Abstract: A medical instrument includes a housing with a passage through which a catheter is received. A valve body is mounted in the passage, and, as the catheter penetrates through the valve body, the valve body conforms to the outer wall of the catheter to maintain a fluid tight seal between the valve body and the catheter. When the valve body is unstressed before being mounted in the passage, the valve body has a first planar dimension and a second planar dimension that is less than the first planar dimension.

Abstract: A cast bioremodelable graft (22) comprising a cast tubular construct (33) of a bioremodelable substance (34). The bioremodelable substance is cast on or applied to a form and then vacuum pressed to dry or harden the substance. Expandable members (18) are disposed on, in, under or about the cast tubular construct to expand the graft when released from an endoluminal delivery system. A second layer (39) can be applied over the first layer (38) and the expandable stents to contain the stents there between without the need for any separate attachment. The graft is dehydrated and preferably vacuum pressed to harden the bioremodelable substance. The form is removed to form one or more lumens (23-25) in the graft, which is then loaded on an endoluminal delivery system.

Abstract: A venous valve prosthesis having a substantially non-expandable, valve portion comprising a valve-closing mechanism, such as a pair of opposing leaflets; and an anchoring portion, such as one or more self-expanding frames or stents that are expandable to anchor the prosthesis at the implantation site. In one embodiment, the rigid valve portion includes a deposition of material such as pyrolitic carbon to reduce the thrombogenecity of the blood-contacting surfaces. The anchoring portions preferably include a covering, such as a tubular construct of synthetic or collagen-derived material (such as a bioremodelable ECM material), which attaches about the support structure such that blood flow is directed through the valve mechanism as it transitions from the larger diameter anchoring portion to the intermediate, smaller-diameter portion of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An iris-type valve assembly for controlling a flow of fluid. The assembly comprises a base member, a rotatable member, and an elongated elastomeric valve sheath. The distal end of the valve sheath is secured to the base member and the proximal end of the valve sheath is secured to the rotatable member. At least one of the valve sheath ends includes a flange that is secured to a valve-receiving surface of the base member or the rotatable member. The base member and the rotatable member are aligned to define an elongated passageway therethrough for passage of an interventional device, and the elastomeric valve sheath is disposed along the passageway and has a longitudinal opening therethrough for passage of the interventional device. Upon rotation of the rotatable member relative to the base member the longitudinal opening of the valve sheath is selectively constrictable to comprise a seal around the interventional device.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthetic device for placement in a body lumen is formed by stitching stents to a graft. A first or anchoring stent is used for securing a graft made of biocompatible material that forms at least one lumen. There is also a second stent. The first and second stents each include a plurality of struts and apices between the struts. At least two of the apices in each of the first and second stents are secured to the graft by stitches. A running suture links at least one stitch of the first stent and one stitch of the second stent. The running suture linking the first stent and the second stent adds strength to the stitches and better secures the first stent to the device. The endoluminal prosthetic device may be used in an aortic vessel to treat stenoses or aneurysms.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthetic device is formed by attaching a stent to a graft. The stent is a plurality of struts and joints or apices between the struts. At least one apex of the stent may be attached to the graft with at least two stitches sharing a penetration in the graft. This more firmly anchors the stent to the graft, preventing separation of the stent from the graft. By using at least one opening or penetration in the graft for more than one stitch, the number of penetrations or openings in the graft is minimized. This has the advantage of maintaining as much as possible the integrity of the graft while minimizing leakage and complications.

Abstract: An intraluminal graft assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a support frame having first, radially smaller and second, radially larger configurations. A graft is attached to the support frame at one end by connectors and is not connected to the other end. The graft extends along only a fractional length of the support frame when in the first configuration, and substantially along the entire length of the support frame when in the second configuration. A vessel repair system is also provided. In the system, a driving member is positioned to force the support frame from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: A multiple-sided valve for implantation within a body vessel comprising a frame comprising a bioabsorbable material is provided. The devices can be pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel and may include one or more barbs for anchoring purposes. A full or partial covering of fabric or other flexible material, or a bioabsorbable material, including a collagen-based material such as small intestinal submucosa (SIS), may be attached to the frame to form an occlusion device, a graft, or an implantable, intraluminal valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet.

Abstract: A guidewire with a flexible tip is provided. The flexible tip comprises a portion of a coating that axially extends beyond a distal end of an elongate member of the guidewire. The length of the flexible tip can be defined in relation to a diameter of the elongate member of the guidewire. Also, the length of the flexible tip can be defined in relation to a length of a distal tip portion of the elongate member of the guidewire. The flexible tip may include agents that facilitate visualization, such as an opacifying agent in the coating and/or a radiopaque marker disposed in the flexible tip.

