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 assembly (10) includes a balloon (20) fitted to a balloon catheter (12). The balloon (20) includes a balloon wall (which is a co-extrusion) with ribs or strengthening elements (40) formed of the same polymer material, of a material of the same polymer type or of compatible polymer materials. The ribs in one embodiment extend into the thickness or depth of the balloon wall and in other embodiments may be flattened so as to present a substantially smooth outer surface to the balloon (20). The ribs (40) or strengthening elements may be made of or include radiopaque material.

Abstract: An occlusion device and a method of occluding a body vessel with the occlusion device are provided. The occlusion device has a sleeve that extends from a first end to a second end. The sleeve has an interior that extends to an opening at the first end. The occlusion device has tentacles that are attached to the first end and extend away from the sleeve. The tentacles reverse direction and extend into the interior to occlude the interior in response to fluid flowing toward the opening. A frame is attached to the first end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis on a vessel wall. The balloon catheter is provided with cutting elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. At least one bioactive is present, either on the cutting element, within the interior of the balloon, within the material of the balloon or on an outside surface of the balloon. The bioactive is delivered to the vessel wall upon dilation of the balloon.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis on a vessel wall. The balloon catheter is provided with cutting elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. At least one bioactive is present, either on the cutting element, within the interior of the balloon, within the material of the balloon or on an outside surface of the balloon. The bioactive is delivered to the vessel wall upon dilation of the balloon.

Abstract: A thrombus retrieval device (10) includes a flexible catheter (12), a retrieval wire (26) fixed to the distal end (14) of the catheter (12) and which extends out of the catheter (12) at first and second apertures in the wall of the catheter (12). A trap element (28) typically made of a porous fabric material, is attached to the catheter (12) from the distal end (14) across the location of the apertures. The trigger wire (26) can be pulled in a proximal direction, which causes the catheter (12) to twist so as to form a loop. The trap element (28), attached to the catheter at location in which it loops, forms a net for trapping thrombi or other obstructions within a patient's lumen.

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: 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 medical device loading and carrier assembly for a medical device includes a tubular holder of transparent material so as to be see-through. The holder includes a flared proximal end for compressing a gripper element of a device carrier. The carrier can thus be activated to grip a medical device by pushing the gripper element into the tubular holder. A safety lock locks the medical device and carrier assembly in the holder to prevent inadvertent removal during storage and transportation. The holder has a distal end designed to be connected to the proximal end of a delivery sheath, such that the medical device and device carrier assembly can be slid from the holder into the sheath.

Abstract: A filter device is provided having a biodegradable features. The filter device comprises an elongate stent portion and a conical filter portion attached thereto that is preferably balloon expandable. The conical filter portion includes a plurality of struts extending between a holding ring and the stent portion to define the conical shape of the filter portion. The struts can be biodegradable so that they degrade over time. The struts and/or holding ring can be configured so that at least one of the struts remains attached to the holding ring after a predetermined period of time. The struts are biased toward the wall of the body vessel in which the filter device is installed, so that after the predetermined period of time, the struts, and the strut attached to the holding ring, will expand toward the body vessel wall for bioabsorption.

Abstract: An occlusion device and a method of occluding a body vessel with the occlusion device are provided. The occlusion device has a sleeve that extends from a first end to a second end. The sleeve has an interior that extends to an opening at the first end. The occlusion device has tentacles that are attached to the first end and extend away from the sleeve. The tentacles reverse direction and extend into the interior to occlude the interior in response to fluid flowing toward the opening. A frame is attached to the first end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A valvuloplasty balloon assembly includes a balloon (50) provided with end shoulders (64, 66) preferably integral with end cones (54, 56) of the balloon (50). The end shoulders (64, 66) provide a substantially perpendicular stop shoulder (68) at either end of the cylindrical portion (52) of the balloon (50). The restraining shoulders (64, 66) act to hold the balloon (50) within a valve (16) of a heart (10), for instance. This prevents unwanted slippage of the balloon (50) during a valvuloplasty procedure and thus prevents possible damage caused as a result of such slippage.

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 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A scoring balloon (10) includes a balloon portion (12) having a balloon wall substantially even in wall thickness; a plurality of sets of scoring elements (24-28) disposed on the balloon (12); each set of scoring elements including a plurality of scoring elements (30) arranged longitudinally in series, wherein adjacent scoring elements (30) in the series are longitudinally spaced from one another so as to provide gaps (32) between said adjacent scoring elements; each set of scoring elements being radially spaced relative to the other sets of scoring elements around the balloon (12), wherein the scoring elements of one set are longitudinally offset relative to the scoring elements of an or each adjacent set of scoring elements.

Abstract: A balloon catheter assembly (10) includes a balloon (20) at a distal end (18) of a balloon catheter (14). The balloon (20) is inflated with a fluid (44) which has suspended therein a plurality of particles (46) which may be microcapsules or pellets. The particles (46) are echogenic and/or radiopaque, in the preferred embodiment to provide Rayleigh scattering of ultrasonic waves directed to the balloon (20). The balloon (20) thus becomes visible under ultrasonic imaging and by use of an inflation fluid (44) which can be of low viscosity and low toxicity.

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: A clot removal device (10) includes a conical retrieval member (14) affixed to a wire (12) The conical retrieval member (14) has an apex (16) at its distal end, and a base that forms an opening (18) into a cavity The conical retrieval member (14) is formed from a thin sheet of Nitinol film, and expands into its conical configuration at body temperature The clot removal device (10) can be used physically to withdraw a blood clot (40) from a blood vessel (42) without requiring aspiration The member (14) can be pulled by a cord (90) to cause it to rewrap onto itself, in so doing to capture an obstruction such as a thrombus.