Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150305958 | Tissue Compression Device with Fixation and Tension Straps - Tissue compression devices with a combination of fixation and tension straps and methods of using the same are described herein. The tissue compression devices include a combination of fixation and tension straps that are used together to fix or attach the tissue compression device over selected tissue at a selected location on a patient and to apply pressure to the selected tissue. In one or more embodiments, the fixation straps are sued to fix or attach the tissue compression device and the tension straps are used to provide tension that is converted to pressure on the selected tissue. | 10-29-2015 |
20150305902 | Delivery System for a Retractable Outer Sheath - A delivery system for delivering a prosthesis includes a sheath, a slide shaft having a threaded outer surface, and a handle. The handle includes an internal spring assembly for selectively engaging and disengaging the handle with the threaded outer surface of the slide shaft. The internal spring assembly includes at least one spring arm, a head coupled to the spring arm and having a circumferentially rounded threaded inner surface, and a ring slidably disposed over the spring arm. When the ring is in a first longitudinal position, the threaded inner surface of the head is spaced apart from the threaded outer surface of the slide shaft. When the ring is in a second longitudinal position, the threaded inner surface of the head is threadedly engaged with the threaded outer surface of the slide shaft. The handle may include a resilient cover to provide the internal spring assembly with a biased or nominal operational position. | 10-29-2015 |
20150305751 | Tissue Compression Device with Deflecting Pressure Element - Tissue compression devices with deflecting pressure elements and methods of using the same are described herein. The tissue compression devices include a pressure element and a retention structure attached to the pressure element. The retention structure may be configured to retain the intermediate portion of the pressure element over selected tissue in a selected location on a patient (such as, e.g., over a radial artery access site). Movement of first and second end portions of the pressure element towards each other along an actuation axis causes the intermediate portion of the pressure element to deflect away from the actuation axis towards the selected tissue. | 10-29-2015 |
20150297803 | Bioerodible Stent - A bioerodible stent includes an inner member of a first biocompatible metal, an intermediate member of a second biocompatible metal, and an outer member of a third biocompatible metal. The first biocompatible metal, second biocompatible metal, and third biocompatible member are selected such that galvanic corrosion occurs between the members. A biodegradable polymer coating may surround the members. | 10-22-2015 |
20150272759 | Stent-Graft Delivery System Having Handle Mechanism for Two-Stage Tip Release - A delivery system for a stent-graft is disclosed having a tip capture device and a tip release handle mechanism configured to actuate the tip capture device. The tip release handle mechanism includes a rotatable grip component and a tip release actuation component. The grip component may be rotatable in a first direction to transition a proximal stent of the stent-graft from the delivery state to a partially deployed state and rotatable in an opposite, second direction to transition the proximal stent from the partially deployed state to a fully deployed state. The grip component is operably coupled to the tip release actuation component. The delivery system further includes a shaft component operably coupled to the tip release actuation component and the tip capture device. | 10-01-2015 |
20150223799 | Method and Apparatus for Forming a Suture Connector in Situ - A system for forming a suture connector in situ includes a suture connector placement device having a handle, an outer shaft, an intermediate shaft, and a push rod, and a suture connector having a sleeve and a plug. The intermediate shaft is slidingly disposed through a lumen of the outer shaft, and the push rod is slidingly disposed through a lumen of the intermediate shaft. When the suture connector is in a loaded configuration within the suture connector placement device, the sleeve is radially disposed between the intermediate shaft and the outer shaft and the plug is positioned proximal to the sleeve within the lumen of the intermediate shaft. Distal advancement of the push rod moves the plug into the sleeve and proximal retraction of the intermediate shaft releases the resilient sleeve onto the plug, thereby securing two suture portions between the sleeve and the plug. | 08-13-2015 |
20150190618 | Balloon Catheter With Elastomeric Sheath and Methods - Balloon catheters that include a balloon and an elastomeric sheath, each having a surface with a therapeutic agent disposed thereon, along with methods of making and methods of using the disclosed balloon catheters. | 07-09-2015 |
20150127043 | Balloon Catheter Having a Pre-Positioned Refold Tool - A balloon catheter includes an elongated catheter shaft, a hub disposed at a proximal portion of the catheter shaft, an inflatable balloon disposed at a distal portion of the catheter shaft, and a refold tool slidingly disposed over the elongated catheter shaft and positioned between the hub and the inflatable balloon. The balloon is configured to transform between an inflated configuration and a deflated configuration, the balloon having a deflated profile when in the deflated configuration. The refold tool defines a lumen there-through that is flared at a distal end thereof, and the lumen of the tubular component of the refold tool is sized to refold the balloon to a refolded profile that is smaller than the deflated profile when the balloon in the deflated configuration passes through the refold tool. | 05-07-2015 |
20150119926 | Tissue Compression Device with Pressure Indicator - Tissue compression devices having pressure indicators and methods of using the same. The tissue compression devices provide feedback to a user with respect to the pressure being applied to selected tissue at a selected location such as a radial artery to assist the user in applying the desired amount of pressure to the tissue (such as the pressure needed to achieve hemostasis at an access site). The pressure indication may be provided by a ring indicator that moves between two configurations (e.g., a concave configuration and a convex configuration), a bellow chamber in a housing, a bladder located below a bladder window, etc. | 04-30-2015 |
20150119925 | Tissue Compression Device With Tension Limiting Strap Retainer - Tissue compression devices having a tension limiting strap retainer and methods of using the same. The tissue compression devices described herein may include a strap retainer that is attached to a base by an elastic member that is configured to draw the strap retainer towards the base. The tissue compression devices described herein may also include a tension indicator that extends between the base of the tissue compression device and strap retainer. The tension indicator may be configured to limit the travel distance of the strap retainer away from the base in response to forces acting on the strap retainer. The tension indicator may also provide visual feedback to a user of the tension force in a strap to attach the tissue compression device to a patient. | 04-30-2015 |
20150119773 | Tissue Compression Device with Multi-Chamber Bladder - Tissue compression devices including a multi-chamber bladder that is retained within the tissue compression device, with the multi-chamber bladder being positioned in a bladder orifice in a base of a compression device body. The multi-chamber bladder includes at least one upper chamber located above the base and at least one lower chamber located below the base. The lower chamber is located between the base and a selected location on a patient when the compression device is positioned over selected tissue such as, e.g., a radial artery, as described herein. | 04-30-2015 |
20150112418 | Segmented Balloon Expandable Stent Graft With Reduced Foreshortening - A segmented balloon expandable stent graft includes a graft material and a plurality of cylindrical stent elements coupled to the graft material. The plurality of cylindrical stent elements are plastically deformable when expanded from a radially compressed configuration to a radially expanded configuration. The plurality of cylindrical stent elements includes a first end stent element, a second end stent element, and a plurality of middle stent elements. The first and second end stent elements are independent of the plurality of middle stent elements. The first and second end stent elements are more resistant to radial expansion than the plurality of middle stent elements such that the plurality of middle stent elements plastically deform from the radially compressed configuration to the radially expanded configuration when inflated by a balloon prior the first and second end stent elements. | 04-23-2015 |
20150105809 | CATHETER PULL WIRE ACTUATION MECHANISM - A catheter has an elongate tubular component that defines a pull wire lumen, which extends along at least a portion of a length thereof. A pull wire extends within the pull wire lumen with a distal end of the pull wire being secured near a distal end of the catheter. The catheter includes a pull wire actuation mechanism slidably disposed thereon that is operably coupled to a proximal end of the pull wire. The pull wire actuation mechanism includes a first or upper housing portion that is longitudinally translatable in a first direction relative to the guide catheter and a second or lower housing portion that is longitudinally translatable in an opposite, second direction relative to the catheter to actuate the pull wire and selectively operate the distal end thereof. | 04-16-2015 |
20140296708 | Systems and Methods for Delivering Drugs to Selected Locations Within the Body - A transvascular system ( | 10-02-2014 |
20140288414 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACUTE OR CHRONIC DELIVERY OF SUBSTANCES OR APPARATUS TO EXTRAVASCULAR TREATMENT SITES - Methods and apparatus for delivery of substances or apparatus to target sites located outside blood vessels within the body of a human or animal patient. A vessel wall penetrating catheter is inserted into the vasculature, positioned and oriented within a blood vessel near the target extravascular site and a penetrator is advanced from the catheter so as to penetrate outwardly through the wall of the blood vessel in the direction of the target site. Thereafter, a delivery catheter is passed through a lumen of the penetrator to the target site. A desired substance or apparatus is then delivered to or obtained from the target site. In some applications, the penetrator may be retracted into the vessel wall penetrating catheter and the vessel wall penetrating catheter may be removed, leaving the delivery catheter in place for chronic or continuous delivery of substance(s) to and/or obtaining of information or samples from the target site. Alternatively, a delivery catheter having an occlusion member or balloon may be advanced into a vein or venule and the occlusion member or balloon may be used to occlude the lumen of the vein or venule during and after injection of a substance through the catheter, such that the substance will not be carried away by normal venous blood flow and will remain in the vein or venule for a sufficient period of time to have its intended effect (e.g. to enter adjacent tissues through capillary beds drained by that vein or venule). | 09-25-2014 |
20140277396 | Bioabsorbable Stent With Hydrothermal Conversion Film and Coating - A stent includes a bioabsorbable metal, a hydrothermal conversion film covering the bioabsorbable metal, and a coating covering the hydrothermal conversion film. A method for manufacturing a stent includes forming a stent body comprising a bioabsorbable metal, forming a hydrothermal conversion film over surfaces of the stent body, and coating the hydrothermal conversion film with an overcoat. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277382 | Method for Manufacturing a Stent and Stent Manufactured Thereby - A method for manufacturing a stent includes forming a stent blank from a first material, the stent blank comprising a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns, each crown connecting at least two struts, and a plurality of slots in at least some of the plurality of struts and/or the plurality of crowns, depositing a second material over outer surfaces of the struts and the crowns and in the slots to encase the stent blank in the second material, creating at least one opening through the second material, and removing the first material to form a stent comprising the second material, the stent having a continuous lumen from one end of the stent to the other end of the stent, the continuous lumen being partitioned in portions corresponding to the locations of the slots in the stent blank. The lumen may then be filled with a therapeutic substance. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277339 | Welded Stent and Stent Delivery System - A welded stent and stent delivery system, with a stent including a first strut having a first strut nickel titanium alloy layer and nickel titanium soluble core, the first strut nickel titanium alloy layer being disposed around the first strut nickel titanium soluble core; and a second strut having a second strut nickel titanium alloy layer and nickel titanium soluble core, the second strut nickel titanium alloy layer being disposed around the second strut nickel titanium soluble core, the second strut nickel titanium alloy layer being connected to the first strut nickel titanium alloy layer with a weld. The first and second strut nickel titanium alloy layers are made of a nickel titanium alloy, the first and second strut nickel titanium soluble cores are made of a nickel titanium soluble material, and the weld is made of an alloy of the nickel titanium alloy and the nickel titanium soluble material. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277337 | Medical Device and Plasticized Nylon - A medical device, such as a dilatation balloon, including plasticized nylon, and plasticized nylon. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276983 | Suturing Device and Method for Sealing an Opening in a Blood Vessel or Other Biological Structure - A suturing device includes a handle, an elongated body, at least one suture snag, at least one pair of needles, and at least one suture pair. The suture snag is moveable between a deployed position in which two distal arm portions thereof radially extend away from the elongated body and a retracted position in which the two distal arm portions are disposed within the elongated body. The suture pair is slidingly disposed through the needle pair. The suturing device deploys the suture snag within a vessel adjacent to an arteriotomy, extends the needle pair through a vessel wall around the arteriotomy and through the deployed suture snag, extends the suture pair beyond the distal ends of the needle pair, and then utilizes the suture snag to capture the extended suture pair by retracting the suture snag to pull first or distal ends of the sutures back into the suturing device. An inflatable balloon or an expandable suture capture component may be alternatives to the suture snag for capturing the suture ends. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276982 | Suturing Device and Method for Sealing an Opening in a Blood Vessel or Other Biological Structure - A suturing device includes a handle, an elongated body, at least one suture snag, at least one pair of needles, and at least one suture pair. The suture snag is moveable between a deployed position in which two distal arm portions thereof radially extend away from the elongated body and a retracted position in which the two distal arm portions are disposed within the elongated body. The suture pair is slidingly disposed through the needle pair. The suturing device deploys the suture snag within a vessel adjacent to an arteriotomy, extends the needle pair through a vessel wall around the arteriotomy and through the deployed suture snag, extends the suture pair beyond the distal ends of the needle pair, and then utilizes the suture snag to capture the extended suture pair by retracting the suture snag to pull first or distal ends of the sutures back into the suturing device. An inflatable balloon or an expandable suture capture component may be alternatives to the suture snag for capturing the suture ends. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276976 | Suturing Device and Method for Sealing an Opening in a Blood Vessel or Other Biological Structure - A suturing device includes a handle, an elongated body, at least one suture snag, at least one pair of needles, and at least one suture pair. The suture snag is moveable between a deployed position in which two distal arm portions thereof radially extend away from the elongated body and a retracted position in which the two distal arm portions are disposed within the elongated body. The suture pair is slidingly disposed through the needle pair. The suturing device deploys the suture snag within a vessel adjacent to an arteriotomy, extends the needle pair through a vessel wall around the arteriotomy and through the deployed suture snag, extends the suture pair beyond the distal ends of the needle pair, and then utilizes the suture snag to capture the extended suture pair by retracting the suture snag to pull first or distal ends of the sutures back into the suturing device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276975 | Suturing Device and Method for Sealing an Opening in a Blood Vessel or Other Biological Structure - A suturing device includes a handle, an elongated body, at least one suture snag, at least one pair of needles, and at least one suture pair. The suture snag is moveable between a deployed position in which two distal arm portions thereof radially extend away from the elongated body and a retracted position in which the two distal arm portions are disposed within the elongated body. The suture pair is slidingly disposed through the needle pair. The suturing device deploys the suture snag within a vessel adjacent to an arteriotomy, extends the needle pair through a vessel wall around the arteriotomy and through the deployed suture snag, extends the suture pair beyond the distal ends of the needle pair, and then utilizes the suture snag to capture the extended suture pair by retracting the suture snag to pull first or distal ends of the sutures back into the suturing device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262882 | Blow-Molded Package for a Catheter - A package for a medical device having an elongated shaft and a proximal luer fitting includes a one-piece body formed as a single structure via blow molding. The blow-molded one-piece body includes at least a spiral casing formed therein, the spiral casing defining a spiral lumen configured to receive the elongated shaft of the medical device. Webbing is disposed between adjacent curved portions of the spiral casing. The one-piece body formed via blow-molding may also include a removable reversible loading tube, a luer retainer, a cannula holder, one or more slots for attaching an information card thereto, a fastener for clipping the medical device thereto, and a compartment for holding an oxygen scavenger. Further, the one-piece body formed via blow-molding may include non-circular lumens and may be configured to receive multiple medical devices. | 09-18-2014 |
