Abstract: Vascular dilator systems, kits, and methods allowing for sheathless introduction of a treatment device into a body vessel or body cavity are disclosed. A vascular dilator system can include a dilator assembly, including a tubular shaft and a deformable member, and optionally, the treatment device. The deformable member can include a non-biodegradable material and can have a diameter at a proximal end portion that is greater than a diameter at a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the deformable member can be coupled to an outer surface of the tubular shaft, at or near a shaft distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the deformable member can include a diameter configured to receive or stretch around a distal end portion of the treatment device. In use, the deformable member can provide a tapered bridge between the outer surface of the tubular shaft and an outer surface of the treatment device.

Abstract: Vascular introducer systems, kits, and methods providing or creating access to vessels, such as radial or femoral arteries, are disclosed. A vascular introducer system includes a removable inner tubular member, a removable outer tubular, tear-away member, and an expandable passage member positioned between the inner and outer tubular members. The removable inner tubular member and the removable outer tubular, tear-away member help protect and maintain a contracted configuration of the expandable passage member when the introducer system is advanced into a vessel. The expandable passage member includes an inner surface configured to receive an elongate treatment device, for example, following removal of the inner and outer tubular members. In some examples, the expandable passage member includes one or more kink-resistant members extending along a portion of the passage member.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods for occluding a vascular vessel are disclosed. An assembly can include a removable outer member, an elongate expandable member, a porous cover member, and optionally, one or both of a removable inner tubular member or a seal member. The elongate expandable member and the porous cover member can be positioned in a radially compressed form between the removable outer members and, if present, the inner tubular member, with the porous cover member surrounding an outer surface of the elongate expandable member. The elongate expandable member can be configured to expand the porous cover member and occlude a vascular vessel following removal of the removable outer member. Mechanical stability and migration resistance of the elongate expandable member can be aided by the porous cover member. The seal member can be positioned at a distal end of the elongate expandable member to inhibit its expansion during vessel insertion.

Abstract: Vascular dilator systems, kits, and methods allowing for sheathless introduction of a treatment device into a body vessel or body cavity are disclosed. A vascular dilator system can include a dilator assembly, including a tubular shaft and a deformable member, and optionally, the treatment device. The deformable member can include a non-biodegradable material and can have a diameter at a proximal end portion that is greater than a diameter at a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the deformable member can be coupled to an outer surface of the tubular shaft, at or near a shaft distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the deformable member can include a diameter configured to receive or stretch around a distal end portion of the treatment device. In use, the deformable member can provide a tapered bridge between the outer surface of the tubular shaft and an outer surface of the treatment device.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting biological or other material from contamination through the steps of filling, freeze-drying, packaging, storing and use are disclosed. A system can include a flexible container, a membrane configured to transmit air or solvent vapor out of the flexible container, and a membrane frame supporting the membrane and engaged with at least one column member. The at least one column member can be configured to maintain the membrane and the membrane frame a spaced distance from one or more contents received within the flexible container. Upon application of a downward force, the at least one column member can assume a collapsed configuration. A method can include inserting a biological material, for example, into a flexible container, freeze-drying the biological material, moving the freeze-dried biological material to a portion of the flexible container that includes at least one port, and sealing the biological material within the portion.

Abstract: Assemblies, kits, and methods for occluding a vascular vessel, such as a varicose vein, are disclosed. An assembly can include a removable inner member, a removable outer member, and an elongated expandable member positioned in a compressed form between portions of the inner and outer members. To facilitate their removal, one or both of the inner and outer members can include a handle coupled to a proximal end. The elongated expandable member can include a gelatin material or a collagen material that is configured, when wetted, to expand from a compressed first diametrical size to a second larger diametrical size within a time period of 5 minutes or less. At the second larger diametrical size, the gelatin or collagen material can occlude a vascular vessel for a period of at least 20 days without degrading.

