Abstract: Self-expandable, woven intravascular devices for use as stents (both straight and tapered), filters (both temporary and permanent) and occluders for insertion and implantation into a variety of anatomical structures. The devices may be formed from shape memory metals such as nitinol. The devices may also be formed from biodegradable materials. Delivery systems for the devices include two hollow tubes that operate coaxially. A device is secured to the tubes prior to the implantation and delivery of the device by securing one end of the device to the outside of the inner tube and by securing the other end of the device to the outside of the outer tube. The stents may be partially or completely covered by graft materials, but may also be bare. The devices may be formed from a single wire. The devices may be formed by either hand or machine weaving.

Abstract: Self-expandable, woven intravascular devices for use as stents (both straight and tapered), filters (both temporary and permanent) and occluders for insertion and implantation into a variety of anatomical structures. The devices may be formed from shape memory metals such as nitinol. The devices may also be formed from biodegradable materials. Delivery systems for the devices include two hollow tubes that operate coaxially. A device is secured to the tubes prior to the implantation and delivery of the device by securing one end of the device to the outside of the inner tube and by securing the other end of the device to the outside of the outer tube. The stents may be partially or completely covered by graft materials, but may also be bare. The devices may be formed from a single wire. The devices may be formed by either hand or machine weaving.

Abstract: A retrieval device or snare for grasping foreign articles and retrieving them from the body of a patient. The retrieval device includes a catheter open at both ends such that it may be advanced along a guidewire. The distal end of a wire is attached to the first catheter near an opening system within the catheter. The opening system may be a slot or a pair of holes. A portion of the wire is oriented external of the catheter. Manipulation of the proximal end of the wire causes a portion of the wire to form a loop external of the catheter. The catheter may be tapered, as may be the wire. A reinforcing- material may be attached to the portion of the wire that forms the loop. Another reinforcing material may also be attached to the proximal portion of the wire in order to stiffen the wire and improve its pushability.

Abstract: An occlusion method and apparatus. The occluder includes a elastically deformable members and a jacket. The elastically deformable members are secured in spaced relation and extend in arcuate conformation therebetween. The jacket covers at least a portion of the elastically deformable members. The elastically deformable members are configured to become compressed upon application of a force and to recover the arcuate conformation upon removal of the force to occlude a site.

Abstract: Bifurcated and trifurcated woven stents for insertion and delivery into a variety of anatomical structures, including the aortic-iliac bifurcation, the superior vena cava junction, and the inferior vena cava junction. The bifurcated stents includes a first leg formed from a first plurality of wires, a second leg formed from a second plurality of wires, and a common body formed from the first and second pluralities of wires. The wires may be nitinol. Biodegradable filaments may also be utilized. The angles created between the crossed wires is preferably obtuse. A variety of delivery devices formed from differently-sized tubes, portions of which may operate co-axially with each other, are also included. The bifurcated stents may be formed from as few as two wires. The stents may be formed using plain weaving effected either by hand or by machine.

Abstract: An occlusion method and apparatus. The occluder includes a elastically deformable members and a jacket. The elastically deformable members are secured in spaced relation and extend in arcuate conformation therebetween. The jacket covers at least a portion of the elastically deformable members. The elastically deformable members are configured to become compressed upon application of a force and to recover the arcuate conformation upon removal of the force to occlude a site.

Abstract: A wire frame stent and stent delivery system for inserting the stent into the body.

Abstract: A wire frame stent and stent delivery system for inserting the stent into the body.

Abstract: A declotting method and apparatus. A declotting apparatus includes a catheter, a member positioned within the catheter, and a plurality of deformable members. The plurality of members bow and compress as the catheter slides relative to the member so that a site may be declotted. In another embodiment, a declotting apparatus includes a first and second catheter, a guidewire, a deformable jacket, and a liner. The deformable jacket expands and contracts as the first catheter slides relative to the second catheter so that a site may be declotted. The guidewire facilitates navigation, and the liner prevents material from entering the apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-stage graft for implantation into a blood vessel is disclosed. The multi-stage stent graft may be used to repair aortic aneurysms. Each stage or layer may comprise radially compressible spring portions. The inner stages may be provided with or without a fabric covering. Also disclosed is a coaxial delivery system for the delivery and endovascular assembly of the multi-stage stent graft.

Abstract: A closure prosthesis and transcatheter delivery system are disclosed, wherein the closure prosthesis seals across an opening of a fluid passageway within a living body. The closure prosthesis is a flexible disk including a flexible ring and diaphragm having a plurality of hollow flexible wire segments attached thereto. Delivery of the closure prosthesis is accomplished using a hollow sheath and a pusher catheter slidable within the sheath, wherein filaments are looped through the wire segments to releasably connect the disk to the pusher catheter. The disk is resiliently compressed within the sheath and, upon release therefrom, the disk resiliently expands into a larger, unrestrained shape. Tension applied to the filaments resiliently bends the wire segments so that they may be drawn through the opening of the defect. Upon releasing the filaments from the disk, the wire segments resiliently expand to trap the disk in place to seal across the opening.

Abstract: A wire frame stent and stent delivery system for inserting the stent into the body.

Abstract: A closure prosthesis and transcatheter delivery system includes a closure prosthesis for sealing across all opening of a fluid passageway within a living body. The closure prosthesis is a flexible disk including a flexible ring and diaphragm having a plurality of hollow flexible wire segments attached thereto. Delivery of the closure prosthesis is accomplished using a hollow sheath and a pusher catheter slidable within the sheath, wherein filaments are looped through the wire segments to releasably connect the disk to the pusher catheter. The disk is resiliently compressed within the sheath and, upon release therefrom, the disk resiliently expands into a larger, unrestrained shape. Tension applied to the filaments resiliently bends the wire segments so that they may be drawn through the opening of the defect. Upon releasing the filaments from the disk, the wire segments resiliently expand to trap the disk in place to seal across the opening.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve comprises a poppet, a seat and a restraining element. The poppet, seat and restraining element include an insertion form for percutaneously inserting into a fluid passageway within a living body and an operational form for operating within the fluid passageway. The valve is self-expanding so that upon insertion the valve automatically assumes the operational form. In the operational form the poppet is movably restrained between the valve seat and restraining element. The poppet seals against the valve seat to prevent fluid flow through the valve and unseats from the valve seat to permit fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: A flexible vena cava filter comprises a flexible stent having a plurality of flexible wire segments attached across the ends of the stent. The filter is resiliently compressible for percutaneous insertion into a fluid passageway and expands against the passageway upon placement therein. The filter includes different levels of filtration.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for incinerating successive batches of waste material are provided wherein each batch is introduced into a primary combustion zone and substochiometrically combusted with air introduced therein, the combustion gases produced in the primary combustion zone are conducted to a secondary combustion zone wherein they are combined with secondary air and further combusted and the combustion gases produced in the secondary combustion zone are withdrawn therefrom. By the present invention, the rate of secondary air combined with the combustion gases in the secondary combustion zone is controlled to maintain the combustion gases withdrawn therefrom at a substantially constant selected temperature level during the peak incineration stage of each waste batch.