20140257471 | Controlled Tip Release Stent Graft Delivery System and Method - An apparatus and method of deploying a stent graft having a proximal anchor stent ring includes restraining proximal apexes of the proximal anchor stent ring between a spindle body of a spindle and a control release sleeve of a tapered tip. The control release sleeve is advanced relative to the spindle to release a first proximal apex through an opening in the control release sleeve while the remaining proximal apexes remain restrained by the control release sleeve. The control release sleeve is further advanced relative to the spindle to release the remaining proximal apexes from the control release sleeve. In another example, a stent capture fitting has variable length stent capture fitting arms. As the stent capture fitting is retracted, the proximal apexes of the proximal anchor stent ring are sequentially exposed from and released by the variable length stent capture fitting arms. By using the control release sleeve or the stent capture fitting, controlled sequential release of the proximal apexes is achieved. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257463 | VENOUS VALVE REPAIR PROSTHESIS FOR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY - Endovascular prostheses are disclosed that are configured to repair a native venous valve having improper or non-existent valve leaflet coaptation caused by vessel weakness and/or distention. The prostheses are configured to be implanted in the venous system immediately downstream of the malfunctioning valve and act as repair devices to restore proper function to the venous valve by reconfiguring and supporting the valve leaflets and thereby improving their coaptation. | 09-11-2014 |
20140249617 | Balloon Expandable Stent Graft and Apparatus and Method for Expanding a Balloon Expandable Stent Graft - A stent-graft delivery system includes a balloon, a sleeve disposed over the balloon, and a stent graft mounted over the sleeve. The sleeve includes a weakened area between a first end and a second end of the sleeve such that when the balloon is expanded, the balloon expands from a center portion of the balloon towards the ends of the balloon. The weakened area of the sleeve may be a slit, a thinner wall section, grooves, notches, or other weakening features. The sleeve may be adhesively attached to an outer shaft of the catheter or to an outer surface of the balloon. | 09-04-2014 |
20140249507 | Systems and Methods for Delivering Drugs to Selected Locations Within the Body - A transvascular system ( | 09-04-2014 |
20140243953 | Medical Device Delivery Systems and Methods of Use Thereof - A delivery system for delivering a medical device through a vasculature can include a capsule for housing the medical device during delivery and a marker band rotatably fixed to the capsule. The marker band can include a band portion and a single indicator protruding from the band portion. The indicator can allow the rotational orientation of the marker band to be determined while the medical device is in the vasculature, the rotational orientation being around a central axis of the vasculature. A delivery system for delivering a medical device through a vasculature includes a capsule for housing the medical device during delivery and a marker band attached to a proximal end of the capsule. The marker band can include a base portion and a protrusion that can be configured to extend from the base portion towards a distal end of the capsule. Related methods are also described. | 08-28-2014 |
20140236278 | Stent-Graft Delivery Having a Tip Capture Mechanism With Elongated Cables for Gradual Deployment and Repositioning - Stent-graft delivery systems having a tip capture mechanism with a plurality of elongated cables that allow for gradual deployment and repositioning of a stent-graft prosthesis. The tip capture mechanism includes a guiding assembly, a distal tip assembly, and a plurality of cables. In a first relative position, the distal tip assembly extends the guiding assembly to temporarily constrain the distal ends of the cables and an intermediate portion of each cable constrains an endmost crown of the prosthesis. In this first relative position, tension on the cables may be selectively adjusted to allow for both gradual continuous radial expansion and contraction of the endmost crowns of the stent-graft prosthesis. In a second relative position, the distal tip assembly does not extend over the guiding assembly and thus does not constrain the distal ends of the cables, and thereby the cables do not constrain the endmost crowns. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236207 | Catheters and Related Devices for Forming Passageways Between Blood Vessels or Other Anatomical Structures - The inventions described in this patent application include i) a torqueable introducer sheath which is useable in conjunction with a transvascular passageway forming catheter to effect precise rotational control of the catheter; ii) an anchorable guide catheter which is useable in conjunction with an intravascular imaging catheter and a transvascular passageway-forming catheter to effect precise positioning and aiming of the passageway-forming catheter; iii) a passageway forming catheter having a torqueable proximal portion to facilitate precise rotational positioning of the distal portion of the catheter; iv) a deflectable-tipped passageway forming catheter, v) various markers and other apparatus useable in conjunction with any of the passageway-forming catheters to facilitate precise positioning and aiming of the catheter, and vi) an apparatus which may be formed within a catheter to prevent a member, apparatus of flow of material from being inadvertently advanced through a lumen of the catheter. | 08-21-2014 |
20140200656 | Radiopaque Markers for Visualizing an Edge of an Endovascular Graft - An endovascular prosthesis is disclosed that includes a tubular graft and a radiopaque marker attached to envelop or enfold an edge of the tubular graft. A first segment of the radiopaque marker extends against an interior surface of the tubular graft and a second segment of the radiopaque marker extends against an exterior surface of the tubular graft such that the first and second segments sandwich or straddle the edge of the tubular graft. The radiopaque marker may include a living hinge that demarcates the first and second segments and aligns with the tubular graft edge when the radiopaque marker is attached thereto. The radiopaque marker may have a substantially U shape with the first and second segments biased toward each other by an end segment such that the end segment aligns with the tubular graft edge when the radiopaque marker is attached thereto. | 07-17-2014 |
20140188149 | High Torque, Low Profile Catheters and Methods for Transluminal Interventions - Catheter devices having low profile shafts and laterally deployable members (e.g., cannulas, needles, etc.) that may be extended or advanced laterally from the catheter shaft. Also disclosed are methods for bypassing a vascular obstruction (e.g., a chronic total occlusion or other full or partial obstruction) wherein a guidewire is entrapped in a subintimal space adjacent to the obstruction. A catheter of the foregoing character is advanced over the entrapped guidewire and into the subintimal space. The laterally deployable member is then advanced or extended from the subintimal space back into the true lumen of the blood vessel distal to the obstruction. A second guidewire is then advanced through or along the laterally deployable member. The catheter and first guidewire are then removed and one or more working device(s) (balloons, atherectomy devices, stents, etc.) is/are advanced over the second guidewire and used to establish a subintimal bypass channel through which blood may flow around the obstruction. | 07-03-2014 |
20140180222 | Catheters, Systems and Methods for Percutaneous in Situ Arterio-Venous Bypass - A system of catheter devices and methods for forming channels or passageways between a luminal anatomical structure (e.g., a blood vessel) and a target location (e.g., another blood vessel, an organ, a mass of tissue, etc.) for the purpose of rerouting blood flow or for delivering a substance or instrument, etc. to the target location. | 06-26-2014 |
20140180098 | Tissue Penetrating Catheters Having Integral Imaging Transducers and Their Methods of Use - A catheter device that is useable to penetrate from a blood vessel in which the catheter device is positioned to a target location comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the first blood vessel, a tissue penetrator lumen adapted to receive an operative tissue penetrator which is usable to penetrate from the blood vessel to the target location when properly aimed. Further said catheter including an imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body to provide an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. The catheter device may include an imageable marker on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal a penetrator path indication that indicates the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained. A method of utilizing such a catheter device to bypass an arterial obstruction is also disclosed. | 06-26-2014 |
20140155979 | Preferentially Electropolished Stent System and Method of Manufacture - The preferentially electropolished stent system and method of manufacture includes a stent delivery system including a catheter; a balloon operably attached to the catheter; and a stent disposed on the balloon. The stent includes an elongate body having an abluminal surface and a luminal surface; wherein the abluminal surface has an abluminal average roughness less than or equal to 0.030 microns; and the luminal surface has at least one rough portion having an luminal average roughness greater than or equal to 0.036 microns. | 06-05-2014 |
20140135904 | Helical Stent With Orthogonal End and Method of Forming Stent - A helical stent includes a central segment having a first tubular waveform and a first end segment having a second tubular waveform. The waveforms are defined by a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns connecting adjacent struts together. The struts of the second tubular waveform have different lengths such that second tubular waveform includes a plurality of amplitudes. The second tubular waveform comprises a complete turn around a longitudinal axis of the stent. A first connector connects together the first tubular waveform first end, the second tubular waveform first end, and the second tubular waveform second end. Due to the configuration of the second tubular waveform of the first end segment, the stent end at the first end segment is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stent. A second end segment similar to the first end segment can be connected to a second end of the first tubular waveform. | 05-15-2014 |
20140130965 | Method of Manufacturing a Stent-Graft Prosthesis With Two Layers of Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene - Methods of forming a stent-graft prosthesis including two layers of ePTFE with at least one stent positioned between or encapsulated within the ePTFE layers include utilizing one or more direct heating elements that are positioned within or in close proximity to a mandrel upon which the stent-graft prosthesis is placed in order to reduce the temperature and/or time required to couple the two ePTFE layers together. An internal heating element may be positioned within a lumen of the mandrel and/or an external heating element may circumferentially surround the mandrel in close proximity thereto. The direct heating elements may be utilized to couple the two layers of ePTFE together without an adhesive or melt layer therebetween. | 05-15-2014 |
20140128887 | Suturing Device Having a Retractable Distal Tip and Method for Sealing an Opening in a Blood Vessel or Other Biological Structure - A suturing device including an elongated body, a distal tip, at least two support arms, and at least two extendable and retractable needles. The distal tip is moveable between an extended position in which the distal tip distally extends from a distal end of the elongated body and a retracted position in which the distal tip is disposed within the elongated body. The support arms are pivotally coupled to the distal tip. When the distal tip is in the extended position, each support arm is in a collapsed position disposed within the elongated body, and when the distal tip is in the retracted position, each support arm is in a deployed position extending radially away from the elongated body. Each needle includes a distal end configured to penetrate through a vessel wall and capture a suture releasably held within a portion of a support arm. | 05-08-2014 |
20140091057 | Method of Forming Hollow Tubular Drug Eluting Medical Devices - A method of a forming a hollow, drug-eluting medical device includes utilizing a hollow wire having an outer member and a lumen of the outer member, and filling the lumen with a fluid to form a supported hollow wire. The supported hollow wire is shaped into a stent pattern. Openings are formed through the outer member. The supported hollow wire is processed to remove the fluid from the lumen of the outer member without adversely affecting the outer member, leaving the hollow wire shaped into a stent pattern. The lumen is filled with a biologically or pharmacologically active substance. | 04-03-2014 |
20140058356 | In Situ Blood Vessel and Aneurysm Treatment - Treatment of aneurysmal blood vessels with local delivery of therapeutic agents thereby reduces or lessens the severity of an aneurysm, and, where used in conjunction with the placement of an excluding device, provides for more rapid recovery of the blood vessel from any disturbance occurring during placement of the excluding device. Therapeutic agents are placed in the aneurysmal site in a time-release carrier medium, such that the therapeutic agent is released into the aneurysmal site over a period of time without the need to provide systemic introduction of the therapeutic agent. The carrier may be introduced through the patient's dermis, such as with the use of a laparoscope, or intravascularly, through the use of a catheter. The carrier may be in a solid matrix, viscous liquid or liquid form. | 02-27-2014 |
20140052173 | PERIVASCULAR LEAK REPAIR SYSTEM - The perivascular leak repair system, and method of using the same, of the present invention provides a sealant reservoir | 02-20-2014 |
20140046424 | Methods, Devices and Systems for Treating Venous Insufficiency - Methods and systems for improving the competency of a venous valve wherein one or more compressor(s) (e.g., space occupying material(s) or implantable device(s)) is/are delivered to one or more location(s) adjacent to a venous valve to compress the venous valve in a manner that causes one or both leaflets of the valve to move toward the other, thereby improving closure or coaptation of the valve leaflets. The compressor(s) may be delivered by an open surgical approach, by a direct percutaneous approach or by a transluminal catheter-based approach. | 02-13-2014 |
20140039612 | Method for Stabilizing a Cardiac Valve Annulus - A method for stabilizing a cardiac valve annulus is provided. The method includes intravascularly delivering a prosthesis to a region of a cardiac valve, expanding the prosthesis to secure the prosthesis to the region of the cardiac valve, and reducing the inner diameter of the prosthesis to form the region of the cardiac valve into a predefined shape. | 02-06-2014 |
