Abstract: An embolic protection device includes a basket defined by a section of a set of wires arranged as a plurality of struts. These struts are coupled together at their distal ends as well as to the distal end of a core wire or mandrel. Another section of the wires spirals around the core wire to define a hollow channel in which the core wire can reciprocate. Thus, pulling or pushing a proximal end of the core wire relative to the struts expands or contracts the basket. A filter bag is attached to the basket for capturing clots when the basket is in an expanded configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device with an ultrasonic-based probe for drilling and coring. The invention uses ultrasonic and subsonic vibrations produced by a frequency compensation coupler or free mass to produce the hammering action of a partially disengaged probe, with a relatively low axial force required. The invention can also be fitted with irrigation and aspiration capabilities. The invention can furthermore be furnished with a body sensor-feedback apparatus, which provides feedback to the operator as to the optimal frequency and power use of the generator. One embodiment of the invention also has a cooling mechanism to keep the drill or coring apparatus at an optimum temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device with an ultrasonic-based probe for drilling and coring. The invention uses ultrasonic and subsonic vibrations produced by a frequency compensation coupler or free mass to produce the hammering action of a partially disengaged probe, with a relatively low axial force required. The invention can also be fitted with irrigation and aspiration capabilities. The invention can furthermore be furnished with a body sensor-feedback apparatus, which provides feedback to the operator as to the optimal frequency and power use of the generator. One embodiment of the invention also has a cooling mechanism to keep the drill or coring apparatus at an optimum temperature.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to catheters and related systems and methods. In some embodiments, a catheter defines a lumen and an aperture extending from an outer surface of the catheter to the lumen, and a waveguide is disposed within the lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A flared strain relief member for medical device delivery systems for stents, prosthetic valve devices, and other implantable articles inside a patient's body are provided. An elongate outer sheath has proximal and distal end portions defining a passageway, and the proximal end portion having an outer layer including melt bonding material. A strain relief member has a tubular first end portion of a first outer diameter and a flared second end portion of a greater second outer diameter. The strain relief member has an inner engaging surface that includes melt bonding material, at least a portion of which disposes concentrically about, and melt bonded to, the outer sheath proximal end portion melt bonding outer layer. The strain relief member second end portion is operatively coupled between a handle first connector and handle second connector. Methods of making a flared strain relief member for medical device delivery systems are also provided.

Abstract: A catheter for use with at least two different sizes of wire guides is described. The catheter includes a wire guide lumen sized to receive a first wire guide of a first diameter. The catheter may also include a tip lumen that extends in a distal direction from a first opening in communication with the wire guide lumen to a second opening. The first opening is sized to receive the first wire guide, and the second opening is sized to receive a second wire guide of a smaller diameter than the first wire guide. The catheter also includes one or more longitudinal expansion features capable of radially expanding the tip lumen to receive a wire guide of a diameter up to the first diameter through the second opening. An adapter that may be attached to the catheter by a medical professional is also described.

Abstract: An occlusion device for occluding blood flow in a vessel is provided, having a generally helical member with a pair of end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween. The intermediate portion defines a varying coil pitch so that the helical member has a varying stiffness along the intermediate portion.

Abstract: A device for capturing emboli during treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises a base having expanded and collapsed states, and proximal and distal portions. The distal portion has a support portion configured to deploy in the body vessel when the base is in the expanded state. The device further comprises a filter portion disposed on the distal portion of the base. The filter portion includes a lip extending to a filter body to a filter end. The filter portion is configured to engage the support portion when deployed to define an opening of the filter portion for capturing emboli. The device further comprises a collector through which the base is slideably disposed for delivery and retrieval of the device.

Abstract: An embolic protection device for deployment in a body vessel is provided for filtering emboli within the body vessel. The embolic protection device generally includes a filter having a plurality of openings formed therethrough and an extraction element configured to be movable with respect to the filter between a non-extraction position and an extraction position. The extraction element is located distally of the filter when in the non-extraction position so as to allow the filter to open into an expanded state to collect the emboli. Additionally, the extraction element is disposed about at least a portion of the filter when in the extraction position so as to close the filter into a collapsed state and to permit the embolic protection device to be extracted from the body vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for occluding an aneurysm formed in a dilatation area of a body vessel are disclosed. The system comprises a wire guide, a core wire, and an occlusion device. The wire guide comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and has a passageway that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The core wire comprises a distal end and a proximal end, and is disposed through the passageway so that the proximal end of the core wire proximally extends beyond the proximal end of the wire guide. The occlusion device comprises a distal end and a proximal end, and has a deployed state and an undeployed state. The occlusion device has a pre-set spiraled coil shape when in the deployed state in the vessel. The occlusion device is disposed distally from the core wire in the passageway.

Abstract: A method for joining at least first and second medical devices, and an apparatus comprising joined medical devices. A first tubular structure has a plurality of layers, wherein one of the layers has a portion adapted for joinder to a second tubular structure. The second tubular structure has a portion adapted for joinder to the first tubular structure. The first and second tubular structures are positioned such that the respective adapted portions are aligned for joinder, and the tubular structures are heated such that at least one of the adapted portions melts and flows into engagement with the other adapted portion to form a bond therebetween. The first tubular structure may comprise an inner PTFE layer and an outer layer of a polymer such as nylon or PEBA, and the second tubular structure may comprise a high strength polymer, such as PEEK.

