Abstract: A medical device for collecting objects from a body lumen comprises a catheter, a basket having a closed first end and an open second end, and an actuator connected to the closed first end of the basket, the catheter and basket moveable relative to one another between a first configuration and a second configuration to draw objects from a body lumen into the basket. In the first configuration the closed first end of the basket is inside the catheter and the open second end is everted over at least a part of the closed first end. The apparatus may be actuated to pull the closed first end of the basket further into the catheter and invert the second end of the basket, the second end scraping the sides of the lumen as it inverts, surrounding an object in the lumen, and drawing the object into the basket.

Abstract: An introducer for use in the implantation and retrieval of a device in a patient includes a catheter (43) within which a stylet (14) is slidably carried, the stylet (14) being biased to a retracted position by a spring (35) and deployable by depression of an actuator (50). A locking device (40) locks the stylet (14) relative to the catheter (43) such that the locking device (40) must be disengaged prior to operation of the actuator (50). In the preferred embodiment, both the locking device (40) and the actuator (50) must be actuated by movement thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of the stylet (14). In an alternative embodiment, it is the catheter (43) which moves relative to the stylet (14).

Abstract: An occlusion device (10) includes a cannula (24), a dilator tip (20) fixed to the cannula and a frame member formed of an occlusion member (28) and a sleeve (30). The occlusion member (28) is covered with occlusion material (26). The cannula (24) is in the form of a tube having a lumen (25) passing therethrough. The dilator tip (20) also has a lumen therethrough and a valve (32). The arrangement is such that the occluder (10) can be delivered by an over the wire method using a guide wire, whereupon the cannula and dilator tip remain in the patient as part of the occluder assembly (10).

Abstract: A vascular occluder includes a frame (10) having a generally cylindrical body portion (12), first and second end conical portions (14, 16) and first and second extremities (18, 20). Located within the fame (10) is a fibrous barrier (28) which provides rapid occlusion. The extremities (18, 20) are coupled by a coil spring (22) which acts to pull the extremities (18, 22) towards one another and thereby to cause longitudinal contraction an consequential radial expansion of the frame (10). The coil spring (22) ensures rapid and reliable deployment of the occluder in a patient's vessel. The occluder also can be compressed to a narrow diameter for deployment by means of narrow diameter sheaths.

Abstract: A filter device for trapping embolic debris comprises a bag which is deployed by everting it from an end of a delivery catheter. After release from the catheter, with the assistance of a pusher member, the open end of the bag self-expands against the walls of a body lumen. In one method of removal after use, the device is withdrawn into catheter by pulling on a wire attached to the closed end of the bag.

Abstract: An assembly comprising: a protective sheath and a loading device for loading a self-expandable prosthesis into the sheath, the loading device having a conical distal section, which radially compresses the prosthesis and an annular lip that engages with the interior of the distal end of the sheath to guide the prosthesis into the sheath while protecting the sheath from damage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging objects present in a wellbore is provided. The method and apparatus use a plurality of actuatable members which can be axially displaced to form an image of the object and use an actuatable member displacement sensor to detect the displacement of the actuatable members.

Abstract: An assembly comprising: a protective sheath and a loading device for loading a self-expandable prosthesis into said sheath, the loading device having a conical distal section, which radially compresses the prosthesis and an annular lip that engages with the interior of the distal end of said sheath to guide the prosthesis into the sheath whilst protecting the sheath from damage.

Abstract: An assembly comprising: a protective sheath and a loading device for loading a self-expandable prosthesis into said sheath, the loading device having a conical distal section, which radially compresses the prosthesis and an annular lip that engages with the interior of the distal end of said sheath to guide the prosthesis into the sheath while protecting the sheath from damage.

Abstract: An occlusion device having a frame including a plurality of radially expandable struts formed from a plurality of cuts through a tubular wall of a tube. The frame includes a first collar at a proximal end and a second collar disposed in between the proximal and distal ends of the device. A bulbous portion extends between the first and second collars. The bulbous portion includes first and second conical portions joined at their respective bases. A third conical portion extends from the second collar to the distal end of the device. The second conical portion adjacent the second collar and the third conical portion are each defined by a set of cuts forming substantially the same pattern. The first conical portion is defined by a set of cuts forming a pattern that is different from that of the second and third conical portions. The bulbous portion and the third conical portion are configured to expand to approximately the same outer diameter.

Abstract: An occlusion device (30) includes at least one self-expanding frame (42, 44) and graft material (46). Occlusion occurs by constricting the graft material (46) at a substantially central point or at an end of the device. The constriction is sized such that a guide wire (34) is able to pass therethrough. A valve mechanism (50) includes a screen (52) made from a resilient material and which includes a closable opening (54). The valve mechanism (50) allows a guide wire to pass through the occlusion device (30) whilst an effective physical barrier is maintained after removal of the guide wire (34).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging objects present in a wellbore is provided. The method and apparatus use a plurality of actuateable members which can be axially displaced to form an image of the object and use an actuateable member displacement sensor to detect the displacement of the actuateable members.

Abstract: A medical device that filters thrombi in a body vessel is disclosed. After the need for filtering passes, the device maintains patency in the body vessel without requiring additional steps of percutaneous retrieval or introduction into the patient.

Abstract: An implantable vascular filter and method of implantation where the filter is deployed at or near an implantation site and is then radially expanded from its radially compressed configuration under the action of a force controlled remotely by a surgeon, such as by expansion of a balloon in contact with the filter or by applying a force on the filter with the introducer; the expansion is controlled using a means such as control wire, or fluid injector so that the filter adopts a filtering configuration and securely engages with a vessel wall.

Abstract: An introducer for use in the implantation and retrieval of a device in a patient includes a catheter (43) within which a stylet (14) is slidably carried, the stylet (14) being biased to a retracted position by a spring (35) and deployable by depression of an actuator (50). A locking device (40) locks the stylet (14) relative to the catheter (43) such that the locking device (40) must be disengaged prior to operation of the actuator (50). In the preferred embodiment, both the locking device (40) and the actuator (50) must be actuated by movement thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of the stylet (14). In an alternative embodiment, it is the catheter (43) which moves relative to the stylet (14).

Abstract: A vascular filter retrieval device comprising a catheter and a loop for engaging a filter is described. The loop is extendable from a proximal end of the catheter and comprises a resilient wire. The wire may be a metal alloy such as an ELGILOY® alloy. The loop is typically radiopaque and may have a platinum or palladium wire coiled around at least a part thereof. Also described is a method of retrieving a vascular filter from a patient using the device. The catheter is introduced into the vena cava of a patient adjacent the filter. The loop is advanced so that it extends from the proximal end of the catheter and surrounds the filter. The loop is then engaged with a hook on the filter and the device and filter removed from the patient.

Abstract: An assembly comprising: a protective sheath and a loading device for loading a self-expandable prosthesis into said sheath, the loading device having a conical distal section, which radially compresses the prosthesis and an annular lip that engages with the interior of the distal end of said sheath to guide the prosthesis into the sheath whilst protecting the sheath from damage.

Abstract: A single placement well completion system wherein a perforating gun is vertically positioned alongside a filter in a cased subterranean well. The position of the filter and perforating gun remains fixed relative to the casing during perforating, fracturing and/or packing, and production of the well.

Abstract: A single placement well completion system wherein a perforating gun is vertically positioned alongside a filter in a cased subterranean well. The position of the filter and perforating gun remains fixed relative to the casing during perforating, fracturing and/or packing, and production of the well.