Abstract: Implantable medical devices adapted to modify fluid flow within a body vessel are provided herein. The medical devices may include a fluid flow restricting channel configured to reduce longitudinal fluid flow in a retrograde direction or in an antegrade direction. Preferably, the medical devices are flow-modifying devices that reduce fluid flow through the medical device to a greater extent in a retrograde direction than in an antegrade direction. Methods of treatment comprising the step of implanting a flow-modifying medical device within a body vessel are also provided. Flow-modifying devices are useful, for example, in treating venous valve related conditions.

Abstract: Endolumenal medical devices for implantation within a body vessel are provided. The medical devices may comprise a light-transmitting area having an adhesive-activating effective transmittance at a wavelength suitable for activating a light-activated adhesive. The light-activated adhesive is preferably positioned on the medical device and may be activated by illumination inside a body vessel with light of a suitable wavelength, including ultraviolet, visible or infrared radiation, to secure the medical device within a body vessel. The light may be provided by a light-emitting catheter within the body vessel, and the medical device may be configured as a radially-expandable valve comprising one or more valve leaflets.

Abstract: Described are devices, methods, and systems for achieving occlusion of vascular vessels. Further described are certain reduced or low profile procedures and devices for the percutaneous occlusion of the saphenous vein, such as in the treatment of a varicose vein condition caused by venous reflux.

Abstract: A self-expanding or otherwise expandable artificial valve prostheses for deployment within a body passageway, such as a vessel or duct of a patient. The valve prostheses include a support structure having an outer frame, a supporting member and a valve leaflet. The portion of the valve leaflet is supported by the supporting member and is positioned away from the wall of the body passageway when the device is deployed within the body passageway.

Abstract: Delivery systems for delivering and deploying expandable intraluminal medical devices within a body vessel are provided. A portion of the delivery system that includes the expandable intraluminal medical device orients itself about an axis based on characteristics of the body vessel, such as the relative orientation of major and minor axes of the vessel. This allows the intraluminal medical device to be deployed in the vessel in a desired orientation relative to the vessel. Embodiments can be used with any suitable intraluminal medical device, including valve devices, stents, drug-coated stents, filters, and other suitable devices. Methods of delivering and deploying intraluminal medical devices are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in certain aspects, devices and methods for protecting the body from downstream embolization. In one embodiment, a distal protection device comprises a shaft and a jacket with the shaft being received within the jacket. The device also includes a filter, which is supported by a wire cone that has one end attached to the jacket and an opposite end attached to the shaft. The shaft is rotatable relative to the jacket to reduce the size of the cone for capturing embolic debris within the wire cone. The invention also provides such devices in combination with instruments (e.g., balloon stent catheters) for treating stenosis and other similar conditions.

Abstract: A medical device including a guiding member and a filter portion is disclosed. The guiding member includes a lumen configured to slidably engage the filter portion. The filter portion forms a tubular geometry that extends distally from the guiding member. The filter portion is configured to evert to form a proximally facing concave geometry for capturing emboli. Further, the filter portion includes filter openings that are sized to allow blood cells to pass therethrough while preventing the passage of emboli.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices, such as intraluminally implantable stents and valves, are provided having certain preferred shapes. Preferably, a portion of the implantable medical device can define a sinus region having a preferred geometry. The sinus region can have one or more preferred geometric configurations described herein, for example to mitigate or prevent thrombosis within a body vessel. The medical device can include a valve means, such as one or more valve leaflets positioned within the sinus region. The implantable medical devices can be delivered from a catheter within a body vessel, and are preferably expandable from a compressed configuration to a radially expanded configuration. The implantable frames can be self-expanding or balloon expandable. Portions of the medical device, such as the implantable frame or a valve leaflet, are optionally coated with one or more bioactive materials.

Abstract: Medical devices for implantation in a body vessel, and methods of using and making the same, are provided. A medical device includes a frame and a cross-linkable material having at least one cross-linked region and a non cross-linked region, where the cross-linked region maintains the cross-linkable material in connection to the frame. A method of making an implantable medical device includes providing a frame and covering the frame with a cross-linkable material. The method also includes cross-linking at least one region of the cross-linkable material by joining a first region of the cross-linkable material to a second region of the cross-linkable material to form a point of attachment. A method of treating a subject includes the step of implanting the medical device at a point of treatment.

