Abstract: A vessel-occluding medical device for the use in diagnosis and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease in the human body includes an outer tube, an inner tube slidably housed within the outer tube, and a tubular sleeve comprising a generally U-shaped, direction reversing region, which moves along the length of the tubular sleeve, to assume radially contracted and radially expanded state as the inner and outer tubes move between the first and second positions. When the tubular sleeve is in the radially expanded state, the inner portion of the tubular sleeve has a funnel-shaped surface and a longitudinally-extending opening to permit material to pass therethrough for receipt of material into the inner tube.

Abstract: A vessel-occluding medical device for the use in diagnosis and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease in the human body includes an outer tube, an inner tube slidably housed within the outer tube, and a tubular sleeve comprising a generally U-shaped, direction reversing region, which moves along the length of the tubular sleeve, to assume radially contracted and radially expanded state as the inner and outer tubes move between the first and second positions. When the tubular sleeve is in the radially expanded state, the inner portion of the tubular sleeve has a funnel-shaped surface and a longitudinally-extending opening to permit material to pass therethrough for receipt of material into the inner tube.

Abstract: A vessel-occluding medical device for the use in diagnosis and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease in the human body includes an outer tube, an inner tube slidably housed within the outer tube, and a tubular sleeve comprising a generally U-shaped, direction reversing region, which moves along the length of the tubular sleeve, to assume radially contracted and radially expanded state as the inner and outer tubes move between the first and second positions. When the tubular sleeve is in the radially expanded state, the inner portion of the tubular sleeve has a funnel-shaped surface and a longitudinally-extending opening to permit material to pass therethrough for receipt of material into the inner tube.

Abstract: A vessel-occluding medical device for the use in diagnosis and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease in the human body includes an outer tube, an inner tube slidably housed within the outer tube, and a tubular sleeve comprising a generally U-shaped, direction reversing region, which moves along the length of the tubular sleeve, to assume radially contracted and radially expanded state as the inner and outer tubes move between the first and second positions. When the tubular sleeve is in the radially expanded state, the inner portion of the tubular sleeve has a funnel-shaped surface and a longitudinally-extending opening to permit material to pass therethrough for receipt of material into the inner tube.

Abstract: A vessel-occluding medical device for the use in diagnosis and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease in the human body includes an outer tube, an inner tube slidably housed within the outer tube, and a tubular sleeve comprising a generally U-shaped, direction reversing region, which moves along the length of the tubular sleeve, to assume radially contracted and radially expanded state as the inner and outer tubes move between the first and second positions. When the tubular sleeve is in the radially expanded state, the inner portion of the tubular sleeve has a funnel-shaped surface and a longitudinally-extending opening to permit material to pass therethrough for receipt of material into the inner tube.

Abstract: A vessel-occluding medical device for the use in diagnosis and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease in the human body includes an outer tube, an inner tube slidably housed within the outer tube, and a tubular sleeve comprising a generally U-shaped, direction reversing region, which moves along the length of the tubular sleeve, to assume radially contracted and radially expanded state as the inner and outer tubes move between the first and second positions. When the tubular sleeve is in the radially expanded state, the inner portion of the tubular sleeve has a funnel-shaped surface and a longitudinally-extending opening to permit material to pass therethrough for receipt of material into the inner tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surgical seal, or valve, of the type adapted to releasably receive a surgical object. The seal disclosed herein defines an aperture that is configured to maintain a substantially fluid-tight seal with the surgical object upon its insertion, and includes at least one cable member connected to the seal that facilitates maintenance of the substantially fluid-tight seal during subsequent lateral manipulation of the surgical object.

Abstract: An occlusion may be removed from a graft or other body passageway using occlusion removing apparatus, comprising a catheter having a lumen through which an elongated occlusion engaging element can pass and a blocking mechanism at the open distal end thereof. The catheter is inserted into the body passageway with the blocking mechanism radially compressed during insertion. The blocking mechanism is radially expanded to near to the wall of the body passageway after insertion. After radially expanding the blocking mechanism, the occlusion engaging element is advanced into the occlusion. The expanded state of the blocking mechanism is used for blocking proximal passage of occlusion material around the outside of the catheter. Occlusion material may be moved proximally through the open end and into the lumen. The distal end of the occlusion engaging element may have an engagement mechanism, such as a balloon.

Abstract: A material in a flowable state is applied to the interstitial pores of a radially-expandable endovascular tubular braid structure to modify the tubular braid structure for use in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. The material is cured to form a membrane at least within the coated interstitial pores. A cardiovascular device, for use in a vascular lumen within a body for treatment of cardiovascular disease, includes a braided body with electroporation means for helping prevent restenosis in a cardiovascular lumen. A method for treating cardiovascular disease includes placing a radially expandable and collapsible medical device within a cardiovascular passageway, positioning it at a target site, and placing it in a radially expanded state. Restenosis at the target site is inhibited by a chosen one of electroporation and iontophoresis. The medical device is collapsed and is then removed from the passageway.

