Abstract: A medical catheter assembly including either a reinforced balloon bolster or the combination of a balloon bolster and a wire-basket bolster. According to one embodiment, the medical catheter assembly is a low-profile replacement PEG device comprising a feeding tube, an external bolster, an end cap and an internal bolster. The internal bolster comprises a first expandable structure and a second expandable structure. In one embodiment, the first expandable structure is a balloon and the second expandable structure comprises reinforcing members. In another embodiment, the first expandable structure is a balloon and the second expandable structure is a wire basket bolster. The feeding tube has a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen, extending parallel longitudinally. The external bolster is fixed to the external end of the feeding tube and has a feeding lumen aligned with that of the tube and an inflation lumen aligned with that of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and devices for accessing a cerebral vessel. The system includes a support catheter having a balloon, which can be advanced into small and tortuous vessels. By advancing the support catheter nearer to the obstruction then can be achieved with conventional guide catheters, the support catheter reduces the likelihood vessel compression and collapse when manipulating a working catheter. The balloon may be used to temporarily stop blood flow.

Abstract: Catheter or guidewire mounted automatic vessel occlusion and fluid dispersion devices that expand to occlude or partially occlude a vessel when a fluid is flowing in the catheter or guidewire, and that automatically collapse when fluid flow is stopped. Each occlusion device has an elastic skeleton covered with a flexible cover coupled thereto and may have a hole(s) or openings in its distal or proximal end thereof to allow controlled flow through the desired end of the occlusion device. The fluid may be a flush fluid for enabling or improving the performance of imaging devices and image enhancing fluids, of treatment fluids for localized treatment of a vessel or tissues in communication with the vessel and/or of the transmission of energy to the vessel wall and adjacent tissues. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A balloon catheter capable of delivering torque and pushing through obstructions includes a relatively weak balloon segment of a catheter and rotatable asymmetric tip. A reinforcement sleeve increases column strength and torque transmission to push the balloon and rotate the tip to facilitate passage through said obstructions. The tip is preferably asymmetric around its axis, usually being beveled, and the reinforcement slide includes a slide lock mechanism which increases shaft flexibility after balloon deployment.

Abstract: An occlusive guidewire system having an ergonomic handheld control mechanism and torqueable kink-resistant guidewire having a distally located inflatable balloon. The present invention provides convenient structure and overall mechanism for operation of a torqueable kink-resistant guidewire, including evacuation and inflation control of an occlusive balloon, and sealing and severing of a crimpable inflation tube which is in communication with an occlusive balloon. The torqueable kink-resistant guidewire includes a centrally located shaft which imparts robustness to the torqueable kink-resistant guidewire. An inflation lumen aligns within the torqueable kink-resistant guidewire for inflation of the balloon.

Abstract: The invention discloses a balloon catheter comprising a catheter shaft, at the distal end of which an inflatable balloon is arranged and at the proximal end of which a connecting piece is arranged, comprising a guiding wire which can be passed through a guiding wire lumen of the catheter shaft from the proximal end to the distal end and through the balloon and an inflation or deflation lumen extending from the proximal end of the catheter shaft to the balloon, wherein a portion of the catheter shaft having a selectable length and extending from the proximal end is provided with a metal reinforcing pipe.

Abstract: A medical device such as a catheter, stent or balloon, is formed by depositing a radiation curable composition on a form made of ice or wax. The deposited composition may be cured by irradiation, suitably with UV light. Complex structures can be built up if the deposition or curing is achieved imagewise. Compositions which photocure to polyester, polyamide or polyimide may be employed. A particular structure is a balloon for a rapid exchange catheter which has a guide wire lumen passing through the balloon cone walls.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate shaft including a plurality of apertures disposed along at least a length of the shaft to facilitate bending. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon, wherein a subset of the plurality of apertures provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen to the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to tubular bodies for catheters. An inner tubular catheter body has an inner layer, a braided portion over the inner layer and an outer layer. The outer layer is fused to the braided portion for a selected length or lengths of the inner tubular body and is unfused for a selected length or lengths to achieve the desired combination of stiffness and flexibility.

