Abstract: Nucleation enhancement and/or growth rate improvement of mesophase in pitch compositions derived from hydrocarbon feedstocks can be achieved by: reacting in a reaction zone a blend comprising an isotropic feed and a seeding agent, to produce a reacted pitch having a mesophase content of about 10 vol % to 100 vol %, based on the total volume of the reacted pitch, and a softening point (Tsp) below 400° C.; wherein the seeding agent is about 50 wt % or less, based on the total weight of the blend; wherein the seeding agent has a mesophase content of about 0.01 vol % to 100 vol %, based on the total volume of the seeding agent.

Abstract: A hemostatic device includes a dissolvable coating and a hemostatic substance enclosed within the coating. The device can have, for example, a generally spherical shape. The hemostatic substance can be particles that take any shape, such as spherical, flat sheets, cubes, or other regular or irregular shapes of any size or volume that can be used on or within a body.

Abstract: Soft-tipped airway exchange apparatus for use when replacing an endotracheal tube in a patient with a new endotracheal tube. The apparatus comprises a polymeric catheter body sized for insertion into a passageway of the endotracheal tube, for ventilating the patient during replacement of the endotracheal tube. The catheter body has a proximal portion, a distal portion and a ventilation passageway extending longitudinally therein. The distal portion has a rigidity which is less than the rigidity of the proximal portion.

Abstract: A method of retrieving a vascular implant from a patient includes winding a distal segment of a retrieval tool about a vascular implant, at least in part by rotating a proximal segment of the retrieval tool, coupling the retrieval tool with the vascular implant and removing the vascular implant and the retrieval tool from the patient. The retrieval tool may include a wire having proximal, middle and distal segments. The distal segment may include a guide segment and a coupling segment, a tip and at least two turns about a longitudinal axis defined by the middle segment. The wire may further have an increasing stiffness profile in a proximal direction from the tip. A vascular implant retrieval assembly includes a vascular implant, such as a vascular filter, a retrieval tool have a distal segment wound about the vascular implant and a sheath surrounding a middle segment of the retrieval tool.

Abstract: A method of retrieving a vascular implant from a patient includes winding a distal segment of a retrieval tool about a vascular implant, at least in part by rotating a proximal segment of the retrieval tool, coupling the retrieval tool with the vascular implant and removing the vascular implant and the retrieval tool from the patient. The retrieval tool may include a wire having proximal, middle and distal segments. The distal segment may include a guide segment and a coupling segment, a tip and at least two turns about a longitudinal axis defined by the middle segment. The wire may further have an increasing stiffness profile in a proximal direction from the tip. A vascular implant retrieval assembly includes a vascular implant, such as a vascular filter, a retrieval tool have a distal segment wound about the vascular implant and a sheath surrounding a middle segment of the retrieval tool.

Abstract: A closure device includes a bioremodelable patch and a joining element linking one or more bioremodelable patches to tissue portions adjacent to a bodily opening. The closure device may include a pair of bioremodelable patches linked by sutures and compressively joined to overlapping tissue portions adjacent to the opening. The closure device may be further contained within an assembly additionally including a catheter having a hollow sheath and a pusher. The pusher may be used to dislodge one or more bioremodelable patches from the catheter to facilitate stable closure of a bodily opening, such as a septal opening in a PFO.

Abstract: A wire guide and a method for its percutaneous guidance within a body vessel are provided. The wire guide includes an outer component for insertion into the body vessel and a core wire disposed in the outer component and movable between first and second positions. The core wire includes an engaging portion that extends from the outer component to engage the body vessel when the core wire is in the second position.

Abstract: Medical devices, and methods of use therewith, suitable for at least partial implantation within the gastrointestinal portions of a body and having at least one anti-gastric distress agent are provided. The anti-gastric distress agent can include antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors, or any combination thereof. The medical device can also include one or more sections having one or more anti-gastric distress agent or antimicrobial agents. The medical device has a length such that when the device is at least partially implanted the first section is accessible to the gastrointestinal portion of the patient's body. A second section having an antimicrobial agent may be external to the gastrointestinal portion. Preferably, device includes a first and second anti-gastric distress agent each having a different controlled release rate. The therapeutic agents can be disposed on one or more surfaces of the medical device and/or impregnated with the material of the medical device.

