Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward systems, methods, and apparatuses that include an occlusion device having a barrier member. The barrier member may include an enlargeable portion and a tail portion extending from the enlargeable portion. The enlargeable portion and the tail portion are releasably coupled to the delivery catheter such that the tail portion is radially unsupported and collapsible upon deployment.

Abstract: Poly(tetramethyl-p-silphenylenesiloxane) (PTMPS) membranes and porous articles made therefrom that have a matrix tensile strength in at least one direction from about 1 MPa to about 50 MPa, a matrix modulus greater than about 100 MPa in at least one direction, a porosity greater than about 30%, and a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils are provided. The PTMPS polymer forming the PTMPS membranes and porous articles has a crystallinity of at least about 70%, a polydispersity from 1 to 5, and a weight average molecular weight from about 350 kDa to about 5 MDa. The PTMPS membranes may be asymmetric, meaning that the observed pore structure on one side of the PTMPS membrane is different than the pore structure on the opposing side of the PTMPS membrane. Methods of forming porous PTMPS articles are provided. Dense PTMPS articles and methods of making the same are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise occlusion and drug delivery devices and methods. One aspect of the disclosure comprises a drug delivery device comprising an inner expansion member and an outer drug delivery component. Another aspect of the disclosure comprises bioabsorbable, lumen-occluding implants.

Abstract: The invention relates to medical devices and methods of using them. The devices are prostheses which can be percutaneously deliverable with (or on) an endovascular catheter or via other surgical or other techniques and then expanded. The prostheses are configured to have a lattice resistant to dilation and creep, which is defined by a plurality of openings. The prosthesis may also optionally have a stent disposed proximal to the lattice. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite materials exhibit high elongation while substantially retaining the strength properties of the fluoropolymer membrane. In at least one embodiment, the lattice is made of a composite material that includes a least one fluoropolymer membrane including serpentine fibrils and an elastomer. A lattice including a generally tubular member formed of a composite material including a least one fluoropolymer membrane containing serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is also provided.

Abstract: Glaucoma treatment systems are disclosed. In various example, the glaucoma treatment systems include a body and a fluid conduit configured to facilitate an evacuation of fluid, such as aqueous humor, from a fluid-filled body cavity, such as an anterior chamber of an eye. In some examples, the fluid conduit is soft and compliant, and the glaucoma treatment system includes one or more stiffening members coupled with the fluid conduit to temporarily stiffen the fluid conduit and help aid in the delivery of the glaucoma treatment device. In some examples, the stiffening members are removable from the fluid conduit after the glaucoma treatment system has been implanted.

Abstract: A device that retains high moisture capacity in the presence of certain contaminants. The device can include a substrate and a desiccant. The device can be configured in relation to an enclosure such that the device absorbs and desorbs moisture from the enclosure.

Abstract: A syringe for storing and delivering a fluid that includes (1) a stopper and (2) a plunger rod assembly is provided. The plunger rod assembly includes a plunger rod and a threaded member at a plunger-engaging end. The stopper may be formed of an elastomeric material. The stopper has an exterior surface and an inner cavity. The inner cavity of the stopper may have a generally frustoconical shape with at least one engagement surface. The threaded member contacts at least one engagement surface in the inner cavity of the stopper to support the plunger rod assembly in an integrated, non-threaded engagement with the stopper. In some embodiments, the threaded member is freely rotatable within the inner cavity.

Abstract: A filtration device containing a porous polyparaxylylene (PPX) filtration article is provided. The PPX filtration article includes at least one PPX polymer membrane layer and one or more substrate. Optionally, the PPX filtration article may include one or more support layer(s). The PPX polymer membrane has a pore size from about 1 nm to about 100 nm. The filtration article has a PVA_20 less than about 0.6 cm3/m2 and/or a mass/area (MPA) less than about 30 g/m2. The PPX filtration article separates and retains nanoparticles from a feed fluid with high permeability. In use, the PPX filtration article filters nanoparticles from a feed flow by passing the feed fluid through at least one PPX polymer membrane within the filtration article where the nanoparticles are separated and removed from the feed fluid. The PPX polymer membranes may be resistant to chemical attack, gamma radiation, and are thermally stable, biocompatible, and strong.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a medical delivery device that includes a barrel having an inner surface, a plunger rod having a distal end inserted within the barrel, and a stopper attached to the distal end of the plunger rod and contacting at least a portion of the inner surface of the barrel. In at least one embodiment, the inner surface is hydrophilic. The stopper may include an elastomeric body, one or more fluoropolymer layers, and two or more ribs laminated with the one or more fluoropolymer layers. In some embodiments, the contact width between at least one rib having a sealing surface and the portion of the inner surface of the barrel measured at a compressibility of greater than about 7.9% of the stopper is less than about 1.0 mm.

Abstract: A device for treating disease along a main vessel and at least one branch vessel extending from the main vessel includes a branch member for deployment in the branch vessel, the branch member having a branch lumen; and a main body for deployment in the main vessel. The main body has a generally tubular wall extending generally longitudinally between opposite first and second ends. The wall has an internal surface defining a main lumen and an opposite outer surface. The wall has a recessed portion that is recessed relative to the outer surface of the wall and positioned between the first and second ends of the main body. The main body has an opening formed in the recessed portion of the wall for receiving the branch member therethrough such that the branch lumen is in fluid communication with the main lumen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing device for repair of cardiac and vascular defects or tissue opening such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or shunt in the heart, the vascular system, etc. and particularly provides an occluder device and trans-catheter occluder delivery system. The sealing device would have improved conformity to heart anatomy and be easily deployed, repositioned, and retrieved at the opening site.

