Abstract: Drainage catheters configured to be visible by echogenicity and/or echopacity are provided. Drainage catheters including layers or marker bands configured to be visible by echogenicity and/or echopacity are further provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions of matter for inclusion in a medical device for visualization purposes. Such compositions may include a radiopaque metal, such as tungsten, within a functionalized hydrophobic polymer. Methods of making devices incorporating such elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis. The balloon catheter is provided with one or more dilation elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. Each dilation element is monolithically connected to an outer surface of the balloon by a connector. The connector is sufficiently sized and designed to undergo stress-induced plastic deformation incurred during blow molding so that a significant portion of each of the dilation elements does not become absorbed into the wall of the final blow molded balloon, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of each of the dilation elements. The dilation element has a flattened outer surface along at least proximal and distal neck portions of the balloon.

Abstract: Catheters adapted for use in small body vessels are described. A catheter includes an elongate shaft having a main body that defines first and second lumens. An inner tubular member is disposed in the second lumen and is formed of a material that has a stiffness that is greater than a stiffness of the material forming the main body.

Abstract: A medical balloon for a balloon catheter is described. The balloon has at least a first layer made from a first material and a second layer made from a second material, said first and second layers being in overlying relationship with one another and being integral with one another; wherein the first layer has a softening or melting temperature which is higher than a softening or melting temperature of the second layer. A method of forming the medical balloon is also described, including locating a raw tubing in a mold; preheating and inflating the raw tubing so as to cause it to stretch; heating the raw tubing to soften or melt the second layer; setting the inflated raw tubing to form the medical balloon; and cooling the set balloon.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis. The balloon catheter is provided with one or more dilation elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. Each dilation element is monolithically connected to an outer surface of the balloon by a connector. The connector is sufficiently sized and designed to undergo stress-induced plastic deformation incurred during blow molding so that a significant portion of each of the dilation elements does not become absorbed into the wall of the final blow molded balloon, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of each of the dilation elements. The dilation element has a flattened outer surface along at least proximal and distal neck portions of the balloon.

Abstract: A medical balloon for a balloon catheter is described. The balloon has at least a first layer made from a first material and a second layer made from a second material, said first and second layers being in overlying relationship with one another and being integral with one another; wherein the first layer has a softening or melting temperature which is higher than a softening or melting temperature of the second layer. A method of forming the medical balloon is also described, including locating a raw tubing in a mold; preheating and inflating the raw tubing so as to cause it to stretch; heating the raw tubing to soften or melt the second layer; setting the inflated raw tubing to form the medical balloon; and cooling the set balloon.

Abstract: Catheters adapted for use in small body vessels are described. A catheter includes an elongate shaft having a main body that defines first and second lumens. An inner tubular member is disposed in the second lumen and is formed of a material that has a stiffness that is greater than a stiffness of the material forming the main body and that has an elastic modulus greater than or equal to about 400 MPa.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions of matter for inclusion in a medical device for visualization purposes. Such compositions may include a radiopaque metal, such as tungsten, within a functionalized hydrophobic polymer. Methods of making devices incorporating such elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis. The balloon catheter is provided with one or more dilation elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. Each dilation element is connected to an outer surface of the balloon by a connector. The connector is sufficiently sized and designed to undergo stress-induced plastic deformation incurred during blow molding so that a significant portion of each of the dilation elements does not become absorbed into the wall of the final blow molded balloon, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of each of the dilation elements.

Abstract: A sheath for deploying a medical device to a target site in the body of a patient. A tubular inner liner has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an outer surface. An outer jacket has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an inner surface. A reinforcing member is received within a length of the outer jacket. The outer jacket is positioned longitudinally around the inner liner and bonded to the outer surface of the liner. The reinforcing member, which may be a triaxial braid, or an encapsulated longitudinal reinforcing wire, extends along the outer jacket length and is configured for inhibiting elongation of the sheath upon deployment of the device.

