Abstract: An embolic element comprises a filament composed of a shape memory material having an unexpanded coil configuration and an expanded random matrix configuration. The embolic element may be delivered to a blood vessel treatment site in its coiled configuration over a delivery wire through a guide catheter (44). Usually, the coiled embolic element will be disposed over a helical section of the delivery wire prior to release. In that way, proper positioning of the embolic element is then expanded to its enlarged configuration by heating or otherwise exposing to a temperature over the transition temperature of the shape memory material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selective delivering fluid into a fluid vessel is provided. In the method, a delivery catheter (2) is advanced over a guide wire (30) to a target location within fluid vessel, such as a restriction or blockage. After reaching the target location, therapeutic fluid is supplied under pressure into an axial lumen 12 of the delivery catheter. The fluid is inhibited from passing through the open distal end of the catheter so that the fluid will preferentially flow radially outward through a plurality of lateral infusion ports (20) in the delivery catheter. The guide wire may also be retracted into the catheter to deliver the fluid axially through the open distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A device for occluding a body lumen, and particularly contraceptive or sterilization device for occluding a reproductive tract or lumen to prevent the passage of reproductive cells through the tract or lumen, generally comprising a tubular member, and a mesh member, transversely disposed on the tubular member lumen. The mesh member is permeable to allow for tissue ingrowth, which produces a tissue impregnated mesh occluding the body lumen. The occluding device of the invention can be used in the fallopian tubes of a female patient, the vas deferens of a male patient, or other body lumen.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a tubular body wherein at least a portion of the tubular body includes a helical reinforcement element. Both the tubular body and the helical reinforcement element are composed of polymeric materials, and the reinforcement element is fused to the material of the tubular by applying heat and radially constrictive pressure. In this way, a helical reinforcement element providing significant hoop strength can be embedded within the tubular body with decreased risk of delamination. Optionally, an axial reinforcement element may be embedded within the tubular body between the helical reinforcement element and an outer portion of the tubular body matrix.

Abstract: A balloon catheter has a combined balloon inflation and guide wire lumen. A guide wire tube in a distal port of the lumen inhibits loss of inflation medium through the port even when the balloon is inflated at relatively high pressures. The guide wire tube provides sufficient clearance with the guide wire, however, so that the catheter may be axially translated over the guide wire without excessive friction.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a catheter body having an elastomeric balloon at its distal end. The balloon has a small diameter vent hole disposed near its distal end. The balloon catheter may be prepared by flushing an inflation lumen and the interior of the balloon with a suitable liquid flushing medium, where the balloon is inflated by the flushing medium beginning at its proximal end and moving toward its distal end.

Abstract: An embolic element comprises a filament composed of a shape memory material having an unexpanded coil configuration and an expanded random matrix configuration. The embolic element may be delivered to a blood vessel treatment site in its coiled configuration over a delivery wire through a guide catheter. Usually, the coiled embolic element will be disposed over a helical section of the delivery wire prior to release. In that way, proper positioning of the embolic element may be confirmed prior to release. The embolic element is then expanded to its enlarged configuration by heating or otherwise exposing to a temperature over the transition temperature of the shape memory material.

Abstract: Using a variable stiffness guidewire to cross a stenosed region of a patient's vasculature by advancing the distal end of the guidewire to the stenosed region, reducing the flexibility of the distal end of the guidewire, and further advancing the distal end through and past the stenosed region of the lumen. The variable stiffness guidewire has a longitudinally movable core member with a proximal end and a shapable distal end, a compressible body is slidably mounted on the core member, with one end of the compressible body secured to the end of the core member, and a tubular support member is disposed about the core member with a distal end that abuts the proximal end of the compressible body. The guidewire further comprises a tensioning means at the proximal end to move the core member longitudinally with respect to the tubular support member so as to compress and reduce the flexibility of the compressible body.

Abstract: A low-profile steerable dilatation catheter for angioplasty procedures which has an inflated balloon on the distal end with little or no tendency to wrap on itself when the catheter is advanced through a patient's vascular system. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular member which is longitudinally relatively flexible but diametrically relatively rigid, a guide extension secured to the distal end of the elongated tubular member, and an inflatable balloon secured on the proximal end thereof to the distal end of the elongated tubular member and on the distal end directly or indirectly to the guide member or the tubular member and an elongated flexible member such as a helical coil secured to the guide extension distally of the balloon. The elongated tubular member is preferably a hypotube of stainless steel or nitinol.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter such as a dilatation catheter for angioplasty procedures having a removable distal shaft section. The catheter construction allows the original distal shaft section of the catheter to be removed and a replacement distal shaft section to be secured to the proximal section which is useful with angioplasty catheters when the dimensions of the balloon on the original distal shaft section are inappropriate for dilating a particular stenotic region. Such catheter construction is also useful when there is a need to implant a stent into a dilated stenotic region to maintain its patency.

Abstract: A low-profile steerable dilatation catheter for angioplasty procedures which has an inflated balloon on the distal end with little or no tendency to wrap on itself when the catheter is advanced through a patient's vascular system. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular member which is longitudinally relatively flexible but diametrically relatively rigid, a guide extension secured to the distal end of the elongated tubular member, and an inflatable balloon secured on the proximal end thereof to the distal end of the elongated tubular member and on the distal end directly or indirectly to the guide member or the tubular member and an elongated flexible member such as a helical coil secured to the guide extension distally of the balloon. The elongated tubular member is preferably a hypotube of stainless steel or nitinol.

