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.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis may include a tubular graft extending in a longitudinal direction, where the graft has an inner surface forming a lumen extending a length of the graft. An elongate member may be attached to the graft in a circumferentially and longitudinally extending manner such that the elongate member forms a series of longitudinally spaced apart turns, each turn extending substantially around a circumference of the graft. The elongate member may torsion the graft in at least the circumferential direction and cause the graft to form circumferentially and longitudinally extending folds in the portions of the graft disposed between longitudinally adjacent turns of the elongate member.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for treating a vascular condition by restoring patency to a vessel while reducing the likelihood that emboli become dislodged into the bloodstream. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a graft having proximal and distal regions, a first support member attached to the distal region of the graft, and a second support member attached to the proximal region of the graft. The first and second support members may comprise first and second stents, respectively. The first stent is deployed distal to a vascular condition, and the second stent is deployed proximal to a vascular condition, such that the graft spans the length of the vascular condition to entrap emboli during treatment of the vascular condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for heating tissue, including ablating a tumor, using the catalyzed heat of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide solutions. A hydrogen peroxide solution is contacted with a catalyst to decompose the hydrogen peroxide and heat the distal tip of a catheter to a temperature effective to ablate a target tissue.

Abstract: A device is provided for closing a wound, such as a percutaneous access site. The device is inserted into the wound, and a helically shaped pusher is actuated to penetrate a wall of the wound. The pusher extends a suture through the tissue wall. After the suture is extending through the tissue wall, the pusher is retracted out of the tissue, while the suture remains extending through the tissue. The suture may then be used to close the wound.

Abstract: A device for providing access to a treatment site within the body of a patient includes a tubular member having a first, generally elongated configuration for introduction into the body of the patient, and deployable therein to a second configuration. The second configuration includes an axially displaced segment along the distal portion of the tubular member. The tubular member includes a side port oriented along the axially displaced segment, and further includes a lumen communicating with the side port. The lumen and side port are sized for passage therethrough of an interventional device for delivery to the treatment site.

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: 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 medical device deployment system includes an inner shaft telescopically received within a retractable sheath and a medical device positioned over the inner shaft. A handle assembly includes a proximal handle portion having a handle body having an elongate slot therethrough. A distal end of the handle body is attached to an open proximal end of the retractable sheath. The handle assembly also includes a distal handle portion attached to a proximal end of the inner shaft through a connection portion. In a pre-deployment configuration, the connection portion is positioned through a proximal end of the elongate slot and the retractable sheath restricts radial expansion of the medical device. In a post-deployment configuration, the connection portion is positioned through a distal end of the elongate slot and the retractable sheath is retracted such that the medical device is not restricted from radial expansion by the retractable sheath.

Abstract: A medical instrument, such as a surgical device for manipulating and placing a tissue suture and methods of using the same is disclosed. The device comprises a handle, a hollow shaft removably coupled to the handle assembly and a stylet extending within the hollow shaft and longitudinally slideable therein. Preferably, the stylet is not rotationally moveable relative to the shaft. The stylet may be moved between a first position wherein a grasping member formed on the stylet is retracted into a distal end portion of the shaft and a second position wherein the grasping member extends distally beyond the distal end portion of the shaft. Distal movement of an actuation member on the handle correspondingly moves the stylet to the extended position and movement of the actuation member to a proximal position on the handle correspondingly moves the stylet to the retracted position. Lateral movement of the actuation member on the handle does not impart rotational movement of the stylet relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A gradually self-expanding stent includes a first plurality of stent cells including a first plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other. The stent also includes a second plurality of stent cells including a second plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other. The circumferentially adjacent structural members of the first and second plurality of stent cells have a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. A restraining material is attached to each of the circumferentially adjacent structural members defining each of the second plurality of stent cells such that it substantially covers an entirety of each of the second plurality of stent cells in the compressed configuration.

Abstract: A micro-needle array is provided that may be used to deliver a bioactive agent to a therapeutic target. The micro-needle array preferably includes a substrate, a plurality of micro-needles integral with the substrate, and a bioactive agent. At least one micro-needle preferably includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a cavity defined by an inner surface. The bioactive agent may be disposed on the substrate and the plurality of micro-needles. The at least one micro-needle may further include a slit connecting the cavity to an aperture, the slit extending from the top surface to the bottom surface.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis may include a tubular graft extending in a longitudinal direction, where the graft has an inner surface forming a lumen extending a length of the graft. An elongate member may be attached to the graft in a circumferentially and longitudinally extending manner such that the elongate member forms a series of longitudinally spaced apart turns, each turn extending substantially around a circumference of the graft. The elongate member may torsion the graft in at least the circumferential direction and cause the graft to form circumferentially and longitudinally extending folds in the portions of the graft disposed between longitudinally adjacent turns of the elongate member.

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: An elongate medical device configured for navigation through a lumen is provided. The device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a first interlocking connector. The device further includes a loop portion operably connected to the distal portion. The loop portion includes a second interlocking connector configured for connecting to the first interlocking connector. A medical system is also provided including a catheter and a wire guide. A method of making a wire guide is provided.

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: Disclosed in certain embodiments is a pressure sensing tube for transporting a material under pressure through a lumen and a pressure sensitive material associated with the tube and operable to change in appearance in response to a physical change in the tube caused by pressure within the lumen. A method of manufacturing a pressure sensing tube is also disclosed.

Abstract: Loading systems for compressing and loading an implantable medical device into a device chamber of a medical device delivery system are described. The loading systems include an elongate holding chamber within which the intraluminal medical device is disposed. A plunger has one or more attached pushers adapted to axially advance the intraluminal medical device through an intermediate portion of the holding chamber that has a tapered surface, which compresses the intraluminal medical device over a dilator of a medical device delivery system that has been introduced through the distal end of the elongate holding chamber. The elongate holding chamber can be placed within an outer storage container with an appropriate seal to for storage of the intraluminal medical device within the loading system. Methods of preparing an intraluminal medical device for implantation in a patient and kits useful in such methods are also described.

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 is provided. The filter device assembly generally comprises 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.