Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil detachably mounts the therapeutic device to a distal portion of a pusher member. In one embodiment, the therapeutic device is detachably mounted to the distal portion of the pusher member by a tubular collar that can be heated by a heater such as an electrical resistance coil to expand the collar and release and deploy the therapeutic device. The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil may also provide for a pusher member and a connector fiber for securing the therapeutic device to the pusher member. The connector fiber passes through a heater within the distal portion of the pusher member, for heating and breaking the connector fiber to release the therapeutic device when a desired placement of the therapeutic device within the vasculature is achieved.

Abstract: Detection and characterization of laser-induced heat affected zones on polymer based devices, such as polymeric stents, are described where Nano Thermal Analysis may be used with atomic force microscopy to obtain the thermal behavior of materials with a spatial resolution of under, e.g., 100 nm. Heat may be applied locally to the measured polymeric stem via a probe tip and the resulting thermal-mechanical response can be measured.

Abstract: A method of treating a disorder in a patient is provided. The method comprises delivering a stimulation lead within a blood vessel, intralumenally puncturing a wall of the blood vessel to create an exit point, and then introducing the stimulation lead through the exit point into direct contact with tissue the stimulation of which treats the disorder. Optionally, the method comprises implanting a source of stimulation within the patient's body, and then electrically coupling the proximal end of the stimulation lead to the implanted stimulation source. Using the stimulation lead, the tissue can then be stimulated in order to treat the disorder.

Abstract: An embodiment is a catheter comprising a first elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a first lumen therethrough, a wire having a proximal end and a distal end at least partially disposed in the first elongate shaft, the distal end extending distally from the first elongate shaft, and a motion control apparatus connected to the proximal end of the wire, further comprising a device attached to the distal end of the wire for changing the shape of an embolus, wherein the device is configured to change the shape of the embolus to unclog a distal catheter lumen.

Abstract: A medical system includes an inner core and an imager located at the distal end of the inner core, wherein the imager is extendable from within an elongated tubular member and configured to penetrate a body tissue within a living body. The elongated tubular member is configured to slideably receive the inner core. The inner core is configured to rotate radially around a longitudinal axis of the elongated member, and the imager can be configured to image a body tissue and output an image signal to an imaging system communicatively coupled with the imager. The imaging system is configured to generate an image of the body tissue from the image signal of the imager when the imager is rotated and placed into contact with the body tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are vaso-occlusive devices for forming occluding the vasculature of a patient. More particularly, disclosed herein are vaso-occlusive devices comprising at least one polymer structure and methods of making and using these devices.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil detachably mounts the therapeutic device to a distal portion of a pusher member. In one embodiment, the therapeutic device is detachably mounted to the distal portion of the pusher member by a tubular collar that can be heated by a heater such as an electrical resistance coil to expand the collar and release and deploy the therapeutic device. The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil may also provide for a pusher member and a connector fiber for securing the therapeutic device to the pusher member. The connector fiber passes through a heater within the distal portion of the pusher member, for heating and breaking the connector fiber to release the therapeutic device when a desired placement of the therapeutic device within the vasculature is achieved.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil detachably mounts the therapeutic device to a distal portion of a pusher member. In one embodiment, the therapeutic device is detachably mounted to the distal portion of the pusher member by a tubular collar that can be heated by a heater such as an electrical resistance coil to expand the collar and release and deploy the therapeutic device. The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil may also provide for a pusher member and a connector fiber for securing the therapeutic device to the pusher member. The connector fiber passes through a heater within the distal portion of the pusher member, for heating and breaking the connector fiber to release the therapeutic device when a desired placement of the therapeutic device within the vasculature is achieved.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil detachably mounts the therapeutic device to a distal portion of a pusher member. In one embodiment, the therapeutic device is detachably mounted to the distal portion of the pusher member by a tubular collar that can be heated by a heater such as an electrical resistance coil to expand the collar and release and deploy the therapeutic device. The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil may also provide for a pusher member and a connector fiber for securing the therapeutic device to the pusher member. The connector fiber passes through a heater within the distal portion of the pusher member, for heating and breaking the connector fiber to release the therapeutic device when a desired placement of the therapeutic device within the vasculature is achieved.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of an intravascular therapeutic device, includes an elongated, flexible pusher member and a therapeutic device connected to a severable portion of a first connector member mounted to the flexible pusher member with an elongated second connector member connected to the therapeutic device. The first connector member or second connector member may be capable of being broken by heat, and a heat source is provided for heating and breaking the first connector member or the second connector member to release the therapeutic device.

