Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for removing emboli during an angioplasty, stenting or surgical procedure comprising a catheter having an occlusion element, an aspiration lumen, and a blood outlet port in communication with the lumen, a guide wire having a balloon, a venous return sheath with a blood inlet port, and tubing that couples the blood outlet port to the blood inlet port. Apparatus is also provided for occluding the external carotid artery to prevent reversal of flow into the internal carotid artery. The pressure differential between the artery and the vein provides reverse flow through the artery, thereby flushing emboli. A blood filter may optionally be included in-line with the tubing to filter emboli from blood reperfused into the patient.

Abstract: A percutaneously implantable orthopedic device is a shape-changing joint prosthesis with a generally arcuate or generally rectilinear configuration which is delivered through a delivery device in a substantially straightened or slightly curved configuration into a joint in a patient. The generally arcuate configuration may include an open ring or spiral shape. The generally rectilinear configuration may include a polygon or zig-zag shape. The delivery and retrieval device can be a syringe, hypodermic needle or cannula. The orthopedic device is moveable into its generally arcuate or generally rectilinear configuration in the joint by manipulation or a shape memory set. The orthopedic device acts as a soft compliant bearing surface or cushion that minimizes the bone-on-bone wear from articulation and loading.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for removing emboli during an angioplasty, stenting or surgical procedure comprising a catheter having an occlusion element, an aspiration lumen, and a blood outlet port in communication with the lumen, a guide wire having a balloon, a venous return sheath with a blood inlet port, and tubing that couples the blood outlet port to the blood inlet port. Apparatus is also provided for occluding the external carotid artery to prevent reversal of flow into the internal carotid artery. The pressure differential between the artery and the vein provides reverse flow through the artery, thereby flushing emboli. A blood filter may optionally be included in-line with the tubing to filter emboli from blood reperfused into the patient.

Abstract: Delivery and retrieval systems for delivering or retrieving a shape-changing percutaneously implantable orthopedic device joint prosthesis that can move between a generally arcuate configuration and a substantially straightened or slightly curved configuration. The orthopedic device can be delivered with a needle that is joint expanding, actuating, pivotable, or can include a balloon. The orthopedic device acts as a soft compliant bearing surface or cushion that minimizes the bone-on-bone wear from articulation and loading and may include a covering or coating with tissue or an expanding hydrophilic material. The orthopedic device delivery system can include a loading device with a channel for storing the orthopedic device in a non-straightened configuration and orienting the orthopedic device in the proper implantation orientation. The orthopedic device can be advanced or retrieved through the loading device with a knob and/or a flexible plunger.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable vascular prosthesis configured for use in a wide range of applications, such as treating aneurysms, maintaining patency in a vessel, and allowing for the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents to a vessel wall. The prosthesis comprises one or more helical sections coupled to one or more anchoring sections having a generally zig-zag or cell-like configuration. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and further is configured to be precisely deployed in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening during deployment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable vascular prosthesis configured for use in a wide range of applications, such as treating aneurysms, maintaining patency in a vessel, and allowing for the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents to a vessel wall. The prosthesis comprises a helical proximal section coupled to a distal anchoring section having a generally zig-zag configuration. The prosthesis is configured to comply to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and further is configured to be precisely deployed in a vessel without shifting during deployment. The prosthesis also has a substantially small delivery profile compared to other known stents, while having an increased surface area to enhance delivery of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for temporarily excluding an aneurysm or an arterio-venous fistula from a flow path by transluminally disposing a hollow balloon catheter structure within the aneurysm so that its proximal and distal ends extend past the aneurysm while maintaining continuity of the flow path, and then injecting a synthetic molding material or a biological hardening agent into the aneurysm cavity to cause solidification of the volume within the cavity. Once the material within the excluded aneurysm has solidified, the balloon catheter structure is deflated and removed, so that the hardened mass forms a new lining for the organ or vessel, and relieves the weakened tissue of the aneurysm or fistula from further flow-induced stress.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for removing emboli during an angioplasty, stenting or surgical procedure comprising a catheter having an occlusion element, an aspiration lumen, and a blood outlet port in communication with the lumen, a guide wire having a balloon, a venous return sheath with a blood inlet port, and tubing that couples the blood outlet port to the blood inlet port. Apparatus is also provided for occluding the external carotid artery to prevent reversal of flow into the internal carotid artery. The pressure differential between the artery and the vein provides reverse flow through the artery, thereby flushing emboli. A blood filter may optionally be included in-line with the tubing to filter emboli from blood reperfused into the patient.

