Abstract: Disclosed are sheaths that comprise a first sheath member having a first passageway, a first length, and a first proximal end defined by a first valve apparatus configured to seal the first passageway, the first passageway having a first passageway diameter at a location in the first passageway; and a second sheath member coupled to the first sheath member, the second sheath member having a second passageway and a second length, the second passageway having a second passageway diameter at a location in the second passageway; where the first passageway and the second passageway are separate from each other and not co-axial, the first length is different from the second length, and the first and second sheath members are positioned beside each other for a portion of their first and second lengths.

Abstract: Medical devices, perfusion systems, and methods for detecting a pressure within a space in a subject and for perfusion of fluid into a space in a subject. The space may be a fluid-filled space, or a space that is depleted of fluid due to an obstruction to fluid flow into the space. Methods for forming the medical devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are sheaths that comprise a first sheath member having a first passageway, a first length, and a first proximal end defined by a first valve apparatus configured to seal the first passageway, the first passageway having a first passageway diameter at a location in the first passageway; and a second sheath member coupled to the first sheath member, the second sheath member having a second passageway and a second length, the second passageway having a second passageway diameter at a location in the second passageway; where the first passageway and the second passageway are separate from each other and not co-axial, the first length is different from the second length, and the first and second sheath members are positioned beside each other for a portion of their first and second lengths.

Abstract: Medical devices, perfusion systems, and methods for detecting a pressure within a space in a subject and for perfusion of fluid into a space in a subject. The space may be a fluid-filled space, or a space that is depleted of fluid due to an obstruction to fluid flow into the space. Methods for forming the medical devices.

Abstract: A method of attaching an intravascular device to a vessel wall of a body vessel is disclosed. The attachment system includes an intravascular device and biological attachment material connected to the intravascular device. The biological attachment material is configured to attach the intravascular device to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A coated medical device (10) including a structure (12) adapted for introduction into a passage or vessel of a patient. The structure is formed of preferably a non-porous base material (14) having a bioactive material layer (18) disposed thereon. The medical device is preferably an implantable stent or balloon (26) of which the bioactive material layer is deposited thereon. The stent can be positioned around the balloon and another layer of the bioactive material posited over the entire structure and extending beyond the ends of the positioned stent. The ends of the balloon extend beyond the ends of the stent and include the bioactive material thereon for delivering the bioactive material to the cells of a vessel wall coming in contact therewith. The balloon further includes a layer of hydrophilic material (58) positioned between the base and bioactive material layers of the balloon.

Abstract: Disclosed are sheaths that comprise a first sheath member having a first passageway, a first length, and a first proximal end defined by a first valve apparatus configured to seal the first passageway, the first passageway having a first passageway diameter at a location in the first passageway; and a second sheath member coupled to the first sheath member, the second sheath member having a second passageway and a second length, the second passageway having a second passageway diameter at a location in the second passageway; where the first passageway and the second passageway are separate from each other and not co-axial, the first length is different from the second length, and the first and second sheath members are positioned beside each other for a portion of their first and second lengths.

Abstract: An endoluminal device for repairing an aortic dissection and preventing future aortic dissections, the device including a plurality of struts with at least one of the plurality of struts having a mid-strut portion having two or more secondary struts, the device being configured to be secured within a false lumen of the aorta and contain filler material in order to encourage thrombosis within the false lumen.

Abstract: A delivery and deployment device comprises a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen disposed therebetween; a dilator having a distal end slidingly disposed within the sheath lumen; a valve assembly comprising a valve housing affixed to the sheath and a valve disposed within the housing between the sheath and the dilator; and a valve lubrication mechanism disposed between the valve and the dilator.

Abstract: A coated medical device (10) including a structure (12) adapted for introduction into a passage or vessel of a patient. The structure is formed of preferably a non-porous base material (14) having a bioactive material layer (18) disposed thereon. The medical device is preferably an implantable stent or balloon (26) of which the bioactive material layer is deposited thereon. The stent can be positioned around the balloon and another layer of the bioactive material posited over the entire structure and extending beyond the ends of the positioned stent. The ends of the balloon extend beyond the ends of the stent and include the bioactive material thereon for delivering the bioactive material to the cells of a vessel wall coming in contact therewith. The balloon further includes a layer of hydrophilic material (58) positioned between the base and bioactive material layers of the balloon.

Abstract: A coated medical device (10) including a structure (12) adapted for introduction into a passage or vessel of a patient. The structure is formed of preferably a non-porous base material (14) having a bioactive material layer (18) disposed thereon. The medical device is preferably an implantable stent or balloon (26) of which the bioactive material layer is deposited thereon. The stent can be positioned around the balloon and another layer of the bioactive material posited over the entire structure and extending beyond the ends of the positioned stent. The ends of the balloon extend beyond the ends of the stent and include the bioactive material thereon for delivering the bioactive material to the cells of a vessel wall coming in contact therewith. The balloon further includes a layer of hydrophilic material (58) positioned between the base and bioactive material layers of the balloon.

