Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a shaft, and a balloon provided outside the shaft. A drug is provided on an outer surface of the balloon, and the balloon has at least a straight tube part. A change ratio of an outer diameter of the straight tube part, (D28?D24)/D24, is 1.1% or less. D24 is the outer diameter of the straight tube part when an internal pressure of 2.43 MPa (24 atm) is applied, and D28 is the outer diameter of the straight tube part when an internal pressure of 2.84 MPa (28 atm) is applied.

Abstract: A self-propelled device for locomotion through a lumen, comprising a set of serially arranged inflatable chambers, adjacent chambers being fluidly connected, and a fluid source attached to one end of the set, such that the chambers inflate sequentially. The chambers are constructed of an elastic material and have a wall thickness and dimensions such that they have a characteristic with a non-monotonous relationship between the inflation pressure within the chamber and the chamber's inflated size. The characteristic is such that after an initial inflation pressure peak, the non-monotonous relationship adopts a negative slope, such that the volume of the chamber increases more rapidly than the volume of fluid flowing into it, and the inflation pressure of the chamber falls. This effect causes the chamber to inflate and anchor rapidly, while essentially slowing down the inflation of the succeeding chamber until inflation of the first is complete.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a core wire and an opening control portion. The core wire is formed of a long wire disposed in an outer shaft and includes a pushing portion. The opening control portion is provided in the outer shaft and has a control hole that communicates with an inflation lumen. The opening area of the control hole in the opening control portion is partially closed when the pushing portion of the core wire comes into contact with the control hole.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides composite coatings for implantable or insertable medical devices. These composite coatings comprise (a) an inorganic portion and (b) a polymeric portion that comprises a poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) block.

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 randomly oriented fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Abstract: A multi-layer inflatable balloon cuff may be adapted to seal a patient's trachea when associated with an endotracheal tube. The outer layer and the inner layer of the balloon cuff may have different material properties that may enhance a cuff's mechanical pressure seal by reducing wrinkles or folds that may form against a patient's tracheal walls.

Abstract: Medical devices including a substrate that are expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state; a coating on the substrate, the coating having a drug agent incorporated therein; and a sheath over the coating. The sheath is expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state and has at least one perforation therein. The medical devices are configured such that when the substrate is in a compressed state, the sheath is also in a compressed state and the perforation is substantially closed. When the substrate is in an expanded state, the sheath is also in an expanded state and the perforation is substantially open. The invention also includes a method of using the medical devices for the controlled, localized delivery of a drug agent to a target location within a mammalian body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter comprising an outer tube; an inner tube; and a balloon fixed at its proximal sleeve to the outer tube and at its distal sleeve to the inner tube, wherein the inner tube comprises an elastic segment.

Abstract: An integrated guiding device has a tube and a corewire within the tube and a torque coupler. The torque coupler can couple the rotational motion of the tube with the rotational motion of the corewire. The wire can be moved longitudinally at least some amount relative to the tube. The device can further comprise a functional medical structure, such as an embolism protection structure. The device can be used in medical procedures, such as less invasive procedures within the cardiovascular system. Improved fiber based embolism protection devices comprise fiber bundles that are twisted prior to delivery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cardiac vascular occlusion system which includes inner and outer guide catheters and an occluding member disposed on the inner catheter. The occluding member may be deployed from a compressed to an expanded position to limit retrograde blood flow in a body lumen. The occluding member may be used when injecting a contrast agent into the body lumen.

