Abstract: Packaging systems and surgical kits for a tool that has a working portion and a shaft. A casing includes a distal section defining a cavity to receive the working portion of the tool. A proximal section is coupled to the distal section and receives the shaft of the tool. The proximal section is detachable from the distal section. In one implementation, at least a portion of the distal section comprises a colored indicator to provide a visual indication of a location of the working portion of the tool. In another implementation, instructions are provided on the proximal section and the instructions illustrate one or more steps for installing the tool to a surgical device.

Abstract: Packaging systems and surgical kits for a tool that has a working portion and a shaft. A casing includes a distal section defining a cavity to receive the working portion of the tool. A proximal section is coupled to the distal section and receives the shaft of the tool. The proximal section is detachable from the distal section. In one implementation, at least a portion of the distal section comprises a colored indicator to provide a visual indication of a location of the working portion of the tool. In another implementation, instructions are provided on the proximal section and the instructions illustrate one or more steps for installing the tool to a surgical device.

Abstract: Packaging systems and surgical kits for a tool that has a cutting bur and a shaft. A casing includes a distal section defining a cavity to receive the cutting bur of the tool. A proximal section is coupled to the distal section and receives the shaft of the tool. The proximal section is detachable from the distal section. At least a portion of the distal section comprises a colored indicator to provide a visual indication of a location of the cutting bur of the tool. Instructions are provided on the proximal section and the instructions illustrate one or more steps for installing the tool to a surgical device.

Abstract: Packaging systems and surgical kits for a tool that has a cutting bur and a shaft. A casing includes a distal section defining a cavity to receive the cutting bur of the tool. A proximal section is coupled to the distal section and receives the shaft of the tool. The proximal section is detachable from the distal section. At least a portion of the distal section comprises a colored indicator to provide a visual indication of a location of the cutting bur of the tool. Instructions are provided on the proximal section and the instructions illustrate one or more steps for installing the tool to a surgical device.

Abstract: Packaging systems, surgical kits and methods are disclosed for a tool including a working portion and a shank. The packaging system includes a casing with a distal section defining a cavity configured to receive the working portion, and a proximal section removably coupled to the distal section and being configured to receive the shank of the tool. A sleeve is retained by the distal section and is disposed within the cavity of the distal section. The sleeve defines a lumen adapted to receive the working portion. The sleeve is configured to rotate within the distal section to facilitate rotational installation of the tool relative to a surgical device.

Abstract: Packaging systems, surgical kits and methods are disclosed for a tool including a working portion and a shank. The packaging system includes a casing with a distal section defining a cavity configured to receive the working portion, and a proximal section removably coupled to the distal section and being configured to receive the shank of the tool. A sleeve is retained by the distal section and is disposed within the cavity of the distal section. The sleeve defines a lumen adapted to receive the working portion. The sleeve is configured to rotate within the distal section to facilitate rotational installation of the tool relative to a surgical device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing an elution rate of a stent. The stent includes a hollow strut that forms the stent, the hollow strut defining a lumenal space, a drug formulation disposed within the lumenal space of the hollow strut, and at least one side port for eluting the drug formulation in vivo. When the stent is in the radially expanded configuration the hollow strut is deformable from a first configuration that has a first elution rate for the drug formulation to a second configuration that has a second elution rate for the drug formulation. The second elution rate is faster than the first elution rate. The hollow strut deforms from the first configuration to the second configuration upon application of an applied pressure above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing an elution profile of a stent after manufacture of the stent has been completed. The stent includes a plurality of side ports for eluting a drug formulation within a lumenal space of a hollow strut that forms the stent. An effective diameter of at least one side port of the plurality of side ports of the stent is modified in order to customize an elution profile of the stent. In an embodiment hereof, the plurality of side ports are completely blocked or plugged with a filler material during the manufacture of the stent and at least a portion of the filler material is removed to increase an effective diameter of at least one side port of the plurality of side ports of the stent in order to customize an elution profile of the stent.

Abstract: A guide extension catheter includes a push member and a distal shaft. The push member includes a segment having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The segment includes a groove in the first surface. The second surface is substantially flat. The distal shaft is coupled to the push member and includes a passageway. The segment of the push member including the groove is adjacent to the distal shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing an elution rate of a stent. The stent includes a hollow strut that forms the stent, the hollow strut defining a lumenal space, a drug formulation disposed within the lumenal space of the hollow strut, and at least one side port for eluting the drug formulation in vivo. When the stent is in the radially expanded configuration the hollow strut is deformable from a first configuration that has a first elution rate for the drug formulation to a second configuration that has a second elution rate for the drug formulation. The second elution rate is faster than the first elution rate. The hollow strut deforms from the first configuration to the second configuration upon application of an applied pressure above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A guide extension catheter includes a push member and a distal shaft. The push member includes a segment having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The segment includes a groove in the first surface. The second surface is substantially flat. The distal shaft is coupled to the push member and includes a passageway. The segment of the push member including the groove is adjacent to the distal shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing an elution profile of a stent after manufacture of the stent has been completed. The stent includes a plurality of side ports for eluting a drug formulation within a lumenal space of a hollow strut that forms the stent. An effective diameter of at least one side port of the plurality of side ports of the stent is modified in order to customize an elution profile of the stent. In an embodiment hereof, the plurality of side ports are completely blocked or plugged with a filler material during the manufacture of the stent and at least a portion of the filler material is removed to increase an effective diameter of at least one side port of the plurality of side ports of the stent in order to customize an elution profile of the stent.