Abstract: An intraluminal prosthesis is provided for strengthening a main lumen and a branch lumen that branches from the main lumen. The intraluminal prosthesis can comprise two tubular grafts. The first tubular graft can have a flexible body with a fenestration. The second tubular graft can have a flexible body that is configured for intraluminal coupling to the fenestration of the first tubular graft. The flexible body of the second tubular graft can have an outer dimension that is about equal to an inner dimension of the fenestration of the first tubular graft. The second tubular graft can also have a terminal stent that curves outwardly from a proximal end of the flexible body of the second tubular graft, whereby the terminal stent acts to couple the second tubular graft to the first tubular graft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthetic valve for regulating flow through a body lumen and delivering a therapeutic agent into said lumen. In one embodiment, the prosthesis includes a frame having an exterior wall, a hollow interior space, a valve member, and at least one aperture through the exterior wall that permits a controlled amount of therapeutic agent loaded into the hollow interior into the surrounding body lumen following implantation. In another embodiment, the prosthesis includes a frame having a groove, a valve member, and therapeutic agent loaded in the groove.

Abstract: A medical device is provided. The device includes a cannula with a lumen and a plurality of apertures and a visually perceptible indicator that is configured to allow the cannula to be positioned at an appropriate rotational position within the patient. A plurality of injection needles are disposed within the lumen and a first handle is fixed with respect to the cannula and a second handle is disposed in conjunction with the first handle and fixed to the proximal portion of each of the plurality of needles, the first handle is translatable with respect to the second handle to translate the plurality of needles from a first position where the distal portions of each of the plurality of needles are disposed within the lumen of the cannula, and a second position where the distal portion of each of the plurality of needles extends out of the lumen through their respective aperture.

Abstract: This invention is directed to graft materials for implanting, transplanting, replacing, or repairing a part of a patient and to methods of making the graft materials. The present invention is also directed to stent grafts and endoluminal prostheses formed of the graft materials. More specifically, the present invention is a graft material which includes porous polymeric sheet, extracellular matrix material (ECM) disposed on at least a portion of the porous polymeric sheet and at least one polymer layer disposed on at least a portion of the ECM. The ECM may be in a gel form. The polymeric sheet and the polymer layer may be made from foam material and may comprise a polyurethane urea and a surface modifying agent such as siloxane.

Abstract: Disclosed are sheaths that comprise a first sheath member having a first passageway, a first length, and a first proximal end defined by a first valve apparatus configured to seal the first passageway, the first passageway having a first passageway diameter at a location in the first passageway; and a second sheath member coupled to the first sheath member, the second sheath member having a second passageway and a second length, the second passageway having a second passageway diameter at a location in the second passageway; where the first passageway and the second passageway are separate from each other and not co-axial, the first length is different from the second length, and the first and second sheath members are positioned beside each other for a portion of their first and second lengths.

Abstract: Biopsy devices and methods are provided for collecting a sufficiently-sized tissue sample from a region at a known distance by boring into the sample region using simultaneous axial and rotational movement and providing a reduced risk of: over-passing or under-passing the sample sought, injury and trauma to the surrounding tissue area, having to stick the patient more than once, sample contamination, and the user's exposure to sharps.

Abstract: A coated medical device (10) including a structure (12) adapted for introduction into a passage or vessel of a patient. The structure is formed of preferably a non-porous base material (14) having a bioactive material layer (18) disposed thereon. The medical device is preferably an implantable stent or balloon (26) of which the bioactive material layer is deposited thereon. The stent can be positioned around the balloon and another layer of the bioactive material posited over the entire structure and extending beyond the ends of the positioned stent. The ends of the balloon extend beyond the ends of the stent and include the bioactive material thereon for delivering the bioactive material to the cells of a vessel wall coming in contact therewith. The balloon further includes a layer of hydrophilic material (58) positioned between the base and bioactive material layers of the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention comprises compositions and methods useful as a system for efficiently determining conditions that result in the formation of crystals of membrane proteins from solutions containing a membrane protein in a purified and soluble state. The system is comprised of two primary components, a solubility screen and a crystallization screen. Each component is a set of solutions. The present invention further provides a kit comprising solutions of the invention and an instructional material for the use thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of navigating a spinal subarchnoid space in a living being, that includes percutaneously introducing a device into the spinal subarachnoid space at an entry location. The device has a first passageway that is sized to slidably receive, and work with, at least a guidewire. The device can be a catheter or a sheath. The method can also include advancing the device within the spinal subarachnoid space at least more than 10 centimeters from the entry location. Alternatively, the method can include advancing the device within the spinal subarachnoid space to facilitate intracranial access with a second device introduced through the first passageway. Also disclosed is a device suited for attachment to a patient's skin, such as a sheath, that includes an elongated member, a skin-attachment apparatus having a flexible skin-attachment flap, and a valve apparatus.