Abstract: Branched braided stent or graft devices and processes for fabrication of the devices are disclosed in which a trunk portion and two hinge leg portions are fabricated in one piece braided from a single plurality of filaments, whereby the legs contain the full plurality of filaments and the trunk portion contains a subset of the same plurality of filaments. The fabrication process involves braiding the hinged legs on a mandrel while retaining loops of filament between the hinged leg portions for subsequent braiding of the trunk portion of the stent or graft.

Abstract: Branched braided stent or graft devices and processes for fabrication of the devices are disclosed in which a trunk portion and two hinge leg portions are fabricated in one piece braided from a single plurality of filaments, whereby the legs contain the full plurality of filaments and the trunk portion contains a subset of the same plurality of filaments. The fabrication process involves braiding the hinged legs on a mandrel while retaining loops of filament between the hinged leg portions for subsequent braiding of the trunk portion of the stent or graft.

Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs.

Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide devices and methods for treating various target sites. For example, one exemplary device includes a tubular structure having proximal and distal ends and at least one layer of braided material configured to facilitate thrombosis. The tubular structure includes an end section at the proximal or distal end having a cross-sectional dimension that is larger than that of an opening of the target site. The device also includes a stiffener wire coupled to the tubular structure, wherein the wire is configured to extend at least partially through the opening and facilitate securing the end section over the opening. The tubular structure and stiffener wire include respective preset, expanded configurations and are configured to be constrained to respective reduced configurations for delivery to the target site and to at least partially return to their respective preset, expanded configurations at the target site when unconstrained.

Abstract: Catheters, assemblies, and methods for delivering and recovering embolic protection devices. Catheters are provided that can be advanced over single length guide wires and which can be retracted over single length wire shafts of distal embolic protection devices. One catheter is a two-port catheter having two sidewall ports, a distal end port, and a proximal end port. The two-port catheter can be advanced over a guide wire threaded between the distal end port and the distal sidewall port. An embolic protection device wire shaft can be back loaded into the distal end port and out the proximal sidewall port. A three-port catheter includes a distal end port, and distal, intermediate, and proximal sidewall ports. The distal sidewall port can be dimensioned to accept passage of a filter body through the port. The distal end port can be dimensioned to accept only a guide wire to provide a smooth transition from the guide wire to the small profile distal end.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide medical devices and methods for treating a target site within the body. For example, one embodiment provides a stent graft for treating a target site proximate to a bifurcated lumen, wherein the stent graft includes a first tubular structure having proximal and distal ends and a side wall extending therebetween. The first tubular structure includes an opening defined within the side wall and is configured to define a first portion having first and second ends and a second portion having first and second ends. The opening corresponds to the first ends of the first and second portions and the second ends of the first and second portions respectively correspond to the proximal and distal ends of the first tubular structure, and at least a portion of the first and second portions are configured to be positioned within respective branches of a bifurcated lumen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide medical devices and methods for treating a target site within the body, such as for treating vascular abnormalities. For example, one embodiment provides a stent graft including an occlusive material having a preset, overlapping configuration comprising at least three inverted overlapping layers that are folded over one another. The at least three inverted overlapping layers are configured to be separated and disposed within a catheter in a non-overlapping configuration and return to the preset, overlapping configuration when deployed from the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which tracks over two guidewires. One guidewire is disposed in each branch vessel of a bifurcation. The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which enables efficient and accurate stent deployment and dilatation of bifurcation lesions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to occluder devices and methods for treating various target sites, such as the gonadal vein. For example, an occluder device according to one embodiment includes a tubular structure having proximal and distal ends and a preset, expanded configuration. The tubular structure is configured to be constrained to a reduced configuration for delivery to the target site and to at least partially return to the preset, expanded configuration within the target site when unconstrained. The preset, expanded configuration includes a plurality of expanded volume members and articulating members arranged in a repeating pattern with each articulating member coupling a pair of expanded volume members. In addition, at least one expanded volume member has a cross-sectional dimension that is larger than a cross-sectional dimension of a respective articulating member and that is at least as large as a cross-sectional dimension of the target site.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a medical device may include one or more of the following features: (a) a metal fabric formed of braided metal strands, (b) the medical device having a collapsed configuration for delivery through a channel in a patient's body and having a generally dumbbell-shaped expanded configuration with two expanded diameter portions separated by a reduced diameter portion formed between opposed ends of the device and unsecured metal strand ends at the opposed ends, and (d) a thrombogenic agent located on the metal fabric.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible, low profile vascular occlusion device having large volume filling capability and high metal content for fast occlusion, of the type fabricated from braided tubular metal fabric having an expanded preset configuration and an elongated collapsed reduced diameter configuration for delivery through a catheter to a treatment site and shaped to create an occlusion of an abnormal opening in a body organ or vessel, the woven metal fabric having a memory property whereby the medical device tends to return to said expanded preset configuration when unconstrained. The device further includes a first shape formed from the braided tubular fabric consisting of a repeating pattern of expanded volume segments separated by small diameter articulation segments and a second overall device shape comprised of the first shape formed about itself in various shapes to occlude a vessel.

Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved vascular occlusion device having improved flexibility and retention of the type fabricated from braided tubular metal fabric having an expanded preset configuration and an elongated collapsed reduced diameter configuration for delivery through a catheter to a treatment site and shaped to create an occlusion of an abnormal opening in a body organ or vessel, the woven metal fabric having a memory property whereby the medical device tends to return to said expanded preset configuration when unconstrained. The device further including at least one disk portion adjacent a body cylindrical portion formed from the fabric and having a transition diameter between the disk and cylindrical portion, significantly smaller than the diameter of the disk and the diameter of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: Branched braided stent or graft devices and processes for fabrication of the devices are disclosed in which a trunk portion and two hinge leg portions are fabricated in one piece braided from a single plurality of filaments, whereby the legs contain the full plurality of filaments and the trunk portion contains a subset of the same plurality of filaments. The fabrication process involves braiding the hinged legs on a mandrel while retaining loops of filament between the hinged leg portions for subsequent braiding of the trunk portion of the stent or graft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which tracks over two guidewires. One guidewire is disposed in each branch vessel of a bifurcation. The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which enables efficient and accurate stent deployment and dilatation of bifurcation lesions.

Abstract: A distal protection device for use in a body lumen. The device includes a functional element which may be a filter or an occlusive element. The device includes means for controlling the movement and placement of the functional element along a guidewire. Motion of the guidewire can be independent of the motion of the functional element.

Abstract: Catheters, assemblies, and methods for delivering and recovering embolic protection devices. Catheters are provided that can be advanced over single length guide wires and which can be retracted over single length wire shafts of distal embolic protection devices. One catheter is a two-port catheter having two sidewall ports, a distal end port, and a proximal end port. The two-port catheter can be advanced over a guide wire threaded between the distal end port and the distal sidewall port. An embolic protection device wire shaft can be back loaded into the distal end port and out the proximal sidewall port. A three-port catheter includes a distal end port, and distal, intermediate, and proximal sidewall ports. The distal sidewall port can be dimensioned to accept passage of a filter body through the port. The distal end port can be dimensioned to accept only a guide wire to provide a smooth transition from the guide wire to the small profile distal end.

Abstract: A method and system of performing an intravascular procedure at a treatment site in a vessel of a patient. A device creates a seal to prevent the flow of blood during the treatment of vascular disease. A seal may be formed between the distal inside diameter of a sheath or catheter such as a guide catheter as well as within a vessel, such as an artery or vein. An elongated device having a distal portion extending from the catheter and having a fluid impermeable membrane disposed about at least the distal end of the device is used to seal the vessel. The system includes a device to occlude blood flow and a distal protection device to filter or remove embolic debris.