Abstract: A medical device for insertion and expansion within a bifurcated lumen is described. An expansion region of the device has regions thereon which, in some cases, enable the device to fold into a predetermined configuration upon deflation. The regions may be defined by differing modulus of the device material.

Abstract: A steerable sheath for a catheter delivery system and associated devices and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the catheter delivery system includes a catheter sheath having a steerable distal portion and a flexible elongate member connecting to a steering unit. The flexible elongate member has a central lumen through which a therapeutic or diagnostic device of a first modality can be inserted, used to perform a procedure, and then removed and replaced by a different therapeutic or diagnostic device while the catheter sheath remains substantially at the same location within a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to distal tip designs for catheter, wherein distal tip material is positioned about an inner shaft. The distal tip material may also be used as a tie layer for thermally bonding two incompatible materials together, such as a waist portion of a balloon to the inner shaft.

Abstract: A method of loading a shipping container (26) is described comprising moving the container from a horizontal transport condition to a vertical loading condition, and loading the container in the loading condition. Apparatus (10) for carrying out the method are also described. The apparatus includes a base frame (12), a support frame (14) and an actuator (18b).

Abstract: Loading apparatus 10 for loading material 20 into a container 22 includes a charging receptacle 12. The charging receptacle 12 defines a materials receiving space 14 in which material 20 is receivable in use. The apparatus 10 includes material moving means 24, 26 for moving the material 20 out of the material receiving space 14.

Abstract: A medical device for insertion and expansion within a bifurcated lumen is described. An expansion region of the device has regions thereon which, in some cases, enable the device to fold into a predetermined configuration upon deflation. The regions may be defined by differing modulus of the device material.

Abstract: An electronic component equipment rack utilizes vertically extending adjustable rails to support electronic components therein. The vertically extending rails are configured to allow a power distribution unit to be attached thereto. The dimensions of the vertically extending rails allow the power distribution unit to be disposed between the attached vertically extending rail and an associated adjacent opposed side of the rack. The vertically extending rails can be Z-shaped with front and rear flanges and a side panel extending therebetween. The power distribution unit can be attached to the rear flange and be adjacent the rear flange and the side panel. The power distribution unit can be flush with the front flange. The rack and the opening between opposing vertically extending rails can conform to the EIA3 10-D standard.

Abstract: Balloon systems for treating bifurcated lumens include desirable burst and folding characteristics. In some cases, the balloon systems can be formed by varying the wall thickness of a balloon parison.

Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to distal tip designs for catheter, wherein distal tip material is positioned about an inner shaft. The distal tip material may also be used as a tie layer for thermally bonding two incompatible materials together, such as a waist portion of a balloon to the inner shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to distal tip designs for catheter, wherein distal tip material is positioned about an inner shaft. The distal tip material may also be used as a tie layer for thermally bonding two incompatible materials together, such as a waist portion of a balloon to the inner shaft.

Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: A method of mounting a removable component to a mounting structure, comprising aligning an opening in the removable component with an opening in a mounting structure; aligning a toolless mechanical fastener with at least one of the openings; inserting a portion of the toolless mechanical fastener device through the opening in the removable component and the opening the mounting structure, contacting a head of the toolless mechanical fastener with an outer surface of the removable component; rotating the toolless mechanical fastener in a predetermined direction to a coupling position at some angle relative to its insertion position, contacting portions of the base of the toolless mechanical fastener with an inner surface of the mounting structure, and deforming at least a portion of the base to couple the removable component to the removable component between the head and the base of the mechanical fastener.

Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flowable composition that is suitable for use as a controlled release implant. The flowable composition includes a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester that is at least substantially insoluble in aqueous medium or body fluid. The flowable composition also includes a biocompatible polar aprotic solvent. The biocompatible polar aprotic solvent is miscible to dispersible in aqueous medium or body fluid. The flowable composition also includes leuprolide acetate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flowable composition suitable for use as a controlled release implant. The composition includes: (a) a biodegradable, biocompatible thermoplastic polymer that is at least substantially insoluble in aqueous medium, water or body fluid; (b) a cell-cycle dependent biological agent, a schedule-dependent biological agent, a metabolite thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof; and (c) a biocompatible organic liquid, at standard temperature and pressure, in which the thermoplastic polymer is soluble. The present invention also provides a method of treating cancer in a mammal. The present invention also provides a method of blocking, impeding, or otherwise interfering with cell cycle progression at the G1-phase, G1/S interphase, S-phase, G2/M interface or M-phase of the cell cycle in a mammal. The methods includes administering to a mammal an effective amount of a flowable composition of the present invention.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a balloon, an inner shaft, an outer shaft and a transition shaft. The transition shaft has a proximal portion and a distal portion joined by a tapered portion. The proximal portion has a diameter greater than the distal portion. The proximal portion has a first end portion engaged to at least a portion of the outer shaft at a first engagement site. At least a portion of the proximal waist is engaged to the proximal portion of the transition shaft at a second engagement site. At least a portion of the end region of the inner shaft is engaged to the distal portion of the transition shaft at a third engagement site. The distal portion extends through the balloon wherein at least a portion of the distal waist of the balloon is engaged to the distal portion of the transition shaft at a forth engagement site.