Abstract: An endoluminal device adapted to be deployed in a branched body lumen is provided by intraluminal delivery from an access location remote from the location at which the device is to be deployed, i.e. by introduction through one of the branches of the branched body lumen. The device comprises an unbranched portion, a first branch portion and second branch portion in communication with the unbranched portion, and a distortion element removeably connected to the first branch portion for manipulating the geometry of the second branch portion. The distortion element extends along the first branch portion and back to the access location.

Abstract: A tubular prosthesis, which may be an endovascular prothesis, is provided which includes a tubular member (stent or stent/graft combination) and an outer covering having portions sealed to the tubular member. The tubular member is impervious to a pre-determined fluid, particularly an occluding fluid, while the outer cover is pervious to the pre-determined fluid. In one aspect of the present invention, the implantation of the prosthesis allows for occluding fluid to weep from the prosthesis and into a sac of an aneurysm to cause occlusion thereof without introducing the occluding fluid into the blood stream. In this manner, a Type II failure of the prosthesis may be avoided. In other aspects of the invention, therapeutic agents may be delivered and/or a seal may be formed about the prosthesis to prevent a Type I failure.

Abstract: The low profile vascular graft of the present invention includes a tube structure having outer and inner surfaces, and a support structure having a chamber structure secured to the outer or inner surface. The support structure includes a core structure contained within the chamber structure. The core structure is transformable from a conformance condition to a reinforcement condition. When the core structure is in the conformance condition, it provides insubstantial resistance to deformation of the tube structure. When the core structure is in the reinforcement condition, it provides substantial resistance to deformation of the tube structure.

Abstract: A low profile, implantable prosthesis includes (a) a tubular graft including opposed open ends and having yarns in a textile pattern to define a textile wall having a luminal surface and an exterior surface; and (b) a tubular, radially extensible member including a portion arranged in a closed zig-zag pattern, the pattern having a series of angled bends at proximal and distal ends thereof, and longitudinally extending members having opposed proximal and distal ends, the distal ends being disposed from the angled bends of the proximal end; the longitudinally extending members having a plurality of detents for securing the yarns within the textile pattern at one of the opposed open ends, wherein the yarns of the textile patterns are securably disposed to the detents. The detents may be holes, inwardly extending notches, outwardly extending protuberances, or combinations thereof in the longitudinally extending members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for utilizing energy, such as radio frequency (RF) energy, to treat defined areas of tissue and more particularly to ablate tumors with RF energy through the use of a needle having a spreading array of individually traversing conductive tines which are independently positioned and activated.

Abstract: Techniques and structures are disclosed for implementing context awareness within a wireless system.

Abstract: A high frequency, right angle socket (10) comprising a body (12) including a longitudinal bore (14) extending completely through the body (12) and a transverse bore (16) intersecting the longitudinal bore (14). The bores (14) and (16) are seem most clearly in FIG. 5. A first dielectric (18) is formed to frictionally engage the longitudinal bore (14). The dielectric (18) has a proximal end (26) and a distal end (22) and includes a longitudinal electric contact-receiving chamber (24). A right angle electrical contact (26) has a longitudinal portion (28) and a transverse portion (30). The longitudinal portion (28) includes a first contact retainer (32). The transverse portion (30) includes a contact retainer (33). The longitudinal portion (28) is fitted into the longitudinal electrical contact-receiving chamber (24) of the first dielectric (18) with the contact retainer (32) on the longitudinal portion (28) engaging the interior wall of the longitudinal contact-receiving chamber (24).

Abstract: A high frequency, right angle socket (10) comprising a body (12) including a longitudinal bore (14) extending completely through the body (12) and a transverse bore (16) intersecting the longitudinal bore (14). The bores (14) and (16) are seem most clearly in FIG. 5. A first dielectric (18) is formed to frictionally engage the longitudinal bore (14). The dielectric (18) has a proximal end (26) and a distal end (22) and includes a longitudinal electric contact-receiving chamber (24). A right angle electrical contact (26) has a longitudinal portion (28) and a transverse portion (30). The longitudinal portion (28) includes a first contact retainer (32). The transverse portion (30) includes a contact retainer (33). The longitudinal portion (28) is fitted into the longitudinal electrical contact-receiving chamber (24) of the first dielectric (18) with the contact retainer (32) on the longitudinal portion (28) engaging the interior wall of the longitudinal contact-receiving chamber (24).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for utilizing energy, such as radio frequency (RF) energy, to treat defined areas of tissue and more particularly to ablate tumors with RF energy through the use of a needle having a spreading array of individually traversing conductive tines which are independently positioned and activated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that facilitates the prevention of type II endoleaks in stent-graft treated arterial aneurysmal sacs comprising a catheter having an elongate tubular body with a balloon or wire mesh basket attached to the body adjacent its distal end. The balloon preferably comprising a plurality of energy conducting elements attached thereto for transmitting RF energy to tissue to be treated. In operation, the catheter is inserted into the femoral artery of a patient and then advanced through the femoral artery into the aorta until the balloon or basket is positioned within an aneurysmal sac. Once in place, the balloon or basket is expanded to compress the clot material within the aneurysmal sack under a pressure in the range of about 2-5 atmospheres. While compressed, the clot material is then heated by transmitting RF energy to the wire basket or the conducting elements on the balloon until the clot material is cauterized and collateral blood flow channels in the clot material are occluded.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a removable stent for providing reinforcement to a selected region of a selected body lumen including a resilient cylindrical layer, including at least one bioresorbable extrusion exterior from the resilient cylindrical layer for resisting migration of the removable stent when the removable stent is positioned in the selected region of the selected body lumen. The present invention also includes a temporary implantable endoprosthesis which includes a tubular, radially compressible and axially flexible structure, including at least one bioresorbable extrusion exterior from the resilient cylindrical layer for resisting migration of the removable stent when the removable stent is positioned in the selected region of the selected body lumen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that facilitates the prevention of type II endoleaks in stent-graft treated arterial aneurysmal sacs comprising a catheter having an elongate tubular body with a balloon or wire mesh basket attached to the body adjacent its distal end. The balloon preferably comprising a plurality of energy conducting elements attached thereto for transmitting RF energy to tissue to be treated. In operation, the catheter is inserted into the femoral artery of a patient and then advanced through the femoral artery into the aorta until the balloon or basket is positioned within an aneurysmal sac. Once in place, the balloon or basket is expanded to compress the clot material within the aneurysmal sack under a pressure in the range of about 2-5 atmospheres. While compressed, the clot material is then heated by transmitting RF energy to the wire basket or the conducting elements on the balloon until the clot material is cauterized and collateral blood flow channels in the clot material are occluded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for utilizing energy, such as radio frequency (RF) energy, to treat defined areas of tissue and more particularly to ablate tumors with RF energy through the use of a needle having a spreading array of individually traversing conductive tines which are independently positioned and activated.