20140031917 | Matched End Stiffness Stent and Method of Manufacture - The matched end stiffness stent system and method of manufacture includes a stent delivery system including a catheter, balloon, and stent. The stent includes a wire bent into a waveform having a constant frequency and wrapped into a hollow cylindrical shape, the wire having a body portion having body struts connected between body crowns, the body struts having substantially equal lengths, and the waveform in the body portion having a constant amplitude; and at least one end portion attached to the body portion, the at least one end portion having end struts connected between end crowns, the waveform in the at least one end portion having an amplitude different from the constant amplitude of the waveform in the body portion. The cross sections of the end struts are selected so that the body struts and the end struts have a substantially equal stiffnesses in response to an applied load. | 01-30-2014 |
20140007406 | Method of Forming a Drug-Eluting Medical Device - A method of forming a stent includes the steps of forming a composite member into a stent pattern, forming openings through an outer member of the composite member, processing the composite member to remove a portion of the composite member without adversely affecting the outer member, and swaging the outer member to create a plurality of lumens. The composite member may be formed of an outer member with an hourglass-shaped inner member, wherein the processing step removes the inner member and the swaging step forms two lumens from the hourglass shaped cavity. The composite member may be formed of an outer member, an inner member, and an intermediate member, wherein the processing step removes the intermediate member and the swaging step presses portions of the outer member into contact with the inner member to form two lumens separated by the inner member. | 01-09-2014 |
20130304196 | PROSTHETIC VENOUS VALVE HAVING LEAFLETS FORMING A SCALLOPED COMMISSURE - A prosthetic venous valve includes a self-expanding tubular body defining a fluid passageway and a pair of opposing leaflets biased in a closed configuration in which free edges of the leaflets form a scalloped commissure. The free edges may be pre-formed and/or reinforced in order to ensure sealing with each other in a consistent manner. In response to a pressure differential, the free edges of the leaflets are configured to diverge to form an elliptical outflow opening that allows flow through the tubular body. The valve leaflets may include longitudinal support wires to prevent collapse thereof. | 11-14-2013 |
20130289713 | CIRCUMFERENTIALLY CONSTRAINING SUTURES FOR A STENT-GRAFT - A circumferentially constraining suture for an endovascular prosthesis having a tubular body and a plurality of stents coupled to the tubular body includes a first thread coupled at a first end to one of the stents and a first thread loop disposed opposite the first end. The first thread extends only partially around a circumference of the tubular body in a radially expanded configuration. A second thread having a second thread loop is interlocked with the first thread loop and extends from the first thread loop around a remainder of the circumference of the tubular body. Pulling the second thread causes the first thread to circumferentially constrain the tubular body to a reduced diameter configuration. A trigger wire inserted through the first thread loop retains the first thread such that the tubular body is in the reduced diameter configuration after removal of the second thread. | 10-31-2013 |
20130289705 | Radiopaque Enhanced Nickel Alloy for Stents - A stent includes a nickel-based alloy that includes 10-35 weight % metal member selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), gold (Au), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os), rhenium (Re), palladium (Pd), tantalum (Ta), and combinations thereof; 0-6 weight % cobalt (Co); 17-24 weight % chromium (Cr); 13-15 weight % tungsten (W); 0-3 weight % molybdenum (Mo); 0-5 weight % iron (Fe); and balance nickel (Ni). The nickel-based alloy may be a thin outer shell of a hollow stent. The nickel-based alloy may be used to form at least one of an inner core and an outer shell of a core-shell structure of a stent. | 10-31-2013 |
20130289704 | Radiopaque Enhanced Cobalt Alloy for Stents - A stent is formed of at least a cobalt-based alloy. The cobalt-based alloy may include 10-35 weight % metal member selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), gold (Au), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os), rhenium (Re), tungsten (W), palladium (Pd), tantalum (Ta), and combinations thereof; 16-21 weight % chromium (Cr); 9-12 weight % molybdenum (Mo); 0-25 weight % nickel (Ni); and balance cobalt (Co). The cobalt-based alloy may be a thin outer shell of a hollow stent. The cobalt-based alloy may be used to form at least one of an inner core and an outer shell of a core-shell structure of a stent. The cobalt-based alloy may be used to form an end of a wire for forming a stent. | 10-31-2013 |
20130289703 | RING ON A CLOSED WEB STENT-GRAFT FOR USE IN TIP CAPTURE - A stent-graft has a closed web end configuration in which endmost stent crowns do not extend beyond an end or edge of a tubular graft. In order to couple the stent-graft to tip capture fingers or prongs of a delivery system, the stent-graft includes a ring woven between the endmost crowns of an end stent. When end stent is in a compressed delivery configuration, sections of the ring between adjacent endmost crowns form attachment loops that longitudinally extend beyond the end of the tubular graft for engaging the tip capture fingers of a delivery system. When the end stent is in an expanded fully deployed configuration, the attachment loops retract back to the stent so that the ring is a circular band having a diameter substantially equal to the expanded diameter of the stent. | 10-31-2013 |
20130289702 | STENT-GRAFT PROSTHESIS FOR PLACEMENT IN THE ABDOMINAL AORTA - A self-expanding main vessel stent-graft includes a trunk portion configured for placement within the abdominal aorta and a bifurcated portion configured for placement above the aortic bifurcation of the common iliac arteries. The trunk portion includes a proximal end section having an anchor stent and a seal stent that accommodates a scallop or open-top fenestration; a suprarenal body section having at least one stent of variable stiffness to accommodate branch vessel prosthesis deployed alongside the main vessel stent-graft; a branch connection section having opposing couplings for connecting the main vessel stent-graft to branch vessel prostheses deployed within the renal arteries; an infrarenal body section having at least one stent of uniform stiffness; and a transition section for transitioning into the bifurcated portion. The main vessel stent-graft is configured to treat short-neck infrarenal, juxtarenal, and/or suprarenal aneurysms in a wide range of patient anatomies. | 10-31-2013 |
20130289701 | STENT-GRAFT PROSTHESIS FOR PLACEMENT IN THE ABDOMINAL AORTA - A self-expanding main vessel stent-graft includes a trunk portion configured for placement within the abdominal aorta and a bifurcated portion configured for placement above the aortic bifurcation of the common iliac arteries. The trunk portion includes a proximal end section having an anchor stent and a seal stent that accommodates a scallop or open-top fenestration; a suprarenal body section having at least one stent of variable stiffness to accommodate branch vessel prosthesis deployed alongside the main vessel stent-graft; a branch connection section having opposing couplings for connecting the main vessel stent-graft to branch vessel prostheses deployed within the renal arteries; an infrarenal body section having at least one stent of uniform stiffness; and a transition section for transitioning into the bifurcated portion. The main vessel stent-graft is configured to treat short-neck infrarenal, juxtarenal, and/or suprarenal aneurysms in a wide range of patient anatomies. | 10-31-2013 |
20130289700 | STOPPER TO PREVENT GRAFT MATERIAL SLIPPAGE IN A CLOSED WEB STENT-GRAFT - A stent-graft has a closed web configuration in which end stent crowns or apexes do not extend beyond an end of a tubular graft. In order to permit interaction of the endmost crowns with tip capture fingers or prongs of a delivery system, the graft covers the endmost crowns but the endmost crowns are not coupled to the graft material and thus free to interact with the delivery system. In order to prevent slippage of the graft material at the endmost crowns and secure the longitudinal position of the graft material, one of a pair of stoppers is coupled on each of the opposing struts between which the unattached endmost crown is formed. In an embodiment, the stoppers are cylindrical tubes of a radiopaque material having a longitudinally-extending slit in a wall thereof. | 10-31-2013 |
20130289696 | RECONFIGURABLE STENT-GRAFT DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE - A reconfigurable delivery system is disclosed having a multi-lumen delivery catheter configuration that permits the delivery and staged release of a self-expanding main vessel stent-graft and a delivery sheath configuration that permits the introduction of various medical devices for the delivery and implantation of various branch vessel stent-grafts that are to be mated with the main vessel stent-graft. A method is disclosed wherein the delivery system is first used in the multi-lumen delivery catheter configuration to deliver and release a main vessel stent-graft that is configured for placement in the abdominal aorta for treatment of short-neck infrarenal, juxtarenal, and/or suprarenal aneurysms and then used in the delivery sheath configuration to facilitate the delivery of branch vessel stent-grafts that are configured to extend from the main vessel stent-graft into a respective renal artery. | 10-31-2013 |
20130289693 | RECONFIGURABLE STENT-GRAFT DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE - A reconfigurable delivery system is disclosed having a multi-lumen delivery catheter configuration that permits the delivery and staged release of a self-expanding main vessel stent-graft and a delivery sheath configuration that permits the introduction of various medical devices for the delivery and implantation of various branch vessel stent-grafts that are to be mated with the main vessel stent-graft. A method is disclosed wherein the delivery system is first used in the multi-lumen delivery catheter configuration to deliver and release a main vessel stent-graft that is configured for placement in the abdominal aorta for treatment of short-neck infrarenal, juxtarenal, and/or suprarenal aneurysms and then used in the delivery sheath configuration to facilitate the delivery of branch vessel stent-grafts that are configured to extend from the main vessel stent-graft into a respective renal artery. | 10-31-2013 |
20130289692 | RECONFIGURABLE STENT-GRAFT DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE - A reconfigurable delivery system is disclosed having a multi-lumen delivery catheter configuration that permits the delivery and staged release of a self-expanding main vessel stent-graft and a delivery sheath configuration that permits the introduction of various medical devices for the delivery and implantation of various branch vessel stent-grafts that are to be mated with the main vessel stent-graft. A method is disclosed wherein the delivery system is first used in the multi-lumen delivery catheter configuration to deliver and release a main vessel stent-graft that is configured for placement in the abdominal aorta for treatment of short-neck infrarenal, juxtarenal, and/or suprarenal aneurysms and then used in the delivery sheath configuration to facilitate the delivery of branch vessel stent-grafts that are configured to extend from the main vessel stent-graft into a respective renal artery. | 10-31-2013 |
20130289691 | RECONFIGURABLE STENT-GRAFT DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE - A reconfigurable delivery system is disclosed having a multi-lumen delivery catheter configuration that permits the delivery and staged release of a self-expanding main vessel stent-graft and a delivery sheath configuration that permits the introduction of various medical devices for the delivery and implantation of various branch vessel stent-grafts that are to be mated with the main vessel stent-graft. A method is disclosed wherein the delivery system is first used in the multi-lumen delivery catheter configuration to deliver and release a main vessel stent-graft that is configured for placement in the abdominal aorta for treatment of short-neck infrarenal, juxtarenal, and/or suprarenal aneurysms and then used in the delivery sheath configuration to facilitate the delivery of branch vessel stent-grafts that are configured to extend from the main vessel stent-graft into a respective renal artery. | 10-31-2013 |
20130284311 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FILLING A DRUG ELUTING MEDICAL DEVICE VIA CAPILLARY ACTION - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for filling a therapeutic substance or drug within a hollow wire that forms a stent. The stent is placed within a chamber housing a fluid drug formulation. During filling, the chamber is maintained at or near the vapor-liquid equilibrium of the solvent of the fluid drug formulation. To fill the stent, a portion of the stent is placed into contact with the fluid drug formulation until a lumenal space defined by the hollow wire is filled with the fluid drug formulation via capillary action. After filling is complete, the stent is retracted such that the stent is no longer in contact with the fluid drug formulation. The solvent vapor pressure within the chamber is reduced to evaporate a solvent of the fluid drug formulation. A wicking means may control transfer of the fluid drug formulation into the stent. | 10-31-2013 |
20130284310 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FILLING A DRUG ELUTING MEDICAL DEVICE VIA CAPILLARY ACTION - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for filling a therapeutic substance or drug within a hollow wire that forms a stent. The stent is placed within a chamber housing a fluid drug formulation. During filling, the chamber is maintained at or near the vapor-liquid equilibrium of the solvent of the fluid drug formulation. To fill the stent, a portion of the stent is placed into contact with the fluid drug formulation until a lumenal space defined by the hollow wire is filled with the fluid drug formulation via capillary action. After filling is complete, the stent is retracted such that the stent is no longer in contact with the fluid drug formulation. The solvent vapor pressure within the chamber is reduced to evaporate a solvent of the fluid drug formulation. A wicking means may control transfer of the fluid drug formulation into the stent. | 10-31-2013 |
20130282113 | Valve Prosthesis - Heart valve prostheses are provided having a self-expanding frame that supports a valve body comprising a skirt and a plurality of coapting leaflets. The self-expanding frame includes an inflow section, a valve section, and an outflow section. The outflow section forms attachment loops in a collapsed configuration to attach the frame to a delivery system. | 10-24-2013 |
20130282107 | METHOD FOR FORMING A STENT - A method of forming a stent includes forming a wave form from a formable material. The wave form includes a plurality of substantially straight portions and a plurality of curved portions, each curved portion connecting adjacent substantially straight portions. The method includes wrapping the wave form around a mandrel at an angle to form a helical coil comprising a plurality of turns, connecting a first curved portion of a first turn to an adjacent second curved portion of a second turn at a position along the wave form to define an end of the stent, and removing excess material from an end of the wave form extending past the first curved portion while smoothing the end of the stent. | 10-24-2013 |
20130282102 | MULTI-LEAFLET COUPLING FOR BRANCH VESSEL CONNECTION - A prosthesis includes a tubular body of a graft material, a plurality of stents coupled to the tubular body, and a coupling. The coupling has a plurality of overlapping leaflets successively coupled to the tubular body around an opening formed in the graft material. The leaflets in a non-deployed configuration lay flush with the graft material of the tubular body and partially cover the opening, and the leaflets in a deployed configuration extend radially outward from the graft material of the tubular body. Delivery and deployment of a branch vessel prosthesis through the opening causes the leaflets to transform from the non-deployed configuration to the deployed configuration, and causes a diameter or width of a passageway defined by the leaflets to increase. Leaflet material properties, as well as size, shape, and sewing patterns on adjacent leaflets may be varied in order to vary the flexibility and/or orientation of the coupling. | 10-24-2013 |
20130277884 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING FORMED ELEMENTS USED TO MAKE WOUND STENTS - A method for forming a wave form for a stent includes moving a first forming portion of a first forming member across an axis along which a formable material is provided in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axis to engage and deform the formable material while engaging the formable material with a first forming portion of the second forming member. The method includes moving the first forming portion of the first forming member and the first forming portion of the second forming member across the axis in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction to draw and form the formable material over the first forming portion of the second forming member, disengaging the first forming member from the formable material, and moving the first forming member to position a second forming portion of the first forming member to face the formable material. | 10-24-2013 |