Abstract: Catheter assemblies, kits and methods allowing for the drainage or administration of fluid or small particles are disclosed. A catheter assembly can include a shaft with a lumen, an expandable retention member, an elongate actuation member and a locking mechanism. The expandable retention member can be positioned at a shaft distal end portion and can include one or more filaments forming a plurality of drainage or administration interstices of variable or uniform size. The elongate actuation member can include an actuation member distal end, directly or indirectly engaged with the expandable retention member, and an actuation member proximal end. Movement of the actuation member proximal end relative to a proximal end of the shaft can cause the expandable retention member to change from a lower-profile configuration to a higher-profile configuration. A moved position of the elongate actuation member can be secured by rotating, sliding or otherwise manipulating the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Vascular dilator systems, kits, and methods allowing for sheathless introduction of a treatment device into a body vessel or body cavity are disclosed. A vascular dilator system can include a dilator assembly, including a tubular shaft and a deformable member, and optionally, the treatment device. The deformable member can include a non-biodegradable material and can have a diameter at a proximal end portion that is greater than a diameter at a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the deformable member can be coupled to an outer surface of the tubular shaft, at or near a shaft distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the deformable member can include a diameter configured to receive or stretch around a distal end portion of the treatment device. In use, the deformable member can provide a tapered bridge between the outer surface of the tubular shaft and an outer surface of the treatment device.

Abstract: Assemblies, kits, and methods for occluding a vascular vessel, such as a varicose vein, are disclosed. An assembly can include a removable inner member, a removable outer member, and an elongated expandable member positioned in a compressed form between portions of the inner and outer members. To facilitate their removal, one or both of the inner and outer members can include a handle coupled to a proximal end. The elongated expandable member can include a gelatin material or a collagen material that is configured, when wetted, to expand from a compressed first diametrical size to a second larger diametrical size within a time period of 5 minutes or less. At the second larger diametrical size, the gelatin or collagen material can occlude a vascular vessel for a period of at least 20 days without degrading.

Abstract: Assemblies, kits, and methods for occluding a vascular vessel, such as a varicose vein, are disclosed. An assembly can include a removable inner member, a removable outer member, and an elongated expandable member positioned in a compressed form between portions of the inner and outer members. To facilitate their removal, one or both of the inner and outer members can include a handle coupled to a proximal end. The elongated expandable member can include a gelatin material or a collagen material that is configured, when wetted, to expand from a compressed first diametrical size to a second larger diametrical size within a time period of 5 minutes or less. At the second larger diametrical size, the gelatin or collagen material can occlude a vascular vessel for a period of at least 20 days without degrading.

Abstract: Vascular introducer systems, kits, and methods providing or creating access to vessels, such as radial or femoral arteries, are disclosed. A vascular introducer system includes a removable inner tubular member, a removable outer tubular, tear-away member, and an expandable passage member positioned between the inner and outer tubular members. The removable inner tubular member and the removable outer tubular, tear-away member help protect and maintain a contracted configuration of the expandable passage member when the introducer system is advanced into a vessel. The expandable passage member includes an inner surface configured to receive an elongate treatment device, for example, following removal of the inner and outer tubular members. In some examples, the expandable passage member includes one or more kink-resistant members extending along a portion of the passage member.

Abstract: A device for application of energy within a tubular bodily structure including an optical fiber couplable to a source of laser energy and a guidewire tip. The optical fiber has a laser emitting portion remote from the source of laser energy and a distal end. The guidewire tip is operably secured to the optical fiber and extends distally outwardly away from the distal end of the optical fiber. The guidewire tip assists in advancing the device through the tubular bodily structure.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A closure device to be inserted at least partially through a blood vessel wall aperture in a blood vessel wall. The closure device includes at least two parts, an internal part and an external part. The internal part is adapted to be extended at least partially through the blood vessel wall aperture and into the lumen to at least partially block the blood vessel wall aperture. Each of the internal part and the external part consists essentially of a metal that biodegrades within a living being in a period of time that permits biological repair of the blood vessel wall in and around the blood vessel aperture.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A closure device to be inserted at least partially through a blood vessel wall aperture in a blood vessel wall, having at least two metal petals that can be inserted through the blood vessel wall aperture and into the lumen of the blood vessel. The petals are structured to prevent withdrawal through the blood vessel wall aperture when the length of the petal is generally aligned with the blood vessel wall. The metal petals have alignment features that tend to urge them into alignment relative to each other. The closure device includes a metal expansion member that is alterable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state. A bioabsorbable tensioning member interconnects the petals and the metal expansion member and is securable to the metal expansion member.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A guidewire converter for use in intravascular procedures along with a guidewire. The guidewire converter includes an elongate tubular structure defining a lumen having an inner diameter and a first outer diameter. The inner diameter of the lumen is sized to receive the guidewire for intravascular procedures. The guidewire converter includes a locking mechanism coupled to the elongate tubular structure that has a second outer diameter that is less than or substantially equal to the first outer diameter. Operation of the locking mechanism releasably secures the elongate tubular structure to the guidewire.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.