Abstract: A low-profile steerable dilatation catheter for angioplasty procedures which has an inflated balloon on the distal end with little or no tendency to wrap on itself when the catheter is advanced through a patient's vascular system. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular member which is longitudinally relatively flexible but diametrically relatively rigid, a guide extension secured to the distal end of the elongated tubular member, and an inflatable balloon secured on the proximal end thereof to the distal end of the elongated tubular member and on the distal end directly or indirectly to the guide member or the tubular member and an elongated flexible member such as a helical coil secured to the guide extension distally of the balloon. The elongated tubular member is preferably a hypotube of stainless steel or nitinol.

Abstract: A guiding member for use as an independent guidewire or as an integral part of a low-profile steerable dilatation catheter. The guiding member has an elongated main hollow tubular member, a tubular extension preferably made of polyimide secured to the distal end of the tubular member, a core member which is secured by the proximal end thereof within the inner lumen of the main tubular member and which extends through and out of the distal end of the tubular extension and a flexible body, such as a helical coil, disposed about and secured to the distal portion of the core member which extends out the distal end of the tubular extension. The transverse cross-sectional area of the core member disposed within the inner lumen of the main tubular member should be at least 10%, preferably at least 25% less than the transverse cross-sectional area of the inner lumen of the main tubular member.

Abstract: A guide wire for controlling the attitude of the tip of a catheter in a vascular system. The guide wire has an elongated shaft with a portion near the distal end having one or more of a series of bends along the length of the intermediate portion of the shaft. The bends may be preferably formed in a single plane coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and the guide wire also preferably includes a helical coil extending over the intermediate portion of the shaft and conforming to the bends in the shaft. In an alternative embodiment, the curves may be formed in a plurality of planes at least one of which is coplanar with the axis of the guide wire.

Abstract: A low-profile steerable dilatation catheter for angioplasty procedures which has an inflated balloon on the distal end with little or no tendency to wrap on itself when the catheter is advanced through a patient's vascular system. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular member which is longitudinally relatively flexible but diametrically relatively rigid, a guide extension secured to the distal end of the elongated tubular member, and an inflatable balloon secured on the proximal end thereof to the distal end of the elongated tubular member and on the distal end directly or indirectly to the guide member or the tubular member and an elongated flexible member such as a helical coil secured to the guide extension distally of the balloon. The elongated tubular member is preferably a hypotube of stainless steel or nitinol.

Abstract: A guiding member for use as an independent guidewire or as an integral part of a low-profile steerable dilatation catheter. The guiding member has an elongated main hollow tubular member, a tubular extension preferably made of polyimide secured to the distal end of the tubular member, a core member which is secured by the proximal end thereof within the inner lumen of the main tubular member and which extends through and out the distal end of the tubular extension and a flexible body, such as a helical coil, disposed about and secured to the distal portion of the core member which extends out the distal end of the tubular extension. The transverse cross-sectional area of the core member disposed within the inner lumen of the main tubular member should be at least 10%, preferably at least 25% less than the transverse cross-sectional area of the inner lumen of the main tubular member.

Abstract: A pressure monitoring guidewire and method of using the same for a coronary procedure such as angioplasty, angiography, or valvuloplasty. The guidewire has a main tubular member and a more flexible tubular extension with one or more pressure monitoring ports on the distal end thereof. The distal end portion of the guidewire is advanced beyond the distal end of the dilatation catheter, with the pressure monitoring port in a portion of the coronary anatomy where pressure is to be monitored. With the guidewire so positioned, the pressure in the desired portion of the coronary anatomy is measured at the proximal end of the guidewire through the proximal opening in the main tubular member.

Abstract: An extendable guidewire and method for introducing and exchanging catheters in vascular procedures such as coronary angioplasty, angiography, and valvuloplasty. The guidewire has first and second interfitting sections movable between extended and retracted positions relative to each other and means to releasably secure the two sections in the extended position.

Abstract: The ventricular drainage system includes an antisiphon device comprising a flow through body which has an interior chamber and which is adapted to be positioned for vertical flow therethrough. The device further includes an inflow tract at the lower end of the body, adapted to be coupled to a ventricular catheter, and an outflow tract at the upper end of said body adapted to be coupled to a drainage tubing. The device also includes a ball in the chamber which is capable of closing the inflow tract when there is no flow of fluid from the ventricular catheter, capable of allowing fluid flow through the body during normal flow of liquid from the catheter and capable of closing the outflow tract upon a rush of fluid from the catheter.

Abstract: A tubing assembly is provided which includes a length of elastomeric tubing over which is positioned and affixed a substantially shorter length of tubing having micro orifices ion sputtered therethrough. The tubing assembly is manufactured by a method that includes stretching the elastomeric tubing in association with the application of medical adhesive at an interface between the elastomeric tubing and the ion sputtered tubing, and relaxing the elastomeric tubing to provide an effective seal along the ends of the ion sputtered tubing. These tubing assemblies are particularly suitable for use as ventricular catheters within intracranial pressure relief systems.