Abstract: A stent assembly comprises an expandable stent having a first stent backbone which extends from the proximal end of the stent to the distal end of the stent. The stent comprises a first stent back bone oriented in a direction which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent, and a plurality of interconnected first stent members and second stent members. Each of the first stent members is oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction in the unexpanded state and the expanded state. Each of the second stent members is oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction in the unexpanded state and oriented in a substantially circumferential direction in the expanded state. The first stent backbone has a greater column strength than that of the plurality of interconnected stent members.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil detachably mounts the therapeutic device to a distal portion of a pusher member. In one embodiment, the therapeutic device is detachably mounted to the distal portion of the pusher member by a tubular collar that can be heated by a heater such as an electrical resistance coil to expand the collar and release and deploy the therapeutic device. The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil may also provide for a pusher member and a connector fiber for securing the therapeutic device to the pusher member. The connector fiber passes through a heater within the distal portion of the pusher member, for heating and breaking the connector fiber to release the therapeutic device when a desired placement of the therapeutic device within the vasculature is achieved.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil detachably mounts the therapeutic device to a distal portion of a pusher member. In one embodiment, the therapeutic device is detachably mounted to the distal portion of the pusher member by a tubular collar that can be heated by a heater such as an electrical resistance coil to expand the collar and release and deploy the therapeutic device. The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil may also provide for a pusher member and a connector fiber for securing the therapeutic device to the pusher member. The connector fiber passes through a heater within the distal portion of the pusher member, for heating and breaking the connector fiber to release the therapeutic device when a desired placement of the therapeutic device within the vasculature is achieved.

Abstract: A vaso-occlusive delivery device includes an elongate delivery member which may take the form of a core wire. An actuating member is disposed at or adjacent to the distal end of the delivery member. The actuating member includes an electroactive polymer that can be selectively biased to an expanded or non-expanded state by application of direct current of different polarities. A vaso-occlusive device such as a coil may be detachably secured to the delivery device by expanding the actuating member within a proximal end of the coil to form an interference or friction fit using a first direct current polarity. The coil may be disengaged from the delivery member by application of direct current of a second, opposite polarity.

Abstract: Sterilization methods for implantable prostheses are described where a polymeric stent may be sterilized, e.g., via ETO sterilization, at a temperature below a glass transition temperature of the stent. A separate delivery catheter may be sterilized separately and the stent and delivery catheter may then be combined in an aseptic or semi-aseptic environment and sterilized as an assembled system such that the requirements for sterilizing the system are relatively lower. Additionally and/or alternatively, valve and filter assemblies may be used with an optional mandrel assembly for maintaining sterility of the internal components of a catheter system.

Abstract: A medical system is a medical device, such as a catheter, that includes an inner core and an imager that is extendable from within an elongated tubular member and configured to penetrate a body tissue within a living body. The elongated tubular member has a distal end and is configured to slideably receive the inner core. The distal end is further configured to allow the inner core to advance outside the elongated member. The inner core has a distal end and is configured to rotate radially around a longitudinal axis of the elongated member. The device can further include an imager located at the distal end of the inner core, and the imager can be configured to image a body tissue and output an image signal to an imaging system communicatively coupled with the imager. The imaging system is configured to generate an image of the body tissue from the image signal of the imager when the imager is rotated and placed into contact with the body tissue such that the imager penetrates the body tissue.

Abstract: Drug delivery systems which are configured to retain and then distribute one or more drugs upon an actuating surface and/or balloon for delivery to a tissue region are described herein. The drug delivery system may comprise in one variation a volume of one or more drugs held in a reservoir, e.g., a silo, which may be located proximally of the expandable actuating surface and/or balloon. The one or more drugs may be separated from one another by valves or immiscible fluid barriers for distribution upon the surface, which may be varied in pore distribution, have a coating or covering for facilitating drug distribution, etc.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of an intravascular therapeutic device, includes an elongated, flexible pusher member and a therapeutic device connected to a severable portion of a first connector member mounted to the flexible pusher member with an elongated second connector member connected to the therapeutic device. The first connector member or second connector member may be capable of being broken by heat, and a heat source is provided for heating and breaking the first connector member or the second connector member to release the therapeutic device.

Abstract: A medical system is a medical device, such as a catheter, that includes an inner core and an imager that is extendable from within an elongated tubular member and configured to penetrate a body tissue within a living body. The elongated tubular member has a distal end and is configured to slideably receive the inner core. The distal end is further configured to allow the inner core to advance outside the elongated member. The inner core has a distal end and is configured to rotate radially around a longitudinal axis of the elongated member. The device can further include an imager located at the distal end of the inner core, and the imager can be configured to image a body tissue and output an image signal to an imaging system communicatively coupled with the imager. The imaging system is configured to generate an image of the body tissue from the image signal of the imager when the imager is rotated and placed into contact with the body tissue such that the imager penetrates the body tissue.

Abstract: Composite stent structures having multi-axial flexibility are described where the composite stent may have one or more layers of bioabsorbable polymers fabricated with the desired characteristics for implantation within a vessel. A number of individual ring structures separated from one another may be encased between a base polymeric layer and an overlaid polymeric layer such that the rings are coupled to one another via elastomeric segments which enable the composite stent to flex axially and rotationally along with the vessel. Each layer may have a characteristic that individually provides a certain aspect of mechanical behavior to the composite stent such that the aggregate layers form a composite polymeric stent structure capable of withstanding complex, multi-axial loading conditions imparted by an anatomical environment such as the SFA.