Abstract: A reinforced catheter or sheath includes an inner tube manufactured via an extrusion process from a mixture of thermoplastic and hollow glass beads. The resultant tube exhibits an inner goose bump surface that defines a central lumen. A reinforcement, such as a braid and/or coil is attached to at least a segment of the outer surface of the inner tube. A second tube of thermoplastic is extruded over at least a portion of the reinforcement. The inner goose bump surface exhibits a net low coefficient of friction comparable to that of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Abstract: A non-compliant fiber-reinforced medical balloon comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer embedded in a continuous matrix of thermally-weldable polymer material defining a barrel wall, cone walls and neck walls. The fibers of the first fiber layer run substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fibers of the first fiber layer have a pattern of different lengths and are divisible into a first group and a second group based on length. Each fiber of the first group begins in the neck wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the neck wall at the opposite end of the balloon. Substantially all of the fibers of the first group have a generally uniform length. Each fiber of the second group begins in the cone wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the cone wall at the opposite end of the balloon.

Abstract: A support catheter that can puncture a heart septum with a guidewire without buckling and that can access difficult to reach arteries such as carotid or renal arteries from the aorta under difficult circumstances is provided. The support catheter comprises a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior wall surface defining a first lumen extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. A second lumen is disposed between the interior wall surface and an outer surface of the catheter body. A plurality of stiffening members is disposed around the second lumen, the plurality of stiffening members being engageable to selectively stiffen the catheter body. In another configuration, the catheter further comprises a second plurality of stiffening members disposed between the first lumen and the second lumen.

Abstract: A balloon catheter including an inflatable balloon affixed to a catheter. The proximal end of the balloon is fixedly connected to the distal end of the catheter, and the distal end of the balloon is supported by stiffening member that extends distally from the distal end of the catheter and through the interior of the balloon. The distal end of the catheter comprises one or more apertures that are in fluid communication with an inflation lumen extending through the catheter. A deflation mechanism is disposed about the stiffening member and is configured to facilitate the flow of an inflation fluid through the interior volume of the balloon and towards the aperture.

Abstract: A balloon catheter including an elongated shaft having an inflation lumen, a guidewire lumen, a proximal shaft section, and a distal shaft section with a balloon on the distal shaft section, the distal shaft section formed by an outer tubular member having an opening in a sidewall, and an inner tubular member having a distal portion in the outer tubular member and a proximal portion extending through the sidewall opening and along an outer surface of a portion of the outer tubular member located proximal to the sidewall opening, with polymeric filler material around the outer surface of at least the proximal portion of the inner tubular member. The inner tubular member preferably comprises a polymeric tube having a reinforcing coiled member embedded therein. Preferably, a crescent shaped portion of the inflation lumen extends along side the proximal portion of the inner tubular member.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon comprises a base balloon including a pair of spaced-apart, generally conical end sections and a generally cylindrical center section connected therebetween. A braided fabric sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the base balloon, wherein the sleeve is formed of at least three substantially inelastic fibers intertwined in such a way that no two of the three fibers are twisted exclusively around one another. The sleeve is permanently affixed to the outer surface of the base balloon so as to prevent excessive expansion of the base balloon when the base balloon is internally pressurized.

Abstract: A catheter balloon may include a proximal waist portion, a proximal cone portion, a first body portion, a second body portion, a third body portion, a distal cone portion and a distal waist portion. The second body portion may comprise a stepped-down section. An inflated diameter of the second body portion may be less than an inflated diameter of the first body portion or the third body portion. An outer surface of the second body portion may be provided with at least one implement, such as a blade or stiffening member.

Abstract: A camera assembly for positioning within a bodily passageway, including a camera, a catheter adapted to retain the camera, and a rotary coupling interconnecting the catheter and the camera. The catheter is provided with helically-wound threads thereon. The rotary coupling permits the catheter to rotate and thereby move axially while the camera remains rotationally stationary.

Abstract: Novel polymer shrink tubes, such as fluoropolymer shrink tubes and novel uses thereof. The polymer shrink tubes include at least one three-dimensional pattern formed along at least a portion of the inner surface of the tube. The polymer shrink tubes can be used for, for example, embossing a pattern into a polymer tube. Further use includes, for example, forming a catheter with at least one channel located in the catheter wall.

Abstract: A catheter includes a distal shaft, and a proximal shaft having its distal portion inserted and fixed in the distal shaft. The distal shaft includes a guide wire lumen, and a distal shaft lumen, with the distal shaft lumen communicating with a proximal shaft lumen. The proximal shaft includes a main body portion, a distal portion smaller in size than the main body portion and entering into the distal shaft lumen, and a proximal shaft inclined portion located between the main body portion and the distal portion. The distal shaft lumen has a lumen change portion reduced in lumen cross-section toward the distal side. The proximal shaft inclined portion and the lumen change portion abut on each other.

