Abstract: A balloon catheter assembly comprises a balloon having attached to or in its wall one or more filar elements, extending from one end of the balloon to the other. The filar elements are made of a material which is at least as flexible as the material forming the walls of the balloon. In the event of circular burst of the balloon, the filar element(s) prevent disconnection of the material of the balloon into two or more separate pieces. The filar element(s) become attached to or in the material of the balloon wall when the raw material is inflated to the shape of a mold. The filar elements may comprise a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber or a metal wire.

Abstract: There are disclosed various dispensing mechanisms for dispensing filamentary material (24) through a catheter (12) into a treatment site of a patient, for example into an aneurysm sack (20) in a patient's vessel (22). In one embodiment the assembly (100) includes a conical material carrier (150) which is substantially aligned with the dispensing direction, thereby avoiding the need to have a rotating carrier. Another embodiment has a carrier (340) which is at least partially cylindrical. The carrier (150, 340) provides for efficient dispensation of filamentary material at substantial dispensing speeds.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a balloon which is both of high strength and radiopaque. The balloon includes an outer strengthened layer which includes a strengthening element at least partially embedded within the layer. Concentrically within the strengthened layer there is a radiopaque layer which includes a high concentration of radiopaque material distributed in the radiopaque layer. The strengthened layer acts as a support to the radiopaque layer which is otherwise be unable to withstand the pressure to which the balloon is normally inflated for deployment and in the course of a medical procedure. The structure provides a high strength radiopaque balloon with a relatively thin balloon wall optimizing balloon flexibility and wrappability. There is also disclosed a method of making a balloon which uses an internal support layer in a raw tubing which is then removed following formation of a balloon.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided for dilating hardened stenoses. The balloon catheter has dilation elements integrally formed on the outer surface of the balloon. The dilation elements have cross-sectional shapes that improve the performance of the balloon catheter.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a balloon which is both of high strength and radiopaque. The balloon includes an outer strengthened layer which includes a strengthening element at least partially embedded within the layer. Concentrically within the strengthened layer there is a radiopaque layer which includes a high concentration of radiopaque material distributed in the radiopaque layer. The strengthened layer acts as a support to the radiopaque layer which is otherwise be unable to withstand the pressure to which the balloon is normally inflated for deployment and in the course of a medical procedure. The structure provides a high strength radiopaque balloon with a relatively thin balloon wall optimizing balloon flexibility and wrappability. There is also disclosed a method of making a balloon which uses an internal support layer in a raw tubing which is then removed following formation of a balloon.

Abstract: A balloon catheter assembly comprises a balloon having attached to or in its wall one or more filar elements, extending from one end of the balloon to the other. The filar elements are made of a material which is at least as flexible as the material forming the walls of the balloon. In the event of circular burst of the balloon, the filar element(s) prevent disconnection of the material of the balloon into two or more separate pieces. The filar element(s) become attached to or in the material of the balloon wall when the raw material is inflated to the shape of a mold. The filar elements may comprise a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber or a metal wire.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention a balloon catheter is provided. The balloon catheter comprises a shaft having a lumen formed therethrough. Connected to the shaft is an inflatable balloon. The inflatable balloon has a balloon wall defining a balloon interior surface and a balloon exterior surface that is opposite the interior surface. In fluid communication with the balloon wall is the lumen for inflating the balloon to define an inflated state and for collapsing the balloon to define a deflated state. The balloon wall is textured in the deflated state such that the balloon interior surface is spatially registered with the balloon exterior surface. The balloon in the inflated state is tensioned to have a surface roughness substantially less than a surface roughness of the balloon in the deflated state.

Abstract: There are disclosed various dispensing mechanisms for dispensing filamentary material (24) through a catheter (12) into a treatment site of a patient, for example into an aneurysm sack (20) in a patient's vessel (22). In one embodiment, the dispensing assembly (30) includes a chamber having a spherical carrier (50) onto which filamentary material (24) is wound. Upon injecting driving fluid into the dispensing assembly (30) filamentary material (24) unwinds from the spherical carrier (50) and is pulled through the catheter (12) to be dispensed from the distal end (18) of the catheter.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention a balloon catheter is provided. The balloon catheter comprises a shaft having a lumen formed therethrough. Connected to the shaft is an inflatable balloon. The inflatable balloon has a balloon wall defining a balloon interior surface and a balloon exterior surface that is opposite the interior surface. In fluid communication with the balloon wall is the lumen for inflating the balloon to define an inflated state and for collapsing the balloon to define a deflated state. The balloon wall is textured in the deflated state such that the balloon interior surface is spatially registered with the balloon exterior surface. The balloon in the inflated state is tensioned to have a surface roughness substantially less than a surface roughness of the balloon in the deflated state.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a balloon catheter having a distal tip that does not extend distally beyond the distal end of the catheter balloon when the catheter balloon is inflated. In one embodiment, the distal end of the catheter balloon has a substantially flat profile when inflated. Other aspects of the invention provide methods of manufacturing and of using the balloon catheter. In one embodiment, the balloon catheter is used in the treatment of kidney stones.

