Abstract: The invention describes methods and apparatus for creating permanent occlusion of body lumens such as the fallopian tubes. The methods and apparatus use non-surgical approaches to deliver permanent implants which create acute occlusion of desired body lumens which resolve to permanent occlusions of the lumens.

Abstract: The invention describes methods and apparatus for creating permanent occlusion of body lumens such as the fallopian tubes. The methods and apparatus use non-surgical approaches to deliver permanent implants which create acute occlusion of desired body lumens which resolve to permanent occlusions of the lumens.

Abstract: The invention describes methods and apparatus for creating permanent occlusion of body lumens such as the fallopian tubes. The methods and apparatus use non-surgical approaches to deliver permanent implants which create acute occlusion of desired body lumens which resolve to permanent occlusions of the lumens.

Abstract: The invention describes methods and apparatus for creating permanent occlusion of body lumens such as the fallopian tubes. The methods and apparatus use non-surgical approaches to deliver permanent implants which create acute occlusion of desired body lumens which resolve to permanent occlusions of the lumens.

Abstract: The invention describes methods and apparatus for creating permanent occlusion of body lumens such as the fallopian tubes. The methods and apparatus use non-surgical approaches to deliver permanent implants which create acute occlusion of desired body lumens which resolve to permanent occlusions of the lumens.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating anastomoses are provided. An incision tool for creating an incision having a controlled length in a side wall of a patient's body tissue conduit is provided. A delivery device for inserting a hollow annular connector into an incision in a side wall of a patient's body tissue conduit is provided. The delivery device may include first and second anvil structures around which the connector may be disposed. By moving the first anvil structure away from the second anvil structure, the connector may expand to a desired configuration (e.g., non-round) within the aperture. In one example, the connector may be inserted into the aperture to hold the aperture open prior to attachment of a graft conduit to the aperture, thereby allowing a physician to inspect the aperture and the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A guide wire including a lubricous distal portion and a less lubricous intermediate portion proximal of said distal portion. One guide wire provides a highly lubricous distal portion with a hydrophilic layer and a less lubricous intermediate portion with a hydrophobic layer. Another guide wire provides a lubricous distal portion with a polymer tip that is itself hydrophilic. Yet another guide wire provides a less lubricous intermediate portion using a stainless steel coil helically wound around the tapering intermediate portion. The coil is preferably coated with a hydrophobic coating such as PTFE or silicone. The coil can either abut the distal portion proximal end or extend into the distal portion interior.

Abstract: A balloon angioplasty catheter having a balloon head assembly carried at the distal end of an elongated catheter body. The balloon head assembly includes an inflatable balloon envelope and a perfusion lumen extending through the balloon envelope to provide a blood flow passage during inflation of the balloon envelope. The invention also encompasses embodiments having a collapsible guidewire lumen for increasing perfusion blood flow upon guidewire withdrawal. Also within the scope of the invention is a distally stepped down perfusion catheter, allowing for decreased distal cross section. In another preferred embodiment, the perfusion lumen is inflatable. In yet another embodiment, the guidewire lumen is external to the perfusion lumen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making an anastomotic connection between a first aperture in a side wall of a graft conduit and a second aperture in a side wall of a body tissue conduit using a hollow self-expanding exterior connector are provided. The tissue about the first aperture is introduced into the hollow connector and is retained by first members of a distal portion of the connector. A delivery tool then collapses the distal perimeter defined by the first members by deforming the connector and delivers the first members into the lumen of the body tissue conduit via the second aperture. Upon inserting the first members into the body tissue conduit, the tool is disemployed and the connector reforms such that the first members and a more proximal portion of the connector external to the body tissue conduit press together the walls of the two conduits around the apertures.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating anastomoses are provided. An incision tool for creating an incision having a controlled length in a side wall of a patient's body tissue conduit is provided. A delivery device for inserting a hollow annular connector into an incision in a side wall of a patient's body tissue conduit is provided. The delivery device may include first and second anvil structures around which the connector may be disposed. By moving the first anvil structure away from the second anvil structure, the connector may expand to a desired configuration (e.g., non-round) within the aperture. In one example, the connector may be inserted into the aperture to hold the aperture open prior to attachment of a graft conduit to the aperture, thereby allowing a physician to inspect the aperture and the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A guide wire including a lubricous distal portion and a less lubricous intermediate portion proximal of said distal portion. One guide wire provides a highly lubricous distal portion with a hydrophilic layer and a less lubricous intermediate portion with a hydrophobic layer. Another guide wire provides a lubricous distal portion with a polymer tip that is itself hydrophilic. Yet another guide wire provides a less lubricous intermediate portion using a stainless steel coil helically wound around the tapering intermediate portion. The coil is preferably coated with a hydrophobic coating such as PTFE or silicone. The coil can either abut the distal portion proximal end or extend into the distal portion interior.

