Abstract: A control unit controls delivery of RF energy generated by an RF generator to a medical device configured to perform a medical procedure. The control unit may be separate from the RF generator, and may have an input that may be attached to an output of the RF generator. The control unit includes switching circuitry that is closed while an amount of RF energy is transmitted through the control unit to the medical device. The switching circuitry opens when the amount of RF energy reaches a threshold level.

Abstract: A stent graft device that requires an anchor setting procedure to prevent migration of the stent, such as an endovascular anchor stent device used for treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurism, can be anchored to a blood vessel by electrosurgically disrupting portions of the blood vessel in situ to affix struts of the stent graft device to the vessel wall, replacing barbs which have been used in such devices. The stent graft device can have a wire frame and struts or a cannula stent frame body with struts cut from the cannula. The struts can be provided with openings which are filled with extracellular matrix material, which encourages and speeds ingrowth of the struts in the vessel wall.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis, such as an artificial venous valve, is described. The valve prosthesis has a support frame formed from a cannula and an attached covering that defines an opening adapted to move between a first position in which the opening is open to fluid flow and a second position in which the opening is closed to fluid flow. The support frame includes a leaflet support portion and a circumferential centering support element disposed adjacent the leaflet support portion with respect to a lengthwise axis of the support frame and mirroring the leaflet support portion with respect to a transverse axis of the support frame.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided with a balloon catheter having a stent mounted thereon. A retention wire is provided to restrain the stent on the balloon of the balloon catheter. The retention wire is coupled to the catheter adjacent the distal end of the stent and adjacent the proximal end of the stent. The retention wire extends along the length of the stent adjacent the outer surface thereof. Thus, the retention wire may restrain the stent from moving longitudinally during inflation of the balloon.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis, such as an artificial venous valve, having a support frame and leaf structure comprising one or more leaflets in which the outer edge of each leaflet engages the inner circumference of the bodily passageway along a serpentine path urged against the passageway by an expandable frame, while the inner edges move in response to fluid to restrict retrograde flow. Optionally, one or more elements can extend from the support frame/leaf structure to provide centering support and/or protection from the leaflet adhering to the vessel wall. In one embodiment, the centering support structure comprises a second or third expandable frames attached to and extending from the proximal and/or distal ends of main valve structure and support frame. In another embodiment, one or more support elements extend outward from the valve support frame to engage the vessel wall to provide greater longitudinal stability.

Abstract: A medical device is provided. The device includes a cannula with a lumen and a plurality of apertures and a visually perceptible indicator that is configured to allow the cannula to be positioned at an appropriate rotational position within the patient. A plurality of injection needles are disposed within the lumen and a first handle is fixed with respect to the cannula and a second handle is disposed in conjunction with the first handle and fixed to the proximal portion of each of the plurality of needles, the first handle is translatable with respect to the second handle to translate the plurality of needles from a first position where the distal portions of each of the plurality of needles are disposed within the lumen of the cannula, and a second position where the distal portion of each of the plurality of needles extends out of the lumen through their respective aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anchoring element for an implantable prosthesis that includes a barb, wherein the anchoring element, which includes a basal portion, comprises a thin layer of material, such as a cannula or sheet of metal, that extends or wraps at least partially around the strut of the prosthesis to which it is attached. The barb is configured to extend outward from the basal portion to penetrate adjacent tissue. The anchoring element is either permanently affixed to the strut, such as by laser or spot welding, crimping, or some other method of bonding, or allowed to slide longitudinally over the strut between two points or stops in order to relieve any excessive loads placed upon the barb that could cause fracture. The anchoring element and strut may be configured to limit axial rotation of the barb, while still allowing longitudinal movement. In another embodiment, the slidable anchoring element may be manipulated following initial deployment to reorient the barb toward the implantation site.

Abstract: An attachment system for attaching an intravascular device to a vessel wall of a body vessel is disclosed. The attachment system includes an intravascular device and biological attachment material connected to the intravascular device. The biological attachment material is configured to attach the intravascular device to the vessel wall.

Abstract: An attachment system for attaching an intravascular device to a vessel wall of a body vessel is disclosed. The attachment system includes a tubular expandable body defining a lumen therethrough. The tubular expandable body is configured to move between an expanded state to contact the body vessel and a collapsed state for delivery or retrieval. The tubular expandable body is configured to contact the vessel wall along the length of the tubular expandable body in the expanded state when deployed in the body vessel. An intravascular device is held to the exterior side of the tubular expandable body and is configured to contact the vessel wall when the tubular expandable body is in the expanded state and the system is deployed within a body vessel.

Abstract: An attachment system for attaching an intravascular device to a vessel wall of a body vessel is disclosed. The attachment system has an intravascular device having a first end and a second end. The intravascular device defines a longitudinal axis along a length thereof. Several struts are connected to one or more ends of the intravascular device. Each strut is configured to move along a strut path relative to the longitudinal axis between an expanded state for engaging the vessel wall and a collapsed state for delivery or retrieval. Each strut has a free end configured to engage the vessel wall in the expanded state.

Abstract: A medical device is provided. The device includes a cannula with a lumen defined therethrough and an upper portion, a right side portion, a bottom portion, and a left side portion each substantially equally spaced from their respective neighboring portion around the circumferential surface of the cannula. The cannula additionally includes a plurality of apertures disposed through the distal end portion to provide communication from the lumen and a visually perceptible indicator that is configured to allow the cannula to be positioned at an appropriate rotational position within the patient.

