Abstract: A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a sinus cavity of a subject using the balloon dilation the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the sinus (e.g., frontal recess) of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter, including an inner member and a sheath, extending from a handle. The handle includes a housing, a braking assembly, a carriage and a carriage driver. The braking assembly comprises a braking element within the housing interior and a braking element rotator. The carriage comprises at least one carriage braking surface engaging the braking element. The carriage driver, such as a spring, biases the carriage towards the proximal end of the handle. The inner member has a proximal end secured to the housing. The sheath has a proximal end secured to the carriage. Rotating the braking element causes the carriage to move proximally as the carriage braking surface slides along the braking element. This causes the sheath to move proximally relative to the inner member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the implantation of microcoils (3, 7, 11, 12) into body cavities and blood vessels, in particular aneurysms, with said microcoils (3, 7, 11, 12) comprising wires forming a plurality of windings (4), at least one microcoil serving as occlusion helix (3) for the occlusion of the body cavity or blood vessel, and the device consisting of a catheter, one or several microcoils (3, 7, 11, 12) movably arranged in longitudinal direction within the catheter and at least one securing means (10) passing at least partially through the lumen (9) of the occlusion helix (3), with said securing means (10) being fixed in its end areas inside the microcoils (3, 7, 11, 12). Such a fixation of the securing means (10) is achieved in at least one end area by providing a frictional connection with the microcoil (3, 7, 11, 12) in such a manner that this connection is detachable from the microcoil (3, 7, 11, 12) when a certain tensile force acting on the securing means (10) is exceeded.

Abstract: A radial artery compression device configured to be secured to a wrist or other portion of a patient to provide adjustable and consistent compression pressure in the area of a radial artery access site or other physiological portion of a patient to achieve hemostasis either during or after a medical procedure such as a percutaneous coronary procedure. The radial artery compression device includes a rotatable member and a compression pad adapted such that rotation of the rotatable member does not affect the rotational orientation of the compression pad. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a single rotation of the rotatable member results in complete extension or retraction of the radial artery compression device. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the rotation of the rotatable member results in a compounding of the extension or retraction of the compression pad relative to the body of the radial artery compression device.

Abstract: A system is provided to align a surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system. An instrument guide unit can include an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body near an area in which surgery is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for performing improved gynecologic and urologic procedures are disclosed. The system is configured to permit simultaneous tissue cutting and removal from a target site. The various embodiments enable procedures to be performed outside the hospital setting, such as in a doctor's office or clinic.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for performing improved gynecologic and urologic procedures are disclosed. An access sheath is provided with at least one lumen, and a lens attached thereto. The various embodiments enable procedures to be performed outside the hospital setting, such as in a doctor's office or clinic.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for performing improved gynecologic and urologic procedures are disclosed. Patient benefit is achieved through improved outcomes, reduced pain, especially peri-procedural pain, and reduced recovery times. The various embodiments enable procedures to be performed outside the hospital setting, such as in a doctor's office or clinic. Distension is achieved mechanically, rather than with liquid distension media, thereby eliminating the risk of intravasation.

Abstract: A method of treating a sinus cavity of a subject includes advancing a distal portion of a light source through a drainage pathway of a sinus cavity and into the sinus cavity and visually observing a transdermal light emitted from the light source. A distal portion of a substantially rigid inner guide member of a balloon dilation catheter is advanced into the drainage pathway, the balloon dilation catheter including a movable shaft including a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. The movable shaft and balloon are advanced distally over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place a portion of the balloon in the drainage pathway whereby the balloon is inflated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to external devices for dilating nasal passageways and to the manufacture thereof. More specifically, the external nasal dilator of the present invention usually comprises a resilient sheet, an adhesive layer, and an adhesive-protecting sheet. In some embodiments of the external nasal dilator, the resilient sheet defines a groove for reducing the peel force that results from bending the dilator over the bridge of the nose. In addition to the groove or in lieu thereof, some embodiments of the external nasal dilator comprise a nasal passage region having a reduced width to reduce the peel force. Finally, the dilator can comprise a sheet of adhesive tape, which in some embodiments can provide an instant tack surface to facilitate application of the dilator.

