Abstract: An apparatus for performing angioplasty on a lesion and applying a therapeutic agent thereto. The apparatus includes a catheter having an inflatable balloon, such as a non-compliant balloon, adapted to compress the lesion when inflated. At least one port adapted to deliver the therapeutic agent to adjacent the lesion, such as once the balloon is deflated and advanced past a location where the inflatable balloon compressed the lesion. Alternatively, one or more additional balloons, which may be compliant balloons located distally or proximally of the balloon for compressing the lesion, may be inflated to form a sealed chamber including the compressed lesion and the therapeutic agent once delivered via the at least one port. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Valve assemblies having improved ability to selectively control flow of fluids through the catheter and prevent leakage of fluids from the proximal end of a catheter that is positioned within a patient. Such improved catheter valve assemblies also prevent leakage of fluids after repeated insertion and removal of medical instruments through the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus is for forming a balloon layer, such as on an expanded base balloon. The apparatus includes a mandrel supporting the expanded base balloon. At least one gripper is provided for gripping the balloon layer, and an actuator is for stretching the balloon layer over the expanded base balloon, such as by moving the at least one gripper. Related methods for forming a balloon layer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Valve assemblies having improved ability to selectively control flow of fluids through the catheter and prevent leakage of fluids from the proximal end of a catheter that is positioned within a patient. Such improved catheter valve assemblies also prevent leakage of fluids after repeated insertion and removal of medical instruments through the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus is for forming a balloon layer, such as on an expanded base balloon. The apparatus includes a mandrel supporting the expanded base balloon. At least one gripper is provided for gripping the balloon layer, and an actuator is for stretching the balloon layer over the expanded base balloon, such as by moving the at least one gripper. Related methods for forming a balloon layer are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intravascular apparatus includes an electrical circuit configured to generate a series of electrical pulses. An intravascular catheter includes an elongate catheter body having a distal end portion and a distal end at a distal terminus of the distal end portion. A solenoid-type reciprocating device is located at the distal end portion of the elongate catheter body. The solenoid-type reciprocating device has a coil and a distal tip member. The coil is electrically coupled to the electrical circuit. The distal tip member has a proximal armature section and a distal working end section. The coil defines a coil aperture that is configured to slidably receive the proximal armature section. The proximal armature section is configured to axially reciprocate relative to the coil when the coil is energized.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an implantable graft system configured to deliver drugs or similar therapeutic agents directly to a graft implanted in a vasculature. The graft system can include a graft body defining a lumen extending between a first end and a second end, a delivery line coupled to a surface of the graft body and an access port in fluid communication with the delivery line. The graft system can further include one or more channels extending through the wall of the graft body and communicating between a lumen of the graft body and a lumen of the delivery line. Therapeutic agents can be delivered to the graft lumen by accessing the port. Embodiments can include the graft body formed of an impervious material. As such, the infusion rate can be accurately determined by the configuration of the delivery line and/or channels of the graft system.

Abstract: Valve assemblies having improved ability to selectively control flow of fluids through the catheter and prevent leakage of fluids from the proximal end of a catheter that is positioned within a patient. Such improved catheter valve assemblies also prevent leakage of fluids after repeated insertion and removal of medical instruments through the valve.

Abstract: A portable preservation system comprising an outer container having at least one open end. An insulative layer wherein the insulative layer is placed in and coupled to the outer container. At least one supply line and at least one return line wherein at least one coil can be coupled between the supply line and the return line wherein the coil partially surrounds an inner container and a cap. The inner container can have at least one compartment. The insulative layer can be coupled between the coils and the outer container.

Abstract: A re-entry device for recanalization of a vessel using a subintimal technique. A catheter (10) includes a first inner lumen (14) extending to a distal end portion (12b) of the catheter, the distal end portion including an angled tip (20) having a distal open end (20a). An elongated stylet (24) is located in the first inner lumen, the stylet having an angled distal end portion (24a) forming a needle. An actuator (26) at a proximal end portion (12a) of the catheter is for advancing the stylet from a retracted position within the catheter to a deployed position projecting from the distal open end of the angled tip for penetrating a wall of the vessel.

