Abstract: A deliver assist device for use in combination with a guide catheter includes an elongate proximal shaft and a flexible distal section that extends distally from the elongate proximal shaft. The flexible distal section includes at least a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility. A lumen configured to accommodate a guidewire extending therethrough extends through the flexible distal section. A tapered distal tip extends distally from the flexible distal section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to implantable medical devices and methods that employ these medical devices to treat heart valves. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided comprising a body. The body may have a portion thereof including therapeutic agent and can be configured to support the device proximate a heart valve. Methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may also include providing a medical device having a body with at least a portion thereof including a therapeutic agent. These methods may also include positioning the medical device in a location proximate to a downstream surface of the heart valve and securing the device. The therapeutic agent released may then be delivered to the heart valve.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and techniques are described for reducing the profile of a stent. In one example, a stent having a reduced state and an expanded state includes a plurality of interconnected annular rings arranged about a longitudinal axis, each of the plurality of annular bands comprising a plurality of peaks and a plurality of troughs, wherein in the reduced state, at least one of the plurality of peaks of at least one of the plurality of rings is positioned a first distance from the longitudinal axis, another one of the plurality of peaks being positioned a second distance from the longitudinal axis, the first distance being less than the second distance, and wherein in the expanded state, the plurality of peaks of the stent being positioned at substantially the same distance from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent to an internal portion of a patient's body. The medical device includes a shaft and a self-expanding delivery member in operative communication with the shaft. The delivery member is shaped from a porous material that is capable of releasing a therapeutic agent to an internal portion of a patient's body. The medical device further includes a therapeutic agent delivery lumen in fluid communication with the delivery member to fluidly connect the delivery member with a therapeutic agent source. A retention member may also be provided to selectively collapse the delivery member.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent includes an unexpanded configuration, a nominally expanded configuration, and a fully expanded configuration. The stent further includes a plurality of circumferential bands and a plurality of connectors connecting adjacent circumferential bands to one another. Each circumferential band has a plurality of struts interconnected by bridges. Adjacent struts form strut pairs and are connected to one another at a first end or a second end but not both. Each strut pair defines an opening between the struts of the strut pair; the bridges extend into the openings. In the unexpanded configuration, the struts are straight along their length. Also in the unexpanded configuration, the bridges include two adjacent straight segments that are connected by a u-shaped segment, and the straight segments are parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: A catheter system comprises a catheter comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion and an inner shaft. The inner shaft comprises a medical device receiving region for receiving and carrying a medical device. The retaining device is at least partially constructed of an electroactive polymer. The retaining device is located on or adjacent to the medical device receiving region. The electroactive polymer of the retaining device has an activated state and an inactivated state. The retaining device is capable of retaining a medical device to the catheter and releasing the medical device from the catheter by transitioning between the activated state and the inactivated state.

Abstract: An apparatus for precision pen height control which includes a dispensing member, a fluid dispensing system, a vertical position sensing system, and a vertical position controller. The fluid dispensing system is in fluid communication with an opening in the dispensing member via a tubular member. A vertical position sensing system, which includes a diffraction grating and a sensor, is engaged to the tubular member. The sensor is positioned adjacent the diffraction grating. The diffraction grating is engaged to a vertical support, which is engaged to the tubular member. The sensor produces a vertical position signal based upon the position of the vertical support. The vertical position controller is engaged to the vertical position sensing system, and receives a control signal generated from the vertical position signal. The vertical position controller produces and applies vertical forces to the vertical support in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A catheter device includes an elongate tubular housing, a cannula, and a flexible proboscis. The cannula defines a cannula lumen which is in fluid communication with a cannula exit port located adjacent the distal end of the elongate housing. The distal tip of the cannula is disposed within the cannula lumen. The cannula defines a proboscis lumen and the cannula has a proboscis exit port in fluid communication with the proboscis lumen. The proboscis exit port is located at the distal tip of the cannula. The flexible proboscis has a distal tip and is disposed within the proboscis lumen.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that allow a stent to be folded within a balloon of a stent delivery system. In one example, a stent has first and second columns that extend from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis. Each of the first columns extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and comprise a plurality of elements that each have a substantially polygonal shape. Each of the second columns extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and are between adjacent first columns. Each of the respective second columns include a plurality of first connectors that have a curvilinear shape and that extend in a substantially circumferential direction to connect adjacent first columns. The stent also has a plurality of second connectors, wherein at least one of the second connectors extends between a first element and a second element.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and techniques are described for reducing the profile of a stent. In one example, a stent having a reduced state and an expanded state includes a plurality of interconnected annular rings arranged about a longitudinal axis, each of the plurality of annular bands comprising a plurality of peaks and a plurality of troughs, wherein in the reduced state, at least one of the plurality of peaks of at least one of the plurality of rings is positioned a first distance from the longitudinal axis, another one of the plurality of peaks being positioned a second distance from the longitudinal axis, the first distance being less than the second distance, and wherein in the expanded state, the plurality of peaks of the stent being positioned at substantially the same distance from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises an unexpanded configuration, a nominally expanded configuration, and a fully expanded configuration. The stent further comprises a plurality of circumferential bands and a plurality of connectors connecting adjacent circumferential bands to one another. Each circumferential band has a plurality of struts interconnected by bridges. Adjacent struts form strut pairs and are connected to one another at a first end or a second end but not both. Each strut pair defines an opening between the struts of the strut pair; the bridges extend into the openings. In the unexpanded configuration, the struts are straight along their length. Also in the unexpanded configuration, the bridges comprise two adjacent straight segments that are connected by a u-shaped segment, and the straight segments are parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to implantable medical devices and methods that employ these medical devices to treat heart valves. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided comprising a body. The body may have a portion thereof including therapeutic agent and can be configured to support the device proximate a heart valve. Methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may also include providing a medical device having a body with at least a portion thereof including a therapeutic agent. These methods may also include positioning the medical device in a location proximate to a downstream surface of the heart valve and securing the device. The therapeutic agent released may then be delivered to the heart valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to implantable medical devices and methods that employ these medical devices to treat heart valves. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided comprising a body. The body may have a portion thereof including therapeutic agent and can be configured to support the device proximate a heart valve. Methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may also include providing a medical device having a body with at least a portion thereof including a therapeutic agent. These methods may also include positioning the medical device in a location proximate to a downstream surface of the heart valve and securing the device. The therapeutic agent released may then be delivered to the heart valve.

