Abstract: A device and method for mounting sensors to components comprising a mounting pad adapted for adhesive attachment to the component and further including a feature allowing for a secondary restraint. In various variations, the sensor may be an accelerometer, vibration sensor, temperature sensor or other sensor. The feature and secondary restraint may include one or more holes in the mounting pad for attachment by safety wire or other restraint to provide limited movement in the case of adhesive failure.

Abstract: A device and method for mounting sensors to components comprising a mounting pad adapted for adhesive attachment to the component and further including a feature allowing for a secondary restraint. In various variations, the sensor may be an accelerometer, vibration sensor, temperature sensor or other sensor. The feature and secondary restraint may include one or more holes in the mounting pad for attachment by safety wire or other restraint to provide limited movement in the case of adhesive failure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling deployment of a self-expanding support structure of a prosthetic valve that flares in a proximal direction upon implantation in vivo. A tubular delivery sheath having a side opening that proximally extends within a side wall thereof is used to deploy the prosthetic valve with the self-expanding support structure in a controlled manner. The prosthetic valve is distally advanced within a lumen of the delivery sheath with the self-expanding support structure held in a compressed delivery configuration within the delivery sheath lumen. The self-expanding support structure of the prosthetic valve is aligned with the side opening of the delivery sheath and the prosthetic valve is rotated relative to the delivery sheath whereby the self-expanding support structure is laterally released from the delivery sheath lumen through the side opening to gradually transition from the compressed delivery configuration to a flared deployed configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are implantable medical device, and in particular, vascular stent having a biocompatible scaffold seeded with endothelial cells. The stent can provide structural support to maintain the openness of a vessel lumen following angioplasty while the biological scaffold seeded with endothelial cells can provide a new, healthy blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A delivery system for a stent to a bifurcated region includes an elongated shaft with first and second branches extending from the elongated shaft. First and second branches have first and second balloons mounted thereon, respectively. A first guidewire extends the entire length of the delivery system and into the first branch for an “over-the-wire” configuration. A second guidewire extends into the second branch, but enters the elongated shaft near a distal end thereof for a “rapid-exchange” configuration. A guideway is formed in the elongated shaft and extends into the first guidewire lumen. The guideway may be forced open by a guide member slidably coupled to the elongated shaft, thereby adjusting the effective over-the-wire length of the first guidewire.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes an inflation shaft and an elongated guidewire shaft. A relatively short, distal portion of the guidewire shaft is attached to, or enveloped within, a distal portion of the inflation shaft. A proximal portion of the guidewire shaft is detached from and independent of a proximal portion of the inflation shaft. The detached portion of the guidewire shaft contains perforations at pre-determined points along its length that define removable segments thereof. The removable segments remain attached to the guidewire shaft under normal conditions, but may be torn away from the guidewire shaft to provide access to a guidewire within a guidewire lumen thereof.

Abstract: A rapid exchange catheter includes an exchange joint that is coupled between a proximal shaft and first and second distal shafts. The exchange joint includes a proximal end that is configured to be coupled to the proximal shaft, and a distal end that is configured to be coupled to the first distal shaft and the second distal shaft. The distal end includes a first portion that includes a first guidewire lumen, and a second portion that includes a second guidewire lumen. The exchange joint also includes a guidewire port that is configured to provide access for a first guidewire into the first distal inner lumen via the first guidewire lumen and a second guidewire into the second distal inner lumen via the second guidewire lumen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a substrate support assembly. In one embodiment, a substrate support assembly includes a substrate support plate, a thermal regulating plate coupled in a spaced-apart relation to the substrate support plate and a main actuator coupled in a spaced-apart relation to the thermal regulating plate. The main actuator is adapted to move the substrate support plate laterally. The substrate support assembly is configured to limit the thermal influence of the main actuator on a substrate positioned on the substrate support plate.

