Abstract: This is a device for occluding a space within the body, and particularly, it is useful as a vaso-occlusive device. In particular, it typically comprises a metallic core or core member, and two polymeric conjuncts, often polymeric members, of differing thrombogenicity. Typically, the core member will comprise a metallic helically-wound coil; the first polymeric member and second polymeric member will be fibrous materials woven into a braid. These devices may be placed at the desired site within a mammal to facilitate the formation of an occlusion. The inventive device has been found to promote the formation of scar tissue, healing tissue, or neocapillaries in vascular occlusions made by the device.

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: This is a braided tubular structure made up of a plurality of interwoven fibrous members, preferably ribbons, a majority of which comprise one or more superelastic and (at least) ternary alloys of nickel, titanium, and at least about 1.5% (wt) of one or more alloying members selected from the group consisting of vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, and cobalt.

Abstract: This relates to a composition of matter comprising partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate solutions suitable for use as embolic agent precursors. In addition, a procedure for introducing the solutions into the human body to form precipitated embolic occlusion masses is shown. Finally, a procedure for treatment of hepatic tumors using portal vein embolism is described.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical instrument and specifically is a device for delivering embolic coils to a selected site within the vasculature of a human body via use of a catheter. The invention further includes the coils. In particular, the device uses embolic coils having interlocking ends, e.g., clasps or hooks, on the ends of the coils. The coils may further be secured to each other by a control wire within the catheter. Retraction of the optional control wire into the catheter body uncouples the distal coil.

Abstract: This is a vasoocclusive device which, as used, is in the approximate shape of an anatomical cavity. It may be deployed as a sphere, an ovoid, or other distorted spherical shape. The device is a self-forming shape made from a pre-formed vasoocclusion member. Prior to deployment, the vasoocclusive device is sufficiently straight that it is able to be pushed from a vascular catheter without excessive friction. The vasoocclusion member may be a small helical coil or braid variously comprising a suitable metal, or, in the case of a braid, such metal may be co-woven with various polymeric or natural fibers. Fibers may be introduced onto the device and affixed to the 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.

Abstract: This is an assembly for controllably delivering vaso-occlusive devices to a selected site within the vasculature or other lumen of the human body by the use of a catheter. In particular, the device includes a holding member which is at least generally tubular and has an opening through the tubular wall. The vaso-occlusive device to be delivered has on one end a mating member which may be at least partially pressed into the opening in the wall of the holding member. The mating member attached to the vaso-occlusive member is held in the opening with an interference wire. The interference wire is axially movable within the holding member and has a diameter sufficient to hold the mating member within the wall opening. Upon proximal movement of the interference wire, the mating member becomes free to leave the holding member. The interference wire may be tapered or not. The vaso-occlusive member may be a helically wound coil or a braid or other appropriate form.

Abstract: This is a bloodflow-directable infusion catheter which may be used in cardiovascular and endovascular procedures to deliver diagnostic, therapeutic, or vaso-occlusive agents to a target site accessible through the vasculature. The device is a flow-directed infusion catheter having a variety of sections of different flexibilities with tapered junctions between those sections. Additionally, at least some of the inventive catheter's sections have radio-opaque markers at or near the distal end of the individual sections. The more distal section or sections of the inventive catheter may be severed from the catheter body by the physician user so that the remaining catheter has a suitable diameter for the chosen task and the resulting severed end has a radio-opaque marker showing the catheter's distalmost end.

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: An embolic coil having an enlarged member, such as a ball, attached thereto. The coil is released from a delivery catheter by forcing the enlarged member through an aperture in a socket situated on the distal end of a pusher assembly housed within the delivery catheter.

Abstract: This is 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 is a section of a catheter used in making a catheter assembly suitable for accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. The catheter section uses a braided metallic reinforcing member, typically of superelastic 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. The catheter sections may be used alone or in conjunction with other catheter sections either made using the concepts shown herein or made in other ways.

Abstract: This is a catheter assembly having an expandable balloon adjustably positionable over a polymeric delivery catheter shaft.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. In particular, it is a catheter suitable for treating a tissue target within the body, which target is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of stiffener ribbons, typically metallic, wound within the catheter body in such a way as to create a catheter having controllable stiffness.

Abstract: This is a device for capturing and removing bodies or articles from within a vessel, such vessels as may be found in the vascular system or the genital urinary tract. It includes a core wire which has attached at its distal end a plurality of fibers. The core wire may be introduced through a catheter to a selected site and further advanced and "twirled" to engage the offending foreign body. The retriever and its targeted foreign body are then withdrawn using the catheter.

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 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 a 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 useable within typical vascular catheters.

Abstract: This is a micro-vaso-occlusive device intended generally for occlusion of small arteries located distally in the vasculature. The invention is made up of a binder portion, often radio-opaque, which is short in length in comparison to the length of the included thrombogenic fibers. The fibers from the other portion of the device. The micro device may have multiple binder sections. The fibers may be straight, looped, or tufted.