Abstract: A medical device includes an elongate single-wire memory-metal body with a complete length that includes a proximal stylet length, an intermediate self-coiling stylet length, and a distal stylet length that is generally straight and non-self-coiling. The moment of force of the self-coiling stylet length is less than the moment of force of the medical endoscopy needle that is resistant to the stylet's self-coiling force. The device may further include being incorporated into an endoscopy needle system where the single-wire stylet body is disposed through a lumen of a medical endoscopy needle.

Abstract: A hybrid wire guide is comprised of a distal segment of nitinol wire welded to a proximal segment of stainless steel wire. The stainless steel wire includes a flex transition segment that terminates at the weld, and defines a plurality of flexibility enhancing voids distributed in a pattern along a centerline so that a flexibility of the flex transition segment changes toward a match of a flexibility of the nitinol wire over a tracking segment that extends distally from the weld. The respective shapes of the flexibility enhancing voids change responsive to the flexure of the flex transition segment away from a straight configuration.

Abstract: A gradually self-expanding stent is provided with a first region of stent cells. A restraining material is attached to the first region and restrains the first region from expanding to the expanded configuration. Over time the restraining material releases the first region to allow the first region to expand to the expanded diameter. The first region is located longitudinally between two second regions. The second regions expand at a faster rate than the first region.

Abstract: A gradually self-expanding stent is provided with a plurality of stent cells. A restraining material is attached to the stent structure and restrains the stent structure from expanding to the expanded configuration. Over time the restraining material releases the stent structure to allow the stent structure to expand to the expanded diameter. An anti-thrombotic drug is incorporated into the restraining material.

Abstract: A method of forming a textured surface on the inner surface of a sheath is provided. The sheath may be used in a delivery system to restrain a self-expanding medical implant in a compressed state. In the method, a sleeve is squeezed against a textured pattern on a mandrel to form a textured surface on the inner surface of the mandrel. The diameter of the mandrel is then contracted before the mandrel is removed from the sleeve.

Abstract: A gradually self-expanding stent is provided with a first region of stent cells. A restraining material is attached to the first region and restrains the first region from expanding to the expanded configuration. Over time the restraining material releases the first region to allow the first region to expand to the expanded diameter. The first region is located longitudinally between two second regions. The second regions expand at a faster rate than the first region.

Abstract: A gradually self-expanding stent is provided with a plurality of stent cells. A restraining material is attached to the stent structure and restrains the stent structure from expanding to the expanded configuration. Over time the restraining material releases the stent structure to allow the stent structure to expand to the expanded diameter. An anti-thrombotic drug is incorporated into the restraining material.

Abstract: A gradually self-expanding stent includes a first plurality of stent cells including a first plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other. The stent also includes a second plurality of stent cells including a second plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other. The circumferentially adjacent structural members of the first and second plurality of stent cells have a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. A restraining material is attached to each of the circumferentially adjacent structural members defining each of the second plurality of stent cells such that it substantially covers an entirety of each of the second plurality of stent cells in the compressed configuration.

Abstract: A method of forming a textured surface on the inner surface of a sheath is provided. The sheath may be used in a delivery system to restrain a self-expanding medical implant in a compressed state. In the method, a sleeve is squeezed against a textured pattern on a mandrel to form a textured surface on the inner surface of the mandrel. The diameter of the mandrel is then contracted before the mandrel is removed from the sleeve.

Abstract: A medical device includes an elongate single-wire memory-metal body with a complete length that includes a proximal stylet length, an intermediate self-coiling stylet length, and a distal stylet length that is generally straight and non-self-coiling. The moment of force of the self-coiling stylet length is less than the moment of force of the medical endoscopy needle that is resistant to the stylet's self-coiling force. The device may further include being incorporated into an endoscopy needle system where the single-wire stylet body is disposed through a lumen of a medical endoscopy needle.

Abstract: A medical device includes an elongate single-wire memory-metal body with a complete length that includes a proximal stylet length, an intermediate self-coiling stylet length, and a distal stylet length that is generally straight and non-self-coiling. The moment of force of the self-coiling stylet length is less than the moment of force of the medical endoscopy needle that is resistant to the stylet's self-coiling force. The device may further include being incorporated into an endoscopy needle system where the single-wire stylet body is disposed through a lumen of a medical endoscopy needle.

