Abstract: A catheter apparatus and a method for using the catheter apparatus to implant a prosthetic aortic valve into a patient. The catheter apparatus includes a handle assembly and a catheter assembly. The catheter assembly has an outer sheath which defines a sheath cavity within which a pusher is positioned, an outer shaft coupled to a slider of the handle assembly and to the sheath cavity, and an inner shaft to which the pusher is attached. A self-expanding prosthetic valve is positioned in the outer sheath and coupled to the pusher. Actuation of the handle causes the slider and the outer sheath to move in a proximal axial direction to expose and deploy the self-expanding prosthetic valve. The self-expanding prosthetic valve may have tabs that are engaged with indents of the pusher such that the tabs are released sequentially during deployment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a denture base having a plurality of tooth socket compartments where one or more of the tooth socket compartments comprises a convex surface configured in step-like structure, and one or more prominences on the step-like structure. The invention further relates to a dental prosthesis including the denture base, at least one bonding agent, and a plurality of artificial teeth. Artificial teeth are bonded within tooth socket compartments such that each artificial tooth can rest upon the top of each prominence in the tooth socket compartment, maintaining a predetermined amount of bonding agent between the artificial tooth and the denture base. The denture base and dental prosthesis of the invention can better address the need for easier, more efficient and reliable set-up of artificial teeth in a denture base, and ensuring more consistent and predictable bonding of artificial teeth in a denture base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a denture base having a plurality of tooth socket compartments where one or more of the tooth socket compartments comprises a convex surface configured in step-like structure, and one or more prominences on the step-like structure. The invention further relates to a dental prosthesis including the denture base, at least one bonding agent, and a plurality of artificial teeth. Artificial teeth are bonded within tooth socket compartments such that each artificial tooth can rest upon the top of each prominence in the tooth socket compartment, maintaining a predetermined amount of bonding agent between the artificial tooth and the denture base. The denture base and dental prosthesis of the invention can better address the need for easier, more efficient and reliable set-up of artificial teeth in a denture base, and ensuring more consistent and predictable bonding of artificial teeth in a denture base.

Abstract: A device suitable for removing material from a living being is provided, featuring at least an aspiration pump, powered by a motor. The aspiration pump and any optional infusate pump preferably feature a helical pumping mechanism, and operate at a high rate of rotation, thereby ensuring adequate pumping performance and flexibility. The helical pumping mechanism may be a helical coiled wire about a central core tube. The helical coil wire, whether together with, or independent of, the core tube, may be rotated to cause a pumping action. Additionally, a narrow crossing profile is maintained, ensuring that the device may reach more tortuous regions of the vasculature. In one embodiment, the system comprises a wire-guided mono-rail catheter with a working head mounted on a flexible portion of the catheter that can laterally displace away from the guide wire to facilitate thrombus removal.

Abstract: A device suitable for removing material from a living being is provided, featuring at least an aspiration pump, powered by a motor. The aspiration pump and any optional infusate pump preferably feature a helical pumping mechanism, and operate at a high rate of rotation, thereby ensuring adequate pumping performance and flexibility. The helical pumping mechanism may be a helical coiled wire about a central core tube. The helical coil wire, whether together with, or independent of, the core tube, may be rotated to cause a pumping action. Additionally, a narrow crossing profile is maintained, ensuring that the device may reach more tortuous regions of the vasculature. In one embodiment, the system comprises a wire-guided mono-rail catheter with a working head mounted on a flexible portion of the catheter that can laterally displace away from the guide wire to facilitate thrombus removal.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a catheter or sheath assembly and a method for manufacturing same. The manufacturing process includes obtaining a catheter or sheath having a distal end and a proximal end, and obtaining a hub pre-formed separately from the catheter or sheath. The hub can include a pre-formed receptacle portion configured to receive a portion of the catheter or sheath. A portion of the catheter or sheath can be inserted into the pre-formed receptacle portion of the hub. The receptacle portion can be melted to a semi-fluid state and can be compressed against the portion of the catheter or sheath in the hub.

Abstract: A device suitable for removing material from a living being is provided, featuring at least an aspiration pump, powered by a motor. The aspiration pump and any optional infusate pump preferably feature a helical pumping mechanism, and operate at a high rate of rotation, thereby ensuring adequate pumping performance and flexibility. The helical pumping mechanism may be a helical coiled wire about a central core tube. The helical coil wire, whether together with, or independent of, the core tube, may be rotated to cause a pumping action. Additionally, a narrow crossing profile is maintained, ensuring that the device may reach more tortuous regions of the vasculature. In one embodiment, the system comprises a wire-guided mono-rail catheter with a working head mounted on a flexible portion of the catheter that can laterally displace away from the guide wire to facilitate thrombus removal.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to a dilator centering device and assemblies and methods using same. In particular, a dilator centering device in accordance with the disclosed technology can be used with a sheath hub assembly. In one embodiment, a dilator centering device includes a lumen capable of receiving a dilator shaft and centering a dilator shaft with respect to the sheath hub as the dilator shaft enters the sheath hub. In one embodiment, the dilator centering device can be attached to the sheath hub during manufacturing or it can be attached at the use site. In one embodiment, the dilator centering device can be integrated with and non-removable from the sheath hub. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and do not limit the scope and spirit of the disclosed technology.

