Abstract: A gradually self-expanding stent is provided with a plurality of stent cells. A restraining material is attached to the stent structure and restrains the stent structure from expanding to the expanded configuration. Over time the restraining material releases the stent structure to allow the stent structure to expand to the expanded diameter. An anti-thrombotic drug is incorporated into the restraining material.

Abstract: A gradually self-expanding stent is provided with a first region of stent cells. A restraining material is attached to the first region and restrains the first region from expanding to the expanded configuration. Over time the restraining material releases the first region to allow the first region to expand to the expanded diameter. The first region is located longitudinally between two second regions. The second regions expand at a faster rate than the first region.

Abstract: A deployment device for repair of a transected body vessel is described herein. Device can have a handle and one or more shafts coupled thereto. A prosthesis being retained by a sheath can be coupled to the delivery device. The sheath can have end portions coupled to one or more shafts. Rotation of a shaft can retract a sheath portion away from either end of the prosthesis for expansion thereof prior to the middle of the prosthesis. Continued rotation of a shaft can completely remove the sheath from the prosthesis, so that the prosthesis is fully expanded and couples the first and second vessel portions of the transected vessel together. Prosthesis may be retained by overlapping a tubular sheath and lacing a threading member therethrough. Prosthesis may be retained by a splittable sheath.

Abstract: A device for inferior retrieval of a vena cava filter includes an outer sheath with a first radial window closer to the distal end than the proximal end of the outer catheter; an inner sheath generally extending movably inside the lumen of the outer sheath and having a second radial window; and a snare tool having an elongated guide element extending through the inner sheath and a snare loop distally attached to the guide element. The snare loop is extendable outward through the two radial windows.

Abstract: Medical device loading apparatuses, systems, methods and kits are described. A loading apparatus comprises a main body having a proximal end defining a proximal opening, a distal end defining a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. The passageway defines a proximal chamber having a first inner diameter, a distal chamber having a second inner diameter, and a transition chamber disposed between the proximal and distal chambers. The transition chamber has an inner diameter that transitions from the larger second inner diameter to the smaller first inner diameter. The main body has a separable connection that divides the main body between proximal and distal portions when disrupted.

Abstract: A filter device assembly and a method of using such a device to capture and remove embolic material from a body lumen or blood vessel are provided. The filter device assembly generally includes a structure having a collapsed state and an expanded state with first, second, and optionally N additional filter members circumferentially attached thereto. Each filter member forms an annulus chamber with the first filter member having porosity P1; the second filter member circumferentially having porosity P2; and the N additional filter members each having porosity [P3 . . . P(2+N)]. The magnitude of the porosity for the first, second, and N additional filter members follows the relationship P1>[P3>. . . >P(2+N)]>P2. The first, second, and N additional filter portions are configured in the expanded state to allow blood to flow there through and to capture emboli in the annulus chambers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a deflectable biopsy device that includes a cannula having a preformed bend, wherein the shape of the cannula can be temporarily altered with the cannula returning to its original shape afterward. The deflectable biopsy device also includes a sampling member slidably disposed within the cannula and operable therewith to collect a tissue biopsy.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for use in extracorporeal treatment of a body fluid comprises a catheter body having a plurality of lumens extending therein. The catheter body has an aspiration port in communication with a first lumen for transporting fluid withdrawn from a body vessel to a treatment instrument, such as a dialyzer, and an infusion port in communication with a second lumen for return of treated fluid to the vessel. The catheter body includes a wing-like flap portion extending radially from the catheter body and defining the aspiration port. The flap portion is configured and arranged to space the aspiration port from a wall of the body vessel.

Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of a biopsy device using relative rotational motion to obtain a full-core biopsy sample. Inner and outer tubular members are provided connected to a handle. Each member includes a slit, and the members are rotatable with respect to each other. The device is inserted into a patient to a sampling site, and with the slits co-oriented, is extended into the sampling site. Tissue enters the tubular members through the slits, and one or both members are rotated to cut off and enclose tissue within the inner tubular member.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis introducer may include a rotatable inner cannula including a proximal end. The introducer may include a proximal tip disposed at the proximal end of the inner cannula and including a distal end. The introducer may include a retaining member including an engaging member extending radially outward. The retaining member may be disposed about the proximal end of the inner cannula. In response to rotation of the inner cannula with respect to the retaining member, the proximal tip may be longitudinally movable relative to the engaging member between a retaining configuration and a releasing configuration. The proximal tip and the engaging member may be spaced from one another by a greater longitudinal distance in the releasing configuration than in the retaining configuration.

