Abstract: An expansion mechanism which includes an elongate instrument and a plurality of struts arranged around the elongate instrument provides radial expansion of a medical device. Each strut has a first end pivotally connected to the elongate instrument and a second strut which expands radially outward. Each strut further carries a flexible line which has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of each line passes beyond the second end of the strut which carries it and is attached to the strut immediately adjacent the strut which carries it. Methods of using such an expansion mechanism are also disclosed, particularly to provide deployment of medical devices within a patient's blood vascular system.

Abstract: A suture-free clamp for sealing body tissue during introduction of medical devices, such as a cannula, aspirator, stent, endoscope, and pressure monitor. The clamp may be used in a patient's vascular tissues, such as the right atrium and the aorta. The clamp comprises a generally cone-shaped housing which includes a lumen for receiving a medical device, and a collar having a central opening for passage of a medical device, the collar connected to a proximal end of the housing by a plurality of struts. The proximal end of the housing and the collar each has an annular surface. The two surfaces are opposed, and are operable to clamp tissue therebetween, and to thereafter release the tissue by releasing the clamp. Methods are also disclosed for using the suture-free clamp for sealing body tissues during introduction of a medical device.

Abstract: A balloon delivery system for deploying stents including a balloon catheter, and a stent fixedly positioned on the balloon portion of the balloon catheter by at least one protrusion such as annular cuff formed around the balloon. The balloon can include two or more continuous or discontinuous cuffs formed along the balloon which maintain one or more stents in position on the balloon. The protrusion can be created from excess material of the balloon which is configured in a desired fashion around the balloon to form the protrusion. The protrusion improves the fixation of the stent on the balloon catheter until the balloon is inflated to deploy the stent within a body lumen. The protrusion restrains the movement of the stent without a significant change in the overall profile of the balloon delivery system.