Abstract: A generally tubular braided flow diverting stent is formed of alternating round and rectangular elongated members, for treatment of aneurysms. The generally tubular braided flow diverting stent maintains a significant wall thickness while increasing area coverage of a vessel wall. Sliding of the round elongated members over the rectangular elongated members allows the stent to be crimped to very low diameters for delivery in narrow portions of the vasculature.

Abstract: A system is provided to effectively position a stent within a vessel. The system includes a delivery catheter and a core wire extend through the catheter. The core wire includes an engaging surface region and a capture member disposed thereon, which cooperate to engage a stent such that the stent is able to be advanced or retracted with the advancement or retraction of the core wire. The engaging surface region and the capture member can generally be configured to engage the stent when a portion of the stent is disposed within the lumen of the catheter, and release the stent when no portion of the stent is within the lumen.

Abstract: A vasculature occlusion device detachment system including a wound coil heating element of a predetermined resistivity. A coil securing suture terminates in a proximal bead retained within the wound coil heating element while the distal end of the coil securing suture extends beyond the distal end of the wound coil heating element and is attached to the proximal end of the vasculature occlusion device. The coil securing suture is independently rotatable of the wound coil heating element 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis extending therethrough the wound coil heating element. A power source applies electrical current to the wound coil heating element via an electrically conductive corewire and separate insulated electrically conductive wire to increase its resistance and, as a result of the heat produced, sever the coil securing suture.

Abstract: A capture tube mechanism for delivering and releasing a self-expanding stent includes a core wire on which a proximal portion of the stent is removably retained by a distal portion of a tubular capture sleeve. In one embodiment, one or more elongated members extending through corresponding apertures through the capture sleeve and out the distal end of the capture sleeve can be pulled to split the tubular capture sleeve to release the stent. In another embodiment, the capture sleeve can be pulled proximally over one or more stop members provided on the core wire to release the stent.

Abstract: A system is provided to effectively position a stent within a vessel. The system includes a delivery catheter and a core wire extend through the catheter. The core wire includes an engaging surface region and a capture member disposed thereon, which cooperate to engage a stent such that the stent is able to be advanced or retracted with the advancement or retraction of the core wire. The engaging surface region and the capture member can generally be configured to engage the stent when a portion of the stent is disposed within the lumen of the catheter, and release the stent when no portion of the stent is within the lumen.

Abstract: Provided herein are a system and method for detaching a therapeutic device, e.g. an embolic coil, from a delivery tube at a target site in a patient's body. The system includes a bead disposed against a distal end of the therapeutic device that retains the therapeutic device to the delivery tube in a first compressed configuration through a coupling union comprising a series of connectors. The series of connectors may include a stretch resistant member through which the bead is attached to an anchor inside the therapeutic device. The anchor, in turn, may be disposed against a thermally responsive element comprised of a polymeric material configured to melt or otherwise change configuration to release the anchor, and with it, to also release the therapeutic device. Energy may be supplied to the thermally responsive element through electrical conductors and a resistive heating element disposed within the delivery tube.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device for effectively occluding blood flow and pressure to a vascular defect while simultaneously not occluding blood flow and pressure to adjacent vasculature is provided. The vascular occlusion device can include a tubular member that has variable porosity regions along its length. The tubular member can be formed of a plurality of filaments that have different cross-sectional shapes along their length that are indexed to the variable porosity regions along the length of the tubular member.

Abstract: A system is provided to effectively position a stent within a vessel. The system includes a delivery catheter and a core wire extend through the catheter. The core wire includes an engaging surface region and a capture member disposed thereon, which cooperate to engage a stent such that the stent is able to be advanced or retracted with the advancement or retraction of the core wire. The engaging surface region and the capture member can generally be configured to engage the stent when a portion of the stent is disposed within the lumen of the catheter, and release the stent when no portion of the stent is within the lumen.

Abstract: A vasculature occlusion device detachment system including a heating fuse element made of a material that melts when a current is applied that exceeds a predetermined maximum current threshold. An electrically conductive corewire connected proximate its distal end directly to the heating fuse element at a first electrical connection joint, while a separate insulated electrically conductive wire is electrically connected directly to the heating fuse element at a second electrical connection joint. An inner insulation sleeve placed over a distal section of the corewire covers the first electrical connection joint and is disposed between the insulated electrically conductive wire and the electrically conductive corewire. An outer insulation sleeve is disposed over a distal section of an assembly including the insulated electrically conductive wire, the inner insulation sleeve and the electrically conductive corewire. The outer insulation sleeve covers the second electrical connection joint.

Abstract: An embolic coil detachment system includes an elongated, flexible shape memory polymer tube having an inner wall surface defining an interior lumen. A distal portion of the shape memory polymer tube has an enlarged and reduced diameter configurations. An embolic coil is releasably mounted to the shape memory polymer tube by a headpiece releasably attached within a distal portion of the shape memory polymer tube. A resistive heating element disposed longitudinally along and in immediate contact with the inner wall surface of the distal tubular wall of the shape memory polymer tube provides direct, even heating to release the headpiece and embolic coil attached thereto when the resistive heating element is energized.

