Abstract: A stent is provided with a central portion between two end portions, and with the central portion narrower than the end portions to provide a stenosis within the stent, such as for improving function of a dialysis graft or fistula. The stent can be merely a metal wire cage or can additionally include a liner inside and/or outside of the metal cage. One stent includes tapering transitions between the end portions and the central portion. The stent can be self-expanding with a retracted form held by a surrounding sheath until the sheath is retracted and the stent returns to its biased expanded form. A balloon can provide a radial expansion force to expand the stent. The balloon or self-expansion can expand the stent partially, with the central portion narrower than the end portions, and optionally further expanded to have a diameter matching that of the end portions.

Abstract: A stent deployment apparatus is configured to be contained within a deployment sheath, and deploy a vascular stent at a deployment site in a blood vessel of vasculature of a body. The stent deployment apparatus includes a delivery sheath, a pusher shaft coupled to the delivery sheath, and at least one stent assist bar associated with the delivery sheath and movable between a retracted position and a deployed position responsive to separation from the deployment sheath, the at least one stent assist bar being adapted to be positioned in relation to a known feature of the vasculature. The pusher shaft is movable with respect to delivery sheath in order to vary the spatial relationship between the vascular stent and the at least one stent assist bar, and thereby dispose the vascular stent to a desired spacing within the blood vessel.

Abstract: A vascular stent deployment system is delivered to a repair site in the body by means of a catheter. The deployment system apparatus comprises a vascular stent to effect the repair, a delivery sheath in which the unexpanded vascular stent is delivered to the repair site, and a pusher rod for ejecting the stent from the delivery sheath for deployment. The system further comprises a stent assist wire, located in relation to the stent, which is positioned in relation to a known feature of the vasculature, thereby assuring that the stent is accurately deployed at the repair site.

Abstract: An elastic dialysis stent comprises a central restrictor segment located between two tapered segments. The tapered segments are tapered from a larger diameter suitable for joining to tubular graft segments or attaching the stent in a graft or fistula, to the narrower diameter of the elastic central restrictor segment which provides a stenosis. The central restrictor is made of an elastic material which enables the stent to be radially expanded by a balloon catheter to a larger diameter for passage of endovascular devices through the stent for repair of blockages on the venous side of the stent. When the balloon catheter is deflated and removed, the elastic properties of the stent cause it to retract to its original stenotic configuration.

Abstract: An atraumatic thrombectomy device for use in removing a clot from a vessel of a patient is provided. The device includes a handle configured to be located exterior to the patient, a knob rotatably coupled to the handle and configured to be located exterior to the patient, a net, a first rod coupled to the knob and the net, and a second rod coupled to the handle and the net. The net is configured to move between a collapsed position and an open position. The net is configured to encapsulate the clot within the vessel of the patient when in the open position. Responsive to the knob rotating with respect to the handle, the first rod is configured to rotate between a first position corresponding to the net being in the collapsed position and a second position corresponding to the net being in the open position.

Abstract: The device includes a handle configured to be grasped by a user. The handle has a proximal end nearest the user's hand and a distal end opposing the proximal end. The device also includes an applicator with an applicator tip at the distal end of the handle. The applicator tip fits within the depression formed by a skin wrinkle to apply treatment to at least one side wall and bottom area of the wrinkle without applying treatment to surface skin around the wrinkle. The applicator tip may be pre-medicated with medicine, applied to the tip by a user, or provided medication from a chamber in communication with the applicator tip such that the chamber holds medication. Also disclosed is a method for applying wrinkle treatment that includes aligning the applicator tip with the wrinkle and moving the applicator tip along the length of the wrinkle to apply treatment.

Abstract: A leg elevating device is provided that is formed from foam, an air bladder, or supportive sheets of material with straps or supports. The device elevates a user's legs when laying down such that the device has a front, a back, a first side and a second side. The device has a bottom surface having and a top surface located above the bottom surface, the top surface extending upward from a front edge, and two side edges toward to form a curved shaped. The one or more apexes are located above a back edge or above a middle of the bottom surface. The top surface ends at the back of the support material at a top surface back edge. Depending on the configuration a back surface connects to the back edge of the bottom surface, and extends upward to connect to the back of the top surface.

Abstract: The total body exercise apparatus comprises a unique movable structure to provide resistance for a variety of exercises. In one or more embodiments, the exercise apparatus comprises arms rotatably secured via a joint that allows the arms to provide resistance in virtually any direction. The exercise apparatus utilizes this capability to resist motions of various exercises and body motions to tone and strengthen a user's muscles. The resistance provided may be adjustable by an adjustable resistance assembly or by a cuff and socket assembly that applies variable force to a spherical head of the joint of the exercise apparatus.