Abstract: A device for thrombolytic therapy is provided. The device includes an elongate catheter with a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and a first lumen extending through both distal and proximal end portions. The distal end portion of the catheter includes an echogenic tubular potion that defines or surrounds a portion of the first lumen. An expandable balloon coaxially surrounds the tubular portion. The tubular portion additionally includes a plurality of indentations defined upon an outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A hydraulic guidewire advancement system for enhancing access through lesions or occlusions in distal regions of a patient's vasculature includes a catheter comprising a sheath, a guidewire lumen, and a proximal catheter port connected to a hydraulic driver. A hydraulic guidewire is coaxially disposed through the guidewire lumen, the hydraulic guidewire comprising a piston movably disposed in the guidewire lumen, the piston forming a seal with an interior surface of the sheath. The hydraulic driver is configured to generate hydraulic pressure against the piston sufficient to advance or retract the hydraulic guidewire relative to the catheter. The hydraulic driver can apply positive or negative pressure to the piston, so as to repeatedly contact and break through the lesion with the distal end of the hydraulic guidewire.

Abstract: A medical device for removing a thrombus from a blood vessel and a process thereof is presented. The device includes an outer sheath with a plurality of lumens. A wire guide inserted through one of the lumens is used to place the device proximate to a thrombus. A chemical lysing agent is used to at least partially lyse the thrombus. A wire basket extended through the first lumen proximate to the thrombus is translated back and forth to generate a force that may be transmitted to the partially lysed thrombus assisting in the formation of smaller fragments. A vacuum coupled to the distal end of the second lumen is used to remove the lysed thrombus fragments.

Abstract: An injection device including a syringe connectable to a corkscrew injection needle via an adapter is disclosed. The corkscrew needle includes a proximal end and a distal end and a bore formed through the proximal and distal ends, the corkscrew needle terminating with a sharpened tip at the distal end. The syringe includes a barrel and a chamber formed therein for containing an injectable substance. The barrel includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an outlet at the distal end in fluid communication with the chamber. The distal end of the syringe connects to the proximal end of the adapter. The adapter bore provides fluid communication between the syringe and the corkscrew needle. The proximal end of the corkscrew needle is rotatably coupled to distal end of the adapter which allows rotation of the corkscrew needle without rotating the syringe.

Abstract: A rigid extractor is revealed, a rigid device for use in percutaneous procedures to remove kidney stones directly from the kidneys. The rigid extractor uses a handle fixed to an outer rigid cannula, and an inner cannula to control an extraction device that may be removable from the inner cannula. The extractor is desirably used with a fluoroscope, in which the surgeon maneuvers the extractor with the aid of a view of the operating field provided by the fluoroscope. The surgeon then maneuvers the extractor to grasp the kidney stones and remove from the patient. The extractor may also be used with a nephroscope. The device may be used with a removable extraction device such as a basket, a grasper a pair of jaws, or a pair of scissors.

Abstract: A Foley catheter with a retention balloon includes an elongated inflation tube so that the inflation port used to inflate and deflate the balloon may be maneuvered away from the drainage port of the Foley catheter. If the Foley catheter was placed using a urethral access sheath, the elongated inflation tube allows the surgeon to easily remove the access sheath from the patient.

Abstract: An infusion mechanism for treating an intraluminal site in a patient includes an infusion catheter having an elongate body with a proximal body end defining at least one fluid supply orifice, and a distal body end. The elongate body defines a high head loss lumen in fluid communication with a first set of side ports defining a proximal infusion zone. The elongate body further defines a low head loss lumen in fluid communication with a second set of side ports defining a distal infusion zone.

Abstract: A multi-section tubular device suitable for use as a stent is provided. The multisection tubular device includes a first tubular section (12) having a first end and a second end. A second tubular section (18) is connected to the first end of the first tubular section and a third tubular section (20) is connected to the second end of the first tubular section. The first tubular section is more flexible than the second and third tubular sections. One advantage is that the coiled first tubular section is highly flexible axially, radially, and torsionally, which makes the multi-section tubular device resistant to kinking or fracturing.

Abstract: A low-profile rapid-exchange catheter device having desirable strength between joined proximal and distal portion may be constructed using a method that includes a textile sleeve and a thermoplastic polymer overlay.

Abstract: A sling for supporting a urethra in a patient has characteristics for resisting pull-out, roll-over and a combination of both pull-out and roll-over. To facilitate resistance to pull-out, sling material has protuberances or serrations to resist movement once placed in the patient by the surgeon. Improved resistance to roll-over or roll-up is achieved by providing relief on the sling in areas potentially subjected to roll-over forces by endopelvic fascia. The sling may be used on female or male patients, and may be used in conjunction with a wider support portion to support a bladder and a urethra, rather than a urethra alone. The sling may also be used to support other tissues within a patient.

Abstract: A retrieval device is provided for capturing and retrieving stones, calculi, and other objects from a body. The retrieval device includes an irrigation orifice to irrigate a passageway. Irrigating the passageway helps to keep the viewing area free from debris and particulate matter.

