Abstract: Implantable frames for use in body passages are provided herein. The implantable frames can include a plurality of hoop members joined by a plurality of longitudinal connecting members to form a tubular frame defining a cylindrical lumen. The plurality of longitudinal connecting members may include first and second longitudinal connecting members joining a first hoop member to a second hoop member such that the first and second longitudinal connecting members extend across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members.

Abstract: A expandable prosthesis having an imageable structure comprising one or more elements visually distinguishable by an external (e.g., radiographic or ultrasonic) imaging system, the structure being located about a first axis that corresponds to a structural feature of the prosthesis that is configured to perform a specific function particular to that axis. The imageable structure is configured to assist in the rotational orientation of the prosthesis during placement within the implantation site. In one embodiment, the prosthesis comprises a venous valve that includes imageable elements or structure, such as a pair of radiopaque markers, that defines the orifice of the valve structure such that the orifice can be oriented with a particular anatomical feature under imaging, such as to align the orifice with the long axis of the vessel.

Abstract: A biopsy device having a stylet, an outer cannula, and a vacuum chamber is disclosed. The stylet includes a lumen with an open proximal end and a tissue receiving opening near a distal end thereof. The outer cannula is slidably disposed over the stylet and has an open distal end with a cutting edge formed thereon. The vacuum chamber is in communication with the lumen of the stylet. Actuation of the outer cannula causes a vacuum to be delivered to the tissue receiving opening through the lumen of the stylet before the outer cannula advances distally.

Abstract: Medical devices for implantation in a body vessel, and methods of using and making the same, are provided. A medical device includes a support frame having struts and a weakened frame portion, and a remodelable material tensionably attached to the support frame. The weakened frame portion has a first configuration in which the support frame has a first outward radial force and a second configuration in which the support frame has a second, lesser outward radial force. The remodelable material restricts expansion of the frame from a radially compressed configuration to a radially expanded configuration when the weakened frame portion is in the first configuration. The remodelable material can form one or more valve leaflets adapted to regulate fluid flow in a body vessel, such as a vein.

Abstract: Intraluminal support frames for placement within a body vessel are provided. The support frames include a plurality of ring structures and first and second sets of connector segments. Connector segments of the first set join adjacent pairs of ring structures while connector segments of the second set join at least three ring structures. Medical devices are also provided that include a support frame and an additional component, such as a graft member or valve member.

Abstract: Described are methods, devices, and systems for occluding or ablating vascular vessels. Noninvasive procedures can be used to occlude and obliterate the greater saphenous vein, for example in the treatment of varicose vein condition caused by venous valve insufficiency. Further described is the cooperative use of an angiogenic remodelable material with one or more sclerosing agents to cause closure of a targeted bodily vessel.

Abstract: Described are devices, methods and systems useful for achieving occlusion of vascular vessels. Percutaneous procedures can be used to occlude and obliterate the greater saphenous vein, for example in the treatment of varicose vein condition caused by venous reflux. Certain embodiments encompass the percutaneous delivery of an occlusion device inverted within a cannula, its deployment and filling, so as to occlude or obliterate a portion of a vascular vessel.

Abstract: Described are devices, methods and systems useful for achieving occlusion of vascular vessels. Percutaneous procedures can be used to occlude and obliterate the greater saphenous vein, for example in the treatment of varicose vein condition caused by venous reflux. Certain embodiments encompass the percutaneous delivery of an occlusion device inverted within a cannula, its deployment and filling, so as to occlude or obliterate a portion of a vascular vessel.

Abstract: A selectively lockable introducer assembly is disclosed that comprises an introducer cannula and a needle guide. The introducer cannula is defined by a proximal end and a distal end and includes a lumen extending therebetween. The needle guide is defined by a body portion that includes at least one channel extending therethrough. The introducer cannula is configured to be selectively receivable within the at least one channel and the introducer cannula may be selectively lockable with respect to the needle guide such that the introducer cannula is selectively prevented from moving laterally with respect to the needle guide.

