Abstract: A fluid delivery system is provided including an elongated member with a lumen, a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the second portion is disposed between the first portion and the third portion. The elongated member is insertable into a patient's mouth such that the second portion is disposed entirely within the patient's mouth while the first portion and third portion extend from a point inside the patient's mouth to a point external the patient's mouth. The fluid delivery system also includes a locking system slidably engaged with the elongated member, the locking system removably engageable with the patient's teeth. Further, the second portion is configured to allow drainage of a fluid from within the lumen to a point external the elongated member.

Abstract: A system for open surgical repair of a body vessel is described herein. A retention sleeve receives an expandable prosthesis. The sleeve has a delivery and a deployed configuration. In the delivery configuration, the sleeve has at least one overlapped region and the sleeve is sized to retain the prosthesis in a compressed configuration for insertion of ends of the prosthesis into the vessel. In the deployed configuration, the sleeve is moves to a larger cross-sectional area to allow for expansion of the ends of the prosthesis for engagement with the vessel. One or more releasable members are extendable through the overlapped region to retain the sleeve in the delivery configuration. The releasable member is removable from the overlapped region, preferably from the center of the prosthesis, to permit the sleeve to move to the deployed configuration and expansion of the outer ends prior to the center of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A drainage catheter includes an elongated tubular member and a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes a first protruding element and a collar. The first protruding element is disposed proximal to a port in the tubular member through which a proximal portion of a tension member may exit. The collar is coaxially disposed about the tubular member and has a second protruding element projecting from an interior surface of the collar. The collar is configured for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the tubular member such that the collar may be moved along the tubular member toward the proximal end of the tubular member thereby interacting with the first protruding element and securing the proximal portion of the tension member between the first protruding element and the collar.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system is provided including an elongated member with a lumen, a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the second portion is disposed between the first portion and the third portion. The elongated member is insertable into a patient's mouth such that the second portion is disposed entirely within the patient's mouth while the first portion and third portion extend from a point inside the patient's mouth to a point external the patient's mouth. The fluid delivery system also includes a locking system slidably engaged with the elongated member, the locking system removably engageable with the patient's teeth. Further, the second portion is configured to allow drainage of a fluid from within the lumen to a point external the elongated member.

Abstract: Soft-tipped airway exchange apparatus for use when replacing an endotracheal tube in a patient with a new endotracheal tube. The apparatus comprises a polymeric catheter body sized for insertion into a passageway of the endotracheal tube, for ventilating the patient during replacement of the endotracheal tube. The catheter body has a proximal portion, a distal portion and a ventilation passageway extending longitudinally therein. The distal portion has a rigidity which is less than the rigidity of the proximal portion.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for treating fistulae and other passageways and openings in the body. In certain aspects, an anchored suture is provided that extends from at or near a first fistula opening and through a fistula tract toward a second fistula opening. Various modes of anchoring may be used in this regard including, in some modes, having the suture extend from a deployed anchoring member positioned in and/or around the first opening. The anchored suture, which has a more slender cross sectional dimension relative to the fistula tract through which it extends, is capable of receiving an optional fill substance therealong in the tract. A fill substance can be or include a variety of biodegradable and/or non-biodegradable objects and materials including flowable and non-flowable materials.

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: An assembly for open surgical repair of a damaged wall portion of a body vessel includes a stent/graft device comprising an elongated stent body and a graft material covering the stent body. The device is expandable from a compressed condition having a diameter less than a diameter of the vessel to an expanded condition at least as great as the diameter of the vessel. A sheath enclosing the device when in the compressed condition includes a sheath body and a pull string for selectively splitting the sheath body to allow expansion of the device. The device and enclosing sheath are sized for insertion through the damaged wall portion into the vessel, wherein the pull string is extendable through the damaged wall portion for splitting the sheath body.

Abstract: An embolic capturing device for capturing emboli within a body lumen is disclosed. The embolic capturing device (10) comprises a filtering basket (20) and at least one coil (22) attached to the basket. The filtering basket includes a frame (23) and a filtering body (30) disposed on the frame. The at least one coil is attached to the filtering body for filtering emboli in the body lumen.

Abstract: A drainage catheter includes an elongated tubular member, a locking assembly engaged with a proximal end of the tubular member, and a tension member for drawing a distal end of the tubular member into a desired configuration. The locking assembly includes a connector, a locking arm, and a locking mechanism. The connector has an exterior surface profile that corresponds with an interior surface profile of the locking arm. The locking arm is pivotably attached to the connector to enable pivoting movement of the locking arm between an unlocked position and a locked position whereby the tension member is secured between the locking arm and the connector when the arm is in the locked position. The locking assembly may alternatively comprise a connector and a sliding sleeve or a connector having a clamping element disposed therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical devices and in particular to frameless grafting prostheses and methods of making and using such devices. The frameless grafting prostheses include a stiffening member useful in the attachment of the frameless grafting prostheses to a wall of a body lumen.

