Abstract: The invention provides methods and dosing regimens for safely and effectively treating androgen-dependent prostate cancer with a gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist without causing a testosterone spike and/or other side effect of GnRH agonist therapy such as a urinary tract infection, or an arthralgia-related or cardiovascular side effect.

Abstract: An embolic coil delivery system includes a delivery shaft that defines a delivery shaft lumen and an embolic coil device that is detachably connected to a distal region of the delivery shaft. The embolic coil device includes coil windings that define a coil lumen. A pull wire is positioned at least partially within the delivery shaft lumen and at least partially within the coil lumen. The pull wire includes a frangible segment that is positioned within the coil lumen. The frangible segment of the pull wire defines a predictable region of separation of the pull wire in response to tensile force so as to detach said embolic coil device from said delivery shaft.

Abstract: Described are systems for delivering embolic coil devices, and components useful in such systems. The systems include a flexible elongate delivery shaft having a distal region and an embolic coil device detachably connected to the distal region of the elongate delivery shaft. In some forms, as detachably connected, at least some of the coil windings of the embolic coil device, such as those in a proximal segment of the coil windings, are in a resiliently longitudinally compressed condition. When the embolic coil device is detached from the delivery shaft, the coil windings resiliently move to a longitudinally extended condition, where the coil windings in the longitudinally extended condition are more open than they are in the resiliently longitudinally compressed condition. In some forms, the systems have a coil detachment interface at a distal region of a flexible elongate delivery shaft.

Abstract: A medical device holding assembly includes a carrier sheath, which carries an endoluminal medical device such as an embolization coil. The assembly also includes a housing including at least one holding element to hold the sheath, and a fixation device attached to the housing and coupled to the sheath. The fixation device includes a locking element having an unlocked configuration, which allows the sheath to slide relative to the housing, and a locked configuration, which fixes the sheath to the housing. A lock actuator is configured to lock permanently the locking element into the locked configuration. As a result, the sheath with the medical device held therewithin cannot be removed from the holding assembly during the deployment procedure, thereby ensuring that the procedure can be carried out by a single person and also protecting the integrity of the medical device before it is deployed into a patient.

Abstract: A medical device holding assembly includes a carrier sheath, which carries an endoluminal medical device such as an embolization coil. The assembly also includes a housing including at least one holding element to hold the sheath, and a fixation device attached to the housing and coupled to the sheath. The fixation device includes a locking element having an unlocked configuration, which allows the sheath to slide relative to the housing, and a locked configuration, which fixes the sheath to the housing. A lock actuator is configured to lock permanently the locking element into the locked configuration. As a result, the sheath with the medical device held therewithin cannot be removed from the holding assembly during the deployment procedure, thereby ensuring that the procedure can be carried out by a single person and also protecting the integrity of the medical device before it is deployed into a patient.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an implantable medical device comprising a material capture element, which has a generally closed conical deployed shape and a narrow end disposed at or proximate the first end of the device. The material capture element includes a wide end facing the second end of the device, the material capture element having a zone of wider radial dimension which provides a first vessel contact site. A plurality of wire tethers are coupled to the wide end and extend to the second end. The wire tethers define a substantially open passageway for blood and provide a second vessel contact site. The first and second contact sites are spaced longitudinally from one another to provide stability. A first retrieval element is disposed at the first end and coupled to the narrow end, while a second retrieval element is disposed at the second end and coupled to the wire tethers.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a spiral filter and delivery apparatus where the filter comprises a support supporting a body and defining a frame. The frame comprises a proximal end extending to a distal end. A filtering member may be attached to the proximal end and extend distally to the distal end. The filtering member and the frame may move between a delivery state and a deployed state. In the deployed state, the frame extends helically within the circumference of the body vessel and has a filtering lumen formed therethrough. The filtering member may be disposed within the filtering lumen in a spiral for filtering within the intended body vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a removable vena cava filter for capturing thrombi in a blood vessel. The filter includes a plurality of primary struts having first ends attached together at their first ends. The filter also includes a plurality of secondary struts spaced between the primary struts and having third ends attached together along the longitudinal axis. Each secondary strut freely extends from the third end to a fourth end avoiding contact with other secondary struts and primary struts. The filter has an expanded configuration, in which the second arcs of the plurality of secondary struts may define a cavity having a hemiovoid shape, such that an ovoid formed from a reflection of the hemiovoid shape of the cavity does not extend beyond the end boundary of the filter defined by the second ends of the primary struts.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a spiral filter and delivery apparatus where the filter comprises a support supporting a body and defining a frame. The frame comprises a proximal end extending to a distal end. A filtering member may be attached to the proximal end and extend distally to the distal end. The filtering member and the frame may move between a delivery state and a deployed state. In the deployed state, the frame extends helically within the circumference of the body vessel and has a filtering lumen formed therethrough. The filtering member may be disposed within the filtering lumen in a spiral for filtering within the intended body vessel.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an implantable medical device comprising a material capture element, which has a generally closed conical deployed shape and a narrow end disposed at or proximate the first end of the device. The material capture element includes a wide end facing the second end of the device, the material capture element having a zone of wider radial dimension which provides a first vessel contact site. A plurality of wire tethers are coupled to the wide end and extend to the second end. The wire tethers define a substantially open passageway for blood and provide a second vessel contact site. The first and second contact sites are spaced longitudinally from one another to provide stability. A first retrieval element is disposed at the first end and coupled to the narrow end, while a second retrieval element is disposed at the second end and coupled to the wire tethers.