Abstract: Medical devices and related methods enable physicians and/or other medical personnel to access percutaneously the interior of a patient. One particular device includes a housing which defines a cavity, a first opening into the cavity, and a second opening into the cavity. The housing is implantable in a patient. The cavity is placed subcutaneously within the patient. The first opening is substantially flush with the surface of the skin of the patient and creates a percutaneous passageway from the exterior of the skin of the patient into the cavity, and the second opening creates a passageway from the cavity into the interior of the patient. A connector is coupled to the second opening and disposed substantially within the cavity to enable a connection between a first device and a second device disposed within the interior of the patient.

Abstract: A device, method, and system are provided for immobilizing and stabilizing a breast in preparation for tumor ablation or biopsy. The device includes a medical device holder that can be used to accurately aim a medical probe, and hold it place during treatment.

Abstract: An agent delivery device includes an inner tubular body having a proximal end, a sharpened distal end, a delivery lumen extending therebetween, and one or more outlet ports on the distal end communicating with the delivery lumen. The device also includes one or more seals sealing the one or more outlet ports, the one or more seals capable of being melted to allow a fluid to be delivered from the delivery lumen through the one or more outlet ports. The agent delivery device may further include a monopolar or bipolar electrode and/or a radio-opaque marker carried at the distal end of the device. The inner tubular body can be made from a conductive material to thereby allow the inner tubular body to function as an electrode.

Abstract: A vessel occlusion system includes one or more ablation elements that, when activated, is configured for at least partially closing a vessel segment of a patient. The vessel occlusion system further includes a sensor assembly that is configured for generating feedback indicative of a state of closure of the vessel segment, and an automated longitudinal translator configured for longitudinally translating the one or more ablation elements based on the feedback from the sensor assembly. The one or more ablation elements may be associated with a catheter member that slides within the catheter sheath.

Abstract: An agent delivery device includes an outer tubular body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, an inner tubular body positioned coaxially within the lumen of the outer tubular body, the inner tubular body having a distal end configured for puncturing tissue, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end of the inner tubular body, and a suction port located at the distal end of the outer tubular body, the suction port being in fluid communication with the lumen of the outer tubular body. The inner tubular body may be fixedly or slidably secured to the outer tubular body. The agent delivery device may further include a monopolar or bipolar electrode and/or a radio-opaque marker carried at the distal end of the device.

Abstract: An intraluminally placeable tubular device includes an elongate hollow tubular member having a luminal surface and an exterior surface defining a wall portion therebetween. The hollow tubular member has an open proximal end and an opposed distal end. The wall portion has sufficient self-supporting rigidity to permit the device to be advanced through a body lumen during intraluminal placement. The tubular member includes yarns interconnected in a pattern defining opposed interior and exterior textile surfaces. At least one of the textile surfaces is the body fluid-contacting luminal surface or the body lumen-contacting exterior surface. A textile infusion and/or a textile aspiration valve is also provided. A percutaneously or orificially placeable catheter with such textile valves is provided.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods enable physicians and/or other medical personnel to access percutaneously the interior of a patient. One particular device includes a housing which defines a cavity, a first opening into the cavity, and a second opening into the cavity. The housing is implantable in a patient. The cavity is placed subcutaneously within the patient. The first opening is substantially flush with the surface of the skin of the patient and creates a percutaneous passageway from the exterior of the skin of the patient into the cavity, and the second opening creates a passageway from the cavity into the interior of the patient. A connector is coupled to the second opening and disposed substantially within the cavity to enable a connection between a first device and a second device disposed within the interior of the patient.

Abstract: An endoluminal device including a prosthesis and at least one indicator member affixed to the prosthesis that can be remotely monitored to indicate a change in pressure or morphology of the prosthesis. The indicator member may be an optical fiber, a strain gauge, or a first material having a first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) susceptibility value that contrasts with a second MRI susceptibility value of a second material that comprises one or more remaining members of the prosthesis. A prosthesis monitoring system includes an endoluminal device as well as a subcutaneous electronics package and external electronics. Methods of detecting endoleaks or changes in morphology involve implanting an endoluminal device with the indicator and detecting information from the indicator.

Abstract: A device is provided for endoluminal delivery of a luminal graft. As applied in the vascular system, the device comprises a catheter configured to be advanced endovascularly to a graft location. A generally tubular temporary stent having a distal end and a proximal end is tapered and attached to the catheter at the proximal end. The temporary stent comprises helically braided thread members that expand radially outwardly to a maximum diameter in a resting state. The temporary stent terminates in discrete ends temporarily affixed to the graft at the distal end. A tubular sheath selectively and reversibly radially constrains the temporary stent. The sheath is configured to be longitudinally moveable relative the temporary stent to constrain and reconstrain the temporary stent when positioned over the temporary stent, and to release the temporary stent when withdrawn from over the temporary stent.

