Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for accessing body lumens and/or for delivering instruments into body lumens, e.g., vessels within a patient's vasculature. A flexible sheath is provided that is expandable from a contracted condition to an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen therein. The sheath is lubricious and has a relatively thin wall, thereby providing a collapsible/expandable guide for delivering fluids and/or instruments through tortuous anatomy and/or into relatively narrow passages. The sheath is advanced from an entry site to a body lumen in the contracted condition. Once the sheath reaches a target body lumen, the sheath is expanded to the enlarged condition, thereby defining a lumen within the sheath, and fluids and/or instruments are introduced into the body lumen via the sheath lumen. Upon completing the procedure, the sheath is removed from the body lumen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter system which includes a catheter, an expandable balloon, at least one securement member, and a stent. The stent is disposed about the catheter and comprises at least one undulating band that extends circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the catheter system. The undulating band includes interconnected strut members which form a series of alternating peaks and valleys. Adjacent strut members comprise a strut pair, wherein each strut member of the strut pair includes a protuberance positioned along the length of the strut member, between a peak and a valley. The protuberances, which are substantially circumferentially opposed to one another, engage a securement member, thereby minimizing lateral stent movement on the delivery system during delivery.

Abstract: A grip arrangement, for a medical instrument having a handle with two rod-shaped grip parts each with a grip surface, has, for each grip, a grip shell which can be secured in a detachable manner on the respective grip part, with in each case a grip surface of the grip parts which is of a larger size and/or of a different shape compared to the grip surface of the grip parts.

Abstract: A vaso-occlusive device is disclosed. The device includes a vaso-occlusive member having a coating disposed thereon. In accordance with one embodiment, the coating comprises a polyacrylic material. In accordance with another embodiment, the coating comprises a polyvinyl alcohol-based material. In accordance with other embodiments, various other materials and coatings are applied to at least a portion of a vaso-occlusive device.

Abstract: A skin closure instrument and method of use are disclosed. Broadly a tool grasps skin edges and applies glue evenly in rapid and reproducible fashion, thereby enabling a single healthcare provider to perform the procedure. In the preferred embodiment, the instrument is packaged in a sterile container for a single use. The glue may be packaged along with the instrument, or may be added to a reservoir. The system is applicable to both small and large wounds, and is easy to manipulate by a single operator, resulting in a rapid consistent closure of wound edges.

Abstract: A vessel cleaning system for removing an obstruction from within a patient's vessel, the system comprising a housing, connected to a flexible-tube, a motor-driven flexible agitator-shaft rotatably disposed in the flexible-tube, and a flexible distal-agitator that is connected to the agitator-shaft and shaped so that it is asymmetrically offset to only one side of the longitudinal axis of the agitator-shaft. The agitator-shaft is extended from an open distal end of the flexible-tube to break the obstruction into pieces while rotating with an effective diameter that is larger than its cross-sectional diameter and the distal-agitator is made of a spiral wire, whereas the direction of its winding, relative to the direction of rotation, is such that the distal-agitator unscrews itself from tight engagements with its surroundings and automatically retracts into the flexible-tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for closing two overlapping layers of tissue in a mammalian heart, for example a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The closure devices may take a number of different forms and may be retrievable. In some embodiments, the closure devices may be delivered with a catheter capable of puncturing mammalian tissue.