Abstract: Devices and treatments for various joint conditions include a resilient elongate orthopedic device inserted into a joint space using a suture. The suture is passed through the joint space and used to pull the orthopedic device into the joint space. The suture may be using a percutaneously inserted needle or other type of needle-based delivery instrument. The resilient elongate orthopedic device may be restrained to a reduced profile that permits minimally invasive implantation, but assume an enlarged profile when positioned at an implantation site. To facilitate insertion of the orthopedic device through a minimally invasive or limited access procedure, a delivery system may be used to support and orient the orthopedic device during implantation. In some instances, the delivery system may also reduce the delivery profile of the device for insertion through a minimally invasive or limited access procedure.

Abstract: An emboli filtration apparatus is provided comprising a guide wire having a filter element captured thereon, so that the guide wire is free to rotate and translate while the filter element remains stationary. The apparatus allows for movement and rotation of the guide wire as devices are advanced over it to treat occlusive disease, substantially without dislodging the filter element. In a preferred embodiment, the guide wire comprises a proximal stop configured to reposition the filter element during a medical procedure without having to remove or insert additional interventional devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a delivery catheter for use in deploying a vascular prosthesis having a self-expanding radial distal section joined to a helical section for use in a wide range of interventional applications. The delivery catheter comprises an elongated member having a balloon disposed adjacent to a distal end of the member, means for engaging the distal section of the vascular prosthesis against axial translation, and a sheath that restrains the vascular prosthesis against the elongated member during transluminal delivery. The balloon also may be used to perform angioplasty of a stenosis located within the vessel prior to deployment of the vascular prosthesis. Methods of using the delivery catheter of the present invention also are provided.

Abstract: An emboli filtration apparatus is provided comprising a guide wire having a filter element captured thereon, so that the guide wire is free to rotate and translate while the filter element remains stationary. The apparatus allows for movement and rotation of the guide wire as devices are advanced over it to treat occlusive disease, substantially without dislodging the filter element. In a preferred embodiment, the guide wire comprises a proximal stop configured to reposition the filter element during a medical procedure without having to remove or insert additional interventional devices.

Abstract: Devices and treatments for various joint conditions include a resilient elongate orthopedic device inserted into a joint space using a suture. The suture is passed through the joint space and used to pull the orthopedic device into the joint space. The suture may be using a percutaneously inserted needle or other type of needle-based delivery instrument. The resilient elongate orthopedic device may be restrained to a reduced profile that permits minimally invasive implantation, but assume an enlarged profile when positioned at an implantation site.

Abstract: Devices and treatments for a joint include a resilient elongate orthopedic device inserted into a joint space using a delivery instrument. The orthopedic device is housed in a delivery cavity of the delivery instrument delivered to an implantation site using a push mechanism. The delivery instrument optionally comprises a guide or tongue structure to facilitate positioning of the delivery instrument about the implantation site.

Abstract: Devices and treatments for various joint conditions include a resilient elongate orthopedic device inserted into a joint space using a suture. The suture is passed through the joint space and used to pull the orthopedic device into the joint space. The suture may be using a percutaneously inserted needle or other type of needle-based delivery instrument. The resilient elongate orthopedic device may be restrained to a reduced profile that permits minimally invasive implantation, but assume an enlarged profile when positioned at an implantation site.

Abstract: A percutaneously implantable orthopedic device is a shape-changing joint prosthesis with a generally arcuate or generally rectilinear configuration which is delivered through a delivery device in a substantially straightened or slightly curved configuration into a joint in a patient. The generally arcuate configuration may include an open ring or spiral shape. The generally rectilinear configuration may include a polygon or zig-zag shape. The delivery and retrieval device can be a syringe, hypodermic needle or cannula. The orthopedic device is moveable into its generally arcuate or generally rectilinear configuration in the joint by manipulation or a shape memory set. The orthopedic device acts as a soft compliant bearing surface or cushion that minimizes the bone-on-bone wear from articulation and loading.

Abstract: Delivery and retrieval systems for delivering or retrieving a shape-changing percutaneously implantable orthopedic device joint prosthesis that can move between a generally arcuate configuration and a substantially straightened or slightly curved configuration. The orthopedic device can be delivered with a needle that is joint expanding, actuating, pivotable, or can include a balloon. The orthopedic device acts as a soft compliant bearing surface or cushion that minimizes the bone-on-bone wear from articulation and loading and may include a covering or coating with tissue or an expanding hydrophilic material. The orthopedic device delivery system can include a loading device with a channel for storing the orthopedic device in a non-straightened configuration and orienting the orthopedic device in the proper implantation orientation. The orthopedic device can be advanced or retrieved through the loading device with a knob and/or a flexible plunger.

Abstract: An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate deployment in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening.

Abstract: An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate deployment in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening.

Abstract: An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate deployment in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening.