Abstract: An embolic protection system comprises an embolic protection filter 1 having a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The filter 1 is housed in the collapsed configuration in a reception space of a delivery catheter 20. The delivery catheter 20 containing the filter 1 is housed in a sealed sterile pouch 35. The filter 1 may be coated with a non-thrombogenic coating and an adhesion preventer 9 such as a silicon gel is used to substantially prevent adhesion of adjacent folds of the filter 1 when the filter is in the collapsed configuration in the delivery catheter 20.

Abstract: A catheter 1 suitable for advancement through a body passageway of a patient. The catheter 1 comprises a catheter body 4 which is flexible to provide the necessary trackability for the catheter 1 to advance through a body passageway, and two stainless steel reinforcement wires 5 extending along the catheter body 4 which provide the necessary pushability to advance the catheter 1 through the passageway. The reinforcements 5 are positioned diametrically opposed to one another by approximately 180 degrees on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the catheter 1, and the catheter body 4 is relatively soft and twistable. This configuration enables the entire catheter 1 to spontaneously twist during advancement so that the reinforcements 5 orientate themselves along a plane of neutral bending during advancement of the catheter 1. In this way, any resistance to the trackability of the catheter 1 due to the stiff reinforcements 5 is minimized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoprosthesis having a plurality of web rings, pairs of which are coupled in one or more points by foot extensions protruding from at least one of the web rings. The endoprosthesis of the present invention provides a high level of flexibility and an elevated degree of scaffolding to a body lumen, and may be configured as a stent, graft, valve, occlusive device, trocar or aneurysm treatment device usable in a variety of intralumenal applications for treating vascular, coronary, biliary, esophageal, renal, urological and gastrointestinal conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoprosthesis having a plurality of web rings coupled by connectors, which include two or more essentially parallel struts and a foot extension protruding from one of the struts. An endoprosthesis constructed according to the principles of the present invention provides an elevated degree of scaffolding to a body lumen while retaining an acceptable degree of flexibility.

Abstract: A device for removing a filter element from a retrieval catheter is provided. The device includes a core member which has a diameter corresponding to a filter element; a handle at a proximal end of the core member; and an engagement portion, formed at a distal end of the core member, for engaging the filter element. Alternatively, the device includes a first member including a core wire, a core wire handle; and an engagement portion, and a second member including a hypotube; and a hypotube handle, wherein the core wire is moveably disposed coaxially inside of the hypotube, such that when a distal end of the core wire handle is pressed against a proximal end of the hypotube handle, the engagement portion of the first member extends beyond a distal end of the hypotube. Alternatively, the device includes a partially cylindrical member, a handle; and at least one blade.

Abstract: A removable retrieval tip for use with a catheter, a catheter tip, and a system for retrieval of an embolic filter device are provided. The removable retrieval tip includes a filter reception space for receiving a filter; and an interface portion for interfacing with the catheter. The catheter tip for receiving a removable retrieval tip includes a catheter body having an inside wall and an outside wall; an inflatable balloon disposed on the outside wall of the catheter body; and at least two indentations which are spaced from a distal end of the catheter tip and are formed in the inside wall of the catheter body. The system includes a catheter having a catheter tip at a distal end thereof, and a removable retrieval tip including a cylindrical body and an interface portion provided at a proximal end of the cylindrical body for interfacing with the catheter tip.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter 1 for retrieval of an embolic protection filter from a vasculature. The catheter 1 comprises a proximal hypotube 3, a radially offset distal shaft 4 and a centering shank 9. A guidewire lumen 13 is provided through the shank 9 in communication with a larger guidewire lumen 7 through the shaft 4 for a continuous guidewire passageway to accommodate passage of a guidewire 21 through the shank 9, the shaft 4 and out through a proximal guidewire opening 6 to facilitate rapid exchange of the catheter 1 over a guidewire 21. The shank 9 is movable between an introduction configuration in which the shank 9 protrudes distally from the shaft 4 to centre the catheter 1 during advancement through a vasculature, and a retrieval configuration in which the shank 9 is located within the guidewire lumen 7 to facilitate retrieval of an embolic protection filter into the shaft 4.

Abstract: A delivery catheter 1 for rapid exchange delivery of a stent 7 through a vasculature over a guidewire 10, and for rapid exchange deployment of the stent 7 at a desired site in the vasculature. The catheter 1 comprises a hypotube 2, a distal sheath 4 which defines an internal reception space for the stent 7, and a push wire 3. The catheter body 2 is fixedly attached to the sheath 4 by means of a junction piece 9. At the distal end of the wire 3, the catheter 1 comprises a tubular inner core 5 and a coiled spring 6 which acts as an abutment means for engagement with the stent 7 in the reception space upon retraction of the sheath 4 to facilitate deployment of the stent 7. The guidewire 10 passes proximally from the inner core 5, through the junction piece 9, and out of the junction piece 9 through a proximal guidewire opening 11.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter 1 comprises a distal tubular sheath 2 with a reception space 5 into which an embolic protection filter 10 may be retrieved. An elongate connector 10 extends proximally from the sheath 2 to allow a clinician to control movement of the sheath 12. The sheath 2 is backloaded over a procedural catheter such as a balloon catheter 20, for example for post dilatation of a stent 55. The procedure is more efficient and procedure time is reduced because a catheter system is provided which allows a procedural step to be carried out and a filter 50 to be retrieved.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter system comprises a collapsible embolic protection filter 62 having a collapsed configuration for delivery of the filter, and a deployed configuration and a temporary lumen defining member 60. The lumen defining member 60 is used for loading a filter-containing delivery catheter 63 onto a guidewire 65. After loading, the member 60 can be removed by pulling on a tab 61.

