Abstract: A device, a method of making a device and a method of inserting a device into a tubular path. The device includes a tubular sheath with one or more helical slots formed therein and a control element that fits within the sheath. In one form, the device is an endoluminal device that simultaneously improves flexibility and structural rigidity though variations in one or both of slot width along the length of the slot and slot pitch along the length of the tubular sheath. When the operator pulls at the proximal end of the control element while holding the outer sheath in place, the slots will tend to close in a preferential manner such that more precise control of device length and bending is enabled, while simultaneously providing improvements in structural rigidity during device insertion and navigation through a body lumen or related tubular member where tortuous paths may be encountered along the member path.

Abstract: A device, a method of making a device and a method of inserting a device into a tubular path. The device includes a tubular sheath with one or more helical slots formed therein and a control element that fits within the sheath. In one form, the device is an endoluminal device that simultaneously improves flexibility and structural rigidity though variations in one or both of slot width along the length of the slot and slot pitch along the length of the tubular sheath. When the operator pulls at the proximal end of the control element while holding the outer sheath in place, the slots will tend to close in a preferential manner such that more precise control of device length and bending is enabled, while simultaneously providing improvements in structural rigidity during device insertion and navigation through a body lumen or related tubular member where tortuous paths may be encountered along the member path.

Abstract: A stented valve suitable for use in body ducts. The valve includes an expandable support structure and an attached flexible membrane that changes shape when the valve opens and closes. The expandable support structure has the shape of a stent with a series of interconnected expandable unit cells and elongated support beams. When the valve is open, body fluid can flow around the membrane and pass through the gap between it and the inner stent surface. In one configuration, a set of two valves is combined with an intermediate inflatable balloon to create a cardiac assist pumping device. In another embodiment, valve closure can be achieved by remotely controlled valve leaflets actuation. A double aorta valve frame is used to accommodate shape and diameter variations of the annulus in an outer valve frame, while the inner valve frame has dimensions for optimized performance of the valve membrane.

Abstract: A device, a method of making a device and a method of inserting a device into a tubular path. The device includes a tubular sheath with one or more helical slots formed therein and a control element that fits within the sheath. In one form, the device is an endoluminal device that simultaneously improves flexibility and structural rigidity though variations in one or both of slot width along the length of the slot and slot pitch along the length of the tubular sheath. When the operator pulls at the proximal end of the control element while holding the outer sheath in place, the slots will tend to close in a preferential manner such that more precise control of device length and bending is enabled, while simultaneously providing improvements in structural rigidity during device insertion and navigation through a body lumen or related tubular member where tortuous paths may be encountered along the member path.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon pumping device and a method of assembling an intra-aortic balloon pumping device. The device includes a catheter with a separated first and second lumen for driving a first balloon with a relatively large outer diameter and a second balloon with a smaller outer diameter than the aorta when inflated, as well as a single driver unit that is coupled to the first and second lumen for pumping a driving gas into and out from each individual lumen to inflate and deflate the first and second balloons in sequence. The ratio of cross-sectional area of each lumen and the balloon volumes are dimensioned in such way that the sequence is optimized. In one form, the second lumen is a short aperture, located only between adjacent chambers that are formed by the first and second balloons.

Abstract: An intra-corporal medical device, a medical device and a method of making an intra-corporal medical device. In one form, the device is formed from one or more tubes with a non-axisymmetric cross-sectional profile such that tines formed in a relatively planar surface of such a device exhibit the ability to accept larger deformations that will have improved mechanical properties, including a lower tendency to buckle under bending forces. In one form, the tube or tubes are made from shape memory materials such as Nitinol that can be expanded or bent in various directions in order to take advantage of shape memory effect, linear and non-linear pseudoelasticity and strain hardened cold work.

Abstract: A device, a method of making a device and a method of inserting a device into a tubular path. The device includes a tubular sheath with one or more helical slots formed therein and a control element that fits within the sheath. In one form, the device is an endoluminal device that simultaneously improves flexibility and structural rigidity though variations in one or both of slot width along the length of the slot and slot pitch along the length of the tubular sheath. When the operator pulls at the proximal end of the control element while holding the outer sheath in place, the slots will tend to close in a preferential manner such that more precise control of device length and bending is enabled, while simultaneously providing improvements in structural rigidity during device insertion and navigation through a body lumen or related tubular member where tortuous paths may be encountered along the member path.

Abstract: A stented valve suitable for use in body ducts. The valve includes an expandable support structure and an attached flexible membrane that changes shape when the valve opens and closes. The expandable support structure has the shape of a stent with a series of interconnected expandable unit cells and elongated support beams. When the valve is open, body fluid can flow around the membrane and pass through the gap between it and the inner stent surface. In one configuration, a set of two valves is combined with an intermediate inflatable balloon to create a cardiac assist pumping device. In another embodiment, valve closure can be achieved by remotely controlled valve leaflets actuation. A double aorta valve frame is used to accommodate shape and diameter variations of the annulus in an outer valve frame, while the inner valve frame has dimensions for optimized performance of the valve membrane.

Abstract: A device, a method of making a device and a method of inserting a device into a tubular path. The device includes a tubular sheath with one or more helical slots formed therein and a control element that fits within the sheath. In one form, the device is an endoluminal device that simultaneously improves flexibility and structural rigidity though variations in one or both of slot width along the length of the slot and slot pitch along the length of the tubular sheath. When the operator pulls at the proximal end of the control element while holding the outer sheath in place, the slots will tend to close in a preferential manner such that more precise control of device length and bending is enabled, while simultaneously providing improvements in structural rigidity during device insertion and navigation through a body lumen or related tubular member where tortuous paths may be encountered along the member path.

