Abstract: A wire frame stent or occluding device for use within the vasculature. The device can be stretched into a double wire or single wire configuration for easy deployment into the vasculature.

Abstract: The present invention provides modular bifurcated intraluminal tubular prostheses, particularly stents and stent-grafts, for the treatment of disease conditions, particularly aneurysms. Modular sections of the prostheses, or “prosthetic modules,” may be selectively assembled to form a prosthesis having characteristics which are tailored to the specific requirements of the patient, including branch angle and branch lumen sizes which match the patients vascular geometry. A Y-connector prosthetic module structure provides support and separation for each of the adjacent branching lumens. Radiopaque markers on the prostheses promote alignment between prosthetic modules and with the body lumen system.

Abstract: A method of intracranial placement of an embolization coil provided with an anchor to prevent migration of the coil after placement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating or preventing endoleaks after an endovascular graft (e.g., a stent, tubular graft, stent-graft, coated stent, covered stent, intravascular flow modifier or other endovascular implant that affects, limits or prevents blood flow into a vascular defect such as an aneurysm, arterio-venous fistula, arterio-venous malformation, vessel wall perforation, etc.) has been implanted in the vasculature of a human or veterinary patient. An expansile polymeric material, such as a swellable polymer (e.g., a hydrogel), a flexible or elastomeric polymer foam (e.g. silicone, polyurethane, etc.) or a carrier member (e.g, a coil, filament, wire, etc) that carries a quantity of such expansile polymer is delivered into a perigraft space (i.e., space between the endovascular graft and the surrounding blood vessel wall) such that the polymeric material expands in situ to substantially fill the perigraft space or a portion thereof.

Abstract: A stent and stent catheter for intra-cranial use. The stent is a rolled sheet stent and is releasably mounted on the distal tip of the catheter with a low profile retaining tab. The stent is rolled tightly on the distal tip of the catheter and flexibility of the tightly rolled stent is promoted by ribbed or slatted construction (or, alternatively, slotted construction) in which the various layers of the stent are provided with numerous slats which counter align when the stent is expanded to form an imperforate wall from a plurality of perforate layers.

Abstract: An intraluminar prosthesis which includes a tubular member having at least one end which is at an oblique angle to the lumen. The prosthesis is inserted into a body lumen, such as a blood vessel, while compressed. The prosthesis is expanded within the lumen, and the oblique end of the prosthesis contacts the lumen at an oblique angle. This oblique angle reduces the stenotic effects of hyperplasia which generally occurs at the ends of intraluminal prostheses.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis includes a tubular graft, an expandable annular support structure and a restraining mechanism restraining the prosthesis in a collapsed configuration in which the annular support structure is compressed to a low profile. The restraining mechanism holds the annular support structures in the collapsed configuration until the prosthesis is positioned for deployment. The restraining mechanism is then released to allow the annular support structures to expand into conforming engagement with the inner wall of a lumen in which the prosthesis is to be deployed. A feature according to the invention provides a balloon catheter onto which the prosthesis is loaded for deployment where the balloon is expanded to provide a radial force to release the restraining mechanism. Another feature provides for a restraining member that breaks upon application of the radial force to release the annular support structure from its constrained configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides modular bifurcated intraluminal tubular prostheses, particularly stents and stent-grafts, for the treatment of disease conditions, particularly aneurysms. Modular sections of the prostheses, or “prosthetic modules,” may be selectively assembled to form a prosthesis having characteristics which are tailored to the specific requirements of the patient, including branch angle and branch lumen sizes which match the patients vascular geometry. A Y-connector prosthetic module structure provides support and separation for each of the adjacent branching lumens. Radiopaque markers on the prostheses promote alignment between prosthetic modules and with the body lumen system.

Abstract: A device for managing urinary incontinence comprises a resilient body that engages the external genitalia and sealingly occludes the urethral meatus. In female embodiments, the body fits between the labia minora and the floor of the vulval vestibule, occluding the meatus. An adhesive on the body provides a sealing engagement with the meatus. In a first female embodiment, the body has a base with an adhesive layer that seats against the vestibule floor. A pair of flexible, lateral flaps engage the labia minora. A layer of super-absorbent material may be situated between the base and the adhesive layer, and/or a layer of scrim material may be so situated. The body may have a longitudinal ridge with a posterior edge having a finger hole to facilitate installation and removal of the device. In a second female embodiment, the body is substantially tubular, with the adhesive on the exterior surface of the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a branching endoluminal prosthesis for use in branching body lumen systems which includes a trunk lumen and first and second branch lumens. The prostheses comprises a radially expandable tubular trunk portion having a prosthetic trunk lumen, and radially expandable tubular first and second branch portions with first and second prosthetic branch lumens, respectively. A radially expandable tubular Y-connector portion provides fluid communication between the prosthetic trunk lumen and the first and second prosthetic branch lumens.