Abstract: A system includes a generator with a grinder subgenerator and an ultrasonic subgenerator, a grinder handpiece, and an ultrasonic handpiece. The grinder handpiece is connected in electrical communication with the grinder subgenerator. The grinder handpiece includes a motor and a grinding tool connected mechanically to the motor. The rotational speed of the grinding tool is associated with electrical energy provided by the grinder subgenerator to the motor. The ultrasonic handpiece is connected in electrical communication with the ultrasonic subgenerator. The ultrasonic handpiece includes a transducer and a ball tip connected mechanically to the transducer. The amplitude of the vibrations at the ball tip is associated with electrical energy provide by the ultrasonic subgenerator to the transducer.

Abstract: An embolic protection device includes a basket defined by a section of a set of wires arranged as a plurality of struts. These struts are coupled together at the distal end of the basket in a manner to define an opening at the distal end through which a core wire can reciprocate. Another section of the wires spirals around the core wire to define a hollow channel in which the core wire can reciprocate. A filter bag is attached to the distal end of the core wire such that pulling a proximal end of the core wire relative to the spiraled section engages the filter bag with the distal end of the basket to expand the basket and filter bag for capturing clots, and pushing the core wire disengages the filter bag from the distal end of the basket to collapse the basket and filter bag.

Abstract: An embolic protection device for capturing emboli during treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises a basket and a filter attached to the basket. The basket has a deployed state and an undeployed state. The basket includes a reticulated body having an outer diameter. The reticulated body includes a plurality of struts connected together in a singly staggered configuration distally along a longitudinal axis to a distal end. The plurality of struts of the reticulated body is configured to fold along the longitudinal axis. The basket has a proximal stem proximally extending from the body. The filter portion has a lip attached to the distal end defining an opening of the filter portion when the basket is in the deployed state for capturing emboli. The filter portion extends from the lip to a filter end.

Abstract: A retrievable device for treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises a reticulation portion including a plurality of struts connected together in a singly staggered configuration distally along a longitudinal axis. The plurality of struts of the reticulation portion is configured to fold along the longitudinal axis defining a collapsed state of the device for retrieval. The device further includes an expandable body distally extending from the reticulation portion along an outer diameter for treatment of the stenotic lesion. The expandable body is configured to expand in the open state and collapsed in the collapsed state of the reticulation portion for retrieval. The device further comprises a retrieval stem extending proximally from the reticulation portion for retrieval of the device in the collapsed state.

Abstract: An insert for joining sheaths for use in a medical device is described. The insert has a first end including a first operative coupling and a second end including a second operative coupling. The first operative coupling is for engaging a first tube at its distal end, and the second operative coupling is for engaging a second tube at its proximal end. The insert also includes a first passageway extending through the insert from the second end to an exit port disposed between the first operative coupling and the second operative coupling. This disclosure also provides a catheter including such an insert, and a method of assembling a catheter.

Abstract: Medical device delivery systems having internal cannulated joints are provided. An internal compression member has a distal mating end portion, an inner guide channel member has first and second end portions defining a channel. An insert body proximal connecting end portion having an exit port operatively couples the compression member mating end portion and insert body distal mating end portion operatively couples the inner member second end portion, the insert body connecting and mating end portions defining a lumen. Alternatively, the insert mating end portion is implanted into the inner member second end portion. Alternatively, the insert mating end portion disposes about the inner member second end portion, and a tubular outer sleeve has a proximal mounting end portion disposed about the insert mating end portion, whereby at least one junction operatively couples the inner member second end portion, insert mating end, and outer sleeve mounting end portion.

Abstract: Joint assemblies for joining sheaths for use in medical devices are provided, as are methods of manufacturing the joint assemblies. An elongate first sheath has a distal end portion having melt bonding material. A second sheath has first and second end portions, the second end portion having melt bonding material. An outer sleeve body includes proximal and distal engaging portions that have melt bonding materials. The proximal engaging portion is disposed about and melt bonded to the first sheath distal end portion. The distal engaging portion is disposed about and melt bonded to the second sheath proximal end portion. In one embodiment, one or both sheaths have an inner layer, a coiled middle layer optionally stopping short of the joint assembly, and an outer layer that has said melt bonding materials. In one embodiment, the sheaths are used in a rapid insertion catheter delivery system.

Abstract: Delivery systems for self-expanding devices are provided having a system proximal portion with a handle, an elongate middle section delivery device with an outer sheath and inner compression member, and a system distal portion including an outer guide channel member with first and second end portions defining a guide channel that slidably receives an inner guide channel member having a guide channel, the guide channels being substantially aligned. A mounting region for self-expanding devices is disposed radially between the inner and outer guide channel members. The outer guide channel member has a stepped profile from a first outer diameter to a second smaller outer diameter located near a transition region having a breech position opening for passage of a wire guide, catheter, or other medical instrument. The outer member is axially slideable relative to the inner member to deploy a self-expanding device. Methods of using and manufacturing are also provided.

Abstract: A method and device to repair a stenosis in a blood vessel is provided. The medical device has a tubular member and a frame. The frame may be expanded or contracted while maintaining its generally cylindrical configuration. The medical device is retained in a contracted state inside an introducer sheath. The introducer sheath is guided through the stenosis such that a first end of the medical device is located distal the stenosis. The introducer sheath is retracted relative to the medical device, such that the first end of the stent expands to engage the blood vessel distal the stenosis. A mid-portion of the medical device engages the plaque of the stenosis trapping any emboli against the wall of the vessel. The second end expands to engage the blood vessel proximal to stenosis.