Abstract: A catheter provided with a guidewire catheter lumen having a thin covering that is easily punctured by a guidewire at virtually any desired point along the catheter length. The thin covering may be integral with the catheter shaft, or may be a separate component that covers only the portion of the catheter shaft immediately adjacent the outer portion of the guidewire lumen, or may be a thin tubular construct that surrounds the entire catheter shaft. The covering is preferably relatively translucent, allowing for good visualization of the location of the end of the guidewire to enable puncturing of the covering at the desired location along the length of the catheter shaft. The covering is also preferably tear resistant at puncture sites. The catheter shaft is preferably made of a material having a color that provides good visibility against an operating field, and more preferably is phosphorescent either entirely or in part.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis expansion system having, in combination, a delivery component such as a length of catheter tubing having at its distal end an intermediate sheath component, and an inner tube within the full length of the delivery catheter and intermediate sheath component. The inner tube has a protrusion affixed to its distal end, and an expandable endoprosthesis is fitted in a compacted state about the intermediate sheath, immediately proximal to the protrusion. If the endoprosthesis is a self-expanding endoprosthesis (as is preferred), an exterior constraining sheath is required around the outer surface of the endoprosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention is an implantable device for the atraumatic removal of chronically implanted medical devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deployment system for an endoluminal device. The deployment system includes a confining sheath placed around a compacted endoluminal device. A deployment line is provided in the system that is an integral extension of the sheath. As the deployment line is actuated, the sheath retracts from around the compacted endoluminal device. As the sheath retracts from around the endoluminal device, material from the sheath may be converted into deployment line. Once the sheath is retracted from around the compacted endoluminal device, the endoluminal device expands in configuration and repairs vascular or cardiac structures of an implant recipient. Any remaining sheath material is removed from the implantation site along with the deployment line. The deployment system also includes an endo-prosthesis mounting member placed between the endoluminal device and an underlying catheter.

Abstract: A highly flexible implantable lead that offers improved flexibility, fatigue life and fatigue and abrasion resistance improved reliability, effective electrode tissue contact with a small diameter and low risk of tissue damage during extraction. In one embodiment the lead is provided with both defibrillation electrodes and pacing/sensing electrodes. For defibrillation/pacing leads, the lead diameter may be as small as six French or smaller. The construction utilizes helically wound conductors. For leads incorporating multiple separate conductors, many of the helically wound conductors are arranged in a multi-filar relationship. Preferably, each conductor is a length of wire that is uninsulated at about the middle of its length to create an electrode, wherein the conductor is folded in half at about the middle of the length to create first and second length segments that constitute parallel conductors.

Abstract: A highly flexible implantable lead that offers improved flexibility, fatigue life and fatigue and abrasion resistance improved reliability, effective electrode tissue contact with a small diameter and low risk of tissue damage during extraction. In one embodiment the lead is provided with both defibrillation electrodes and pacing/sensing electrodes. For defibrillation/pacing leads, the lead diameter may be as small as six French or smaller. The construction utilizes helically wound conductors. For leads incorporating multiple separate conductors, many of the helically wound conductors are arranged in a multi-filar relationship. Preferably, each conductor is a length of wire that is uninsulated at about the middle of its length to create an electrode, wherein the conductor is folded in half at about the middle of the length to create first and second length segments that constitute parallel conductors.

Abstract: Large diameter self-expanding endoprosthetic devices, such as stents and stent grafts for delivery to large diameter vessels, such as the aorta, are disclosed having very small compacted delivery dimensions. Devices with deployed dimensions of 26 to 40 mm or more are disclosed that are compacted to extremely small dimensions of 5 mm or less, enabling percutaneous delivery of said devices without the need for surgical intervention. Compaction efficiencies are achieved by combining unique material combinations with new forms of restraining devices, compaction techniques, and delivery techniques. These inventive devices permit consistent percutaneous delivery of large vessel treatment devices. Additionally, small endoprosthetic devices are disclosed that can be compacted to extremely small dimensions for delivery through catheter tubes of less than 1 mm diameter.

Abstract: A removable device such as a stent-graft, intended for applications where it may be desirable to remove the device at some time following implantation. The stent-graft of the present invention includes a helically-wound stent component provided with a covering of graft material. It is removable by gripping an end of the helically-wound stent component with a retrieval device and applying tension to the stent component in the direction in which it is intended to be withdrawn from the site of implantation. The use of such a retrieval device allows the stent-graft to be removed remotely, such as via a catheter inserted into the body at a different location from the implantation site. The design of the stent-graft is such that the stent component is extended axially while the adjacent portion of the graft separates between windings of the stent component.

Abstract: Large diameter self-expanding endoprosthetic devices, such as stents and stent grafts for delivery to large diameter vessels, such as the aorta, are disclosed having very small compacted delivery dimensions. Devices with deployed dimensions of 26 to 40 mm or more are disclosed that are compacted to extremely small dimensions of 5 mm or less, enabling percutaneous delivery of said devices without the need for surgical intervention. Compaction efficiencies are achieved by combining unique material combinations with new forms of restraining devices, compaction techniques, and delivery techniques. These inventive devices permit consistent percutaneous delivery of large vessel treatment devices. Additionally, small endoprosthetic devices are disclosed that can be compacted to extremely small dimensions for delivery through catheter tubes of less than 1 mm diameter.