Abstract: A medical device includes a one-piece resiliently biased band of base material having opposite first and second side surfaces and an adhesive material for temporarily adhesively securing the band to a user's skin. The band can include a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis that intersects the longitudinal axis. Moreover, the band can include first and second lateral portions disposed on opposite sides of the lateral axis. The lateral portions are mirror images of each other such that the band is symmetrical relative to the lateral axis. Each of the lateral portions include a central portion and first and second extending portions spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the band and extending away from the central portion. Each of the extending portions further include a perimeter edge defining a portion of an edge of the medical device.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device may include an elongate core member and a tubular member disposed about a portion of the core member. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein. The medical devices may be configured to have a preferential bending direction.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent graft for animal or human implantation and method of delivery thereof. The device stent graft employs a first component having an axial passage communicating with the axial cavities of a second leg and longer first leg. A separate leg extension is engageable to the second leg. A first catheter engages the first component for translation to the implantation site and a second catheter engaged with the first is provided with a prepositioned guide wire inside the second leg which may be employed to easily position a guide wire for engagement of the second leg with the leg extension.

Abstract: A pressure relief apparatus for a balloon dilation catheter having a shaft with a dilation balloon attached to the distal end of the shaft and an inflation/deflation lumen for inflating and deflating the balloon includes a pressure relief port formed through the wall of the inflation/deflation lumen with a pressure relief member secured across the pressure relief port to form a fluid tight seal such that the fluid tight seal formed by the pressure relief member fails at a predetermined pressure to release pressure from the inflation/deflation lumen through the pressure relief port.

Abstract: A device for providing access to a treatment site within the body of a patient includes a tubular member having a first, generally elongated configuration for introduction into the body of the patient, and deployable therein to a second configuration. The second configuration includes an axially displaced segment along the distal portion of the tubular member. The tubular member includes a side port oriented along the axially displaced segment, and further includes a lumen communicating with the side port. The lumen and side port are sized for passage therethrough of an interventional device for delivery to the treatment site.

Abstract: A self-centering central access catheter includes a multi-lumen catheter body, a first port associated with a first lumen, and a second port associated with a second lumen. The first and second ports are disposed proximate a distal end of the multi-lumen catheter. A diametrically expansible member is circumferentially coupled to a multi-lumen catheter body and positioned intermediate the first port and the second port. The diametrically expansible member comprises a first portion that is immovably fixed to the multi-lumen catheter body and a second portion that is movably coupled to the multi-lumen catheter body.

Abstract: A combined multi-lumen central access catheter and an embolic filter including ports proximal and distal the filter for fluid infusion and/or pressure sensing and infusion ports in the catheter to permit infusion of bioactive agents, flushing agents and/or contrast agents. The embolic filter may be removably coupled to the multi-lumen catheter for temporary placement and retrieval under recommended indications.

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices, and systems that can be used to deploy prosthetic devices within a bodily lumen of a patient. These methods and devices can include the securement of a prosthetic valve within a vascular lumen by driving one or more fasteners from a position on an expandable device through the valve and into or through a vascular wall.

Abstract: A stent delivery and deployment system for use primarily with self-expanding stents, incorporating a traction tube extending over the length of the diametrically compacted and constrained stent and everting back over itself, with the outer everted portion of the traction tube preferably extending to the proximal end of the delivery system. A constraining sleeve is provided between the inner, non-everted portion and outer, everted portion of the traction tube, the constraining sheath extending over the length of the constrained stent prior to deployment and diametrically constraining the diametrically compacted self-expanding stent. The application of tension to the proximal end of the traction tube causes the constraining sheath to move in a proximal direction, freeing the constrained stent as it moves and allowing the stent to deploy against the wall of the body conduit within which it is located during the deployment process.