Abstract: An balloon catheter is provided with an improved neck portion. The neck portion of the balloon is used to attach the end of the balloon to a catheter. Before attaching the balloon to the catheter, the neck portion is lengthened and thinned out to make the neck portion more flexible. Heat shrink tubing may be used to apply pressure to the neck portion to force the material of the neck portion to flow along a mandrel inserted into the neck portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body includes an introducer and a sheath. The tubular sheath may surround the introducer, and may have a weakened region along its longitudinal axis. A handle may be provided on the sheath. The handle may be adapted to be pulled proximally to separate the weakened region and allow the sheath to be removed from the introducer. The sheath may be secured to the introducer via detents or latches on the handle.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system generally having an elongated catheter shaft with enhanced flexibility to facilitate more distal advancement within a patient's body lumen. The catheter shaft has a relatively stiff proximal shaft section, a relatively flexible distal shaft section and an intermediate shaft section which provides a smooth, flexible transition between the proximal and distal shaft sections. The intermediate shaft section has an improved construction with a tubular reinforcing member secured by its proximal end to the distal extremity of the proximal shaft section and a distal end secured within the proximal end of the distal shaft section. The tubular reinforcing member preferably has an inner tubular support member which has a proximal end secured to the distal end of the proximal shaft section. Preferably, the proximal shaft section has an outer jacket which extends over the tubular reinforcing member of the intermediate shaft section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device, such as a stent or a balloon catheter that includes an expandable body portion which has an exterior surface that contacts a vessel wall during treatment. The medical device includes a first coating disposed over at least a portion of the exterior surface. The first coating includes a therapeutic substance that is intended for controlled release from the exterior surface. The medical device further includes a second coating overlaying at least a substantial portion of the first coating. The second coating includes a material that is generally impervious to elution of the therapeutic substance therethrough when the body portion is inserted into the vessel lumen. The material of the second coating is relatively inelastic so that the second coating fractures during expansion of the body portion to allow elution of the therapeutic substance through fissures formed in the second coating.

Abstract: A passive perfusion sleeve/placement catheter assembly for performing coronary angioplasty allows prolonged dilatations without blocking blood flow. The perfusion sleeve comprise an elongated shaft with a distally mounted composite balloon including a semi-rigid inner material surrounded by a more flexible and expandable outer material which can extend radially from the catheter and engage the vessel wall and atheroma. The semi-rigid inner material requires more pressure to cause distention than the outer expandable material thereby defining a blood flow channel. The perfusion sleeve/placement catheter assembly of the present invention includes a perfusion sleeve apparatus having a multiple lumen shaft and an expanding balloon connected to a distal end of the shaft. A placement catheter is employed to assist in delivery and retraction of the sleeve.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system generally having an elongated catheter shaft with enhanced flexibility to facilitate more distal advancement within a patient's body lumen. The catheter shaft has a relatively stiff proximal shaft section, a relatively flexible distal shaft section and an intermediate shaft section which provides a smooth, flexible transition between the proximal and distal shaft sections. The intermediate shaft section has an improved construction with a tubular reinforcing member secured by its proximal end to the distal extremity of the proximal shaft section and a distal end secured within the proximal end of the distal shaft section. The tubular reinforcing member preferably has an inner tubular support member which has a proximal end secured to the distal end of the proximal shaft section. Preferably, the proximal shaft section has an outer jacket which extends over the tubular reinforcing member of the intermediate shaft section.

Abstract: Medical devices including a substrate that are expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state; a coating on the substrate, the coating having a drug agent incorporated therein; and a sheath over the coating. The sheath is expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state and has at least one perforation therein. The medical devices are configured such that when the substrate is in a compressed state, the sheath is also in a compressed state and the perforation is substantially closed. When the substrate is in an expanded state, the sheath is also in an expanded state and the perforation is substantially open. The invention also includes a method of using the medical devices for the controlled, localized delivery of a drug agent to a target location within a mammalian body.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system generally having an elongated catheter shaft with enhanced flexibility to facilitate more distal advancement within a patient's body lumen. The catheter shaft has a relatively stiff proximal shaft section, a relatively flexible distal shaft section and an intermediate shaft section which provides a smooth, flexible transition between the proximal and distal shaft sections. The intermediate shaft section has an improved construction with a tubular reinforcing member secured by its proximal end to the distal extremity of the proximal shaft section and a distal end secured within the proximal end of the distal shaft section. The tubular reinforcing member preferably has an inner tubular support member which has a proximal end secured to the distal end of the proximal shaft section. Preferably, the proximal shaft section has an outer jacket which extends over the tubular reinforcing member of the intermediate shaft section.