Abstract: An anchor assembly configured to locate and anchor body tissue surrounding an opening in the body tissue. The anchor assembly can include a plurality of anchor elements. Each anchor element can include an elongate portion and an anchor portion extending from the elongate portion. The elongate portion can be configured to be manipulated by a user. The anchor portion can have a contracted configuration capable of passing through the opening in the body tissue and can have an expanded configuration capable of anchoring the body tissue surrounding the opening. The anchor portion and the elongate portion can be integrally formed from a single wire.

Abstract: An anchor assembly configured to locate and anchor body tissue surrounding an opening in the body tissue. The anchor assembly can include a plurality of anchor elements. Each anchor element can include an elongate portion and an anchor portion extending from the elongate portion. The elongate portion can be configured to be manipulated by a user. The anchor portion can have a contracted configuration capable of passing through the opening in the body tissue and can have an expanded configuration capable of anchoring the body tissue surrounding the opening. The anchor portion and the elongate portion can be integrally formed from a single wire.

Abstract: An anchor assembly configured to locate and anchor body tissue surrounding an opening in the body tissue. The anchor assembly can include a plurality of anchor elements. Each anchor element can include an elongate portion and an anchor portion extending from the elongate portion. The elongate portion can be configured to be manipulated by a user. The anchor portion can have a contracted configuration capable of passing through the opening in the body tissue and can have an expanded configuration capable of anchoring the body tissue surrounding the opening. The anchor portion and the elongate portion can be integrally formed from a single wire.

Abstract: A device is provided that provides flexibility to an assembly. The device includes a loop hinge that hinges by twisting a body of the loop hinge.

Abstract: A device is provided that provides flexibility to an assembly. The device includes a loop hinge that hinges by twisting a body of the loop hinge.

Abstract: An anchor assembly configured to locate and anchor body tissue surrounding an opening in the body tissue. The anchor assembly can include a plurality of anchor elements. Each anchor element can include an elongate portion and an anchor portion extending from the elongate portion. The elongate portion can be configured to be manipulated by a user. The anchor portion can have a contracted configuration capable of passing through the opening in the body tissue and can have an expanded configuration capable of anchoring the body tissue surrounding the opening. The anchor portion and the elongate portion can be integrally formed from a single wire.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an endoprosthesis are described. The method may include selecting an indication range based on a range of inner diameters of a body lumen. A nominal diameter of the endoprosthesis may be selected. A range of chronic outward force, a range of radial force, a range of safety factors, or combinations thereof may be selected. A design characteristic may be determined based on the indication range, the nominal diameter, and at least one of the range of chronic outward force, the range of radial force, and the range of safety factors. The endoprosthesis may be manufactured based on the determined design characteristic.

Abstract: A supplemental elasticity device is attached to an artery in the knee to replace lost elastic behavior. The supplemental elasticity device is attached near both ends of the vessel section which it is intended to compress. In this case, the vessel section extends from the adductor canal to below the knee joint. Supplemental elasticity device fixation can be achieved by tabs, spikes or hooks extending from the supplemental elasticity device or increased friction between the supplemental elasticity device and vessel wall, or a combination of both. To assist with maintaining hemostasis, the fixation points may include fabric patches on the supplemental elasticity device surface. The supplemental elasticity device can be deployed in an un-stretched or nominal length when the leg is bent. It is also possible to deploy when the leg is straight if the supplemental elasticity device is in an elongated configuration during deployment.

Abstract: A balloon catheter inflation system. And inflation device includes a housing defining a chamber for an inflation medium. The housing can be coupled to a balloon catheter that has two balloons. The housing can be coupled to the catheter such that the chamber is in fluid communication with the balloons. The inflation system further includes a valve configuration operatively associated with the chamber to provide a first pressure to one of the balloons and a second pressure to the other balloon by a single inflating action that moves the inflation medium from the chamber to the balloons. The balloons of a multiple balloon catheter can each be inflated to a different pressure substantially simultaneously by a single inflating action.

Abstract: An intravascular device such as a stent is placed in a plasma source ion implantation (PSII) chamber wherein a plasma of radioactive ions is introduced to surround the device. A negative potential is applied to the stent to accelerate the ions towards the device and implant them into the surface of the device, thereby rendering the device radioactive. The stent is next deployed intravascularly within a patient's body to maintain the patency of a blood vessel and irradiate the surrounding tissue to prevent the development of restenosis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter device for use in a biological conduit. The catheter device has a catheter body with a housing and a torque cable lumen, a torque cable, a work element, and a connector. The housing is flexible. The torque cable extends through the catheter body to the housing via the torque cable lumen and is capable of rotation and translation with respect to the catheter body. The work element is slidably positioned in the housing. The housing has an interior which guides the work element in response to rotation and translation of the torque cable. The connector attaches the work element to the torque cable. The connector is flexible to facilitate flexion between the work element and the torque cable when the housing flexes.

Abstract: A catheter includes a spring having a plurality of convolutions disposed along a longitudinal axis, and a first modulus. A sheath overlying the spring engages the convolutions of the spring and imparts to the spring axial compressive stresses which increase the modulus of the spring. The catheter can be manufactured by inserting the spring into a tube of Hytrel.RTM. material, stretching the tube at a transition region which advances along the tube causing the tube to neck down onto the spring. The stretching develops internal stresses which are ultimately imparted to the spring thereby increasing the modulus of the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter includes a spring having a plurality of convolutions disposed along a longitudinal axis, and a first modulus. A sheath overlying the spring engages the convolutions of the spring and imparts to the spring axial compressive stresses which increase the modulus of the spring. The catheter can be manufactured by inserting the spring into a tube of Hytrel.RTM. material, stretching the tube at a transition region which advances along thhe tube causing the tube to neck down onto the spring. The stretching develops internal stresses which are utimately imparted to the spring thereby increasing the modulus of the catheter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a variable fluid flow controller for regulating the rate of flow from a source of fluid under pressure, comprising a plurality of unique flow restriction passagways, a valve associated with each passageway, and a rotatable cam for selectively opening any one of the valves while maintaining the remaining valves closed. The flow restriction passageway preferably comprises a channel etched on the surface of a first silicon wafer and enclosed by a second wafer to form a fluid flow passageway, one of the first or second wafers having a plurality of apertures therethrough for intersecting the passageway at various distances along its length.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a valve body having first, second and vent ports and a generally tubular valve element having a peripheral wall with first, second and vent openings in the peripheral wall leading to the interior of the tubular valve element. The valve element is mounted in the valve body for rotational movement between first and second rotational positions and for axial movement between first and second axial positions. A pressure sensor is exposed to the fluid pressure within the valve body. In the first rotational position of the valve element, drip flow is provided between the first and second ports, and in the second rotational position, the vent port is open to provide communication between the pressure sensor and the atmosphere. To provide flush flow between the first and second ports, the valve element is moved to the second axial position.

Abstract: A transducer assembly comprising a transducer housing, a retainer mounted on the housing for generally axial movement relative to the housing and a collar for relatively moving the retainer and the housing along the path between a locking position and a releasing position. The transducer assembly also includes a dome which is coupled to the housing by cooperating lugs and retaining flanges on the dome and the retainer, respectively.