Abstract: Medical device loading apparatuses, systems, methods and kits are described. A loading apparatus comprises a main body having a proximal end defining a proximal opening, a distal end defining a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. An expandable intraluminal medical device can be loaded into a delivery catheter using the loading apparatus by placing the device into the passageway such that it is in a radially-expanded configuration; pulling the device along an axial path through the loading apparatus such that the device transitions from the radially-expanded configuration to a radially-compressed configuration; and pushing the radially-compressed device along the axial path into the delivery catheter.

Abstract: An adapter for use in airway exchange procedure capable of being rapidly coupled and uncoupled to the catheter and being capable of regulating the flow of fluid delivered to the trachea of the patient. Oxygenation is received at the proximal end of the adapter and delivered to a catheter at the distal end. The adapter may include a relief valve to release excess fluid from the provided oxygenation. The adapter may also include a throttling valve to limit the flow of fluid within the valve, preventing excessive pressure or flow rate of breathable fluid to the catheter. During the procedure, the adapter and oxygenation source may be rapidly uncoupled and coupled to the catheter by a connector on the distal end of the adapter.

Abstract: Devices and methods for retracting tissue, such as bowels and organs, within the body of a patient are generally disclosed. In particular, the present disclosure describes surgical retractors having a series of intersecting strands defining openings there between, wherein the openings are enlargeable by slidable passage of the strands relative to one another. The present disclosure also teaches surgical retractors having a frame that defines a central opening and a supporting structure extending across the central opening and defining a plurality of openings, wherein the frame extends through the openings. In some embodiments, a surgical retractor comprises a monolithic polymeric structure extending across the central opening defined by a frame. Other embodiments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A restraint member is provided for preventing longitudinal movement between a self-expanding medical implant and the inner catheter upon which the implant is mounted. The restraint member may be particularly useful for a woven wire self-expanding stent where the restraint member is positioned only under one or more ends of the stent.

Abstract: A spring action medical device includes a spring that may propel a hammer component in a distal direction when the spring is released from a loaded state. When propelled forward by the spring, the hammer component makes contact with a distal tip of the medical device. The distal tip may then transfer a force to an external object, such as an occlusion in a body lumen.

Abstract: A syringe device for agitating and delivering a liquid medication to a patient is provided. The device includes an injecting member, a first syringe, a second syringe and an accumulator. The first syringe is configured to provide the liquid medication to the device. The second syringe is configured to receive the liquid medication from the first syringe. The accumulator is biased to an empty position and cooperates with the second syringe to agitate the liquid medication back and forth between the second syringe and the accumulator. The second syringe is configured to move the liquid medication to the injecting member for patient delivery.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) for controlling a flow of fluid includes a housing (30) having a passageway (33), and a valve sheath (40) disposed interiorly of the housing, at least substantially along the housing passageway. The valve sheath includes a cylindrical valve body (42) having a pair of generally wedge-shaped voids (50A, 52A) formed along opposing longitudinal sides of the valve body. Each of the wedge-shaped voids comprises first and second inwardly-directed sides that converge to define a generally linear edge. The edges are disposed along the valve body in a generally diagonal orientation with respect to a longitudinal axis through the valve body. The respective linear edges are structured and aligned in the valve body to meet along a passageway through the valve body interior in a manner to selectively close the valve body interior passageway, and to yield to permit passage of an interventional device therethrough.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal suture anchor set device includes a pusher slidably received in a needle. A suture clamp assembly includes an anchor attached to one end of a length of the suture, which is slidably received in a sequence of passages defined by a suture clamp in a high profile sliding configuration. The anchor is received in the distal end of the needle with the suture extending outside of the needle. The clamp includes a series of disks movable to a low profile clamped configuration at which different segments of the suture are clamped between faces of adjacent disks. The series of disks define a sequence of suture passages that are segments of a tortuous pathway through the clamp traversed by the suture.

Abstract: An injection device for injecting a medicant into a plurality of tissue sites in a patient for a selected treatment is constructed and arranged such that the number of tissue sites is the total number for the selected treatment thereby requiring a single positioning step. The injection device includes a body having a syringe and a control linkage, the syringe including a plurality of barrels, and a cooperating plunger array including a plurality of plungers. Each barrel receives a corresponding plunger. The injection device further includes a plurality of injection needles connected to the syringe wherein one injection needle is connected to each barrel, a multi-lumen tip, a shaft connected to the multi-lumen tip and extending between said multi-lumen tip and said body. The control linkage is connected to each needle so as to move each needle between a deployed injection position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A coupling wire guide for intracorporeal procedures that may be coupled to a previously introduced wire guide, thereby permitting introduction of the coupling wire guide separately and identically in a manner that is both reliable as well as traceable. One embodiment of the wire guide includes a main body having a distal end and a tip portion connected to the distal end of the main body. The tip portion defines an axial passageway having a distal opening and a proximal opening, the passageway being sized to receive a second wire guide therein. The tip portion includes a linking member connected to the distal end of the main body to provide a secure connection between the distal end of the main body and the tip portion.