Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of venous stasis includes an elongated intraluminal member shaped and dimensioned for passage through vessels of a subject. The intraluminal member includes a proximal end and a distal end. A conduit extends from proximate the proximal end of the intraluminal member to proximate the distal end of the intraluminal member. The conduit is shaped and dimensioned for fluid communication between the proximal end of the intraluminal member and the distal end of the intraluminal member. The distal end of the intraluminal member includes disruption means proximate thereto for ablating a predetermined vessel wall. A method is also provided for the treatment of venous stasis. The method is achieved by advancing an elongated intraluminal member through a vein to a treatment site, activating the intraluminal member for ablation of the treatment site and injecting sclerosant into the vein at the treatment site.

Abstract: An intrauterine device for occluding orifices of fallopian tubes includes a resilient body having an elongated member with a first end and a second end. The elongated member further includes a first leg ending with the first end of the elongated member, a second leg ending with the second end of the elongated member and a connection member positioned therebetween. A first orifice plug is secured at the first end of the elongated member and a second orifice plug is secured at the second end of the elongated member. The first and second orifice plugs are shaped and dimensioned to seat at the orifices of the fallopian tubes or within the fallopian tubes as the elongated member spreads outwardly with the first end and second end moving apart.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a vascular treatment. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a vascular therapy device comprising a vascular treatment device and a feeder. The vascular treatment device can connect to a wire configured for use in vascular treatment. The vascular treatment device can rotate the wire. The feeder can be configured for controller the longitudinal translation of the wire. The feeder and the vascular treatment device can be independently or combinedly controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a vascular treatment includes an intraluminal member that is controllingly moved during the vascular treatment. The intraluminal member of the vascular treatment device can be connected to a motor. The rotation direction of the intraluminal member can be reversed to reduce the incidence and duration of vein entanglement during a vascular ablation procedure. Reversal of direction could occur automatically, or in response to a sensor such as a load sensor provided as part of the motorized drive system.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a vascular treatment includes an intraluminal member that is controllingly moved during the vascular treatment. The intraluminal member of the vascular treatment device can be connected to a motor. The intraluminal member may be configured to retain endothelium during the vascular treatment procedure.

Abstract: An intrauterine device for occluding orifices of fallopian tubes includes a resilient body having an elongated member with a first end and a second end. The elongated member further includes a first leg ending with the first end of the elongated member, a second leg ending with the second end of the elongated member and a connection member positioned therebetween. A first orifice plug is secured at the first end of the elongated member and a second orifice plug is secured at the second end of the elongated member. The first and second orifice plugs are shaped and dimensioned to seat at the orifices of the fallopian tubes or within the fallopian tubes as the elongated member spreads outwardly with the first end and second end moving apart.

Abstract: An intraluminal member can be used to deliver an adhesive to a vein while causing the vein to spasm, thereby controlling adhesive migration and improving procedure efficacy.

Abstract: An intrauterine device for applying force to a wall of a uterus to promote contraception without blocking the fallopian tubes may include an elongate member formed of a resilient material and having a default expanded configuration and a spring portion disposed approximately at a midpoint between two ends of the elongate member. The IUD may also include two tissue contact members, one tissue contact member disposed at one of the two ends of the elongate member and the other tissue contact member disposed at the other end. The tissue contact members may generate a laterally directed force against the wall of the uterus when the intrauterine device assumes its default expanded configuration.

Abstract: A varicose vein dissector and removal apparatus includes a handle having a first end and a second end, a dissector extending from the first end of the handle and a hook extending from the second end of the handle, and a blade positioned within the dissector for movement between a use position and a storage position. The apparatus is used by creating an initial incision in skin over a varicose vein to be removed, advancing the dissector into the incision and dissecting around the varicose vein to be removed, pushing the dissector against an inner surface of the skin a predetermined distance from the initial incision, exposing the blade by moving it from its storage position to its use position and creating a second incision in the skin letting the dissector protrude out of the skin, and grasping the vein with the hook and removing the vein.

Abstract: A varicose vein dissector and removal apparatus includes a handle having a first end and a second end, a dissector extending from the first end of the handle and a hook extending from the second end of the handle, and a blade positioned within the dissector for movement between a use position and a storage position. The apparatus is used by creating an initial incision in skin over a varicose vein to be removed, advancing the dissector into the incision and dissecting around the varicose vein to be removed, pushing the dissector against an inner surface of the skin a predetermined distance from the initial incision, exposing the blade by moving it from its storage position to its use position and creating a second incision in the skin letting the dissector protrude out of the skin, and grasping the vein with the hook and removing the vein.

