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 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: 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 scoring balloon (10) includes a generally cylindrical and straight body portion (12) and both ends of the body portion (12) end cone portions (14,16). At both extremities of the end cone portions (14,16) there are neck portions (18,20) which are fixed to a catheter or carrier element (22). A plurality of scoring elements (24) extend from one end of the balloon (10) to the other. Each scoring element (24) has a central uniform section (26) which extends along the body portion (12) of the balloon and tapering sections (28,30) which extend from the central section (26) and along the balloon end cones (14,16). The tapering sections (28,30) taper from a height generally consistent with the central section (26) to a lower height along the direction of taper of the balloon end cones (18,20).

Abstract: A rapid exchange balloon catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter including a tubular metal shaft body extending from the proximal end along a majority of the total length and having an inflation lumen arranged therein, a plastics distal end portion bonded to the metal body in extension thereof, the distal end portion being provided with an inflation lumen in communication with a balloon, and a guide wire lumen, the guide wire lumen extending from a proximal side port to a distal end opening. To reduce the resistance to kinking, the metal body includes a transitional region having reduced stiffness at the position of bonding to the plastics distal end portion compared to a more proximal position along the metal body.

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 rapid exchange balloon catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter comprising: a tubular metal shaft body extending from the proximal end along a majority of the total length and having an inflation lumen arranged therein, a plastics distal end portion bonded to the metal body in extension thereof, said distal end portion being provided with an inflation lumen in communication with a balloon, and a guide wire lumen, said guide wire lumen extending from a proximal side port to a distal end opening. To reduce the resistance to kinking, the metal body comprises a transitional region having reduced stiffness at the position of bonding to the plastics distal end portion compared to a more proximal position along the metal body.

Abstract: An inner catheter (36) for use in an endoluminal delivery assembly (10) includes a stiffening element positioned at a transition between a hypotube (36a), a middle tube (36b) and a distal tube (36c) of the inner catheter (36) having different flexibilities. The stiffening element comprises three stiffening wires (42) embedded within the internal wall of the inner catheter (36) at their proximal ends. The stiffening wires (42) extend inwardly and distally to meet at an apex (60).

Abstract: A cutting or scoring balloon (10) of elongate shape and provided at its periphery with a plurality of scoring elements (12) extending longitudinally along the balloon. The scoring elements (12) are formed integrally with the balloon wall (14) and in the preferred embodiment are of the same material. A raw material form (20) for producing the balloon (10) is provided with a series of zones (26, 28) of greater thickness compared to the remainder of the balloon wall (24). These zones (26, 28) are located adjacent respective ribs (22) and extend longitudinally along the balloon wall for substantially the same distance as the ribs (22). The zones (26, 28) ensure that these will expand (stretch) preferentially compared to the remainder of the raw material form (20) and in particular the ribs (22), with the effect that the ribs (22) will not tend to be stretched. Apparatus for forming a balloon (10), includes a chamber (50) for holding the raw material form (20, 30) on fittings (52).

Abstract: A rapid exchange catheter includes a stiff proximal tube and a relatively flexible tapered distal tube, a guide wire tube being provided in the distal tube, with an aperture for access to the guide wire lumen being provided at the junction between the distal tube and the proximal tube, the tubes being bonded together at their junction.

Abstract: An introducer assembly (10) includes a balloon catheter (12) for deploying a medical device (19) in a body lumen or for dilating a body lumen at a range of diameters from a minimum deployment diameter to a maximum deployment diameter. The balloon catheter includes an outer balloon (42) and an inner balloon (40) located within the outer balloon (42). The outer balloon (42) has an unstretched diameter equivalent to the minimum deployment diameter and the inner balloon (40) has an unstretched diameter equivalent to the maximum deployment diameter. The outer balloon (42) is made of an elastic material able to stretch from the minimum deployment diameter to the maximum deployment diameter, while the inner balloon (40) is preferably of an non-compliant material.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is provided with a stress relief collar for relieving stress due to differences in rigidities of a catheter and coupled fitting. The stress relief collar is provided with an integral clip of the same or a similar soft material. The catheter can be coiled and held in the clip, the flexibility of the latter making it easy to fit and remove coils therefrom with little risk of damage to 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: A rapid exchange implant deployment catheter includes a relatively stiff hypotube (12) and a relatively flexible distal tube (14). A side port (15) for a guide wire is provided towards the distal end of a transition zone (16) between the hypotube (12) and the distal tube (14). The distal end of the hypotube (12) is laser cut to form a plurality of slits (18) between which are formed a plurality of projections (11, 11?). At least one of the projections (11?) extends into the distal tube 14 to a point beyond the position of the side port (15).

Abstract: An inner catheter (36) for use in an endoluminal delivery assembly (10) includes a stiffening element positioned at a transition between a hypotube (36a), a middle tube (36b) and a distal tube (36c) of the inner catheter (36) having different flexibilities. The stiffening element comprises three stiffening wires (42) embedded within the internal wall of the inner catheter (36) at their proximal ends. The stiffening wires (42) extend inwardly and distally to meet at an apex (60).

Abstract: A rapid exchange balloon catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter comprising: a tubular metal shaft body extending from the proximal end along a majority of the total length and having an inflation lumen arranged therein, a plastics distal end portion bonded to the metal body in extension thereof, said distal end portion being provided with an inflation lumen in communication with a balloon, and a guide wire lumen, said guide wire lumen extending from a proximal side port to a distal end opening. To reduce the resistance to kinking, the metal body comprises a transitional region having reduced stiffness at the position of bonding to the plastics distal end portion compared to a more proximal position along the metal body.

Abstract: Catheters having a stiffening element are disclosed. The resultant catheters may include one or more access hubs. During use of the catheters, a stiffening element can provide an increased and variable resistance to deformation of the catheter body. The proximal end of the stiffening element may be coupled to the catheter hub. The stiffening element may move in the lumen it occupies as the catheter is threaded along the wire guide, thus allowing the catheter components to attain their lowest energy configuration at each bend.