Abstract: Medical device delivery systems and related kits and methods for placing multiple expandable medical devices within a body vessel are provided. A delivery system includes first and second expandable medical devices having the same or different dimensions. Placement of the first and second expandable medical devices in a body vessel can be achieved without requiring withdrawal of one or more components of the delivery system and insertion of secondary components.

Abstract: An automatic wireless medical device release system may reduce the overall diameter of the medical device delivery system. The medical device delivery system may include a medical device with a looped portion at a distal end of the medical device. A capture wire may be located on a delivery tool that is distal to the medical device. The looped portion of the medical device may be attached to a bend in the capture wire. The bend in the capture wire may be maintained by a sheath covering the delivery tool. Removal of the sheath may automatically remove the bend in the capture wire, which may release the looped portion of the medical device from the capture wire.

Abstract: Powered medical device deployment systems and methods are described herein. An embodiment of a powered medical device deployment system has a housing, a cannula, a sheath slidably disposed over the cannula, a flush port, a trigger, a drive mechanism, and a medical device. The drive mechanism is moveable between an on state and an off state. When the drive mechanism is in the on state the sheath is axially advanced over the cannula such that the medical device can be deployed at a point of treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical devices for manipulating medical implants such as, for example, stents, distal protection filters, and septal occluders in a patient's body, and the methods of use thereof. Generally, a medical device of the invention includes a sleeve and an expandable component joined to the sleeve which transitions between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration for capturing a medical implant in a patient's body.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, comprising a polymer coated on at least a portion of the medical device, and a pharmaceutically active agent covalently bonded to the polymer.

Abstract: A method of loading a medical device into a delivery system includes providing a two-stage shape memory alloy at a temperature at which at least a portion of the alloy includes austenite. A stress which is sufficient to form R-phase from at least a portion of the austenite is applied to the medical device at the temperature. A delivery configuration of the medical device is obtained, and the medical device is loaded into a restraining member. Preferably, the delivery configuration of the medical device includes stress-induced R-phase.

Abstract: Medical device delivery systems and related kits and methods for placing multiple expandable medical devices within a body vessel are provided. A delivery system includes first and second expandable medical devices having the same or different dimensions. Placement of the first and second expandable medical devices in a body vessel can be achieved without requiring withdrawal of one or more components of the delivery system and insertion of secondary components.

Abstract: Medical devices and delivery systems for delivering medical devices to a target location within a subject. In some embodiments the medical devices can be locked in a fully deployed and locked configuration. In some embodiments the delivery systems are configured with a single actuator to control the movement of multiple components of the delivery system. In some embodiments the actuator controls the independent and dependent movement of multiple components of the delivery system.

Abstract: An introducer apparatus for deploying a self-expandable medical device, such as a stent, to a target area of a body vessel of a patient comprises a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a distal end portion disposed at the shaft distal end. The distal end portion comprises an introducer body and at least one deployment member. The introducer body is sized and shaped relative to the self-expandable medical device such that the medical device is receivable on a surface of the introducer body when the medical device is in a compressed condition. The deployment member is configured and arranged relative to the introducer body for selectively restraining the self-expandable medical device in the compressed condition on the introducer apparatus surface.

Abstract: Loading systems for compressing and loading an implantable medical device into a device chamber of a medical device delivery system are described. The loading systems include an elongate holding chamber within which the intraluminal medical device is disposed. A plunger has one or more attached pushers adapted to axially advance the intraluminal medical device through an intermediate portion of the holding chamber that has a tapered surface, which compresses the intraluminal medical device over a dilator of a medical device delivery system that has been introduced through the distal end of the elongate holding chamber. The elongate holding chamber can be placed within an outer storage container with an appropriate seal to for storage of the intraluminal medical device within the loading system. Methods of preparing an intraluminal medical device for implantation in a patient and kits useful in such methods are also described.

Abstract: A deployment handle for an expandable medical device, a handle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen/passageway extending between the proximal and distal ends; an inner cannula; and a tension mechanism located inside the handle and secured to the inner cannula so that the inner cannula rotates when the tension mechanism is actuated.

