proximal cage assembly and a distal filter, preferably a self-expanding cage assembly or other filter component. The various portions of those components are preferably radio-opaque. The proximal end of the proximal cage is typically is affixed to an actuator in such a way as to allow expansion of the cage after deployment.

Abstract: This is a device for bridging the neck of either a wide-necked or narrow-necked aneurysm in the vasculature and stabilizing the presence of vaso-occlusive devices (such as helically wound coils) in that aneurysm. The retainer assembly may be delivered from its attachment to the distal end of a tubular member preferably by the severance of by an included electrolytically severable joint. The retainer assembly itself typically has a number of array elements which are intended to be resident within the aneurysm after the device is deployed from the distal end of a catheter. After deployment of this retainer, the aneurysm is at least partially filled with a vaso-occlusive device such as helically wound coils.

Abstract: This is a device for bridging the neck of either a wide-necked or narrow-necked aneurysm as may be found in the vasculature. It may be used to stabilize the placement of vaso-occlusive devices such as helically wound coils in the aneurysm or may be used to, at least partially, close the aneurysm neck. The vaso-occlusive devices, commonly helically wound coils, are delivered by a core wire which is linked to the coils by an electrolytically severable joint. The core wire will often be insulated. The retainer assembly itself is also attached to another delivery device, such as a core wire, and desirably is severed from the core or delivery wire by the use of another electrolytically severable joint. The inventive neck bridge typically has a number of array elements which are intended to be resident within the aneurysm after the device is deployed from the distal end of a catheter. Central to this invention is the use of array elements having differing flexibility or constituent members of the array elements, e.

Abstract: The invention involves a catheter for introducing a delivery member such as a guidewire having an implant coupled thereto via an electrolytically disintegratable link that is coupled to the anode of a power supply having an anode and a cathode. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular member having an outer surface, proximal and distal end portions, a lumen extending between those portions, an electrode and a conductor. The electrode is disposed within the outer surface of the tubular member in the vicinity of the distal end portion and has a surface that faces and communicates with the lumen. The electrode is electrically coupled to the conductor which, in turn, is adapted for coupling to the power supply cathode such that when the electrolytically disintegratable link is placed in an ionic solution, such as can be found in an aneurysm, and positive current is provided from the power supply to the link, current from the link may return to the cathode of the power supply via the electrode.

Abstract: A solderless sacrificial link between a detachable member which is placed at and is intended to remain at a desired site within the mammalian body and the core wire used to introduce the detachable member. The detachable member device may be one used to create emboli in the vascular system or may be of any other type deliverable into the human body and detached into an ionic aqueous environment, either for later removal or permanent placement.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. In particular, it 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 invention is the use of a stiffener ribbon, typically metallic, wound within the catheter body in such a way as to create a catheter having controllable stiffness. The stiffener ribbon is adhesively bonded to a flexible outer tubing member so to produce a thin wall catheter section which is exceptionally flexible but highly kink resistant. The catheter sections made according to this invention may be used in conjunction with other catheter sections either using the concepts shown herein or made in other ways. Because of the effective strength and ability to retain a generally kink-free form, these catheters may be effectively used in sizes which are quite fine, e.g., 0.015" to 0.020" in diameter, and usable within typical vascular catheters.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating an aneurysm in a vessel that isolates a volume around the aneurysm, evacuates that volume and heats the aneurysmal wall. A catheter includes one or more inflatable balloons for defining the isolated volume and occluding and preventing any blood flow through the volume. Suction applied through the catheter to the isolated volume withdraws any blood in the isolated volume and displaces the tissue for contact with a thermal source that heats the aneurysmal wall. When the treatment is completed, the balloons are deflated and the catheter is removed from the vessel.

Abstract: This is a device for bridging the necks of wide-necked or narrow-necked aneurysms in the vasculature. It is a device which may be used by itself to bridge the neck of an aneurysm or used to stabilize the presence of other vaso-occlusive devices such as helically wound coils in that aneurysm. The included vaso-occlusive devices may be delivered to the aneurysm in a variety of different ways, e.g., by a core wire which is linked to the coils by an electrolytically severable or mechanically detachable joint. The vaso-occlusive devices may also be simply pushed into the aneurysm. The aneurysm neck bridge may also be delivered in a variety of ways, but preferably is attached to an electrolytically severable joint for its deployment. The inventive neck bridge may contain one or two sections: a first or inner section to be placed within the aneurysm and an optional second or outer section suitably placed outside the aneurysm.

Abstract: This is an implantable vaso-occlusive device. It is a complex, helically wound coil having multiple secondary layers of primary windings. The final shape is often chunky in nature and may be used in the approximate shape of an anatomical cavity. It may be deployed in the approximate shape of a sphere, an ovoid, or other distorted spherical shape. The device is a self-forming shape made from a pre-formed linear vaso-occlusion member. 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 anatomically shaped vaso-occlusive device into appropriately shaped forms and annealing them to form various devices.

Abstract: This is a catheter having a shaft, the layers of which are coextruded in an intermittently changing pattern that produces particular mechanical and frictional properties in the structure. The outer layer of the catheter shaft is comprised of a material which has greater flexibility than the material which comprises the inner layer of the catheter shaft. The stiffer material which comprises the inner layer has frictional properties which facilitate guidewire passage and control. The invention includes the substituent shaft per se and a method of making the shaft.