Abstract: The present invention is a luminal filter including: a plurality of filter elements interconnected so as to form a filter body shaped in a free recovery form and having a plurality of apertures disposed between and defined by the interconnected filter elements. The apertures are dimensioned so as to inhibit a thrombus of a selected size from passing through the apertures and being dimensioned so as to allow blood components smaller than the selected size to pass through the apertures. The filter body includes a first funnel and second funnel coupled at least indirectly coupled together at their small ends.

Abstract: Methods for making devices include providing a tubular member to be formed into a device, placing a removable sacrificial block material in the lumen of the tubular member and laser cutting the tubular member. A doping material can be added to the melted portion of the tubular member to promote the formation of brittle slag. A fixture can be used to hold a cut workpiece in order to ream sacrificial material from the surface of the workpiece. Pressurized gas can be supplied to the inner lumen of the tubular member to cause slag to form on the outside surface, rather than the inner surface, of the tubular member. A tubular member made from nickel-titanium alloy can be tightly adhered to a sacrificial sleeve utilizing the phase changes associated with nickel-titanium. A rotating mandrel can be placed within the lumen of the tubular member during laser cutting.

Abstract: A method for preparation of an implant site is disclosed. The method includes positioning a patient relative to an imaging device. A first image of the implant site may be obtained. A distance from an access location to a deployment location may be determined. Other images may be obtained to determine the distance from the access location to the deployment location.

Abstract: The present invention is a luminal filter having wall contacts. The filter is formed to include: a plurality of filter elements interconnected so as to form a filter body shaped in a free recovery form and having a plurality of apertures disposed between and defined by the interconnected filter elements. The apertures are dimensioned so as to inhibit a thrombus of a selected size from passing through the apertures and being dimensioned so as to allow blood components smaller than the selected size to pass through the apertures. The polymeric wall contact is coupled to the filter and disposed on an external surface thereof. Optionally, a fastener can be used to secure the wall contact to the filter.

Abstract: The present invention is a luminal filter including: a plurality of filter elements interconnected so as to form a filter body shaped in a free recovery form and having a plurality of apertures disposed between and defined by the interconnected filter elements. The apertures are dimensioned so as to inhibit a thrombus of a selected size from passing through the apertures and being dimensioned so as to allow blood components smaller than the selected size to pass through the apertures. The filter body includes a first funnel and second funnel coupled at least indirectly coupled together at their small ends.

Abstract: Devices and methods fabricating an implantable device are disclosed. A method of fabricating an implantable device is disclosed. The method includes positioning a planar base material. The planar base material has a first inner surface. The first inner surface has a first inner surface dimension. The planar base material has a first outer surface. The first outer surface has a first outer surface dimension. A portion of the first inner surface of the base material is removed to define an annular body movable from a first state towards a second state. The annular body includes a second inner surface having a second inner surface dimension and a second outer surface having a second outer surface dimension. The second inner surface dimension is smaller than the first inner surface dimension, the first outer surface dimension, and the second outer surface dimension.

Abstract: A method for making a device includes providing a tubular member which will be formed into the device, masking at least a portion of the inner surface of the tubular member with a removable sacrificial material, selectively removing a portion of the tubular member and sacrificial material using a laser device, and mechanically removing the sacrificial material from the inner surface of the tubular member. Ultrasonic energy could be applied to a workpiece which is being laser cut to prevent any generated slag from welding itself to an exposed surface of the workpiece. A compressed fluid or gas, such as air, could be used to clean the surface of the laser-cut workpiece to remove slag formation which adheres to the surface of the cut workpiece.

Abstract: A stent expansion device includes an expanding mandrel having a side, a threaded internal channel, two open ends and a plurality of longitudinal slots along the side. An expansion pin is included, and has a cylindrical body with a threaded tapered portion. The device is configured to expand a stent by rotating or screwing the tapered portion of the expansion pin within the internally treaded mandrel. A method of expanding a stent in a controlled fashion using the stent expansion device is also described.

Abstract: side and a pair of pins for insertion into the sleeve. In another embodiment, the device has an expanding mandrel having a side, two open ends and a plurality of longitudinal slots along the side. An expansion pin is included, and has a cylindrical body with a tapered tip. In another embodiment, the device expands a stent into a tapered stent. The tapered stent expanding device includes a slotted expansion mandrel and a tapered pin having an expansion crown. In another aspect, the device includes a threaded mandrel for the uniform expansion of the diameter of a stent.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a structural body made from a superelastic material and includes one or more marker holders integrally formed on the structural body. Each marker holder is designed to hold a radiopaque marker which has a level of radiopacity greater than the superelastic material. The radiopaque marker can be made from a nickel-titanium alloy which includes a ternary element. The ternary element can be selected from the group of elements consisting of iridium, platinum, gold, rhenium, tungsten, palladium, rhodium, tantalum, silver, ruthenium, and hafnium. In one form, the marker holder includes a pair of projecting fingers connected together at a notched region to cooperatively create a particular-shaped opening. This opening, in turn, is adapted to receive a similarly shaped portion formed on the radiopaque marker. In one form, the radiopaque marker includes an inner core which is partially, or completely, encased by an outer layer.