Abstract: An endoluminal device including a prosthesis and at least one indicator member affixed to the prosthesis that can be remotely monitored to indicate a change in pressure or morphology of the prosthesis. The indicator member may be an optical fiber, a strain gauge, or a first material having a first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) susceptibility value that contrasts with a second MRI susceptibility value of a second material that comprises one or more remaining members of the prosthesis. A prosthesis monitoring system includes an endoluminal device as well as a subcutaneous electronics package and external electronics. Methods of detecting endoleaks or changes in morphology involve implanting an endoluminal device with the indicator and detecting information from the indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for removing an obstruction from a body lumen simultaneously mechanically dislodges the obstruction, macerates the obstruction, and aspirates the effluent caused thereby. The maceration is effected by directing pressurized fluid to the obstruction, while the obstruction is dislodged by a tip portion formed on the end of a guidewire. The apparatus includes a flexible catheter having at least two channels individually accommodating fluid flow paths towards and away from the obstruction. The guidewire may be disposed in either of the channels or a third channel formed in the flexible catheter. The apparatus also includes a drive unit for rotating the guidewire. The drive unit may be an external drive unit, such as an electrical motor, or may include drive elements formed on the guidewire within a drive chamber, across which the fluid flows and imparts energy against the drive elements to cause rotation of the guidewire.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods enable physicians and/or other medical personnel to access percutaneously the interior of a patient. One particular device includes a housing which defines a cavity, a first opening into the cavity, and a second opening into the cavity. The housing is implantable in a patient. The cavity is placed subcutaneously within the patient. The first opening is substantially flush with the surface of the skin of the patient and creates a percutaneous passageway from the exterior of the skin of the patient into the cavity, and the second opening creates a passageway from the cavity into the interior of the patient. A connector is coupled to the second opening and disposed substantially within the cavity to enable a connection between a first device and a second device disposed within the interior of the patient.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods enable physicians and/or other medical personnel to access percutaneously the interior of a patient. One particular device includes a housing which defines a cavity, a first opening into the cavity, and a second opening into the cavity. The housing is implantable in a patient. The cavity is placed subcutaneously within the patient. The first opening is substantially flush with the surface of the skin of the patient and creates a percutaneous passageway from the exterior of the skin of the patient into the cavity, and the second opening creates a passageway from the cavity into the interior of the patient. A connector is coupled to the second opening and disposed substantially within the cavity to enable a connection between a first device and a second device disposed within the interior of the patient.

Abstract: Medical devices may be made of shape-memory materials portions of which have been heat treated to exhibit spatial variations in the stiffness of the material. Devices including stents, vena cava filters and guidewires may be constructed from such materials. Devices may also be made from shape-memory materials which have been locally heat treated such that the superelasticity of the treated portion is destroyed while the remainder of the shape-memory material can transition between the martensitic and austenitic states.

Abstract: A process for treating nitinol so that desired mechanical properties are achieved. In one embodiment, the process comprises the steps of exposing the nitinol to a primary annealing temperature within the range of approximately 475° C. to 525° C. for a first time period, and thereafter exposing the nitinol to a secondary annealing temperature within the range of approximately 550° C. to 800° C. for a second time period. The invention also includes nitinol articles made by the process of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for delivering a medical prosthesis into a body lumen. A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a catheter having a stent mounted at the distal end that is released into the body lumen by movement of an outer sheath covering the stent in the proximal direction. The stent expands to conform to the inner wall of the lumen and the catheter is withdrawn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for delivering a medical prosthesis into a body lumen. A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a catheter having a stent mounted at the distal end that is released into the body lumen by movement of an outer sheath covering the stent in the proximal direction. The stent expands to conform to the inner wall of the lumen and the catheter is withdrawn.

Abstract: A device for improving fixation and sealing of a prosthetic component when implanted in a body lumen during laparoscopic, endovascular, or open surgical procedures. In one embodiment, the prosthetic component comprises a graft having a hem defining an interior space. Enclosed within the space is an absorbent cord. The cord expands as it comes in contact with body fluids. The expansion due to the absorbed fluids forms a seal closely following the irregular shape of the lumen and improves fixation at the junction of the body lumen and the prosthetic component. Hem and cord arrangement also used to improve fixation of one prosthetic component to another in a modular graft. In another embodiment, an attachment tab has one part affixed to the outer periphery of the graft and another part attached to an area adjacent to the body lumen upon implantation, to resist forces tending to move the implant.

Abstract: An endoluminal device including a prosthesis and at least one indicator member affixed to the prosthesis that can be remotely monitored to indicate a change in pressure or morphology of the prosthesis. The indicator member may be an optical fiber, a strain gauge, or a first material having a first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) susceptibility value that contrasts with a second MRI susceptibility value of a second material that comprises one or more remaining members of the prosthesis. A prosthesis monitoring system includes an endoluminal device as well as a subcutaneous electronics package and external electronics. Methods of detecting endoleaks or changes in morphology involve implanting an endoluminal device with the indicator and detecting information from the indicator.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods enable physicians and/or other medical personnel to access percutaneously the interior of a patient. One particular device includes a housing which defines a cavity, a first opening into the cavity, and a second opening into the cavity. The housing is implantable in a patient. The cavity is placed subcutaneously within the patient. The first opening is substantially flush with the surface of the skin of the patient and creates a percutaneous passageway from the exterior of the skin of the patient into the cavity, and the second opening creates a passageway from the cavity into the interior of the patient. A connector is coupled to the second opening and disposed substantially within the cavity to enable a connection between a first device and a second device disposed within the interior of the patient.