Abstract: A clot retrieval device, for example to be used in a thrombectomy, is provided including a catheter, an elongated member, and a knitted basket with a proximal end coupled to the catheter and a distal end coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member is movable between an expanded position and a compressed position relative to the catheter and is configured so that the knitted basket expands radially and compresses as the elongated member is moved to the compressed position. The knitted basket is comprised of a plurality of wires coupled together by a plurality of windings. Each winding comprises one of the plurality of the wires twisted about another of the plurality of wires.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes first and second material capture elements which are disposed in opposing orientations and have their narrow ends facing one another. The first and second material capture elements are connected by a flexible connector, which enables the implantable medical device to curve within a curved vessel of a patient. The flexible connector is either closed or has a lumen passing therethrough and includes a closure element for closing the lumen after deployment of the device within a patient. The structure enables the device to be positioned reliably within a curved vessel and benefits from the advantage of a double-ended device.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a support structure which is twistable in a longitudinal direction of the device. A sleeve of filter or occluding material is attached to the ends of the structure. The structure in practice twists on itself in the longitudinal direction, causing the sleeve to twist on itself and as a result to close the lumen through the sleeve. The device provides reliable closure and as a result occlusion of a vessel. It is also able to be delivered over a guide wire. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a wire which coils around the sleeve to constrict the sleeve and as a result to close a lumen of the sleeve.

Abstract: A medical balloon for a balloon catheter is described. The balloon has at least a first layer made from a first material and a second layer made from a second material, said first and second layers being in overlying relationship with one another and being integral with one another; wherein the first layer has a softening or melting temperature which is higher than a softening or melting temperature of the second layer. A method of forming the medical balloon is also described, including locating a raw tubing in a mold; preheating and inflating the raw tubing so as to cause it to stretch; heating the raw tubing to soften or melt the second layer; setting the inflated raw tubing to form the medical balloon; and cooling the set balloon.

Abstract: A vascular occluder includes a tubular support element and a sleeve of occluding material disposed within the support element. The sleeve is twisted in the support creating a constriction which closes the lumen of the sleeve. The lumen of the sleeve can nevertheless be opened by a guide wire or cannula for over the wire delivery. Once the guide wire or cannula are withdrawn from the sleeve, the sleeve will close again by the action of blood pressure thereon. Blood pressure will act to maintain closing pressure on the sleeve, thereby avoiding or reducing the risk of recanalization.

Abstract: A medical balloon for a balloon catheter is described. The balloon has at least a first layer made from a first material and a second layer made from a second material, said first and second layers being in overlying relationship with one another and being integral with one another; wherein the first layer has a softening or melting temperature which is higher than a softening or melting temperature of the second layer. A method of forming the medical balloon is also described, including locating a raw tubing in a mold; preheating and inflating the raw tubing so as to cause it to stretch; heating the raw tubing to soften or melt the second layer; setting the inflated raw tubing to form the medical balloon; and cooling the set balloon.

Abstract: A vascular occluder includes first and second conical members disposed in opposing relation and which have tooth-shaped wide ends. The conical members are coupled to one another by a coupling element, which may be a cannula or rod. The conical members are formed of a membrane which has a thickness which increases towards the narrow ends and decreases towards the toothed elements. The toothed elements are preferably self-supporting within a vessel and avoid folds within the occluder membrane, which may otherwise result in leakage of blood around the device. The device may be provided with a supporting frame which may be at least partially embedded within the membrane. The membrane is preferably made of silicone.

Abstract: A guide wire assembly for medical use includes at least a portion which is formed of a plurality of inter-cooperating elements forming a flexible section of the guide wire assembly, and specifically a section that can have varying flexibility. A control device passes through a lumen extending for the whole length of the guide wire and is typically fixed at a distal end of the assembly. The control device is used to change the flexibility of the guidewire assembly and in some embodiments to lock it in position. The elements have tapering internal lumens for accommodating the control device, particularly when the guide wire is bent.

Abstract: A clot retrieval device, for example to be used in a thrombectomy, is provided including a catheter, an elongated member, and a knitted basket with a proximal end coupled to the catheter and a distal end coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member is movable between an expanded position and a compressed position relative to the catheter and is configured so that the knitted basket expands radially and compresses as the elongated member is moved to the compressed position. The knitted basket is comprised of a plurality of wires coupled together by a plurality of windings. Each winding comprises one of the plurality of the wires twisted about another of the plurality of wires.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a support structure which is twistable in a longitudinal direction of the device. A sleeve of filter or occluding material is attached to the ends of the structure. The structure in practice twists on itself in the longitudinal direction, causing the sleeve to twist on itself and as a result to close the lumen through the sleeve. The device provides reliable closure and as a result occlusion of a vessel. It is also able to be delivered over a guide wire. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a wire which coils around the sleeve to constrict the sleeve and as a result to close a lumen of the sleeve.

