Abstract: An evacuation sheath assembly and method of treating occluded vessels which reduces the risk of distal embolization during vascular interventions is provided. The evacuation sheath assembly includes an elongated tube defining an evacuation lumen having proximal and distal ends. A proximal sealing surface is provided on a proximal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a lumen of a guided catheter. A distal sealing surface is provided on a distal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a blood vessel. A method of treatment of a blood vessel using the evacuation sheath assembly includes advancing the evacuation sheath assembly into the blood vessel through a guide catheter. Prior to advancing a device across a stenosis to be treated, normal antegrade blood flow in the blood vessel proximate to the stenosis is stopped. While blood flow is stopped, the stenosis is treated.

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 wire control catheter for aligning and guiding a guide wire through a lesion in a vessel is provided. The wire control catheter includes a shaft having a guide wire lumen and a control wire lumen. A control wire passes through the control wire lumen and is used in combination with an articulation structure to deflect or curve a distal tip portion of the catheter. The distal catheter shaft may include a centering device for centering the catheter within the vessel. The distal catheter shaft may also include a pre-dilation balloon for dilating the lesion prior to performing angioplasty or other treatment on the lesion. A method of treatment of a blood vessel includes inserting a guide wire into the blood vessel and advancing a control wire over the guide wire until the distal tip of the catheter is near the occlusion in the blood vessel. The tip of the catheter then is deflected via a control wire and an articulation structure. The guide wire is then advanced across the occlusion.

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: An evacuation sheath assembly and method of treating occluded vessels which reduces the risk of distal embolization during vascular interventions is provided. The evacuation sheath assembly includes an elongated tube defining an evacuation lumen having proximal and distal ends. A proximal sealing surface is provided on a proximal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a lumen of a guided catheter. A distal sealing surface is provided on a distal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a blood vessel. A method of treatment of a blood vessel using the evacuation sheath assembly includes advancing the evacuation sheath assembly into the blood vessel through a guide catheter. Prior to advancing a device across a stenosis to be treated, normal antegrade blood flow in the blood vessel proximate to the stenosis is stopped. While blood flow is stopped, the stenosis is treated.

Abstract: A device for sealing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the heart is provided. The device includes a left atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a left atrium of the heart, a right atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a right atrium of the heart, and an elongate member adapted to extend through the passageway and connect the left and right atrial anchors. The right atrial anchor preferably includes a plurality of arms and a cover attached to the arms. The left atrial anchor also includes a plurality of arms and preferably does not include a cover. Preferably, the elongate member has a first end of fixedly connected to the left atrial anchor and a portion, proximal to the first end, releasably connected to the right atrial anchor. Preferably, the elongate member is flexible.

Abstract: A device for sealing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the heart is provided. The device includes a left atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a left atrium of the heart, a right atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a right atrium of the heart, and an elongate member adapted to extend through the passageway and connect the left and right atrial anchors. The right atrial anchor preferably includes a plurality of arms and a cover attached to the arms. The left atrial anchor preferably also includes a plurality of arms and preferably does not include a cover. Preferably, the elongate member has a first end fixedly connected to the left atrial anchor and a portion, proximal to the first end, passing through the right atrial anchor. Preferably, the elongate member is flexible.

Abstract: A stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state: a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the expandable distal portion of the catheter including a balloon within which there is included on the catheter shaft at least one body of a diameter larger than the catheter shaft to which the stent and balloon are fitted, as by crimping, for holding the stent in place until it is released therefrom by expansion of the balloon and further including axially slidable sleeves over the stent in the unexpanded condition.

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 system/assembly for delivery and deployment of an inflation expandable stent within a vessel, comprising a catheter having proximal and distal ends; a stent, inflation expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, such that the delivery diameter is reduced from the deployment diameter for conforming the stent to the catheter, such that the stent, in its delivery diameter, is coaxially mounted on the catheter near the catheter distal end; an expandable inflation means coaxially mounted on the catheter axially within the stent, for expansion of the stent from the delivery diameter to the deployment diameter upon application of fluid deployment pressure to the inflation means; and a securement component coaxially mounted on the catheter, axially within the expandable inflation means, the securement component designed and adapted to provide a securement pressure to the stent in the delivery diameter to maintain the stent in position on the catheter during delivery to the deployment site.

Abstract: A wire control catheter for aligning and guiding a guide wire through a lesion in a vessel is provided. The wire control catheter includes a shaft having a guide wire lumen and a control wire lumen. A control wire passes through the control wire lumen and is used in combination with an articulation structure to deflect or curve a distal tip portion of the catheter. The distal catheter shaft may include a centering device for centering the catheter within the vessel. The distal catheter shaft also may include a pre-dilation balloon for dilating the lesion prior to performing angioplasty or other treatment on the lesion. Additionally, a sliding sheath catheter may be used to provide additional support to the guide wire. The sliding sheath catheter is sized to fit within the guide wire lumen of the control catheter and to allow the guide wire to pass through it.

