Abstract: Medical devices for delivering stents, prosthetic valve devices, and other implantable articles inside a patient's body are provided. The devices have an elongate inner compression member having a proximal end and a distal mating end with a tapered portion and outer engaging surface, a first portion proximal to the distal mating end, and the tapered portion having a smaller cross sectional area than the first portion and being more flexible than the first portion. The devices further have an inner guide channel member with a first end and a second end defining a channel of substantially uniform inner diameter, the second end having an outer diameter, and the first end having a taper extending from the second end outer diameter to a smaller second outer diameter. A joint is configured for melt bonding or implanting the inner compression member distal mating end and the inner guide channel member second end.

Abstract: Internal joints for medical devices such as delivery systems for stents, prosthetic valve devices, and other implantable articles inside a patient's body, and methods of manufacturing the internal joint, are provided with an inner compression member having a distal mating end portion. A tubular inner guide channel member has first and second end portions defining a channel therebetween, the first end portion including an entry port and the second end portion including an exit port. The inner compression member distal mating end portion is implanted into the inner guide channel member second end portion between inner and outer surfaces or melt bonds to one of the inner guide channel member second end portion inner or outer surfaces. In another embodiment, the inner compression member distal mating end portion melt bonds to one of the inner guide channel member second end portion inner and outer surfaces.

Abstract: Internal joints for medical device delivery systems to deploy implantable prostheses at a selected location inside a patient's body, and methods of making the joint, are provided. An inner guide channel member has first and second ends, whereby the second end has an outer diameter and outer surface. A cannulated securing body has an inner securing section with a receiving cavity being sized to receive the inner guide channel member second end outer diameter and having an inner engaging surface operatively coupling to the inner guide channel member second end outer surface. The cannulated securing body further having a base securing section with an outer engaging surface. An elongate inner compression member has a distal mating end with an engaging surface having a contoured configuration complementary to and disposed against the base securing section outer engaging surface, wherein the base securing section and distal mating end are operatively coupled.

Abstract: An embolic protection device for deployment in a body vessel is provided, including a filtering body having a lip and extending therefrom to a tail and a frame connected to the lip for supporting the filtering body. The filtering body includes first and second openings formed therethrough, the first opening having a first area for maintaining fluid flowpaths through the device, the second opening having a second area for filtering emboli in the body vessel. The first area is greater than the second area.

Abstract: An embolic protection device is provided for deployment within a body vessel to collect embolic debris there from. The device includes a filter for collecting the embolic debris and a frame for supporting the filter. The frame generally defines a closed loop that has a collapsed state and an opened state. Furthermore, the frame includes a tube portion that receives an opening means to open the closed loop from the collapsed state to the opened state.

Abstract: An embolic protection device generally includes an elongated hub and at least one projection. The projection defines a tortuous pathway between the hub and the vessel wall to prevent emboli from following the pathway and passing beyond the device. The tortuous pathway is structured to permit the bodily fluid to follow the pathway and pass beyond the device.

Abstract: Apparatus for probing, sensing, testing penetrating and sampling a medium generally includes an actuator (12) for generating vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies and a horn (14) coupled to the actuator (12) for amplifying the actuator vibrations along with a non-rotating coring and drilling bit (16) for penetrating the medium. A bit (16) includes a drill stem (20) attached to the horn (14) and a bore (26) extends through the bit (16), horn (14) and actuator (12) for withdrawal of samples. A free mass (36) is disposed between the horn (14) and the drill stem (20) for oscillating therebetween in response to the actuator vibration for causing migration of medium debris around and through the actuator bore for effectively self-cleaning of the bit (16). The hammering action of the free mass (36) is used for penetration of the medium and for analysis of the medium though the use of spaced apart accelerometers (92 and 94).

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 novel device with an ultrasonic based drill and corer. The invention uses ultrasonic and subsonic vibrations, which is produced by a frequency compensation coupler or free mass, to produce the hammering action with relatively low axial-force required. The invention can also be fitted with irrigation and aspiration capabilities. The invention is furnished with a body sensor-feedback apparatus, which provide feedback to the operator as to the optimal frequency and power use of the generator. The assembly presented also has a coolant jacket to keep the drill or coring apparatus at optimum temperature prolonging the life of the instrument and the quality of the sample. The invention can be used in numerous applications one of such notable application is on the field of orthopedics.

Abstract: Apparatus for probing, sensing, testing penetrating and sampling a medium generally includes an actuator (12) for generating vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies and a horn (14) coupled to the actuator (12) for amplifying the actuator vibrations along with a non-rotating coring and drilling bit (16) for penetrating the medium. A bit (16) includes a drill stem (20) attached to the horn (14) and a bore (26) extends through the bit (16), horn (14) and actuator (12) for withdrawal of samples. A free mass (36) is disposed between the horn (14) and the drill stem (20) for oscillating therebetween in response to the actuator vibration for causing migration of medium debris around and through the actuator bore for effectively self-cleaning of the bit (16). The hammering action of the free mass (36) is used for penetration of the medium and for analysis of the medium though the use of spaced apart accelerometers (92 and 94).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel device with an ultrasonic based drill and corer. The invention uses ultrasonic and subsonic vibrations, which is produced by a frequency compensation coupler or free mass, to produce the hammering action with relatively low axial-force required. The invention can also be fitted with irrigation and aspiration capabilities. The invention is furnished with a body sensor-feedback apparatus, which provide feedback to the operator as to the optimal frequency and power use of the generator. The assembly presented also has a coolant jacket to keep the drill or coring apparatus at optimum temperature prolonging the life of the instrument and the quality of the sample. The invention can be used in numerous applications one of such notable application is on the field of orthopedics.