Abstract: A vascular filter (1) comprises a proximal support hoop (3), a plurality of support struts (5), and a plurality of capture arms (6). The proximal support hoop (3) extends around the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a wave pattern having six distal peaks (11) and six proximal peaks (11). The proximal support hoop (3) comprises an enlarged end element at each peak (11). The support struts (5) extend longitudinally along the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a curve (14). Two capture arms (6) are connected to the proximal support hoop (3) at each distal peak (11). Each capture arm 6 extends from the distal peak (11) to an apex (7) in a curve (12, 13). The concave portion of the first curve (12) faces inwardly towards the concave portion of the second curve (13).

Abstract: A vascular filter includes a proximal support hoop, a plurality of support struts, and a plurality of capture arms. The proximal support hoop extends around the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a wave pattern having six distal peaks and six proximal peaks. The proximal support hoop includes an enlarged end element at each peak. The support struts extend longitudinally along the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a curve. Two capture arms are connected to the proximal support hoop at each distal peak. Each capture arm extends from the distal peak to an apex in a curve. The concave portion of the first curve faces inwardly towards the concave portion of the second curve.

Abstract: An embolic protection device comprises a collapsible filter element for delivery through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element comprising a collapsible filter body and a filter support frame contacting the filter body. The collapsible filter body has an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the filter body having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material to enter the filter body, the outlet end of the filter body having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body. The filter support frame is movable between a collapsed position for movement through the vascular system and an extended outwardly projecting position to support the filter body in the expanded position.

Abstract: An embolic protection device comprises a collapsible filter body and a filter support for the filter body. The filter support comprises a support frame defined by at least two wire segments having terminations. The terminations of adjacent segments are fixed relative to one another and extend generally parallel in a bifilar manner for enhanced trackability and flexibility.

Abstract: A support 103 for an embolic protection device comprises round wires 116 which may form one or more support hoops for a filter body. The circumferential hoop formed by the wires 116 ensures that in the expanded position, the filter body 102 will be supported by the support frame 103 in circumferential apposition with the interior wall of the vasculature. The wires 116 may have a strain distributing linkage element in the form of a loop 120. The loop 120 acts as a diameter or circumference adjuster allowing an embolic protection device to adapt to different Bessel contours and sizes whilst maintaining apposition with the vessel wall. The strain relieving geometry of the loops enhances the compliance of the bend points without creating a weakened hinge point, thus ensuring that there is no discontinuity in the circumferential seal against the vessel wall.

Abstract: An embolic protection device comprises a collapsible filter element for delivery through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element comprising a collapsible filter body and a filter support frame contacting the filter body. The collapsible filter body has an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the filter body having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material to enter the filter body, the outlet end of the filter body having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body. The filter support frame is movable between a collapsed position for movement through the vascular system and an extended outwardly projecting position to support the filter body in the expanded position.

Abstract: A data storage management system for managing a plurality of remotely located, independent data storage systems includes a central monitoring system and a plurality of agent systems, each in communication with a respective remotely located customer data storage system. Each remote agent system collects data from a respective customer data storage system that relates to the performance/status of the data storage system. Each agent system converts the collected data to a standardized format and then stores the collected data at the central monitoring system. The central monitoring system continuously and automatically monitors activities at the remote data storage systems and, using pattern recognition and data correlation techniques, can predict when system faults are developing at these remote data storage systems. Data storage management experts staffing the command center can initiate corrective action before a customer's data is adversely impacted.

Abstract: An embolic protection device comprises a collapsible filter element for delivery through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element comprising a collapsible filter body and a filter support frame contacting the filter body. The collapsible filter body has an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the filter body having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material to enter the filter body, the outlet end of the filter body having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body. The filter support frame is movable between a collapsed position for movement through the vascular system and an extended outwardly projecting position to support the filter body in the expanded position.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of advancing a guidewire from a first intermediate location to a further intermediate location which is proximal of the treatment location and, subsequently, advancing a medical device over the guidewire toward the further intermediate location. The method may comprise repeating these steps for additional intermediate locations. In one case the treatment location is in the carotid artery. The treatment location may be at or adjacent to the carotid bifurcation. An intermediate location may be at or adjacent to the aortic arch. An intermediate location may be at or adjacent to the carotid take-off. The medical device may be delivered over the guidewire using a delivery catheter. The delivery catheter and the medical device may be advanced through the vasculature without the use of a guide catheter.

Abstract: An embolic protection device comprises a collapsible filter element for delivery through a vascular system of a patient The filter element comprises a collapsible filter body 2 and a filter support 3 for the filter body. The filter body has an inlet end 4 and an outlet end 5, the inlet end 4 of the filter body has one or more inlet openings 6 sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body 2 and the outlet end 5 of the filter body has a plurality of outlet openings 107 sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body 2. The filter support 3 is movable between a collapsed position for movement through the vascular system, and an extended outwardly projecting position to support the filter body in an expanded position The filter support 3 comprises a generally tubular support frame defined by at least one wire 16.

Abstract: A vascular filter system comprises a vascular filter (1), a clamp device (50), and a delivery catheter (51). The filter (1) comprises filter elements (6). When used without the clamp device (50), the filter elements (6) move from a closed state to an open state upon elapse of a predetermined period of time. In the closed state the filter elements (6) capture thrombus passing through the inferior vena cava (2). The delivery catheter (51) is employed to deliver the clamp device (50) to the filter (1) after the filter (1) has been deployed in the inferior vena cava (2). The clamp device (50) engages with the filter elements (6) of the filter (1) to clamp the filter (1) in the closed state beyond elapse of the predetermined period of time. Because of the presence of the clamp device (50), the filter elements (6) are no longer free to move from the closed state to the open state upon elapse of the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A medical device for creating and closing an opening through a vessel wall is described. The device includes a guiding engagement element positioned in a vessel wall; an incising member positionable over the engagement element; and a cutting element, with a recessed notch, at a distal end of the incising member. The cutting element forms a flap on a first portion of a vessel wall, the flap having a first portion attached to the wall and second portion having a first diameter cut and a second diameter cut larger than the first diameter cut. The engagement element includes a retaining element engaging a portion of the flap; and an anchoring element engaging an external surface of the vessel, wherein the retaining element and the anchoring element exert a compressive force on the vessel wall for assisting closure of the cut.

