Abstract: Novel enhanced products and processes for trapping emboli utilize self-expanding skeletons and biodegradable polymer systems, for example stent-like Nitinol® elements and PLGA, to address longstanding issues related to thrombus capture without deleterious impacts on the vasculature or other negative artifacts of the procedure by at least partial post-use dissolution in situ. Drug coating and elution technologies are included as would be known to those skilled in the art.

Abstract: Methods for utilizing a device for blocking (e.g., embolizing) the side branches of an anatomical passageway under endoscopic guidance. The device comprises an elongate catheter body having a side branch blocking apparatus, such as an embolization catheter, disposed therein and further incorporating an endoscope (e.g., an angioscope). The incorporated endoscope is useable to a) visually locate side branches which emanate from the anatomical passageway and b) visually observe the operation of the side branch blocking apparatus. Disclosed are methods for performing in situ embolization of the side branches of a vein, under angioscopic visualization. The endoscopic component of the device may also be utilized to visually observe the use and/or effect of one or more separate device, such as valvulotome(s) used for cutting venous valves located within the lumen of a vein.

Abstract: Generally described, the present invention comprises a medical device for implantation in biological tissue and a method of making the medical device. The medical device comprises an organic compound forming at least a portion of the medical device and a beta radiation emitting element chemically bonded to the organic compound of the medical device. The beta emitter preferably causes the medical device to generate a beta radiation greater than 0.0002 .mu.Ci/cm. The beta radiation emitting element can be tritium preferably incorporated into the organic compound of the medical device by a Wilzbach process. The Wilzbach process involves an entropic exchange of the beta emitting element for elemental hydrogen in a vacuum sealed reaction chamber. On the other hand, the beta radiation emitting element may comprise Carbon 12, or other similar beta emitter, which is incorporated directly into the backbone of the organic compound prior to manufacturing the medical device from the organic compound.

Abstract: The device for blocking (e.g., embolizing) the side branches of an anatomical passageway under endoscopic guidance. The device comprises an elongate catheter body having a side branch blocking apparatus, such as an embolization catheter, disposed therein and further incorporating an endoscope (e.g., an angioscope). The incorporated endoscope is useable to A) visually locate side branches which emanate from the anatomical passageway and b) visually observe the operation of the side branch blocking apparatus. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing a device of the forgoing character, including methods for performing in situ embolization of the side branches of a vein, under angioscopic visualization. The endoscopic component of the device may also be utilized to visually observe the use and/or effect of one or more separate device, such as valvulotome(s) used for cutting venous valves located within the lumen of a vein.

Abstract: A radioactive suture for inhibiting an intimal hyperplastic response comprises a needle and a suture material having a radioactive beta-emitting element. This radioactive element is preferably chemically bonded to an organic substrate of the suture material. It is preferred that the radioactive suture material generates a beta radiation greater than 0.0002 uCi/cm. A first preferred method for producing the radioactive suture comprises the steps of placing the suture needle and the suture material in a sealed reaction chamber. Once the suture is in the reaction chamber, an ionized beta radiation emitting element, preferably ionized tritium, is introduced into the chamber. While in the chamber, an entropic exchange process begins wherein the beta radiation emitting element is exchanged for hydrogen molecules in the organic suture material. Once the desired level of tritium or other beta radiation emitting element is incorporated in the suture material, the reaction chamber is flushed.

Abstract: A method and device for cutting venous valve located within the lumen of a vein. The device comprises an elongate shaft of rigid or flexible construction and a valvulotome blade positioned on the distal end of said elongate shaft. The valvulotome blade comprises an elongate shank portion which is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a head portion which extends laterally from the shank portion of the blade. The head portion of the blade comprises an outer venous wall abutment surface and a proximal cutting surface. The venous wall abutting surface is a spaced distance from the proximal cutting surface such that the venous wall abutment surface may be forced into abutment with the venous wall and the device may be drawn through a venous valve such that the proximal cutting surface will cut the venous valve, but will not come into contact with the adjacent vein wall.

Abstract: The device for blocking (e.g., embolizing) the side branches of an anatomical passageway under endoscopic guidance. The device comprises an elongate catheter body having a side branch blocking apparatus, such as an embolization catheter, disposed therein and further incorporating an endoscope (e.g., an angioscope). The incorporated endoscope is useable to A) visually locate side branches which emanate from the anatomical passageway and b) visually observe the operation of the side branch blocking apparatus. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing a device of the forgoing character, including methods for performing in situ embolization of the side branches of a vein, under angioscopic visualization. The endoscopic component of the device may also be utilized to visually observe the use and/or effect of one or more separate device, such as valvulotome(s) used for cutting venous valves located within the lumen of a vein.

Abstract: A method and device for cutting venous valve located within the lumen of a vein. The device comprises an elongate shaft of rigid or flexible construction and a valvulotome blade positioned on the distal end of said elongate shaft. The valvulotome blade comprises an elongate shank portion which is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a head portion which extends laterally from the shank portion of the blade. The head portion of the blade comprises an outer venous wall abutment surface and a proximal cutting surface. The venous wall abutting surface is a spaced distance from the proximal cutting surface such that the venous wall abutment surface may be forced into abutment with the venous wall and the device may be drawn through a venous valve such that the proximal cutting surface will cut the venous valve, but will not come into contact with the adjacent vein wall.

Abstract: A valvulotome for disrupting vein valves in in-situ procedures, and for distrupting the vein valves in vein segments to be used in CABG procedures. The valvulotome includes an elongate blade mounting member and a thin, scythe-shaped cutting blade. The cutting blade is mounted relative to the blade mounting member such that the plane defined by the blade lies on the axis defined by the blade mounting member. The cutting blade has a fixed end, a free end, a cutting edge and a blunt back edge. The fixed end is fixedly attached to a distal portion of the blade mounting member. The sharpened edge faces towards the blade mounting member, which protects the vein from the sharpened edge. The sharpened edge arcs outwards and proximally from the distal portion of the blade mounting member, and terminates in a proximal portion, spaced from the blade mounting member. The blunt back edge is opposite the sharpened edge, facing the vein.

Abstract: A percutaneous access catheter is employed for examining and treating internal body cavities and organs via an access tract. For example, the catheter can be employed for examining and treating the gallbladder via a transhepatic tract. The examination may employ endoscopic, fluoroscopic, ultrasonic, or other techniques; the treatment may employ surgical, chemical, or physical modalities. The catheter includes two inflation elements. These inflation elements control hemorrhaging and leakage of fluids from the internal body cavity or organ and reduce migration of the catheter within the internal body cavity or organ during the examination and/or treatment. The first inflation element is a toroidal elastic balloon located at the distal end of the device which serves to restrict the accidental or unintended removal of the distal end from the internal body cavity or organ.

Abstract: An endoscope having a deflectable tip configured so as to have a small outer diameter of approximately 0.15 inch or less. The endoscope includes a flexible shaft subassembly comprised of a conduit having a deflectable end segment at its distal end which can be controlled by a manually operable mechanism on a handle subassembly. The shaft subassembly further includes a cone subassembly at its proximal end including means for structurally connecting to the handle subassembly. Illumination fibers, an imaging fiber, a pull wire and a working channel extend through the shaft subassembly from its distal end to terminals in the cone subassembly for interfacing to the handle subassembly.