Abstract: An intravascular filter (10) has a main filter portion (12) and an anchor portion (14). The main filter portion is made up of a number of struts (16), which form a first and a second biodegradable filter sections (26,28). The first and the second biodegradable filter sections biodegrade at different rates. The anchor portion secures the filter within a blood vessel and also has a collar (32). The first and the second biodegradable portions may have a different thickness and may be comprised of different materials. The collar may be formed from a resiliently deformable material.

Abstract: An intravascular device is provided having a flexible catheter tube with an expandable portion located on an end thereof. The expandable portion has a plurality of struts capable of being moved between an expanded and a collapsed position. An incising element provided along at least a portion of one of the struts has a sharpened edge for creating an incision in atherosclerotic material located within a blood vessel and generating microparticles of the same when the expandable portion is in the expanded position.

Abstract: A method for performing balloon catheterization of a zone of attention is provided. An intravascular device has an expandable portion secured to a distal end of a catheter tube. The expandable portion has a number of struts, at least one having an incising element extending perpendicular therefrom. The intravascular device is placed within a person's vascular system and moved to the zone of attention where the expandable portion is expanded and manipulated along the zone of attention to score the atherosclerotic material located in the blood vessel. Subsequently, a balloon catheter device is moved to the zone of attention and inflated to compress or fragment the scored atherosclerotic material.

Abstract: An intravascular device is provided having a catheter tube with an expandable portion located on an end thereof. The expandable portion includes a plurality of struts capable of being moved between an open and a closed position. An incising element is provided along at least a portion of one of the struts and has a sharpened edge for creating an incision in atherosclerotic material located within a blood vessel when the expandable portion is in the opened position.

Abstract: An intravascular device is provided having an expandable portion including a plurality of struts capable of being moved between an open and a closed position. A grating tool is provided on at least one of the struts. The grating tool is configured to remove atherosclerotic material or other substances located within the blood vessel when the expandable portion is in the opened position and moved axially through the blood vessel.

Abstract: An intravascular device is provided having a catheter tube and an expandable portion including a plurality of struts capable of being moved between an open and a closed position. An incising element and an abrasive surface are provided on at least one of the struts. The incising element has a sharpened edge for creating an incision in, and the abrasive surface is configured to abrade, atherosclerotic material located within a blood vessel when the expandable portion is in the opened position.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter device is provided for use during a surgical procedure. The catheter device includes a catheter tube having an expandable portion with a plurality of struts each defining an outer surface. The expandable portion is operable between a closed position, wherein the expandable portion has a first diameter, and an opened position, wherein the expandable portion has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. An incising element is provided on the outer surface of at least one of the struts. The incising element has a sharpened edge that extends outwardly in a radial direction from the outer surface of the strut for creating an incision in atherosclerotic material located within a blood vessel when the expandable portion is in the opened position.

Abstract: An intravascular device is provided having a catheter tube and an expandable portion including a plurality of struts capable of being moved between an open and a closed position. An incising element is provided on at least one of the struts and has a sharpened edge for creating an incision in atherosclerotic material located within a blood vessel when the expandable portion is in the opened position. A medication delivery device may be located on one or more of the struts and may be configured to deliver a substance to an area of interest.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter device is disclosed having an inner member, an outer member disposed about the inner member and further comprising a balloon. A sheath is disposed about the outer member that moves relative to the balloon so as to selectively expose some or all of the balloon for inflation. A clamp may be used to selectively secure the sheath at a desired position relative to the balloon. A balloon recapture element may permit incremental adjustment to the balloon length and facilitate balloon recapture.

Abstract: An intravascular device is provided having a catheter tube and an expandable portion including a plurality of struts capable of being moved between an open and a closed position. An incising element is provided on at least one of the struts and has a sharpened edge for creating an incision in atherosclerotic material located within a blood vessel when the expandable portion is in the opened position. An embolic protection device may be integrated with some or all of the expandable portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an intravascular balloon device having a balloon and a handle where a catheter tube extends between the two. The handle assembly includes an inflation device in fluid communication with the balloon. A medical tool is provided on the outer surface of the balloon for the treatment of intravascular conditions. The medical tool may be configured to score or remove atherosclerotic material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the treatment of intravascular medical conditions is provided. The device comprising a handle assembly, an expandable portion defined by a plurality of struts oriented along a longitudinal axis and a tip member affixed to a distal end of the struts. The struts are moveable between a collapsed and an expanded position. A catheter tube extends from the handle assembly to the expandable portion. An elongate member is disposed within the catheter tube and is in communication with the handle assembly and the tip member.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter device is disclosed having an inner member, an outer member disposed about the inner member and further comprising a balloon. A sheath is disposed about the outer member that moves relative to the balloon so as to selectively expose some or all of the balloon for inflation. A clamp may be used to selectively secure the sheath at a desired position relative to the balloon.

Abstract: An intravascular device is provided having a catheter tube and an expandable portion including a plurality of struts supported in a cantilevered fashion so as to be splayed open when in an opened position. An incising element is provided on at least one of the struts and has a sharpened edge for creating an incision in atherosclerotic material located within a blood vessel when the expandable portion is in the opened position.

Abstract: An intravascular filter (10) has a main filter portion (12) and an anchor portion (14). The main filter portion is made up of a number of struts (16), which form a first and a second biodegradable filter sections (26,28). The first and the second biodegradable filter sections biodegrade at different rates. The anchor portion secures the filter within a blood vessel and also has a collar (32). The first and the second biodegradable portions may have a different thickness and may be comprised of different materials. The collar may be formed from a resiliently deformable material.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter device is provided for use during a surgical procedure. The catheter device includes a catheter tube having an expandable portion with a plurality of struts each defining an outer surface. The expandable portion is operable between a closed position, wherein the expandable portion has a first diameter, and an opened position, wherein the expandable portion has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. An incising element is provided on the outer surface of at least one of the struts. The incising element has a blade that extends outwardly in a radial direction from the outer surface of the strut for creating an incision in atherosclerotic material located within a blood vessel when the expandable portion is in the opened position.

Abstract: An intraluminal graft includes an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer defining a passageway for transmisson of blood and a method and apparatus for implantation in a blood vessel.