Abstract: A guide wire including a lubricous distal portion and a less lubricous intermediate portion proximal of said distal portion. One guide wire provides a highly lubricous distal portion with a hydrophilic layer and a less lubricous intermediate portion with a hydrophobic layer. Another guide wire provides a lubricous distal portion with a polymer tip that is itself hydrophilic. Yet another guide wire provides a less lubricous intermediate portion using a stainless steel coil helically wound around the tapering intermediate portion. The coil is preferably coated with a hydrophobic coating such as PTFE or silicone. The coil can either abut the distal portion proximal end or extend into the distal portion interior.

Abstract: An extendable, guide wire providing an apparatus for effecting exchange of over-the-wire catheters without requiring either a double length guide wire or the addition of an extension guide wire. The guide wire includes a distal member for insertion into the patient and a proximal member for extension from the patient, the proximal member having at least one wire strand coiled into a shorten, compressed state. If a catheter exchange is required, the proximal member coil is irreversibly lengthened by drawing the coil proximally, significantly extending the length of the proximal member. Catheter withdrawal and advancement can follow the lengthening. A sheath adapted to slide over and strengthen the drawn wires prior to catheter exchange is also provided.

Abstract: A guide wire including a lubricous distal portion and a less lubricous intermediate portion proximal of said distal portion. One guide wire provides a highly lubricous distal portion with a hydrophilic layer and a less lubricous intermediate portion with a hydrophobic layer. Another guide wire provides a lubricous distal portion with a polymer tip that is itself hydrophilic. Yet another guide wire provides a less lubricous intermediate portion using a stainless steel coil helically wound around the tapering intermediate portion. The coil is preferably coated with a hydrophobic coating such as PTFE or silicone. The coil can either abut the distal portion proximal end or extend into the distal portion interior.

Abstract: An extendable, guide wire providing an apparatus for effecting exchange of over-the-wire catheters without requiring either a double length guide wire or the addition of an extension guide wire. The guide wire includes a distal member for insertion into the patient and a proximal member for extension from the patient, the proximal member having at least one wire strand coiled into a shorten, compressed state. If a catheter exchange is required, the proximal member coil is irreversibly lengthened by drawing the coil proximally, significantly extending the length of the proximal member. Catheter withdrawal and advancement can follow the lengthening. A sheath adapted to slide over and strengthen the drawn wires prior to catheter exchange is also provided.

Abstract: A guide wire including a lubricous distal portion and a less lubricous intermediate portion proximal of said distal portion. One guide wire provides a highly lubricous distal portion with a hydrophilic layer and a less lubricous intermediate portion with a hydrophobic layer. Another guide wire provides a lubricous distal portion with a polymer tip that is itself hydrophilic. Yet another guide wire provides a less lubricous intermediate portion using a stainless steel coil helically wound around the tapering intermediate portion. The coil is preferably coated with a hydrophobic coating such as PTFE or silicone. The coil can either abut the distal portion proximal end or extend into the distal portion interior.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for insertion into the body and having proximal and distal ends, the distal end preceding and the proximal end trailing when said catheter is inserted into the body, said catheter comprising an inner tubular shaft and an outer tubular shaft having a proximal outer tube section and a distal outer tube section, the proximal outer tube section further having proximal and distal ends, the proximal outer tube section comprising a polymer encased tubular braid of stainless steel, the polymer encasement for the braid comprising at least one layer of polyimide, the braid having a weave which increases in pick count from the proximal end to the distal end of the proximal outer tube section.

Abstract: An over-the-wire angioplasty balloon catheter having a balloon bonded at its proximal and distal ends to an outer tubular member where the outer tubular member continues a guide wire lumen in the distal portion of the catheter. Alternatively, the balloon may have its proximal end bonded to an outer tubular member and its distal end bonded to an extension tubular member where the extension tubular member continues the guide wire lumen in the distal portion of the catheter or the balloon may be bonded at both its proximal and distal ends to the extension tubular member. Alternatively the inner tubular member may extend to the distal end of the catheter and both the proximal and distal ends of the balloon may be bonded to the inner tubular member.

Abstract: An over-the-wire catheter and method of making such a catheter having a first tubular member defining a first lumen and a second tubular member defining a second lumen joined to and coextending with the exterior of the first tubular member to define a catheter shaft. The first and second tubular members being formed independently of one another or of different materials. A balloon is joined to the distal end of the catheter shaft where it is in fluid communication with the first lumen. A flexibility control member may be joined to and coextend with the first and second tubular members.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon catheter includes a shaft having a proximal outer tube section and a distal outer tube section. The proximal outer tube section is formed from a tubular braid of a stainless steel member, which is encased in polyimide material. The distal outer tube section is a tube made of a polymer material, such as a high density polyethylene.