Abstract: A catheter balloon includes a membrane having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of substrates are bonded about the membrane. The ability of a bond's ability to withstand repeated stresses during use may be improved by using a reinforcement or a stress relief, while also minimizing the overall thickness of the balloon proximate to its distal end. The reinforcement may comprise a portion of an unassembled membrane. Alternatively, the reinforcement may comprise an adhesive-margin tip. The stress relief may be a serpentine portion of a distal tail of a substrate.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an apparatus to a grip a catheter shaft including a body including a proximal end extending along a central axis to a distal end. The body can include a first handle portion, a second handle portion, and a catheter shaft grip aperture. The first handle portion can define a first recess extending along the central axis of the body from the proximal end to the distal end. The second handle portion can define a second recess extending along the central axis of the body from the proximal end to the distal end such that the first recess is aligned with the second recess. The catheter shaft grip aperture can extend along the central axis of the body from the proximal end to the distal end, be formed from the alignment of the first recess and the second recess, and be sized to receive a catheter shaft.

Abstract: An incontinence treatment device includes a support body and a plication mechanism attached to the support body. The device includes a first and second arms separated by a support zone. The plication mechanism is attached to the support zone and has a strand providing first and second end portions. The strand is removably coupled with a first location of the support zone and removably coupled with a separate second location of the support zone. The separate second location is spaced apart from the first location of the support zone by a central region. The support body is configured to contact tissue around a urethra and tension applied to both of the first and second end portions moves the first location of the support zone and the second location of the support zone to remove slack in the support body relative to the tissue around the urethra.

Abstract: In some embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise plurality of serpentine bands which comprise connected turns and unconnected turns, wherein at least one of the serpentine bands comprises a repeating pattern of three band struts and then five band struts extending between connected turns as the serpentine band is traversed. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently than other cells of the stent. The side branch structure includes a serpentine ring that comprises alternating struts and turns. The turns comprise alternating inner turns and outer turns. The inner turns comprise alternating first inner turns and second inner turns, wherein the second inner turns are located farther away from a side branch center point than the first inner turns.

Abstract: Devices and methods for monitoring the flow of blood through an intravascular device are disclosed. An apparatus for monitoring blood flow in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an intravascular device coupled to an elongated member, a first sensor adapted to measure fluidic pressure proximal the intravascular device, a second sensor adapted to measure fluidic pressure distal the intravascular device, and a control unit for comparing the signals received from the first and second sensors to determine the pressure drop across the intravascular device.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently from other cells of the stent. The side branch structure comprises a serpentine ring that extends around the inner side branch cell. The serpentine ring comprises alternating struts and turns. The turns comprise alternating inner turns and outer turns, and the inner turns comprise alternating first inner turns and second inner turns. The second inner turns are located farther away from a side branch center point than the first inner turns.

Abstract: A stent may comprise a plurality of interconnected strut members defining a plurality of serpentine bands and a plurality of connector struts. Adjacent serpentine bands may be connected by at least one connector strut. The stent may further comprise an outwardly deployable side branch structure. The total amount of surface area of structural strut members in a given unit area on the surface of the stent is higher in areas near the side branch structure than in areas spaced away from the side branch structure.

Abstract: Anchoring mechanisms for releasably securing an intravascular device along an elongated member such as a guidewire or catheter. The anchoring mechanism may include an object that can be actuated between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the anchoring mechanism is slidably and rotationally disposed about the elongated member. In the locked position, the anchoring mechanism is releasably secured to the elongated member, preventing movement thereon. A placement mechanism such as a tubular member can be utilized to actuate the anchoring mechanism between the unlocked and locked positions.

Abstract: An expandable stent may be made having an expandable spiral side branch support section having a spiral configuration and disposed about a center point. The expandable spiral side branch support section is configured to expand outward to allow for the formation of a bifurcated stent with a side branch.

Abstract: Distal protection filter retrieval devices and methods of retrieving a distal protection filter. A filter retrieval catheter may comprise an inner tube, an outer tube disposed over the inner tube, an annular lumen disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube, and a tapered member coupled to the lumen. The tapered member may be movable between a first position for passing a lesion and a second position retrieving a filter.

Abstract: Distal protection filter frame and method for using and manufacturing the same. A distal protection filter frame may include one or more struts, a mouth, and a filter coupled to the mouth.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

Abstract: Devices and methods for magnetically centering and retrieving intravascular devices within a body lumen are disclosed. An intravascular filter in accordance with an illustrative embodiment may comprise an expandable filter structure having at least one magnetic element formed therein. The intravascular filter can be retrieved using a magnetic retrieval device that includes a magnetic retrieval mechanism for centering and retrieving the intravascular filter.

Abstract: Devices and systems for retrieving an intravascular device within a body lumen are disclosed. The retrieval device may comprise an elongated tubular member having a relatively stiff proximal segment, an expandable distal segment, and an inner lumen disposed about a guidewire. The distal segment may include a braid configured to expand when axially compressed. A dilator tip operatively coupled to the elongated tubular member and guidewire may be used to track the retrieval device through the body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transporting intravascular devices through a body lumen are disclosed. A filter system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a guide tip having a guidewire lumen adapted to receive a guidewire, an elongated wire operatively coupled to an embolic protection filter, and a filter delivery device including an elongated tubular member extending distally to a distal sheath, the elongated tubular member may include a first lumen adapted to receive the elongated wire, and a second lumen adapted to receive the guidewire.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

Abstract: A filter disposed at the distal end of an elongate guidewire. Catheters are provided for delivering the filter to, and retrieving the filter from, a treatment site. The catheters can be over-the-wire or single operator exchange. The catheters include a housing for receiving the filter therein. The housing has an atraumatic distal end.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

Abstract: A skylight conversion kit particularly adapted to convert evaporative cooler cooling system piping into a sealed skylight with a plurality of cleanable, insulated interchangeable interior ceiling window.