Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The elongate tubular member comprises a relatively stiff proximal section and a relatively flexible distal section. The proximal section includes an inner tubular liner, a first stiffener comprising a metal alloy, and a second stiffener comprising a non-metal alloy. The first and second stiffeners are coaxially wound exterior to the proximal inner liner. The distal section includes a distal inner tubular liner and the second stiffener coaxially wound exterior to the distal inner liner. The first stiffener terminates before reaching the distal section.

Abstract: This is an implantable vaso-occlusive device. The device has a complex, three-dimensional structure in a relaxed configuration that may be used in the approximate shape of an anatomical cavity. It may be deployed in the approximate shape of a sphere, an ovoid, a clover, a box-like structure or other distorted spherical shape. The loops forming the relaxed configuration may pass through the interior of the structure. 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 balloon catheter having braided layer which extends generally from the proximal end of the catheter to a location distal of the balloon. In particular, it is desirable that the shaft of the catheter proximal of the balloon be stiffest at the proximal section and least stiff just proximal of the balloon. Although the catheter may be a single lumen catheter using some type of a core wire to act as a valve for inflation and deflation of the balloon, it is within the scope of the invention to include either a separate inflation/deflation lumen or one incorporated into the various concentric polymeric layers used to make up the proximal shaft. Particularly preferred is the use of an elastic, compliant balloon.

Abstract: A vaso-occlusive device having an inner coating and a water-soluble outer coating. Methods of preparing the devices are also provided.

Abstract: A device for occluding a space within the body, and particularly,the device usefle as a vaso-occlusive device. In partiular, the device typically comprises a metallic core or core member, and two polymeric conjuncts, often polymeric members, of differing thrombogenicity. Typically, the core member comprises a metallic helically-wound coil; the first polymeric member and second polymeric member are fibrous materials woven into a braid. The device may be placed at the desired site within a mammal to facilitate the formation of an occlusion. The device promotes the formation of scar tissue, healing tissue, or neocapillaries in vascular occlusions made by the device.

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: An implantable vaso-occlusive device, constructed of a helically wound coil having a central section along its longitudinal axis which is somewhat stiffer than at least one of its end regions.

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 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 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 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 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.