Abstract: A vascular treatment device may include (1) a handle having a motor, a trigger, and a male coupling, and (2) a cartridge, engageable to the handle, having a female coupling, a wire, and a sheath fixed to the cartridge. When the female coupling is not engaged to the male coupling, the sheath may cover the distal end of the wire, allowing safe advancement of the device into the patient's vasculature, and when the female coupling is engaged by the male coupling, the distal end of the wire may be exposed from the sheath and used.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter may include a distal end for insertion and a proximal end. The distal end for insertion may terminate with a tip. It may define at least two openings, of which one is proximal-most in the distal end. The distal tip may include a first radiopaque marker that is discretely positioned at the proximal-most opening and radiographically distinguishes the proximal-most opening from the rest of the distal end. The distal tip may also include a second radiopaque marker that marks the tip.

Abstract: A wire for use with a vascular treatment device may have a proximal end, a distal end, and a main shaft extending therebetween. The distal end may have a distal free end and a first segment. The first segment may extend from the main shaft and may be biased to a first included angle that is defined between the main shaft and the first segment and less than 180 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of venous stasis includes an elongated intraluminal member shaped and dimensioned for passage through vessels of a subject. The intraluminal member includes a proximal end and a distal end. A conduit extends from proximate the proximal end of the intraluminal member to proximate the distal end of the intraluminal member. The conduit is shaped and dimensioned for fluid communication between the proximal end of the intraluminal member and the distal end of the intraluminal member. The distal end of the intraluminal member includes disruption means proximate thereto for ablating a predetermined vessel wall. A method is also provided for the treatment of venous stasis. The method is achieved by advancing an elongated intraluminal member through a vein to a treatment site, activating the intraluminal member for ablation of the treatment site and injecting sclerosant into the vein at the treatment site.

Abstract: An intrauterine device for applying pressure to the walls of the uterine cavity includes a resilient body having an elongated member which includes a first end and a second end which are resiliently biased away from each other. The first end of the elongated member includes a first leg having a first end and a second end. The second end of the elongated member includes a second leg having a first end and a second end. A connection member is positioned between the first end of the first leg and the first end of the second leg. A first plug member is secured at the second end of the first leg and a second plug member is secured at the first end of the second leg. The first and second plug members are shaped and dimensioned for bearing against the walls of the uterine cavity as the elongated member spreads outwardly with the first end and the second end moving apart. A method for preventing conception within the uterine cavity is also disclosed.

Abstract: An occlusion device (10) for actively occluding the orifices (12) of the fallopian tubes (14) using the shape of the uterine cavity (16) as a guide to proper positioning of the occlusion device (10) includes a resilient body (18) including an elongated member (28) having a first end (30) and second end (32), and a first orifice plug (20) secured at first end (30) of the elongated member (28) and a second orifice plug (22) secured at second end (32) of the elongated member (28). The first and second orifice plugs (20, 22) are shaped and dimensioned to seat at the orifices (12) of the fallopian tubes (14) or within the fallopian tubes (14) as the elongated member (28) spreads outwardly with the first end (30) and second end (32) moving apart.

Abstract: An occlusion device for actively occluding orifices of fallopian tubes includes a resilient body having an elongated member with a first end and a second end. The elongated member further includes a first leg ending with the first end of the elongated member, a second leg ending with the second end of the elongated member and a connection member positioned therebetween. A first orifice plug is secured at the first end of the elongated member and a second orifice plug is secured at the second end of the elongated member. The first and second orifice plugs are shaped and dimensioned to seat at the orifices of the fallopian tubes or within the fallopian tubes as the elongated member spreads outwardly with the first end and second end moving apart. A delivery device for delivery of medication or therapeutic agents to a uterine cavity is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vascular treatment device may include (1) a handle having a motor, a trigger, and a male coupling, and (2) a cartridge, engageable to the handle, having a female coupling, a wire, and a sheath fixed to the cartridge. When the female coupling is not engaged to the male coupling, the sheath may cover the distal end of the wire, allowing safe advancement of the device into the patient's vasculature, and when the female coupling is engaged by the male coupling, the distal end of the wire may be exposed from the sheath and used.

Abstract: An intrauterine device for occluding orifices of fallopian tubes includes a resilient body having an elongated member with a first end and a second end. The elongated member further includes a first leg ending with the first end of the elongated member, a second leg ending with the second end of the elongated member and a connection member positioned therebetween. A first orifice plug is secured at the first end of the elongated member and a second orifice plug is secured at the second end of the elongated member. The first and second orifice plugs are shaped and dimensioned to seat at the orifices of the fallopian tubes or within the fallopian tubes as the elongated member spreads outwardly with the first end and second end moving apart.

Abstract: A shoelace knot retaining apparatus includes a first arm and a second arm connected by a living hinge positioned therebetween. The first arm includes a free first end and a second end, and the second arm includes a free first end and a second end. The second end of the first arm is connected to the second end of the second arm via the living hinge, and the first end of the first arm and the first end of the second arm are respectively provided with mating snap connection members. The living hinge connecting the first arm to the second arm is integrally formed with the first and second arms and forms a portion of the first and second arms to create a knot recess in which a shoelace knot is positioned for retaining.