Abstract: An introducer apparatus and a method for forming an introducer apparatus. The apparatus comprises an inner liner having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough. A coil in a stressed, radially expanded condition is positioned longitudinally around said inner tube. A polymeric outer tube is positioned longitudinally around the coil and the inner liner, and is bonded to the inner liner through the spaces between the turns of the coil. The polymeric outer tube is formed in a manner such that it maintains the coil in its stressed radially expanded condition. In a preferred embodiment, the inner liner and outer tube comprise a polyimide.

Abstract: An valve prosthesis, such as an artificial venous valve, having a support frame and leaf structure comprising one or more leaflets in which the outer edge of each leaflet engages the inner circumference of the bodily passageway along a serpentine path urged against the passageway by an expandable frame, while the inner edges move in response to fluid to restrict retrograde flow. Optionally, one or more elements can extend from the support frame/leaf structure to provide centering support and/or protection from the leaflet adhering to the vessel wall. In one embodiment, the centering support structure comprises a second or third expandable frames attached to and extending from the proximal and/or distal ends of main valve structure and support frame. In another embodiment, one or more support elements extend outward from the valve support frame to engage the vessel wall to provide greater longitudinal stability.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anchoring element for an implantable prosthesis that includes a barb, wherein the anchoring element, which includes a basal portion, comprises a thin layer of material, such as a cannula or sheet of metal, that extends or wraps at least partially around the strut of the prosthesis to which it is attached. The barb is configured to extend outward from the basal portion to penetrate adjacent tissue. The anchoring element is either permanently affixed to the strut, such as by laser or spot welding, crimping, or some other method of bonding, or allowed to slide longitudinally over the strut between two points or stops in order to relieve any excessive loads placed upon the barb that could cause fracture. The anchoring element and strut may be configured to limit axial rotation of the barb, while still allowing longitudinal movement. In another embodiment, the slidable anchoring element may be manipulated following initial deployment to reorient the barb toward the implantation site.

Abstract: An valve prosthesis, such as an artificial venous valve, having a support frame and leaf structure comprising one or more leaflets in which the outer edge of each leaflet engages the inner circumference of the bodily passageway along a serpentine path urged against the passageway by an expandable frame, while the inner edges move in response to fluid to restrict retrograde flow. Optionally, one or more elements can extend from the support frame/leaf structure to provide centering support and/or protection from the leaflet adhering to the vessel wall. In one embodiment, the centering support structure comprises a second or third expandable frames attached to and extending from the proximal and/or distal ends of main valve structure and support frame. In another embodiment, one or more support elements extend outward from the valve support frame to engage the vessel wall to provide greater longitudinal stability.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for insertion into a vertebral body is provided. The balloon catheter includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A lumen extends through the shaft along a longitudinal axis. An inflatable balloon having an uninflated configuration and an inflated configuration is disposed near the distal end of the shaft. The balloon has a proximal portion and a distal portion and an interior and an exterior. The lumen is in fluid communication with the interior of the balloon. An expandable band is wrapped around a section of the exterior of the balloon in a generally proximal-distal direction. The balloon catheter is configured to be positioned within the vertebral body such that the expandable band is configured to prevent leakage of a bone-filling material in a generally lateral direction relative to a vertebral body and facilitate adhesion of the bone-filling material within the vertebral body.

Abstract: An valve prosthesis, such as an artificial venous valve, having a support frame and leaf structure comprising one or more leaflets in which the outer edge of each leaflet engages the inner circumference of the bodily passageway along a serpentine path urged against the passageway by an expandable frame, while the inner edges move in response to fluid to restrict retrograde flow. Optionally, one or more elements can extend from the support frame/leaf structure to provide centering support and/or protection from the leaflet adhering to the vessel wall. In one embodiment, the centering support structure comprises a second or third expandable frames attached to and extending from the proximal and/or distal ends of main valve structure and support frame. In another embodiment, one or more support elements extend outward from the valve support frame to engage the vessel wall to provide greater longitudinal stability.

Abstract: A medical prosthesis for implantation within the body of a patient comprises a support structure and an anchoring element that comprises a basal portion and at least one barb extending from the basal portion. The anchoring element may be slidably attached to the strut and the strut may include a first stop and a second stop that define a longitudinal zone of movement for the anchoring element. Other devices and methods are described.

Abstract: A mixing system and method for forming bone cement by mixing liquid monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA) with a powder component comprising polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). A container of MMA is received in a bag. The MMA is emptied from the container into the bag, and a syringe is connected to the bag in substantially leak-free manner to receive the MMA from the bag. The syringe is disconnected from the bag and thereafter connected to a receptacle housing the powder component. The MMA is then transferred into the receptacle in substantially leak-free manner.

Abstract: An valve prosthesis, such as an artificial venous valve, having a support frame and leaf structure comprising one or more leaflets in which the outer edge of each leaflet engages the inner circumference of the bodily passageway along a serpentine path urged against the passageway by an expandable frame, while the inner edges move in response to fluid to restrict retrograde flow. Optionally, one or more elements can extend from the support frame/leaf structure to provide centering support and/or protection from the leaflet adhering to the vessel wall. In one embodiment, the centering support structure comprises a second or third expandable frames attached to and extending from the proximal and/or distal ends of main valve structure and support frame. In another embodiment, one or more support elements extend outward from the valve support frame to engage the vessel wall to provide greater longitudinal stability.