Abstract: An implantable medical device includes first and second material capture elements which are disposed in opposing orientations and have their narrow ends facing one another. The first and second material capture elements are connected by a flexible connector, which enables the implantable medical device to curve within a curved vessel of a patient. The flexible connector is either closed or has a lumen passing therethrough and includes a closure element for closing the lumen after deployment of the device within a patient. The structure enables the device to be positioned reliably within a curved vessel and benefits from the advantage of a double-ended device.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a support structure which is twistable in a longitudinal direction of the device. A sleeve of filter or occluding material is attached to the ends of the structure. The structure in practice twists on itself in the longitudinal direction, causing the sleeve to twist on itself and as a result to close the lumen through the sleeve. The device provides reliable closure and as a result occlusion of a vessel. It is also able to be delivered over a guide wire. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a wire which coils around the sleeve to constrict the sleeve and as a result to close a lumen of the sleeve.

Abstract: A vascular occluder includes a tubular support element and a sleeve of occluding material disposed within the support element. The sleeve is twisted in the support creating a constriction which closes the lumen of the sleeve. The lumen of the sleeve can nevertheless be opened by a guide wire or cannula for over the wire delivery. Once the guide wire or cannula are withdrawn from the sleeve, the sleeve will close again by the action of blood pressure thereon. Blood pressure will act to maintain closing pressure on the sleeve, thereby avoiding or reducing the risk of recanalization.

Abstract: A vascular occluder includes first and second conical members disposed in opposing relation and which have tooth-shaped wide ends. The conical members are coupled to one another by a coupling element, which may be a cannula or rod. The conical members are formed of a membrane which has a thickness which increases towards the narrow ends and decreases towards the toothed elements. The toothed elements are preferably self-supporting within a vessel and avoid folds within the occluder membrane, which may otherwise result in leakage of blood around the device. The device may be provided with a supporting frame which may be at least partially embedded within the membrane. The membrane is preferably made of silicone.

Abstract: A vascular plug has a frame or skeleton which includes a ring of spring material and, attached to the frame, a cover of impervious or porous material. The plug is able to open a cup configuration when in a deployed condition, so as to provide an occlusion barrier to blood flow. The frame can be radially contracted by twisting into a multi-coiled configuration for deployment through an introducer. The vascular plug has a very short deployment length, making it suitable for deployment in precise locations and is also able to expand to a variety of operating diameters, thereby being suitable for a range of vessel sizes.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a support structure which is twistable in a longitudinal direction of the device. A sleeve of filter or occluding material is attached to the ends of the structure. The structure in practice twists on itself in the longitudinal direction, causing the sleeve to twist on itself and as a result to close the lumen through the sleeve. The device provides reliable closure and as a result occlusion of a vessel. It is also able to be delivered over a guide wire. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a wire which coils around the sleeve to constrict the sleeve and as a result to close a lumen of the sleeve.

Abstract: A drug delivery device (10) includes expandable element (12) formed of a braided structure having a body portion (16) and first and second end cones (18, 20). The end cones are attached at their necks (22, 24) to a catheter assembly (14). The expandable element (12) can expand to a vessel contacting configuration, in which the body portion (16) contacts the vessel wall. Bioactive agent (28) covers at least the outer surface of the body portion (16) such that bioactive material can be administered to a vessel wall. The end cones (18, 20) have an open structure allowing unrestricted passage of blood through the device (10) in the deployed configuration, such that blood flow can be maintained during the administration of bioactive agent (28) from the device (10). The expandable element (12) can be radially contracted by extending it in the longitudinal direction, both for deployment endoluminally to the treatment site and also for retrieval following the administration of the bioactive material.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a support structure which is twistable in a longitudinal direction of the device. A sleeve of filter or occluding material is attached to the ends of the structure. The structure in practice twists on itself in the longitudinal direction, causing the sleeve to twist on itself and as a result to close the lumen through the sleeve. The device provides reliable closure and as a result occlusion of a vessel. It is also able to be delivered over a guide wire. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a wire which coils around the sleeve to constrict the sleeve and as a result to close a lumen of the sleeve.

Abstract: A vascular occluder includes first and second conical members disposed in opposing relation and which have tooth-shaped wide ends. The conical members are coupled to one another by a coupling element, which may be a cannula or rod. The conical members are formed of a membrane which has a thickness which increases towards the narrow ends and decreases towards the toothed elements. The toothed elements are preferably self-supporting within a vessel and avoid folds within the occluder membrane, which may otherwise result in leakage of blood around the device. The device may be provided with a supporting frame which may be at least partially embedded within the membrane. The membrane is preferably made of silicone.

Abstract: A vascular plug for implantation into a patient's vessel includes an inflatable balloon and a flow accelerator. The flow accelerator includes a conical portion and a tubular coupling element which couples the conical portion to an aperture to the interior of the inflatable balloon. The flow accelerator will concentrate and therefore accelerate fluid flow into the inflatable balloon. Flow accelerator will increase the pressure of fluid thereby to cause the inflatable balloon to inflate even within a pressurised blood vessel. The plug may include a sleeve which provides a chamber between the flow accelerator and the balloon, into which blood may pass from the inflatable balloon or the flow accelerator to create additional blood statis and as a result thrombosis and a second occlusive barrier.