Abstract: Devices, materials and methods for using the same for modifying or monitoring a valve within a body are provided herein. Devices comprising a magnetic material and magnetically-activated implantable devices are described. Methods of modifying a valve in the body, for a valve within a body vessel are also provided.

Abstract: Medical devices for implantation within a body vessel comprising a thromboresistant material are provided. The thromboresistant material preferably comprises a biocompatible polyurethane, a remodelable material, a bioactive agent or any combination thereof. The medical device can be a prosthetic valve comprising a thromboresistant material. The medical device can also comprise a support frame with one or more valve leaflets attached to the support frame.

Abstract: Medical devices for implantation in a body vessel, and methods of using and making the same, are provided. Medical devices preferably comprise a remodelable material attached to a frame with a tension that can change upon implantation of the medical device within the lumen of a body vessel. Controlled fracture or bioabsorption of frame material can, in some embodiments, decrease the tension on the remodelable material after implantation. The remodelable material can form one or more valve leaflets adapted to regulate fluid flow in a body vessel, such as a vein.

Abstract: A method and device to repair a stenosis in a blood vessel is provided. The medical device has a tubular member and a frame. The frame may be expanded or contracted while maintaining its generally cylindrical configuration. The medical device is retained in a contracted state inside an introducer sheath. The introducer sheath is guided through the stenosis such that a first end of the medical device is located distal the stenosis. The introducer sheath is retracted relative to the medical device, such that the first end of the stent expands to engage the blood vessel distal the stenosis. A mid-portion of the medical device engages the plaque of the stenosis trapping any emboli against the wall of the vessel. The second end expands to engage the blood vessel proximal to stenosis.

Abstract: Methods for implanting a prosthetic valve in a body vessel having a fluid flow therethrough are provided. One method includes identifying a position of an existing valve and determining a factor affecting fluid flow in at least one of a first direction and a second direction at the existing valve. The method includes selecting the implantation position for a prosthetic valve at a distance away from the existing valve position in consideration of the factor. The method further includes providing the prosthetic valve for delivery to the implantation position, delivering and implanting the prosthetic valve at the position. The prosthetic valve includes at least one flexible member movable between a first position that permits fluid flow in the first direction and the second position that substantially prevents fluid flow in a second direction.

Abstract: Delivery systems, methods of fabricating delivery systems, and methods of implanting intraluminal medical devices at a point of treatment within a body vessel are provided. Delivery systems include an elongate tubular member that has first and second wall portions with different acoustic impedences. An intraluminal medical device is disposed on a mounting region of a dilator and within the elongate tubular member. One of the wall portions of the elongate tubular member is positioned substantially adjacent a functional mechanism of the intraluminal medical device. This positioning facilitates placement of the intraluminal medical device within a body vessel in a particular orientation by observing the differential reflection of ultrasonic waves caused by the different acoustic impedences of the first and second wall portions of the elongate tubular member.

Abstract: An embolic protection device generally includes an elongated hub and at least one projection. The projection defines a tortuous pathway between the hub and the vessel wall to prevent emboli from following the pathway and passing beyond the device. The tortuous pathway is structured to permit the bodily fluid to follow the pathway and pass beyond the device.

Abstract: Described are devices, methods and systems useful for achieving occlusion of vascular vessels. Percutaneous procedures can be used to occlude and obliterate the greater saphenous vein, for example in the treatment of varicose vein condition caused by venous reflux. Certain embodiments encompass the deployment and filling of an inflatable occlusion device via a percutaneous procedure, so as to occlude or obliterate a portion of a vascular vessel.

Abstract: Described are devices, methods and systems useful for achieving occlusion of vascular vessels. Percutaneous procedures can be used to occlude and obliterate the greater saphenous vein, for example in the treatment of varicose vein condition caused by venous reflux. Certain embodiments encompass the percutaneous delivery of an occlusion device inverted within a cannula, its deployment and filling, so as to occlude or obliterate a portion of a vascular vessel.

Abstract: Medical devices with one or more bioactive agents are provided for regulating fluid flow through a body vessel. Medical devices according to the invention can comprise prosthetic valves that include a bioactive agent.

Abstract: A non-implantable valve assembly and a method for controlling flow rates in a medical device are provided. The valve assembly includes a valve member being dimensioned for reception at least partially within a lumen of the medical device. The valve member includes a flow regulator for controlling flow rates in a first direction having a first rate and a second direction having a second rate. The second rate is greater than the first rate.