Abstract: A retrieval device for use in renal, biliary, vascular or other systems of a body includes a collapsible basket in a narrow sheath. A surgeon advances the device beyond an object to be removed from a body, such as a kidneystone, a gallstone, or a thrombus. The surgeon then retracts the sheath or advances the basket from the sheath. The basket deploys only to one side of the sheath. In some embodiments, the periphery of the basket has a flex point to enable the basket to easily collapse into the sheath. If the sheath is adjacent a body vessel, such as a blood vessel or a ureter, the sheath remains adjacent the wall, while the device deploys in such a manner as to seal against the walls of the vessel and block the flow of fragments, emboli, thrombi, or other undesirable objects.

Abstract: A medical device for removing a thrombus from a blood vessel and a process thereof is presented. The device comprises an outer sheath with a plurality of lumens. A wire guide inserted through one of the lumens is used to place the device proximate to a thrombus. A chemical lysin agent is used to at least partially lyse the thrombus. A wire basket extended through the first lumen proximate to the thrombus is translated back and forth to generate a force that may be transmitted to the partially lysed thrombus assisting in the formation of smaller fragments. A vacuum coupled to the distal end of the second lumen is used to remove the lysed thrombus fragments.

Abstract: A medical device for removing a thrombus from a blood vessel and a process thereof is presented. The device comprises an outer sheath with a plurality of lumens. A wire guide inserted through one of the lumens is used to place the device proximate to a thrombus. An optical fiber placed through a second lumen uses laser input to ablate the thrombus in the proximal portion of the second lumen near its proximal end. A vacuum coupled to the distal end of the second lumen is used to remove any ablated residual material. The second lumen may be pivoted around the first lumen to reposition the second lumen proximate to an area of the thrombus that has not yet been ablated.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a medical device and specifically to a catheter and wire guide for crossing an occlusion in a body lumen and a method of use thereof. In one embodiment, the catheter includes an incremental positioning mechanism positioned distally of the catheter body. In another embodiment, a lumen containing the wire guide extends through the incremental positioning mechanism and the catheter body. The incremental positioning mechanism allows for adjustment of the axial position of the wire guide relative to the distal end of the catheter body.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a medical device and specifically to a guide wire for reversing the direction of catheterization within a body lumen and to a method of use thereof. In one embodiment, the guide wire includes a first elongated member having a second elongated member attached to the distal end. A spring element joins the distal end of the second elongated member to a third elongated member. The third elongated member is movable between a first position folded upon the second elongated member and a second position extending distally from the second elongated member.

Abstract: A hydraulic guidewire advancement system for enhancing access through lesions or occlusions in distal regions of a patient's vasculature includes a catheter comprising a sheath, a guidewire lumen, and a proximal catheter port connected to a hydraulic driver. A hydraulic guidewire is coaxially disposed through the guidewire lumen, the hydraulic guidewire comprising a piston movably disposed in the guidewire lumen, the piston forming a seal with an interior surface of the sheath. The hydraulic driver is configured to generate hydraulic pressure against the piston sufficient to advance or retract the hydraulic guidewire relative to the catheter. The hydraulic driver can apply positive or negative pressure to the piston, so as to repeatedly contact and break through the lesion with the distal end of the hydraulic guidewire.

Abstract: Double ended wire guides are manufactured so that either end, or both ends sequentially, may be inserted into a patient. The ends are different, so that the inventory requirements of wire guides are minimized. For example, a wire guide may have a straight end and an angled end, either end suitable for use on the patient. The wire guides may also differ in other characteristics, such as the stiffness or the diameters of the distal and proximal portions. The wire guide may also be stored in a package, the package including a fitting so that wetting solution may be injected into the package to wet the wire guide and prepare it for use.

Abstract: A balloon catheter assembly included a catheter provided with a distal end and a proximal end and at least one inflation lumen in the catheter. The inflation lumen includes a distal end and a proximal end. An inflatable balloon is provided at the distal end of the catheter and in fluid communication with the distal end of said inflation lumen. The proximal end of the inflation lumen is able to be coupled to a source of fluid. A flow controller is coupled between the inflation lumen and the fluid source, the flow controller being adjustable by an operator of the balloon catheter assembly so as to adjust the flow of inflation fluid to the balloon. In one embodiment, the flow controller includes a manually operable control actuator and a plurality of discrete flow configurations provided in the form of flow through holes in the flow controller.

Abstract: A rigid extractor is revealed, a rigid device for use in percutaneous procedures to remove kidney stones directly from the kidneys. The rigid extractor uses a handle fixed to an outer rigid cannula, and an inner cannula to control an extraction device that may be removable from the inner cannula. The extractor is desirably used with a fluoroscope, in which the surgeon maneuvers the extractor with the aid of a view of the operating field provided by the fluoroscope. The surgeon then maneuvers the extractor to grasp the kidney stones and remove from the patient. The extractor may also be used with a nephroscope. The device may be used with a removable extraction device such as a basket, a grasper a pair of jaws, or a pair of scissors.