Abstract: An atherectomy device for removing deposits such as plaque from an interior of a vessel including an outer member, an inner member and a rotatable shaft positioned for rotational movement within the inner member. The outer and inner members are fixed axially. A rotatable tip is mounted to the distal region of the rotatable shaft for rotation about its longitudinal axis upon rotation of the shaft to remove deposits from the vessel.

Abstract: A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall comprising a covering member having a longitudinal axis and positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture and having a first opening. A first retainer is positionable external of the vessel. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and the first retainer, wherein the first opening of the covering member is configured to restrict movement of the connecting member.

Abstract: An atherectomy device for removing deposits such as plaque from an interior of a vessel including an outer member, an inner member and a rotatable shaft positioned for rotational movement within the inner member. The outer and inner members are fixed axially. A rotatable tip is mounted to the distal region of the rotatable shaft for rotation about its longitudinal axis upon rotation of the shaft to remove deposits from the vessel.

Abstract: A method of implanting a vessel filter by a femoral approach comprising the steps of providing a sheath with a pusher and the vessel filter positioned therein and providing a sheath centering structure movable within the sheath. The centering structure has a distal portion expandable from a collapsed position within the sheath to an expanded position outside the sheath. The steps further include inserting the sheath into the vessel, moving the centering structure with respect to the sheath to enable the centering structure to move from the collapsed position to the expanded position to move a distal tip of the sheath away from a vessel wall and to a more centered position, and subsequently exposing the vessel filter from the sheath to enable the filter to move from a collapsed position to an expanded position. An implantation system is also provided.

Abstract: A vascular device having a plurality of struts having a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion of the struts are retained in a converged position. The struts diverge radially outwardly. A plurality of vessel penetrating members extend from the proximal portion of the struts for engaging the internal wall of the vessel, wherein release of the retention of the distal portions of the struts causes the distal portions to move outwardly away from the longitudinal axis and the proximal portions of the struts to move inwardly toward the longitudinal axis such that the vessel engaging members pull the internal wall of the vessel radially inwardly.

Abstract: A rotatable thrombectomy wire for breaking up thrombus or other obstructive material comprising an inner core composed of a flexible material and an outer wire surrounding at least a portion of the inner core. The outer wire has a sinuous shaped portion at a distal region. The inner core limits the compressibility of the outer wire. The outer wire is operatively connectable at a proximal end to a motor for rotating the wire to macerate thrombus.

Abstract: A vessel filter movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel, and having a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the center. The filter portion converges into a tubular portion. The second region is flared in the expanded position to have a transverse dimension increasing in a direction away from the filter portion and includes a vessel engaging portion. The first region has a spacer to keep the filter more toward a center of a vessel, wherein in the collapsed position the spacer extends axially in an elongated position cranially of the cranial end of the filter and in the expanded position the spacer forms a looped region extending radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the filter. The spacer has a first end attached to the internal surface of the tubular portion and extends within the tubular portion and emerges cranially from the tubular region to form the looped region.

Abstract: A dialysis catheter including a first portion having a first diameter, an elongated distal portion having a second smaller diameter, and a transition portion The first portion includes first and second independent blood withdrawal lumens extending in the first portion, the first withdrawal lumen terminating in the transition portion in a first terminal opening and the second withdrawal lumen terminating in a second terminal opening, the first and second terminal openings being radially spaced and axially adjacent. A longitudinally extending blood delivery lumen extends in the first portion and terminates in a delivery opening in the distal portion of the catheter, the first and second terminal openings positioned proximally of the delivery opening and each of the first and second terminal openings having a curved wall surrounding a portion of the terminal opening.

Abstract: A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall, the aperture having an external opening in an external region of the vessel wall and an internal opening in an internal region of the vessel wall. The device includes a covering member positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. First and second retainers are positionable external of the vessel and have a tip of a smaller transverse dimension and facing in a direction toward the covering member for advancement toward the covering member. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and the first retainer and moves the first retainer toward the covering member.

Abstract: A thrombectomy apparatus for breaking up thrombus or other obstructive material in a lumen of a vascular graft or vessel. The apparatus includes a wire having a first configuration and a second deployed configuration, the wire having a straighter configuration in the first configuration. The wire is operatively connected to a motor for rotation of the wire to contact and break up the thrombus or other obstructive material. A blocking device at a distal portion of the apparatus is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and is configured in the expanded configuration to block thrombus dislodged by rotation of the wire.

Abstract: A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall comprising a covering member having a longitudinal axis and positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and a first spherical retainer positionable external of the vessel. The covering member has a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture.

