Abstract: A fall protection safety apparatus is provided for use with fall protection assemblies such as those including a harness and tethering element (such as a cable, Lanyard, or strap) for attaching a person occupying the upper level of a multiple level structure. The safety apparatus includes a base post connected to a base level concrete slab and a mast connected to the base post, extending upward through the upper working level and providing an attachment mechanism for connecting the tethering element thereto. The safety apparatus provides a strong and stationary attachment point for connecting the person occupying the upper working level, regardless of whether a suitable stationary feature exists on the structure itself or is close enough to the area where the person must work. The safety apparatus may be positioned as desired on the base and working levels and even relocated to different base and working levels.

Abstract: A filter and methods of use to provide distal protection during a vascular procedure is provided. The filter includes a first spiral shaped support member joined to a second spiral support member to form a crossover and to form a first generally planar support frame and a second generally planar support frame. A tether is on one of the first end or the second end and a capture structure is attached to the first support frame or the second support frame. The capture structure extends in a non-planar fashion relative to the generally planar first or second support frame to which the capture structure is attached. After use to capture debris, the filter is recovered in a manner to close while maintaining captured debris within the filter.

Abstract: There is described an endoluminal filter having an end cap having a lumen sized to receive there through a guidewire used in the positioning of the filter within the vasculature. There is a first support member with a pre-formed counter clockwise spiral shape and a second support member with a pre-formed clockwise spiral shape positioned adjacent to one another to form a proximal support frame, a distal support frame with a crossover between the proximal support frame and the distal support frame with a proximal portion of the first and the second spiral support members being attached to the end cap. A material capture structure having a rim and an apex with the rim attached to the proximal support frame and the apex extending distally through without attaching to the distal support frame.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided an endovascular device having a multi-lumen tubular structure; a pharmacological agent filing a first lumen of the multi-lumen tubular structure; and a support member extending through a second lumen of the multi-lumen tubular structure wherein the multi-lumen tubular structure conforms to the shape of the metal support member when the support member is inserted into the second lumen. In one aspect, the support member includes a pair of opposing spiral support members that form a slidable crossover point. In one aspect, a filter is provided having a pair of opposing spiral support members that form a slidable crossover point and a first and second loop; and a material capture structure that can be coated with a pharmacological agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides balloon dissection apparatus and methods of use in which an elongate balloon is utilized to dissect along a region that follows a naturally existing path alongside a vessel or structure, such as an artery, a vein, a lymphatic vessel, the trachea, the esophagus, or even a nerve bundle.

Abstract: An endoluminal filter including a first support member and a second support member attached to the first support member to form a crossover. A material capture structure extends between the first and second support members, the crossover and the first end or the second end of the first support member. The filter includes at least one tissue anchor on the first support member and the second support member. There is a method of positioning a filter within a lumen including advancing a sheath containing a filter through the lumen. Next, deploying a retrieval feature against the lumen wall while maintaining substantially all of a material capture structure of the filter within the sheath. Next, deploying the material capture structure of the filter from the sheath to a position across the lumen along with engaging the lumen wall with fixation elements positioned along the filter.

Abstract: A filter and methods of use to provide distal protection during a vascular procedure is provided. The filter includes a first spiral shaped support member joined to a second spiral support member to form a crossover and to form a first generally planar support frame and a second generally planar support frame. A tether is on one of the first end or the second end and a capture structure is attached to the first support frame or the second support frame. The capture structure extends in a non-planar fashion relative to the generally planar first or second support frame to which the capture structure is attached. After use to capture debris, the filter is recovered in a manner to close while maintaining captured debris within the filter.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of filtering blood flow in a lumen by positioning an open loop filter support structure within a lumen; maintaining a position of the open loop filter support structure within the lumen using radial force generated by the open loop filter support structure; and filtering blood flow in the lumen using a filter supported by the open loop filter support structure. In one aspect, there is also applying radial force generated by the open loop filter support structure along the axial dimension of the lumen.

