Abstract: A distal protection device for use in a body lumen includes a functional element, which may be a filter or an occlusive element. The device includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member carried by the first elongate member, and the functional element carried by the second elongate member. Motion of the first elongate member can be independent of the motion of the functional element.

Abstract: A stent including a mesh made of strands. The mesh has at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and the at least one radiopaque strand and the at least one non-radiopaque strand each have different diameters. Each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I). The EI of all strands in the mesh is no more than five times the EI of the strand having the smallest EI of any of the strands.

Abstract: The invention provides an embolic protection device for removing emboli from a blood vessel in a patient's body. The device comprises an elongate host element, an embolic protection element having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and a flexible tether connected to a distal end of the host element and to a proximal portion of the embolic protection element. The tether allows the host element to move axially and laterally relative to the embolic protection element over a limited range of motion when the embolic protection element is in an expanded configuration. The embolic protection device has a landing zone of 4 cm or less.

Abstract: A stent including a mesh made of strands. The mesh has at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and the at least one radiopaque strand and the at least one non-radiopaque strand each have different diameters. Each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I). The EI of all strands in the mesh is no more than five times the EI of the strand having the smallest EI of any of the strands.

Abstract: A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body. The device has a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The filter element includes a material having pores, and the material having pores includes cylindrical wires having at least three different diameters arranged in a pattern of graduated diameters.

Abstract: The invention provides an embolic protection device for removing emboli from a blood vessel in a patient's body. The device comprises an elongate host element, an embolic protection element having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and a flexible tether connected to a distal end of the host element and to a proximal portion of the embolic protection element. The tether allows the host element to move axially and laterally relative to the embolic protection element over a limited range of motion when the embolic protection element is in an expanded configuration. The embolic protection device has a landing zone of 4 cm or less.

Abstract: A catheter having a tubular body and a rotatable shaft disposed within a lumen of the tubular body. A cutting element is coupled to the rotatable shaft, the cutting element having a cutting edge, the cutting element and rotatable shaft being longitudinally moveable within the tubular body between a stored position in which the cutting element is parallel a longitudinal axis of the tubular body and a cutting position in which the cutting element is deflected between the proximal and distal ends of the tubular body to extend beyond an outer diameter of the tubular body. The cutting element is configured to cut material from the wall of a vessel at a treatment site as the catheter is pushed distally through the treatment site. The catheter includes a collection chamber positioned proximally of the cutting window.

Abstract: A stent including a mesh made of strands. The mesh has at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and the at least one radiopaque strand and the at least one non-radiopaque strand each have different diameters. Each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I). The EI of all strands in the mesh is no more than five times the EI of the strand having the smallest EI of any of the strands.

Abstract: A catheter having a tubular body and a rotatable shaft disposed within a lumen of the tubular body. A cutting element is coupled to the rotatable shaft, the cutting element having a cutting edge, the cutting element and rotatable shaft being longitudinally moveable within the tubular body between a stored position in which the cutting element is parallel a longitudinal axis of the tubular body and a cutting position in which the cutting element is deflected between the proximal and distal ends of the tubular body to extend beyond an outer diameter of the tubular body. The cutting element is configured to cut material from the wall of a vessel at a treatment site as the catheter is pushed distally through the treatment site. The catheter includes a collection chamber positioned proximally of the cutting window.

Abstract: A catheter that includes storage for an embolic protection device in an accessible, out-of-the-way location within the advancing catheter.

Abstract: A stent including a mesh made of strands. The mesh has at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and the at least one radiopaque strand and the at least one non-radiopaque strand each have different diameters. Each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I). The EI of all strands in the mesh is no more than five times the EI of the strand having the smallest EI of any of the strands.

Abstract: An intravascular medical device including an elongated member configured to be advanced along a vascular path of a patient, the elongated member having opposite first and second ends, the first end and second ends both being adapted for intravascular insertion, and the first end having a different structure than the second end. The elongated member has sufficient flexibility to be advanced through a human vasculature. Preferably, the first and second ends are adapted to have different operating characteristics. Depending on the operating characteristics needed for a particular procedure, a physician can insert either the first end portion or the second end portion of the elongated member into the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: A vascular device includes a body having a first, collapsed configuration and a second, expanded configuration. The body includes a plurality of heat-set strands that are braided such that when the body is in the second configuration, the strands form a plurality of pores and one or more apertures between the strands. The apertures are generally disposed at a longitudinal center region of the body. When the body is in the second configuration, the pores at proximal and distal portions of the body are generally uniform in size and smaller in size than the apertures. The pores and the apertures are substantially the same size when the body is in the first configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved atherectomy catheter having means for directing particles generated by a cutting element into a collection chamber. Methods of directing the cut material from a blood vessel lumen into a collection chamber are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of deploying a medical filter within a channel in a patient's body and filter systems which can be used in such a method. Such a filter may include a radially expandable body 52 having an opening 56 in a proximal length thereof. In one method, the filter is urged along a length of the channel with the filter body in a radially reduced configuration. This body is expanded to substantially fill the lumen of the vessel and orient the opening in the body proximally. Body fluid is permitted to enter the filter body through the proximally oriented opening and pass distally through the distal length of the body so that the distal length of the body filters from the body fluid particulate material entrained therein. The proximal length of the body can be drawn into the retrieval catheter, thereby effectively closing the proximally oriented opening within the catheter to retain the particulate material within the enclosure.

Abstract: An improved atherectomy catheter includes a part for propelling fluid distally in a tissue collection chamber. The part includes a drive shaft having a proximal end and a distal portion, and a propeller attached to the distal portion of the drive shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body, comprising a filter element and a self-expanding radial element associated with the filter element. The filter element is expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained. The filter element comprises a self-expanding material having pores. The filter element has proximal and distal portions and a central portion, and has a shape in the expanded configuration which defines a cavity having a proximal facing opening. The self-expanding radial element is distal of the filter element, and the self-expanding radial element is adapted to maintain the filter element centered in the lumen.

Abstract: A collapsible medical device for use, e.g., as a vascular filter. The device includes a mandrel having a distal end and a stop spaced proximally of the distal end. A proximal length of the mandrel extends proximally of the stop and a distal length of the mandrel extends distally of the stop. A functional element (e.g., a vascular filter) has a radially expandable body and includes a proximal slider and a distal slider. The proximal and distal sliders are slidable along the mandrel independently of one another such that the distance between the proximal slider and distal slider can be varied to effect different configurations of the functional element. In one method of using such a device, the functional element is urged distally to a treatment site by urging the mandrel distally.

Abstract: An embolic protection device comprising an expandable structure and a catheter. The catheter has a distal region and a working channel. The working channel has a working channel opening disposed in the distal region of the catheter, the working channel and the working channel opening are dimensioned to slideably receive an interventional device. The working channel has a distal region and at least a portion of the distal region of the working channel is disposed within the expandable structure. The expandable structure, when expanded in a first blood vessel, is able to stop blood flow through a second blood vessel and able to allow blood to flow through the first blood vessel. The working channel opening is able to be disposed to allow an interventional device to enter the second blood vessel.

Abstract: A stent including a mesh made of strands. The mesh has at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and the at least one radiopaque strand and the at least one non-radiopaque strand each have different diameters. Each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I). The EI of all strands in the mesh is no more than five times the EI of the strand having the smallest EI of any of the strands.