Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrostatic spray deposition of small targets, such as medical devices like stents. The apparatus includes a target holder which applies a first electrical potential to the target, and an electrostatic dispensing nozzle which applies a second potential sufficient to attract the coating fluid from the nozzle toward the target. Because the entire dispensing nozzle is conductive, the coating fluid may receive a greater charge than may be obtained with internal electrode-type nozzles. Electrostatic attraction of the coating fluid to the target is enhanced by the combination of higher charge density imparted to the coating fluid by the conductive nozzle, and application of a momentary voltage spike to the target to provide consistent conductivity between the target and its holder, thereby ensuring the target is presents the full first potential applied to the holder. The voltage spike may also be used independently of the conductive nozzle.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter and method of making the same. An embolic protection filter may include a filter membrane or material having a plurality of holes. In some embodiments, the filter membrane may be manufactured by spray coating a filter material onto a forming member or spray mold.

Abstract: Distal protection filter assembly and methods for coupling a filter to an elongate shaft. A filter assembly may include a tubular adaptor having a distal holding receptacle. The filter may include struts adapted and configured for being coupled to the holding receptacle.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter having a reduced profile for placement within a body lumen is disclosed. One embodiment has an embolic protection filter that includes a filter frame slidably and rotationally disposed along a guidewire, a plurality of retaining collars coupled to a proximal end of the filter frame, a plurality of expandable struts each having a proximal section adapted to slide within a corresponding retaining collar, and a filter mesh coupled to a distal section of the expandable struts for filtering embolic debris.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter assembly and method of making the same. In at least some embodiments, the present invention relates to embolic protection filters having at least one radiopaque component.

Abstract: Distal protection filter assembly and methods for coupling a filter to an elongate shaft. A filter assembly may include a tubular adaptor having a distal holding receptacle. The filter may include struts adapted and configured for being coupled to the holding receptacle.

Abstract: Anchoring mechanisms for releasably securing an intravascular device along an elongated member such as a guidewire or catheter. The anchoring mechanism may include an object that can be actuated between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the anchoring mechanism is slidably and rotationally disposed about the elongated member. In the locked position, the anchoring mechanism is releasably secured to the elongated member, preventing movement thereon. A placement mechanism such as a tubular member can be utilized to actuate the anchoring mechanism between the unlocked and locked positions.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter and method of making the same. An embolic protection filter may include a filter membrane or material having a plurality of holes. In some embodiments, the filter membrane may be manufactured by spray coating a filter material onto a forming member or spray mold.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter device having a filtering membrane, an integrally formed waist, and a flexible hoop affixed to the filtering membrane by melt bonding. A method of making filtering membranes for an embolic protection filter device comprising blow molding the filtering membranes. A method of making an embolic protection filter device comprising blow molding a filtering membrane and simultaneously melt bonding a flexible hoop to the filtering membrane.

Abstract: Devices and methods for monitoring the flow of blood through an intravascular device are disclosed. An apparatus for monitoring blood flow in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an intravascular device coupled to an elongated member, a first sensor adapted to measure fluidic pressure proximal the intravascular device, a second sensor adapted to measure fluidic pressure distal the intravascular device, and a control unit for comparing the signals received from the first and second sensors to determine the pressure drop across the intravascular device.

Abstract: A dedicated distal protection guidewire having proximal and distal stops disposed about an elongated core wire is disclosed. A guidewire in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated core wire having a relatively stiff proximal section and a relatively flexible distal section, a distal stop disposed about a portion of the elongated core wire, and a proximal stop disposed about a portion of the elongated core wire proximal the distal stop. The distal stop may be formed from an enlarged outer diameter portion on the elongated core wire, or may be formed from an object disposed about and secured to a portion of the elongated core wire. The proximal stop may include an O-ring disposed within a recessed surface on the elongated core wire, or an annular ring having several circumferentially disposed notches.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter having a reduced profile for placement within a body lumen is disclosed. An embolic protection filter in accordance with the present invention includes a filter frame slidably and rotationally disposed along a guidewire, a plurality of retaining collars coupled to a proximal end of the filter frame, a plurality of expandable struts each having a proximal section adapted to slide within a corresponding retaining collar, and a filter mesh coupled to a distal section of the expandable struts for filtering embolic debris.

