Abstract: A device for treating acid reflux comprising a sleeve configured and dimensioned for insertion into the esophagus of the patient, the sleeve having a proximal portion, a distal portion and an intermediate portion between the distal and proximal portions. The sleeve includes a an inner member applying a radial force on the sleeve for securement within the esophagus, and a skirt connected to the sleeve to block acid backup from the stomach while not inhibiting passage of food into the stomach.

Abstract: An orthopedic brace for preventing injury to a wearer including a body having a series of liquid filled regions, the body having a first more flexible state wherein the liquid filled regions contain a liquid material and a second more rigid state wherein the liquid within the regions is hardened to a second harder state, the body transformable from the first state to the second state upon receiving a force which exceeds a predetermined value. A chemical reaction or an isothermal process can cause the phase change.

Abstract: A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall comprising an elongated member having a longitudinal axis and positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture. The elongated member has a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. A material forms two curved legs having ends positionable external of the vessel. The legs curve in different directions and a retention portion is formed in the material to retain the legs during placement of the elongated member inside the vessel.

Abstract: A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall, the aperture having an external opening in an external region of the vessel wall and an internal opening in an internal region of the vessel wall. The device includes a covering member positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. First and second retainers are positionable external of the vessel and have a tip of a smaller transverse dimension and facing in a direction toward the covering member for advancement toward the covering member. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and the first retainer and moves the first retainer toward the covering member.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering fluid to treat renal hypertension including an elongated member having a distal tip and a plurality of openings formed in a sidewall proximal of the distal tip. A plurality of fluid delivery members are movably positioned in the elongated member, each of the fluid delivery members having a lumen and at least one opening communicating with the lumen for delivering fluid extravascularly. An actuator is operatively associated with the fluid delivery members, the actuator actuable to a first position to move the fluid delivery members from a retracted position within the elongated member to a deployed position extending radially with respect to the elongated member. A balloon is expandable radially from the elongated member to seal the renal artery during application of fluid through the fluid delivery members.

Abstract: A thrombectomy apparatus for breaking up thrombus or other obstructive material in a lumen of a vascular graft or vessel. The apparatus includes a wire having a first configuration and a second deployed configuration, the wire having a straighter configuration in the first configuration. The wire is operatively connected to a motor for rotation of the wire to contact and break up the thrombus or other obstructive material. A blocking device at a distal portion of the apparatus is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and is configured in the expanded configuration to block thrombus dislodged by rotation of the wire.

Abstract: A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall comprising a covering member having a longitudinal axis and positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and a first spherical retainer positionable external of the vessel. The covering member has a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture.

Abstract: A device for treating acid reflux comprising a sleeve configured and dimensioned for insertion into the esophagus of the patient, the sleeve having a proximal portion, a distal portion and an intermediate portion between the distal and proximal portions. The sleeve includes a an inner member applying a radial force on the sleeve for securement within the esophagus, and a skirt connected to the sleeve to block acid backup from the stomach while not inhibiting passage of food into the stomach.

Abstract: A device for closing a left atrial appendage of a patient comprising a containment member having a first configuration for passage into the left atrial appendage and a second larger configuration, and a wire movable into the containment member in situ to expand the containment member in the left atrial appendage to the second configuration.

Abstract: An orthopedic brace for preventing injury to a wearer including a body having a series of liquid filled regions, the body having a first more flexible state wherein the liquid filled regions contain a liquid material and a second more rigid state wherein the liquid within the regions is hardened to a second harder state, the body transformable from the first state to the second state upon receiving a force which exceeds a predetermined value. A chemical reaction or an isothermal process can cause the phase change.

Abstract: A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall, the aperture having an external opening in an external region of the vessel wall and an internal opening in an internal region of the vessel wall. The device includes a covering member positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. A securing member is positionable external of the vessel and has a plurality of pores extending therethrough. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and securing member and moves the securing member toward the covering member.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering fluid to treat renal hypertension including an elongated member having a distal tip and a plurality of openings formed in a sidewall proximal of the distal tip. A plurality of fluid delivery members are movably positioned in the elongated member, each of the fluid delivery members having a lumen and at least one opening communicating with the lumen for delivering fluid extravascularly. An actuator is operatively associated with the fluid delivery members, the actuator actuable to a first position to move the fluid delivery members from a retracted position within the elongated member to a deployed position extending radially with respect to the elongated member. A balloon is expandable radially from the elongated member to seal the renal artery during application of fluid through the fluid delivery members.