Abstract: A prosthesis (10) having a variable size or stretchable fenestration (14) in the graft material (37) of a biocompatible tubular graft (11). An expandable frame (16) is disposed about the fenestration, and a portion (17) of the graft material about the fenestration is folded back over the frame to cover the frame. Additional grafts or prosthesis of varying size can be inserted through the frame and fenestration with the stretched frame and folded portion compressing on the inserted graft forming a seal therewith.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a main body, a therapeutic agent and a radiation-curable hydrophilic coating. The hydrophilic coating allows for easy insertion of medical devices, which may include catheters, cannulae, stents, wire guides, and the like. The medical device may include more than one therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves for implantation in a body vessel are provided. Prosthetic valves according to the invention comprise first and second frame members and a graft member at least partially disposed between the first and second frame members. The graft member forms a valve that permits fluid flow through the body vessel in a first direction and substantially prevents fluid flow through the body vessel in a second, opposite direction.

Abstract: A medical device (110) including a catheter shaft (111) and a unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) having a varying durometer, and optionally including an expandable balloon (18, 118). One or both of the unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) and the balloon (18, 118) are made from an irradiation cross-linked or cross-linkable mixture of a polyamide elastomer and at least one additional cross-linking reactant. The polyamide elastomer can be a polyester amide, a polyether ester amide or a polyether amide, and is preferably a nylon block copolymer. The aromatic molecule can be 1,3,5 triethyl benzene; 1,2,4 triethyl benzene; and 1,3,5 triisopropyl benzene. The cross-linking reactant can be: (a) a difunctional material, (b) a trifunctional material, (c) a tetrafunctional material, or (d) an aromatic molecule containing at least two ring substituents, each of the ring substituents having labile hydrogens at a benzylic site therein.

Abstract: An occluding device for occluding fluid flow through a lumen of a body vessel. The device comprises a coil and fibers attached to the coil. The coil has about 5 to 60 grams of initial tension to facilitate the coil to fold when deployed. The fibers extend from the coil at a length.

Abstract: An apparatus for percutaneous catheterization. The apparatus comprises a catheter, and an inner cannula received within the lumen of the catheter. The inner cannula has a distal portion that tapers toward the distal end, and is sized to extend through the distal opening of the catheter to provide a generally smooth diametrical transition between the distal end of the catheter and the distal open end of the inner cannula. A stiffening cannula is sized to be received in the lumen of the inner catheter, and has an inner diameter sized to receive a wire guide therethrough. The stiffening cannula as a distal section of greater flexibility than the flexibility of a proximal section for providing kink resistance to the apparatus.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for use in extracorporeal treatment of a bodily fluid. The catheter assembly includes a catheter body having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member. At least one of the tubular members includes an expansion member, such as a malecot, for centering the catheter assembly in a body vessel. Body fluid is withdrawn from the vessel, and passed through one of the tubular members to a treatment instrument, such as a dialyzer. Treated fluid from the treatment instrument is then passed through the other tubular member and returned to the body vessel through one or more openings in said other tubular member.

Abstract: A central venous catheter comprises a catheter body having a plurality of lumens extending longitudinally therein. At least one of the lumens extends longitudinally through the catheter body from its proximal end to an exit port at its distal end, and at least one other lumen extends longitudinally through the catheter body to a closed distal portion of the catheter body. The catheter body further includes a sideport positioned to establish communication between the closed-end lumen and an area exterior to the catheter body. The catheter body further includes a flexible member, such as a coiled spring, in the closed-end lumen in a space between the sideport and the closed end.

Abstract: A wire guide includes a mandrel that has a proximal portion and a distal portion. A coating having a low coefficient of friction is disposed on at least part of the proximal portion and the distal portion of the mandrel, where a part of the proximal portion and distal portion of the mandrel without the coating indicates a marking on the wire guide. This marking on the wire guide allows a user to determine a trimmable length of a catheter, and the low friction coating enables the user to easily advance the catheter over the wire guide.

Abstract: Medical devices for implantation in a body vessel are provided. A medical device according to the invention comprises a support structure and one or more graft members comprising a valve portion and a constraining portion. The support structure has a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration. The constraining portion is adapted to substantially prevent the support structure from achieving the second, expanded configuration. The valve portion is adapted to permit fluid flow through a body vessel in a first direction and substantially prevent fluid flow through the vessel in a second, opposite direction.

Abstract: A removable filter for capturing thrombi in a blood vessel. The filter comprises a plurality of primary struts having first ends connected to each other to define a central axis of the filter. Each primary strut has a curved member extending from the central axis and terminates at an anchoring hook to engage the blood vessel at a first axial plane. The filter further comprises a plurality of secondary struts connected to the curved members of the primary struts and extending therefrom to a free end at a second axial plane to centralize the filter in the blood vessel.