Abstract: A catheter comprises an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, and a deflectable tip at the distal end of the elongate tubular member. The deflectable tip comprises a first helical coil having a first diameter and a second helical coil having a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter. The first and second helical coils are arranged in the manner of a double helix. When viewed in cross-section, the first helical coil and the second helical coil are aligned at a first point on a circumference of each coil and misaligned at a second point on the circumference of each coil, where the second point is approximately 180 degrees from the first point. In certain embodiments the catheter further includes a dilatation balloon. Methods of use for crossing a chronic total occlusion are also described.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a shaft including a tubular having a relatively rigid proximal shaft section and a distal shaft section, each section connected to one another through a flexible transition member, and an inflatable balloon extending at a distal portion of the distal shaft section. The proximal and distal shaft sections define an inflation lumen extending therein which is in fluid communication with an interior of the balloon to allow inflation pressure to the balloon. The distal shaft further comprises a guide wire lumen to receive a guide wire. The guide wire lumen has a guide wire inlet, located between the end portion of the proximal shaft section and the balloon, and a guide wire outlet, located distally to the balloon and leading to an exterior of the catheter. The balloon catheter can be used for coronary angioplasty.

Abstract: combination of at least two polyamides. The catheter component can be made from a blend of the two polyamides, or a co-extrusion of the two polyamides with an inner layer and an outer layer. The first polyamide has a Shore D durometer hardness of more than seventy seven (77), and can be selected from various transparent amorphous nylons having an amorphous segment such as an aliphatic segment, an aromatic segment, or a cycloaliphatic segment. The second polyamide has a lower durometer hardness than the first polyamide, and preferably less than 73, and can be a block copolymer of nylon and polytetramethylene glycol. Both polyamides have the same amide block or segment, e.g. nylon 12. Adding small amounts of the high hardness polyamide can reinforce the low polyamide at the amorphous segments, thereby increasing the overall strength of the material.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a matted fabric layer composed of at least two matted fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Abstract: The invention includes a catheter having an elongate main body having a proximal section and a distal section. The elongate main body further includes a plurality of stiffening members disposed along the length of the elongate main body. The plurality of stiffening members includes a first stiffening member and a second stiffening member. The catheter can also include a balloon formed from a tubular member having a recess defined in a portion of its surface. A tapered or thinned balloon is formed from a process by which material is removed from a tubular member prior to formation of the balloon.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate shaft including a plurality of apertures disposed along at least a length of the shaft to facilitate bending. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon, wherein a subset of the plurality of apertures provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen to the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: Catheter including an elongate main body having a proximal section and a distal section. The elongate main body further includes a guidewire lumen along at least a portion of the elongate main body. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the catheter includes a first stiffening member and a second stiffening in an overlapping spaced relationship along at least a portion of a length between the distal end and the proximal end of the elongate main body.

Abstract: The invention includes a catheter having an elongate main body having a proximal section and a distal section. The elongate main body further includes a first guidewire lumen and a second guidewire lumen. Each guide wire lumen including a proximal port and a distal port in communication with an external environment. The proximal port of the first guidewire lumen spaced by a gap from the distal port of the second guidewire lumen. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the catheter includes a plurality of overlapping stiffening members defined along at least a portion of a length between the distal end and the proximal end of the elongate main body.

Abstract: A coil for use in a medical device. The coil includes a plurality of coil windings or turns, wherein adjacent coil windings are connected together at a plurality of discrete connection locations to increase the torsional rigidity and torque transmitting properties of the coil without sacrificing the flexibility characteristics of the coil. In some embodiments the coil may be a wave wound coil, such as a nested wave wound coil or a crest-to-crest wave wound coil.

Abstract: An occlusive guidewire system having an ergonomic handheld control mechanism and torqueable kink-resistant guidewire having a distally located inflatable balloon. The present invention provides convenient structure and overall mechanism for operation of a torqueable kink-resistant guidewire, including evacuation and inflation control of an occlusive balloon, and sealing and severing of a crimpable inflation tube which is in communication with an occlusive balloon. The torqueable kink-resistant guidewire includes a centrally located shaft which imparts robustness to the torqueable kink-resistant guidewire. An inflation lumen aligns within the torqueable kink-resistant guidewire for inflation of the balloon.

