Abstract: A seal to permit the passage of a device through the seal. The seal includes an elastic component having a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated trough adjacent the distal end. The elastic component has a slit that intersects the elongated trough.

Abstract: A seal to permit the passage of a device through the seal. The seal includes an elastic component having a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated trough adjacent the distal end. The elastic component has a slit that intersects the elongated trough.

Abstract: A method of attaching radiopaque markers to an intraluminal medical device frame formed from a shape memory metal or alloy thereof, the process conducted during the shape recovery process of said shape memory metal or alloy thereof.

Abstract: A method of attaching radiopaque markers to an intraluminal medical device frame formed from a shape memory metal or alloy thereof, the process conducted during the shape recovery process of said shape memory metal or alloy thereof.

Abstract: A collapsible medical device for use, e.g., as a vascular filter. The device includes a mandrel having a distal end and a stop spaced proximally of the distal end. A proximal length of the mandrel extends proximally of the stop and a distal length of the mandrel extends distally of the stop. A functional element (e.g., a vascular filter) has a radially expandable body and includes a proximal slider and a distal slider. The proximal and distal sliders are slidable along the mandrel independently of one another such that the distance between the proximal slider and distal slider can be varied to effect different configurations of the functional element. In one method of using such a device, the functional element is urged distally to a treatment site by urging the mandrel distally.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of deploying a medical filter within a channel in a patient's body and filter systems which can be used in such a method. Such a filter may include a radially expandable body 52 having an opening 56 in a proximal length thereof. In one method, the filter is urged along a length of the channel with the filter body in a radially reduced configuration. This body is expanded to substantially fill the lumen of the vessel and orient the opening in the body proximally. Body fluid is permitted to enter the filter body through the proximally oriented opening and pass distally through the distal length of the body so that the distal length of the body filters from the body fluid particulate material entrained therein. The proximal length of the body can be drawn into the retrieval catheter, thereby effectively closing the proximally oriented opening within the catheter to retain the particulate material within the enclosure.

Abstract: A collapsible medical device for use, e.g., as a vascular filter. The device includes a mandrel having a distal end and a stop spaced proximally of the distal end. A proximal length of the mandrel extends proximally of the stop and a distal length of the mandrel extends distally of the stop. A functional element (e.g., a vascular filter) has a radially expandable body and includes a proximal slider and a distal slider. The proximal and distal sliders are slidable along the mandrel independently of one another such that the distance between the proximal slider and distal slider can be varied to effect different configurations of the functional element. In one method of using such a device, the functional element is urged distally to a treatment site by urging the mandrel distally.