Abstract: A stent graft deployment device (10) has a tubular fixed handle (34, 36) to be gripped and held by a user and an elongate release handle (30) extending through the fixed handle so that the release handle can be moved through the fixed handle. The deployment device assembly has a pusher (38) and a sheath (18) to cover a stent graft (64) on the pusher. The pusher is connected to the fixed handle and the sheath is connected to the release handle so that retraction of the release handle through the fixed handle causes the sheath to be retracted from the stent graft on the pusher. The fixed handle includes a grip component (34) that grips the pusher and a rotator component (36) that grips a release clamp (48) on the pusher. The release clamp has trigger wires for the release of the stent graft attached to it.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch and a side catheter branch. The main catheter branch includes a main balloon, a side balloon and a side inflation member. The side inflation member intersects the side balloon at a location on the side balloon that is offset laterally from a central line passing from a distal most point on the side balloon to a proximal most point on the side balloon. The side balloon is configured to extend radially outward relative to the main balloon when the side balloon is inflated. The side catheter branch can be centrally aligned with the side balloon central line and be positioned laterally adjacent to the side inflation lumen.

Abstract: A rapid exchange stent delivery catheter includes an inner tubular member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a stent holding portion located adjacent the distal portion of the inner member, and a guide wire lumen extending from a proximal guide wire opening disposed distal of the proximal portion of the inner member to a distal guide wire opening disposed at a distal end of the inner member. The proximal guide wire opening has a first length. An outer tubular member is slidably disposed about the inner member. The outer member has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a guide wire opening disposed distal of the proximal portion of the outer member. The guide wire opening of the outer member has a second length that is shorter than the first length and a guide wire ramp extends into, and is movable along the first length.

Abstract: A tourniquet includes a first and a second elements and a strap having one end winding around a human body and threading through the first element. The first element has a latch slot and a latch element. The second element has a coupling element at one end latchable with the latch element and the other end fastened to the strap. The first element has an upper and a lower cases and a brake unit inside. The upper and lower cases have respectively an upper and a lower openings threaded through by the strap. The brake unit has a detent edge at one end and an axle at the other end extended to form an actuating member movable with the brake unit about the axle, and an elastic element provides a force for the detent edge to butt the strap from the upper opening to the lower opening.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members. One of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from an open position, to a clamping position. One of the first and second jaw members includes one or more cam slots defined therein and configured to receive a cam member that upon movement thereof rotates the movable jaw member from the open position to the clamping position. A resilient member is operably coupled to the jaw member that includes the one or more cam slots. The resilient member is configured to provide a camming force to the cam slot and to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position.

Abstract: Recent advances in minimally invasive surgical procedures have created a demand for smaller scale tools with improved performance characteristics. Attempts to scale down modern tools to the meso level (1-5 mm) have caused severe performance losses. Surgical tools of the present invention provide significant improvements in operable range and force application for both grasping and spreading when compared to currently used endoscopic forceps. This is achieved by using two actuators that separately control the spreading and grasping functions of the surgical tool.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods having a main balloon, a branch balloon arrangement and a stent. The branch balloon arrangement can include a branch balloon and at least one orientation indicator. The orientation indicator can include visible markings on portions of the side balloon or on inflation segments coupled in fluid communication to the side balloon. The side balloon can have a specific color that is different from a color of the main balloon for improved visualization of the side balloon. The orientation indicator can be helpful in aligning the side balloon relative to features of the stent. The stent can include a side branch opening located between distal and proximal open ends of the stent.

Abstract: A device and method for preparation of a graft and a fastener for coupling to a vessel. The device includes a tubular body with a gripping head at a distal end to grip the graft and the fastener. The graft is threaded through the fastener and an edge of the graft out of the fastener. The gripping head has at least three segments arranged around its axis. The segments can be brought closer or pushed away from each other to modify the external diameter of the head and to provide firm gripping of the fastener and the graft. The device further includes a pliant tongue which may rotate around the tubular body. Radial positioning of the tongue may be controlled and the tongue may slide axially towards or away from the head.

Abstract: A medical device with pivotable jaws and method of use thereof are disclosed. The device includes a pair of jaw members which are capable of being rotated independently of one another and spaced apart up to about 360°. Various gear arrangements are provided for enabling rotation of the jaws. The jaw members are disposed within a flexible slotted housing when advanced to a target tissue site, and thereafter rotated out of the housing a predetermined amount to contact target tissue.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a patent paranasal sinus ostium includes a tubular element having a proximal end, a distal end, and a center region between the proximal end and distal end. The tubular element has an insertion state and a deployment state. The tubular element is locatable in the sinus ostium when in the insertion state and expandable from the insertion state to the deployment state when located in the sinus ostium. In the deployment state, the center region confronts the sinus ostium with an outward radial force.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical instrument includes a fixed bearing member with mounting surfaces for attachment to a distal end of the surgical instrument. At least one jaw member of the end effector is configured to move relative to an opposing jaw member between open and closed configurations, and a force transfer member is configured for longitudinal motion with respect to the fixed bearing member. The force transfer member includes a pivot channel therein. The end effector also includes a reactive member coupled between the fixed bearing member and the at least one jaw member. The reactive member is constructed from a thin strip of conformable material and extends through the pivot channel such that relative longitudinal motion between the fixed bearing member and the force transfer member causes the reactive member to flex and the at least one jaw member to move relative to the opposing jaw.

