Abstract: A catheter tip assembly comprises a marker band and a catheter tip. The catheter tip has an inner lumen therethrough and an outer portion and an inner portion with the marker band disposed therebetween.

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: An intravascular device can have an elongate shaft and a proximal hub assembly. The proximal hub assembly can include an interference fit member (IFM) which forms an interference fit with a carrier tube to reduce the tendency of the device to fall out of the carrier tube during handling and to provide for easy removal of the device when ready for use.

Abstract: An intravascular device can have an elongate shaft and a proximal hub assembly. The proximal hub assembly can include an interference fit member (IFM) which forms an interference fit with a carrier tube to reduce the tendency of the device to fall out of the carrier tube during handling and to provide for easy removal of the device when ready for use.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided for applying linear parallel rows of staples. The stapler includes an anvil retention portion, a cartridge retention portion, a replaceable anvil, a cartridge housing and a blocking member. The blocking member is movable between a free-movement position and a blocking position. In the free-movement position, the blocking member permits movement of the cartridge retention portion and the anvil retention portion between open and closed positions. In the blocking position, the blocking member prevents movement of the anvil retention portion and the cartridge retention portion between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A surgical stapler instrument is disclosed for applying linear parallel rows of staples through compressed living tissue having a replaceable anvil. The stapler has a mechanism for (a) preventing the jaws from being clamped on tissue, and/or (b) preventing the stapler from being fired if the anvil has been removed. In one aspect, the surgical stapler includes a replaceable anvil having specially shaped surfaces for forming staples, and cartridge and anvil retention portions. The cartridge and anvil retention portions are relatively moveable between a closed position in which the cartridge and anvil retention portions are in closely spaced relationship for clamping tissue to be stapled therebetween and an open position in which the cartridge and anvil retention portions are spaced farther from each other than in the closed position. The stapler also includes a cartridge housing for enclosing staples, and a firing assembly for firing the staples that is moveable between a pre-fired and a fired position.

Abstract: A method for bending a staple closed in living tissue so that its pointed ends pierce the tissue, and for subsequently opening the staple by bending the central portion of the staple to generally a U-shape so that the staple end portions retract from the tissue through the use of a staple remover. The central portion of the staple has a crank-like structure adapted to receive jaw members of the staple remover, and in reponse to pressure from the jaw members to first orient the staple at a predetermined position with respect to the jaw members, and to then maintain that orientation as the staple is bent open.