Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making a prosthesis or a stent with a smooth covering.

Abstract: An introducer sheath includes an inner liner having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, a coil positioned over the inner liner, and an outer jacket positioned over the liner and the coil. The outer jacket is bonded to the inner liner between the coil turns. The coil turns have a cross-section comprising opposing end portions, and a center portion disposed between the opposing end portions. The center portion has a thickness not exceeding about one-third of a thickness of the end portions for reducing a bending modulus of the coil, and the end portions have a generally curved outer surface. At least a distal end portion of the outer jacket has a durometer between about 70 and 90 on the Shore D scale.

Abstract: A hybrid wire guide is comprised of a distal segment of nitinol wire welded to a proximal segment of stainless steel wire. The stainless steel wire includes a flex transition segment that terminates at the weld, and defines a plurality of flexibility enhancing voids distributed in a pattern along a centerline so that a flexibility of the flex transition segment changes toward a match of a flexibility of the nitinol wire over a tracking segment that extends distally from the weld. The respective shapes of the flexibility enhancing voids change responsive to the flexure of the flex transition segment away from a straight configuration.

Abstract: An introducer sheath includes an inner liner having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, a coil positioned over the inner liner, and an outer jacket positioned over the liner and the coil. The outer jacket is bonded to the inner liner between the coil turns. The coil turns have a cross-section comprising opposing end portions, and a center portion disposed between the opposing end portions. The center portion has a thickness not exceeding about one-third of a thickness of the end portions for reducing a bending modulus of the coil, and the end portions have a generally curved outer surface. At least a distal end portion of the outer jacket has a durometer between about 70 and 90 on the Shore D scale.

Abstract: A method of treating a thrombus is provided wherein a device is advanced to the vicinity of the thrombus, a thrombolytic agent is applied to the thrombus, and an expandable basket of the device is expanded to capture at least a portion of the thrombus within the expandable basket. The device includes a catheter having a distal portion, a lumen and a plurality of openings on the outer surface of the catheter, through which the thrombolytic agent is supplied. The device further includes a sheath and may include a collar which assists in expanding the expandable basket as the sheath is moved relative to the catheter.

Abstract: A medical instrument is provided including a device having an expandable portion and a transitional portion. The transitional portion has a spiral cut on the outer surface, and is aligned with the distal portion of a catheter. The transitional portion may be secured to the catheter by a sleeve which is coupled to both the catheter and the transitional portion. Alternatively, the portion of the transitional portion having the spiral cut may be embedded within the catheter.

Abstract: An introducer sheath has a proximal segment and distal segment. The proximal segment includes an inner portion, and a polymeric outer covering portion. The inner portion is formed from a plurality of elongated strands circularly positioned around a longitudinal axis. Each strand includes axial twist portions arranged to define a generally helical strand profile, wherein the twist portions are complementary with twist portions of adjacent strands to define the tubular segment. A tubular distal segment is dimensioned to receive an elongated stent for deployment. The length of the proximal segment is greater than the length of the distal segment, and the outer diameter of the distal segment may exceed that of the proximal segment. A stability sheath may be received over the proximal segment to enhance the stability of the sheath.

Abstract: A method of forming a textured surface on the inner surface of a sheath is provided. The sheath may be used in a delivery system to restrain a self-expanding medical implant in a compressed state. In the method, a sleeve is squeezed against a textured pattern on a mandrel to form a textured surface on the inner surface of the mandrel. The diameter of the mandrel is then contracted before the mandrel is removed from the sleeve.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided for self-expanding medical devices, such as stents. The delivery system has a restraining sheath that maintains the stent in a compressed state prior to deployment. The restraining sheath terminates distally from the deployment handle, and a wire connects the restraining sheath to the deployment handle. The restraining sheath is withdrawn from the stent to deploy the stent by pulling the wires proximally at the deployment handle.

Abstract: An inner catheter for deployment of a medical device can include a pusher band having a passage that includes a first portion extending from a first end to a position and a second portion extending from a second end to the position. A cross-sectional area of the second portion can be less than a cross-sectional area of the first portion to form a step. A second end of the first tubular member having first and second ends can be within the first portion of the pusher band, abut the step and be unable to pass through the second portion. A portion of a second tubular member having first and second ends can be within the pusher band, and the second end of the second tubular member can extend away from the second end of the pusher band and be configured to extend through a medical device.

Abstract: A method of forming a textured surface on the inner surface of a sheath is provided. The sheath may be used in a delivery system to restrain a self-expanding medical implant in a compressed state. In the method, a sleeve is squeezed against a textured pattern on a mandrel to form a textured surface on the inner surface of the mandrel. The diameter of the mandrel is then contracted before the mandrel is removed from the sleeve.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided with a flushing groove between an inner catheter and an outer sheath. The outer sheath is attached to a first handle member, and the inner catheter is attached to a second handle member. A medical device disposed between the inner catheter and outer sheath is deployed by moving the first and second handle members longitudinally relative to each other. The groove is provided along the outer surface of the inner catheter and is adapted to allow flushing fluid to pass between the inner catheter and the outer sheath.

Abstract: An introducer sheath includes an inner liner having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, a coil positioned over the inner liner, and an outer jacket positioned over the liner and the coil. The outer jacket is bonded to the inner liner between the coil turns. The coil turns have a cross-section comprising opposing end portions, and a center portion disposed between the opposing end portions. The center portion has a thickness not exceeding about one-third of a thickness of the end portions for reducing a bending modulus of the coil, and the end portions have a generally curved outer surface. At least a distal end portion of the outer jacket has a durometer between about 70 and 90 on the Shore D scale.

Abstract: An introducer sheath has a proximal segment and distal segment. The proximal segment includes an inner portion, and a polymeric outer covering portion. The inner portion is formed from a plurality of elongated strands circularly positioned around a longitudinal axis. Each strand includes axial twist portions arranged to define a generally helical strand profile, wherein the twist portions are complementary with twist portions of adjacent strands to define the tubular segment. A tubular distal segment is dimensioned to receive an elongated stent for deployment. The length of the proximal segment is greater than the length of the distal segment, and the outer diameter of the distal segment may exceed that of the proximal segment. A stability sheath may be received over the proximal segment to enhance the stability of the sheath.

Abstract: A sheath for deploying a medical device to a target site in the body of a patient. A tubular inner liner has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an outer surface. An outer jacket has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an inner surface. A reinforcing member is received within a length of the outer jacket. The outer jacket is positioned longitudinally around the inner liner and bonded to the outer surface of the liner. The reinforcing member, which may be a triaxial braid, or an encapsulated longitudinal reinforcing wire, extends along the outer jacket length and is configured for inhibiting elongation of the sheath upon deployment of the device.