Abstract: A vasculature occlusion device detachment system including a wound coil heating element of a predetermined resistivity. A coil securing suture terminates in a proximal bead retained within the wound coil heating element while the distal end of the coil securing suture extends beyond the distal end of the wound coil heating element and is attached to the proximal end of the vasculature occlusion device. The coil securing suture is independently rotatable of the wound coil heating element 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis extending therethrough the wound coil heating element. A power source applies electrical current to the wound coil heating element via an electrically conductive corewire and separate insulated electrically conductive wire to increase its resistance and, as a result of the heat produced, sever the coil securing suture.

Abstract: A vasculature occlusion device detachment system including a heating element of a predetermined resistivity. A coil securing suture terminates in a proximal bead retained within the heating element while the distal end of the coil securing suture extends beyond the distal end of the heating element and is attached to the proximal end of the vasculature occlusion device. The coil securing suture is independently rotatable of the heating element 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis extending therethrough the heating element. A power source applies electrical current to the heating element via an electrically conductive corewire and separate insulated electrically conductive wire to increase its resistance and, as a result of the heat produced, sever the coil securing suture.

Abstract: Radiopaque markers for use with stents implantable within a body vessel are provided with one or more through-holes. Each through-hole extends through the thickness of the marker to expose a portion of the stent underlying the marker. The marker is welded to the stent through each through-hole. Also provided are stents incorporating a radiopaque marker having one or more through-holes suitable for receiving a plug weld. Methods are provided for securing a radiopaque marker having one or more through-holes to a stent via welds.

Abstract: A delivery system including a distal capture device that has a sleeve with a passageway defined axially therethrough and one or more elastically deformable sections. Each of the one or more elastically deformable sections has a free terminating end and an opposite end mounted to the distal end of the sleeve. The elastically deformable sections transition between: (i) a fully expanded state in which the elastically deformable section is distally biased in a direction away from the sleeve; and (ii) a retracted state in which the free terminating end of each of the elastically deformable sections is proximally deflected backwards over itself in a direction toward the proximal end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A detachment actuator for use with an implantable medical device deployment system that guide and deploys the medical device at a target location within a body vessel. The detachment actuator includes a first portion that is connected the implantable medical device and a second portion that is attached to a control member the controls the release of the medical device, The second portion of the detachment actuator detaches and moves away from the first portion of the detachment actuator to move the control member and release the medical device.

Abstract: A vasculature occlusion device detachment system including a heating element of a predetermined resistivity. A coil securing suture terminates in a proximal bead retained within the heating element while the distal end of the coil securing suture extends beyond the distal end of the heating element and is attached to the proximal end of the vasculature occlusion device. The coil securing suture is independently rotatable of the heating element 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis extending therethrough the heating element. A power source applies electrical current to the heating element via an electrically conductive corewire and separate insulated electrically conductive wire to increase its resistance and, as a result of the heat produced, sever the coil securing suture.

Abstract: A vasculature occlusion device detachment system including a heating fuse element made of a material that melts when a current is applied that exceeds a predetermined maximum current threshold. An electrically conductive corewire connected proximate its distal end directly to the heating fuse element at a first electrical connection joint, while a separate insulated electrically conductive wire is electrically connected directly to the heating fuse element at a second electrical connection joint. An inner insulation sleeve placed over a distal section of the corewire covers the first electrical connection joint and is disposed between the insulated electrically conductive wire and the electrically conductive corewire. An outer insulation sleeve is disposed over a distal section of an assembly including the insulated electrically conductive wire, the inner insulation sleeve and the electrically conductive corewire. The outer insulation sleeve covers the second electrical connection joint.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device for effectively occluding blood flow and pressure to a vascular defect while simultaneously not occluding blood flow and pressure to adjacent vasculature is provided. The vascular occlusion device can include a tubular member that has variable porosity regions along its length. The tubular member can be formed of a plurality of filaments that have different cross-sectional shapes along their length that are indexed to the variable porosity regions along the length of the tubular member.

Abstract: A generally tubular braided flow diverting stent is formed of alternating round and rectangular elongated members, for treatment of aneurysms. The generally tubular braided flow diverting stent maintains a significant wall thickness while increasing area coverage of a vessel wall. Sliding of the round elongated members over the rectangular elongated members allows the stent to be crimped to very low diameters for delivery in narrow portions of the vasculature.

Abstract: Provided herein are a system, method, and apparatus for delivering a therapeutic device, e.g. an embolic coil, from a delivery tube at a target site in a patient's body. A heating element is disposed in the delivery tube that can be actuated remotely, and a layer of low temperature adhesive is applied at the heating element to retain the therapeutic device. The kicker in the form of, for example, a compressed spring is mounted within the delivery tube so as to be in contact with the therapeutic device for applying a constant ejector force that is countered by the adhesive force of the low temperature adhesive. When the heating element is actuated, the spring's ejector force overcomes the softened adhesive's adhesive force to force the therapeutic device out of the delivery tube.