Abstract: A medical balloon of a balloon catheter assembly includes a balloon wall formed of at least two layers. The first layer is made of an impervious polymeric material. The second layer, which is integral with the first layer is made of a radiopaque and/or echogenic material and a polymeric material. In the preferred embodiment, there is provided 60 to 80% by weight of radiopaque material in the second layer. It has been found that these concentrations of radiopaque material provide good visibility of the balloon under ultrasonic imaging.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis. The balloon catheter is provided with one or more dilation elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. Each dilation element is connected to an outer surface of the balloon by a connector. The connector is sufficiently sized and designed to undergo stress-induced plastic deformation incurred during blow molding so that a significant portion of each of the dilation elements does not become absorbed into the wall of the final blow molded balloon, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of each of the dilation elements.

Abstract: A medical balloon (10) of a balloon catheter assembly (70) includes a balloon wall (22) formed of at least two layers (30, 32). The first layer (30) is made of an impervious polymeric material. The second layer (32), which is integral with the first layer (30) is made of a radiopaque and/or echogenic material and a polymeric material. In the preferred embodiment, there is provided 60 to 80% by weight of radiopaque material in the second layer (32). It has been found that these concentrations of radiopaque material provide good visibility of the balloon under ultrasonic imaging.

Abstract: A sheath for deploying a medical device to a target site in the body of a patient. A tubular inner liner has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an outer surface. An outer jacket has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an inner surface. A reinforcing member is received within a length of the outer jacket. The outer jacket is positioned longitudinally around the inner liner and bonded to the outer surface of the liner. The reinforcing member, which may be a triaxial braid, or an encapsulated longitudinal reinforcing wire, extends along the outer jacket length and is configured for inhibiting elongation of the sheath upon deployment of the device.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis. The balloon catheter is provided with one or more dilation elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. Each dilation element is connected to an outer surface of the balloon by a connector. The connector is sufficiently sized and designed to undergo stress-induced plastic deformation incurred during blow molding so that a significant portion of each of the dilation elements does not become absorbed into the wall of the final blow molded balloon, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of each of the dilation elements.

Abstract: A medical balloon for a balloon catheter is described. The balloon has at least a first layer made from a first material and a second layer made from a second material, said first and second layers being in overlying relationship with one another and being integral with one another; wherein the first layer has a softening or melting temperature which is higher than a softening or melting temperature of the second layer. A method of forming the medical balloon is also described, including locating a raw tubing in a mold; preheating and inflating the raw tubing so as to cause it to stretch; heating the raw tubing to soften or melt the second layer; setting the inflated raw tubing to form the medical balloon; and cooling the set balloon.

Abstract: A method of forming a reinforced tubular medical device in a continuous operation, and a medical device formed by the continuous method. An elongated core capable of movement about a line is provided. An elongated tubular member is formed around a moving length of the core by extruding a coating of a functionalized polymer around the moving core length, applying a reinforcing member to an outer surface of the functionalized polymer coating along the moving length, and extruding a polymeric outer jacket over the functionalized polymer and reinforcing member along the moving length, such that a bond is formed between the functionalized polymer and the polymeric outer jacket. The elongated tubular member is cut to desired length to form the tubular medical device, and the core is removed from the device.

Abstract: A catheter or sheath includes an inner layer made of a relatively hard material, an intermediate layer formed of a strengthening member and being provided with interstitial material in the spaces between the elements of the strengthening member. Overlying the intermediate layer is an outer layer of, for example, polyamide. The interstitial material is relatively soft, which allows the catheter to be bent to smaller radii of curvature than prior art catheters with reduced risk of kinking.

Abstract: A reinforced catheter or sheath includes an inner tube manufactured via an extrusion process from a mixture of thermoplastic and hollow glass beads. The resultant tube exhibits an inner goose bump surface that defines a central lumen. A reinforcement, such as a braid and/or coil is attached to at least a segment of the outer surface of the inner tube. A second tube of thermoplastic is extruded over at least a portion of the reinforcement. The inner goose bump surface exhibits a net low coefficient of friction comparable to that of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).