Abstract: A tissue sampling device includes for removing tissue from a target area in the body comprises a shaft having an outer surface. Two first portions and two second portions of the outer surface extend lengthwise of the shaft. Each first portion of the outer surface is associated with a different second portion and is spaced apart from its associated second portion. Each first portion of the outer surface at least partially defines a cutting edge extending in a straight line lengthwise of the shaft. Each first portion of the outer surface and its associated second portion are associated with a tissue-receiving surface extending lengthwise of the shaft. Each tissue-receiving surface defines a depression for receiving a tissue sample removed from the target area by the cutting edge of the associated first portion of the outer surface when the shaft is rotated about its longitudinal axis in the target area.

Abstract: A tissue sampling device includes for removing tissue from a target area in the body comprises a shaft having an outer surface. Two first portions and two second portions of the outer surface extend lengthwise of the shaft. Each first portion of the outer surface is associated with a different second portion and is spaced apart from its associated second portion. Each first portion of the outer surface at least partially defines a cutting edge extending in a straight line lengthwise of the shaft. Each first portion of the outer surface and its associated second portion are associated with a tissue-receiving surface extending lengthwise of the shaft. Each tissue-receiving surface defines a depression for receiving a tissue sample removed from the target area by the cutting edge of the associated first portion of the outer surface when the shaft is rotated about its longitudinal axis in the target area.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to devices and methods for sealing a puncture or an opening through a wall of a blood vessel or a body cavity. The device includes a structural member and a sealing material associated with the structural member. The structural member includes a rod, a first obstructing body and a second obstructing body. The first obstructing body is affixed against an inner surface of the wall of the blood vessel or body cavity and the second obstructing body is affixed against an outer surface of the wall of the blood vessel or body cavity once placed at the puncture or the opening. The sealing material includes a reconstituted or naturally-derived collagenous material, which can expand at the puncture or the opening to restore hemostasis and enhance sealing.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices, such as intraluminally implantable stents and valves, are provided having certain preferred shapes. Preferably, a portion of the implantable medical device can define a sinus region having a preferred geometry. The sinus region can have one or more preferred geometric configurations described herein, for example to mitigate or prevent thrombosis within a body vessel. The medical device can include a valve means, such as one or more valve leaflets positioned within the sinus region. The implantable medical devices can be delivered from a catheter within a body vessel, and are preferably expandable from a compressed configuration to a radially expanded configuration. The implantable frames can be self-expanding or balloon expandable. Portions of the medical device, such as the implantable frame or a valve leaflet, are optionally coated with one or more bioactive materials.

Abstract: Medical devices for implantation in a body vessel, and methods of using and making the same, are provided. A medical device includes a frame and a cross-linkable material having at least one cross-linked region and a non cross-linked region, where the cross-linked region maintains the cross-linkable material in connection to the frame. A method of making an implantable medical device includes providing a frame and covering the frame with a cross-linkable material. The method also includes cross-linking at least one region of the cross-linkable material by joining a first region of the cross-linkable material to a second region of the cross-linkable material to form a point of attachment. A method of treating a subject includes the step of implanting the medical device at a point of treatment.

Abstract: A venous valve prosthesis having a substantially non-expandable, valve portion comprising a valve-closing mechanism, such as a pair of opposing leaflets; and an anchoring portion, such as one or more self-expanding frames or stents that are expandable to anchor the prosthesis at the implantation site. In one embodiment, the rigid valve portion includes a deposition of material such as pyrolitic carbon to reduce the thrombogenecity of the blood-contacting surfaces. The anchoring portions preferably include a covering, such as a tubular construct of synthetic or collagen-derived material (such as a bioremodelable ECM material), which attaches about the support structure such that blood flow is directed through the valve mechanism as it transitions from the larger diameter anchoring portion to the intermediate, smaller-diameter portion of the prosthesis.