20130274867 | HOLLOW DRUG-FILLED STENT AND METHOD OF FORMING HOLLOW DURG-FILLED STENT - A stent is formed from a wire having an outer member, a radiopaque member lining at least a portion of the outer member inner surface, and a lumen defined by the outer member inner surface or the radiopaque member inner surface. A substance is disposed in the lumen to be eluted through at least one opening disposed through the outer member to the lumen. The radiopaque member may be substantially continuous along the length of the wire or disposed only along portions of the wire such as crowns. In a method for making the stent, a composite wire including an outer member, a radiopaque intermediate member, and a core member is shaped into a stent pattern and processed to remove the core member and optionally portions of the radiopaque intermediate member, without damaging the outer member. | 10-17-2013 |
20130274864 | HOLLOW DRUG-FILLED STENT AND METHOD OF FORMING HOLLOW DRUG-FILLED STENT - A stent is formed from a wire having an outer member, a radiopaque core member disposed within a portion of the outer member, and an annular lumen between the radiopaque core member and the outer member. A substance is disposed in the annular lumen to be eluted through at least one opening disposed through the outer member. A plurality of radiopaque core members are disposed within portions of the outer member and are separated by lumens defined by the inner surface of the outer member. The lumens and annular lumens are in fluid communication with each other. In a method for making the stent, a composite wire including an outer member, an intermediate member, and a core member is shaped into a stent pattern and processed to remove the intermediate member and portions of the radiopaque core member, without damaging the outer member. | 10-17-2013 |
20130274860 | STENT-GRAFT DELIVERY SYSTEM HAVING A ROTATABLE SINGLE SHAFT TIP CAPTURE MECHANISM - A stent-graft delivery system includes an elongate shaft, a tip capture spindle disposed over the shaft, and a distal tip assembly coupled to the distal end of the shaft. At least one component of the delivery system constrains a stent of the stent-graft engaged with the tip capture spindle during delivery and partial-deployment of the stent-graft, and the at least one component is in a threaded relationship with the distal tip assembly. To fully deploy the stent-graft, the elongate shaft, having the distal tip assembly coupled thereto, is rotated to result in longitudinal movement of the at least one component and thereby release the stent from the tip capture spindle. The at least one component that longitudinally moves to fully deploy the stent-graft may be the tip capture spindle and/or a relatively short sleeve that extends over the tip capture spindle to the distal tip assembly. | 10-17-2013 |
20130274859 | STENT-GRAFT DELIVERY SYSTEM HAVING A ROTATABLE SINGLE SHAFT TIP CAPTURE MECHANISM - A stent-graft delivery system includes an elongate shaft, a tip capture spindle disposed over the shaft, and a distal tip assembly coupled to the distal end of the shaft. At least one component of the delivery system constrains a stent of the stent-graft engaged with the tip capture spindle during delivery and partial-deployment of the stent-graft, and the at least one component is in a threaded relationship with the distal tip assembly. To fully deploy the stent-graft, the elongate shaft, having the distal tip assembly coupled thereto, is rotated to result in longitudinal movement of the at least one component and thereby release the stent from the tip capture spindle. The at least one component that longitudinally moves to fully deploy the stent-graft may be the tip capture spindle and/or a relatively short sleeve that extends over the tip capture spindle to the distal tip assembly. | 10-17-2013 |
20130261732 | INTEGRATED MESH HIGH METAL TO VESSEL RATIO STENT AND METHOD - A method includes covering ostai of branch vessels emanating from a main vessel and an aneurysm with an integrated mesh high metal to vessel ratio stent. The integrated mesh high metal to vessel ratio stent includes serpentine rings integrated with an integrated mesh having holes formed therein. A metal to vessel ratio of the integrated mesh high metal to vessel ratio stent is sufficiently high to encourage tissue ingrowth around the integrated mesh high metal to vessel ratio stent yet is sufficiently low to ensure perfusion of the branch vessels through the integrated mesh high metal to vessel ratio stent. | 10-03-2013 |
20130261728 | HIGH METAL TO VESSEL RATIO STENT AND METHOD - A method includes covering ostai of branch vessels emanating from a main vessel and an aneurysm with a high metal to vessel ratio stent. A metal to vessel ratio of the high metal to vessel ratio stent is sufficiently high to encourage tissue ingrowth around the high metal to vessel ratio stent yet is sufficiently low to ensure perfusion of the branch vessels through the high metal to vessel ratio stent. The ingrowth of tissue provides secure fixation and sealing of the high metal to vessel ratio stent to the main vessel and remodels and essentially eliminates the aneurysm. Further, as the entire high metal to vessel ratio stent is permeably, the high metal to vessel ratio stent is deployed without having to rotationally position the high metal to vessel ratio stent. | 10-03-2013 |
20130261727 | VARIABLE ZONE HIGH METAL TO VESSEL RATIO STENT AND METHOD - A variable zone high metal to vessel ratio stent includes a proximal high metal to vessel ratio zone, a central low metal to vessel ratio zone, and a distal high metal to vessel ratio zone. The proximal high metal to vessel ratio zone is deployed with fixation and sealing to healthy tissue of a main vessel superior to branch vessels and an aneurysm. The central low metal to vessel ratio zone is deployed directly on ostai of the branch vessels. However, as the central low metal to vessel ratio zone is highly permeable, blood flows from the main vessel through the central low metal to vessel ratio zone and into branch vessels. | 10-03-2013 |
20130261531 | Arteriovenous Shunt Having a Flow Control Mechanism - An arteriovenous shunt assembly including a shunt and a pull wire operated flow control mechanism. The shunt has a tubular body that defines a fluid passageway between a first end and a second end thereof The pull wire mechanism includes a portion disposed around the tubular shunt in at least one loop. The at least one loop may be selectively tightened or loosened remotely from the shunt to regulate the rate of blood flow through the tubular shunt. | 10-03-2013 |
20130253553 | Percutaneous Methods and Apparatus for Creating Native Tissue Venous Valves - Percutaneous methods and apparatuses for forming a venous valve from autologous tissue. A catheter having a retractable dissecting system received therein is delivered to a target location where a new venous valve is to be created. A distal balloon or other radially-expandable component mounted on the catheter is expanded against the vein wall, and the dissecting system is proximally retracted to deploy one or more dissecting components that dissect a subintimal layer of the vein wall. Radial expansion of the dissecting component(s) within the vein wall creates one or more leaflets and corresponding pocket/sinuses in the vein that collectively act as a venous valve, and/or the radially-expandable component of the catheter is subsequently collapsed such that the dissecting component(s) each pull a flap of the dissected tissue towards the vein lumen to create one or more leaflet(s) and corresponding pocket/sinuses in the vein. | 09-26-2013 |
20130237963 | GUIDEWIRE WITH INTEGRAL RADIOPQUE MARKERS - Embodiments hereof relate to a guidewire formed from an elongated shaft, at least a portion of the shaft having an outer layer, a plurality of channels formed through the outer layer, and an inner core. The outer layer is formed from a material non susceptible to erosion by an erosion agent and the inner core is formed from a radiopaque material susceptible to erosion by the erosion agent. When exposed to the erosion agent, core material adjacent to the channels is removed to form a pattern of integral radiopaque segments or markers with a plurality of voids therebetween. By controlling the location of channels and the rate of erosion of the core material, the pattern of integral radiopaque segments and voids allow for in situ measurement when viewed under fluoroscopy. | 09-12-2013 |
20130226067 | Arteriovenous Shunt Having Eccentric Anchor Stent - An arteriovenous shunt includes a self-expanding stent graft having a self-expanding anchor stent mounted eccentrically and externally about at least one end segment of the stent graft. A fluid passageway extends between open first and second ends of the shunt. The anchor stent has an expanded diameter greater than an expanded diameter of the stent graft. The expanded diameter of the stent graft is smaller than the artery or vein into which it is deployed. Methods of deploying the arteriovenous shunt are also disclosed, | 08-29-2013 |
20130220476 | METHOD OF FORMING A NITINOL STENT - A method of a forming a hollow, drug-eluting nitinol stent includes shaping a composite wire into a stent pattern, wherein the composite wire comprises an inner member, a nitinol intermediate member, and an outer member. After the composite wire is shaped into the stent pattern, the composite wire is heat treated to set the nitinol intermediate member in the stent pattern. After heat treatment, the composite wire is processed to remove the outer member and the inner member without adversely affecting the intermediate member. Openings may be provided through the intermediate member and the lumen of the intermediate member may be filled with a substance to be eluted through the openings. | 08-29-2013 |
20130204176 | Arteriovenous Shunt Having a Moveable Valve - An arteriovenous shunt assembly including a shunt having a hollow bore between open first and second ends thereof and a valve slidably disposed through the hollow bore. The valve includes means for retaining the valve in a closed position or in any of various selected open positions that provide corresponding different rates of blood flow through the shunt assembly. In some embodiments, the AV shunt assembly is self-expandable from a collapsed tow-profile configuration employed during transluminal delivery. The valve position in the hollow bore may be adjusted in vivo by inflating a catheter balloon in a blood vessel to bear against an end of the valve. Methods for using the shunt assembly are also disclosed. | 08-08-2013 |
20130197626 | HOLLOW DRUG-FILLED STENT AND METHOD OF FORMING HOLLOW DRUG-FILLED STENT - A stent is formed from a wire that in cross-section includes an outer member having a lumen and a radiopaque core member partially filling the lumen. A substance for elution through openings formed through the outer member fills the portion of the lumen not filled by the radiopaque core member. In a method of forming the stent, a composite wire including an outer member and a dual core member is shaped into a stent pattern. The dual core member includes a first core member and a second, radiopaque core member. The shaped composite wire is processed to remove the first core member from the outer member without adversely affecting the outer member and the second core member. The portion of the lumen that was occupied by the first core member may be filled with a substance for elution through openings from through the outer member to the lumen. | 08-01-2013 |
20130146173 | Stent With Improved Flexibility and Method for Making Same - A stent and a method for manufacturing a stent are provided. The stent includes a first ring having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys, a second ring having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys, and a connector that connects one of the peaks of the first ring to one of the valleys of the second ring. The connected peak of the first ring includes a deformed portion that extends towards the connected valley of the second ring. The method includes forming a first ring having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys, forming a second ring having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys, deforming a portion of at least one of the peaks of the first ring, and connecting the deformed portion of the peak of the first ring to one of the valleys of the second ring. | 06-13-2013 |
20130116614 | Methods and Apparatus for Providing an Arteriovenous Fistula - Methods and apparatus for creating an artificial arteriovenous fistula between an artery and an adjacent vein are disclosed. Methods include utilizing a hollow spiral shunt that defines a fluid passageway between a proximal port and a distal port thereof. The spiral shunt is loaded within a delivery device that is transversely advanced through a wall of the artery. A piercing end of the spiral shunt is than exposed and the delivery device is rotated to pierce an opposing wall of the artery and a wall of the adjacent vein with the spiral shunt piercing end. Rotation of the delivery device corkscrews the spiral shunt through the walls of the artery and the vein in order to position the spiral shunt to fluidly connect the artery and vein. Once so positioned, the spiral shunt is released to be deployed between the artery and vein lumens thereby forming an artificial arteriovenous fistula therebetween. | 05-09-2013 |
20130103161 | Iron Based Alloys for Bioabsorbable Stent - A stent includes an iron-based alloy that consists essentially of: Fe—X—Y, wherein X is at least one austenite stabilizing element selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Mn, Cu, Re, Rh, Ru, Ir, Pt, Pd, C, and N, and wherein Y is at least one corrosion-activator species selected from the group consisting of Au, and Pd. | 04-25-2013 |
20130090741 | Magnesium Alloys for Bioabsorbable Stent - A stent is formed from a magnesium alloy that consists essentially of: 0-10 weight % rare earth element; 0-5 weight % Li; 0-1 weight % Mn; 0-1 weight % Zr; and balance Mg, or the stent is formed from a magnesium alloy that consists essentially of: 0-5 weight % rare earth element; 0-8 weight % Li; 0-1 weight % Mn; 0-1 weight % Sn; 0-3 weight % Al; 0-4 weight % Zn; and balance Mg. | 04-11-2013 |
20130046283 | METHODS AND INTRAVASCULAR TREATMENT DEVICES FOR TREATMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS - Methods and intravascular treatment devices for treating atherosclerosis are provided. | 02-21-2013 |
20130035636 | Delivery and Deployment Catheter for an Implantable Medical Device - A delivery catheter and method for delivering and deploying an implantable medical device include a mechanical latch by which the device can remain firmly attached at a single point of connection to the delivery catheter during deployment of the device. The delivery catheter provides simple yet firm control of the release mechanism to enable the clinician to confirm the accuracy of the deployment before releasing the tether or, if the placement of the device should be corrected, the tether can be maintained while the device is recaptured and repositioned or removed from the patient. | 02-07-2013 |
20130030406 | Textured Dilatation Balloon and Methods - The present disclosure provides a textured dilatation balloon that includes a balloon body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one indentation in the balloon body in an un-inflated state, wherein the balloon body comprises a continuous polymer tube with an external surface having at least one therapeutic agent disposed within the at least one indentation. | 01-31-2013 |
20130025339 | Apparatus and Method for Forming a Wave Form for a Stent from a Wire - An apparatus for forming a wave form for a stent from a wire includes a pair of tension wires configured to rotate about an axis. The tension wires and axis are substantially orthogonal to the stent wire disposed in a gap between the tension wires. When the tension wires are rotated, a bend is formed in the portion of the stent wire disposed between the tension wires. The tension wires may be controlled such that the axis of rotation is aligned with the particular tension wire around which the stent wire is to be bent for each particular bend formed in the stent wire, thereby preventing the particular tension wire from translating during rotation such that the tension wire behaves like a rotary pipe bending die around which the stent wire is bent. A feed assembly feeds the stent wire into the forming area between the tension wires. | 01-31-2013 |
20130013054 | Endovascular Implant Having an Integral Graft Component and Method of Manufacture - A covered stent including an endovascular implant having a polymeric stent structure with an integrally formed membrane-like graft component, also referred to as a stent-graft, and methods of manufacturing the one-piece stent-graft by an injection molding process. A molding system for creating the polymeric stent structure is injected with a melt stream of moldable material that is forced between a parting line of the molding system to create a thin, flexible membrane-like structure within the open areas or interstitial spaces of the molded stent structure. The stent-graft so created is a one-piece, unified structure molded from a polymeric material in a single manufacturing step. | 01-10-2013 |