Abstract: A stent structure is provided with an alternating arrangement of hoop cells and flex cells. Longitudinal struts extend through the hoop cells but do not extend through the flex cells. The flex struts in the flex cells are wider than the hoop struts in the hoop cells.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system includes a retention sheath having a proximal portion and a bi-furcated distal portion having first and second sheath branch portions. The proximal ends of the sheath branch portions are joined together at a sheath branch junction. The system also includes an inner catheter disposed within the retention sheath. The inner catheter includes a proximal portion and a bi-furcated distal portion with first and second catheter branch portions. The proximal ends are joined together at a catheter branch junction. When the sheath is in an initial position, the catheter branch junction is displaced proximally from the sheath branch junction by a distance that is greater than or equal to the larger of a length of a first medical device and the length of a second medical device.

Abstract: A feeding tube for insertion into the jejunum of a patient. An elongated tubular member has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal portions, and at least one aperture at the distal portion. The aperture is sized for passage of fluid material from the lumen into the jejunum. An inflatable balloon is disposed about a length of the elongated tubular member distal portion. The balloon is sized and configured such that upon inflation via water or saline inflation media, the balloon projects outwardly from the tubular member distal portion so as to be engageable with an interior wall of the body passageway. An echogenic material is disposed along the tubular member distal portion in conjunction with the balloon to provide an echogenic capability, so that the tubular member length is visible under ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: A tube for insertion into a body passageway of a patient includes a generally elongated tubular member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion, and at least one aperture at the distal portion sized and positioned for passage of fluid material therethrough from the lumen to a target area in the body passageway. The tubular member is structured such that the distal portion is selectively movable between the generally elongated configuration and a shaped configuration. A length of the distal portion is provided with one or more echogenic members disposed therealong such that the distal portion length is visible under ultrasound visualization when in the shaped configuration.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method for stabilizing a collapsed vertebra of a patient is provided. The method comprises introducing a supercooled liquid into the collapsed vertebra. A solid structure that supports the collapsed vertebra is then form by solidifying the supercooled liquid.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system includes a retention sheath having a proximal portion and a bi-furcated distal portion having first and second sheath branch portions. The proximal ends of the sheath branch portions are joined together at a sheath branch junction. The system also includes an inner catheter disposed within the retention sheath. The inner catheter includes a proximal portion and a bi-furcated distal portion with first and second catheter branch portions. The proximal ends are joined together at a catheter branch junction. When the sheath is in an initial position, the catheter branch junction is displaced proximally from the sheath branch junction by a distance that is greater than or equal to the larger of a length of a first medical device and the length of a second medical device.

Abstract: A low-profile rapid-exchange catheter device having desirable strength between joined proximal and distal portion may be constructed using a method that includes a textile sleeve and a thermoplastic polymer overlay.

Abstract: A gradually self-expanding stent includes a first plurality of stent cells including a first plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other. The stent also includes a second plurality of stent cells including a second plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other. The circumferentially adjacent structural members of the first and second plurality of stent cells have a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. A restraining material is attached to each of the circumferentially adjacent structural members defining each of the second plurality of stent cells such that it substantially covers an entirety of each of the second plurality of stent cells in the compressed configuration.

Abstract: A system for delivery of a medical device to a target site within the body of a patient includes an introducer sheath, and a delivery assembly receivable within a passageway of the sheath. The delivery assembly comprises an inner tubular and an outer tubular member. At least a distal portion of the inner tubular member has a diameter such that the medical device is receivable thereover. The outer tubular member is generally coaxial with the inner tubular member, and has a length such that the outer tubular member distal end terminates proximal to the inner tubular member distal portion. The outer tubular member has a first outer diameter at the proximal end and extends for a length of the outer tubular member to a first diameter boundary point. The outer tubular member has a gradual inward taper in the distal direction from the boundary point to a second outer diameter, and has an abrupt outward taper in the distal direction from the second diameter to the first diameter.