Abstract: The present application provides an optical filter, and a test assembly and method for a smoke detector. The optical filter comprises: a support; and a screen supported by the support, wherein the screen is composed of wires and mesh holes are defined between the wires, and the screen has a first side and a second side opposite to each other; wherein, the smoke detector comprises a light transmitter and a light receiver arranged in vicinity and an light reflector arranged opposite to the light transmitter and the light receiver, such that light emitted by the light transmitter is reflected to the light receiver via the light reflector; and wherein, during testing, the optical filter is arranged in both the light path from the light transmitter to the light reflector and the light path from the light reflector to the light receiver.

Abstract: Various coupling agents are disclosed to form lap joints between metallic and polymeric surfaces within catheters and other medical devices. The coupling agents disclosed in the present invention can be applied directly to a metallic surface, or the coupling agents may be incorporated within a polymeric material. In certain circumstances, the mere application of the coupling agent between the two dissimilar materials provides sufficient adhesive strength to form a fatigue-free lap joint bond. Alternative methods utilize coupling agents as primers for later thermal bonding and laser welding procedures that form lap joint bonds.

Abstract: A composition and method for detecting the presence, location and uniformity of a lubricious coating on a medical device. The method includes the steps of preparing a mixture of a biocompatible hydrophilic fluorescent dye and a hydrophobic lubricant, applying the mixture to the surface of a medical device to form a coating capable of exhibiting fluorescence, and subjecting the surface of the medical device to a source of energy capable of inducing a fluorescent emission. The coating composition may further comprise a surfactant. This method finds particular utility for catheters, especially stent delivery catheters.

Abstract: A distal tip for a catheter which is defined by a matrix and at least one stripe. The matrix is defined by at least one matrix material, and the at least one stripe is defined by at one stripe material. The predetermined hardness of the at least one stripe material has a greater durometer value than the predetermined hardness of the at least one matrix material.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a substrate has been subjected to an energy source. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a polymeric surface, providing a light emitting material having a specified emission spectrum that changes upon exposure to an energy source on the surface or embedded in said substrate and applying said energy source to said surface with said light emitting material. This method can be particularly useful for detecting the bond quality in medical devices.

Abstract: The present invention is a stent delivery system including a catheter, wherein the catheter includes an inflatable region. An expandable stent is disposed about at least a portion of the inflatable region. A first end of the at least one stent retaining sleeve covers an end of the stent prior to the stent being expanded for delivery. A second end of the at least one sleeve is engaged to at least a portion of the catheter adjacent to the inflatable region. The at least one stent retaining sleeve is constructed and arranged to longitudinally foreshorten from a first predetermined length to a second predetermined length when the stent is expanded for delivery. The second predetermined length being more than 5 percent shorter than the first predetermined length. When the stent is expanded for delivery, the at least one stent retaining sleeve is retracted off of the stent thereby releasing the stent from the catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device, such as a stent or a balloon catheter that includes an expandable body portion which has an exterior surface that contacts a vessel wall during treatment. The medical device includes a first coating disposed over at least a portion of the exterior surface. The first coating includes a therapeutic substance that is intended for controlled release from the exterior surface. The medical device further includes a second coating overlaying at least a substantial portion of the first coating. The second coating includes a material that is generally impervious to elution of the therapeutic substance therethrough when the body portion is inserted into the vessel lumen. The material of the second coating is relatively inelastic so that the second coating fractures during expansion of the body portion to allow elution of the therapeutic substance through fissures formed in the second coating.

Abstract: A vaginal insert has a flexible body either in the form of a belt or a split cylinder. In either case, the insert may be coiled into a coiled state. The body has a reduced diameter when coiled and exhibits a resilient bias toward uncoiling and expanding in diameter from the coiled state. When the insert is inserted into the vagina of a patient, it expands and presses against the vaginal wall. This pressure in itself may be therapeutic, e.g., in treating cystocele and incontinence. A medicament may be conjoined with the insert that is introduced to the patient through contact with the insert. The insert can have a simultaneous mechanical and pharmacological effect, e.g., in the instance of treating incontinence with a drug and pressure. The belt-type body may incorporate mating ridges and grooves to keep the insert in a cylindrical configuration. Latch elements may be incorporated on the insert to support the insert in an expanded, partially uncoiled state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein the device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface. The first surface comprises an improved lubricious coating having a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrophobic top coating which prevents the hydrogel coating from prematurely absorbing too much moisture. The hydrophobic top coating comprises at least one hydrophilic surfactant which acts as a carrier to facilitate removal of the hydrophobic top coating upon entry into an aqueous environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rapid exchange or single operator exchange catheter device comprising at least one elongated tubular member having an inner surface and an outer surface, a proximal and a distal end, and having an opening located between the proximal and the distal end. The inner surface of the elongated tubular member defines a guide member lumen and is at least occasionally subjected to contact with at least one guide member. The guide member lumen, including the opening or port for receiving the guide member, are filled with the lubricious material in accordance with the present invention. This method of filling the lumen eliminates the need for flushing the catheter device before and/or during surgical procedures to remove air and contaminants and provides a lubricant for easy maneuvering of the catheter over the guide member.