Abstract: A delivery and deployment system for a self-expanding stent comprises a proximal handle having a rotatable thumbscrew and a sliding component which is attached to a distal stent restraining sheath. A rigid open coil spring is provided for converting rotation of the thumbscrew into translation of the sliding component). The spring is attached to the thumbscrew. The sliding component is located between adjacent coils of the spring. Rotation of the thumbscrew twists the spring and slowly slides the sliding component and hence the distal sheath in the proximal direction to uncover the stent, removing the constraint on the stent which is accurately deployed at the site of interest. The handle has a guide elongate channel which constrains the sliding component so that it cannot move in a rotational direction.

Abstract: A vascular filter device comprises a support; and a filter comprising one or more filter elements configured to capture thrombus passing through a blood vessel. A holder holds the filter in a closed filtering state and releases to convert the filter to an open state after a period of time. The filter is adapted to retain thrombus after said conversion. In one case the filter elements are arranged to remain in a closed state after release by the holder, because they are blocked by a retained clot from opening fully, and the filter elements are biased to the open state with a bias level which is counter balanced by force exerted by a retained clot under action of blood flow.

Abstract: A vascular filter device (1) comprises a plurality of filter elements (6) which are movable from a capturing position to an open position upon elapse of a predetermined period of time. In the capturing position the filter elements (6) are configured to capture thrombus passing through the inferior vena cava. In the open position the filter elements (6) are configured to facilitate unrestricted blood flow. The filter elements (6) are biased towards the open position. The filter (1) comprises a holder member (10) to temporarily hold the filter elements (6) in the capturing position until elapse of the predetermined period of time. The holder member (10) comprises a biostable wire element (12) which extends through an opening (13) in each filter element (6), and a biodegradable/bioabsorbable stop element (11). Upon biodegrading/bioabsorbing of the stop element (11), the filter elements (6) are free to move from the capturing position to the open position.

Abstract: A vascular filter (1) comprises a proximal support hoop (3), a plurality of support struts (5), and a plurality of capture arms (6). The proximal support hoop (3) extends around the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a wave pattern having six distal peaks (11) and six proximal peaks (11). The proximal support hoop (3) comprises an enlarged end element at each peak (11). The support struts (5) extend longitudinally along the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a curve (14). Two capture arms (6) are connected to the proximal support hoop (3) at each distal peak (11). Each capture arm 6 extends from the distal peak (11) to an apex (7) in a curve (12, 13). The concave portion of the first curve (12) faces inwardly towards the concave portion of the second curve (13).

Abstract: An interventional medical closure device is suitable for assisting closure of an opening through a blood vessel wall after completion of an interventional procedure within the internal lumen of the blood vessel. The device comprises a closure element, a grasping element for grasping the closure element, and a delivery element for delivering the closure element into the internal lumen of the blood vessel. The closure element comprises a suture, and an engagement foot at a distal end of the suture. The grasping element is inter-engageable with the closure element to grasp the closure element. The delivery element comprises a main body portion, and a distal nose. The distal nose defines a reception space for carrying the engagement foot of the closure element. The delivery element also comprises an engagement foot which is movable relative to the main body portion between a low-profile delivery configuration and a protruding engagement configuration.

Abstract: An interventional medical closure device is suitable for assisting closure of an opening through a blood vessel wall after completion of an interventional procedure within the internal lumen of the blood vessel. The device comprises a closure element, a grasping element for grasping the closure element, and a delivery element for delivering the closure element into the internal lumen of the blood vessel. The closure element comprises a suture, and an engagement foot at a distal end of the suture. The grasping element is inter-engageable with the closure element to grasp the closure element. The delivery element comprises a main body portion, and a distal nose. The distal nose defines a reception space for carrying the engagement foot of the closure element. The delivery element also comprises an engagement foot which is movable relative to the main body portion between a low-profile delivery configuration and a protruding engagement configuration.

Abstract: A delivery catheter 1 for rapid exchange delivery of a stent 7 through a vasculature over a guidewire 10, and for rapid exchange deployment of the stent 7 at a desired site in the vasculature. The catheter 1 comprises a hypotube 2, a distal sheath 4 which defines an internal reception space for the stent 7, and a push wire 3. The catheter body 2 is fixedly attached to the sheath 4 by means of a junction piece 9. At the distal end of the wire 3, the catheter 1 comprises a tubular inner core 5 and a coiled spring 6 which acts as an abutment means for engagement with the stent 7 in the reception space upon retraction of the sheath 4 to facilitate deployment of the stent 7. The guidewire 10 passes proximally from the inner core 5, through the junction piece 9, and out of the junction piece 9 through a proximal guidewire opening 11.

Abstract: An inferior vena cava filter (340) for use in the inferior vena cava (4) to capture thrombus (8) passing through the inferior vena cava (4) towards the heart and lungs to prevent pulmonary embolism comprises a proximal support hoop (302), a distal support hoop (312) and a plurality of support struts (303) extending between the proximal support hoop (302) and the distal support hoop (312). The filter (340) also comprises a plurality of capture arms (121) which are movable from a capturing configuration to an open configuration. The capture arms (121) are biased towards the open configuration. A biodegradable suture holds the capture arms (121) in the capturing configuration.