Abstract: An intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter or wire for imaging body tissue, including a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite thereto, and an outer surface having a plurality of ultrasound transducers operatively attached thereto that provide real-time and continuous imaging of the body tissue along an entire length of the body tissue. A method of using an IVUS catheter or wire for imaging tissue in real-time, by inserting an IVUS catheter in the body of an individual, wherein the IVUS catheter includes a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite thereto, and an outer surface having a plurality of ultrasound transducers, and providing real-time and simultaneous imaging of tissue with the plurality of ultrasound transducers. Methods of performing trans cardiac echocardiography, trans esophageal echocardiograph, imaging the bladder and prostate, and imaging the gastrointestinal system.

Abstract: Catheters and methods for supporting a guidewire or delivering a radiopaque, diagnostic or therapeutic agent through a vessel stenosis or other tortuous anatomy are disclosed. A catheter can comprise an elongate shaft body and a tip member disposed at a distal end of the shaft body. The shaft body can extend from a proximal end to the distal end and can define an inner lumen. The shaft body can include a liner, a braid member surrounding the liner, a multi-layer coil surrounding the braid member, and a polymer cover surrounding the multi-layer coil. The multi-layer coil can include first and second coil layers wound in opposing directions. An outer surface portion of the polymer cover can include one or more helical threads. In an example, the one or more helical threads are positioned around a distal end portion of the shaft body. The tip member can be made from a metal or a polymer and can also include one or more helical threads around its outer surface.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting biological or other material from contamination through the steps of filling, freeze-drying, packaging, storing and use are disclosed. A system can include a flexible container, a membrane configured to transmit air or solvent vapor out of the flexible container, and a membrane frame supporting the membrane and engaged with at least one column member. The at least one column member can be configured to maintain the membrane and the membrane frame a spaced distance from one or more contents received within the flexible container. Upon application of a downward force, the at least one column member can assume a collapsed configuration. A method can include inserting a biological material, for example, into a flexible container, freeze-drying the biological material, moving the freeze-dried biological material to a portion of the flexible container that includes at least one port, and sealing the biological material within the portion.

Abstract: Catheter assemblies, kits and methods allowing for the drainage or administration of fluid or small particles are disclosed. A catheter assembly can include a shaft with a lumen, an expandable retention member, an elongate actuation member and a locking mechanism. The expandable retention member can be positioned at a shaft distal end portion and can include one or more filaments forming a plurality of drainage or administration interstices of variable or uniform size. The elongate actuation member can include an actuation member distal end, directly or indirectly engaged with the expandable retention member, and an actuation member proximal end. Movement of the actuation member proximal end relative to a proximal end of the shaft can cause the expandable retention member to change from a lower-profile configuration to a higher-profile configuration. A moved position of the elongate actuation member can be secured by rotating, sliding or otherwise manipulating the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Assemblies, kits, and methods for occluding a vascular vessel, such as a varicose vein, are disclosed. An assembly can include a removable inner member, a removable outer member, and an elongated expandable member positioned in a compressed form between portions of the inner and outer members. To facilitate their removal, one or both of the inner and outer members can include a handle coupled to a proximal end. The elongated expandable member can include a gelatin material or a collagen material that is configured, when wetted, to expand from a compressed first diametrical size to a second larger diametrical size within a time period of 5 minutes or less. At the second larger diametrical size, the gelatin or collagen material can occlude a vascular vessel for a period of at least 20 days without degrading.

Abstract: This patent document discloses assemblies and methods for removing obstructive material from a body vessel or other cavity. An assembly can include an elongate inner member, an elongate outer member, an aspirator, one or more valves, and a waste collection reservoir. Each of the elongate members can extend from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion and can include a lumen therethrough. The elongate inner member can be partially disposed in the lumen of the elongate outer member and can be moveable along its longitudinal axis relative to the elongate outer member. The aspirator can be in flow communication with the proximal end portion of the elongate inner member for drawing the obstructive material into or through its lumen. The one or more valves can be configured and positioned to allow obstructive material removed from the body vessel or cavity to be urged toward the waste collection reservoir.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for locating a geometric plane within a patient's vasculature, for example, an entry plane to a valve, are disclosed. In one example, a medical device can include a body member and an expandable element. The body member can extend along a longitudinal axis of the medical device and at least partially define a lumen. The body member can include at least one opening disposed in fluid communication with the lumen. The expandable element can include at least two radiographic markers and can be movable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration. The at least two radiographic markers can be disposed within the lumen when the expandable element is in the first configuration. The at least two radiographic members can be disposed outside of the lumen and can be radially offset from the longitudinal axis when the expandable element is in the second configuration.