Abstract: Self-supporting uniaxially expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membranes that have high intrinsic strength, a high matrix modulus, and a high crystallinity index are provided. In some embodiments, the ePTFE membrane is stretched in the machine direction. Uniaxially oriented ePTFE membranes have a matrix tensile strength at least about 1000 MPa in the machine direction, a matrix modulus at least about 100 GPa ambient temperature (i. e., about 20° C.), and a crystallinity index of at least about 94%. In some embodiments, the ePTFE membrane has a tenacity greater than or equal to about 5 gf/d and a denier less than or equal to about 750 g/9000 m. In addition, the uniaxially oriented ePTFE membranes have a <P2> orientation of at least about 0.98. Also, the fibrils in the ePTFE membranes have a nearly perfect parallel alignment. The ePTFE membrane may be used to form composites, laminates, fibers, tapes, sheets, tubes, or other three-dimensional objects.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a medical delivery device that includes a barrel having an inner surface, a plunger rod having a distal end inserted within the barrel, and a stopper attached to the distal end of the plunger rod and contacting at least a portion of the inner surface of the barrel. In at least one embodiment, the inner surface is hydrophilic. The stopper may include an elastomeric body, one or more fluoropolymer layers, and two or more ribs laminated with the one or more fluoropolymer layers. In some embodiments, the contact width between at least one rib having a sealing surface and the portion of the inner surface of the barrel measured at a compressibility of greater than about 7.9% of the stopper is less than about 1.0 mm.

Abstract: Thin, self-supporting biaxially expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membranes that have a high crystallinity index, high intrinsic strength, low areal density (i.e., lightweight), and high optical transparency are provided. In particular, the ePTFE membrane may have a crystallinity index of at least about 94% and a matrix tensile strength at least about 600 MPa in both longitudinal nd transverse directions. In addition, the ePTFE membrane is transparent or invisible to the naked eye through a complete conversion of the PTFE primary particles into fibrils. The ePTFE membrane may have a thickness per layer of less than 100 nm and a porosity reater than 50%. Further, the ePTFE membrane is stackable, which, in turn, may be used to control permeability, pore size, and/or bulk mechanical properties. The ePTFE membrane may be used to form composites, laminates, fibers, tapes, sheets, tubes, or three-dimensional objects. Additionally, the ePTFE membrane may be used in filtration applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes treatment of the vasculature of a patient with an expandable implant. The implant is constrained to a reduced delivery diameter for delivery within the vasculature by at least one sleeve. The implant can be constrained to other diameters, such as an intermediate diameter. The sleeves can be expanded, allowing for expansion of the diameter of the expandable implant, by disengaging a coupling member from the sleeve or sleeves from outside of the body of the patient. The expandable implant can comprise a steering line or lines which facilitate bending and steering of the expandable implant through the vasculature of a patient.

Abstract: A treatment system includes an insert that is resiliently deflectable. The tip portion of the insert can be configured to be coupled to the trailing portion of an implant. A guide tube having an internal lumen is configured to permit passage of the tip portion and the body portion of the insert through a guide tube. The guide tube can have a length that is less than that of the insert. Treatment systems include a plurality of inserts, each insert differing from in at least one of length, diameter, and curvature. Treating a patient can include sizing a fistula using an insert.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a device for occluding an aperture in a body, for example, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), including a first side adapted to be disposed on one side of the septum and a second side adapted to be disposed on the opposite side of the septum. The device has an elongated, low-profile delivery configuration and a shortened, radially expanded deployment configuration. The first and second sides are adapted to occlude the aperture upon deployment of the device at its intended delivery location. The device also includes a radially expandable center portion. In some embodiments, the center portion includes a plurality of ribs provided by slits in device. The ribs expand radially when the device is deployed. The expandable center portion facilitates the positioning of the device in the aperture. The device can be secured in the deployed configuration using a catch system.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems (200), and methods for deploying a medical device (202). In certain instances, the medical device (202) may be a shunt device. In addition, the apparatuses, systems (200), and methods may include one or more constraining lines (212) arranged through a portion of the implantable medical device (202) and one or more release lines (216) configured to engage the one or more constraining lines (212).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to medical delivery devices that include a barrel having an inner surface, and in at least one embodiment, the inner surface is hydrophilic. The medical delivery device may further include a stopper may having an elastomeric body, one or more fluoropolymer layers, and two or more ribs laminated to the one or more fluoropolymer layers. In some embodiments, the contact angle of the inner surface of the barrel is less than about 58°. Additionally, the stopper includes a sliding surface that is less than about 2.0 mm. The barrel provides inner surface that in combination with the fluoropolymer laminate or fluoropolymer film achieve high levels of air and liquid impermeability while also maintaining an acceptably low break loose force, low average glide force, and low glide force variation. In some embodiments, the compressibility stopper against the barrel is greater than about 7.9%.

Abstract: High temperature insulative composites as well as articles formed from the high temperature insulative composites are described herein. The high temperature insulative composites are not only conformable, low dusting, and provide a thermal conductivity of 25 wM/m K at atmospheric conditions, but can also act as a heat propagation barrier when exposed to temperatures sufficient to partially or completely volatilize the fibrillated polymeric matrix within the high temperature insulative composite.