Abstract: A removable vena cava filter configured for reduced trauma and enhanced visualization of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall is disclosed. The filter includes a plurality of struts, each having an anchoring hook and a stop member proximate the anchoring hook. The stop members are configured to engage the vessel wall to prevent excessive penetration of the anchoring hooks into the vessel wall and to aid in the identification of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall.

Abstract: An implantable medical device such as a filter includes a plurality of struts arranged in a generally conical form with each strut having a first end, a second end, and an operative length between the first and second ends. Each strut is able to flex along its operative length and includes a strut skeleton having a first flexural modulus and a reinforcement element extending along the operative length and attached to the strut skeleton. The reinforcement element and the strut skeleton together have a second flexural modulus greater than the first flexural modulus. One of the reinforcement element and the strut skeleton varies in one of amount and composition continuously along the operative length such that the second flexural modulus varies in a continuous manner along the operative length. The reinforcement element is biodegradable thereby changing the flexural modulus from the second flexural modulus to the first flexural modulus.

Abstract: A catheter (40) or sheath (14) is provided with a strengthening element (30) embedded within the walls of the catheter (40). The strengthening element (30) is formed of a plurality of short strengthening members (32) arranged in longitudinally overlapping manner but which are radially spaced from one another and fixed to one another by annular coupling elements (36). The strengthening element (32) is made of a metal or metallic material, whereas the coupling elements (36) are made of a non-conductive material. The coupling elements (36) prevent electrical conduction through the length of the catheter (40) but retain a strengthening structure which provides torque strength and kink resistance. The short sections of conductive strengthening members (32) provide shielding of electromagnetic waves but prevent the strengthening element (30) acting as an aerial.

Abstract: A removable vena cava filter configured for reduced trauma and enhanced visualization of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall is disclosed. The filter includes a plurality of struts, each having an anchoring hook and a stop member proximate the anchoring hook. The stop members are configured to engage the vessel wall to prevent excessive penetration of the anchoring hooks into the vessel wall and to aid in the identification of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A removable vena cava filter configured for reduced trauma and enhanced visualization of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall is disclosed. The filter includes a plurality of struts, each having an anchoring hook and a stop member proximate the anchoring hook. The stop members are configured to engage the vessel wall to prevent excessive penetration of the anchoring hooks into the vessel wall and to aid in the identification of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A removable vena cava filter (10) configured for reduced trauma and enhanced visualization of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall is disclosed. The filter includes a plurality of struts (12a-d), each having an anchoring hook (26) and a stop member (24) proximate the anchoring hook. The stop members are configured to engage the vessel wall to prevent excessive penetration of the anchoring hooks into the vessel wall and to aid in the identification of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A removable vena cava filter configured for reduced trauma and enhanced visualization of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall is disclosed. The filter includes a plurality of struts, each having an anchoring hook and a stop member proximate the anchoring hook. The stop members are configured to engage the vessel wall to prevent excessive penetration of the anchoring hooks into the vessel wall and to aid in the identification of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A stent (30) is formed of a plurality of stent rings (24), each of which rings (24) is formed of a series of sprung sections (10) coupled to one another by flexible couplings (22). The flexible couplings (22) may be made of a biodegradable material. The flexible couplings (22) enable the stent (30) to expand to a smaller uncompressed diameter and then to expand further to a larger uncompressed diameter, by virtue of the flexible couplings (22) which allow the sprung sections to move from a partially overlapping configuration to a radially spaced configuration. The stent (30) can expand with expansion of a vessel, for example in a growing patient.

Abstract: The haemostatic valve assembly (10) includes a housing (14) with a chamber (16) therewithin. A flexible valve element (26) is located in the chamber (16) and supported by the housing (14). A resilient element (21), for example of foam, is located in the chamber (16) and applies a constant closing force on the valve element (26). The valve (10) can be opened by aspirating fluid held within the chamber (16), for example by means of a pump or syringe, thereby to create a vacuum therein which compresses the resilient element (21). Removal of the vacuum allows the resilient element (21) to expand again and to close the valve (10).

Abstract: A thrombus retrieval device (10) includes a flexible catheter (12), a retrieval wire (26) fixed to the distal end (14) of the catheter (12) and which extends out of the catheter (12) at first and second apertures in the wall of the catheter (12). A trap element (28) typically made of a porous fabric material, is attached to the catheter (12) from the distal end (14) across the location of the apertures. The trigger wire (26) can be pulled in a proximal direction, which causes the catheter (12) to twist so as to form a loop. The trap element (28), attached to the catheter at location in which it loops, forms a net for trapping thrombi or other obstructions within a patient's lumen.

Abstract: A catheter (40) or sheath (14) is provided with a strengthening element (30) embedded within the walls of the catheter (40). The strengthening element (30) is formed of a plurality of short strengthening members (32) arranged in longitudinally overlapping manner but which are radially spaced from one another and fixed to one another by annular coupling elements (36). The strengthening element (32) is made of a metal or metallic material, whereas the coupling elements (36) are made of a non-conductive material. The coupling elements (36) prevent electrical conduction through the length of the catheter (40) but retain a strengthening structure which provides torque strength and kink resistance. The short sections of conductive strengthening members (32) provide shielding of electromagnetic waves but prevent the strengthening element (30) acting as an aerial.

