Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for affecting nerve function in the carotid body, renal nerves, and other nerves. Syringes, endovascular catheters, drug-eluting balloons, drug-eluting stents, and agent delivery patches are used to deliver a neuromodulatory agent to one or more nerves in order to treat a disease state.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting blood clots, plaque, and other debris in arteries or veins, said apparatus comprising: a filter assembly having a chamber with a paddle assembly and a porous floor disposed therein; and tubes for coupling said filter assembly to an artery and to a vein.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus captures thromboembolic material in the arterial and venous circulation. The apparatus includes an inner hollow tube and an outer hollow tube in sliding engagement with the inner hollow tube. A radially expandable segment, such as an inflatable balloon, is attached near the distal end of the catheter. One end portion of the balloon is attached to the inner tube and the other end portion is attached to the outer tube. When the catheter is advanced through a vessel to be treated, the balloon is deflated and the outer tube is slidably advanced to a storage position so that the balloon compactly surrounds the catheter. When the catheter is in place within the vessel, the outer tube is slidably advanced to a treatment position and the balloon is inflated. As the vessel is treated, the inflated balloon captures and contains thromboembolic particles that may be released, and the particles are suctioned out of the patient through apertures located in the outer hollow tube proximal to the balloon.

Abstract: An endovascular stent graft is provided for use in treating abdominal aortic aneurysms. The endovascular stent has a tapered section which allows it to accommodate markedly large aortas such as the abdominal aorta and still connects to standard modular aortic stent grafts. Methods of utilizing the stent to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms and distal iliac aneurysms are also provided.

Abstract: A thromboembolic capturing system captures thromboemboli in the arterial and venous circulation. A vascular tube such as a guidewire includes a porous filter at is distal end. The filter is collapsible, capable of maintaining open and closed configurations when placed within a vessel. Opening and closing of the filter is controlled by strings or sutures running through the tube. The filter is able to retain captured thromboembolic material in conjunction with angioplasty or interventional cardiovascular procedure. When the tube comprises a guidewire, it is of sufficient strength, torquability and softness to be used for angioplasty, stent placement and other interventional procedures.

Abstract: A vascular catheter including a radially expandable segment, such as an inflatable balloon, and an expanded distal tip having an increased storage volume is disclosed. The inflatable balloon segment of the catheter may be used to provide traditional balloon angioplasty to a portion of a blood vessel narrowed by stenosis, and the expanded distal tip of the catheter apparatus may be used to safely capture, store, and remove a thromboembolic protection device such as an embolic filter used to catch pieces of plaque and other embolic material dislodged during the balloon angioplasty procedure. The catheter of the present invention provides an effective means for dilating a narrowed portion of a blood vessel, as well as preventing the need for deploying a second catheter system to capture and retrieve the embolic filter. The present invention also greatly reduces the chance for plaque and other thromboembolic material to escape from the embolic filter and enter the patient's bloodstream.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus captures thromboembolic material in the arterial and venous circulation. The apparatus includes an inner hollow tube and an outer hollow tube in sliding engagement with the inner hollow tube. A radially expandable segment, such as an inflatable balloon, is attached near the distal end of the catheter. One end portion of the balloon is attached to the inner tube and the other end portion is attached to the outer tube. When the catheter is advanced through a vessel to be treated, the balloon is deflated and the outer tube is slidably advanced to a storage position so that the balloon compactly surrounds the catheter. When the catheter is in place within the vessel, the outer tube is slidably advanced to a treatment position and the balloon is inflated. As the vessel is treated, the inflated balloon captures and contains thromboembolic particles that may be released, and the particles are suctioned out of the patient through apertures located in the outer hollow tube proximal to the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved endovascular stent. The endovascular stent is to be used in treating abdominal aortic aneurysms. The endovascular stent has a tapered section which allows it to accommodate markedly large aortas such as the abdominal aorta and still connect to standard modular aortic stent grafts. Methods of utilizing the stent to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms and distal iliac aneurysms are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting blood clots, plaque, and other debris in arteries or veins, said apparatus comprising: a filter assembly having a chamber with a paddle assembly and a porous floor disposed therein; and tubes for coupling said filter assembly to an artery and to a vein.

Abstract: An intraluminal graft and method for inserting the same are provided including a biocompatible body, anchors attached to surface of the body, and an engine that includes an engine coil positioned within and attached to the body. The coil also is configured for attachment to an insertion device.

Abstract: An insertion device for an intraluminal graft is provided, including a deployment catheter which has a deployment shaft and an expanding frame with an umbrella-like assembly. The assembly is suitable for radially expanding a graft. The device also includes a deployment grip connected to the deployment shaft. A coil interposed between the deployment grip and the expanding frame resiliently urges the expanding frame, with the deployment grip reversibly operating the expanding frame thereby. The deployment catheter collapses for removal from the vessel lumen after the intraluminal graft has been introduced therein. This intraluminal graft is deployed through a catheter and expanded in place to anchor the graft to the vessel wall. The expanding frame is then collapsed and withdrawn from the lumen. The insertion device also can be configured as an intraluminal dilation device that can be used to dilate a lumen and to ensnare an intraluminal object.

Abstract: A closure for sealing punctures in blood vessels utilizes a sheet adapted to conform to the inner surface of a blood vessel which sheet has a plurality of barbs attached to one surface. A pusher rod connects to the barbed surface. The sheet is pushed through a sheath that has been inserted into the puncture until the sheet is within the blood vessel. Then, the pusher rod pulls the sheet against the blood vessel inner wall to anchor it over the puncture. The pusher rod is then released from the sheet and both the sheath and pusher rod are removed completing the closure.

Abstract: A device for closing or connecting blood vessels has a plurality of micro miniature barb which pierce the wall of the blood vessel and anchor the device in place. In one embodiment the fastener is comprised of a male member and a female member which are fastened to blood vessel segments with the micro miniature barbs. The male and female members are joined together by inserting the male member into the female member to form a permanent coupling. The device can also be used for opening a blood vessel which has been narrowed by disease or trauma.

Abstract: A device for closing or connecting blood vessels has a plurality of micro miniature barb which pierce the wall of the blood vessel and anchor the device in place. In one embodiment the fastener is comprised of a male member and a female member which are fastened to blood vessel segments with the micro miniature barbs. The male and female members are joined together by inserting the male member into the female member to form a permanent coupling. The device can also be used for opening a blood vessel which has been narrowed by disease or trauma.

Abstract: A catheter for dilating occluded or stenotic blood vessels includes a collapsible filter device disposed between a dilating balloon and the distal end of the catheter. The collapsible filter device comprises a plurality of resilient ribs secured to the catheter at or adjacent the distal end thereof and extending generally axially toward the dilating balloon. Inflation of a filter balloon extends the ribs outward against the vessel wall to stretch filter material secured to the ribs across the vessel to form a cup shaped trap for fragments of a stenosis loosened by the dilating balloon. Upon deflation of the filter balloon, the resilient ribs retract against the catheter to retain the trapped fragments during withdrawal of the catheter. In the preferred embodiment, the ends of the ribs projecting generally toward the dilating balloon are secured to a ring which slides along the catheter. In use, the filter is extended and then the dilating balloon is inflated.