Abstract: A medical system for use in reducing the size of an internal tissue opening is disclosed. The medical system can include a patent foramen ovale or PFO closure device and a delivery device therefore. The PFO closure device can include left and right anchors connected by a stem. The delivery device is configured to selectively deploy at least one of the right or left anchors of PFO closure device so as to enable a practitioner to adjust PFO closure device during the positioning procedure. In one embodiment, the delivery device includes a filament operating shaft linked to the right anchor by one or more filaments. A practitioner can move the filament operating shaft to selectively deploy and retract the right anchor during positioning of the PFO closure device. Furthermore, the delivery device comprises a tether shaft for coupling delivery device to PFO closure device.

Abstract: A medical device for guiding through anatomy, such as a catheter or guidewire, with a tubular body that has been slotted to enhance bending flexibility, and a polymer liner with an anti-collapsing structure, and a method of making a medical device with a kink-resistant corrugated tubular member and an anti-collapsing structure. Anti collapsing structures may be helical or annular, and may be wire, such as ribbon wire, grooves in the liner, corrugations, or a braid. Liners may be bonded to the anti-collapsing structure, or may have two layers, with the anti-collapsing structure between the layers. Corrugations may be formed between sections of the anti-collapsing ‘structure with heat, pressure, stretching, compression, a mold, or a combination thereof, and may extend inward or outward. Shape or wall thickness may vary along the length to provide a varying bending stiffness. Slots may be formed in groups of two, three, or more, and adjacent groups may be rotated about the axis forming a helical pattern.

Abstract: A self-powered switching device using a prestressed flextensional electroactive member generates a signal for activation of a latching relay. The electroactive member has a piezoelectric element with a convex and a concave face that may be compressed to generate an electrical pulse. The flextensional electroactive member and associated signal generation circuitry can be hardwired directly to the latching relay or may be coupled to a transmitter for sending an RF signal to a receiver which actuates the latching relay.

Abstract: A phase change driven actuation device comprises an elongate combustion tube having: an inlet section, including an inlet for combustible material; an extinguishing section; and an ignition section, including an igniter displaced along a length of the tube from the inlet section to ignite the combustible material. A fluid is disposed adjacent an exterior surface of the elongate combustion tube and is configured to be heated by heat created by combustion of the combustible material and to at least partially undergo a phase change from a liquid state to a gaseous state upon combustion of the combustible material. At least one energy extraction device is in communication with the fluid to extract energy created by the phase change of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods, and apparatus configured to close an internal tissue opening, such as an internal tissue opening cased by an atrial septal defect including a patent foramen ovale defect, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arterosus defect, or the like. For example, a closure device includes a right anchor cooperatively coupled with a left anchor, where the right anchor and left anchor are configured to be positioned about the internal tissue opening. The left and/or right anchor are configured to close the internal tissue opening in one instance, and to provide tissue stimulating or growth-encouraging substances at the tissue opening. Additional aspects of the invention relate to shape, formation, positioning, and detachment of the closure device about the internal tissue opening.

Abstract: Devices for closure of a patent foramen ovale, apparatus for delivery of the closure device and methods and systems for closing a patent foramen ovale are disclosed.

Abstract: A self-powered switching device using a prestressed flextensional electroactive member generates a signal for activation of a latching relay. The electroactive member has a piezoelectric element with a convex and a concave face that may be compressed to generate an electrical pulse. The flextensional electroactive member and associated signal generation circuitry can be hardwired directly to the latching relay or may be coupled to a transmitter for sending an RF signal to a receiver which actuates the latching relay.

Abstract: A self-powered switching device using a prestressed flextensional electroactive member generates a signal for activation of a latching relay. The electroactive member has a piezoelectric element with a convex and a concave face that may be compressed to generate an electrical pulse. The flextensional electroactive member and associated signal generation circuitry can be hardwired directly to the latching relay or may be coupled to a transmitter for sending an RF signal to a receiver which actuates the latching relay.

Abstract: A self-powered switching device using a prestressed flextensional electroactive member generates a signal for activation of a latching relay. The electroactive member has a piezoelectric element with a convex and a concave face that may be compressed to generate an electrical pulse. The flextensional electroactive member and associated signal generation circuitry can be hardwired directly to the latching relay or may be coupled to a transmitter for sending an RF signal to a receiver which actuates the latching relay.

Abstract: A self-powered switching device using a prestressed flextensional electroactive member generates a signal for activation of a latching relay. The electroactive member has a piezoelectric element with a convex and a concave face that may be compressed to generate an electrical pulse. The flextensional electroactive member and associated signal generation circuitry can be hardwired directly to the latching relay or may be coupled to a transmitter for sending an RF signal to a receiver which actuates the latching relay.