Abstract: An angioplasty and stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state: a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the expandable distal portion of the catheter including a balloon within which or over which there is included on a catheter shaft at least one axially movable or enlargeable body of a diameter larger than the catheter shaft to which the stent and balloon are fitted, as by crimping, for holding the stent in place until it is released therefrom by expansion of the balloon.

Abstract: A system/assembly for delivery and deployment of an inflation expandable stent within a vessel, comprising a catheter having proximal and distal ends; a stent, inflation expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, such that the delivery diameter is reduced from the deployment diameter for conforming the stent to the catheter, such that the stent, in its delivery diameter, is coaxially mounted on the catheter near the catheter distal end; an expandable inflation means coaxially mounted on the catheter axially within the stent, for expansion of the stent from the delivery diameter to the deployment diameter upon application of fluid deployment pressure to the inflation means; and a securement component coaxially mounted on the catheter, axially within the expandable inflation means, the securement component designed and adapted to provide a securement pressure to the stent in the delivery diameter to maintain the stent in position on the catheter during delivery to the deployment site.

Abstract: Devices and methods for sealing a passageway formed by a patent foramen ovale (PFO track) in the heart are provided. One method includes providing an abrading device to the PFO track and abrading the tissue within the PFO track. The abraded tissue forming the PFO track is then held together under pressure, either via lowering right atrial pressure or via applying suction to the septum primum to pull it into apposition against the septum secundum. After a sufficient period of time, the pressure is released and the abraded tissue heals to form a robust seal over the PFO track. Additionally, several devices are provided which can be placed into the PFO track to apply adhesive to the walls of the PFO track. The devices may or may not be left within the PFO track. If the devices are not left within the PFO track, the walls of the PFO track, covered with adhesive, are brought into apposition with one another and adhered together.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for delivery and deployment of an expandable stent within a vessel. The apparatus comprises a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter shaft, an expandable stent coaxially mounted on the catheter near the distal end of the catheter and a securement apparatus coaxially mounted on the catheter near its distal end and over the stent. The securement apparatus comprises a securement sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface. The securement sleeve is constructed and arranged for proximal advancement along the catheter shaft. The present invention also includes a distal cuff having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface.

Abstract: An angioplasty and stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state: a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the expandable distal portion of the catheter including a balloon within which or over which there is included on a catheter shaft at least one axially movable or enlargeable body of a diameter larger than the catheter shaft to which the stent and balloon are fitted, as by crimping, for holding the stent in place until it is released therefrom by expansion of the balloon.

Abstract: A medical device delivery apparatus has an inner tube with a medical device receiving region at the distal end, a balloon assembly movably disposed about the inner tube and a medical balloon displaceable from the medical device receiving region. A retractable outer sheath is diposed about the inner tube and is movable relative to the inner tube to expose the medical device receiving region. An inflation lumen capable of fluid communication with the medical balloon extends proximally from the balloon. Disposed about the distal portion of the inner tube is an expandable medical device that is distal to the medical balloon. The balloon may be moved within the medical device to expand the medical device.

Abstract: A stent deployment system includes a tubular member having a first end and a second end and a generally longitudinal opening between the first and second ends. The tubular member has an inner periphery sized to receive a stent therein. A plurality of apertures are disposed on opposite sides of the generally longitudinal opening. An elongate retainer is removably receivable within the apertures to retain the stent in the tubular member and to release the stent from the tubular member when removed from the apertures.

Abstract: A device for sealing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the heart is provided. The device includes a left atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a left atrium of the heart, a right atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a right atrium of the heart, and an elongate member adapted to extend through the passageway and connect the left and right atrial anchors. The right atrial anchor preferably includes a plurality of arms and a cover attached to the arms. The left atrial anchor also includes a plurality of arms and preferably does not include a cover. Preferably, the elongate member has a first end of fixedly connected to the left atrial anchor and a portion, proximal to the first end, releasably connected to the right atrial anchor. Preferably, the elongate member is flexible.

Abstract: A stent delivery system which has a catheter including an inflatable portion. A stent being disposed about the inflatable portion of the catheter, the stent having a contracted state and an expanded state. A pair of stent retaining sleeves which are partially composed of PTFE, each sleeve having a first end portion overlying a respective end of the stent, each sleeve having a second end portion respectively attached to the catheter, the sleeves retaining the stent to the catheter when the stent is in the contracted state, the stent being freed from the sleeves when the stent is placed in the expanded state. The sleeves being placed on the stent by heat shrinking. The inflatable portion of the balloon optionally having stepped compliant characteristics.