Abstract: In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a filter having a first structural member extending along and clockwise about an axis, a second structural member extending along and counter clockwise about the axis and a material capture structure extending between the first and the second structural members and across the axis. In one aspect, the structural members may be joined to form two ends. In yet another aspect, there is provided a filter having a first spiral shaped support member having an end; a second support member positioned to cross the first spiral support member and form a loop between the end and the place where the second support member crosses the first spiral support member; and a material capture structure extending across and secured to the loop.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of positioning a filter within a lumen by positioning a filter within a lumen by exerting a radial force generated by a support structure against the lumen while suspending a material capture structure between opposing members of the support structure; and self adjusting the length of the filter support structure along the lumen wall in response to a change in the size of the lumen. In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of providing protection during a procedure performed in the vasculature by placing an open loop device within a vessel down stream of a location in the vasculature; performing a procedure to treat the vasculature in proximity to the location; and capturing debris released during the procedure in a material capture structure suspended across the vessel and supported by the open loop device.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a coated endoluminal filter having a support structure; a filtering structure attached to the support structure; a coating over at least a portion of support structure. In another alternative embodiment, there is provided an endoluminal filter having a support structure; and a filtering structure attached to the support structure; wherein, the support structure is generally symmetrical about a plane that is orthogonal to the flow direction of the filter and contains a crossover point between two structural elements of the support structure. In another alternative embodiment, there is provided an endoluminal filter, having a support structure; and a filtering structure attached to the support structure; wherein, the support structure is generally symmetrical about a plane that is parallel to the flow direction of the filter and contains both ends of the support structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a filter having a first spiral support member having a first end and a second end, a second spiral support member positioned adjacent the first spiral support member to form an open loop between the first end and the second end of the first spiral support member; and a filtering structure attached to the open loop. In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a filter having a first spiral support member having a first end and a second end; a second spiral support member positioned adjacent the first spiral support member to form a loop between the first end and the second end; a material covering a portion of the first and the second spiral support members; and a structure attached to the loop.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a filter having a first spiral support member having a first end and a second end, a second spiral support member positioned adjacent the first spiral support member to form an open loop between the first end and the second end of the first spiral support member; and a filtering structure attached to the open loop. In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a filter having a first spiral support member having a first end and a second end; a second spiral support member positioned adjacent the first spiral support member to form a loop between the first end and the second end; a material covering a portion of the first and the second spiral support members; and a structure attached to the loop.

Abstract: An endoluminal filter including a first support member having a first end and a second end and a second support member attached to the first end of the first support member or the second end of the first support member and forming a crossover with the first support member. The endoluminal filter also includes a material capture structure extending between the first and second support members, the crossover and the first end or the second end of the first support member and at least one tissue anchor on the first support member or the second support member. A method of positioning a filter within a lumen including advancing a sheath containing a filter through the lumen. Next, deploying a portion of the filter from the sheath into the lumen to engage the lumen wall while maintaining substantially all of a material capture structure of the filter within the sheath. Next, deploying the material capture structure of the filter from the sheath to a position across the lumen.

Abstract: The present invention provides balloon dissection apparatus and methods of use in which an elongate balloon is utilized to dissect along a region that follows a naturally existing path alongside a vessel or structure, such as an artery, a vein, a lymphatic vessel, the trachea, the esophagus, or even a nerve bundle.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a filter having a first elongate member having a first section and a second section; a second elongate member having a first section and a second section; a first rounded frame formed by the first sections; a second rounded frame formed by the second sections; and a material removal structure supported by the first rounded frame. In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a filter, having a first elongate member having a first spiral section and a second spiral section; a second elongate member having a first spiral section and a second spiral section; and a material capture structure extending between the first spiral sections.

Abstract: A microwave antenna having a curved configuration is described herein. The antenna portion is formed into various shapes whereby the antenna substantially encloses, by a partial or complete loop or enclosure, at least a majority of the tissue to be irradiated. When microwave energy is delivered through the antenna, the curved configuration forms an ablation field or region defined by the curved antenna and any tissue enclosed within the ablation region becomes irradiated by the microwave energy. The microwave antenna is deployed through one of several methods, and multiple curved antennas can be used in conjunction with one another. Moreover, RF energy can also be used at the distal tip of the antenna to provide a cutting tip for the antenna during deployment in tissue.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a filter having a first spiral support member having a first end and a second end, a second spiral support member positioned adjacent the first spiral support member to form an open loop between the first end and the second end of the first spiral support member; and a filtering structure attached to the open loop. In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a filter having a first spiral support member having a first end and a-second end; a second spiral support member positioned adjacent the first spiral support member to form a loop between the first end and the second end; a material covering a portion of the first and the second spiral support members; and a structure attached to the loop.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of filtering blood flow in a lumen by positioning an open loop filter support structure within a lumen; maintaining a position of the open loop filter support structure within the lumen using radial force generated by the open loop filter support structure; and filtering blood flow in the lumen using a filter supported by the open loop filter support structure. In one aspect, there is also applying radial force generated by the open loop filter support structure along the axial dimension of the lumen.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of positioning a filter within a lumen by positioning a filter within a lumen by exerting a radial force generated by a support structure against the lumen while suspending a material capture structure between opposing members of the support structure; and self adjusting the length of the filter support structure along the lumen wall in response to a change in the size of the lumen. In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of providing protection during a procedure performed in the vasculature by placing an open loop device within a vessel down stream of a location in the vasculature; performing a procedure to treat the vasculature in proximity to the location; and capturing debris released during the procedure in a material capture structure suspended across the vessel and supported by the open loop device.