Abstract: A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a catheter system having a changeable or adjustable working length. The catheter system can comprise a proximal end, a distal end, and a first axial lumen configured to receive a guidewire formed through at least a portion of the catheter body. A first opening can be formed through a portion of the catheter body and be in communication with the first lumen. The sheath can be rotatable, axially movable, or otherwise changeable from at least a first position to a second position, wherein the sheath can substantially cover the first opening in the catheter body in the first position, and can substantially expose the first opening in the catheter body in the second position.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes an elongate flexible catheter body, a cutter near the distal end of the catheter body, a drive shaft connected to the cutter and extending within the catheter body, an imaging element near the distal end of the catheter body.

Abstract: A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes an elongate flexible catheter body, a cutter near the distal end of the catheter body, a drive shaft connected to the cutter and extending within the catheter body, an imaging element near the distal end of the catheter body and an imaging shaft connected to the imaging element and extending within the catheter body. The cutter and the imaging element are mechanically isolated, and the drive shaft is configured to be axially translated relative to the imaging shaft and the catheter body.

Abstract: Lumen support devices and methods of their use are provided. A lumen support includes one or more plastically deformable cells having two stable configurations with no stable configurations between the two stable configurations. The lumen support device may be plastically deformed to other stable configurations.

Abstract: A stent may include a connector having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion positioned between the first and second portions. The connector may be configured to interconnect axially adjacent stent segments. The connector may be further configured such that the third portion severs in response to a threshold amount of axial force, axial foreshortening, and/or cyclic loading or fatigue, in order to predispose the severance of one or more pre-configured connectors in a controlled manner to minimize any potential harm to the surrounding vasculature of a patient.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes an elongate flexible catheter body, a cutter near the distal end of the catheter body, a drive shaft connected to the cutter and extending within the catheter body, an imaging element near the distal end of the catheter body and an imaging shaft connected to the imaging element and extending within the catheter body. The cutter and the imaging element are mechanically isolated, and the drive shaft is configured to be axially translated relative to the imaging shaft and the catheter body.

Abstract: A convertible catheter for use as a nephrouretheral stent, biliary stent, or other structure for maintaining patency of a bodily lumen is disclosed. After initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted stent within the patient.

Abstract: A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.

Abstract: An expandable, bistable open cell design incorporates the following features: a first relatively stiff portion (152) having first and second ends and a first relatively flexible portion (154) connected to the first and second ends of the first relatively stiff portion, the first relatively stiff portion and the first relatively flexible portion substantially surrounding a first open area (156) of the stent structure; a second relatively stiff portion (158) having first and second ends and a second relatively flexible portion (160) connected to the first and second ends of the first relatively stiff portion, the first relatively stiff portion and the first relatively flexible portion substantially surrounding a second open area (162) of the stent structure; and an opening (110) formed through the first relatively stiff portion and the second relatively flexible portion such that the opening connects the first and second open areas, thereby creating first and second intermediate ends (152a, 152b) of the first r

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably engaging an implantable medical device during delivery includes an elongate, tubular body having an open distal end a plurality of deflectable jaw members extending distally from the distal end of the body and terminating in distal tip portions, and an actuating member slidably disposed within the body and including a distal end portion operable to prevent inward deflection of the jaw members when positioned proximate the distal tip portions. The jaw members are adapted to releasably engage an engagement feature of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: Lumen support devices and methods of their use are provided. A lumen support includes one or more plastically deformable cells having two stable configurations with no stable configurations between the two stable configurations. The lumen support device may be plastically deformed to other stable configurations.

Abstract: An expandable, bistable open cell design incorporates the following features: a first relatively stiff portion (152) having first and second ends and a first relatively flexible portion (154) connected to the first and second ends of the first relatively stiff portion, the first relatively stiff portion and the first relatively flexible portion substantially surrounding a first open area (156) of the stent structure; a second relatively stiff portion (158) having first and second ends and a second relatively flexible portion (160) connected to the first and second ends of the first relatively stiff portion, the first relatively stiff portion and the first relatively flexible portion substantially surrounding a second open area (162) of the stent structure; and an opening (110) formed through the first relatively stiff portion and the second relatively flexible portion such that the opening connects the first and second open areas, thereby creating first and second intermediate ends (152a, 152b) of the first r

Abstract: A drug eluting stent can include a stent body having a polymeric coating with a lipophilic and/or hydrophilic element. A drug that has a bioactivity that inhibits cell proliferation can be disposed in the polymeric coating. The drug can be present in the polymer at an amount greater than or equal to about 150 ?g/cm2. The polymeric coating and drug are configured to cooperate so as to form a diffusion pathway with tissue when the stent is disposed in a body lumen such that the drug preferentially diffuses into the tissue over a body fluid passing through the body lumen such that a maximum systemic blood concentration of the drug is less than about 40 ng/ml.

Abstract: A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.

Abstract: A stent may include a connector having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion positioned between the first and second portions. The connector may be configured to interconnect axially adjacent stent segments. The connector may be further configured such that the third portion severs in response to a threshold amount of axial force, axial foreshortening, and/or cyclic loading or fatigue, in order to predispose the severance of one or more pre-configured connectors in a controlled manner to minimize any potential harm to the surrounding vasculature of a patient.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes an elongate flexible catheter body, a cutter near the distal end of the catheter body, a drive shaft connected to the cutter and extending within the catheter body, an imaging element near the distal end of the catheter body and an imaging shaft connected to the imaging element and extending within the catheter body. The cutter and the imaging element are mechanically isolated, and the drive shaft is configured to be axially translated relative to the imaging shaft and the catheter body.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably engaging an implantable medical device during delivery includes an elongate, tubular body having an open distal end a plurality of deflectable jaw members extending distally from the distal end of the body and terminating in distal tip portions, and an actuating member slidably disposed within the body and including a distal end portion operable to prevent inward deflection of the jaw members when positioned proximate the distal tip portions. The jaw members are adapted to releasably engage an engagement feature of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably engaging an implantable medical device during delivery includes an elongate, tubular body having an open distal end a plurality of deflectable jaw members extending distally from the distal end of the body and terminating in distal tip portions, and an actuating member slidably disposed within the body and including a distal end portion operable to prevent inward deflection of the jaw members when positioned proximate the distal tip portions. The jaw members are adapted to releasably engage an engagement feature of the implantable medical device.