Abstract: Exemplary probes including longitudinal marker elements arranged parallel to the probe axis are provided for reducing or eliminating non-uniform rotational distortions (NURD) in imaging systems. Additional ring marker elements may also be provided to reduce or eliminate non-uniform linear distortion (NULD). These probes, as well as systems and methods of use provide for images having better image quality and reduced NURD.

Abstract: Exemplary probes including longitudinal marker elements arranged parallel to the probe axis are provided for reducing or eliminating non-uniform rotational distortions (NURD) in imaging systems. Additional ring marker elements may also be provided to reduce or eliminate non-uniform linear distortion (NULD). These probes, as well as systems and methods of use provide for images having better image quality and reduced NURD.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as a sensor for monitoring a selected internally detectable physiological parameter of a patient, is attached to a fixation member that is deployable within the patient to position and orient the sensor to enable it to perform its function. The fixation member may be configured to lie in a single plane when deployed or may be tubular in shape. The attachment of the housing and fixation member includes providing the fixation member with a linear attachment strut that is non-circular in cross section and providing the housing with external members that define an elongate channel, non-circular in cross section and receptive to the attachment strut. The attachment strut can be inserted transversely into the channel and the external member can be crimped over the strut to secure the housing and fixation member together.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as a sensor for monitoring a selected internally detectable physiological parameter of a patient, is attached to a fixation member that is deployable within the patient to position and orient the sensor to enable it to perform its function. The fixation member may be configured to lie in a single plane when deployed or may be tubular in shape. The attachment of the housing and fixation member includes providing the fixation member with a linear attachment strut that is non-circular in cross section and providing the housing with external members that define an elongate channel, non-circular in cross section and receptive to the attachment strut. The attachment strut can be inserted transversely into the channel and the external member can be crimped over the strut to secure the housing and fixation member together.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as a sensor for monitoring a selected internally detectable physiological parameter of a patient, is attached to a fixation member that is deployable within the patient to position and orient the sensor to enable it to perform its function. The fixation member may be configured to lie in a single plane when deployed or may be tubular in shape. The attachment of the housing and fixation member includes providing the fixation member with a linear attachment strut that is non-circular in cross section and providing the housing with external members that define an elongate channel, non-circular in cross section and receptive to the attachment strut. The attachment strut can be inserted transversely into the channel and the external member can be crimped over the strut to secure the housing and fixation member together.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as a sensor for monitoring a selected internally detectable physiological parameter of a patient, is attached to a fixation member that is deployable within the patient to position and orient the sensor to enable it to perform its function. The fixation member may be configured to lie in a single plane when deployed or may be tubular in shape. The attachment of the housing and fixation member includes providing the fixation member with a linear attachment strut that is non-circular in cross section and providing the housing with external members that define an elongate channel, non-circular in cross section and receptive to the attachment strut. The attachment strut can be inserted transversely into the channel and the external member can be crimped over the strut to secure the housing and fixation member together.

Abstract: A filtering device having an embolic filter for collecting debris in a body lumen during an intravascular procedure includes a filter proximal neck portion attached to a proximal shaft and a filter distal neck portion attached to a distal support shaft. The proximal shaft is slidably disposed about a core wire and the distal support shaft is attached to the core wire. Relative longitudinal movement between the proximal shaft and the core wire moves the filter ends closer together to expand the filter or moves the filter ends farther apart to collapse the filter. The proximal and distal neck portions comprise wires of the braided filter with interstices there between. A radiopaque polymer marker band is disposed about the proximal neck portion of the filter and is melt bonded to the proximal shaft through the interstices between the wires, thereby securing the proximal neck portion.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter for collecting particulate debris in a body lumen and method of making same. The embolic filter includes a spirally cut outer tubular member disposed about a spirally cut inner tubular member, the spiral cuts having opposite chirality. The embolic filter is transformable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration wherein filter openings are defined by intersections of the spiral cuts. The spiral cuts may have a variable pitch for sizing the filter openings to be larger in a proximal portion of the filter for receiving embolic debris, and smaller in a distal portion of the filter for retaining embolic debris within the filter. In an embodiment of the invention, the length of the expanded configuration is substantially equal to the length of the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A temporary filtering device for collecting debris in a body lumen. An embolic filter is utilized that is expandable and collapsible by push-pull action. A filter proximal end is attached to a proximal shaft portion and a filter distal end is attached to a distal shaft portion. The proximal and distal shaft portions are slidably engaged within the filter, such that relative longitudinal movement between the proximal and distal shaft portions either moves the filter ends closer together to expand the filter, or moves the filter ends farther apart to collapse the filter. The filtering device includes a cover sleeve coaxially disposed about the filter that is attached to the distal shaft portion for aiding in the collapse of the filter. The cover sleeve may be attached to the distal shaft portion by one or more connecting rods, and is sized to slide over the filter and at least partially cover the filter openings, when the filter is being collapsed and when the filter is in its collapsed configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is an intraluminal filtering device for collecting debris in a body lumen. The filter includes a proximal filter portion for receiving debris attached to a distal filter portion for collecting debris. The proximal filter portion includes a plurality of non-overlapping components that are joined together to form openings that allow the passage of embolic debris into an interior of the filter. The proximal filter portion is preferably cylindrically shaped in a compressed state and substantially tapered shaped in an uncompressed state. The distal filter portion is formed by braiding wires and is joined at a proximal end to the proximal filter portion, such as by spot welding or soldering. The filtering device is self-expanding and is adaptable to be positioned and expanded or collapsed by a push-pull mechanism or sheath assembly.

Abstract: A distal protection device captures debris during vascular procedures. In order to reduce the profile of the device, the thickness of the distal protection element is reduced in one or both of the end regions, either by reducing the thickness of filaments which form the distal protection element, or by removing portions of those filaments altogether. Various methods of reducing the thickness of the end regions and different profiles that can be created by the reduction are disclosed.

Abstract: A steerable guidewire apparatus for use during percutaneous catheter interventions such as angioplasty or stent deployment. A protection element comprising a filter or an occluder is mounted near the distal end of the steerable guidewire, which guides a therapeutic catheter. The guidewire comprises a hollow shaft movably disposed about a core wire. The shaft and core wire control separation of the ends of the protection element, causing transformation of the protection element from a deployed configuration to a collapsed configuration. Farther separation of the ends of the protection element, after it has been collapsed, causes deflection in a distal region of the apparatus.