Abstract: An agent delivery catheter and method, configured to deliver an agent to an inner surface of a patient's body lumen by forming an agent containment pocket along the inner surface of the patient's body lumen wall between a proximal expandable frame and a distal expandable frame, while minimizing ischemic conditions during the procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a balloon dilatation catheter, in particular for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), provided with a guide wire, a supply tube extending parallel to the guide wire and serving for inflating a dilatation balloon, as well as the dilatation balloon arranged in the distal area of the supply tube, wherein the dilatation balloon has a tubular configuration with a wall structure comprising a plurality of tube segments arranged adjacent to each other of which at least one is connected with the supply tube.

Abstract: Catheters such as guide catheters can be configured to provide distal occlusion, while still providing sufficient interior lumen space for device delivery. Such catheters can also provide a desired level of flexibility, yet can include sufficient column support. A catheter can include an elongate shaft with a lumen, an inflatable compliant balloon disposed over the distal region of the shaft, and an external inflation component.

Abstract: An angioplasty balloon is disclosed and can include a body having a first end and a second end. An inflatable portion can be established between the first end and the second end. Moreover, a first reinforcing member can be wound around the body from the first end to the second end over the inflatable portion. Further, the first reinforcing member can be wound at a first winding angle with respect to a longitudinal axis. The first winding angle is in a range of fifteen degrees to forty-five degrees (15°-45°).

Abstract: A pushable balloon catheter assembly for use in a body vessel. The catheter includes an outer shaft having an outer wall defining an outer lumen and an inner shaft having an inner wall disposed within the outer lumen. An inflatable balloon having a balloon wall defining a balloon interior is attached at a distal tip of the assembly. The balloon wall defines a proximal aperture cooperable with a distal portion of the outer shaft at a common axial location of the catheter assembly. At least part of the outer wall is attached to at least part of the inner wall at the common axial location to define an inflation orifice in fluid communication between the outer lumen and a balloon interior for inflation of the balloon for treatment of the body vessel.

Abstract: An inflatable balloon, and method of making same, for a medical catheter includes a base layer or non-compliant balloon substrate, a reinforcing layer, an adhesive. layer adhering the reinforcing layer to the non-compliant balloon substrate, and a top coat layer. The reinforcing layer is a single ply matrix of interwoven strands applied to the non-compliant balloon substrate. There are preferably three sets of strands in the single ply matrix. One set of strands extends in a longitudinal direction. Another set of strands extends circumferentially in a helical fashion with a clockwise orientation at an angle of approximately 65° with the strands that extend in the longitudinal direction. The third set of strands extends circumferentially in a helical fashion with a counter-clockwise orientation at an angle of approximately 65° with the strands that extend in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and method for constructing same comprises engagement of a proximal tubular member to a distal outer tubular member. At least a portion of the exterior surface of the proximal tubular member comprises at least one thermoplastic polymer. At least a portion of the end region of the distal outer tubular member is engaged to at least a portion of the end region of the proximal tubular member to define an engagement region. The proximal tubular member and the distal outer tubular member define a continuous central lumen therethrough. At least a portion of the proximal tubular member is disposed about an inner support layer. At least a portion of the inner support layer extends distally across the engagement region and into the lumen of the distal outer tubular member.

Abstract: A balloon catheter including an inflatable balloon affixed to a catheter. The proximal end of the balloon is affixed to the distal end of the catheter so as to provide an air tight seal there between. A stiffening member extends distally of the distal end of the catheter and forms a slip joint connection with the distal end of the balloon to permit the distal end of the balloon to axially move or translate relative to the distal end of the catheter. The slip joint allows the axial length of balloon to change during inflation or deflation without transferring tensile or compressive forces between the balloon and the catheter, thereby preventing transverse creases from forming in the surface of the balloon and preventing the catheter from bowing. The stiffening member provides alignment and lateral support to the distal end of the balloon.

Abstract: A balloon catheter assembly includes a catheter shaft, and a balloon mounted on the catheter shaft. The balloon includes a distal neck portion, a proximal neck portion, and an inflatable body portion in between the distal and proximal neck portions. The distal and proximal neck portions are connected to the catheter shaft. The balloon also includes a fiber provided on the body portion. The fiber is oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the body portion at an angle between about 45° and about 135°, and has a diameter of less than about 10 ?m.