Abstract: A drug delivery device (10) includes expandable element (12) formed of a braided structure having a body portion (16) and first and second end cones (18, 20). The end cones are attached at their necks (22, 24) to a catheter assembly (14). The expandable element (12) can expand to a vessel contacting configuration, in which the body portion (16) contacts the vessel wall. Bioactive agent (28) covers at least the outer surface of the body portion (16) such that bioactive material can be administered to a vessel wall. The end cones (18, 20) have an open structure allowing unrestricted passage of blood through the device (10) in the deployed configuration, such that blood flow can be maintained during the administration of bioactive agent (28) from the device (10). The expandable element (12) can be radially contracted by extending it in the longitudinal direction, both for deployment endoluminally to the treatment site and also for retrieval following the administration of the bioactive material.

Abstract: A vascular plug for implantation into a patient's vessel includes an inflatable balloon and a flow accelerator. The flow accelerator includes a conical portion and a tubular coupling element which couples the conical portion to an aperture to the interior of the inflatable balloon. The flow accelerator will concentrate and therefore accelerate fluid flow into the inflatable balloon. Flow accelerator will increase the pressure of fluid thereby to cause the inflatable balloon to inflate even within a pressurised blood vessel. The plug may include a sleeve which provides a chamber between the flow accelerator and the balloon, into which blood may pass from the inflatable balloon or the flow accelerator to create additional blood statis and as a result thrombosis and a second occlusive barrier.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a support structure which is twistable in a longitudinal direction of the device. A sleeve of filter or occluding material is attached to the ends of the structure. The structure in practice twists on itself in the longitudinal direction, causing the sleeve to twist on itself and as a result to close the lumen through the sleeve. The device provides reliable closure and as a result occlusion of a vessel. It is also able to be delivered over a guide wire. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a wire which coils around the sleeve to constrict the sleeve and as a result to close a lumen of the sleeve.

Abstract: A vascular occluder includes a tubular support element and a sleeve of occluding material disposed within the support element. The sleeve is twisted in the support creating a constriction which closes the lumen of the sleeve. The lumen of the sleeve can nevertheless be opened by a guide wire or cannula for over the wire delivery. Once the guide wire or cannula are withdrawn from the sleeve, the sleeve will close again by the action of blood pressure thereon. Blood pressure will act to maintain closing pressure on the sleeve, thereby avoiding or reducing the risk of recanalization.

Abstract: A vascular plug includes a plurality of cells which extend from a front face of the plug towards a distal end of the plug. The cells form at least a periphery of the plug and are in the preferred embodiment closed at their distal ends. The cells may form a central chamber to the plug or may extend across the entirety of the front face of the plug. The cells will fill with blood from the patient's vessel, to inflate the plug and create a barrier to fluid flow. Static blood within the plug will clot over time, creating enhanced occlusion. The plug can also be configured as a vascular filter.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes first and second material capture elements which are disposed in opposing orientations and have their narrow ends facing one another. The first and second material capture elements are connected by a flexible connector, which enables the implantable medical device to curve within a curved vessel of a patient. The flexible connector is either closed or has a lumen passing therethrough and includes a closure element for closing the lumen after deployment of the device within a patient. The structure enables the device to be positioned reliably within a curved vessel and benefits from the advantage of a double-ended device.

Abstract: A vascular plug has a frame or skeleton which includes a ring of spring material and, attached to the frame, a cover of impervious or porous material. The plug is able to open a cup configuration when in a deployed condition, so as to provide an occlusion barrier to blood flow. The frame can be radially contracted by twisting into a multi-coiled configuration for deployment through an introducer. The vascular plug has a very short deployment length, making it suitable for deployment in precise locations and is also able to expand to a variety of operating diameters, thereby being suitable for a range of vessel sizes.

Abstract: A vascular plug includes a plurality of cells which extend from a front face of the plug towards a distal end of the plug. The cells form at least a periphery of the plug and are in the preferred embodiment closed at their distal ends. The cells may form a central chamber to the plug or may extend across the entirety of the front face of the plug. The cells will fill with blood from the patient's vessel, to inflate the plug and create a barrier to fluid flow. Static blood within the plug will clot over time, creating enhanced occlusion. The plug can also be configured as a vascular filter.

Abstract: A vascular plug for implantation into a patient's vessel includes an inflatable balloon and a flow accelerator. The flow accelerator includes a conical portion and a tubular coupling element which couples the conical portion to an aperture to the interior of the inflatable balloon. The flow accelerator will concentrate and therefore accelerate fluid flow into the inflatable balloon. Flow accelerator will increase the pressure of fluid thereby to cause the inflatable balloon to inflate even within a pressurised blood vessel. The plug may include a sleeve which provides a chamber between the flow accelerator and the balloon, into which blood may pass from the inflatable balloon or the flow accelerator to create additional blood statis and as a result thrombosis and a second occlusive barrier.