Abstract: The radially expandable frame utilized during catheterization includes a guide wire, a radiopaque radially expandable frame with distal and proximal frame ends wherein the guide wire freely passes through the proximal frame end, an elongated actuation sleeve having a flexible distal end piece (coil strain relief) through which freely passes the guide wire, and a friction locking mechanism located at the proximal end of the system which is defined by the proximal ends of the actuation sleeve and guide wire. The expandable frame includes radiopaque frame struts and has a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The actuator flexible end piece is a coil which enables the system to flex in excess of 90 degrees. The actuator sleeve, at its proximal end, includes a friction locking mechanism having locking members with respective locking surfaces.

Abstract: The controllable deployment system for a radially expandable frame utilized during catheterization includes a guide wire, a radially expandable frame through which the guide wire passes, an elongated actuation sleeve over the guide wire, and a proximal locking mechanism. The expandable frame has a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The proximal end of the frame is coupled to an actuator sleeve. The actuator sleeve, at its proximal end, includes a friction locking mechanism having locking members with respective locking surfaces. The locking mechanism permits the user to lock or hold static the actuator sleeve (and therefore, the expandable frame) with respect to the guide wire, typically in an open, radially expanded form and a closed form. Tactile markers or indicia may be included.

Abstract: The radially expandable frame utilized during catheterization includes a guide wire, a radiopaque radially expandable frame with distal and proximal frame ends wherein the guide wire freely passes through the proximal frame end, an elongated actuation sleeve having a flexible distal end piece (coil strain relief) through which freely passes the guide wire, and a friction locking mechanism located at the proximal end of the system which is defined by the proximal ends of the actuation sleeve and guide wire. The expandable frame includes radiopaque frame struts and has a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The actuator flexible end piece is a coil which enables the system to flex in excess of 90 degrees. The actuator sleeve, at its proximal end, includes a friction locking mechanism having locking members with respective locking surfaces.

Abstract: The controllable deployment system for a radially expandable frame utilized during catheterization includes a guide wire with a stop, a radially expandable frame through which the guide wire freely passes, an elongated actuation sleeve over the guide wire, and a friction locking mechanism located at the proximal end of the system. The expandable frame has a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The proximal end of the frame is coupled to an actuator sleeve. The actuator sleeve, at its proximal end, includes a friction locking mechanism having locking members with respective locking surfaces. The locking mechanism permits the user to lock or hold static the actuator sleeve (and therefore, the expandable frame) with respect to the guide wire, typically in an open, radially expanded form and a closed form. Tactile markers or indicia may be included.

Abstract: An expandable tubular reinforcing member used for a body lumen that is made from a pair of end sections each constituted of an endless element of sinuous configuration defining a plurality of U-bends, an elongated element of sinuous configuration defining a plurality of U-bends extending between the end sections and spaced therefrom and being disposed in a helical configuration of the same diameter as the end sections. Turns of the helix of the elongate element are spaced apart with the U-bends of the elongated element aligned with the U-bends of the end sections. A plurality of first interconnecting strips, each having a bend, spans the space between axially successive turns of the elongated element and interconnects axially aligned proximate U-bends of the elongated element to define cells bounded by the elongated element and circumferentially successive first interconnecting strips.

Abstract: The filter device captures embolic material in a blood vessel and is placed in the blood vessel via a guide wire. The guide wire has a proximal end, a distal end and a stop near its distal end. The filter device includes an expandable frame of frame struts having a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The frame, in the radially expanded form, has frame struts forming a pair of facing frustoconical frame structures. Filter material is attached to one of the pair of frustoconical frame structures. In one embodiment, the filter material is a perforated membrane. The guide wire extends through the expandable frame and the expandable frame is freely movable over the guide wire (likewise, the guide wire is freely movable within the frame), both rotatably and longitudinally, except distally beyond the stop near the distal end of the guide wire.

Abstract: The controllable deployment system for a radially expandable frame utilized during catheterization includes a guide wire with a stop, a radially expandable frame through which the guide wire freely passes, an elongated actuation sleeve over the guide wire, and a friction locking mechanism located at the proximal end of the system. The expandable frame has a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The proximal end of the frame is coupled to an actuator sleeve. The actuator sleeve, at its proximal end, includes a friction locking mechanism having locking members with respective locking surfaces. The locking mechanism permits the user to lock or hold static the actuator sleeve (and therefore, the expandable frame) with respect to the guide wire, typically in an open, radially expanded form and a closed form. Tactile markers or indicia may be included.

Abstract: The filter device captures embolic material in a blood vessel and is placed in the blood vessel via a guide wire. The guide wire has a proximal end, a distal end and a stop near its distal end. The filter device includes an expandable frame of frame struts having a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The frame, in the radially expanded form, has frame struts forming a pair of facing frustoconical frame structures. Filter material is attached to one of the pair of frustoconical frame structures. In one embodiment, the filter material is a perforated membrane. The guide wire extends through the expandable frame and the expandable frame is freely movable over the guide wire (likewise, the guide wire is freely movable within the frame), both rotatably and longitudinally, except distally beyond the stop near the distal end of the guide wire.

Abstract: The vascular protection and embolic material retrieval device is used in connection with a guidewire and a catheter sheath during catheter based procedures. The device includes a discontinuous loop of memory sheath material having an open loop shape when the loop is not radially restrained in the catheter sheath. When the loop is disposed beyond the distal end of the catheter sheath, the loop is deployed and forms a discontinuous loop due to the memory characteristic of the loop material. The device includes a lead line having a proximal end attached to the guidewire and a distal end attached to the discontinuous loop. A substantially conical filter adapted to capture embolic material has an open conical end attached to the discontinuous loop and a conical end point attached to the guidewire. When the loop is disposed outboard of the catheter sheath, the filter unfurls forming a conical filter trap for embolic material.