Abstract: A hydrogel plug is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the plug. The elastic limit of the plug is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the plug substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated plug is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.

Abstract: A device for inserting a marker into tissue at a biopsy site including an elongate shaft that moves conjointly with a plunger, and a spring secured to the distal end of the shaft. The device may comprise a cannula configured to receive a distal end of the shaft, and with a crimp, dimples, or other features formed near the shaft's distal end. The cannula may comprise a lateral aperture where a marker may be ejected from the lumen thereof. A ramp portion may be formed in communication with the lateral aperture, and the ramp portion may comprise a preselected slope that controls the angle at which the marker is ejected.

Abstract: A hydrogel plug is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the plug. The elastic limit of the plug is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the plug substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated plug is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.

Abstract: A hydrogel plug is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the plug. The elastic limit of the plug is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the plug substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated plug is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.

Abstract: A hydrogel plug is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the plug. The elastic limit of the plug is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the plug substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated plug is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.

Abstract: A hydrogel plug is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the plug. The elastic limit of the plug is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the plug substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated plug is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.

Abstract: A hydrogel plug is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the plug. The elastic limit of the plug is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the plug substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated plug is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.

Abstract: A tool for inserting a marker into tissue at a biopsy site includes an elongate plunger having a blind bore. A plunger rod has a proximal end received within and secured to the blind bore so that the plunger rod moves conjointly with the plunger and a spring is secured to the distal end of the plunger rod. A cannula has a lumen that receives a distal end of the plunger rod and a crimp is formed in the cannula near its distal end. The cannula has a side exit port where a marker is ejected from the lumen. A ramp is formed in communication with the side exit port and the ramp has a preselected slope that controls the angle at which the marker is ejected. The marker is ejected from the side exit port into tissue when the spring unloads abruptly as the marker clears the crimp.

Abstract: A method for installing a stent graft in therapeutic relation to an abdominal artery aneurysm includes the steps of advancing the stent graft over a guide wire and an introducer sheath, followed by advancing a main catheter over the guide wire and the introducer sheath. An inner catheter in the lumen of the main catheter is pulled to cause a magnet-carrying extended arm to encounter a kick plate in the main catheter lumen and to exit that lumen through an exit opening formed in the main catheter. A mating catheter having a magnetic tip is advanced over a contralateral guide wire and manipulated until the respective magnets engage. After specific positioning of the contralateral guide wire, the magnets are decoupled, the mating catheter is retracted, the inner catheter is pushed to return the extended arm into the main catheter lumen through the exit opening and the main catheter is withdrawn.

Abstract: A method for installing a stent graft in therapeutic relation to an abdominal artery aneurysm includes the steps of advancing the stent graft over a guide wire and an introducer sheath, followed by advancing a main catheter over the guide wire and the introducer sheath. An inner catheter in the lumen of the main catheter is pulled to cause a magnet-carrying extended arm to encounter a kick plate in the main catheter lumen and to exit that lumen through an exit opening formed in the main catheter. A mating catheter having a magnetic tip is advanced over a contralateral guide wire and manipulated until the respective magnets engage. After specific positioning of the contralateral guide wire, the magnets are decoupled, the mating catheter is retracted, the inner catheter is pushed to return the extended arm into the main catheter lumen through the exit opening and the main catheter is withdrawn.

Abstract: A hydrogel plug is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the plug. The elastic limit of the plug is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the plug substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated plug is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.

Abstract: A tissue marker formed of a biodegradable polymer having drug-delivery capabilities is combined with a sealant that encapsulates the tissue marker and which serves to help anchor the tissue marker against migration. The sealant is delivered to a site in dehydrated form and moisture inherent in tissue at the site expands the sealant. The expanded sealant is formed of a hydrogel and is therefore more compatible to the surrounding tissue than the material of the tissue marker. The sealant and the tissue marker are both bioabsorbed over time.

Abstract: Openings in a mammalian body made by any medical procedure or non-medical event are sealed with a bioabsorbable plug or sewn with a bioabsorbable suture. In one exemplary embodiment, the plug in dehydrated, unexpanded condition is pushed by a pushing device through the lumen of a needle until a first part of the plug is external to the opening and a second part is internal to the opening. The needle is then withdrawn while the position of the pushing device is maintained. The pushing device is then withdrawn, leaving the plug in sealing relation to the opening. The body's moisture causes the plug to expand to complete the sealing of the opening, or the expansion may be caused by exposure to air, light, or other stimulant. The opening may be formed in soft tissue, internal organs, or hard tissue. The plug seals the flow of liquid or gaseous biological fluids.

