Abstract: A medical device holding assembly includes a carrier sheath, which carries an endoluminal medical device such as an embolization coil. The assembly also includes a housing including at least one holding element to hold the sheath, and a fixation device attached to the housing and coupled to the sheath. The fixation device includes a locking element having an unlocked configuration, which allows the sheath to slide relative to the housing, and a locked configuration, which fixes the sheath to the housing. A lock actuator is configured to lock permanently the locking element into the locked configuration. As a result, the sheath with the medical device held therewithin cannot be removed from the holding assembly during the deployment procedure, thereby ensuring that the procedure can be carried out by a single person and also protecting the integrity of the medical device before it is deployed into a patient.

Abstract: A vessel ablation system includes apparatus and a process in which during a first period t1 energy is applied at a low power of 3-5 Watts, and determines if the impedance is between 80-125 ?. Subsequent to this, in a period t2, power is ramped up linearly from 0 to 40 Watts over a 10 second period. Once the desired optimum power output is reached, the system holds power level for a further period (t3) of around 20 seconds. The system then enters an after burn stage in which power is reduced to around 10 Watts for a given period t4. Throughout periods t2 and t3, the control unit monitors impedance and if at any stage this exceeds 150 ?, step t2 or t3 is curtailed and the after burn step is immediately implemented. The system provides for partial retraction of the electrode (16) by around 5 millimetres before the sequence is repeated. This algorithm, it has been found, provides reliable vessel occlusion in a reliable manner that safeguards organ integrity.

Abstract: A medical device holding assembly includes a carrier sheath, which carries an endoluminal medical device such as an embolization coil. The assembly also includes a housing including at least one holding element to hold the sheath, and a fixation device attached to the housing and coupled to the sheath. The fixation device includes a locking element having an unlocked configuration, which allows the sheath to slide relative to the housing, and a locked configuration, which fixes the sheath to the housing. A lock actuator is configured to lock permanently the locking element into the locked configuration. As a result, the sheath with the medical device held therewithin cannot be removed from the holding assembly during the deployment procedure, thereby ensuring that the procedure can be carried out by a single person and also protecting the integrity of the medical device before it is deployed into a patient.

Abstract: An energy delivery guide wire (10) including a guide wire proximal portion (12), a guide wire distal portion (14) and an energy delivery tip (16) extending from the distal portion (14); the energy delivery tip (16) having a tip length, a proximal tip end (18) and a distal tip end (20); at least the guide wire distal portion (14) extending in a first direction in an unbiased condition; the energy delivery tip (16) extending in a second direction different from the first direction; wherein the distal tip end (20) is offset from the proximal tip end (18) relative to the first direction by between 10 to 50 % of the tip length.

Abstract: An endoluminal energy delivery device includes a proximal end and a distal end, an electrically conductive core extending from the proximal to the distal end, and an energy delivery tip at the distal end. The energy delivery tip includes a distal core portion and an electrically conductive element disposed coaxially around the distal core portion and electrically coupled thereto in parallel. The distal core portion is made of a first material and the electrically conductive element is made of a second material. The second material has a higher conductivity than the first material. Electrical energy supplied to the delivery device passes simultaneously through the distal core portion and the electrically conductive element.

Abstract: Method of forming a multiple balloon catheter includes extruding a tube and a plurality of ribs through a die to form a monolithic element that spans between first and second ends with the plurality of ribs extending along the length of the tube to define a corresponding number of a plurality of channels that extend along the length of the tube. Positioning a portion of the tube into a mold and constricting a proximal end portion and a distal end portion of the tube that is positioned in the mold. Inflating the tube to produce an inner balloon having a body portion that spans between proximal and distal end portions and cutting the inner balloon to separate the inner balloon from a remainder of the tube. Disposing an outer balloon including a plurality of holes around the inner balloon and aligning the plurality of holes with the plurality of channels.

Abstract: An RF ablation system includes an electrode element of elongate form and a cathode pad. A control unit includes a processing unit, a power unit and, optionally, a temperature sensor and/or an impedance sensor. The control unit in one embodiment carries out RF ablation in at least two phases, the first phase at a higher energy level and a second phase, after at least partial retraction of the anode element, at a second lower phase in order to close any remaining lumen within a blood clot formed within the vessel during the first phase. Other embodiments provide for sensing retraction of the anode terminal and effecting RF ablation during and/or after the retraction process in order to create a more effective occlusion barrier.

Abstract: An RF ablation system includes an electrode element of elongate form and a cathode pad. A control unit includes a processing unit, a power unit and, optionally, a temperature sensor and/or an impedance sensor. The control unit in one embodiment carries out RF ablation in at least two phases, the first phase at a higher energy level and a second phase, after at least partial retraction of the anode element, at a second lower phase in order to close any remaining lumen within a blood clot formed within the vessel during the first phase. Other embodiments provide for sensing retraction of the anode terminal and effecting RF ablation during and/or after the retraction process in order to create a more effective occlusion barrier.