20130012925 | Steerable Delivery Catheter - A steerable delivery catheter includes an outer sheath with a housing disposed at a distal end thereof to define a chamber for a medical device, the chamber having an open distal end and a proximal inner shelf. An inner shaft is slidably disposed within the sheath and has an abutment attached to the distal end of the shaft, the abutment being slidably contained within the chamber. During navigation of the catheter, when the inner shaft is tensioned the abutment engages the shelf to apply a compressive force to the sheath to selectively deflect a distal region of the catheter. When the catheter has been navigated to the deployment site the sheath is withdrawn while the abutment maintains the medical device in place as it is deployed. A delivery method also is disclosed. | 01-10-2013 |
20120315303 | METHODS AND INTRAVASCULAR TREATMENT DEVICES USING PACLITAXEL FOR TREATMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS - Methods and intravascular treatment devices for treating atherosclerosis are provided. | 12-13-2012 |
20120310334 | Prosthetic Valve Delivery System - A prosthetic valve delivery system for percutaneously delivering and deploying a prosthetic valve within an existing valve is disclosed. The delivery system includes a stented prosthetic valve having a balloon-expandable stent portion with a prosthetic valve disposed therein and at least one self-expanding stent portion. The delivery system further includes a dual balloon catheter having a first balloon on which the stented prosthetic valve is disposed during delivery and a second balloon. Upon delivery within the existing valve, the self-expanding stent portion contacts the existing valve and the first balloon expands the balloon-expandable stent portion to a first diameter such that the stented prosthetic valve is in a first stage deployment configuration. The second balloon then expands the balloon-expandable stent portion to a second diameter, greater than the first diameter, such that the stented prosthetic valve is in a second stage deployment configuration being fully deployed within the existing valve. | 12-06-2012 |
20120296222 | Implantable Medical Sensor and Anchoring System - A medical device adapted to be implanted in a vessel of a human body includes a housing that contains means for performing medical functions and an anchor for supporting the housing in an intended location and orientation within the vessel. The anchor is expandable from a low profile configuration adapted for delivery to an expanded configuration for engagement with the vessel wall. The anchor and delivery device are adapted to enable the medical device to be retrieved and repositioned or removed from the vessel. The anchor is adapted to apply sufficient force against the vessel wall to maintain the anchor in place but less force than that required to provide scaffolding support for the vessel. | 11-22-2012 |
20120291788 | Implantable Medical Sensor and Anchoring System - A medical device adapted to be implanted in a vessel of a human body includes a housing that contains means for performing medical functions and an anchor for supporting the housing in an intended location and orientation within the vessel. The anchor is expandable from a low profile configuration adapted for delivery to an expanded configuration for engagement with the vessel wall. The anchor and delivery device are adapted to enable the medical device to be retrieved and repositioned or removed from the vessel. The anchor is adapted to apply sufficient force against the vessel wall to maintain the anchor in place but less force than that required to provide scaffolding support for the vessel. | 11-22-2012 |
20120277853 | System and Method for Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair - A system for minimally invasive repair of a mitral valve including a catheter, a capture body and a surgical fastener. The capture body includes legs extending from a center portion, and is self-transitionable from a collapsed arrangement to a normal arrangement in which the legs extend in a common wind direction. The fastener has a self-closing clip forming a loop in an undeflected arrangement. In a delivery state, the capture body and fastener are disposed within the catheter and forced to the collapsed and deflected arrangements, respectively. In a capture state, the capture body legs are distal the catheter and self-assume the normal arrangement for capturing chordae. In a release state, the fastener is released from the catheter and the clip self-transitions toward the undeflected arrangement for securing the mitral valve leaflets. | 11-01-2012 |
20120277850 | Method of Making an Endoluminal Vascular Prosthesis - A flat sheet of woven material includes warp yarns and weft yarns interlaced at substantially right angles to each other. A graft material is cut from the flat sheet of woven material such that the graft material includes a graft material longitudinal axis and the warp yarns are disposed at an angle relative to the graft material longitudinal axis. The warp yarns and weft yarns are not parallel to or perpendicular to the graft material longitudinal axis. The graft material is formed into the shape of an endoluminal prosthesis, such as by rolling opposing edges towards each other and securing the opposing edges to each other. The endoluminal prosthesis thus includes warp yarns disposed at an angle relative to the prosthesis longitudinal axis. | 11-01-2012 |
20120277783 | Reinforced Dilatation Balloon and Methods - A reinforced dilatation balloon, and a method of making, wherein the balloon includes a balloon body having a continuous polymer tube (e.g., generally cylindrical) having a proximal end, a distal end, and an external surface, and a tubular fiber reinforcing sleeve thermally bonded along the length of the sleeve to at least a portion of the external surface of the balloon body. | 11-01-2012 |
20120271409 | Helical Radiopaque Marker - A radiopaque marker includes a core wire having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a coil wrapped around the distal portion of the core wire. The core wire is formed from a shape memory material and the coil is formed from a radiopaque material. The radiopaque marker includes a delivery configuration wherein the radiopaque marker is substantially elongated and a deployed configuration wherein the distal portion of the raadiopaque marker forms a substantially helical tube. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271401 | Mobile External Coupling for Branch Vessel Connection - An endovascular prosthesis includes a tubular body and a mobile external coupling. The tubular body includes a graft material and stents coupled thereto, and forms a lumen therethrough. The mobile external coupling includes a graft material, extends outwardly from the tubular body, and is generally frustoconically shaped. The mobile external coupling includes a base coupled to the tubular body, a top spaced from the tubular body, and a coupling lumen disposed between the base and the top that is in flow communication with the body lumen. An annular support wireform is coupled to the mobile external coupling, and is formed into a sinusoidal configuration having a plurality of opposing first crowns and second crowns, the first crowns of the support wireform extending around of the top of the mobile external coupling. The coupling graft material extending between the second crowns of the support wireform and the tubular body is unsupported. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271399 | High Metal to Vessel Ratio Landing Zone Stent-Graft and Method - A method includes covering an ostium of a branch vessel emanating from a main vessel with a proximal landing zone of a high metal to vessel ratio landing zone stent-graft, wherein a metal to vessel ratio of the proximal landing zone when deployed is sufficiently high to encourage tissue ingrowth around the proximal landing zone yet is sufficiently low to ensure perfusion of the branch vessel through the proximal landing zone. The method further includes covering an aneurysm of the main vessel with an exclusion zone of the high metal to vessel ratio landing zone stent-graft, the exclusion zone being formed of graft material. By forming the exclusion zone of graft material, excellent exclusion of the aneurysm is achieved. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271397 | Guidewire with Two Flexible End Portions and Method of Accessing a Branch Vessel Therewith - A guidewire having flexible or floppy proximal and distal end portions is used for percutaneously accessing a branch vessel through a deployed prosthesis having at least one fenestration near an ostium of the branch vessel. The prosthesis is delivered and deployed via a first percutaneous access site. The guidewire extends over the outside surface of the deployed prosthesis and extends through the at least one fenestration. The flexible distal end portion is snared via a second percutaneous access site and is pulled in a direction towards the second percutaneous access site until the flexible proximal end of the guidewire is located adjacent to the branch vessel. A guide catheter is then advanced over the guidewire until it cannulates the branch vessel. The flexible proximal end of the guidewire may then be advanced into the branch vessel and used for delivery of a branch vessel prosthesis. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271339 | Balloon Catheter With Integrated Optical Sensor For Determining Balloon Diameter - An apparatus and method for determining an expanded diameter of a catheter balloon. An optical sensor includes an elongated optical fiber with at least one diffraction grating formed in a core of a distal portion thereof. The fiber distal portion is coupled to the inflatable balloon. Broadband light is transmitted to the diffraction grating by an optical interrogator. A portion of the light is reflected from the diffraction grating and is received by a wavelength detector. The wavelength of the reflected portion of light is dependent on the strain applied to the diffraction grating. The wavelength detector determines the strain in the balloon and correlates the strain to the diameter of the balloon. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271236 | Sheath Introducer System with Exchangeable Hemostatic Valves - A sheath introducer system with exchangeable hemostatic valve modules is disclosed. A first valve module includes a single entry port to ensure hemostasis during the introduction of an interventional device, such as a main graft delivery system for treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). A second valve module includes multiple entry ports to ensure hemostasis during the simultaneous introduction and manipulation of multiple interventional devices, such as multiple guiding catheters for use in delivering various intravascular graft components for completion of branch perfusion, for instance, during treatment of the AAA. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271134 | Delivery System for Implantable Medical Device - A delivery device for implanting a medical device that includes an expandable fixation member adapted to fix the position of the medical device within a lumen of a human body. The delivery device has an inner shaft rotatably disposed in a tubular outer shaft. A retention member is secured to and rotatable with the inner shaft and has a free end and a retainer portion adapted to protrude outwardly through an exit aperture in the outer shaft to extend circumferentially about the exterior of the outer shaft. The fixation member of the medical device may be retained on the tubular shaft in a low profile configuration by the outwardly protruding retainer portion and may be released to expand upon retraction of the retainer portion in response to rotation of the inner shaft. | 10-25-2012 |
20120269897 | POLY(TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE) POLYMER WITH NITRIC OXIDE DONATING SURFACE - Described herein are nitric oxide (NO)-donating poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) polymers and polymer surfaces and methods of making and using the same. The NO-donating PTFE polymers can be used to fabricate at least a portion of an implantable medical device, coat at least a portion of an implantable medical device or form at least a portion of an implantable medical device. The NO-donating PTFE polymers provide controlled release of NO once implanted at or within the target site. | 10-25-2012 |
20120265056 | Guide Catheter With Radiopaque Filaments for Locating an Ostium - Flexible radiopaque filaments coupled to and extending from a distal end of a guide catheter are disclosed that aid a clinician in locating an ostium of a branch vessel. The filaments are at least partially formed of a radiopaque material and are designed to move with the blood flow. In a method of locating an ostium of a branch vessel or a fenestration of an implanted graft, at least some of the filaments enter the ostium or fenestration when the distal end of the guide catheter is placed proximal thereto. The filaments provide an accurate and quick indication of the ostium location without the need for a contrast agent. | 10-18-2012 |
20120261290 | Packaging for a Catheter - Packaging for a catheter includes coiled tubing for receiving the catheter and a mounting card coupled to the coiled tubing. The windings of the coiled tubing are welded together to maintain the coiled configuration. The mounting card includes an integral support flap for reducing the risk of damage during catheter insertion and removal, an integral luer retainer for securing a catheter luer, and one or more integral tabs for attaching catheter accessories to the packaging. The integral support flap creates a contact zone which discourages grasping the packaging at a location that can potentially damage an object passing through the packaging, such as a balloon and/or stent. The integral luer retainer is configured to selectively alternate between a configuration which secures the catheter luer and configuration which allows releases the luer for easy insertion and removal of the catheter. | 10-18-2012 |
20120259314 | Apparatus and Methods for Recanalization of a Chronic Total Occlusion - A method of recanalizing a chronic total occlusion (CTO) is disclosed. A catheter with a guidewire slidingly received therein is positioned proximally adjacent to the CTO. An occlusion weakening therapy effective to quickly soften and/or loosen the CTO is delivered to the CTO via the catheter. The occlusion weakening therapy includes at least one enzyme and a chelating agent which are selectively deliverable either together or separately depending on the type of material encountered by the guidewire. According to various methods, the enzyme(s) may be delivered if tissue is encountered, the chelating agent may be delivered if calcification is encountered, and both enzyme(s) and chelating agent(s) may be delivered if a fibrous cap is encountered. The distal end of the guidewire may be advanced into the CTO shortly after delivery of the occlusion weakening therapy and is manipulated through the CTO until the guidewire successfully crosses the CTO. | 10-11-2012 |
20120253471 | Variable Length Airway Stent Graft With One-Way Valves - An airway stent graft includes a plurality of openings through the surface of the graft material and one-way valves at the openings to permit air from outside of the stent graft to enter a lumen thereof during exhalation and to prevent air from exiting the lumen through the openings during inhalation. The stent graft may be of variable length such that the stent graft may be cut to the desired length in vivo. A delivery system includes a cutter assembly to cut graft material of the stent at the desired location in vivo. | 10-04-2012 |
20120245520 | SPIRAL PERFUSION DILATATION BALLOON FOR USE IN VALVULOPLASTY PROCEDURE - A balloon dilatation catheter for use in a valvuloplasty procedure includes a catheter shaft and a spiral perfusion balloon mounted thereon. The perfusion balloon is formed from an inflatable tube that is in fluid communication with a catheter shaft inflation lumen. The inflatable tube is coiled into a series of windings that in an inflated configuration form a cylindrical or hourglass profile. In the inflated configuration, inner surfaces of the coiled windings of the inflatable tube define a perfusion lumen to allow blood flow through the perfusion balloon. Adjacent windings may be secured together with a flexible adhesive and/or a support weave formed from one or more filaments of material that criss-crosses between the adjacent windings along substantially the entire length of the spiral perfusion balloon. | 09-27-2012 |
20120239131 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF ANEURYSMAL TISSUE - Methods and apparatus for aiding aneurysm repair are provided. Such apparatus is constructed to support or bolster the aneurysmal site and supply a therapeutic agent to aid in healing the surrounding aneurysmal tissue. | 09-20-2012 |
20120239002 | Catheter With Deflectable Cap - A catheter system for delivery of a medical implant, the system including a cap removably covering an open distal end of a catheter. An elongate actuator wire is fixedly attached to the cap, extends through a lumen of the catheter, and has a distal region that can assume a pre-formed shape when unconstrained by the catheter lumen. The pre-formed shape of the wire distal region defines a bend adapted to laterally deflect the cap from the catheter distal end when assuming the pre-formed shape. At least a portion of the lumen adjacent the catheter distal end is sized and shaped to slidably receive the medical implant alongside the actuator wire. A push rod extends through the catheter lumen for ejecting the medical implant from the catheter distal end. Methods of using the invention are also disclosed. | 09-20-2012 |