Abstract: An implantable vascular access device includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, an interior chamber defined therein and a valve positioned between the inlet and the interior chamber. The valve is subcutaneously manipulated between an open position, in which fluid can flow between the inlet and the interior chamber, and a closed position in which the valve occludes the inlet. The device may include any combination of multiple inlets, outlets and/or interior chambers. In the preferred embodiment, the housing includes two separate interior chambers suitable for the inflow and outflow of a typical hemodialysis procedure. A method for accessing a vascular structure is provided which includes the steps of subcutaneously implanting the device connecting one end of a cannula to the outlet of the device and another end of the cannula to a selected vascular structure. The valve of the device is manipulated to permit fluid communication between the inlet of the device and the selected vascular structure.

Abstract: An implantable vascular access device includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, an interior chamber defined therein and a valve positioned between the inlet and the interior chamber. The valve is subcutaneously manipulated between an open position, in which fluid can flow between the inlet and the interior chamber, and a closed position in which the valve occludes the inlet. The device may include any combination of multiple inlets, outlets and/or interior chambers. In the preferred embodiment, the housing includes two separate interior chambers suitable for the inflow and outflow of a typical hemodialysis procedure. A method for accessing a vascular structure is provided which includes the steps of subcutaneously implanting the device connecting one end of a cannula to the outlet of the device and another end of the cannula to a selected vascular structure. The valve of the device is manipulated to permit fluid communication between the inlet of the device and the selected vascular structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for utilizing energy, such as radio frequency (RF) energy, to treat defined areas of tissue and more particularly to ablate tumors with RF energy through the use of a needle having a spreading array of individually traversing conductive tines which are independently positioned and activated.

Abstract: A catheter and method for delivering a therapeutic agent (e.g., an embolic material) to a vascular site. The intravascular catheter is navigated, at a first relatively small diameter, to the vascular site. Pressure is applied to the lumen of the shaft, thereby expanding an expandable portion of the catheter shaft from the first diameter to a second larger diameter, suitable for delivery of a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent is preferably disposed in the lumen of the shaft such that the expansion pressure is created, in part, by resistance of the therapeutic agent to flow through the lumen. Preferably, the shaft expands predictably with pressure. A reinforcement structure may be utilized in the shaft of the catheter, including the expandable portion. The reinforcement structure may include a plurality of circumferential elements, each circumferential element having a circumference and a means for permitting an increase in the circumference such that the shaft is able to expand.

Abstract: An implantable vascular access device includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, an interior chamber defined therein and a valve positioned between the inlet and the interior chamber. The valve is subcutaneously manipulated between an open position, in which fluid can flow between the inlet and the interior chamber, and a closed position in which the valve occludes the inlet. The device may include any combination of multiple inlets, outlets and/or interior chambers. In the preferred embodiment, the housing includes two separate interior chambers suitable for the inflow and outflow of a typical hemodialysis procedure. A method for accessing a vascular structure is provided which includes the steps of subcutaneously implanting the device connecting one end of a cannula to the outlet of the device and another end of the cannula to a selected vascular structure. The valve of the device is manipulated to permit fluid communication between the inlet of the device and the selected vascular structure.

Abstract: An implantable vascular access device includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, an interior conduit defined therein and a valve positioned between the inlet and the outlet. The valve is subcutaneously manipulated between an open position, in which fluid can flow between the inlet and the outlet, and a closed position in which the valve occludes the interior conduit. The device may include any combination of multiple inlets, outlets and/or interior conduits or chambers and may further include an additional cannula valve. In the preferred embodiment, the housing includes two separate interior conduits suitable for the inflow and outflow of a typical hemodialysis procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for ablating tissue has an elongate member, at least two electrodes housed within an axial lumen of the elongate member, and an electrode actuator for advancing the electrodes beyond a distal end of the elongate member and into tissue to a site targeted for ablation. The electrode actuator rapidly advances the electrodes beyond the distal end of the elongate member so that the electrodes assume a uniform outwardly everted configuration.