Abstract: A method of implanting a vessel filter by a femoral approach comprising the steps of providing a delivery sheath with a substantially straight distal tip and inserting a curved device into the sheath to move the sheath to a second configuration. In the second position, the distal tip of the sheath is curved at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the sheath. The method further comprises the step of rotating the sheath and pusher so a distal opening of the sheath has a more centered position within the vessel.

Abstract: A method of treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a passageway in the lumen including inserting a plurality of cutting members and a tracking member through a first lumen of a catheter, withdrawing the catheter from the cutting members and tracking member, inserting the catheter over the tracking member and leaving the cutting members outside the catheter, and expanding a portion of the catheter to move the cutting members into cutting contact with the lesion. A device for treating a lesion in a body lumen including a plurality of cutting members and a tracking member is also provided.

Abstract: A vascular device comprising a plurality of vessel engaging members and a valve. The device is movable from a collapsed insertion position having a first diameter to a second expanded position having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The plurality of vessel engaging members extend outwardly from the device for securely engaging the internal wall of a vessel upon expansion of the device to the second expanded position, wherein the vessel engaging members pull the internal wall of the vessel radially inwardly upon movement of the device from the second expanded position toward a first expanded position having a third diameter greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter. In the first expanded position the valve is movable between an open position to allow blood flow therethrough to a closed position to prevent blood flow.

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 method of implanting a vessel filter by a femoral approach comprising the steps of providing a delivery sheath with a substantially straight distal tip and inserting a curved device into the sheath to move the sheath to a second configuration. In the second position, the distal tip of the sheath is curved at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the sheath. The method further comprises the step of rotating the sheath and pusher so a distal opening of the sheath has a more centered position within the vessel.

Abstract: A method of treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a passageway in the lumen including inserting a 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 and tracking member is also provided.

Abstract: A device for treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a passageway in the body lumen having at least one cutting member and a tracking member. The at least one cutting member has a cutting surface and a separate material associated therewith. The cutting member and tracking member are connected at a distal portion and insertable into the body lumen as a unit, the cutting member configured for movement in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tracking member to widen a gap between the cutting member and tracking member at least at a distal region and to apply the separate material to an interior of the lesion.

Abstract: A method of treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a passageway in the lumen including inserting a plurality of cutting members and a tracking member through a first lumen of a catheter, withdrawing the catheter from the cutting members and tracking member, inserting the catheter over the tracking member and leaving the cutting members outside the catheter, and expanding a portion of the catheter to move the cutting members into cutting contact with the lesion. A device for treating a lesion in a body lumen including a plurality of cutting members and a tracking member is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical atherectomy apparatus for removing particles such as plaque from an interior of a vessel having a motor housing slidable axially between a proximal position and a distal position. An axially fixed sheath extends from the outer housing and a catheter is connected to the motor housing and is positioned within the sheath. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the lumen of the catheter and is operatively connected to the motor for rotational movement, the rotatable shaft and catheter movable by movement of the motor housing between the proximal and distal positions. The rotatable shaft has an atherectomy bit extending therefrom for dislodgement of particles when rotated by the motor and dislodged particles are aspirated in the lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A vessel filter having a first region and a second region, the filter movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. The first region has a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the center of the filter and includes a plurality of spaced apart filter struts. The struts each have a strut height defined as a distance between a first wall and a second wall. A plurality of hooks are at the second region, the hooks having a vessel penetrating tip and a width greater than the width of the strut from which it extends such that the penetrating tip portion of the hook extends beyond the first wall.

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 having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture and having a first opening. A first retainer is positionable external of the vessel. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and the first retainer, wherein the first opening of the covering member is configured to restrict movement of the connecting member.

Abstract: A rotatable thrombectomy wire for breaking up thrombus or other obstructive material comprising an inner core composed of a flexible material and an outer wire surrounding at least a portion of the inner core. The outer wire has a sinuous shaped portion at a distal region. The inner core limits the compressibility of the outer wire. The outer wire is operatively connectable at a proximal end to a motor for rotating the wire to macerate thrombus.

Abstract: A method of treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a passageway in the lumen including inserting a 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 and tracking member is also provided.

Abstract: A vessel filter having a first region and a second region, the filter movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. The first region has a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the center of the filter and includes a plurality of spaced apart filter struts. The struts each have a strut height defined as a distance between a first wall and a second wall. A plurality of hooks are at the second region, the hooks having a vessel penetrating tip and a width greater than the width of the strut from which it extends such that the penetrating tip portion of the hook extends beyond the first 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 having a plurality of spaced apart elongated struts and, a plurality of connecting struts extending at an angle from the elongated struts to form closed geometric shapes. 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 vessel engaging hooks at the second end portion. The first region has a plurality of closed looped spacer struts extending radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the filter when the filter is in the expanded position.

Abstract: A vascular device for reducing blood flow in a first vessel or a first graft to enable increased blood flow in a second vessel or second graft. The vascular device includes a support structure having a proximal portion, a distal portion and an intermediate portion, the support structure movable from a reduced profile insertion position to an expanded placement position. A covering material is supported by the structure, the intermediate portion in the expanded position having a transverse dimension less than a transverse dimension of the proximal and distal portions to restrict blood flow through the device and thereby increase blood flow to the second vessel or second graft. A method or reducing blood flow in one vessel or graft and increasing blood flow in another vessel or graft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotatable thrombectomy wire for breaking up thrombus or other obstructive material comprising an inner core composed of a flexible material and an outer wire surrounding at least a portion of the inner core. The outer wire has a sinuous shaped portion at a distal region. The inner core limits the compressibility of the outer wire. The outer wire is operatively connectable at a proximal end to a motor for rotating the wire to macerate thrombus.

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 having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture and having a first opening. A first retainer is positionable external of the vessel. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and the first retainer, wherein the first opening of the covering member is configured to restrict movement of the connecting member.

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 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 having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture and having a first opening. A first retainer is positionable external of the vessel. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and the first retainer, wherein the first opening of the covering member is configured to restrict movement of the connecting member.