Abstract: A system for open surgical repair of a body vessel is described herein. A retention sleeve receives an expandable prosthesis. The sleeve has a delivery and a deployed configuration. In the delivery configuration, the sleeve has at least one overlapped region and the sleeve is sized to retain the prosthesis in a compressed configuration for insertion of ends of the prosthesis into the vessel. In the deployed configuration, the sleeve is moves to a larger cross-sectional area to allow for expansion of the ends of the prosthesis for engagement with the vessel. One or more releasable members are extendable through the overlapped region to retain the sleeve in the delivery configuration. The releasable member is removable from the overlapped region, preferably from the center of the prosthesis, to permit the sleeve to move to the deployed configuration and expansion of the outer ends prior to the center of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for treating fistulae and other passageways and openings in the body. In certain aspects, an anchored suture is provided that extends from at or near a first fistula opening and through a fistula tract toward a second fistula opening. Various modes of anchoring may be used in this regard including, in some modes, having the suture extend from a deployed anchoring member positioned in and/or around the first opening. The anchored suture, which has a more slender cross sectional dimension relative to the fistula tract through which it extends, is capable of receiving an optional fill substance therealong in the tract. A fill substance can be or include a variety of biodegradable and/or non-biodegradable objects and materials including flowable and non-flowable materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthetic valve for regulating flow through a body lumen. The medical device comprises discrete shaping members, a flexible covering, and a valve member. The discrete shaping members are operatively attached to the flexible covering, such that the medical device may exhibit low radial force and dynamic movement.

Abstract: An assembly for open surgical repair of a damaged wall portion of a body vessel includes a stent/graft device comprising an elongated stent body and a graft material covering the stent body. The device is expandable from a compressed condition having a diameter less than a diameter of the vessel to an expanded condition at least as great as the diameter of the vessel. A sheath enclosing the device when in the compressed condition includes a sheath body and a pull string for selectively splitting the sheath body to allow expansion of the device. The device and enclosing sheath are sized for insertion through the damaged wall portion into the vessel, wherein the pull string is extendable through the damaged wall portion for splitting the sheath body.

Abstract: A method and a stent/graft device for intraoperative repair of a damaged portion of a body vessel. The stent/graft device has a length at least as long as the length of the damaged portion of the vessel undergoing repair, and is positioned within the vessel such that the device at least spans the length of the damaged vessel portion. The stent/graft device is securely engaged with the vessel at the site of the damage in a manner such that migration of the device in said vessel is inhibited.

Abstract: A stent-graft assembly is provided for a variety of medical treatments. The stent-graft assembly includes a stent disposed between an inner layer of graft material and an outer layer of graft material. The graft layers are effectively secured to the stent by attaching the graft layers together through openings in the structure of the stent. Relative movement between the graft layers and the stent is made possible by providing unattached margins between the attached areas of the graft layers and the edges of the stent openings.

Abstract: A drainage catheter includes an elongated tubular member and a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes a first protruding element and a collar. The first protruding element is disposed proximal to a port in the tubular member through which a proximal portion of a tension member may exit. The collar is coaxially disposed about the tubular member and has a second protruding element projecting from an interior surface of the collar. The collar is configured for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the tubular member such that the collar may be moved along the tubular member toward the proximal end of the tubular member thereby interacting with the first protruding element and securing the proximal portion of the tension member between the first protruding element and the collar.

Abstract: An embolic capturing device for capturing emboli within a body lumen is disclosed. The embolic capturing device (10) comprises a filtering basket (20) and at least one coil (22) attached to the basket. The filtering basket includes a frame (23) and a filtering body (30) disposed on the frame. The at least one coil is attached to the filtering body for filtering emboli in the body lumen.

Abstract: A drainage catheter includes an elongated tubular member, a locking assembly engaged with a proximal end of the tubular member, and a tension member for drawing a distal end of the tubular member into a desired configuration. The locking assembly includes a connector, a locking arm, and a locking mechanism. The connector has an exterior surface profile that corresponds with an interior surface profile of the locking arm. The locking arm is pivotably attached to the connector to enable pivoting movement of the locking arm between an unlocked position and a locked position whereby the tension member is secured between the locking arm and the connector when the arm is in the locked position. The locking assembly may alternatively comprise a connector and a sliding sleeve or a connector having a clamping element disposed therein.