Abstract: Distal protection filter assembly and methods for coupling a filter to an elongate shaft. A filter assembly may include a tubular adaptor having a distal holding receptacle. The filter may include struts adapted and configured for being coupled to the holding receptacle.

Abstract: Inflation devices for use with balloon catheters. The inflation devices are preloaded with a fluid stored in a chamber in the plunger. An inflation device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a barrel defining a primary chamber therein, a plunger disposed in the primary chamber and defining a storage chamber, and a valve for selectively providing fluid communication between the storage chamber and the primary chamber. The preloaded fluid may be pressurized and may comprise, for example, a gas (other than air), a liquid, or a fluid containing a drug. The inflation device is preferably preloaded by the manufacturer and/or packager of the inflation device.

Abstract: An inflation device such as a syringe is preloaded with gas (other than air) for inflation of balloon catheters. The syringe is lined with, or is packaged within, a low gas-permeability membrane to keep the stored gas from becoming contaminated with air. The physician using the syringe is able to determine whether air has infiltrated the syringe and contaminated the gas stored in the syringe.

Abstract: Inflation devices for use with balloon catheters. The inflation devices are preloaded with a fluid stored in a chamber in the plunger. An inflation device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a barrel defining a primary chamber therein, a plunger disposed in the primary chamber and defining a storage chamber, and a valve for selectively providing fluid communication between the storage chamber and the primary chamber. The preloaded fluid may be pressurized and may comprise, for example, a gas (other than air), a liquid, or a fluid containing a drug. The inflation device is preferably preloaded by the manufacturer and/or packager of the inflation device.

Abstract: A tool bit storage case includes a front cover preferably hingedly interconnected with a back cover, with the covers being selectively separable and movable toward and away from each other between open and closed positions and together defining a generally hollow storage chamber therebetween. A removable pivotable tools bit holder is releasably retained within the hollow storage chamber on one of the covers and is adapted for holding one or more tool bits, with the tool bit holder being pivotal within the storage chamber in order to allow it to be selectively pivoted toward and away from the cover upon which it is retained when the covers are in the open position. The covers are also releasably snapped together, into and out of their preferred hinged interconnection, thus greatly contributing to the interchangeability of components to suit a wide variety of storage applications.

Abstract: A hanger for displaying lightweight garments has an elongated body at each end of which is a dependent U-shaped garment grip in the central opening of which is a downwardly extending slightly resilient finger, the free end of which is spaced a short distance above the bottom of ther central opening in the U-shaped grip. The outer edge of the outer leg of the garment grip is provided with outwardly extending garment grips. The forward face of the finger is provided with forwardly extending projections to engage a garment which is placed against the front face of the hanger wrapped around the end of the garment grip and its end seated against the rear face of the garment grip and in front of the finger so that the finger will press the projections into the garment to positively clamp is to the hanger and hold it against rhe projections on the outer edge of the garment grip.

Abstract: An office accessory system for use on both horizontal and vertical surfaces and in both conventional and open-plan environments. Accessories are provided, each being self-supporting on a horizontal surface, one of them being self-supporting on a horizontal surface in either a horizontal or a vertical orientation. The accessories have recesses for receiving support hooks engageable with the arm of a cantilever support. The cantilever support has an attaching bracket which is selectively engageable with the side channels found on a wide variety of open plan wall panels for mounting the accessories thereon in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: An office accessory system for use on both horizontal and vertical surfaces and in both conventional and open-plan environments. Accessories are provided, each being self-supporting on a horizontal surface, one of them being self-supporting on a horizontal surface in either a horizontal or a vertical orientation. The accessories have recesses for receiving support hooks engageable with the arm of a cantilever support. The cantilever support has an attaching bracket which is selectively engageable with the side channels found on a wide variety of open plan wall panels for mounting the accessories thereon in a vertical orientation.