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 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 The retriever and its targeted foreign body are then withdrawn using the catheter.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.

Abstract: This is a surgical device. In particular, it is a guidewire having a metallic core and specifically having a distal section comprising a number of fibers. The fibered distal tip is shapeable using, e.g., steam or hot air, and causes much less trauma than would a coil of similar capabilities.

Abstract: This is an implantable vaso-occlusive device. It is typically a vaso-occlusive coil comprised of 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 fixedly attached within at least a portion of the primary coil. The stretch-resisting member may be formed into coil tips at the ends of the coil by melting the polymeric fibers or alloys or by attaching the fibers with a glue. This stretch-resisting member is for the primary purpose of preventing stretching of the coil during movement of that coil, e.g., by retrieval or repositioning after deployment. The device typically has a self-forming secondary shape made from a pre-formed primary linear helically wound coil, although it need not have the secondary form. External fibers may be attached to the device and affixed to the pre-formed linear member to increase. The vaso-occlusive member may be also be covered with a fibrous braid.

Abstract: This invention is an exceptionally flexible, ultrasoft vaso-occlusive or embolism forming device. It is made of a radiopaque material which may be braided or coiled to form a long, thin threadlike device having little rigidity or column strength. The diameter of the device may be less than about 0.010 inches. The device is sufficiently flexible and small that it may be hydraulically delivered to a site within the vasculature of the human body using an injected drug or fluid flush through a catheter. The device assumes a loose, random mass of threadlike material after being ejected from the catheter tip at the chosen vascular site.

Abstract: This is a composite guidewire for use in a catheter. It is used in medical procedures that involve accessing specifically targeted inner body areas without major surgery. The composite guidewire is especially useful for accessing peripheral soft tissue targets. The guidewire may be a multi-section guidewire assembly preferably having super-elastic alloy ribbon braided reinforcements along at least a portion of the core. The guidewire core may be of a stainless steel or a high elasticity metal alloy, preferably a Ni--Ti alloy. A variation of the guidewire also preferably includes a braid on the exterior of the core wire with an exterior polymeric coating to the most distal portion of the assembly and preferably assembled using adhesives such as epoxies.

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 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 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 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 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 device is made up of a binder, often radio-opaque, which may be short in length by comparison to the length of the included thrombogenic fibers. The fibers form the other portion of the device. At least one end of the device includes a solid but comparatively soft end typically made of a molten mass of the fibers. The micro device may have multiple binder sections. The fibers may be straight, looped, or tufted.

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 by forming a sheet of the coating on the substrate and simultaneously drying and crosslinking through heat and radiation.

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 invention is a guidewire for guiding a catheter and is used for accessing a targeted site within a lumen system in a body. The guidewire or guidewire section has a wire core, a distal tip region, a polymeric tie layer, and a lubricious coating. The tie layer is preferably constructed to provide for sections of varying flexibility along the length of the guidewire. Variations of the tie layer provide for axially spaced sections of varying flexibility, radially layers of varying flexibility of both. In a special variation, the tie layer is constructed with at least one section providing increased stiffness distally.

Abstract: This is a composite 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 core or guidewire section may be of a stainless steel or a high elasticity metal alloy, preferably a Ni--Ti alloy, also preferably having specified physical parameters. The composite guidewire assembly is especially useful for accessing peripheral or soft tissue targets. Variations include multi-section guidewire assemblies having (at least) super-elastic distal portions and super-elastic braided reinforcements along the mid or distal sections. A variation of the inventive guidewire includes the coating of the wire with a tie layer and then with a one or more lubricious polymers to enhance its suitability for use within catheters and with the interior of vascular lumen.