Abstract: A device and method for the retrieval of endoluminal filters. In one form, a filter is a reverse-type device placed on the distal side of the operator such that the filter is placed in a direction where the blood flows towards the operator. This is particularly helpful when a filter is placed upstream such that it is moved in a direction against the blood flow. This permits closure of the filter mouth to initiate on the side where the blood enters to promote safe entrapment of emboli and other particles before the filter is completely collapsed and retrieved from the body. Such a reverse-type sheath can also be used in combination with other procedures. For example, it can be integrated with the same catheter device that is also used for angioplasty, ablation, stenting or valve replacement.

Abstract: A device, a method of making a device and a method of inserting a device into a tubular path. The device includes a tubular sheath with one or more helical slots formed therein and a control element that fits within the sheath. In one form, the device is an endoluminal device that simultaneously improves flexibility and structural rigidity though variations in one or both of slot width along the length of the slot and slot pitch along the length of the tubular sheath. When the operator pulls at the proximal end of the control element while holding the outer sheath in place, the slots will tend to close in a preferential manner such that more precise control of device length and bending is enabled, while simultaneously providing improvements in structural rigidity during device insertion and navigation through a body lumen or related tubular member where tortuous paths may be encountered along the member path.

Abstract: An improved endoluminal device. The device includes at least a control element (such as a guide wire, tube or related structure) connected to a surrounding sheath and an elastic bias section to control changes to a bias force formed between the control element and the sheath. By applying an external force at a proximal end of the device, the shape can change between varying degrees of deformed shapes and an undeformed shape. In this way, both ease of insertion into the body lumen and anchoring to the lumen is promoted. A distal end of the assembly can be made to change shape for improved steerability, anchoring or both. In a particular form, the anchoring section can work as a floating parachute-like device to pull the assembly by means of the flow in the body lumen, while in a more particular form, the floating parachute-like device may be modified to act as a filter for trapping emboli.

Abstract: A series of medical instruments can be made with the use of shape memory tube with a transformation temperature that is above or below the ambient temperature. In the first case, the material behaves with the shape memory effect and in the second case the behavior is superelastic. The wall of the tube has been provided with a plurality of slots in specific places, often near or at the distal end of the instrument, and in specific arrangements which allow local variations in diameter, shape, and/or length. These variations can either be caused by the memory effect during temperature change or by superelastic behavior during change of the mechanical influences on the memory metal by the surrounding material.

Abstract: A series of medical instruments can be made with the use of shape memory tube with a transformation temperature that is above or below the ambient temperature. In the first case, the material behaves with the shape memory effect and in the second case the behavior is superelastic. The wall of the tube has been provided with a plurality of slots in specific places, often near or at the distal end of the instrument, and in specific arrangements which allow local variations in diameter, shape, and/or length. These variations can either be caused by the memory effect during temperature change or by superelastic behavior during change of the mechanical influences on the memory metal by the surrounding material.

Abstract: A series of medical instruments can be made with the use of shape memory tube with a transformation temperature that is above or below the ambient temperature. In the first case, the material behaves with the shape memory effect and in the second case the behavior is superelastic. The wall of the tube has been provided with a plurality of slots in specific places, often near or at the distal end of the instrument, and in specific arrangements which allow local variations in diameter, shape, and/or length. These variations can either be caused by the memory effect during temperature change or by superelastic behavior during change of the mechanical influences on the memory metal by the surrounding material.

Abstract: An improved endoluminal device. The device includes at least a control element (such as a guide wire, tube or related structure) connected to a surrounding sheath and an elastic bias section to control changes to a bias force formed between the control element and the sheath. By applying an external force at a proximal end of the device, the shape can change between varying degrees of deformed shapes and an undeformed shape. In this way, both ease of insertion into the body lumen and anchoring to the lumen is promoted. A distal end of the assembly can be made to change shape for improved steerability, anchoring or both. In a particular form, the anchoring section can work as a floating parachute-like device to pull the assembly by means of the flow in the body lumen, while in a more particular form, the floating parachute-like device may be modified to act as a filter for trapping emboli.

Abstract: An improved endoluminal device. The device includes at least a control element (such as a guide wire) connected to a surrounding sheath and an elastic bias section to control changes to a bias force formed between the control element and the sheath. By applying an external force at a proximal end of the device, the shape can change between varying degrees of deformed shapes and an undeformed shape. In this way, both ease of insertion into the body lumen and anchoring to the lumen is promoted. A distal end of the assembly can be made to change shape for improved steerability, anchoring or both. In a particular form, the anchoring section can work as a floating parachute-like device to pull the assembly by means of the flow in the body lumen, while in a more particular form, the floating parachute-like device may be modified to act as a filter for trapping emboli.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to bistable cells and their use in devices, particularly medical devices such as stents, clamps and valves. An expandable stent formed of a plurality of bistable cells is described. The stent has two or more stable configurations, including a first stable configuration with a first diameter and a second stable configuration with a second, larger diameter. A valve comprising a bistable cell for use in eliminating incontinence is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stent is described comprising a unit cell having a negative spring rate and a bistable function. The unit cell comprises first and second segments, the first segment being more rigid than the second segment. The second segment is coupled to the first segment, and the first segment comprises a substantially fixed sinusoidal shape. In the contracted state, the second segment is held stable in a sinusoidal shape, but when a force is applied the second segment bends out to a stable, convex-shaped deployed state. The second segments withstand the application of radial forces in the convex-shaped deployed state, and diametral recoil of the stent is minimized.

Abstract: Expandable biodegradable devices formed of bistable and multistable unit cells for use in devices, such as stents and graft systems, are provided, in which the device has two or more stable configurations, including a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, the contracted stable configuration having a smaller diameter than the expanded configuration.