Abstract: Medical devices, and related components and methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter comprising a tube having a distal end for deployment in a patient, and a proximal end for remaining outside of the patient; an anchoring mechanism at the distal end of the tube having a fully open configuration, a fully closed configuration, and a range of configurations therebetween; a filamentary member attached to the anchoring mechanism for controlling the configuration of the anchoring mechanism; and a controller located at or near the proximal end of the tube for controlling the filamentary member, wherein the controller comprises an indicator for visually indicating the anchoring mechanism configuration, a locking mechanism for locking the anchoring mechanism in the fully closed configuration; or a combination of the visual indicator and the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and devices for occluding a vessel during a percutaneous ablation procedure. An elongated access device having a lumen and a tissue piercing, open distal end in communication with the lumen is used to percutaneously access a vessel that supplied blood to the tissue to be treated. An elongated balloon deployment device is used to deliver a balloon into the interior of the vessel. The balloon is inflated, resulting in the occlusion of the vessel. The tissue to be treated is ablated. Because there is little or no blood to transfer the thermal energy away from the heated tissue, the ablation procedure is performed more efficiently. The balloon may be subsequently deflated allowing normal flow through the vessel to return.

Abstract: Bone anchors and bone anchor implantation devices can be used to maintain or improve urinary continence by suspending or stabilizing the bladder neck of a patient. The bone anchors have a generally cone-shaped head with two or more cutting edges which reduce the amount of force required to implant the bone anchor into bone.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises an elongated body member having a distal end and a head extending from the distal end of the elongated body member, with the head comprising a remotely actuatable needle driver and a needle catch. A needle is adapted for receiving a suture and for being driven by the needle driver through a tissue into the needle catch, making a stitch. The instrument further comprises a remotely actuatable implement, such as a push bar, for moving the needle from a first position lodged in the needle catch to a second position dislodged from or able to be readily dislodged from the needle catch. The instrument may be used for placing multiple stitches without removing the instrument from the body. One particularly advantageous embodiment comprises a suturing device adapted for insertion in a body lumen, such as for attaching an endoluminal device to the lumen wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that facilitates the prevention of type II endoleaks in stent-graft treated arterial aneurysmal sacs comprising a catheter having an elongate tubular body with a balloon or wire mesh basket attached to the body adjacent its distal end. The balloon preferably comprising a plurality of energy conducting elements attached thereto for transmitting RF energy to tissue to be treated. In operation, the catheter is inserted into the femoral artery of a patient and then advanced through the femoral artery into the aorta until the balloon or basket is positioned within an aneurysmal sac. Once in place, the balloon or basket is expanded to compress the clot material within the aneurysmal sack under a pressure in the range of about 2-5 atmospheres. While compressed, the clot material is then heated by transmitting RF energy to the wire basket or the conducting elements on the balloon until the clot material is cauterized and collateral blood flow channels in the clot material are occluded.

Abstract: A guidewire apparatus for use during percutaneous catheter interventions such as angioplasty or stent deployment. A protection element comprising a filter or an occluder is mounted near the distal end of a steerable guidewire, which guides a therapeutic catheter. The guidewire apparatus comprises a hollow shaft movably disposed about a core wire. The shaft and core wire control relative displacement of the ends of the protection element, causing transformation of the protection element between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. The protection element is freely rotatable about the guidewire apparatus. A tracking member disposed adjacent the distal end of the guidewire apparatus can be used to guide the device along another guidewire. Thrust bearings may be employed to facilitate unlimited rotation of the steerable guidewire within the protection element, especially while the protection element is retained in the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that facilitates the prevention of type II endoleaks in stent-graft treated arterial aneurysmal sacs comprising a catheter having an elongate tubular body with a balloon or wire mesh basket attached to the body adjacent its distal end. The balloon preferably comprising a plurality of energy conducting elements attached thereto for transmitting RF energy to tissue to be treated. In operation, the catheter is inserted into the femoral artery of a patient and then advanced through the femoral artery into the aorta until the balloon or basket is positioned within an aneurysmal sac. Once in place, the balloon or basket is expanded to compress the clot material within the aneurysmal sack under a pressure in the range of about 2-5 atmospheres. While compressed, the clot material is then heated by transmitting RF energy to the wire basket or the conducting elements on the balloon until the clot material is cauterized and collateral blood flow channels in the clot material are occluded.

Abstract: A catheter comprising a tube having a distal end for deployment in a patient, and a proximal end for remaining outside of the patient; an anchoring mechanism at the distal end of the tube having a fully open configuration, a fully closed configuration, and a range of configurations therebetween; a filamentary member attached to the anchoring mechanism for controlling the configuration of the anchoring mechanism; and a controller located at or near the proximal end of the tube for controlling the filamentary member, wherein the controller comprises an indicator for visually indicating the anchoring mechanism configuration, a locking mechanism for locking the anchoring mechanism in the fully closed configuration; or a combination of the visual indicator and the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A guidewire apparatus for use during percutaneous catheter interventions such as angioplasty or stent deployment. A protection element comprising a filter or an occluder is mounted near the distal end of a steerable guidewire, which guides a therapeutic catheter. The guidewire apparatus comprises a hollow shaft movably disposed about a core wire. The shaft and core wire control relative displacement of the ends of the protection element, causing transformation of the protection element between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. The protection element is freely rotatable about the guidewire apparatus. A tracking member disposed adjacent the distal end of the guidewire apparatus can be used to guide the device along another guidewire. Thrust bearings may be employed to facilitate unlimited rotation of the steerable guidewire within the protection element, especially while the protection element is retained in the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: Methods and devices for occluding a vessel during a percutaneous ablation procedure. An elongated access device having a lumen and a tissue piercing, open distal end in communication with the lumen is used to percutaneously access a vessel that supplied blood to the tissue to be treated. An elongated balloon deployment device is used to deliver a balloon into the interior of the vessel. The balloon is inflated, resulting in the occlusion of the vessel. The tissue to be treated is ablated. Because there is little or no blood to transfer the thermal energy away from the heated tissue, the ablation procedure is performed more efficiently. The balloon may be subsequently deflated allowing normal flow through the vessel to return.

Abstract: Bone anchor implantation devices and methods for their use are disclosed. The bone anchor implantation devices and methods find particular application in maintaining or improving urinary continence by suspending or stabilizing the bladder neck. Protective sheaths for covering a bone anchor on a bone anchor implantation device are disclosed. The protective sheaths protect the bone anchor from contacting tissue during insertion and prevent contamination of the bone anchor.

Abstract: Bone anchor implantation devices and methods for their use are disclosed. The bone anchor implantation devices and methods find particular application in maintaining or improving urinary continence by suspending or stabilizing the bladder neck. Protective sheaths for covering a bone anchor on a bone anchor implantation device are disclosed. The protective sheaths protect the bone anchor from contacting tissue during insertion and prevent contamination of the bone anchor.

Abstract: Bone anchor implantation devices and methods for their use are disclosed. The bone anchor implantation devices and methods find particular application in maintaining or improving urinary continence by suspending or stabilizing the bladder neck. Protective sheaths for covering a bone anchor on a bone anchor implantation device are disclosed. The protective sheaths protect the bone anchor from contacting tissue during insertion and prevent contamination of the bone anchor.

Abstract: Bone anchors and bone anchor implantation devices can be used to maintain or improve urinary continence by suspending or stabilizing the bladder neck of a patient. The bone anchors have a generally cone-shaped head with two or more cutting edges which reduce the amount of force required to implant the bone anchor into bone.