Abstract: The invention relates to medical devices and methods of using them. The devices are prostheses which can be percutaneously deliverable with (or on) an endovascular catheter or via other surgical or other techniques and then expanded. The prostheses are configured to have a lattice resistant to dilation and creep, which is defined by a plurality of openings. The prosthesis may also optionally have a stent disposed proximal to the lattice. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite materials exhibit high elongation while substantially retaining the strength properties of the fluoropolymer membrane. In at least one embodiment, the lattice is made of a composite material that includes a least one fluoropolymer membrane including serpentine fibrils and an elastomer. A lattice including a generally tubular member formed of a composite material including a least one fluoropolymer membrane containing serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel medical apparatus for treatment of obesity, diabetes, and/or other obesity-associated health problems. The apparatus is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., substantially isolating nutrients from a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The apparatus can be implanted using minimally invasive techniques, such a transesophageal approach under visualization. More specifically, the apparatus is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., substantially isolating nutrients from a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The apparatus may include a sleeve and at least one anchoring component attached to the sleeve with a releasable component. The sleeve may have different properties along its length or there may be multiple sleeves having different properties.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices that contain at least one region that is selectively degradable by electrolytic corrosion are provided. The electrolytic corrosion of the medical device is initiated by the formation of an electrolytic cell that can be activated wirelessly at a designated point in time. The medical device incorporates at least one section or region that is designed to be predisposed to structural failure. The medical device contains a cathode region, a sacrificial anode region, which will undergo degradation, and an antenna region. Electrolytic degradation of a sacrificial anode region may cause a de-anchoring of the medical device or a reconfiguration of the medical device from a first configuration to a second configuration. Alternatively, electrolytic degradation may precipitate the absorption of the medical device. In another embodiment, electrolytic protection may be employed to preserve an implanted device until such a time that its corrosion and subsequent absorption is desired.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes medical devices comprising a bio-corrodible stent member and a graft member. The bio-corrodible stent member can comprise a metal applied directly to the graft member via a vapor deposition process, such as a chemical or physical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for an endovascular catheter that can be inserted within tortuous body anatomies and then selectively stiffened and fixed in place. In a particular embodiment, this stiffness is reversible. The stiffness or a comparable mechanical characteristic of the catheter assembly may be adjusted to a relatively low value during insertion (so that it easily navigates a guide wire or the like), and then subsequently adjusted to a relatively high value in situ to keep the catheter assembly substantially fixed in place (i.e., during delivery of an interventional device).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device that permits a permanent aperture to be formed in a wall, or other partition, of an implantable medical device. The present invention maintains the continuity and fluid-retaining properties of the implantable medical device by providing a breachable barrier material fully covering an opening delimited by a deformable framework. The invention is accessed with conventional interventional surgical instruments that disrupt and displace the barrier material. Following disruption of the barrier material, the opening is enlarged with surgical instruments to form a permanent framed aperture in the wall of the implantable medical device. The permanent framed aperture provides fluid communication across the wall of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include devices and methods directed toward creating reverse flow within a vessel and thereby providing protection against embolic debris. Embodiments comprise a catheter and a plurality of occluders that are expandable and adjustable within a lumen to create low-pressure areas that reroute blood flow and embolic debris therein.

Abstract: A thrombus treatment device includes a support wire, a body frame portion that is disposed about an axis defined by the support wire, one or more tethers that each have a first end and a second end. Each of the one or more tethers is attached at its first end to the body frame portion, and at its second end to a collar that couples the second end of each of the multiple tethers to the support wire. When the collar is advanced to a position substantially within a region interior of the body frame portion, a rotational actuation of the support wire causes a swiveling motion of the one or more tethers. The swiveling motion of the tethers operates to macerate a thrombus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deployment system for an endoluminal device. The deployment system includes a confining sheath placed around a compacted endoluminal device. A deployment line is provided in the system that is an integral extension of the sheath. As the deployment line is actuated, the sheath retracts from around the compacted endoluminal device. As the sheath retracts from around the endoluminal device, material from the sheath may be converted into deployment line. Once the sheath is retracted from around the compacted endoluminal device, the endoluminal device expands in configuration and repairs vascular or cardiac structures of an implant recipient. Any remaining sheath material is removed from the implantation site along with the deployment line.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter operable by a single clinician that will neither displace a deployed stent nor cause undue trauma to the vascular lumen or lesion. The retrieval catheter may be sized to accommodate both a guidewire and a balloon wire. The retrieval catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways and will cross a previously deployed stent or stent-graft easily with minimal risk of snagging on the deployed stent or stent graft. The sheath and dilator are adapted to allow a guidewire or balloon wire to pass through the walls of both and to allow the sheath and dilator to move axially with respect to each other.