Abstract: A stent comprises at least one closed pathway that defines a single cell. In some embodiments, the closed pathway includes a plurality of petals constructed and arranged to extend away from the tubular wall of the stent. In one embodiment, some of the petals of the closed pathway overlap other of the petals of the closed pathway when the stent is in a reduced state. In at least one embodiment, the stent comprises a plurality of closed pathways. In one embodiment, the closed pathways are arranged in bands that extend either along the length of the stent or about the circumference of the stent.

Abstract: The invention provides devices that can be used to deliver a therapeutic agent to a treatment site within the vessel of a patient at increased pressure, while limiting the contact with and pressure placed on the vessel walls. Devices according to the invention include an expandable structure arranged around and on a tube having a lumen. The expandable structure may include a sealing ring that makes contact with the interior surface of a vessel to prevent or decrease fluid flow during delivery of a therapeutic agent. This allows delivery of a therapeutic agent with decreased risk of injury to the treatment site. The invention also provides for large lumen diameters, preventing shearing stress on therapeutic agents such as cell slurries.

Abstract: A method of producing a tubular member which includes providing at least one micro-extruder configured to extrude at least one material and providing a surface configured to accept the material extruded from the micro-extruder.

Abstract: A system and method for simply and reliably determining the location and orientation of a medical device within a patient's body. A medical device, such as a catheter, has bending indicators on or imbedded in its wall, and passes through an anatomical reference of known orientation relative to a target site within the patient. Information from the tube bending indicators permits determination of the orientation of a feature, such as an orifice, at the distal end of the medical device relative to the anatomical reference. From the known orientation of the anatomical reference, and information on the location and orientation of the distal end of the medical device obtained from fluoroscopic imaging from a single direction, the physician may reliably determine the orientation of the distal feature relative to the target site, eliminating the need for imaging from multiple directions.

Abstract: A catheter device comprising a proboscis shaft and a proboscis disposed within the proboscis shaft. In certain embodiments, the catheter device further comprises an elongate tubular member, wherein the proboscis shaft is disposed within the elongate tubular member. In certain embodiments, the catheter device comprises a tissue surface engagement structure, which has a first configuration and a second configuration. In the second configuration, the tissue surface engagement structure presents a larger transverse profile in comparison to the first configuration. The tissue surface engagement structure may have any of various designs, including an expandable assembly and a hinged assembly. In certain embodiments, a deformable cushion is positioned at the distal end of the proboscis shaft. The deformable cushion comprises a pocket that is filled with a reshapeable material. In certain embodiments, the proboscis shaft comprises a longitudinally compressible portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for catheter-based sensing and injection at a target site within a patient's body. An injection catheter is equipped with electrodes at its distal end which contact the surface of a target site, such as an AV node of the heart. Electrical signals detected at the target site by the electrodes are fed via leads to the proximal end of the catheter, where they are received by a monitor, such as an EKG monitor. If the electrical signals satisfy predetermined criteria, a needle within the catheter is extended into the target site, and a therapeutic agent is injected into the target site.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein. An administering portion is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and is configured to administer a bolus of liquid in response to positive pressure in a distal portion of the lumen. The catheter system of the present invention has a dead space of less 0.32 cc and preferably less than 0.15 cc in which residual therapeutic agents remain after delivery. The present invention also includes a method of administering a liquid to a treatment site. The distal end of the catheter is transluminally positioned proximate the treatment site. The catheter is charged by placing a bolus of the liquid in the lumen. A positive pressure is created to drive the bolus to the administering tip to express the bolus from the distal end of the catheter.