Abstract: A method of treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a passageway in the lumen including providing a cutting member, connecting a tracking member to the cutting member to form an assembly, inserting the connected cutting member and tracking member through a first lumen of a catheter, withdrawing the catheter from the cutting member and tracking member, inserting the catheter over the tracking member and leaving the cutting member outside the catheter, and expanding a portion of the catheter to move the cutting member into cutting contact with the lesion. A device for treating a lesion in a body lumen including a cutting member having a coupler to connect a tracking member is also provided.

Abstract: A needle assembly 10 compromising an infusion needle 11 that includes a needle cannula 13 made of a superelastic material such as Nitinol. The needle cannula is cold-worked or heat annealed to produce a preformed bend 16 that can be straightened within passageway 21 of a coaxial outer cannula 12 for introduction into the body of a patient. Upon deployment from the outer cannula, the needle cannula substantially returns to the preformed configuration for the introduction or extraction of materials at areas lateral to the entry path of the needle assembly. The needle assembly can compromise a plurality of needle cannulae than can be variably arranged or configured for attaining a desired infusion pattern.

Abstract: A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall, the aperture having an external opening in an external region of the vessel wall and an internal opening in an internal region of the vessel wall. The device includes a covering member positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. A securing member is positionable external of the vessel and has a plurality of pores extending therethrough. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and securing member and moves the securing member toward the covering member.

Abstract: An atherectomy device for removing deposits such as plaque from an interior of a vessel including an outer member, an inner member and a rotatable shaft positioned for rotational movement within the inner member. The outer and inner members are fixed axially. A rotatable tip is mounted to the distal region of the rotatable shaft for rotation about its longitudinal axis upon rotation of the shaft to remove deposits from the vessel.

Abstract: A system for stapling tissue comprises a flexible endoscope and an operative head including a pair of opposed, curved tissue clamping jaws sized to pass through an esophagus, the jaws being moveable with respect to one another between an open tissue receiving configuration and a closed tissue clamping configuration, a first one of the curved jaws including a stapling mechanism and a second one of the jaws including a staple forming anvil surface, the stapling mechanism including staple slots through which staples are fired arranged in a row extending from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end thereof in combination with a control handle which, when the operative head is in an operative position within one of a patient's stomach and esophagus, remains outside the patient, the control handle including a first actuator for moving the jaws relative to one another and a second actuator for operating the stapling mechanism.

Abstract: A vascular device for treating vein valve insufficiency including an elongated member, a first retention portion movable from a first elongated insertion position to an expanded position and a second retention portion movable from a first elongated insertion position to an expanded position. An intermediate looped portion is positioned between the first portion and the second portion. The valve is supported by the intermediate looped portion and is movable between an open position to allow blood flow therethrough and a closed position to inhibit blood flow therethrough. The intermediate looped portion is adjustable to loops of different diameters dependent on an inner diameter of the vessel wall.

Abstract: A vessel filter comprising a first region and a second region wherein the filter is movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. A first region has a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the center of the filter and the second region is flared in the expanded position to have a transverse dimension increasing toward a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The second region includes a vessel engaging portion at the second end portion. The first region includes a plurality of spaced apart elongated struts with adjacent struts being joined.

Abstract: A method of treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a passageway in the lumen including providing a cutting member, connecting a tracking member to the cutting member to form an assembly, inserting the connected cutting member and tracking member through a first lumen of a catheter, withdrawing the catheter from the cutting member and tracking member, inserting the catheter over the tracking member and leaving the cutting member outside the catheter, and expanding a portion of the catheter to move the cutting member into cutting contact with the lesion. A device for treating a lesion in a body lumen including a cutting member having a coupler to connect a tracking member is also provided.