Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.

Abstract: This is a catheter assembly and a section of that catheter assembly. That catheter assembly may be used in accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of a braided metallic reinforcing member, typically of super-elastic alloy ribbon, situated within the catheter body in such a way to create a catheter having an exceptionally thin wall, controlled stiffness, high resistance to kinking, and complete recovery in vivo from kinking situations. The braid may have a single pitch or may vary in pitch along the axis of the catheter or catheter section. The braided ribbon reinforcing member typically is placed between a flexible outer tubing member and an inner tubing member to produce a catheter section which is very flexible but highly kink resistant.

Abstract: A flexible engaging delivery device (10) for delivery of a vaso-occlusion flexible engaging structure (24) to a vascular target site via a catheter (50) is disclosed comprising a catheter (50) having a lumen (52) and an introducer (48) disposed within the catheter (52). The introducer (48) comprises an outer sleeve (49), a shaft (12) and a wire (16) that is slidably movable within the shaft (12). A wire tip (22) is permanently connected to the wire (16), wherein the wire tip (22) is adapted to contact a matted portion (20) of the vaso-occlusion flexible engaging structure (24) and is used to deliver said flexible engaging structure from said flexible engaging device (10) to a vaso-occlusion target site.

Abstract: A flexible engaging delivery device (10) for delivery of a vaso-occlusion flexible engaging structure (24) to a vascular target site via a catheter (50) is disclosed comprising a catheter (50) having a lumen (52) and an introducer (48) disposed within the catheter (52). The introducer (48) comprises an outer sleeve (49), a shaft (12) and a wire (16) that is slidably movable within the shaft (12). A wire tip (22) is permanently connected to the wire (16), wherein the wire tip (22) is adapted to contact a matted portion (20) of the vaso-occlusion flexible engaging structure (24) and is used to deliver said flexible engaging structure from said flexible engaging device (10) to a vaso-occlusion target site.

Abstract: This is an artificial occlusion kit for implanting and retaining an artificial occlusion device in a body space adjacent to and extending from a body lumen in a mammal. The includes at least one occlusion device and a retaining device for blocking the migration of the occlusion device out of the occlusion site. The retaining device is radially expandable at a retaining site adjacent the body space to be occluded to a diameter that is sufficient to engage the body lumen wall at the retaining site and form a barrier across the entrance zone of the body space to be occluded. The expanded retaining device also forms a lumen for flow through body lumen at the retaining site. At least one semi-penetrable space may also be provided in the retaining device, allowing introduction of occlusion devices into the body space to be occluded, but preventing subsequent migration of the occlusion devices out of the body space.

Abstract: This is a balloon catheter having braided layer which extends generally from the proximal end of the catheter to a location distal of the balloon. In particular, it is desirable that the shaft of the catheter proximal of the balloon be stiffest at the proximal section and least stiff just proximal of the balloon. Although the catheter may be a single lumen catheter using some type of a core wire to act as a valve for inflation and deflation of the balloon, it is within the scope of the invention to include either a separate inflation/deflation lumen or one incorporated into the various concentric polymeric layers used to make up the proximal shaft. Particularly preferred is the use of an elastic, compliant balloon.

Abstract: A coil-delivery device (20) for delivery of a vaso-occlusion coil (11) to a vascular target site via a catheter (12) is disclosed. The device includes a wire (22) adapted to be slidable received within the lumen (18) of a catheter (12) or an introducer (34), the wire (22) having at its distal end a stiff wavy wire (28) segment adapted to frictionally and releasably engage a vaso-occlusion coil (11) by the end-region inner lumen of the vaso-occlusion coil. Also disclosed are a catheter assembly employing the coil-delivery the device, and a method of releasably engaging a vaso-occlusion coil with the device.

Abstract: This is an artificial occlusion kit for implanting and retaining an artificial occlusion device in a body space adjacent to and extending from a body lumen in a mammal. The includes at least one occlusion device and a retaining device for blocking the migration of the occlusion device out of the occlusion site. The retaining device is radially expandable at a retaining site adjacent the body space to be occluded to a diameter that is sufficient to engage the body lumen wall at the retaining site and form a barrier across the entrance zone of the body space to be occluded. The expanded retaining device also forms a lumen for flow through body lumen at the retaining site. At least one semi-penetrable space may also be provided in the retaining device, allowing introduction of occlusion devices into the body space to be occluded, but preventing subsequent migration of the occlusion devices out of the body space.

