Abstract: Disclosed is a balloon catheter that can comprise an elongate support member, an inflation tube, a guidewire tube and a balloon. The guidewire tube can define a guidewire port at its proximal end, and can extend from the port through an opening in a wall of the elongate support member and distally through a first lumen of the elongate support member, in some cases to the distal end of the catheter. The inflation tube can be disposed over a distal portion of the elongate support member, a portion of the guidewire tube, a portion of the inner assembly, or any combination thereof, forming a second lumen. The distal end of the balloon can be attached to the guidewire tube and the proximal end of the balloon can be attached to the inflation tube. The inside of the balloon can be in fluid communication with the first lumen and with the second lumen, allowing the balloon to be inflated and/or deflated. The elongate support member can also have cuts in it.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided to treat diseased cardiac valves. The device includes a percutaneous heart valve having an expandable valve frame including valve frame members, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, and an expandable stent anchoring frame coupled to the valve frame including stent frame members defining a first portion and a second portion having greater flexibility than the first portion, where the first portion and the valve frame define a length, and where the stent frame members and the valve frame members along the length provide a contiguous surface over which a delivery device can repeatedly slide over the length in its entirety in two longitudinal directions when the first portion and the valve frame are in a partially expanded state during delivery from the delivery device.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided to treat diseased cardiac valves. The device includes a percutaneous heart valve having an expandable valve frame including valve frame members, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, and an expandable stent anchoring frame coupled to the valve frame including stent frame members defining a first portion and a second portion having greater flexibility than the first portion, where the first portion and the valve frame define a length, and where the stent frame members and the valve frame members along the length provide a contiguous surface over which a delivery device can repeatedly slide over the length in its entirety in two longitudinal directions when the first portion and the valve frame are in a partially expanded state during delivery from the delivery device.

Abstract: Medical devices may include structure or provision that permit a physician or other health care professional to adjust particular parameters such as flexibility, stiffness and compressive strength of at least a portion of the medical device. In some instances, the medical device may be adjusted prior to inserting the medical device into a patient. In some cases, the medical device may be adjusted while in use within the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a balloon catheter that can comprise an elongate support member, an inflation tube, a guidewire tube and a balloon. The guidewire tube can define a guidewire port at its proximal end, and can extend from the port through an opening in a wall of the elongate support member and distally through a first lumen of the elongate support member, in some cases to the distal end of the catheter. The inflation tube can be disposed over a distal portion of the elongate support member, a portion of the guidewire tube, a portion of the inner assembly, or any combination thereof, forming a second lumen. The distal end of the balloon can be attached to the guidewire tube and the proximal end of the balloon can be attached to the inflation tube. The inside of the balloon can be in fluid communication with the first lumen and with the second lumen, allowing the balloon to be inflated and/or deflated. The elongate support member can also have cuts in it.

Abstract: Disclosed is a balloon catheter that can comprise an elongate support member, an inflation tube, a guidewire tube and a balloon. The guidewire tube can define a guidewire port at its proximal end, and can extend from the port through an opening in a wall of the elongate support member and distally through a first lumen of the elongate support member, in some cases to the distal end of the catheter. The inflation tube can be disposed over a distal portion of the elongate support member, a portion of the guidewire tube, a portion of the inner assembly, or any combination thereof, forming a second lumen. The distal end of the balloon can be attached to the guidewire tube and the proximal end of the balloon can be attached to the inflation tube. The inside of the balloon can be in fluid communication with the first lumen and with the second lumen, allowing the balloon to be inflated and/or deflated. The elongate support member can also have cuts in it.

Abstract: Medical devices may include structure or provision that permit a physician or other health care professional to adjust particular parameters such as flexibility, stiffness and compressive strength of at least a portion of the medical device. In some instances, the medical device may be adjusted prior to inserting the medical device into a patient. In some cases, the medical device may be adjusted while in use within the patient.

Abstract: Medical devices may include structure or provision that permit a physician or other health care professional to adjust particular parameters such as flexibility, stiffness and compressive strength of at least a portion of the medical device. In some instances, the medical device may be adjusted prior to inserting the medical device into a patient. In some cases, the medical device may be adjusted while in use within the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for percutaneous valve replacement and/or augmentation. The apparatus includes a valve having a valve frame, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, and a thread passing over the valve frame to hold the valve frame in a partially deployed state, where removal of the thread allows the valve frame to expand toward a deployed state. Use of the thread to hold the valve frame allows for staged deployment of the valve.