Abstract: A catheter is provided for both crossing a lesion, such as a chronic total occlusion, in a vessel and performing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty thereupon. The catheter includes a shaft having a tapered tip adapted for being pushed into the lesion to advance through the lesion. An inflatable balloon is mounted on the shaft, which may be braided to provide enhanced pushability and kink-resistance. The inflatable balloon includes a proximal portion and a distal tapered portion connected to the tapered tip, and having a shallow taper. The taper of the distal tapered portion and the tapered tip may together create a continuous sloping transition from a distal end of the distal tapered portion to an adjacent portion of the tapered tip to facilitate crossing a lesion. The balloon may also be selectively inflated or deflated during crossing of the lesion, and ultimately used to compact the lesion when inflated.

Abstract: The present application provides a unique way for storing biologics, perishables, food, drinks in a preservation and transportation system. The portable preservation system comprising a main body comprising an outer shell having at least one docking compartment and a main compartment. A cooling unit placed in the main compartment having a supply line and a return line wherein the supply line is connected to a supply manifold. At least one valve wherein the valve is connected to the supply manifold. At least one supply connection port wherein the supply connection port is coupled to at least one opposing port which supplies coolant to an external system having an inlet and outlet wherein the outlet is connected to at least one return connection port.

Abstract: Methods and devices to facilitate positioning of a catheter into a vessel. Devices include axially concentric assemblies of a piercing needle and a dilator that guides an outer catheter into a vessel, such as a blood vessel. The assemblies described herein can include retraction mechanisms and/or lock mechanisms to control needle positioning during catheterization processes as well as improved valves that prevent leakage of fluid from the proximal end of the devices. The devices and method include the use of novel valves to prevent undesired leakage of fluids through the proximal end of the catheter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and devices to facilitate positioning of a catheter into a vessel and selectively controlling flow of fluids through the catheter until desired using one or more valves.

Abstract: Valve assemblies having improved ability to selectively control flow of fluids through the catheter and prevent leakage of fluids from the proximal end of a catheter that is positioned within a patient. Such improved catheter valve assemblies also prevent leakage of fluids after repeated insertion and removal of medical instruments through the valve.

Abstract: A system is provided for handling errors during automatic speech recognition by leveraging past inputs spoken by the user. The system may process a user input to determine an ASR hypothesis. The system may then determine an alternate representation of the user input based on the inputs provided by the user in the past, and whether the ASR hypothesis sufficiently matches one of the past inputs.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and devices to facilitate positioning of a catheter into a vessel and selectively controlling flow of fluids through the catheter until desired using one or more valves.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for laminating a medical balloon (12). In one embodiment, the lamination apparatus includes a pressurized medical balloon (12) comprising a plurality of layers in need of lamination. The balloon is positioned in an evacuated, flexible receiver (14) in which the pressurized medical balloon is positioned, and heat may be applied to the balloon to cause consolidation of one or more of the layers and result in lamination A fixture is also provided for simultaneously laminating a plurality of balloons.

Abstract: The present application provides a unique way for storing biomaterials, blood, blood products, vaccines, organs in an organ and fluid preservation and transportation system. The organ and fluid preservation and transportation system can comprise a docking system, a container system comprising an upper container, an inner container, an outer container, electronics, and a heating/cooling module. The upper container can attach to the outer container, and/or inner container and create an airtight seal with the environmental conditions staying consistent when sealed wherein the container system can be docked to the docking system wherein the docking system heats or cools down the container system.

Abstract: Valve assemblies having improved ability to selectively control flow of fluids through the catheter and prevent leakage of fluids from the proximal end of a catheter that is positioned within a patient. Such improved catheter valve assemblies also prevent leakage of fluids after repeated insertion and removal of medical instruments through the valve.