Abstract: Medical devices include a catheter, a catheter/dilator assembly, an occluder, a rapid exchange dilator assembly, a funnel catheter, an anastomotic medical device, and associated methods.

Abstract: A particle-removing medical device includes an outer, hollow tube having a tube distal end and a porous braided structure having a distal part and a proximal part. Structure, housed within the tube and having a distal end positioned distally of the tube distal end, is used to move the braided structure from a contracted condition to an expanded condition by moving the distal ends of the tube and the structure towards one another. The braided structure is constructed to inhibit particles from moving completely through the braided structure when in the expanded condition.

Abstract: A target tissue localization device includes a tubular mesh anchor element that is secured to a placement device. In use, the localization device is passed through the patient's skin to the target tissue, creating a tissue track. The tubular mesh anchor element is located at the target tissue and expanded from a contracted to an expanded configuration. Methods for localizing a lymph node are also described. After determining the position of the lymph node, a localization device, which includes an anchor element, is localized near or within the lymph node. The anchor element is then expanded.

Abstract: Wires, catheters, endoscopes, etc. and their methods that have flow directed distal ends, which allow and facilitate management of these devices during use are disclosed. Additionally instant invention allows for distal anchoring so that the device will remain in a location once it has arrived and its method for use. Further, the instant invention describes an apparatus and method for a tensioning characteristic to be applied along the device once it is place that will facilitate the passing of another member along the initially placed member. Last, a novel occluder is disclosed and its method of use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and enlarging percutaneous penetrations comprises an elongate dilation member which receives an elongate expansion member in an axial lumen thereof. The dilation tube includes a tubular braid which usually comprises a mesh of non-elastic filaments which are radially expandable from a small diameter configuration to a large diameter configuration and which is optionally covered by a removable sheath. The dilation tube is percutaneously introduced to a target site within a patient's body, usually within the abdomen in a laparoscopic procedure. The sheath (if present) is then removed, and the tubular braid thereafter radially expanded by axial insertion of the expansion member through its lumen. The tubular braid is anchored by axial shortening of the mesh and remains in place to permit subsequent exchange of dilation members to provide for different diameter access lumens.

Abstract: A particle-removing medical device includes an outer, hollow tube having a tube distal end and a porous braided structure having a distal part and a proximal part. Structure, housed within the tube and having a distal end positioned distally of the tube distal end, is used to move the braided structure from a contracted condition to an expanded condition by moving the distal ends of the tube and the structure towards one another. The braided structure is constructed to inhibit particles from moving completely through the braided structure when in the expanded condition.

Abstract: A target tissue localization assembly includes a radially expandable tissue anchor connected to the distal ends of an anchor assembly and an elongated anchor actuator element. A lock, engageable between the actuator element and the placement element, may be used to prevent collapse of the anchor from its radially expanded state. A sheath may be slidably mounted over the anchor assembly. The sheath and the anchor assembly may be configured to permit the sheath to move in a proximal direction, relative to the anchor assembly, past a chosen location while preventing the sheath from moving past the chosen location in a distal direction.

Abstract: A biopsy localization device made according to the invention includes a bioabsorbable element (34), such as a dehydrated collagen plug, delivered in a pre-delivery state to a soft tissue biopsy site (18) of a patient by an element delivery device (32). The bioabsorbable element preferably swells to fill the biopsied open region (26) and preferably is palpably harder than the surrounding soft tissue at the biopsy site. The bioabsorbable element permits the biopsy site to be relocated by palpation to eliminate the need to use metallic clips during biopsies and often eliminates the need for a return to the radiologist for pre-operative localization. In addition, the bioabsorbable element can be used as a therapeutic tool for treatment of the diseased lesion and for hemostasis.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a catheter/dilator assembly, a rapid exchange dilator assembly, a funnel catheter, an anastomotic medical device, and associated methods.

Abstract: A target tissue localization device includes a tubular mesh anchor element that is secured to a placement device. In use, the localization device is passed through the patient's skin to the target tissue, creating a tissue track. The tubular mesh anchor element is located at the target tissue and expanded from a contracted to an expanded configuration. Methods for localizing a lymph node are also described. After determining the position of the lymph node, a localization device, which includes an anchor element, is localized near or within the lymph node. The anchor element is then expanded.

Abstract: A particle-removing medical device includes an outer, hollow tube having a tube distal end and a porous braided structure having a distal part and a proximal part. Structure, housed within the tube and having a distal end positioned distally of the tube distal end, is used to move the braided structure from a contracted condition to an expanded condition by moving the distal ends of the tube and the structure towards one another. The braided structure is constructed to inhibit particles from moving completely through the braided structure when in the expanded condition.