Abstract: A stent and stent catheter for intra-cranial use. The stent is a rolled sheet stent and is releasably mounted on the distal tip of the catheter with a low profile retaining tab. The stent is rolled tightly on the distal tip of the catheter and flexibility of the tightly rolled stent is promoted by ribbed or slatted construction (or, alternatively, slotted construction) in which the various layers of the stent are provided with numerous slats which counter align when the stent is expanded to form an imperforate wall from a plurality of perforate layers.

Abstract: A device for performing minimally invasive closed chest heart massage comprises a support having a plurality of curved, deployable struts, optionally carrying a sheet or inflatable bladder for engaging the pericardium. The struts are delivered to the space between the pericardium and the posterior rib cage in a radially collapsed configuration and deployed radially outwardly with minimum advancement in the axial direction.

Abstract: A catheter introducing system includes an introducer catheter comprising a flexible sheath having a hemostasis valve and an obturator having a steering mechanism operated by a proximal actuator handle. The catheter introducer system will usually be introduced with the obturator inside of the flexible sheath so that the obturator can effect steering by laterally deflecting the distal end of the combined sheath and obturator. Such catheter introducing systems are particularly useful for large diameter sheaths which are not readily introduced over guide wires. A first exemplary hemostasis valve comprises a compressed foam insert having an axial lumen therein. A second exemplary hemostasis valve comprises an elastomeric insert which receives and seals over the catheter.

Abstract: A stent and stent catheter for intra-cranial use. The stent is a rolled sheet stent and is releasably mounted on the distal tip of the catheter with a low profile retaining tab. The stent is rolled tightly on the distal tip of the catheter and flexibility of the tightly rolled stent is promoted by ribbed or slatted construction (or, alternatively, slotted construction) in which the various layers of the stent are provided with numerous slats which counter align when the stent is expanded to form an imperforate wall from a plurality of perforate layers.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for a radially compressible tubular prosthesis comprises an elongate shaft slidably received within a tubular cover. The prosthesis is carried within a plurality of elongate, relatively hard runners, and is restrained in a radially compressed configuration by the cover. After introducing the catheter to a desired target location within a body lumen, the prosthesis may be released by proximally retracting the cover. The runners may optionally remain disposed about the prosthesis to be retracted separately, or, alternatively, the runners retract proximally with the cover as the prosthesis slides over the hard runner surfaces.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for a radially compressible tubular prosthesis comprises an elongate shaft slidably received within an elongate sheath. The prosthesis is carried over the distal end of the shaft where it is contained in a radially compressed configuration by the sheath. After introducing the catheter to a desired target location within a body lumen, the prosthesis may be released by proximally retracting the sheath. The prosthesis will remain anchored to the shaft during at least part of the release procedure, permitting the user to recapture the prosthesis by distally advancing the sheath.

Abstract: A device for performing minimally invasive closed chest heart massage comprises a support having a plurality of curved, deployable struts, optionally carrying a sheet or inflatable bladder for engaging the pericardium. The struts are delivered to the space between the pericardium and the posterior rib cage in a radially collapsed configuration and deployed radially outwardly with minimum advancement in the axial direction.

Abstract: A catheter introducing system includes an introducer catheter comprising a flexible sheath having a hemostasis valve and an obturator having a steering mechanism operated by a proximal actuator handle. The catheter introducer system will usually be introduced with the obturator inside of the flexible sheath so that the obturator can effect steering by laterally deflecting the distal end of the combined sheath and obturator. Such catheter introducing systems are particularly useful for large diameter sheaths which are not readily introduced over guide wires. A first exemplary hemostasis valve comprises a compressed foam insert having an axial lumen therein. A second exemplary hemostasis valve comprises an elastomeric insert which receives and seals over the catheter.

Abstract: A stent and stent catheter for intra-cranial use. The stent is a rolled sheet stent and is releasably mounted on the distal tip of the catheter by means of a non-sliding retention and release mechanism. The non-sliding release mechanism is operated remotely at the proximal end of the catheter by means of a linear translator. The stent is rolled tightly on the distal tip of the catheter and flexibility of the tightly rolled stent is promoted by ribbed or slatted construction (or, alternatively, slotted construction) in which the various layers of the stent are provided with numerous slats which counter align when the stent is expanded to form an imperforate wall from a plurality of perforate layers.

Abstract: A remote endarterectomy ring stripper (1) includes an elongate shaft (8), having distal (36) and proximal (32) ends, an intima stripping ring (4, 34) mounted to the distal end of the elongate shaft and an intima cutter assembly having an intima cutting element (22, 42, 56, 60), at the stripping ring, operated by a user-operated cutting element actuator (10; 12, 50). Movement of the cutting element severs a length of intima (26), which has been separated from the wall (28) of the blood vessel (23), passing through the stripping ring.