Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting syringe seal defects are described, including associated syringe stopper designs having seal areas and indicating areas, as well as associated inspection systems and methods for optical imaging and analysis for syringe seal defects in dry and wet syringes.

Abstract: A sensor includes two coaxial RF shielding members arranged to create a coaxial RF shielding structure that is electrically open and is formed from partially enclosed cylindrical shells. The RF shielding members are spaced from one another. The sensor also includes one or multiple electrically conductive coaxial coils between the coaxial RF shielding members. This configuration creates an LC circuit without requiring a separate capacitor electrically connected to the inductor. The RF shielding structure minimizes the surrounding tissue effects (e.g., parasitic capacitance), which improves the overall accuracy of the sensor. The LC circuit also can be remotely interrogated by external reader.

Abstract: Tissue anchoring devices in the form of microanchors that partially penetrate tissue, thereby avoiding full thickness penetration of the tissue, yet are secure enough to enable reliable device fixation and easy removal of the device while maintaining normal GI tract functions.

Abstract: Controlled deployable medical devices that are retained inside a body passage and in one particular application to vascular devices used in repairing arterial dilations, e.g., aneurysms. Such devices can be adjusted during deployment, thereby allowing at least one of a longitudinal or radial re-positioning, resulting in precise alignment of the device to an implant target site.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to devices and related methods for isolating a treatment region in a human body from fluid pressure. In various embodiments, an implantable device for isolating a treatment region in a human body from fluid pressure comprises a first elongated segment, and a second elongated segment, and one or more branch segments in fluid communication with one of the first elongated segment and the second elongated segment. The elongated segments have a combined cross section that is substantially conformable to an intraluminal cross section of a body lumen into which they are implanted. A method of installing an implantable medical device into the body of a patient comprises deploying a first elongated segment, deploying a second elongated segment, and deploying one or more branch segments in a target region of a vasculature.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems for endoluminal devices utilizing a sleeve for constraining an expandable device toward a constrained configuration suitable for endoluminal delivery to a treatment site along vasculature; and a mechanism for retracting at least a portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises devices, systems, and methods having an inverted sheath configured to cover, and in some instances constrain, a medical device and to retract through eversion, thus enabling the deployment of medical device at the treatment site. A constraining sheath can evert hydraulically. A constraining sheath can be configured to neck down a medical device to achieve a lower delivery profile. Furthermore, a constraining sheath can comprise a balloon to expand or positionally or structurally adjust a medical device.

Abstract: A substrate comprising a microporous microstructure, an interlayer over at least a portion of the microstructure and a functional layer attached to the interlayer, the functional layer having functional sites with a density of at least 50 nanomoles/cm2.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a branched endoprosthesis comprising a graft component and at least one support component. In various embodiments, the branched endoprosthesis comprises a body portion and a plurality of leg portions, wherein the legs are in an aligned configuration for ease of cannulation. In various embodiments, at least one leg is in an open configuration for ease of cannulation. Cannulation methods are also taught.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for connecting tissue layers, such as connecting tubular tissues to create an anastomosis, includes a single elongate member and a covering material. The devices provided may also be used for other purposes including, but not limited to, partially or fully occluding openings in tissue, temporarily or permanently holding generally planar layers of tissue together, aneurysm repair, and the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an endoprosthesis delivery system comprising an elongate member, such as a catheter, an endoprosthesis, a covering member disposed about the endoprosthesis, a tip, and an end cap. The tip and end cap can be integral to each other. The covering member can extend beyond the distal end of the endoprosthesis and onto the end cap. The end cap can comprise a tapered profile, which may assist in retraction of the catheter tip and end cap into an outer sheath. The end cap can further comprise one or more fins.

Abstract: The invention is directed to delivery medical devices that enable consistent “on-demand” delivery of therapeutic agents to a vessel. The medical device of the current invention comprises retractable sheath comprising neckable elements. The medical device of the current invention comprises an expandable member, a hydrophilic coating comprising at least one therapeutic agent about the expandable member or structural layer and a retractable outer sheath with a selectively permeable microstructure. The design and methods disclosed herein ensures that therapeutic agent delivery occurs essentially only during retraction of the outer sheath, minimizing coating and/or therapeutic agent loss to the bloodstream and providing controlled delivery to the treatment site.

Abstract: The invention is an article of footwear incorporating insulation material, such as a low bulk insulation material, to provide warmth in cold weather, yet with the style, agility, and breathability of a typical conventional shoe or boot. Additionally, in a further embodiment, the invention includes these features in a shoe or boot which is also waterproof and breathable. These aspects of the present invention are achieved through a placement, or mapping, of low bulk insulation to maximize the footwear article attributes of warmth, style, agility, and breathability.

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: The invention relates to a valve used in medical procedures. More specifically the invention relates to an introducer sheath valve used in minimally invasive and conventional surgical procedures. The valve may accommodate a wide range of surgical implement diameters, shapes, and multiple implements without imposing the high frictional forces of known valves.

Abstract: Systems including a moisture pump for removing moisture from an inside environment to an outside environment. The moisture pump includes a housing defining a heating chamber and a condensation chamber. Maintained by the housing is a desiccant, a heater, and a heat sink for selectively adsorbing water vapor in the heating chamber when the heater is off and desorbing water vapor into the heating chamber when the heater is on. A valve assembly is also maintained by the housing transitionable between an adsorption position and desorption position. The adsorption position allows water vapor to be selectively transmitted into the heating chamber from the inside environment. The desorption position allows water vapor to be transmitted from the heating chamber into the condensation chamber for transmission into the outside environment, respectively. Insulation is optionally used around the heating chamber to increase desiccant desorption efficiency.

Abstract: PLA polymers that can be expanded into microporous articles having a node and fibril microstructure are provided. The fibrils contain PLA polymer chains oriented with the fibril axis. Additionally, the PLA polymers have an inherent viscosity greater than about 3.8 dL/g and a calculated molecular weight greater than about 150,000 g/mol. The PLA polymer article may be formed by bulk polymerization where the PLA bulk polymer is made into a preform that is subsequently expanded at temperatures above the glass transition temperature and below the melting point of the PLA polymer. In an alternate embodiment, a PLA polymer powder is lubricated, the lubricated polymer is subjected to pressure and compression to form a preform, and the preform is expanded to form a microporous article. Both the preform and the microporous article are formed at temperatures above the glass transition temperature and below the melting point of the PLA polymer.

Abstract: This document provides vascular filtering devices and methods for their use. In some embodiments, the vascular filtering devices include an elongate member having a wall with one or more apertures and a lumen. The vascular filtering devices can also include a porous membrane bag portion with multiple elongate extensions that extend through the apertures of the elongate member and through the lumen of the elongate member, exiting the lumen at the proximal region of the elongate member.

Abstract: A device frame includes a plurality of elongate frame members, first and second hub members substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the device frame, and a coupling element that couples the first hub member to the second hub member. The device frame includes a face section, a laterally facing skirt section, and an inverted section. First portions of the elongate members define the face section and extend radially from the first hub member. Second portions of the elongate members define the laterally facing skirt section and extend in a distal, axial, and helical direction along a first rotational direction from the face section. Third portions of the elongate members define the inverted section and extend in a generally proximal direction from a distal portion of the laterally facing skirt section to the second hub member along a rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

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 an apposition line or lines which facilitate bending of the expandable implant to improve conformation of the expandable implant to the vasculature of the patient.