20120226303 | Perfusion Dilation Catheter System and Methods of Use - A system includes an elongate catheter having a self-expanding frame disposed at the distal end of the catheter. The frame includes a plurality of longitudinal struts defined by parallel slots. The frame may be constrained into a radially compressed configuration for delivery to a treatment site. A helical balloon is mounted about the frame. Upon release from the constraining mechanism, the frame returns to a heat-set radially expanded configuration to initiate dilation of a treatment site in a patient. Inflating the balloon around the expanded frame further expands the initial radial dilation of the site. Proximal and distal ends of the slots are unobstructed by the balloon to permit flow of a fluid through the slots and through a lumen defined by an interior surface of the balloon when the frame is in the radially expanded configuration. | 09-06-2012 |
20120210569 | Guidewire Loading Tool For A Catheter - A removable guidewire funnel tool aids in backloading a catheter onto a guidewire. The guidewire funnel tool includes a pliable loading coupler having a lumen therethrough. The lumen has a tapered distal section that serves to receive a guidewire and a tapered proximal section that receives and couples with a correspondingly tapered distal tip of the catheter. The guidewire funnel tool has a longitudinal slot or area of weakness along the entire length of the loading coupler and a grip tab to enable easy removal of the guidewire funnel tool after the guidewire lumen of the catheter is loading with the guidewire. | 08-23-2012 |
20120197246 | ABLATION CATHETER - An ablation catheter system including a radio frequency generator and an elongate catheter having an ablation element at the distal portion thereof The ablation element has at least one electrode electrically connected to the radio frequency generator and a shape memory component formed from a shape memory material. The shape memory component transforms the ablation element between a first straightened delivery configuration and a second deployed configuration. Thermal energy transfer between the electrode and the shape memory component transforms the shape memory component into the deployed configuration and places the electrode of the ablation element into contact with tissue at a treatment site. The transformation temperature of the shape memory material is a temperature above body temperature such that the transformation of the shape memory component is not activated by mere placement within the body but rather is activated by heat transfer from the electrodes. | 08-02-2012 |
20120191177 | Tubular Helical Stent With Rotatable Connections and Method of Making - A tubular stent includes a plurality of bands aligned generally along a common longitudinal axis. A first band has a plurality of first crowns and a second band adjacent to the first band has a plurality of second crowns. A connecting ring connects the first band to the second band, wherein one of the first crowns is rotatably disposed through a lumen of the connecting ring and one of the second crowns is fused to the wall of the connecting ring outside of the lumen of the connecting ring. Methods of making tubular stents with rotatable connections are also disclosed. | 07-26-2012 |
20120191175 | Tubular Stent with Rotatable Connections and Method of Making - A tubular stent includes a plurality of bands aligned generally along a common longitudinal axis. A first band has a plurality of first crowns and a second band adjacent to the first band has a plurality of second crowns. A connecting ring connects the first band to the second band, wherein one of the first crowns is rotatably disposed through a lumen of the connecting ring and one of the second crowns is fused to the wall of the connecting ring outside of the lumen of the connecting ring. Methods of making tubular stents with rotatable connections are also disclosed. | 07-26-2012 |
20120179054 | PERIVASCULAR LEAK REPAIR SYSTEM - The perivascular leak repair system, and method of using the same, of the present invention provides a sealant reservoir with a repair catheter operably attached; a flow control device disposed between the sealant reservoir and the repair catheter, and the flow control device responsive to a flow control signal; a heart phase detector generating a diastole phase signal; an injection switch generating a injection signal; and a flow controller responsive to the diastole phase signal and the injection signal, and generating the flow control signal. A method of sealing a perivascular leak comprises identifying the perivascular leak; inserting a repair catheter to the perivascular leak; injecting sealant at the perivascular leak; and removing the repair catheter. The sealant can be injected when the heart is in diastole to sweep the sealant into the perivascular leak. | 07-12-2012 |
20120172838 | Systems and Methods for Delivering Drugs to Selected Locations Within the Body - Systems and methods for delivering drugs or other substances to target locations outside of blood vessel lumens or other body lumens. In some embodiments, a catheter having a penetrator is advanced into the body lumen and the penetrator is then advanced from the catheter toward a target location outside of that body lumen. The substance is then delivered through a the penetrator itself or through a delivery catheter that has been advanced through the penetrator to the target location. In other embodiments, the blood vessel or other body lumen is blocked at spaced-apart first and second locations and a quantity of the substance is introduced into the closed-off body lumen between the blocked first and second locations. The substance then diffuses into or through the wall of the vessel or body conduit to reach the target location. | 07-05-2012 |
20120109103 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLED-DEPTH INJECTION - Devices and methods for simultaneous injection or delivery of two or more substances from separate syringes. The syringes are loaded into a device that has a handle and a screw driven mechanism for simultaneously depressing the plungers of the syringes. The user grasps the handle and positions the device. Thereafter, the screw mechanism is used to simultaneously advance the plungers of the syringes thereby simultaneously expelling the substances from the syringes. | 05-03-2012 |
20120108986 | Implantable Medical Sensor and Fixation System - An implantable medical device, such as a sensor for monitoring a selected internally detectable physiological parameter of a patient, is attached to a fixation member that is deployable within the patient to position and orient the sensor to enable it to perform its function. The fixation member may be configured to lie in a single plane when deployed or may be tubular in shape. The attachment of the housing and fixation member includes providing the fixation member with a linear attachment strut that is non-circular in cross section and providing the housing with external members that define an elongate channel, non-circular in cross section and receptive to the attachment strut. The attachment strut can be inserted transversely into the channel and the external member can be crimped over the strut to secure the housing and fixation member together. | 05-03-2012 |
20120108922 | Implantable Medical Sensor and Fixation System - An implantable medical device, such as a sensor for monitoring a selected internally detectable physiological parameter of a patient, is attached to a fixation member that is deployable within the patient to position and orient the sensor to enable it to perform its function. The fixation member may be configured to lie in a single plane when deployed or may be tubular in shape. The attachment of the housing and fixation member includes providing the fixation member with a linear attachment strut that is non-circular in cross section and providing the housing with external members that define an elongate channel, non-circular in cross section and receptive to the attachment strut. The attachment strut can be inserted transversely into the channel and the external member can be crimped over the strut to secure the housing and fixation member together. | 05-03-2012 |
20120089047 | CRYOABLATION APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR RENAL NEUROMODULATION - Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for cryogenically modulating neural structures of the renal plexus by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that incorporate a catheter treatment device comprising an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft is sized and configured to deliver a cryo-applicator to a renal artery via an intravascular path. Cryogenic renal neuromodulation may be achieved via application of cryogenic temperatures to modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. | 04-12-2012 |
20120071961 | Stent With Hollow Drug-Eluting Elements - A stent includes a plurality of cylindrical elements joined along a common longitudinal axis to form a tube. The cylindrical elements include struts joined by crowns. Hollow, drug-eluting elements are disposed between adjacent cylindrical elements and connect adjacent cylindrical elements to each other. A therapeutic substance fills the lumen of the drug-eluting elements, and openings in the walls of the drug-eluting elements allow elution of therapeutic substance from the lumen for treatment of a vessel. | 03-22-2012 |
20120070563 | Apparatus and Methods for Loading a Drug Eluting Medical Device - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent. | 03-22-2012 |
20120070562 | Apparaus and Methods for Loading a Drug Eluting Medical Device - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent. | 03-22-2012 |
20120067455 | Apparatus and Methods for Loading a Drug Eluting Medical Device - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent. | 03-22-2012 |
20120067454 | Apparatus and Methods for Loading a Drug Eluting Medical Device - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent. | 03-22-2012 |
20120067103 | Method of Forming a Drug-Eluting Medical Device - A method of forming a stent includes the steps of forming a composite member into a stent pattern, forming openings through an outer member of the composite member, processing the composite member to remove a portion of the composite member without adversely affecting the outer member, and swaging the outer member to create a plurality of lumens. The composite member may be formed of an outer member with an hourglass-shaped inner member, wherein the processing step removes the inner member and the swaging step forms two lumens from the hourglass shaped cavity. The composite member may be formed of an outer member, an inner member, and an intermediate member, wherein the processing step removes the intermediate member and the swaging step presses portions of the outer member into contact with the inner member to form two lumens separated by the inner member. | 03-22-2012 |
20120067008 | Method of Forming a Drug-Eluting Medical Device - A method of forming a stent includes the steps of forming an elongated composite member or plurality of elongated composite members into a stent pattern having struts interconnected by crowns, the composite member including an outer member and a core member. Openings are formed through the outer member of the composite member. The composite member is processed to remove the core member from at least a plurality of the struts of the stent without adversely affecting the outer member and such that the core member is not removed from at least a plurality of the crowns of the stent, thereby leaving the outer member with a lumen in at least a plurality of the struts and the outer member with the core member in at least a plurality of the crowns. The lumens may then be filled with a biologically or pharmacologically active substance. | 03-22-2012 |
20120065725 | PROSTHESIS FOR ANTEGRADE DEPLOYMENT - An endoluminal tubular prosthesis for use in an open surgical repair comprises a tubular graft having a longitudinal axis, a first tubular section having a plurality of self-expanding stents and extending along the longitudinal axis and a second stent-less tubular section extending from the first tubular section and along the longitudinal axis. The tubular prosthesis can include a plurality of tubular branching members branching therefrom for treating branched arteries without obstructing them, such as the branches from the aortic arch. | 03-15-2012 |
20120041547 | Heart Valve Delivery Catheter With Safety Button - Valve delivery catheter assemblies including components that limit trauma to the expanded prosthetic valve and body channels as the distal tip of the catheter is withdrawn through the expanded valve and thereafter from the body. Catheter assemblies according to the present invention can include a handle assembly, an introducer sheath, and a distal tip assembly. The handle assembly can include a fixed main handle and two or more rotating handles that allow a user to control the distal tip assembly of the catheter. A safety button can be included on the handle assembly to allow for precise and consistent positioning of the prosthetic valve in the body. A valve retaining mechanism can be included to assist in retaining the prosthetic valve prior to deployment. | 02-16-2012 |
20120035717 | Catheter Assembly with Valve Crimping Accessories - Valve delivery catheter assemblies including components that limit trauma to the expanded prosthetic valve and body channels as the distal tip of the catheter is withdrawn through the expanded valve and thereafter from the body. In one embodiment, a catheter assembly according to the present invention includes a handle assembly, an introducer sheath, and a distal tip assembly. The handle assembly can include a fixed main handle and two or more rotating handles that allow a user to control the distal tip assembly of the catheter. A valve retaining mechanism can be included to assist in retaining the prosthetic valve prior to deployment. Each control knob on the handle assembly controls a portion of the components on the distal tip of the catheter by allowing for precise manipulation of various delivery shafts. Each delivery shaft extends from the handle assembly to respective positions towards the distal end of the catheter. | 02-09-2012 |
20120029611 | Stent Graft System and Method of Use - A stent graft system and method of use including a stent graft system with a first stent graft component and a second stent graft component. A first tubular graft of the first stent graft component has an integral first body and first leg, with the first body defining a first crown opening and a first substantially elliptical opening. The second body of the second stent graft component is disposed in the first body of the first stent graft component with the second leg of the second stent graft component disposed through the first substantially elliptical opening of the first stent graft component with the perimeter of the first elliptical opening of the first stent graft component in contact with the second body of the second stent graft component. | 02-02-2012 |
20120022641 | Valve Holder - Methods and apparatus for holding and maneuvering a valve during preparation and attachment to patient, providing increased visibility of the prosthetic valve and the sewing ring to prevent suture entanglement. A handle attachment is spaced from the valve for improved visibility of the sewing ring and the outlet end of the valve during attachment. Commissure posts are bent inward at the tips while preventing crashing of the commissure posts into each other causing damage. A release force needed to remove the holder and unthread the holder sutures is reduced. The holder and related methods can provide a kink free holder suture path to reduce suture entanglement and prevent damage to the implanted valve during holder removal by reducing the release force needed to remove the holder sutures by up to 30%. | 01-26-2012 |
20120018496 | Method and Apparatus for Forming a Wave Form Used to Make Wound Stents - A method for forming a wave form for a stent includes clamping a formable material to a first die including a forming portion; drawing the formable material with the first die in a first direction; clamping the formable material to a second die at a location spaced from the first die, the second die including a forming surface; moving a forming member in between the first die and the second die in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and into contact with the formable material; and deforming the formable material by moving the forming member in the second direction while moving the first die towards the second die and/or moving the second die towards the first die. | 01-26-2012 |
20120016411 | Apical Closure System - Aspects of the present invention provide apparatuses and methods for closing an apical hole in a heart of a subject, including a hole-closure device that includes a tissue-attachment portion configured to attach to cardiac tissue around the apical hole, and a collapsible portion coupled to the tissue-attachment portion and configured to close the hole by collapsing inwardly inside the apical hole. | 01-19-2012 |
20120012014 | Method for Forming a Wave Form Used to Make Wound Stents - A method for forming a wave form for a stent. The wave form includes a plurality of substantially straight portions and a plurality of curved portions. Each curved portion connects adjacent substantially straight portions. The method includes feeding a formable material between a first die and a second die, the first die having a protruding surface in the shape of the wave form, and the second die having a recessed surface in the shape of the wave form complementing the protruding surface of the first die, pressing the formable material with the protruding surface of the first die into contact with the recessed surface of the second die, and shearing the wave form from the formable material with shearing forces created by the pressing. | 01-19-2012 |
