Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a closure element into an opening formed in a blood vessel or other body lumen and methods for manufacturing and using same. The apparatus is configured to retain the closure element such that the closure element is disposed substantially within the apparatus. The apparatus also can engage, and position the closure element substantially adjacent to, the blood vessel wall adjacent to the opening. During deployment of the closure element, the apparatus expands the closure element beyond a natural cross-section of the closure element such that the closure element, when deployed, is configured to engage a significant amount of the blood vessel wall and/or tissue. Engaging the blood vessel wall and/or tissue, the closure element is further configured to return to the natural cross-section, thereby drawing the engaged blood vessel wall and/or tissue substantially closed and/or sealed, such that hemostasis within the opening is enhanced.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a clip to close an opening through tissue includes a sheath and a carrier assembly including a clip therein that is slidable on the sheath. An actuator assembly is connectable to the sheath, and telescoping actuator members extend from the handle that are connectable to the carrier assembly for advancing the carrier assembly along the sheath. An obturator on the actuator assembly includes splines that may be deployed beyond a distal end of the sheath, and expanded to a transverse expanded configuration for positioning the sheath before deploying the clip. The actuator members include cooperating detents that selectively release the actuator members as the carrier assembly reaches predetermined positions along the sheath for deploying the clip from the carrier assembly, and that collapse the splines to allow removal of the apparatus after deploying the clip.

Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.

Abstract: An improved catheter system having an ultrasonic imaging transducer coupled to a drive cable disposed within a lumen of a flexible tubular catheter body. An improvement including a reconfiguration of the ferrites in the hub assembly, such that the need for the gap between the ferrites is removed. A strain relief member is provide to increase the strength of the electrical transmission lines to enable them to withstand the tensile forces caused by either flushing and/or pull-back operations. A device which allows the electrical transmission lines to extend their length when placed in tension may also be employed to provide strain relief to the electrical transmission lines. Another improvement includes a counter-wound coil structure, which may either expand or contract as the drive cable is being rotated to strengthen the drive cable. The distal tip of the catheter body may be redesigned to provide a lumen which allows for the release of flushing fluids through a distal port in the guidewire lumen.

Abstract: An improved catheter system having an ultrasonic imaging transducer coupled to a drive cable disposed within a lumen of a flexible tubular catheter body. An improvement including a reconfiguration of the ferrites in the hub assembly, such that the need for the gap between the ferrites is removed. A strain relief member is provide to increase the strength of the electrical transmission lines to enable them to withstand the tensile forces caused by either flushing and/or pull-back operations. A device which allows the electrical transmission lines to extend their length when placed in tension may also be employed to provide strain relief to the electrical transmission lines. Another improvement includes a counter-wound coil structure, which may either expand or contract as the drive cable is being rotated to strengthen the drive cable. The distal tip of the catheter body may be redesigned to provide a lumen which allows for the release of flushing fluids through a distal port in the guidewire lumen.

Abstract: An improved catheter system having an ultrasonic imaging transducer coupled to a drive cable disposed within a lumen of a flexible tubular catheter body. An improvement including a reconfiguration of the ferrites in the hub assembly, such that the need for the gap between the ferrites is removed. A strain relief member is provide to increase the strength of the electrical transmission lines to enable them to withstand the tensile forces caused by either flushing and/or pull-back operations. A device which allows the electrical transmission lines to extend their length when placed in tension may also be employed to provide strain relief to the electrical transmission lines. Another improvement includes a counter-wound coil structure, which may either expand or contract as the drive cable is being rotated to strengthen the drive cable. The distal tip of the catheter body may be redesigned to provide a lumen which allows for the release of flushing fluids through a distal port in the guidewire lumen.

Abstract: An improved catheter system having an ultrasonic imaging transducer coupled to a drive cable disposed within a lumen of a flexible tubular catheter body. An improvement including a reconfiguration of the ferrites in the hub assembly, such that the need for the gap between the ferrites is removed. A strain relief member is provide to increase the strength of the electrical transmission lines to enable them to withstand the tensile forces caused by either flushing and/or pull-back operations. A device which allows the electrical transmission lines to extend their length when placed in tension may also be employed to provide strain relief to the electrical transmission lines. Another improvement includes a counter-wound coil structure, which may either expand or contract as the drive cable is being rotated to strengthen the drive cable. The distal tip of the catheter body may be redesigned to provide a lumen which allows for the release of flushing fluids through a distal port in the guidewire lumen.