Abstract: A self-powered switching device using a prestressed flextensional electroactive member generates a signal for activation of a latching relay. The electroactive member has a piezoelectric element with a convex and a concave face that may be compressed to generate an electrical pulse. The flextensional electroactive member and associated signal generation circuitry can be hardwired directly to the latching relay or may be coupled to a transmitter for sending an RF signal to a receiver which actuates the latching relay.

Abstract: A micro-machining system configured for cutting an elongate object, including a clamp configured to enable repeatedly releasing and then holding the elongate object in a position suitable for cutting the elongate object transversely relative to its lengthwise axis, and a manipulating means, which can include a pinch roller feed configured to advance the elongate element and to rotate it about a lengthwise axis of the elongate object, thereby moving the elongate object so that it can be disposed in the position suitable for cutting, and a cutter configured for forming the at least one precision cut in the elongate object to a desired depth, under the control of a controller.

Abstract: A hybrid catheter guide wire includes an elongate solid body having a tapered distal end over which is disposed a tubular section—about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along at least a portion of the tubular section to increase its lateral flexibility, while maintaining its rotational torquability, and to control the direction and degree of flexure.

Abstract: A pressure responsive mechanically resonant sensor device is provided that comprises a torsion pendulum driven at resonance. The pressure sensor includes a rigid frame to which is affixed a torsion pendulum comprising a hollow tube and a resonant mass as well as optimal means for applying energy to drive the torsion pendulum at resonance. The interior of the hollow tube portion of the torsion pendulum communicates through a pressure port in the rigid frame with the fluid whose pressure is to be sensed. The input pressure affects the torsion constant of the hollow tube and therefor changes the resonant frequency of the torsion pendulum, which frequency is converted into an indication of the sensed pressure.

Abstract: An embolic device comprised of a linear sequence of flexibly interconnected miniature beads. The device generally comprises a flexible elongate filament having a linear sequence of miniature beads disposed thereon. The beads may be fixedly or slidably connected to the filament. The device is configured to allow the beads to compress together for pushing through a catheter to a target location and extended beyond a distal end of the catheter, whereupon the flexible string of beads may fold back upon itself so as to occupy a volume of space at the target location. The string of beads may be preconfigured to the exact length needed, or the distal end of the string may be cut or severed after placement at the target location. The beads may be porous or hollow to allow them to function as drug delivery devices, and the string of beads may have an anchor device at one end to aid in anchorage of the string within the anatomy.

Abstract: A hybrid catheter guide wire includes an elongate solid body having a tapered distal end over which is disposed a tubular section—about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along at least a portion of the tubular section to increase its lateral flexibility, while maintaining its rotational torquability, and to control the direction and degree of flexure.

Abstract: A method of forming cuts in elongate objects such as a catheters and guide wires, using a cutting device which includes a movable cutting means, a clamping means for holding the elongate object while the cutting means makes an incision therein, and a manipulating means including a pinch roller assembly including a first roller and a second roller, and configured for advancing the elongated object to the clamping means and rotating the elongate object, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a length of the elongate object to the manipulating means; b) advancing the elongate object toward the clamping means by rotation of a roller of the pinch roller assembly; c) rotating the pinch roller assembly so as to rotate the elongate object about a lengthwise axis of the elongate object; d) engaging the clamping means around the elongate object; e) cutting the elongate object; f) advancing the cutting means toward the elongate object until a desired cutting depth has been reached; and, g) retracting the cutti

Abstract: A catheter guidewire includes an elongate solid body about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. The elongate body includes a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end being curved. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along the length of the body to increase its lateral flexibility. Integral beams are also formed within the body to maintain its torsional strength. The relative location and size of cuts and beams may be selectively adjusted so as to control the direction and degree of flexure, and the change in torsional stiffness relative to flexibility.

Abstract: A micromaching system configured for cutting an elongate object, comprising a clamp configured to enable repeatedly releasing and then holding the elongate object in a position suitable for cutting the elongate object transversely relative to the lengthwise axis and a pinch roller feed configured to advance the elongate element and to rotate it about a lenghwise axis of the elongate object, thereby moving the elongate object so that it can be disposed in the position suitable for cutting, and a cutter configured for forming the at least one precision cut in the elongate object to a desired depth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively delivering a medicament to a target location of the wall of a body cavity, blood vessel, or the like, comprising a compressed hollow cylinder of permeable, expandable foam, attached to the distal end of a delivery device such as a catheter or catheter guidewire. Using the delivery device, the compressed cylinder is advanced to a target location within the body, and the compressed foam cylinder is allowed to expand so as to contact the walls of the body cavity, blood vessel, or the like, while allowing bodily fluids to freely flow through the central lumen of the cylinder. The foam cylinder is provided with means for perfusing it with a medicament so that the medicament is placed in contact with the walls of the patient's anatomy, and is also provided with means for preventing the medicament from entering the patient's bloodstream.