Abstract: In a method for filtering embolic material, a guide catheter (5) is advanced through a vasculature. A delivery catheter (4), a guidewire (2) and a collapsed filter are advanced together through the guide catheter (5) to a point distally of the distal end of the guide catheter (5). The guidewire (2) is then advanced across the lesion. During this advancement of the guidewire (2), the delivery catheter (4) and the collapsed filter remain substantially stationary. When the guidewire (2) has crossed the lesion, the delivery catheter (4) and the collapsed filter are then advanced across the lesion until the collapsed filter is distal of the lesion. The delivery catheter (4) is then withdrawn to facilitate deployment of the filter at the location distal of the lesion to ensure that any embolic material released during performance of an interventional procedure at the lesion will be captured and safely retained within the filter.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter for deployment in a vasculature, the filter having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter, and the outlet end of the filter having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter. The filter is movable between a collapsed configuration for movement through a vasculature, and an outwardly extended configuration for deployment in a vasculature. The filter at least in the collapsed configuration was a guidewire lumen defined at least partially therethrough for passing the filter over a guidewire. The guidewire lumen is defined by a lumen-defining member which is spaced proximally of the distal end of the filter.

Abstract: A check valve is provided, including a first hose connector housing defining an entry passage extending into an entry space at least partially defined by an annular valve seat, a second hose connector housing coupled with the first hose connector housing and defining an exit passage, and a generally flexible perforated membrane disk positioned between the first and second hose connector housings such that the membrane disk selectively engages the valve seat.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter for retrieving a medical device deployed in a vasculature. The catheter comprises an outer catheter body and an inner coupling member having means for coupling to a medical device deployed in a vasculature. The catheter body is movable distally relative to the coupling member to retrieve a coupled medical device into the catheter body.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter system comprises a collapsible embolic protection filter 62 having a collapsed configuration for delivery of the filter, and a deployed configuration and a temporary lumen defining member 60. The lumen defining member 60 is used for loading a filter-containing delivery catheter 63 onto a guidewire 65. After loading, the member 60 can be removed by pulling on a tab 61.

Abstract: A catheter 1 suitable for advancement through a body passageway of a patient. The catheter 1 comprises a catheter body 4 which is flexible to provide the necessary trackability for the catheter 1 to advance through a body passageway, and two stainless steel reinforcement wires 5 extending along the catheter body 4 which provide the necessary pushability to advance the catheter 1 through the passageway. The reinforcements 5 are positioned diametrically opposed to one another by approximately 180 degrees on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the catheter 1, and the catheter body 4 is relatively soft and twistable. This configuration enables the entire catheter 1 to spontaneously twist during advancement so that the reinforcements 5 orientate themselves along a plane of neutral bending during advancement of the catheter 1. In this way, any resistance to the trackability of the catheter 1 due to the stiff reinforcements 5 is minimised.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter having a retrieval catheter tip 1 at a distal end thereof, the tip being suitable for retrieving an embolic protection filter into the tip 1. The tip 1 comprises a flexible tip body 2 and two stiff reinforcement columns 3. The tip body 2 is radially expandable to facilitate retrieval of a filter into the tip 1, and the columns 3 extend longitudinally along the tip body 2 to prevent buckling of the tip 1 upon retrieval of the filter into the tip. The cross-sectional area of the columns 3, the cross sectional area of the tip body 2, and the overall cross-sectional area of the tip 1 all remain substantially unchanged along the length of the tip 1. This ensures the reinforcement provided to the tip 1 by the columns 3 remains substantially uniform along the length of the tip 1. Thus no longitudinal squeezing of the filter as it is retrieved into the tip 1 will be caused.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter system comprises a collapsible embolic protection filter 62 having a collapsed configuration for delivery of the filter, and a deployed configuration and a temporary lumen defining member 60. The lumen defining member 60 is used for loading a filter-containing delivery catheter 63 onto a guidewire 65. After loading, the member 60 can be removed by pulling on a tab 61.

Abstract: A catheter 1 suitable for advancement through a body passageway of a patient. The catheter 1 comprises a catheter body 4 which is flexible to provide the necessary trackability for the catheter 1 to advance through a body passageway, and two stainless steel reinforcement wires 5 extending along the catheter body 4 which provide the necessary pushability to advance the catheter 1 through the passageway. The reinforcements 5 are positioned diametrically opposed to one another by approximately 180 degrees on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the catheter 1, and the catheter body 4 is relatively soft and twistable. This configuration enables the entire catheter 1 to spontaneously twist during advancement so that the reinforcements 5 orientate themselves along a plane of neutral bending during advancement of the catheter 1. In this way, any resistance to the trackability of the catheter 1 due to the stiff reinforcements 5 is minimized.

Abstract: A technique for reminding individuals about the consequences of driving while intoxicated is provided. A container includes a material stored within the container, which has something written on it encouraging an individual not to drink and drive. The material may have a story written on it by or about someone who has experienced an accident while drinking and driving. A key ring may be connected to the container. A key for an automobile may be connected to the key ring. The container may be comprised of a first container portion and a second container portion. The first container portion may be detachable from the second container portion.