Abstract: A stent delivery catheter system having a reinforcing tether member secured to the catheter such that the catheter is provided with an improved combination of an enhanced tensile strength together with other catheter performance characteristics such as low profile and high flexibility. The stent delivery system includes an elongated delivery catheter including a reinforcing tether member secured to the inner tubular member of the catheter. The tether member has a distal end length extending helically from the distal tip member or proximally adjacent to the proximal end of the distal tip member of the catheter and a portion that also extends axially through the stent holder region of the catheter. This reinforcing tether member provides enhanced tensile strength to the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter system for positioning of an instrument within a body. The catheter system includes a hub defining a lumen therethrough for passage of the instrument and an elongate tubular member defining a lumen therethrough. The lumen of the tubular member is in communication with the lumen of the hub. The system also includes a slitter member that is coupled to the hub. The slitter member is disposed to slit the tubular member. The slitter further includes a moveable member that is moveably coupled to the hub and that is coupled to the tubular member, the moveable member is operable to advance the elongate tubular member toward the slitter member as the moveable member is moved relative to the hub. The slitter member thereby slits the elongate tubular member.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system provides for a two-stage withdrawal of a deflated balloon portion of a catheter and the remains of a ruptured sheath. The deflated balloon portion is withdrawn from within an expanded medical device a predetermined distance before the remains of the ruptured sheath begins being removed from between the expanded device and a vessel wall. Initiating removal of the deflated balloon portion before the sheath reduces a total amount of drag that is exerted against a self-expanding medical device that has been deployed in a vessel.

Abstract: A system for delivering a medical device, such as an angioplasty balloon, includes two catheter shafts. The distal portion of a first shaft includes a first balloon and is narrower than the proximal portion. A second catheter shaft includes a second balloon and is connected to a medial portion of the first shaft. The second shaft includes a guidewire passageway which is in communication with the passageway of a third shaft that is removably connected to the first shaft. The distal tips of the first and second balloons are connected together to allow the system to be advanced to an anatomical site using a single guidewire. A second guidewire may be used to separate the distal ends of the balloons and to position the balloons at vascular bifurcation. A stent can be crimped onto the balloons such that inflation of the balloons implants the stent within the bifurcation.

Abstract: An insertion device for inserting a therapeutic device into organic tissue is disclosed and described. The device is particularly suited to insertion of such as nerve stimulating electrode arrays. The insertion device has at least one controllable positive pressure source (greater than atomospheric), two vacuum sources and a dual vacuum pressure control system. The positive pressure and the dual vacuum pressure control systems are manipulated to allow the manipulation and insertion or retrieval of a therapeutic device. The insertion device can be spatially manipulated by hand, without requiring other equipment for positioning the insertion device.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a catheter system comprising an introducer having a main body, an introducer sheath projecting from the main body, and a first seal supported within the introducer and a catheter having a main body, an outer sheath projecting from the main body, a second seal supported within the catheter, and an inner core configured to be advanced axially through the main body, the second seal, and the outer sheath. The introducer can be configured to be selectively engageable with the catheter so that the catheter can be selectively and removably linked with the introducer in the axial direction. The catheter system can also be configured such that, when the introducer and the catheter are linked, the catheter can be rotatable relative to the introducer. The introducer can be configured to radially restrain an endoluminal prosthesis.

Abstract: A kit includes an implantable treatment element (13) which can be radially deformed between a retracted state and a deployed state, and a sheath (15) for maintaining the treatment element (13) in its retracted state. The kit also includes a member (19) for pulling the treatment element (13) into the sheath (15), which includes a sleeve (17) for receiving the treatment element (13) which can slide in relation to the sheath (15) between an expanded position for receiving the treatment element (13) and a compressed interposed position between the treatment element (13) and the sheath (15). The treatment element (13) is substantially axially fixed in relation to the receiving sleeve (17) when the sleeve (17) moves between its receiving and interposed positions. The kit can be used to insert endoprostheses into a blood vessel.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch and a side catheter branch. The main catheter branch includes a main balloon and a side balloon. The side catheter branch includes a transparent portion along at least a portion of a length of the side catheter branch. The transparent portion of the side catheter branch permits viewing of the side balloon through the transparent portion for alignment of the side balloon relative to the side catheter branch. The catheter assembly can further include a stent, wherein the stent includes a lateral branch opening. The transparent portion of the side catheter branch can also provide viewing of the side balloon through the side catheter branch to help align the side balloon with the lateral branch opening.

Abstract: Catheter having a first elongate tubular body having a lumen, a second elongate tubular body having a lumen, and an elongate member. The elongate member joins the first and second elongate tubular bodies. The first tubular body is fixedly attached on the distal portion of the elongate member, and the second elongate tubular body is disposed on the elongate member is slidable along a portion of the elongate member. The second elongate tubular body can be in a first position so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other and can be in a second position so that the first and second tubular bodies are adjacent to each other. The catheter may have a locking mechanism that can lock the first and second elongate tubular bodies to each other so that the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies form one continuous lumen.