Abstract: Vascular dilator systems, kits, and methods allowing for sheathless introduction of a treatment device into a body vessel or body cavity are disclosed. A vascular dilator system can include a dilator assembly, including a tubular shaft and a deformable member, and optionally, the treatment device. The deformable member can include a non-biodegradable material and can have a diameter at a proximal end portion that is greater than a diameter at a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the deformable member can be coupled to an outer surface of the tubular shaft, at or near a shaft distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the deformable member can include a diameter configured to receive or stretch around a distal end portion of the treatment device. In use, the deformable member can provide a tapered bridge between the outer surface of the tubular shaft and an outer surface of the treatment device.

Abstract: Catheter assemblies, kits and methods allowing for the drainage or administration of fluid or small particles are disclosed. A catheter assembly can include a shaft with a lumen, an expandable retention member, an elongate actuation member and a locking mechanism. The expandable retention member can be positioned at a shaft distal end portion and can include one or more filaments forming a plurality of drainage or administration interstices of variable or uniform size. The elongate actuation member can include an actuation member distal end, directly or indirectly engaged with the expandable retention member, and an actuation member proximal end. Movement of the actuation member proximal end relative to a proximal end of the shaft can cause the expandable retention member to change from a lower-profile configuration to a higher-profile configuration. A moved position of the elongate actuation member can be secured by rotating, sliding or otherwise manipulating the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A vein removal device includes a housing, a blade element disposed at least partially within the housing, and a hook element disposed at least partially within the housing. A cutting edge of the blade element is selectively exposed for making an incision in a patient. The blade element is disposed at one end of the housing and the hook element may be disposed at an opposite end of the housing. The blade element may be selectively exposed via actuation of a first user input that imparts a movement of the blade element relative to the housing and towards an extended position where the cutting edge of the blade element is exposed. The blade element may be biased toward the extended position via a biasing element, which may urge the blade element toward the extended position responsive to actuation of the first user input.

Abstract: Vascular dilator systems, kits, and methods allowing for sheathless introduction of a treatment device into a body vessel or body cavity are disclosed. A vascular dilator system can include a dilator assembly, including a tubular shaft and a deformable member, and optionally, the treatment device. The deformable member can include a non-biodegradable material and can have a diameter at a proximal end portion that is greater than a diameter at a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the deformable member can be coupled to an outer surface of the tubular shaft, at or near a shaft distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the deformable member can include a diameter configured to receive or stretch around a distal end portion of the treatment device. In use, the deformable member can provide a tapered bridge between the outer surface of the tubular shaft and an outer surface of the treatment device.

Abstract: A self-expanding, pseudo-braided device embodying a high expansion ratio and flexibility as well as comformability and improved radial force. The pseudo-braided device is particularly suited for advancement through and deployment within highly tortuous and very distal vasculature. Various forms of the pseudo-braided device are adapted for the repair of aneurysms and stenoses as well as for use in thrombectomies and embolic protection therapy.

Abstract: Assemblies, kits, and methods for occluding a vascular vessel, such as a varicose vein, are disclosed. An assembly can include a removable inner member, a removable outer member, and an elongated expandable member positioned in a compressed form between portions of the inner and outer members. To facilitate their removal, one or both of the inner and outer members can include a handle coupled to a proximal end. The elongated expandable member can include a gelatin material or a collagen material that is configured, when wetted, to expand from a compressed first diametrical size to a second larger diametrical size within a time period of 5 minutes or less. At the second larger diametrical size, the gelatin or collagen material can occlude a vascular vessel for a period of at least 20 days without degrading.

Abstract: A self-expanding, pseudo-braided device embodying a high expansion ratio and flexibility as well as comformability and improved radial force. The pseudo-braided device is particularly suited for advancement through and deployment within highly tortuous and very distal vasculature. Various forms of the pseudo-braided device are adapted for the repair of aneurysms and stenoses as well as for use in thrombectomies and embolic protection therapy.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for catheter and guidewire management in a surgical setting. In one implementation, the device includes a housing having a curved bottom surface for accommodating the shape of a patient's leg. A retaining member is included, which can retain one or more guidewires, catheters, or the like. In another embodiment, the housing may include a number of vertical supports between which are mounted at least one retaining member housing. The retaining member housing may in turn house a retaining member, suitable for receiving and retaining one or more elongated devices such as catheters or guidewires. The retaining member may have a suitable size, shape, and level of flexibility to allow a catheter or guidewire to be placed therein and held with a desired level of force until such a time as a user desires to remove the catheter or guidewire.

Abstract: Assemblies, kits, and methods for occluding a vascular vessel, such as a varicose vein, are disclosed. An assembly can include a removable inner member, a removable outer member, and an elongated expandable member positioned in a compressed form between portions of the inner and outer members. To facilitate their removal, one or both of the inner and outer members can include a handle coupled to a proximal end. The elongated expandable member can include a gelatin material or a collagen material that is configured, when wetted, to expand from a compressed first diametrical size to a second larger diametrical size within a time period of 5 minutes or less. At the second larger diametrical size, the gelatin or collagen material can occlude a vascular vessel for a period of at least 20 days without degrading.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.