Abstract: A device suitable for removing material from a living being is provided, featuring at least an aspiration pump, powered by a motor. The aspiration pump and any optional infusate pump preferably feature a helical pumping mechanism, and operate at a high rate of rotation, thereby ensuring adequate pumping performance and flexibility. The helical pumping mechanism may be a helical coiled wire about a central core tube. The helical coil wire, whether together with, or independent of, the core tube, may be rotated to cause a pumping action. Additionally, a narrow crossing profile is maintained, ensuring that the device may reach more tortuous regions of the vasculature. In one embodiment, the system comprises a wire-guided mono-rail catheter with a working head mounted on a flexible portion of the catheter that can laterally displace away from the guide wire to facilitate thrombus removal.

Abstract: A device suitable for removing material from a living being is provided, featuring at least an aspiration pump, powered by a motor. The aspiration pump and any optional infusate pump preferably feature a helical pumping mechanism, and operate at a high rate of rotation, thereby ensuring adequate pumping performance and flexibility. The helical pumping mechanism may be a helical coiled wire about a central core tube. The helical coil wire, whether together with, or independent of, the core tube, may be rotated to cause a pumping action. Additionally, a narrow crossing profile is maintained, ensuring that the device may reach more tortuous regions of the vasculature. In one embodiment, the system comprises a wire-guided mono-rail catheter with a working head mounted on a flexible portion of the catheter that can laterally displace away from the guide wire to facilitate thrombus removal.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to a dilator centering device and assemblies and methods using same. In particular, a dilator centering device in accordance with the disclosed technology can be used with a sheath hub assembly. In one embodiment, a dilator centering device includes a lumen capable of receiving a dilator shaft and centering a dilator shaft with respect to the sheath hub as the dilator shaft enters the sheath hub. In one embodiment, the dilator centering device can be attached to the sheath hub during manufacturing or it can be attached at the use site. In one embodiment, the dilator centering device can be integrated with and non-removable from the sheath hub. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and do not limit the scope and spirit of the disclosed technology.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dual diameter guide wire that is steerable inside the lumen of a patient, and provides greater ability to access small areas such as the interior of a needle, or the interior of a patient's lumen such as small blood vessels, thereby improving access to a patient's body during interventional procedures. The present invention is also directed to medical devices for interventional applications, methods of accessing the interior of a lumen of a patient's body and methods of preparing a guide wire.

Abstract: An apparatus for modulating the pressure of a fluid such as a gas within the expandable portion of a guide wire catheter. A preferred embodiment apparatus features a mechanism for controllably gripping and releasing the open, proximal end of a tubular guide wire, a mechanism for introducing a fluid to a desired pressure and volume into the expandable portion of the tubular guide wire through the open end, and, while maintaining the pressure and volume of fluid in the tubular guide wire, a mechanism for introducing a sealing member into the open end of the tubular guide wire to seal the fluid in the tubular guide wire. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus also features a deflation tool for piercing the seal and letting the fluid out. Using this apparatus, the tubular guide wire can be re-sealed and re-opened as necessary.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an active handle assembly for use in a bidirectional steerable surgical instrument having a deflectable distal end. Typically, the surgical instrument includes a handle component which the user manipulates to cause a distal end of the instrument to deflect. The distal end comprises an end tip portion of a shaft which extends outwardly from the handle. A control mechanism is disposed within the handle and extends through the shaft for selectively controlling the direction and degree of deflection at the distal end. For example, one exemplary control mechanism uses control or steering wires to deflect the distal end. The active counterforce mechanism according to the present invention is designed to be used in combination with the control mechanism and provides a force which counters the return to center force generated by the deflection of the shaft at the distal end thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an active handle assembly for use in a bidirectional steerable surgical instrument having a deflectable distal end. Typically, the surgical instrument includes a handle component which the user manipulates to cause a distal end of the instrument to deflect. The distal end comprises an end tip portion of a shaft which extends outwardly from the handle. A control mechanism is disposed within the handle and extends through the shaft for selectively controlling the direction and degree of deflection at the distal end. For example, one exemplary control mechanism uses control or steering wires to deflect the distal end. The active counterforce mechanism according to the present invention is designed to be used in combination with the control mechanism and provides a force which counters the return to center force generated by the deflection of the shaft at the distal end thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an active handle assembly for use in a bidirectional steerable surgical instrument having a deflectable distal end. Typically, the surgical instrument includes a handle component which the user manipulates to cause a distal end of the instrument to deflect. The distal end comprises an end tip portion of a shaft which extends outwardly from the handle. A control mechanism is disposed within the handle and extends through the shaft for selectively controlling the direction and degree of deflection at the distal end. For example, one exemplary control mechanism uses control or steering wires to deflect the distal end. The active counterforce mechanism according to the present invention is designed to be used in combination with the control mechanism and provides a force which counters the return to center force generated by the deflection of the shaft at the distal end thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an active handle assembly for use in a bidirectional steerable surgical instrument having a deflectable distal end. Typically, the surgical instrument includes a handle component which the user manipulates to cause a distal end of the instrument to deflect. The distal end comprises an end tip portion of a shaft which extends outwardly from the handle. A control mechanism is disposed within the handle and extends through the shaft for selectively controlling the direction and degree of deflection at the distal end. For example, one exemplary control mechanism uses control or steering wires to deflect the distal end. The active counterforce mechanism according to the present invention is designed to be used in combination with the control mechanism and provides a force which counters the return to center force generated by the deflection of the shaft at the distal end thereof.