Abstract: A detachment mechanism for an introducer assembly is designed to hold a coupling element of an implantable medical device until its desired release within a patient's vessel. The detachment mechanism includes a body portion having first and second gripper arm elements which grip onto the coupling element of the medical device. The gripper arms are naturally biased into a closed position by means of resiliency of the body element. For this purpose, an actuating device or opening element is provided which includes an enlarged head which can be pulled against tapering internal surface of the body portion of the detachment mechanism in order to force the gripper arms open, thereby to release the medical device from the introducer assembly. The detachment mechanism, being naturally in the closed configuration, reliably holds a medical device to the introducer assembly until it is desired to release the latter into the patient's vessel.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an expandable support structure, which may be a stent. In the example shown, the device is a vascular plug and includes a twisted occluding sleeve held within the stent, which closes the lumen through the stent. At a distal end of the stent, there is provided a guide tip made of a resilient material, which includes a plurality of separable legs coupled to a central hub. The legs extend radially outwardly when the device is in its radially expanded configuration, providing an open passage to the medical device. This structure of combined medical device and expandable guide tip enables the omission of a conventional dilator tip of an introducer assembly and allows vascular plugs and similar devices to be deployed over-the-wire and with the assistance of a dilator tip, while avoiding having to pull the dilator tip through the deployed medical device after implantation.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided for dilating hardened stenoses. The balloon catheter has dilation elements integrally formed on the outer surface of the balloon. The dilation elements have cross-sectional shapes that improve the performance of the balloon catheter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and methods of use to endoluminally heat and/or occlude a body vessel. The method includes a step of contracting the vessel to be treated by a contraction method, such as by delivering an electrical stimulus to induce spasms and decrease the diameter of the vessel. In some embodiments, the electrical stimulus may be a pulsatile electrical stimulus. The device then delivers a heat energy to aid in occlusion of the vessel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and methods of use to endoluminally ablate and/or occlude a body vessel using a radiofrequency (“RF”) signal. The device has two conductive elements or electrodes that form an electrical circuit and are operable to create an electrical field. The electrical field ablates the body vessel, forming an occlusion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and methods of use to endoluminally ablate and/or occlude a body vessel using a radiofrequency (“RF”) signal. The device has two conductive elements or electrodes that form various electrical circuits, and the two conductive elements are operable to create an electrical field. The electrical field ablates the body vessel, forming an occlusion.

Abstract: A vascular closure device includes a frame to which there is fitted a plurality of anchor elements, spaced radially around the frame. The closure device includes a radial compression feature, which may be a memorised shape of the frame or non-sprung condition of the frame, having a small radius. The closure device is deployed in a vessel such that the anchor elements are embedded into the vessel wall. The radial compression feature causes the frame to compress radially, as a result of which the anchor elements will pull the vessel wall inwardly, thereby closing the vessel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and methods of use to endoluminally ablate and/or occlude a body vessel using a current to perform resistive heating. The device includes a resistive coil having thermistor properties where the resistance of the coil changes as a function of temperature. A control unit will detect the voltage, current, and resistance in the coil during the heating of the coil to determine the temperature of the coil. As occlusion occurs and the cooling effect of blood flow decreases, less power will be required to maintain the coil at a desired temperature. Detecting a large decrease in required power will indicate to the control unit that the body vessel has become occluded.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and methods of use to endoluminally ablate and/or occlude a body vessel using a radiofrequency (“RF”) signal and a current to perform resistive heating. The device may have a RF mode and a resistive mode, and may perform each mode in sequential order until the vessel is fully occluded. The device further comprises a control unit to operate the device in its various modes. The device may be provided in a system including an occlusive element, such as a balloon catheter, to prevent blood flow through the ablation/occlusion site.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and methods of use to endoluminally ablate and/or occlude a body vessel using a radiofrequency (“RF”) signal and a current to perform resistive heating. The device may have a RF mode and a resistive mode, and may perform each mode in sequential order until the vessel is fully occluded. The device further comprises a control unit to operate the device in its various modes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and methods of use to endoluminally ablate and/or occlude a body vessel using a radiofrequency (“RF”) signal and a current to perform resistive heating. The device may have a RF mode and a resistive mode, and may perform each mode in sequential order until the vessel is fully occluded. The device further comprises a control unit to operate the device in its various modes. The device may be provided with a dielectric coating to create a low-friction tip or coil.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and methods of use to endoluminally ablate and/or occlude a body vessel using a radiofrequency (“RF”) signal and a current to perform resistive heating. The device may have a RF mode and a resistive mode, and may perform each mode in sequential order until the vessel is fully occluded. The device further comprises a control unit to operate the device in its various modes.