Abstract: A system for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel includes an obstruction engaging element and an expandable capture element. The capture element preferably has a flexible cover and an expandable support structure. The engaging element engages the obstruction and moves the obstruction into the capture element. The capture element protects the obstruction when the obstruction is moved into the catheter.

Abstract: This is a medical device, specifically used in surgery. It is a wire having distal radio-opaque markers and may be used, for instance, in endovascular procedures as a marker wire for estimating or referencing the structural attributes of internal physical features. In addition, the inventive marker wire may be used as a guide wire for a catheter used in endovascular procedures.

Abstract: An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and a sternal pad interconnected to a blade. The superior blade is preferably pivotally coupled to the spreader member such that it naturally rises as the blades are separated. Alternatively, a vertical displacement member is operably interconnected to a blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the interconnected superior blade and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor is interconnected to the blades to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area.

Abstract: A solderless sacrificial link between a detachable member which is placed at and is intended to remain at a desired site within the mammalian body and the core wire used to introduce the detachable member. The detachable member device may be one used to create emboli in the vascular system or may be of any other type deliverable into the human body and detached into an ionic aqueous environment, either for later removal or permanent placement.

Abstract: A device for delivering an occlusion element, or other medical device, which includes a fluid dissolvable bond. The occlusion element is coupled to the delivery element with the fluid dissolvable bond. The bond may be dissolved by delivering a fluid through the delivery element either through the delivery element itself or through a tube positioned in the delivery element.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. In particular, it is a low profile, single lumen catheter preferably having a movable seal or seat that allows the balloon to be inflated by sealing against the movable guidewire or against itself. An additional variation of the invention includes a non-removable guidewire situated in the catheter body in such a way to provide or add stiffness to the otherwise flexible distal section of the catheter during a procedure. An enhanced strain relief transition joint between significantly stiffer proximal section and the more flexible distal section is provided. Finally, methods of using the inventive balloon catheter are also shown.

Abstract: A liner is advanced through a narrowed region in a vessel such as the internal carotid artery. The liner is advanced through the narrowed region in a collapsed position. A stent is then advanced through the liner and expanded to open the narrowed region. The liner may also have an anchor which expands an end of the liner before the stent is introduced.

Abstract: A device for treating vascular malformations includes a primary coil and secondary windings. The primary coil provides resilience and structural integrity while the secondary windings fill interstitial spaces in the primary coil to isolate the vascular malformation. The device may have increased density along a central portion to isolate the malformation. In another aspect, the device may have a central opening through which embolic materials may be delivered.

Abstract: This is a medical device, specifically used in surgery. It is a wire having distal radio-opaque markers and may be used, for instance, in endovascular procedures as a marker wire for estimating or referencing the structural attributes of internal physical features. In addition, the inventive marker wire may be used as a guide wire for a catheter used in endovascular procedures.

Abstract: A system for treating a vascular malformation has an expandable device and a heating device for heating and shrinking the malformation. The expandable device may have deformable elements which plastically deform in the expanded position. The balloon may be self-expanding, balloon expanded or expanded with an actuating rod. A fluid, such as saline, may be introduced during heating when using RF heating. A sealant may also be introduced into the expandable device to further seal the aneurysm.

Abstract: An exceptionally flexible, ultra-soft vasoocclusive or embolism forming device made of a material which may be a braid, coil, or chain which forms a long, thin thread-like device having little rigidity or column strength. The device is sufficiently flexible and small that it may be hydraulically delivered to a site within the vasculature of a human body using an injected drug or fluid flush through a catheter.

Abstract: A device for delivering an occlusion element, or other medical device, which includes a fluid dissolvable bond. The occlusion element is coupled to the delivery element with the fluid dissolvable bond. The bond may be dissolved by delivering a fluid through the delivery element either through the delivery element itself or through a tube positioned in the delivery element.

Abstract: Devices and methods for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel are described. The devices are deployed in a collapsed condition and are then expanded within the body. The devices are then manipulated to engage and remove the obstruction.

Abstract: A device for delivering an occlusion element, or other medical device, which includes a fluid dissolvable bond. The occlusion element is coupled to the delivery element with the fluid dissolvable bond. The bond may be dissolved by delivering a fluid through the delivery element either through the delivery element itself or through a tube positioned in the delivery element.

Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes orgy minimal excess motion at the surgery site.

Abstract: A system for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel includes an obstruction engaging element and an expandable capture element. The capture element preferably has a flexible cover and an expandable support structure. The engaging element engages the obstruction and moves the obstruction into the capture element. The capture element protects the obstruction when the obstruction is moved into the catheter.

Abstract: The invention is surgical instruments which facilitate substantially linear incisions, especially through the wall of vessels, such as arteries, which have been specifically designed for coronary artery bypass graft procedures (CABG) on the beating heart. The instruments of the invention are particularly useful to create the incision in the artery to which the bypass graft is sewed, typically the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The instruments of the invention allow incisions to be rapidly made, precisely measured, and cleanly formed so that a bypass graft can be rapidly sewn in place. In one embodiment, the invention is comprised of a hand-held instrument with a curved cutting edge formed on the interior edge of a curved or arcuitous segment located near the end of the instrument. The tip of the instrument has a point of penetrating the vessel wall. The point may have several alternate shapes to facilitate penetration of the vessel wall while maximizing the trauma to the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A liner is advanced through a narrowed region in a vessel such as the internal carotid artery. The liner is advanced through the narrowed region in a collapsed position. A stent is then advanced through the liner and expanded to open the narrowed region. The liner may also have an anchor which expands an end of the liner before the stent is introduced.

Abstract: A system for treating a vascular malformation has an expandable device and a heating device for heating and shrinking the malformation. The expandable device may have deformable elements which plastically deform in the expanded position. The balloon may be self-expanding, balloon expanded or expanded with an actuating rod. A fluid, such as saline, may be introduced during heating when using RF heating. A sealant may also be introduced into the expandable device to further seal the aneurysm.

Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes only minimal excess motion at the surgery site.