Abstract: A fixed wire dilatation catheter for treating the vasculature of a patient. The dilatation catheter includes an elongated member that has a distal end portion which can be elongated to puncture through blockages within the blood vessels. The dilatation catheter also includes an expandable device located along the elongated member at a location proximal the distal end portion of the elongated member.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon comprises a base balloon including a pair of spaced-apart, generally conical end sections and a generally cylindrical center section connected therebetween. A braided fabric sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the base balloon, wherein the sleeve is formed of at least three substantially inelastic fibers intertwined in such a way that no two of the three fibers are twisted exclusively around one another. The sleeve is permanently affixed to the outer surface of the base balloon so as to prevent excessive expansion of the base balloon when the base balloon is internally pressurized.

Abstract: A steerable balloon catheter including a balloon catheter supported by a steerable guidewire having a deflectable distal tip. The guidewire comprises a longitudinal hypotube and a spring coil attached to the distal end of the hypotube and includes a longitudinally movable deflection member which is attached to the distal end of the spring coil and a tip retaining member which extends from the distal end of the hypotube to the distal end of the spring coil for providing very precise deflection of the distal tip of the balloon catheter.

Abstract: A balloon catheter may include an elongate shaft and a shaft lumen extending through the elongate shaft to a distal end thereof A balloon may be disposed about a distal region of the elongate shaft while a coil may be disposed within the balloon. A polymer coating may be disposed on an interior of the balloon. The coil may be formed of a coil wire that is polymer coated prior to winding the coil. The catheter may be either OTW or SOE.

Abstract: A hypotube for an intravenous catheter device is disclosed which includes a tubular shaft having a tubular wall defining a lumen. The shaft includes a main section integrally connected to a distal section. The distal section includes a first section connected to the second section and disposed between the second section and the main section. The second section includes an elongated stinger.

Abstract: A device for collapsing a balloon in the vasculature of a patient after an angioplasty procedure includes a balloon and at least one elastomeric member that is attached to the inner surface of the balloon at a plurality of attachment points. Preferably, the elastomeric member is an annular band that will stretch during balloon inflation. Consequently, when the balloon is deflated, the elastomeric member pulls on the balloon at its attachment points to return the balloon to a predetermined configuration, wherein the balloon collapses inwardly onto itself for subsequent removal of the balloon from the vessel.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a balloon with a porous polymer layer and one or more filamentary members which are on or in the porous polymer layer and which form ridges protruding outwardly from a surface of the balloon in the inflated configuration. In a presently preferred embodiment, the balloon has a wingless noninflated configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a balloon portion for a balloon catheter for radially expanding a vessel in the body of a mammal, which catheter comprises a tube portion with a passage therethrough and a hollow expandable balloon portion defined by a fluid impervious wall and secured to the tube portion, which balloon portion can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid passed through the passage, characterized in that: a. the wall of the balloon portion is formed from a flexible substantially fluid impervious material having reinforcing fibers formed integrally with the wall material; and b. the balloon portion is preformed to the desired radial diameter at its inflated state having smaller diameter end portions and a wider diameter portion intermediate the said ends and has a substantially uniform wall thickness. The invention also provides a balloon catheter in which the balloon portion is a balloon of the invention.

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 balloon catheter including an elongated shaft having an inflation lumen, a guidewire lumen, a proximal shaft section, and a distal shaft section with a balloon on the distal shaft section, the distal shaft section formed by an outer tubular member having an opening in a sidewall, and an inner tubular member having a distal portion in the outer tubular member and a proximal portion extending through the sidewall opening and along an outer surface of a portion of the outer tubular member located proximal to the sidewall opening, with polymeric filler material around the outer surface of at least the proximal portion of the inner tubular member. The inner tubular member preferably comprises a polymeric tube having a reinforcing coiled member embedded therein. Preferably, a crescent shaped portion of the inflation lumen extends along side the proximal portion of the inner tubular member.

Abstract: A catheter to be used without a guidewire which includes a support wire shaft formed of metal, a balloon mounted on a distal portion of the catheter, and an inflation shaft for inflating the balloon, wherein a core wire may be interchangeably inserted into the support wire shaft when the catheter is within a human body to change the stiffness and improve control thereof. In one embodiment, the portion of the support wire shaft that extends just proximal of, through and distal of the balloon is formed entirely of a metal wound coil. The flexibility characteristics of this support wire shaft can be controlled by varying the pitch of the wound coil and the thickness of the wire or ribbon it is made from. An overjacket is also provided on the metal wound coil portion to hold pressure within the inflation lumen and provide a suitable material for bonding a distal end of the balloon to the support wire shaft.