Abstract: Novel catheter constructions comprising thin covering or wrapping materials such as polymer films. A catheter provided with a guidewire catheter lumen having a thin covering that is easily punctured by a guidewire at virtually any desired point along the catheter length. The thin covering may be integral with the catheter shaft, or may be a separate component that covers only the portion of the catheter shaft immediately adjacent the outer portion of the guidewire lumen, or may be a thin tubular construct that surrounds the entire catheter shaft. Moreover, polymer film can be used in combination with one or more elements to produce novel catheter constructions.

Abstract: A removable device such as a stent-graft, intended for applications where it may be desirable to remove the device at some time following implantation. The stent-graft of the present invention includes a helically-wound stent component provided with a covering of graft material. It is removable by gripping an end of the helically-wound stent component with a retrieval device and applying tension to the stent component in the direction in which it is intended to be withdrawn from the site of implantation. The use of such a retrieval device allows the stent-graft to be removed remotely, such as via a catheter inserted into the body at a different location from the implantation site. The design of the stent-graft is such that the stent component is extended axially while the adjacent portion of the graft separates between windings of the stent component.

Abstract: Novel catheter constructions comprising thin covering or wrapping materials such as polymer films. A catheter provided with a guidewire catheter lumen having a thin covering that is easily punctured by a guidewire at virtually any desired point along the catheter length. The thin covering may be integral with the catheter shaft, or may be a separate component that covers only the portion of the catheter shaft immediately adjacent the outer portion of the guidewire lumen, or may be a thin tubular construct that surrounds the entire catheter shaft. Moreover, polymer film can be used in combination with one or more elements to produce novel catheter constructions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deployment system for an endoluminal device. The deployment system includes a confining sheath placed around a compacted endoluminal device. A deployment line is provided in the system that is an integral extension of the sheath. As the deployment line is actuated, the sheath retracts from around the compacted endoluminal device. As the sheath retracts from around the endoluminal device, material from the sheath may be converted into deployment line. Once the sheath is retracted from around the compacted endoluminal device, the endoluminal device expands in configuration and repairs vascular or cardiac structures of an implant recipient. Any remaining sheath material is removed from the implantation site along with the deployment line. The deployment system also includes an endo-prosthesis mounting member placed between the endoluminal device and an underlying catheter.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter operable by a single clinician that will neither displace a deployed stent nor cause undue trauma to the vascular lumen or lesion. The retrieval catheter may be sized to accommodate both a guidewire and a balloon wire. The retrieval catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways and will cross a previously deployed stent or stent-graft easily with minimal risk of snagging on the deployed stent or stent graft. The sheath and dilator are adapted to allow a guidewire or balloon wire to pass through the walls of both and to allow the sheath and dilator to move axially with respect to each other.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to bioabsorbable self-expanding medical devices for use inside or outside body conduits that self-expand at, or below, normal human body temperature without requisite for a polymeric thermal transition.

Abstract: An improved stent design is disclosed that employs a series of helically oriented expansion elements encircling the stent. Each of the expansion elements includes a stepped pattern employing two distinct pitch angles. The expansion elements are oriented to cooperate with each other to form a series of virtual radially expandable rings that provide suitable outward force for proper stent function, but which are not connected together to form a continuous coherent ring if separated from the stent as a whole. In this manner, a distinctive stent design is provided that has numerous functional benefits over stents described in the prior art.

Abstract: Novel cerebral vasculature devices are disclosed, including thrombectomy removal devices that include a continuous braided structure, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a first expandable portion located between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The braided structure includes a plurality of wires. The proximal portion and the distal portion include polymer imbedded at least partially into the braided structure. The device is useful for removing thrombus from a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deployment system for an endoluminal device. The deployment system includes a confining sheath placed around a compacted endoluminal device. A deployment line is provided in the system that is an integral extension of the sheath. As the deployment line is actuated, the sheath retracts from around the compacted endoluminal device. As the sheath retracts from around the endoluminal device, material from the sheath may be converted into deployment line. Once the sheath is retracted from around the compacted endoluminal device, the endoluminal device expands in configuration and repairs vascular or cardiac structures of an implant recipient. Any remaining sheath material is removed from the implantation site along with the deployment line.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved endovascular device particularly useful for use in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures. The device employs a two-part stent-graft construction that provides a low permeability membrane to line the shunt and an uncovered stent portion designed to reside in the portal vein. The device provides numerous benefits over previous stents and stent-grafts used in TIPS procedures, including being more compact to deliver, being easier to accurately deploy, a controlled compacted surface with tucked apices, an improved stent winding pattern, and being more flexible in delivery and use.

Abstract: Large diameter self-expanding endoprosthetic devices, such as stents and stent grafts for delivery to large diameter vessels, such as the aorta, are disclosed having very small compacted delivery dimensions. Devices with deployed dimensions of 26 to 40 mm or more are disclosed that are compacted to extremely small dimensions of 5 mm or less, enabling percutaneous delivery of said devices without the need for surgical intervention. Compaction efficiencies are achieved by combining unique material combinations with new forms of restraining devices, compaction techniques, and delivery techniques. These inventive devices permit consistent percutaneous delivery of large vessel treatment devices. Additionally, small endoprosthetic devices are disclosed that can be compacted to extremely small dimensions for delivery through catheter tubes of less than 1 mm diameter.