Abstract: A clot retrieval device, for example to be used in a thrombectomy, is provided including a catheter, an elongated member, and a knitted basket with a proximal end coupled to the catheter and a distal end coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member is movable between an expanded position and a compressed position relative to the catheter and is configured so that the knitted basket expands radially and compresses as the elongated member is moved to the compressed position. The knitted basket is comprised of a plurality of wires coupled together by a plurality of windings. Each winding comprises one of the plurality of the wires twisted about another of the plurality of wires.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a support structure which is twistable in a longitudinal direction of the device. A sleeve of filter or occluding material is attached to the ends of the structure. The structure in practice twists on itself in the longitudinal direction, causing the sleeve to twist on itself and as a result to close the lumen through the sleeve. The device provides reliable closure and as a result occlusion of a vessel. It is also able to be delivered over a guide wire. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a wire which coils around the sleeve to constrict the sleeve and as a result to close a lumen of the sleeve.

Abstract: A vascular occluder includes first and second conical members disposed in opposing relation and which have tooth-shaped wide ends. The conical members are coupled to one another by a coupling element, which may be a cannula or rod. The conical members are formed of a membrane which has a thickness which increases towards the narrow ends and decreases towards the toothed elements. The toothed elements are preferably self-supporting within a vessel and avoid folds within the occluder membrane, which may otherwise result in leakage of blood around the device. The device may be provided with a supporting frame which may be at least partially embedded within the membrane. The membrane is preferably made of silicone.

Abstract: A medical balloon for a balloon catheter is described. The balloon has at least a first layer made from a first material and a second layer made from a second material, said first and second layers being in overlying relationship with one another and being integral with one another; wherein the first layer has a softening or melting temperature which is higher than a softening or melting temperature of the second layer. A method of forming the medical balloon is also described, including locating a raw tubing in a mold; preheating and inflating the raw tubing so as to cause it to stretch; heating the raw tubing to soften or melt the second layer; setting the inflated raw tubing to form the medical balloon; and cooling the set balloon.

Abstract: A vascular plug for implantation into a patient's vessel includes an inflatable balloon and a flow accelerator. The flow accelerator includes a conical portion and a tubular coupling element which couples the conical portion to an aperture to the interior of the inflatable balloon. The flow accelerator will concentrate and therefore accelerate fluid flow into the inflatable balloon. Flow accelerator will increase the pressure of fluid thereby to cause the inflatable balloon to inflate even within a pressurised blood vessel. The plug may include a sleeve which provides a chamber between the flow accelerator and the balloon, into which blood may pass from the inflatable balloon or the flow accelerator to create additional blood statis and as a result thrombosis and a second occlusive barrier.

Abstract: A medical balloon for a balloon catheter is described. The balloon has at least a first layer made from a first material and a second layer made from a second material, said first and second layers being in overlying relationship with one another and being integral with one another; wherein the first layer has a softening or melting temperature which is higher than a softening or melting temperature of the second layer. A method of forming the medical balloon is also described, including locating a raw tubing in a mold; preheating and inflating the raw tubing so as to cause it to stretch; heating the raw tubing to soften or melt the second layer; setting the inflated raw tubing to form the medical balloon; and cooling the set balloon.

Abstract: A clot retrieval device, for example to be used in a thrombectomy, is provided including a catheter, an elongated member, and a knitted basket with a proximal end coupled to the catheter and a distal end coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member is movable between an expanded position and a compressed position relative to the catheter and is configured so that the knitted basket expands radially and compresses as the elongated member is moved to the compressed position. The knitted basket is comprised of a plurality of wires coupled together by a plurality of windings. Each winding comprises one of the plurality of the wires twisted about another of the plurality of wires.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a support structure which is twistable in a longitudinal direction of the device. A sleeve of filter or occluding material is attached to the ends of the structure. The structure in practice twists on itself in the longitudinal direction, causing the sleeve to twist on itself and as a result to close the lumen through the sleeve. The device provides reliable closure and as a result occlusion of a vessel. It is also able to be delivered over a guide wire. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a wire which coils around the sleeve to constrict the sleeve and as a result to close a lumen of the sleeve.

Abstract: A vascular occluder includes a tubular support element and a sleeve of occluding material disposed within the support element. The sleeve is twisted in the support creating a constriction which closes the lumen of the sleeve. The lumen of the sleeve can nevertheless be opened by a guide wire or cannula for over the wire delivery. Once the guide wire or cannula are withdrawn from the sleeve, the sleeve will close again by the action of blood pressure thereon. Blood pressure will act to maintain closing pressure on the sleeve, thereby avoiding or reducing the risk of recanalization.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes first and second material capture elements which are disposed in opposing orientations and have their narrow ends facing one another. The first and second material capture elements are connected by a flexible connector, which enables the implantable medical device to curve within a curved vessel of a patient. The flexible connector is either closed or has a lumen passing therethrough and includes a closure element for closing the lumen after deployment of the device within a patient. The structure enables the device to be positioned reliably within a curved vessel and benefits from the advantage of a double-ended device.