Abstract: A biopsy device is disclosed that comprises a cutting element mounted to a handpiece and a vacuum chamber. The cutting element comprises a stylet assembly and an outer cannula assembly. The stylet assembly includes a stylet that includes an open proximal end and a tissue opening at a distal end thereof. The distal end of the stylet is blunt-shaped. The tissue receiving opening is in communication with a lumen extending through the stylet. The outer cannula assembly includes an outer cannula that is slidably mounted over the stylet and has an open distal end with a cutting edge formed thereon. The vacuum chamber is in communication with the lumen of the stylet. The stylet is selectively advanced distally outwardly with respect to outer cannula to expose the tissue opening to targeted tissue. The outer cannula is selectively advanced over the tissue opening to sever tissue, while vacuum is generated in the vacuum chamber and delivered to the tissue opening through the lumen.

Abstract: Described are methods, devices, and systems for occluding or ablating vascular vessels. Noninvasive procedures can be used to occlude and obliterate the greater saphenous vein, for example in the treatment of varicose vein condition caused by venous valve insufficiency. Further described is the cooperative use of an angiogenic remodelable material with one or more sclerosing agents to cause closure of a targeted bodily vessel.

Abstract: This invention relates in one aspect to the treatment of a vascular vessel with a biomaterial. The biomaterial can be a remodelable material that strengthens and/or supports the vessel walls. Additionally the biomaterial can include a variety of naturally occurring or added bioactive agents and/or viable cellular populations.

Abstract: This invention relates in one aspect to the treatment of a vascular vessel with a biomaterial. The biomaterial can be a remodelable material that strengthens and/or supports the vessel walls. Additionally the biomaterial can include a variety of naturally occurring or added bioactive agents and/or viable cellular populations.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a support structure and one or more graft members comprising a valve portion and a constraining portion. The support structure has a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration. The constraining portion is adapted to substantially prevent the support structure from achieving the second, expanded configuration. The valve portion is adapted to permit fluid flow through a body vessel in a first direction and substantially prevent fluid flow through the vessel in a second, opposite direction.

Abstract: Described are percutaneous vascular valves free of attached support structures and deployment systems and methods for providing attachment of the valves within a vascular vessel.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering and deploying expandable intraluminal medical devices at a desired point of treatment within a body vessel are provided. A delivery device is provided, inserted into a body vessel, and navigated through the vessel to place an associated expandable intraluminal medical device at a desired point of treatment. Once the desired location is reached, an elongate member on which the expandable intraluminal medical device is disposed is spaced from a wall surface of the body vessel using an expandable wire basket, balloon, or other suitable structure. The expandable intraluminal medical device is deployed from the delivery system, which can ultimately be withdrawn from the body vessel.

Abstract: This invention relates in one aspect to the treatment of a vascular vessel with a biomaterial. The biomaterial can be a remodelable material that strengthens and/or supports the vessel walls. Additionally the biomaterial can include a variety of naturally occurring or added bioactive agents and/or viable cellular populations.

Abstract: A delivery system (10) for implanting a medical device (30) such as a venous valve into the vasculature of a patient. The delivery system includes a delivery catheter (11) having a device-containing portion (15) adjacent to the distal end (14) thereof, and an inner member (16) extending through the catheter and beyond the distal end thereof, to an atraumatic distal tip portion (17) forward of the catheter distal end. The inner member extends through the medical device in the device-containing region, includes a proximal portion (18) with a sufficiently large diameter to prevent longitudinal movement of the device as the catheter is retracted during deployment, and centers the device upon release from the distal catheter end during deployment.

Abstract: Described are percutaneous vascular valves (11) free of attached support structures and deployment systems (31) and methods for providing attachment of the valves within a vascular vessel.

Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed that comprises a cutting element, a biopsy line, a motor line, and a vacuum line. The cutting element includes an outer cannula and an inner cannula. The biopsy line is operatively connected to a control console for moving the inner cannula within the outer cannula to cut tissue cores. The motor line is operatively connected to the control console for operating the surgical device. The vacuum line is operatively connected to the inner cannula. A selectively openable tissue filter is operatively connected to the inner cannula, and is also connected to the vacuum line.