Abstract: A stent crimping and coating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of crimping blades positioned in a radial array and collectively forming a central crimping lumen, wherein the plurality of crimping blades radially movable to alter the diameter of the central crimping lumen. Each of the crimping blades includes a first surface configured to at least in part define the central crimping lumen. One or more of the crimping blades includes a fluid channel extending therein and a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The plurality of openings are located at the first surface of the one or more crimping blades and adapted to discharge a fluid into the central crimping lumen.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for percutaneous valve replacement and/or augmentation are provided. The apparatus includes a valve having a valve frame, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, and a leaflet transition member coupled to the valve leaflet. The valve leaflet and leaflet transition member can transition from a first position where the valve leaflet and leaflet frame are at least partially outside a lumen of the valve frame to a second position where the valve leaflet and the leaflet transition member are within the lumen of the valve frame.

Abstract: A medical device has a catheter with a proximal portion, a distal portion, a shaft and an expandable member located at the distal portion. The expandable member is constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state. A removable sleeve is positioned around the entire length of the expandable member. The sleeve has a first end and a second end, and an inner diameter that increases over the entire length of the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a system and/or device for deploying a stent at a bifurcation. In one embodiment, the system and/or device for deploying a stent at a bifurcation may include a dual balloon catheter may include an elongate catheter body. Some dual balloon catheters may have a first proximal balloon and a second balloon bonded to at least a portion of the elongate catheter body. In some cases, a guide wire port may be positioned between the first and second balloons.

Abstract: A stent crimping and coating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of crimping blades positioned in a radial array and collectively forming a central crimping lumen, wherein the plurality of crimping blades radially movable to alter the diameter of the central crimping lumen. Each of the crimping blades includes a first surface configured to at least in part define the central crimping lumen. One or more of the crimping blades includes a fluid channel extending therein and a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The plurality of openings are located at the first surface of the one or more crimping blades and adapted to discharge a fluid into the central crimping lumen.

Abstract: A stent crimping and coating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of crimping blades positioned in a radial array and collectively forming a central crimping lumen, wherein the plurality of crimping blades radially movable to alter the diameter of the central crimping lumen. Each of the crimping blades includes a first surface configured to at least in part define the central crimping lumen. One or more of the crimping blades includes a fluid channel extending therein and a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The plurality of openings are located at the first surface of the one or more crimping blades and adapted to discharge a fluid into the central crimping lumen.

Abstract: Medical devices that include micromachined hypotubes or that have themselves been micromachined can provide advantages in flexibility, strength and other desirable properties. Examples of such medical devices may include catheters such as guide catheters and balloon catheters. Such devices may also include dual shaft medical devices in which an outer shaft is reversibly lockable onto an inner shaft.

Abstract: Devices and methods for transferring forces down a catheter shaft while also maintaining an open fluid pathway are disclosed. In some of the designs, inner and outer members of the catheter interact, allowing improved transfer of forces down the catheter shaft. These designs also allow for maintenance of a fluid pathway along the length of the shaft, including at locations where the inner and outer members are interacting with one another. Structures are disclosed which extend at least a portion of the length of the shaft, allowing improved force transfer and resistance to kinking. Structures are also disclosed which specifically allow for inner and outer members to engage one another at at least one point along the shaft, improving the transfer of forces down the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a catheter having a torque transmitting shaft which retains adequate flexibility. The catheter includes an elongate shaft having an outer surface. In a preferred embodiment, a raised pattern is disposed on the outer surface. Preferably, the raised pattern improves the transmission of torque along the elongate shaft by including a series of bearing points which contact other bearing points along the shaft when torqued.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed providing a balloon catheter having a distal tip that is flexible while additionally incorporating high column strength. The present invention additionally provides a distal tip region that accommodates for various sized guidewires. In preferred embodiments, the distal tip region is initially configured for accommodating the passage of 0.12-inch guidewires only. Through specific manufacturing processes, however, the distal tip is modified so that it also may be expanded to accommodate the passage of 0.14-inch guidewires. In additional preferred embodiments, an elastomeric sleeve is disposed over the modified distal tip to allow the tip to return to the initial 0.12 -inch accommodating profile when the larger 0.14-inch guidewire is withdrawn from the catheter.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for percutaneous valve replacement and/or augmentation are provided. The apparatus includes a valve having a valve frame, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, and a leaflet transition member coupled to the valve leaflet. The valve leaflet and leaflet transition member can transition from a first position where the valve leaflet and leaflet frame are at least partially outside a lumen of the valve frame to a second position where the valve leaflet and the leaflet transition member are within the lumen of the valve frame.