Abstract: An assembly insertable into a lumen of a patient including a motor housing having a motor contained therein, a motor shaft extending from the motor, a first coupler positioned at the motor shaft having a first magnet positioned therein adjacent a distal end, a rotational wire, and a second coupler positioned at a proximal portion of the thrombectomy wire. The second coupler has a second magnet positioned therein adjacent a proximal end. The second coupler is engageable with the first coupler to operably connect the rotational wire to the motor shaft, the first and second magnets providing an attractive force between the first and second couplers to maintain a connection of the first and second couplers so rotation of the first coupler rotates the second coupler.

Abstract: A dialysis catheter including a first portion having a first diameter, an elongated distal portion having a second smaller diameter, and a transition portion The first portion includes first and second independent blood withdrawal lumens extending in the first portion, the first withdrawal lumen terminating in the transition portion in a first terminal opening and the second withdrawal lumen terminating in a second terminal opening, the first and second terminal openings being radially spaced and axially adjacent. A longitudinally extending blood delivery lumen extends in the first portion and terminates in a delivery opening in the distal portion of the catheter, the first and second terminal openings positioned proximally of the delivery opening and each of the first and second terminal openings having a curved wall surrounding a portion of the terminal opening.

Abstract: A vascular device having a plurality of struts having a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion of the struts are retained in a converged position. The struts diverge radially outwardly. A plurality of vessel penetrating members extend from the proximal portion of the struts for engaging the internal wall of the vessel, wherein release of the retention of the distal portions of the struts causes the distal portions to move outwardly away from the longitudinal axis and the proximal portions of the struts to move inwardly toward the longitudinal axis such that the vessel engaging members pull the internal wall of the vessel radially inwardly.

Abstract: An assembly insertable into a lumen of a patient including a motor housing having a motor contained therein, a motor shaft extending from the motor, a first coupler positioned at the motor shaft having a first magnet positioned therein adjacent a distal end, a rotational wire, and a second coupler positioned at a proximal portion of the thrombectomy wire. The second coupler has a second magnet positioned therein adjacent a proximal end. The second coupler is engageable with the first coupler to operably connect the rotational wire to the motor shaft, the first and second magnets providing an attractive force between the first and second couplers to maintain a connection of the first and second couplers so rotation of the first coupler rotates the second coupler.

Abstract: A rotational thrombectomy wire for breaking up vascular thrombus or other obstructive material having a core having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion has a smaller diameter than the proximal portion. A cable extends distally of the core. The cable has a first covering material positioned external thereof. A first coil is attached to a distal portion of the cable and has a diameter larger than a diameter of the cable and has a second covering material positioned thereover. The wire is rotatable by a motor.

Abstract: An atherectomy device for removing deposits such as plaque from an interior of a vessel including an outer member, an inner member and a rotatable shaft positioned for rotational movement within the inner member. The outer and inner members are fixed axially. A rotatable tip is mounted to the distal region of the rotatable shaft for rotation about its longitudinal axis upon rotation of the shaft to remove deposits from the vessel.

Abstract: A vascular device having a plurality of struts having a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion of the struts are retained in a converged position. The struts diverge radially outwardly. A plurality of vessel penetrating members extend from the proximal portion of the struts for engaging the internal wall of the vessel, wherein release of the retention of the distal portions of the struts causes the distal portions to move outwardly away from the longitudinal axis and the proximal portions of the struts to move inwardly toward the longitudinal axis such that the vessel engaging members pull the internal wall of the vessel radially inwardly.

Abstract: A rotational thrombectomy wire for breaking up vascular thrombus or other obstructive material having a core having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion has a smaller diameter than the proximal portion. A cable extends distally of the core. The cable has a first covering material positioned external thereof. A first coil is attached to a distal portion of the cable and has a diameter larger than a diameter of the cable and has a second covering material positioned thereover. The wire is rotatable by a motor.

Abstract: A surgical atherectomy apparatus for removing particles such as plaque from an interior of a vessel having a motor housing slidable axially between a proximal position and a distal position. An axially fixed sheath extends from the outer housing and a catheter is connected to the motor housing and is positioned within the sheath. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the lumen of the catheter and is operatively connected to the motor for rotational movement, the rotatable shaft and catheter movable by movement of the motor housing between the proximal and distal positions. The rotatable shaft has an atherectomy bit extending therefrom for dislodgement of particles when rotated by the motor and dislodged particles are aspirated in the lumen of the catheter.