Abstract: A stent (30) is formed of a plurality of stent rings (24), each of which rings (24) is formed of a series of sprung sections (10) coupled to one another by flexible couplings (22). The flexible couplings (22) may be made of a biodegradable material. The flexible couplings (22) enable the stent (30) to expand to a smaller uncompressed diameter and then to expand further to a larger uncompressed diameter, by virtue of the flexible couplings (22) which allow the sprung sections to move from a partially overlapping configuration to a radially spaced configuration. The stent (30) can expand with expansion of a vessel, for example in a growing patient.

Abstract: A driver assembly (50) for an introducer assembly (10) for the deployment of an implantable medical device (16) includes a sprung element (52) coupled to a yoke (56). The yoke (56) is coupled to a gripper element (58). The yoke (56) is coupled to a first handle unit (30) of the introducer (10). The sprung element (52) is coupled to a proximal handle unit (32). A brake element (66) acts to prevent operation of the sprung element (52) when no manual force is being applied to attract a sheath (24) and the assembly (10). When manual retraction force is applied to the assembly (50) the gripper element (58) the brake element (66) releases a sprung element (52) so that the lighter can apply a force assistance to assist in the retraction of the sheath (24) and thereby to assist in the deployment of a medical device.

Abstract: A removable vena cava filter (10) configured for reduced trauma and enhanced visualization of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall is disclosed. The filter includes a plurality of struts (12a-d), each having an anchoring hook (26) and a stop member (24) proximate the anchoring hook. The stop members are configured to engage the vessel wall to prevent excessive penetration of the anchoring hooks into the vessel wall and to aid in the identification of anchoring hook placement relative to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A clot removal device (10) includes a conical retrieval member (14) affixed to a wire (12) The conical retrieval member (14) has an apex (16) at its distal end, and a base that forms an opening (18) into a cavity The conical retrieval member (14) is formed from a thin sheet of Nitinol film, and expands into its conical configuration at body temperature The clot removal device (10) can be used physically to withdraw a blood clot (40) from a blood vessel (42) without requiring aspiration The member (14) can be pulled by a cord (90) to cause it to rewrap onto itself, in so doing to capture an obstruction such as a thrombus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of capturing thrombi in a blood vessel, which includes delivering a removable filter in a collapsed state within the blood vessel and deploying the filter to an expanded state within the blood vessel. The filter includes a plurality of primary struts and a plurality of secondary struts emanating from a hub and extending arcuately along a longitudinal axis and linearly radially. Each primary strut has an arcuate segment including first and second curved portions. Each secondary strut includes first and second arcs. The primary struts terminate with an anchoring hook. Each primary strut crosses another primary strut along the longitudinal axis in the collapsed state such that the arcuate segments occupy a first diameter and the anchoring hooks occupy a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter for filter retrieval or delivery.

Abstract: A driver assembly (50) for an introducer assembly (10) for the deployment of an implantable medical device (16) includes a sprung element (52) coupled to a yoke (56). The yoke (56) is coupled to a gripper element (58). The yoke (56) is coupled to a first handle unit (30) of the introducer (10). The sprung element (52) is coupled to a proximal handle unit (32). A brake element (66) acts to prevent operation of the sprung element (52) when no manual force is being applied to attract a sheath (24) and the assembly (10). When manual retraction force is applied to the assembly (50) the gripper element (58) the brake element (66) releases a sprung element (52) so that the lighter can apply a force assistance to assist in the retraction of the sheath (24) and thereby to assist in the deployment of a medical device.

Abstract: A thrombus retrieval device (10) includes a flexible catheter (12), a retrieval wire (26) fixed to the distal end (14) of the catheter (12) and which extends out of the catheter (12) at first and second apertures in the wall of the catheter (12). A trap element (28) typically made of a porous fabric material, is attached to the catheter (12) from the distal end (14) across the location of the apertures. The trigger wire (26) can be pulled in a proximal direction, which causes the catheter (12) to twist so as to form a loop. The trap element (28), attached to the catheter at location in which it loops, forms a net for trapping thrombi or other obstructions within a patient's lumen.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tri-leaflet valve (100) in which the leaflets (102) extend for substantially the entire length of the valve (100). The valve (100) is provide with a waist (106). An element (16) inserted in the tri-leaflet valve (100) can be sealed by closure of the valve (100), for example by pressurization or twisting. The seat is more effective then prior art seals.

Abstract: A removable vena cava filter configured for simplified delivery to and retrieval from the vena cava of a patient is disclosed. The filter includes struts configured to be arranged in consistent orientation together between expanded (opened) and collapsed (closed) configurations, thereby minimizing entanglement of the struts. Each of the struts has a circumferential bend relative to the longitudinal axis of the filter. The circumferential bends allow for consistent orientation of the struts when moved between the expanded and collapsed configurations and when placed in the closed configuration of the filter.