Abstract: A vaginal insert has a flexible body either in the form of a belt or a split cylinder. In either case, the insert may be coiled into a coiled state. The body has a reduced diameter when coiled and exhibits a resilient bias toward uncoiling and expanding in diameter from the coiled state. When the insert is inserted into the vagina of a patient, it expands and presses against the vaginal wall. This pressure in itself may be therapeutic, e.g., in treating cystocele and incontinence. A medicament may be conjoined with the insert that is introduced to the patient through contact with the insert. The insert can have a simultaneous mechanical and pharmacological effect, e.g., in the instance of treating incontinence with a drug and pressure. The belt-type body may incorporate mating ridges and grooves to keep the insert in a cylindrical configuration. Latch elements may be incorporated on the insert to support the insert in an expanded, partially uncoiled state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating septal defects. A system for treating septal defects may comprise a first catheter having a distal end and a first lumen, a second catheter having a distal end a second lumen, a bridge member extending between the distal end of the first catheter and the distal end of the second catheter, and a first patch adapted to be disposed within the first lumen and movable out of the first lumen along the bridge member. A second patch may be used and be connectable to the first patch.

Abstract: Various coupling agents are disclosed to form lap joints between metallic and polymeric surfaces within catheters and other medical devices. The coupling agents disclosed in the present invention can be applied directly to a metallic surface, or the coupling agents may be incorporated within a polymeric material. In certain circumstances, the mere application of the coupling agent between the two dissimilar materials provides sufficient adhesive strength to form a fatigue-free lap joint bond. Alternative methods utilize coupling agents as primers for later thermal bonding and laser welding procedures that form lap joint bonds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein the device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface. The first surface comprises an improved lubricious coating having a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrophobic top coating which prevents the hydrogel coating from prematurely absorbing too much moisture. The hydrophobic top coating comprises at least one hydrophilic surfactant which acts as a carrier to facilitate removal of the hydrophobic top coating upon entry into an aqueous environment.

Abstract: A stent having a polymeric coating for controllably releasing an included active agent. The polymeric coating includes a blend of a first polymeric material, which if alone, would release the agent at a first, higher rate, and a second polymeric material, which if alone would release the agent at a second, lower rate over a longer time period. One stent coating utilizes a faster releasing hydrophilic polymeric material and a slower releasing hydrophobic material. One stent coating includes a blend of a faster releasing PLA-PEO copolymer and a slower releasing PLA-PCL copolymer. One active agent is Taxol. One use of the Taxol delivering stent is to inhibit restenosis following angioplasty.

Abstract: A stent delivery system comprising a catheter. The catheter including a stent mounting region and a stent disposed thereabout. The stent having a distal end and a proximal end, and an unexpanded state and an expanded state. At least one stent retaining sleeve, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end overlays an end of the stent when the stent is in the unexpanded state. The second end engaged to at least a portion of the catheter adjacent to the stent mounting region. The at least one stent retaining sleeve comprising a first material and at least one substantially longitudinally oriented stripe of a second material. The first material having a predetermined hardness and the second material having a predetermined hardness wherein the predetermined hardness of the second material has a greater Shore durometer value than the predetermined hardness of the first material.

Abstract: A distal tip for a catheter which is defined by a matrix and at least one stripe. The matrix is defined by at least one matrix material, and the at least one stripe is defined by at one stripe material. The predetermined hardness of the at least one stripe material has a greater durometer value than the predetermined hardness of the at least one matrix material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating septal defects. A system for treating septal defects may comprise a first catheter having a distal end and a first lumen, a second catheter having a distal end a second lumen, a bridge member extending between the distal end of the first catheter and the distal end of the second catheter, and a first patch adapted to be disposed within the first lumen and movable out of the first lumen along the bridge member. A second patch may be used and be connectable to the first patch.

Abstract: A multilayer device comprised of at least one layer of material which is capable of absorbing liquid to thereby increase the volume of the layer, i.e., liquid swellable, and when bound to at least one non-absorbing or lesser absorbing layer of material causes deformation of the device upon liquid absorption.

Abstract: A composition and method for detecting the presence, location and uniformity of a lubricious coating on a medical device. The method includes the steps of preparing a mixture of a biocompatible hydrophilic fluorescent dye and a hydrophobic lubricant, applying the mixture to the surface of a medical device to form a coating capable of exhibiting fluorescence, and subjecting the surface of the medical device to a source of energy capable of inducing a fluorescent emission. The coating composition may further comprise a surfactant. This method finds particular utility for catheters, especially stent delivery catheters.