Abstract: A clip and a bioabsorbable marker are employed to mark a biopsy site. The former provides a permanent marker that is clamped onto tissue and that cannot migrate from the site over time. The latter is gradually bioabsorbed over time but the time may vary widely from weeks to months. In most embodiments, the clip and marker are integrally formed with one another at the time of manufacture. In one embodiment, the clip and marker are independently made but are joined to one another during the site-marking process. The markers are deployed by core biopsy needles of the type employing a vacuum, of the type that does not employ a vacuum, and by coaxial biopsy needles.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable sealant plug that expands in response to contact with moisture in a mammalian body is optimally positioned in a biopsy tract to seal the biopsy tract when a biopsy procedure is completed. In a first method, the leading end of the sealant plug is advanced through the lumen of a coaxial needle by a plunger until a leading end of a supporting leg abuts the patient's skin surface. A second method is performed with a pistol-shaped tool having a trigger that enables adjustment of the plunger. A third embodiment includes a plunger having a bifurcated end that grasps the plug. A fourth embodiment has a turning nut that causes compression of a gasket that clamps down on the plug. A supporting rod and coaxial needle are in parallel relation to one another in a fifth embodiment.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable sealant plug that expands in response to contact with moisture in a mammalian body is optimally positioned in a biopsy tract to seal the biopsy tract when a biopsy procedure is completed. In a first method, the leading end of the sealant plug is advanced through the lumen of a coaxial needle by a plunger until a leading end of a supporting leg abuts the patient's skin surface. A second method is performed with a pistol-shaped tool having a trigger that enables adjustment of the plunger. A third embodiment includes a plunger having a bifurcated end that grasps the plug. A fourth embodiment has a turning nut that causes compression of a gasket that clamps down on the plug. A supporting rod and coaxial needle are in parallel relation to one another in a fifth embodiment.

Abstract: A method for inserting a stent into the delivery sheath of a stent/graft deployment catheter. The stent has V hooks on its proximal end which are positively engageable by projections attached to a stent/graft deployment catheter plunger. The proximal end of the stent is manually squeezed over the V hooks such that the V hooks engage the projections. The catheter is passed through the center of a funnel. While maintaining pressure on the stent and the V hooks, the plunger is withdrawn so as to pull the stent into the delivery sheath through the center of the funnel. The funnel guides the stent into the delivery sheath and gradually compresses the stent as it approaches the delivery sheath.

Abstract: A tissue marker formed of a biodegradable polymer having drug-delivery capabilities is combined with a sealant that encapsulates the tissue marker and which serves to help anchor the tissue marker against migration. The sealant is delivered to a site in dehydrated form and moisture inherent in tissue at the site expands the sealant. The expanded sealant is formed of a hydrogel and is therefore more compatible to the surrounding tissue than the material of the tissue marker. The sealant and the tissue marker are both bioabsorbed over time.

Abstract: Openings in a mammalian body made by any medical procedure or non-medical event are sealed with a bioabsorbable plug or sewn with a bioabsorbable suture. In one exemplary embodiment, the plug in dehydrated, unexpanded condition is pushed by a pushing device through the lumen of a needle until a first part of the plug is external to the opening and a second part is internal to the opening. The needle is then withdrawn while the position of the pushing device is maintained. The pushing device is then withdrawn, leaving the plug in sealing relation to the opening. The body's moisture causes the plug to expand to complete the sealing of the opening, or the expansion may be caused by exposure to air, light, or other stimulant. The opening may be formed in soft tissue, internal organs, or hard tissue. The plug seals the flow of liquid or gaseous biological fluids.

Abstract: A stent/graft deployment catheter which deploys a stent/graft by pulling it out of its delivery sheath rather than pushing it out. The stent/graft deployment catheter comprises a tip capable of positively engaging a distal end of a stent/graft. Said tip houses a pair of ball bearings which engage a notch in the inner surface of the stent/graft when the inner lumen is occupied by a guide wire.