Abstract: An improved embolic filter frame is provided. The filter frame provides enhanced longitudinal compliance, improved sealing, low profile delivery, and short deployed length. The looped support struts have high “radial” stiffness with low “longitudinal” stiffness. When deployed, the frame exerts a relatively high stress onto a vessel wall to maintain an effective seal, yet remains longitudinally compliant. Minor displacements of the support wire or catheter are therefore not translated to the filter. The looped support struts elongate when tensioned and assume a compressed and essentially linear form. When the delivery catheter constraint is removed, the struts “snap open” and assume a looped configuration, exerting a high degree of force onto the vessel wall, creating an enhanced filter to vessel wall seal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical apparatus including a device used in the treatment of weight loss, obesity and potentially other associated health problems, e.g., type II diabetes. The device is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., bypassing a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The medical apparatus enables implantation of the device using minimally invasive techniques, such a transesophageal approach under visualization. The device may be implanted via a working channel of a medical scope, e.g., an endoscope or in combination with a medical scope.

Abstract: An open stent (a stent having open space through its thickness at locations between the ends of the stent), incorporating flexible, preferably polymeric, connecting elements into the stent wherein these elements connect adjacent, spaced-apart stent elements. Preferably the spaced-apart adjacent stent elements are the result of forming the stent from a helically wound serpentine wire having space provided between adjacent windings. Other stent forms such as multiple, individual spaced-apart ring-shaped or interconnected stent elements may also be used. The connecting elements are preferably longitudinally oriented.

Abstract: An endoluminal device comprises a tubular member and a reinforcement member that is separable from, or together with, a wall of the tubular member, and removable in-situ.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosure, a dual net vascular filtration device comprises a central frame, a proximal filter net attached to a proximal end of the central frame, and a distal filter net attached to a distal end of the central frame. Upon deployment, the distal filter net can be configured to evert into the proximal filter net.

Abstract: Implantable grafts, particularly for arteriovenous access that may be punctured by an object such as a needle and, following removal of the object, will reseal the resulting hole to the extent of reducing fluid leakage through the graft at the puncture site to an amount less than would be typical for a conventional graft. More particularly, the grafts comprise three layers; an inner layer of implantable graft material such as ePTFE, a middle layer of self sealing elastomeric material such as silicone, and an outer layer of implantable graft material such as ePTFE. Following manufacture, the tubular form of the three-layer graft is everted to put substantially the entire wall thickness of the elastomeric material layer under circumferential compression.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter operable by a single clinician that will neither displace a deployed stent nor cause undue trauma to the vascular lumen or lesion. The retrieval catheter may be sized to accommodate both a guidewire and a balloon wire. The retrieval catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways and will cross a previously deployed stent or stent-graft easily with minimal risk of snagging on the deployed stent or stent graft. The sheath and dilator are adapted to allow a guidewire or balloon wire to pass through the walls of both and to allow the sheath and dilator to move axially with respect to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials having therapeutic compositions releasably contained within the materials. The materials are configured to release therapeutic compositions at a desired rate. The present invention also relates to devices incorporating the materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to medical devices and methods of using them. The devices are prostheses which can be percutaneously deliverable with (or on) an endovascular catheter or via other surgical or other techniques and then expanded. The prostheses are configured to have a lattice resistant to dilation and creep, which is defined by a plurality of openings. The prosthesis may also optionally have a stent disposed proximal to the lattice. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite materials exhibit high elongation while substantially retaining the strength properties of the fluoropolymer membrane. In at least one embodiment, the lattice is made of a composite material that includes a least one fluoropolymer membrane including serpentine fibrils and an elastomer. A lattice including a generally tubular member formed of a composite material including a least one fluoropolymer membrane containing serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is also provided.

Abstract: A thrombus treatment device includes a support wire, a body frame portion that is disposed about an axis defined by the support wire, one or more tethers that each have a first end and a second end. Each of the one or more tethers is attached at its first end to the body frame portion, and at its second end to a collar that couples the second end of each of the multiple tethers to the support wire. When the collar is advanced to a position substantially within a region interior of the body frame portion, a rotational actuation of the support wire causes a swiveling motion of the one or more tethers. The swiveling motion of the tethers operates to macerate a thrombus.