Abstract: A drug delivery device (10) includes expandable element (12) formed of a braided structure having a body portion (16) and first and second end cones (18, 20). The end cones are attached at their necks (22, 24) to a catheter assembly (14). The expandable element (12) can expand to a vessel contacting configuration, in which the body portion (16) contacts the vessel wall. Bioactive agent (28) covers at least the outer surface of the body portion (16) such that bioactive material can be administered to a vessel wall. The end cones (18, 20) have an open structure allowing unrestricted passage of blood through the device (10) in the deployed configuration, such that blood flow can be maintained during the administration of bioactive agent (28) from the device (10). The expandable element (12) can be radially contracted by extending it in the longitudinal direction, both for deployment endoluminally to the treatment site and also for retrieval following the administration of the bioactive material.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a one-piece extrusion having inner and outer tubular walls, where the inner tubular wall defines a wire guide lumen, and a clearance extending between the inner and outer tubular walls forms an inflation lumen. A balloon is attached to the outer tubular wall and to the inner tubular wall, such that the inflation lumen is in fluid communication with the balloon and the wire guide lumen extends through the balloon. A method of making the balloon catheter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical balloon of a balloon catheter assembly includes a balloon wall formed of at least two layers. The first layer is made of an impervious polymeric material. The second layer, which is integral with the first layer is made of a radiopaque and/or echogenic material and a polymeric material. In the preferred embodiment, there is provided 60 to 80% by weight of radiopaque material in the second layer. It has been found that these concentrations of radiopaque material provide good visibility of the balloon under ultrasonic imaging.

Abstract: Rotatable control handles and methods of using rotatable control handles are described herein. An example embodiment of a rotatable control handle comprises a handle, a compressible member disposed within the handle, a cap attached to the handle, and a cannula rotatably attached between the handle and the cap. The handle comprises a first member and a second member that is releasably attachable to the first member.

Abstract: A medical balloon (10) of a balloon catheter assembly (70) includes a balloon wall (22) formed of at least two layers (30, 32). The first layer (30) is made of an impervious polymeric material. The second layer (32), which is integral with the first layer (30) is made of a radiopaque and/or echogenic material and a polymeric material. In the preferred embodiment, there is provided 60 to 80% by weight of radiopaque material in the second layer (32). It has been found that these concentrations of radiopaque material provide good visibility of the balloon under ultrasonic imaging.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a double cone filter and a delivery apparatus for deploying the filter within the body. The filter may have superior and inferior rings connected to each other by a plurality of connectors. The rings may have a first degradation rate, and the connectors may have a second degradation rate. The second degradation rate may be faster than the first degradation rate, such that the connectors degrade faster than the rings. In this way, the filter has a filtering state when the connectors are present. After the connectors degrade or partially degrade, the rings may relax against the vessel wall in an open state. After a sufficient length of time, the rings also degrade such that the filter is completely removed from the body.

Abstract: There are disclosed various dispensing mechanisms for dispensing filamentary material through a catheter into a treatment site of a patient, for example into an aneurysm sack in a patient's vessel. In one embodiment, the dispensing assembly includes a chamber having a spherical carrier onto which filamentary material is wound. Upon injecting driving fluid into the dispensing assembly filamentary material unwinds from the spherical carrier and is pulled through the catheter to be dispensed from the distal end of the catheter. The apparatus includes a pressure sensitive valve disposed at the inlet or the outlet of the receptacle, the pressure sensitive valve being closed when the pressure of driving fluid is below a threshold and open when the pressure of driving fluid is above the threshold. The pressure sensitive valve, when open, allows fluid flow through the chamber and dispensation of filamentary material from the outlet.

Abstract: A medical balloon has a strengthening sleeve formed of circumferential fibres and longitudinal fibres. The circumferential fibres have a greater thickness than the longitudinal fibres and preferably have a greater cross-sectional area or volume. In one embodiment, the circumferential fibres are twice as thick as the longitudinal fibres. The use of thinner longitudinal fibres reduces the thickness of the strengthening sleeve and as a result enables a thinner balloon wall, whilst still retaining the circumferential strength of the balloon. Reduced balloon wall thickness improves the foldability and wrappability of the balloon for deployment purposes, and therefore provides a balloon with a smaller diameter for deployment purposes, with improved trackability through a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a balloon having a plurality of layers. The inner layer acts as a support layer to the outer layer. Embedded within the outer layer is a plurality of particles or pellets which in one embodiment provide roughening of the outer surface of the balloon. The particles or pellets, particularly in conjunction with an inner support layer, ensure maintenance of the roughened outer surface of the balloon during inflation of the balloon. In another embodiment, the particles or pellets may be radiopaque and/or echogenic with or without creating surface roughening of the balloon.

Abstract: A medical balloon for a balloon catheter is described. The balloon has at least a first layer made from a first material and a second layer made from a second material, said first and second layers being in overlying relationship with one another and being integral with one another; wherein the first layer has a softening or melting temperature which is higher than a softening or melting temperature of the second layer. A method of forming the medical balloon is also described, including locating a raw tubing in a mold; preheating and inflating the raw tubing so as to cause it to stretch; heating the raw tubing to soften or melt the second layer; setting the inflated raw tubing to form the medical balloon; and cooling the set balloon.