Abstract: This is a catheter assembly and a section of that catheter assembly. That catheter assembly may be used in accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of a braided metallic reinforcing member, typically of super-elastic alloy ribbon, situated within the catheter body in such a way to create a catheter having an exceptionally thin wall, controlled stiffness, high resistance to kinking, and complete recovery in vivo from kinking situations. The braid may have a single pitch or may vary in pitch along the axis of the catheter or catheter section. The braided ribbon reinforcing member typically is placed between a flexible outer tubing member and an inner tubing member to produce a catheter section which is very flexible but highly kink resistant.

Abstract: This is an artificial occlusion kit for implanting and retaining an artificial occlusion device in a body space adjacent to and extending from a body lumen in a mammal. The includes at least one occlusion device and a retaining device for blocking the migration of the occlusion device out of the occlusion site. The retaining device is radially expandable at a retaining site adjacent the body space to be occluded to a diameter that is sufficient to engage the body lumen wall at the retaining site and form a barrier across the entrance zone of the body space to be occluded. The expanded retaining device also forms a lumen for flow through body lumen at the retaining site. The retaining device may be placed in the body temporarily or permanently. At least one semi-penetrable space may also be provided in the retaining device, allowing introduction of occlusion devices into the body space to be occluded, but preventing subsequent migration of the occlusion devices out of the body space.

Abstract: This is a single lumen balloon catheter having an infusion section distal of that balloon for infusing liquids into the bloodstream. In general, the infusion section has a plurality of holes in the wall of the section proximal of the tip so to allow infusion of that selected material. Depending upon the variation of the invention selected, the infusion section may have valve seats at either or both ends of that infusion section. The device may include a core wire for assistance in controlling the infusion of liquids through the distal sections orifices. The core wire, in most variations of the invention, may also be used as a guidewire for introducing the catheter with its attendant balloon to a suitable site. The single lumen is used both for inflation of the balloon and infusion of the treatment or diagnostic material. The balloon itself, depending upon the use to which the catheter is to be placed, may be either a compliant balloon or one having a predetermined fixed diameter.

Abstract: This is an artificial occlusion kit for implanting and retaining an artificial occlusion device in a body space adjacent to and extending from a body lumen in a mammal. The includes at least one occlusion device and a retaining device for blocking the migration of the occlusion device out of the occlusion site. The retaining device is radially expandable at a retaining site adjacent the body space to be occluded to a diameter that is sufficient to engage the body lumen wall at the retaining site and form a barrier across the entrance zone of the body space to be occluded. The expanded retaining device also forms a lumen for flow through body lumen at the retaining site. At least one semi-penetrable space may also be provided in the retaining device, allowing introduction of occlusion devices into the body space to be occluded, but preventing subsequent migration of the occlusion devices out of the body space.

Abstract: This is a balloon catheter having braided layer which extends generally from the proximal end of the catheter to a location distal of the balloon. In particular, it is desirable that the shaft of the catheter proximal of the balloon be stiffest at the proximal section and least stiff just proximal of the balloon. Although the catheter may be a single lumen catheter using some type of a core wire to act as a valve for inflation and deflation of the balloon, it is within the scope of the invention to include either a separate inflation/deflation lumen or one incorporated into the various concentric polymeric layers used to make up the proximal shaft. Particularly preferred is the use of an elastic, compliant balloon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new technique for preparing metal devices such as guidewires for the subsequent attachment of hydrophilic coatings. The invention also relates to guidewires and other devices made according to that method.In one embodiment of the method of this invention, a hydrocarbon residue undercoat is applied to a metal guidewire core by plasma deposition. A photoactive hydrophilic polymer is then deposited on the hydrocarbon residue coating and activated by ultraviolet light. The hydrocarbon residue coating acts as a tie layer between the hydrophilic polymer and the metal guidewire core apparently by providing C--C bonds for the covalent linking of the coating material to the tie layer. The resulting article of this invention is a guidewire having the maneuverability of a metal guidewire and the biocompatibility of a lubricious, hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: An exceptionally flexible, ultrasoft vaso-occlusive or embolism forming device made of a material which may be a braid, coil, or chain which forms a long, thin thread-like device having little rigidity or column strength. The device is sufficiently flexible and small that it may be hydraulically delivered to a site within the vasculature of a human body using an injected drug or fluid flush through a catheter.