Abstract: A catheter system comprises a catheter comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion and an inner shaft. The inner shaft comprises a medical device receiving region for receiving and carrying a medical device. The retaining device is at least partially constructed of an electroactive polymer. The retaining device is located on or adjacent to the medical device receiving region. The electroactive polymer of the retaining device has an activated state and an inactivated state. The retaining device is capable of retaining a medical device to the catheter and releasing the medical device from the catheter by transitioning between the activated state and the inactivated state.

Abstract: A catheter tip has an outer surface section, an inner surface section, a spatial configuration and at least one segment of electroactive polymer. The inner surface section defines a guide wire lumen. The electroactive polymer has an actuated state and a non-actuated state. In an actuated state, the electroactive polymer alters the spatial configuration of the catheter tip.

Abstract: Surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods that are used for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue, adjusting the length of implant components, and cutting the implant to a desired length.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods. Such devices can include retractors, introducers, and other devices for accessing desired areas of a patient's anatomy.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter shaft having a proximal region a distal region and a rotational seal therebetween. The rotational seal comprises a first component fixedly engaged to the proximal region and a second component fixedly engaged to the distal region. The components engaged in an overlapping arrangement. The rotational seal is actuatable between a non-activated and activated states. In the non-activated state the first component and the second component are separated by a gap which provides for the distal region of the catheter shaft to be rotatable relative to the proximal region. In the activated state at least a portion of the first component and the second component being sealingly engaged together such that distal region is made static relative to the proximal region.

Abstract: A stent can comprise a tubular body having a first region and a second region. The tubular body is defined by a plurality of serpentine bands. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of alternating proximal turns and distal turns connected by struts. The second region comprises a first serpentine band and a second serpentine band that overlap one another about a common stent circumference. The first region comprises a serpentine band that is not overlapped by another serpentine band about a common stent circumference.

Abstract: A catheter assembly adapted to treat a vessel bifurcation. A balloon member of the catheter assembly includes a main body portion and a cylindrical shaped bulge portion that extends radially outward from the main body portion. The bulge portion extends around a circumference of the main body portion. A stent of the catheter assembly is typically mounted to the balloon member. When treating the vessel bifurcation, the catheter assembly is positioned with the bulge portion aligned axially relative to an ostium of the branch vessel. The balloon member is inflated to expand a portion of the stent into the branch vessel. The circumferential construction of the bulge portion of the balloon member reduces the need for radial (rotational) alignment of the balloon member relative to the ostium of the branch vessel.

Abstract: A balloon catheter stent deployment system is disclosed wherein a balloon catheter is provided and a tubular stent is crimped onto a distal portion of the balloon with a distal end of the stent in close proximity to a point where the distal end of the balloon is attached to the inner tube of the catheter. A proximal section of the balloon extending from a proximal end of the stent to a point where the proximal end of the balloon is attached to the outer shaft of the catheter remains uncovered by the stent and, has a larger uninflated outer diameter than the crimped stent. Thus, in some embodiments, the proximal section of the balloon provides a protective cone for the proximal end of the stent to help resist frictional forces from disengaging the stent from the balloon in the event the balloon catheter and stent are withdrawn back into a guide catheter during a procedure.

Abstract: A post dilatation balloon catheter includes a balloon member having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a circumferential bulge portion. The circumferential bulge portion extends around a circumference of the balloon member and is positioned at a location between the proximal and distal portions of the balloon member. The circumferential bulge portion inflates to a maximum inflated dimension that is greater than a maximum dimension of the proximal and distal portions of the balloon member. The balloon member is arranged into a folded state by folding at least one of the distal and proximal portions of the balloon member in a separate step from folding the circumferential bulge portion.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the invention relates to medical devices which comprise at least one reservoir, a therapeutic-agent-containing region disposed within the reservoir and an electrode comprising a conductive polymer. The devices of the invention are configured such that a rate of release of the therapeutic agent from the reservoir changes upon a change in the oxidation state of the conductive polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems and methods for use with cardiac defects. A closure device includes an elongate body with a first actuator segment and a second actuator segment associated with the elongate body that can be bent into a first predetermined position and then to a second predetermined position where the distal end and the proximal end are more closely positioned than when in the first predetermined position.

Abstract: A stent may comprise a plurality of serpentine bands that overlap along the length of the stent. Each serpentine band may comprise a plurality of alternating first struts and second struts connected by a plurality of alternating proximal turns and distal turns. Each first strut defines a curvilinear path different from that of each second strut.

Abstract: The stent placement dilation balloon assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end, a distal end portion, and a proximal end, a balloon mounted to, about, and around the distal end portion of the catheter. The assembly further includes an elastic sheath positioned about and around the balloon. The outer surface of the sheath includes a profile which encourages stent securement. A stent is mounted on the sleeve for placement in a vessel in a human body.

Abstract: A unitary or homogeneous patterned implant is provided. The implant is constructed of patterned cells formed by way of a molding, die casting, laser etching, laser cutting, extruding, and the like. Portions of the implant can be formed into sinusoid or other waveform strut members to control and promote elongation, expansion or contraction along single or multiple axes. As such, controlled and designated stress, tension and compression distribution is promoted across specific or localized areas of the implant.

Abstract: A system and method of occluding a reproductive body lumen (34) to prevent the passage of reproductive cells through body lumen is disclosed. The system can include a catheter delivery system (10) having a handle device (18), a catheter (10) operatively coupled with the handle device (20), and an occluding device adapted for deployment within the body lumen. The handle device can include a damper device adapted to reduce the vibration on the handle device from deployment of the occluding device from the catheter. Further, the handle device can include an indexing member operatively coupled with the catheter to provide indexing of the catheter.

Abstract: Medical devices or components thereof having electroactive polymer actuators embedded within at least a portion of the device of component thereof, and novel electroactive polymer actuators formed with a conductive substrate layer and an electroactive polymer layer, the electroactive polymer actuated upon application of a voltage to surrounding liquid electrolyte, the actuators may be embedded within an inert polymer matrix material, or within solid polyelectrolyte matrix material.

Abstract: Embodiments of elongate pelvic implants and methods for treating pelvic conditions, such as incontinence, are provided. The implants can include a tissue support portion, one or more extension portions and one or more anchors. The implant is constructed as a unitary sling implant. The implant can be constructed or formed in a generally elongate shape to provide a lattice support structure of repeated cells.