Abstract: A device for inhibiting blood leakage from the proximal end of a catheter. The device includes a resilient body having a proximal portion and a distal extension portion extending away from the proximal portion and terminating at a first end. The proximal portion and the distal extension portion share a common axis and together define a generally cylindrical passage at least partially therethrough. The distal extension portion is shaped to interface with the catheter and in a substantially sealing relationship. The cylindrical passage is sized to receive a surgical guidewire therein in close apposition.

Abstract: The invention is directed a delivery system for implantation a self-expanding medical device in a body which includes a control handle and a catheter portion. The catheter portion includes an outer restraining member which covers the collapsed, medical device, an inner catheter member having a distal end including a region upon which the medical device is mounted, and an outer sheath which is removably attached to the control handle. The outer sheath creates a conduit for the catheter portion to prevent the inner catheter member from moving axially when the outer restraining member is retracted. The control handle has a rotatable thumbwheel to actuate a retraction mechanism attached to the proximal end of the outer restraining member which moves the restraining member in a proximal direction to deploy the medical device.

Abstract: A sealing device for sealing punctures in blood vessel walls including a flange connected to a flexible stem having an expansion portion in it. The flexible stem is adapted to be accommodated inside a delivery tube. The delivery tube further includes a hand-hold for ease of handling. The sealing device may further include a loader and a cutter. The flange and flexible stem are preferably constructed of a biodegradable material that has a tensile strength, rigidity, memory and other physical qualities similar to medical grade silicone. The resilient transverse expansion portion expands when deployed beyond the delivery tube in the tissue tract to create a frictional interface with the interior surface of the tissue tract to resist displacement of the flexible stem from a desired location in the tissue tract. The flexible stem also includes a flange at the distal end of the flexible stem to seal the puncture when the flexible stem is deployed.

Abstract: An abdominal tissue support for supporting excess abdominal adipose tissue away from the femoral crease to facilitate the maintenance of a sterile field for femoral puncture procedures. The abdominal tissue support may generally include a waist belt, at least one support apron affixed to the waist belt and a strap arrangement. The abdominal tissue support may also include a movable support apron slidable along the length of the waist belt. The strap arrangement may be securable at a patient's shoulders or to a fixture located near the patient's head.

Abstract: A catheter assembly configured for retrieval of medical devices from vasculature. The catheter includes an outer catheter and an inner catheter. The inner and/or outer catheter can include a tapered terminal end portion. A mandrel can be provided to facilitate advancement of the assembly within vasculature.

Abstract: A sealing device for sealing punctures in blood vessel walls including a flange connected to a flexible stem having an expansion portion in it. The flexible stem is adapted to be accommodated inside a delivery tube. The delivery tube further includes a hand-hold for ease of handling. The sealing device may further include a loader and a cutter. The flange and flexible stem are preferably constructed of a biodegradable material that has a tensile strength, rigidity, memory and other physical qualities similar to medical grade silicone. The resilient transverse expansion portion expands when deployed beyond the delivery tube in the tissue tract to create a frictional interface with the interior surface of the tissue tract to resist displacement of the flexible stem from a desired location in the tissue tract. The flexible stem also includes a flange at the distal end of the flexible stem to seal the puncture when the flexible stem is deployed.

Abstract: Safe and convenient methods and devices for inexpensively and rapidly treating pseudoaneurysms and other subcutaneous pools of blood utilize an apparatus with an applicator that can be grasped by a user at its proximal end and which has a distal portion that can be percutaneously inserted into a pseudoaneurysm. The distal portion has at least one retaining structure on at least one surface; the retaining structure(s) serve to collectively retain a clotting agent as the distal portion is inserted into the pseudoaneurysm. The clotting agent in the retaining structure(s) is exposed to blood in the pseudoaneurysm and initiates a clotting cascade. Since the clotting agent is in the retaining structure(s) and is not forcibly injected into the blood, the clotting cascade causes blood to clot at or near the surface of the applicator. The clot is associated with the applicator until the distal portion of the applicator is removed from the pseudoaneurysm.

Abstract: A device for sealing an opening or puncture in the wall of a blood vessel or other percutaneous openings. The device includes a shaft section member of a small diameter, with an expandable balloon and atraumatic tip at its distal end. The proximal end of the device has an inflation/deflation port which is utilized to inflate the balloon once it is in place within the blood vessel or other body cavity. The entire device is placed through a hemostasis vascular introducer or sheath, which is used during invasive percutaneous vascular procedures. The balloon is inflated and withdrawn until it engages the inner surface of the blood vessel. A procoagulant is injected via the introducer to the puncture. After a predetermined time period, the balloon is deflated and the device is withdrawn.

Abstract: A device for sealing an opening or puncture in the wall of a blood vessel or other percutaneous openings. The device includes a shaft section member of a small diameter, with an expandable balloon and atraumatic tip at its distal end. The proximal end of the device has an inflation/deflation port which is utilized to inflate the balloon once it is in place within the blood vessel or other body cavity. The entire device is placed through a hemostasis vascular introducer or sheath, which is used during invasive percutaneous vascular procedures. The balloon is inflated and withdrawn until it engages the inner surface of the blood vessel. A procoagulant is injected via the introducer to the puncture. After a predetermined time period, the balloon is deflated and the device is withdrawn.

Abstract: A device for sealing an opening or puncture in the wall of a blood vessel or other percutaneous openings. The device includes a shaft section of a small diameter, with an expandable balloon and atraumatic tip at its distal end. The proximal end of the device has an inflation/deflation port which is utilized to inflate the balloon once it is in place within the blood vessel or other body cavity. The entire device is typically placed through a vascular sheath, which is used during invasive percutaneous vascular procedures. The balloon is inflated and withdrawn until it engages the inner surface of the blood vessel or body cavity. The sheath is withdrawn from within the blood vessel or other body cavity to the outside of the body. A fixation collar loaded onto the shaft of the device allows for securement in place, within the blood vessel or other body cavity.

Abstract: A procoagulant designed to effect hemostasis at a puncture site in a patient's vasculature without the aid of manual compression is comprised of lyoplilized thrombin that is reconstituted with a buffered diluent and collagen that is mixed with the reconstituted thrombin to produce a viscous mixture. The buffered diluent is preferably of sodium phosphate and water. The procoagulant is essentially isotonic and has a pH in the range of 5-10. The method of making the procoagulant is comprised of the steps of reconstituting the lyophilized thrombin with the buffered diluent and then, mixing the reconstituted thrombin with collagen to both reduce the size of the particles of the collagen and form a fluid mixture.

Abstract: A vascular sealing device for effecting closure of a puncture or other opening in a blood vessel, or other body cavity, which has been entered through percutaneous techniques. The device is useable with a standard percutaneous vascular introducer. The vascular sealing device generally comprises a body or shaft, an adapter disposed at a proximal end of the shaft, and a balloon portion disposed generally at a distal end of the shaft. A core wire is connected to the distal end and extends, internally, through a lumen of the device for deflation of the balloon. A procoagulant is introduced through the introducer, or alternatively through an additional lumen and associated apertures, and to the puncture sealed by the inflated balloon. Subsequently, the balloon is deflated and the device is removed from the sealing puncture, with or without the aid of a reaccess sheath.