Abstract: A catheter that has a proximal portion, a transition portion, a distal portion, and a guide member. The guide member is slideably coupled to the proximal portion and provides access to a guidewire lumen within the catheter through a guideway that extends from an outer surface of the proximal portion to the guidewire lumen. The distal portion may include a branch lumen that exits the catheter through the wall of the distal portion so that a guidewire may be guided through a particularly tortuous vessel.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a full-length inflation shaft and a guidewire shaft for fast catheter and guidewire exchange. The proximal portions of the inflation shaft and the guidewire shaft are detached from one another. The detached proximal shaft portions transition within a conversion portion of the catheter shaft and become coaxial within a distal portion of the catheter shaft. The proximal portion of the guidewire shaft may contain a continuous, longitudinally extending slot that acts as a guide member or guidewire track. Alternatively, the proximal portion of the guidewire shaft maybe removable from the catheter at a conversion joint via a snap-fit connection. Both embodiments allow for catheter exchange without removing the guidewire from a body lumen, or allow guidewire exchange without removing the catheter from the body lumen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable thermal conditioning of a substrate in a vacuum chamber that is evacuated to a high vacuum pressure. The substrate rests on a thermally controlled support that defines a cavity area between an underside of the substrate and a recessed section of the support. A fence of the support bounds the recessed section and limits flow of a gas injected into the cavity area into an interior region of the vacuum chamber where the support and substrate are disposed. Accordingly, a pressure differential exists between the cavity area and the interior region of the vacuum chamber. This relatively higher pressure in the cavity area enables heat transfer between the support and substrate via the gas in the cavity area in order to adjust the temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: A catheter and guide wire exchange system including a catheter that has a guide wire lumen with a guide way extending along a length of the proximal shaft. A guide member is slidably disposed about the proximal shaft for directing a guide wire into or out of the guide way and the guide wire lumen. A transition section joins the trilumen proximal shaft to a coaxial distal shaft.

Abstract: A catheter and guide wire exchange system including a catheter having a guide wire lumen with a guide way extending along the length of a stiffened proximal shaft portion, and a guide member slidably disposed about the proximal shaft for directing a guide wire into or out of the guide way and the guide wire lumen. The proximal shaft may be slid through the guide member so that the guide wire is contained within the guide wire lumen distal to the guide member and with the guide wire and catheter being separated proximal of the guide member. The guide member has a decoupled body, that allows it to be rotated without affecting the guidewire direction through the guidemember.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a full-length inflation shaft and a guidewire shaft for fast catheter and guidewire exchange. The proximal portions of the inflation shaft and the guidewire shaft are detached from one another. The detached proximal shaft portions transition within a conversion portion of the catheter shaft and become coaxial within a distal portion of the catheter shaft. The proximal portion of the guidewire shaft may contain a continuous, longitudinally extending slot that acts as a guide member or guidewire track. Alternatively, the proximal portion of the guidewire shaft maybe removable from the catheter at a conversion joint via a snap-fit connection. Both embodiments allow for catheter exchange without removing the guidewire from a body lumen, or allow guidewire exchange without removing the catheter from the body lumen.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes an inflation shaft and an elongated guidewire shaft. A relatively short, distal portion of the guidewire shaft is attached to, or enveloped within, a distal portion of the inflation shaft. A proximal portion of the guidewire shaft is detached from and independent of a proximal portion of the inflation shaft. The detached portion of the guidewire shaft contains perforations at pre-determined points along its length that define removable segments thereof. The removable segments remain attached to the guidewire shaft under normal conditions, but may be torn away from the guidewire shaft to provide access to a guidewire within a guidewire lumen thereof.

Abstract: A catheter and guide wire exchange system including a catheter that has a guide wire lumen with a guide way extending along a length of the proximal shaft. A guide member is slidably disposed about the proximal shaft for directing a guide wire into or out of the guide way and the guide wire lumen. A transition section joins the trilumen proximal shaft to a coaxial distal shaft.