Abstract: A method of treating a physiologic condition by providing a metal fabric formed of a plurality strands, wherein the strands have been heat-treated to set a desired shaped, the medical device then being further heat-treated in a mold having a shape of a desired medical device to set the shape the fabric in a deformed state to the shape of the desired medical device that can be collapsed for passage through a catheter for deployment in a patient's body.

Abstract: A medical device assembly having a polarizable delivery mechanism reversibly engaged with a medical device and a method used by an operator to deploy said medical device at a targeted site in a body vessel is provided. The polarizable release mechanism generally comprises a pusher element having a distal end including at least two tines; the tines having a proximal section and a distal section, the tines being capable of exhibiting polarizable properties. The medical device has an opening sized to receive and to detachably engage the distal section of the tines. The delivery mechanism has an engaged position in which the tines securely hold the medical device and a detached position in which the tines and medical device are substantially unengaged. The operator causes the delivery mechanism to move from the engaged position to the detached position by applying or removing an energy stimulus to change the polarization.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system has a tubular member defining a passageway and an inner member slideably disposed within the passageway. An expandable intraluminal medical device is disposed on a chamber of the inner member, and an evertable sleeve is attached to the inner member proximal to the chamber and to an inner surface of the tubular member. Relative movement between the tubular and outer members moves the evertable sleeve from a first position substantially overlying the expandable intraluminal medical device to a second position substantially proximal to the chamber.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a stent, having a hollow portion formed from a fashioned filament (100, 110). Between adjacent segments of the fashioned filament is a detachable seam (140). After implantation of the device in the body, the device may subsequently be removed by grasping an end of the filament and pulling the end of the filament so as to detach the seam between adjacent segments of the fashioned filament, and unravel the hollow portion.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering and deploying expandable intraluminal medical devices at a desired point of treatment within a body vessel are provided. A delivery device is provided, inserted into a body vessel, and navigated through the vessel to place an associated expandable intraluminal medical device at a desired point of treatment. Once the desired location is reached, an elongate member on which the expandable intraluminal medical device is disposed is spaced from a wall surface of the body vessel using an expandable wire basket, balloon, or other suitable structure. The expandable intraluminal medical device is deployed from the delivery system, which can ultimately be withdrawn from the body vessel.

Abstract: Medical devices with surfaces on which viable biologic cells are magnetically attracted and retained are disclosed along with methods of magnetic coating. The medical devices can be located in a carrier liquid containing high concentrations of magnetic cells before or after implantation. The carrier liquid with magnetic cells may be contact with the medical device in vitro or in vivo. In either case, the carrier liquid may have a concentration of magnetic cells that is high enough to facilitate coating of the medical device within an acceptable period of time, e.g., several hours or less. Magnetization of medical devices before, during, and/or after implantation and apparatus for performing the same are disclosed. Degaussing of magnetic medical devices is also disclosed.

Abstract: A delivery catheter includes a constraining sheath coupled to a distal end of the catheter, and a medical device, such as an embolic protection device (EPD) or a stent, constrained by the sheath. A wire may extend proximally from the constraining sheath and be coupled thereto. A proximal pulling force on the wire causes the wire to tear the constraining sheath, thereby releasing the medical device from a constrained configuration to an expanded configuration.

Abstract: An introducer assembly (100) including at its distal end a dilator tip (20) and an inner catheter for supporting an implantable medical device (1) for deployment, is provided with a plurality of strut elements (102, 202) extending from the dilator tip (20) to the proximal end of the medical device (1). The strut elements (102, 202) act to apply both a pulling and a pushing force against the proximal end of the medical device (1), having the effect of assisting in the correct positioning of the proximal end of the medical device in a patient's lumen, particularly where this is curved such as with the aortic arch. The strut elements (102, 202) form part of the introducer assembly and are removed from the patient following the deployment procedure. The device avoids the need for bare stents at the end of a stent graft.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for an implantable medical device which is degradable over a clinically relevant period of time. The medical devices may have the form of implants, graft implants, vascular implants, non vascular implants, wound closure implants, sutures, drug delivery implants, biologic delivery implants, urinary tract implants, inter-uterine implants, organ implants, bone implants including bone plates, bone screws, dental implants, spinal disks, or the like. In preferred embodiments, the implantable medical device comprises an implantable luminal prosthesis, such as vascular and non-vascular stents and stents grafts.