20120010691 | Particle Embedded Polymer Stent and Method of Manufacture - A particle embedded polymer stent and method of manufacture, which includes a stent delivery system having a catheter; a balloon operably attached to the catheter; and a polymer stent disposed on the balloon, the stent comprising struts interconnected to form a tubular body. Each of the struts includes in cross section a drug-free core region; and a drug region surrounding and immediately adjacent to the core region, the drug region including drug particles. The drug-free core region and the drug region are made of a single polymer, the single polymer having a drug-safe softening temperature. | 01-12-2012 |
20120009325 | Method of Making a Stent with Hollow Struts - A stent including hollow struts is formed on a cylindrical substrate. The struts of the stent are formed by electroforming metal layers of the strut in openings formed in a patterned photoresist material. A first metal layer forming the inner strut material is formed in openings in a first photoresist material. A sacrificial material to form the cavity to make the struts hollow is formed in openings in a second photoresist material. A second metal layer forming the side walls and outer wall of the struts is formed in openings in a third photoresist material and around the sacrificial material. The photoresist materials are removed. The substrate and cavity sacrificial material are removed, leaving hollow struts formed into a stent pattern. The hollow struts may be filled with a therapeutic substance for elution. Openings through the struts to the cavity may be formed during the forming process. | 01-12-2012 |
20110301688 | Prosthetic Valve Delivery System - A prosthetic valve delivery system for percutaneously delivering and deploying a prosthetic valve within an existing valve is disclosed. The delivery system includes a stented prosthetic valve having a balloon-expandable stent portion with a prosthetic valve disposed therein and at least one self-expanding stent portion. The delivery system further includes a dual balloon catheter having a first balloon on which the stented prosthetic valve is disposed during delivery and a second balloon. Upon delivery within the existing valve, the self-expanding stent portion contacts the existing valve and the first balloon expands the balloon-expandable stent portion to a first diameter such that the stented prosthetic valve is in a first stage deployment configuration. The second balloon then expands the balloon-expandable stent portion to a second diameter, greater than the first diameter, such that the stented prosthetic valve is in a second stage deployment configuration being fully deployed within the existing valve. | 12-08-2011 |
20110301625 | Hydrodynamic Thrombectomy Catheter - A catheter apparatus for removing an obstruction within a body lumen includes an elongate tubular shaft defining a lumen and a flexible membrane that fluidly seals the distal end of the tubular shaft. At least one cutting element or tool is attached to and distally extends from the flexible membrane. An actuating mechanism is operatively connected to a proximal end of the tubular shaft. The actuating mechanism displaces a fluid disposed within the lumen of the tubular shaft in such a manner that the fluid oscillates the flexible membrane and the cutting element attached thereto. Accordingly, the catheter apparatus uses pulsatile fluid flow through the tubular shaft to transmit energy from the driving mechanical at the proximal end of the catheter apparatus to the flexible membrane at the distal end of the catheter apparatus. The transmitted energy causes the cutting element to oscillate and break up a target blood clot. | 12-08-2011 |
20110301299 | Medical Devices and Polymers Therefor Having PTFE Surfaces Modified With Nitric Oxide-Releasing Polymers - Described herein are polymers useful for forming or coating implantable medical devices and such medical devices. The polymers are biocompatible and hemocompatible and comprise PTFE surfaces modified by covalently linking a nitric oxide releasing polymer to the PTFE surface through a linking group. Further described are precursor polymers and processes for preparing such polymers and precursor polymers. | 12-08-2011 |
20110295355 | BLOUSED STENT-GRAFT AND FENESTRATION METHOD - A method includes deploying a bloused stent-graft into a main vessel such that a bloused section of the bloused stent-graft covers a branch vessel emanating from the main vessel. The bloused section includes loose graft cloth. A pressure differential between the main vessel and the branch vessel causes the bloused section to be forced into an ostium of the branch vessel creating a pocket aligned with the branch vessel. A distal tip of a puncture device is located in the pocket and thus aligned with the branch vessel. An outward force is applied to the puncture device to cause the distal tip of the puncture device to fenestrate the bloused section thus creating a collateral opening in the bloused section precisely aligned with the branch vessel. | 12-01-2011 |
20110282425 | Catheter Handle and Methods of Operating - A delivery system having an improved handle allowing operation of the delivery system with one hand while maintaining accuracy in delivery and deployment of a prosthesis in a body lumen. The delivery system includes a sheath and a handle. The handle includes a slide shaft having a threaded outer surface, and a hub assembly coupled to the sheath. The hub assembly includes an inner slider having a thread tooth pivot support, a thread tooth pivotably mounted to the thread tooth pivot support, a distal sleeve having a thread tooth press member pressing on the thread tooth, and a proximal sleeve. Motion of the distal sleeve relative to the inner slider pivots the thread tooth on the thread tooth pivot support to engage and disengage the hub assembly with the threaded outer surface. The distal sleeve is rotatably coupled to the proximal sleeve, and the proximal sleeve is prevented from rotating to provide a stable grip to allow operation of the catheter with one hand. | 11-17-2011 |
20110282286 | Introducer Sheath - An introducer sheath includes a elongated sheath configured to be inserted into a blood vessel. The elongated sheath includes a central lumen configured to allow a surgical implement or medical device to pass therethrough. The introducer sheath also includes a hemostatic valve operatively connected to the sheath. The hemostatic valve is configured to prevent blood in the blood vessel from exiting the introducer sheath assembly when the elongated sheath is located in the blood vessel. The hemostatic valve includes a plurality of seals supported by a housing, including a front seal configured to provide a hemostatic seal with a guide wire, and a rear seal configured to provide a hemostatic seal with a range of sizes of implements and devices. The housing is configured to provide strain recovery for strain induced by displacement forces generated during movement of the implement or medical device through the plurality of seals. | 11-17-2011 |
20110270385 | Tethered Pop Up Branch Structure Stent Graft and Method - A method includes tethering a first pop up branch structure of a tethered pop up branch structure stent graft to a second pop up branch structure of the tethered pop up branch structure stent graft with a tether. The tethered pop up branch structure stent graft is deployed into a main vessel such that the first pop up branch structure is near a first branch vessel emanating from the main vessel and the second pop up branch structure is near a second branch vessel emanating from the main vessel. A first guide is passed through a first collateral opening in the first pop up branch structure and into the first branch vessel. A second guide is passed through a second collateral opening in the second pop up branch structure and into the second branch vessel. The tether is then removed such that the first pop up branch structure slides outwards on the first guide and into a first ostium of the first branch vessel and the second pop up branch structure slides outwards on the second guide into a second ostium of the second branch vessel. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270380 | Mobile External Coupling for Branch Vessel Connection - An endovascular prosthesis includes a tubular body and a mobile external coupling. The tubular body includes a graft material and stents coupled thereto which forms a lumen therethrough. The mobile external coupling extends outwardly from the tubular body. The mobile external coupling includes a graft material and is generally frustoconically shaped. The mobile external coupling includes a base coupled to the tubular body, a top spaced from the tubular body, and a coupling lumen disposed between the base and the top, wherein the coupling lumen is in flow communication with the body lumen. A coupling deployment device is coupled to the coupling graft material to provide an extension force to extend the mobile external coupling from a collapsed configuration against the tubular body to an extended position wherein the mobile external coupling extends from the tubular body. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270379 | Mobile External Coupling for Branch Vessel Connection - An endovascular prosthesis includes a tubular body and a mobile external coupling. The tubular body includes a graft material and stents coupled thereto which forms a lumen therethrough. The mobile external coupling extends outwardly from the tubular body. The mobile external coupling includes a graft material and is generally frustoconically shaped. The mobile external coupling includes a base coupled to the tubular body, a top spaced from the tubular body, and a coupling lumen disposed between the base and the top, wherein the coupling lumen is in flow communication with the body lumen. A coupling deployment device is coupled to the coupling graft material to provide an extension force to extend the mobile external coupling from a collapsed configuration against the tubular body to an extended position wherein the mobile external coupling extends from the tubular body. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270378 | Mobile External Coupling with Internal Sealing Cuff for Branch Vessel Connection - An endovascular prosthesis includes a tubular body and a mobile external coupling. The tubular body includes a graft material and stents coupled thereto, a forms a lumen therethrough. The mobile external coupling extends outwardly from the tubular body. The mobile external coupling includes a graft material and is generally frustoconically shaped. The mobile external coupling includes a base coupled to the tubular body, a top spaced from the tubular body, and a coupling lumen disposed between the base and the top, wherein the coupling lumen is in flow communication with the body lumen. A cylindrical sealing cuff of graft material is attached to and extends from the top of the mobile external coupling towards the tubular body within the coupling lumen. The sealing cuff is configured to contact a portion of a branch vessel prosthesis and thereby provides an elongated interference seal between the branch vessel prosthesis and the mobile external coupling. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270372 | Stent Graft Delivery System and Method of Use - A stent graft delivery system including a tip assembly, a middle member tube, a sheath assembly, a threaded assembly, and a unitary endoseal. The tip tube is disposed in and longitudinally slideable within the proximal portion of the endoseal lumen, the middle member proximal end of the middle member tube is disposed in the distal portion of the endoseal lumen and fixed to the longitudinal cylindrical endoseal body, the first cylindrical portion of the transverse cylindrical endoseal body is disposed in the first sidewall port of the threaded assembly, the second cylindrical portion of the transverse cylindrical endoseal body is disposed in the second sidewall port of the threaded assembly, and the longitudinal endoseal cylindrical body is disposed in the threaded assembly lumen. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270371 | Stent graft Delivery System - A stent graft delivery system including a tip assembly, a middle member tube, a sheath assembly, and a unitary front grip. The sheath tube is axially slideable within the distal front grip lumen, the threaded assembly distal end is disposed in the proximal front grip lumen and fixed to the unitary front grip, and the first threaded tube portion and the second threaded tube portion are radially compressed together by the unitary front grip. The sheath handle engages the exterior thread of the threaded assembly in a first configuration to move the sheath tube axially relative to the middle member tube and tip tube through rotation of the sheath handle and disengages the exterior thread of the threaded assembly in a second configuration to move the sheath tube axially relative to the middle member tube and tip tube through axial motion of the sheath handle. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270339 | Two-Stage Delivery Systems and Methods for Fixing a Leadless Implant to Tissue - Systems and methods of delivering and retaining a leadless medical implant to tissue, wherein a docking base and the implant are sequentially delivered to an implantation site. In a first stage, the docking base is delivered and deployed into tissue at an implantation site. In a second stage, the implant is navigated through the vasculature and coupled to the docking base. Various mechanisms for navigating the implant to the previously implanted docking base and coupling the implant thereto are described. Navigational mechanisms include advancing the implant over a proximally extending wire portion that is releasably attached to the previously implanted docking base, utilizing fluoroscopic visualization to guide the implant to a previously implanted docking base that is at least partially radiopaque and utilizing electromagnetism to guide the implant to a previously implanted docking base that is electro-magnetizable. | 11-03-2011 |
20110266720 | System and Method for Stent Manufacture - The system and method for stent manufacture includes a method of supercritical stent manufacture including mixing a polymer and a supercritical fluid to form a supercritical mixture; electrically charging a mold to a first polarity, the mold having a mold wall defining a mold plenum; discharging the supercritical mixture through a nozzle; electrically charging the supercritical mixture to a second polarity opposite the first polarity; repeatedly directing the charged supercritical mixture into the mold plenum to form a plurality of polymer layers on the mold wall, the plurality of polymer layers having a predetermined thickness; and separating the plurality of polymer layers from the mold wall. | 11-03-2011 |
20110264203 | Transcatheter Prosthetic Heart Valve Delivery Device With Passive Trigger Release - A delivery device for percutaneously deploying a prosthetic valve includes a sheath, an inner shaft, and a release assembly. The release assembly is disposed between the sheath and the inner shaft, and includes a retraction member, a release member, and a retention member. The retraction member can self-retract in length from an extended condition to a retracted condition. The release member can self-expand from a compressed condition to an expanded condition. The retention member is distal the release member. In a delivery state, the sheath end is distal the retention member, the release member is in the compressed condition and the retraction member in the extended condition to retain the prosthesis. In a deployment state, the sheath end is positioned to permit the release member to self-transition to the expanded condition, allowing the retraction member to self-transition to the retracted condition and release the prosthesis. | 10-27-2011 |
20110264202 | Transcatheter Prosthetic Heart Valve Delivery Device with Biased Release Features - A delivery system for percutaneously delivering and deploying a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a delivery sheath slidably disposed over an inner shaft, and a capture assembly. The capture assembly includes a spindle and a biasing member. The spindle is attached to the inner shaft and defines slot. The biasing member is disposed within the slot and self-transitions from a deflected condition to a normal condition. In a delivery state, the delivery sheath retains the prosthesis over the inner shaft and coupled to the spindle via the capture slot, including a portion of the prosthetic valve being engaged within the slot and the biasing member forced to the deflected condition. In a deployment state, the delivery sheath is proximally withdrawn and the biasing member self-transitions toward the normal condition to eject the prosthetic valve from the capture slot. | 10-27-2011 |
20110264195 | Helical Stent with Opposing and/or Alternating Pitch Angles - Waveforms for forming helical stents with opposing and/or alternating pitch angles along their lengths are disclosed. A wire is bent to form a waveform having a series of sinusoidal segments between a first end and a second end thereof. Each sinusoidal segment is longitudinally offset from its adjacent segment(s). Each waveform includes at least one sinusoidal segment having a first portion in which the amplitude between consecutive turns of the wire gradually increases and a longitudinally offset second portion in which the amplitude between consecutive turns of the wire gradually decreases. The waveform is wrapped from one end to the other about a mandrel to form the stent and depending on the arrangement of sinusoidal segments along the waveform may have opposing and/or alternating pitch angles along a section or an entire length of the stent. | 10-27-2011 |