Abstract: A medical device is adapted for at least partial implantation into a body and includes first and second sections along the length of the device. A first therapeutic agent is associated with the first section and a second therapeutic agent is associated with the second section. The first therapeutic agent can be one or more antiproliferative, such as paclitaxel, a paclitaxel derivative, or a paclitaxel pro-drug, anti-coagulant, antithrombotic, thrombolytic, fibrinolytic, or combination thereof. The second therapeutic agent can be one or more antimicrobials, such as one or more antibiotics. Each of the first and second therapeutic agents can either be posited on one or more surfaces of the respective section, or impregnated within the section. The device can include a separator to space the first and second sections. A method of making a medical device and a method of establishing access to a vessel within a body are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting an article into a body opening. A radially expandable introducer sheath is delivered in a non-expanded condition into a body opening. A release mechanism releases the introducer sheath from the non-expanded condition into a condition that permits radial expansion of the introducer sheath upon introduction of a medical device through the sheath into the body opening. An optional handle having a circumferential opening may be provided for withdrawing the sheath from the body opening, while leaving the medical device in place.

Abstract: A hemostatic device includes a dissolvable coating and a hemostatic substance enclosed within the coating. The device can have, for example, a generally spherical shape. The hemostatic substance can be particles that take any shape, such as spherical, flat sheets, cubes, or other regular or irregular shapes of any size or volume that can be used on or within a body.

Abstract: A closure device includes a bioremodelable patch and a joining element linking one or more bioremodelable patches to tissue portions adjacent to a bodily opening. The closure device may include a pair of bioremodelable patches linked by sutures and compressively joined to overlapping tissue portions adjacent to the opening. The closure device may be further contained within an assembly additionally including a catheter having a hollow sheath and a pusher. The pusher may be used to dislodge one or more bioremodelable patches from the catheter to facilitate stable closure of a bodily opening, such as a septal opening in a PFO.

Abstract: A medical device is adapted for at least partial implantation into a body and includes first and second sections along the length of the device. A first therapeutic agent is associated with the first section and a second therapeutic agent is associated with the second section. The first therapeutic agent can be one or more antiproliferative, such as paclitaxel, a paclitaxel derivative, or a paclitaxel pro-drug, anti-coagulant, antithrombotic, thrombolytic, fibrinolytic, or combination thereof. The second therapeutic agent can be one or more antimicrobials, such as one or more antibiotics. Each of the first and second therapeutic agents can either be posited on one or more surfaces of the respective section, or impregnated within the section. The device can include a separator to space the first and second sections. A method of making a medical device and a method of establishing access to a vessel within a body are also provided.

Abstract: A medical device is adapted for at least partial implantation into a body and includes first and second sections along the length of the device. A first therapeutic agent is associated with the first section and a second therapeutic agent is associated with the second section. The first therapeutic agent can be one or more antiproliferative, such as paclitaxel, a paclitaxel derivative, or a paclitaxel pro-drug, anti-coagulant, antithrombotic, thrombolytic, fibrinolytic, or combination thereof. The second therapeutic agent can be one or more antimicrobials, such as one or more antibiotics. Each of the first and second therapeutic agents can either be posited on one or more surfaces of the respective section, or impregnated within the section. The device can include a separator to space the first and second sections. A method of making a medical device and a method of establishing access to a vessel within a body are also provided.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube having a flange selectively attachable to and detachable from the tubular body. Utilizing an attachable flange that is not attached to the tracheostomy tube body until the flange has been inserted into the trachea enables the tracheostomy tube to be inserted by way of a radially expandable introducer sheath, thereby preventing substantial deformation of the body being dilated in the direction of movement of a dilator. In another embodiment, a tracheostomy tube/loading dilator combination is provided. The loading dilator has a larger-diameter proximal portion and a smaller diameter distal portion tapered at its distal end. The smaller-diameter distal portion is sized for insertion through the longitudinal bore of the tracheostomy tube such that the tapered distal portion extends axially beyond the tapered distal tip of the tracheostomy tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting an article into a body opening. A radially expandable introducer sheath is delivered in a non-expanded condition into a body opening. A release mechanism releases the introducer sheath from the non-expanded condition into a condition that permits radial expansion of the introducer sheath upon introduction of a medical device through the sheath into the body opening. An optional handle having a circumferential opening may be provided for withdrawing the sheath from the body opening, while leaving the medical device in place.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a surgical drape having a base sheet and an absorbent sheet with at least one opening. A transparent or clear sheet is attached to the edges of the opening and has at least one fenestration for performing surgery when the drape is covering a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a surgical drape having a base sheet and an absorbent sheet with at least one opening. A transparent or clear sheet is attached to the edges of the opening and has at least one fenestration for performing surgery when the drape is covering a patient.