Abstract: This invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more links. A Y-shaped member is comprised of a U-shaped member and a link having a curved portion and a straight portion to improve the flexibility and thereby improve the fatigue performance of the Y-link junction.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more links. A Y-shaped member is comprised of a U-shaped member and a link having a curved portion and a straight portion to improve the flexibility and thereby improve the fatigue performance of the Y-link junction.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more links. A Y-shaped member is comprised of a U-shaped member and a link having a curved portion and a straight portion to improve the flexibility and thereby improve the fatigue performance of the Y-link junction.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more links. A Y-shaped member is comprised of a U-shaped member and a link having a curved portion and a straight portion to improve the flexibility and thereby improve the fatigue performance of the Y-link junction.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more links. A Y-shaped member is comprised of a U-shaped member and a link having a curved portion and a straight portion to improve the flexibility and thereby improve the fatigue performance of the Y-link junction.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more links. A Y-shaped member is comprised of a U-shaped member and a link having a curved portion and a straight portion to improve the flexibility and thereby improve the fatigue performance of the Y-link junction.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more links. A Y-shaped member is comprised of a U-shaped member and a link having a curved portion and a straight portion to improve the flexibility and thereby improve the fatigue performance of the Y-link junction.

Abstract: Catheter including an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member movable relative to the inner tubular member, and a movable tubular structure coupled to the outer tubular member. A medical device disposed about a distal end portion of the inner tubular member. A proximal stopper is provided having a distal end and disposed proximal to a proximal end of the movable tubular structure. The distal end of the proximal stopper is spaced from the proximal end of the movable tubular structure at least a longitudinal length dimension of the medical device, wherein the outer tubular member and the movable tubular structure are movable in a proximal direction up to engagement of the proximal stopper to deploy the medical device from the inner tubular member.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and sufficient radial strength to hold open an artery or other body lumen. The stent can be compressed or crimped onto a catheter to a very low profile since the inside radii of curvature of some of the peaks and valleys allow the stent to be crimped to a very low profile onto a catheter and increase radial strength over prior art stents.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and sufficient radial strength to hold open an artery or other body lumen. The stent can be compressed or crimped onto a catheter to a very low profile since the inside radii of curvature of some of the peaks and valleys allow the stent to be crimped to a very low profile onto a catheter and increase radial strength over prior art stents.

Abstract: A stent delivery system can include a plurality of stent-engaging elements configured to move relative to each other. Each of the stent-engaging elements can include a radially outwardly projecting portion configured to engage a stent. Each of the stent-engaging elements can be configured to move the stent when distally advanced and not move the stent when proximally retracted.

Abstract: Catheter including an inner tubular member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and an exterior surface. The inner tubular member further has a guidewire lumen defined therein. An outer tubular member is movable relative to the inner tubular member, the outer tubular member has a proximal end, a distal end and an interior surface directed toward the exterior surface of the inner tubular member. A movable tubular structure is disposed between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. The movable tubular structure includes a body member having an outer surface with a recess defined therein. The outer tubular member is received within the recess to form a trough along a portion of an exterior surface of the outer tubular member. The trough has a filler disposed therein to couple the outer tubular member to the body member of the movable tubular structure.

Abstract: A guide wire locking mechanism for a catheter system includes a motion-limiting component adapted to contact a portion of a guide wire and limit the direction of motion that the guide wire can slide therethrough. The motion-limiting component allows the guide wire to slide in one direction when placed in the locking mechanism but prevents the guide wire from moving in the opposite direction. The motion-limiting component can be made from a row of movable teeth having contact surfaces or faces which come in contact with a portion of the guide wire. The teeth are bendable to allow the guide wire to move in one direction but will tighten against the guide wire if one attempts to move the guide wire in an opposite direction.

Abstract: Catheter including an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member movable relative to the inner tubular member, and a movable tubular structure coupled to the outer tubular member. A medical device disposed about a distal end portion of the inner tubular member. A proximal stopper is provided having a distal end and disposed proximal to a proximal end of the movable tubular structure. The distal end of the proximal stopper is spaced from the proximal end of the movable tubular structure at least a longitudinal length dimension of the medical device, wherein the outer tubular member and the movable tubular structure are movable in a proximal direction up to engagement of the proximal stopper to deploy the medical device from the inner tubular member.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a pre-mounted recovery sheath for recovering an expanded device, such as an embolic protection device, in a patient's body lumen, and a method of using a balloon catheter system of the invention to recover the expanded device.

Abstract: Embodiments include an infusion-occlusion system having a delivery catheter, a guide catheter adapted to receive the delivery catheter, and a guidewire with an occlusion device adapted to be received within the guide catheter. The guide catheter of the catheter kit may be provided with an occlusion device at the distal end of the guide catheter. The delivery catheter may have an accessory lumen, coaxial or co-linear lumen, a supporting mandrel, or an occlusion device at its distal end. Moreover, according to some embodiments, occlusion devices may be a single material or a composite balloon having an inner liner and an outer layer of different materials, a high compliance low pressure balloon, or a filter device that restricts particles from passing through but does not restrict fluid, such as blood. An inflation device with a large volume and low volume syringe can be used to inflate the balloon.

Abstract: Catheter including an inner tubular member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and an exterior surface. The inner tubular member further has a guidewire lumen defined therein. An outer tubular member is movable relative to the inner tubular member, the outer tubular member has a proximal end, a distal end and an interior surface directed toward the exterior surface of the inner tubular member. A movable tubular structure is disposed between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. The movable tubular structure includes a body member having an outer surface with a recess defined therein. The outer tubular member is received within the recess to form a trough along a portion of an exterior surface of the outer tubular member. The trough has a filler disposed therein to couple the outer tubular member to the body member of the movable tubular structure.

Abstract: A catheter system for implanting an endoprosthesis at a treatment site in a patient's body lumen. The catheter includes an elongated shaft outer member and a stent sheath distal portion and a self-expanding stent radially restrained in a collapsed configuration within the stent sheath distal portion. A balloon catheter dimensioned for relative axial movement within the shaft outer member has an elongated shaft having an inflation lumen and a device receiving lumen. A stent stop secured to the balloon catheter is reversibly radially expandable to deploy from a collapsed to a radially expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the stent stop prevents longitudinal displacement of the stent. A balloon is located on a distal shaft section is releasably locked with respect to the shaft outer member and slidably disposed therein in an unlocked configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments include an infusion-occlusion system having a delivery catheter, a guide catheter adapted to receive the delivery catheter, and a guidewire with an occlusion device adapted to be received within the guide catheter. The guide catheter of the catheter kit may be provided with an occlusion device at the distal end of the guide catheter. The delivery catheter may have an accessory lumen, coaxial or co-linear lumen, a supporting mandrel, or an occlusion device at its distal end. Moreover, according to some embodiments, occlusion devices may be a single material or a composite balloon having an inner liner and an outer layer of different materials, a high compliance low pressure balloon, or a filter device that restricts particles from passing through but does not restrict fluid, such as blood. An inflation device with a large volume and low volume syringe can be used to inflate the balloon.

Abstract: A catheter system and method for implanting an endoprosthesis such as a stent at a treatment site in a patient's body lumen. The catheter provides a complete system for stent delivery, dilatation, and delivery and/or recovery of an expandable device, such as an embolic protection device, adjacent to the treatment site in the body lumen.