20110264194 | Endoluminal Implant With Locking and Centering Fixation System - An implant centering system includes a sensor connected to a hollow cylindrical anchor via at least two struts. The hollow cylindrical anchor is transformable between a radially compressed configuration for delivery and a radially expanded configuration for lodging against a vessel wall. The struts longitudinally relocate the sensor between a first position in which the sensor is longitudinally spaced apart from the radially compressed anchor, and a second position in which the sensor is at least partially within a lumen of the radially expanded anchor and radially centered within vessel. In one embodiment, the struts are heat-set into a curved configuration and an externally applied force longitudinally relocates the sensor until the struts lock over center into their heat-set configuration. In another embodiment, radial expansion of the anchor longitudinally relocates the sensor without an externally applied force. | 10-27-2011 |
20110264187 | Drug Eluting Folded Stent and Stent Delivery System - The drug eluting folded stent and a stent delivery system, which includes a stent having a plurality of struts interconnected to form a tubular body. At least one of the struts includes a U-shaped strut having in cross-section a first leg, a second leg, and a closed end connecting the first leg and the second leg, wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the closed end define a recess having a drug release opening opposite the closed end; and a drug coating disposed on the first leg, the second leg, and the closed end within the recess. The drug release opening is sized to release a drug from the drug coating at a predetermined drug elution rate. | 10-27-2011 |
20110264186 | Biodegradable Stent Having Non-Biodegradable End Portions and Mechanisms for Increased Stent Hoop Strength - A hybrid stent prosthesis including a biodegradable tubular body, a first non-biodegradable self-expanding ring coupled to a proximal end of the biodegradable body, and a second non-biodegradable self-expanding ring coupled to a distal end of the biodegradable body. The hybrid stent includes a mechanism for longitudinally compressing the tubular body to increase the radial or hoop strength thereof. The longitudinally compressing mechanism may be protruding elements coupled to and extending radially outward from the hybrid stent or elastomeric compression bands or tethers extending between the non-biodegradable rings. The compression bands may be pre-connected to both non-biodegradable rings prior to stent delivery, or may be connected to one non-biodegradable ring prior to insertion and connected to the other non-biodegradable ring in situ. | 10-27-2011 |
20110264128 | Percutaneous Methods for Apparatus for Creating Native Tissue Venous Valves - Percutaneous methods and apparatuses for forming a venous valve from autologous tissue. A catheter having a retractable dissecting system received therein is delivered to a target location where a new venous valve is to be created. A distal balloon or other radially-expandable component mounted on the catheter is expanded against the vein wall, and the dissecting system is proximally retracted to deploy one or more dissecting components that dissect a subintimal layer of the vein wall. Radial expansion of the dissecting component(s) within the vein wall creates one or more leaflets and corresponding pocket/sinuses in the vein that collectively act as a venous valve, and/or the radially-expandable component of the catheter is subsequently collapsed such that the dissecting component(s) each pull a flap of the dissected tissue towards the vein lumen to create one or more leaflet(s) and corresponding pocket/sinuses in the vein. | 10-27-2011 |
20110264127 | Percutaneous Methods and Apparatus for Creating Native Tissue Venous Valves - Percutaneous methods and apparatus for forming a venous valve from autologous tissue by creating at least one subintimal longitudinal dissection that forms at least one flap of intimal tissue are disclosed. In one method, a balloon catheter having a dissecting blade mounted thereon is delivered to a target site where a new venous valve is to be created. The balloon is inflated to deploy the blade against the vein wall, and the catheter is longitudinally translated such that the blade dissects a subintimal layer of the vein wall. The balloon is subsequently deflated such that the blade pulls a flap of the dissected tissue towards the vein lumen, thereby creating a leaflet and corresponding pocket/sinus in the vein that collectively act as a monocuspid venous valve. Methods of forming new bicuspid and tricuspid venous valves utilizing two or three dissecting blades mounted on the balloon are also disclosed. | 10-27-2011 |
20110263960 | Stent Delivery System for Detecting Wall Apposition of the Stent During Deployment - A stent delivery and apposition detecting system includes at least one electrode pair of dissimilar metals mounted on a balloon of a balloon catheter. The electrode pair forms part of an electrochemical cell, and voltage and current generated from the electrochemical cell enables the system to detect when a stent mounted on the balloon achieves proper wall apposition. As the balloon is exposed to different environments, i.e., blood or tissue having different resistances, the electric potential of the electrochemical cell changes and an alert is generated by a feedback circuit to notify a user that the electrodes are in contact with tissue of the vessel wall. In one embodiment, the feedback circuit may be powered by the electrochemical cell. Multiple sets of electrode pairs may be mounted along the circumference and length of the balloon to detect differential contact between the deployed stent and the vessel wall. | 10-27-2011 |
20110257725 | Blood Inflating Prosthesis - A prosthesis comprises a tubular member that defines an inner lumen and has an inner surface and an outer surface, an outer member secured to the tubular member and covering at least a portion of the tubular member outer surface and forming an outer chamber therewith, and at least one valve in the tubular member to regulate or control fluid flow between the tubular member lumen and the chamber. | 10-20-2011 |
20110257724 | Flexible Stent Device with Magnetic Connections - A stent includes a plurality of bands aligned generally along a common longitudinal axis. The plurality of bands includes at least a first band having a plurality of first crowns and a second band adjacent to the first band and having a plurality of second crowns. A magnetic connection joins at least one of the first crowns and at least one of the second crowns. | 10-20-2011 |
20110257720 | Controlled Tip Release Stent Graft Delivery System and Method - An apparatus and method of deploying a stent graft having a proximal anchor stent ring includes restraining proximal apexes of the proximal anchor stent ring between a spindle body of a spindle and a control release sleeve of a tapered tip. The control release sleeve is advanced relative to the spindle to release a first proximal apex through an opening in the control release sleeve while the remaining proximal apexes remain restrained by the control release sleeve. The control release sleeve is further advanced relative to the spindle to release the remaining proximal apexes from the control release sleeve. In another example, a stent capture fitting has variable length stent capture fitting arms. As the stent capture fitting is retracted, the proximal apexes of the proximal anchor stent ring are sequentially exposed from and released by the variable length stent capture fitting arms. By using the control release sleeve or the stent capture fitting, controlled sequential release of the proximal apexes is achieved. | 10-20-2011 |
20110257719 | Retraction Mechanism and Method for Graft Cover Retraction - A stent or stent-graft delivery system includes a handle having a graft cover retractor having a screw gear and a drive and quick release assembly. The drive and quick release assembly allows a user to retract a graft cover by rotating the assembly in a first rotational direction about the screw gear. When the assembly is being rotated in a particular rotational direction, a partial revolution in the opposite rotational direction disengages the assembly from the screw gear, which is sensed by a change in the force required to rotate the assembly. With the assembly disengaged from the screw gear, the assembly can be slid along the screw so that the graft cover can be positioned more quickly. In transitioning from using the screw gear to sliding along screw gear, it unnecessary to push any button and unnecessary for the user to remove her/his hand from the assembly. | 10-20-2011 |
20110257718 | Retraction Mechanism and Method for Graft Cover Retraction - A stent or stent-graft delivery system includes a handle having a graft cover retractor having a screw gear and a drive and quick release assembly. The drive and quick release assembly includes a proximal portion and a distal portion that are separable. The proximal portion of the drive and quick release assembly rotates in a first rotational direction about the screw gear to retract the graft cover using the screw gear. The drive and quick release assembly transitions from retraction using the engagement with the screw gear to retraction by sliding by the user grasping the distal portion instead of the proximal portion, and sliding the proximal portion only along the screw gear. In transitioning from using the screw gear to sliding along screw gear, it unnecessary to push any button and unnecessary for the user to remove her/his hand from the assembly. | 10-20-2011 |
20110251676 | Sheath for Controlled Delivery of a Heart Valve Prosthesis - Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling deployment of a self-expanding support structure of a prosthetic valve that flares in a proximal direction upon implantation in vivo. A tubular delivery sheath having a side opening that proximally extends within a side wall thereof is used to deploy the prosthetic valve with the self-expanding support structure in a controlled manner. The prosthetic valve is distally advanced within a lumen of the delivery sheath with the self-expanding support structure held in a compressed delivery configuration within the delivery sheath lumen. The self-expanding support structure of the prosthetic valve is aligned with the side opening of the delivery sheath and the prosthetic valve is rotated relative to the delivery sheath whereby the self-expanding support structure is laterally released from the delivery sheath lumen through the side opening to gradually transition from the compressed delivery configuration to a flared deployed configuration. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251668 | Stent With Therapeutic Substance - A stent includes a wave form that includes a cable including a plurality of strands. The wave form has a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns, with each crown connecting two adjacent struts. The wave form is wrapped around a longitudinal axis at a pitch to define a plurality of helical turns. The stent includes a filler located within the cable. The filler includes a therapeutic substance. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251667 | Anchor Pin Stent-Graft Delivery System - A stent-graft delivery system includes a stent-graft including a proximal anchor stent ring. The proximal anchor stent ring includes proximal apexes and anchor pin structures extending proximally from each of the proximal apexes. The anchor pin structures include anchor pin connecting arms and anchor pins. The anchor pin structures are tucked together to accommodate small catheter sizes. Further, the anchor pins reduce or eliminate migration of the stent-graft. Further still, the anchor pin connecting arms are long and flexible thus distributing stresses in a way that improves the load carrying capacity of the anchor pins and allows flowering of the graft material of the stent-graft prior to release of the anchor pins structures. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251666 | Delivery System Ejection Component and Method - A stent or stent-graft delivery system includes a stent ejection component. The stent ejection component includes a body and an ejection collar. The ejection collar extends from the body in the proximal direction. The ejection collar assists in automatically ejecting a proximal end of a stent when the tapered tip is moved in the distal direction to deploy the stent. A stent or stent-graft delivery system may also include a retain-sleeve landing component. The retaining-sleeve landing component includes a body and a landing collar. The landing collar extends from the body in a distal direction. The landing collar automatically captures a tapered tip of the delivery system when the tapered tip is moved in a distal direction to deploy a stent contained in the delivery system. Upon capture of the tapered tip, the stent ejection component with the tapered tip attached has an atraumatic profile. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251665 | Delivery System Ejection Component and Method - A stent or stent-graft delivery system includes a stent ejection component. The stent ejection component includes a body and an ejection collar. The ejection collar extends from the body in the proximal direction. The ejection collar assists in automatically ejecting a proximal end of a stent when the tapered tip is moved in the distal direction to deploy the stent. A stent or stent-graft delivery system may also include a retain-sleeve landing component. The retaining-sleeve landing component includes a body and a landing collar. The landing collar extends from the body in a distal direction. The landing collar automatically captures a tapered tip of the delivery system when the tapered tip is moved in a distal direction to deploy a stent contained in the delivery system. Upon capture of the tapered tip, the stent ejection component with the tapered tip attached has an atraumatic profile. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251664 | Short Legged Bifurcated Stent Graft Distal Capture Element and Method - A bifurcated stent graft section includes a plurality of loops formed from a serpentine support wire forming a stent at a distal end of one of the short legs of the bifurcated stent graft section. A delivery system includes a coil having a wire configured to pass through the loops and prevent disengagement of the loops from the delivery system without relative rotational movement between the coil and the loops. In a method for delivery the bifurcated stent graft section, the bifurcated stent graft section is advanced to the treatment site, a sheath is retracted to deploy the proximal end of the bifurcated stent graft section while the coil retains the distal end of one of the short legs of the bifurcated stent graft section. A second guidewire is threaded into the short leg of the bifurcated stent graft section which is been stabilized by being held by the coil of the delivery system. An extension leg graft is delivered over the second guidewire and deployed to be coupled to the other short leg of the bifurcated stent graft section while the coil retains the loops. The coil is rotated to release the loops and allow the bifurcated stent graft section to fully deploy. A second extension leg graft is delivered and coupled to the other leg of the bifurcated stent graft section to complete the construction of a bifurcated stent graft in situ. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251663 | Drug Eluting Rolled Stent and Stent Delivery System - The drug eluting rolled stent and a stent delivery system, which includes a catheter; a balloon operably attached to the catheter; and a stent disposed on the balloon. The stent includes a rectangular metal foil sheet having a first side and a second side, the rectangular metal foil sheet being rolled to form a cylindrical tube having a central axis and a spiral cross section perpendicular to the central axis; a polymer drug coating disposed between and adhering the first side and the second side; and at least one opening formed through the cylindrical tube generally perpendicular to the central axis, the at least one opening being shaped to form at least one strut having in cross section polymer drug layers between metal foil layers, polymer drug layer edges of the polymer drug layers being in communication with the at least one opening. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251662 | Slidable Fixation Device for Securing a Medical Implant - A fixation device for retaining a leadless medical implant to tissue includes an array of elongate tines having self-expanding distal portions. The fixation tines may be advanced between an implant body and an outer jacket to deploy the tines from a delivery configuration in which the tines are constrained by the outer jacket to an expanded configuration in which the distal end portions of the tines are released from the outer jacket. The implant and fixation device are contained within a sheath for delivery to the treatment site and a pusher within the sheath advances the fixation device relative to the implant body and deploys the tines. A distal end of the implant having an electrode may form a distal tip of the delivery system, and a potential implantation site may be tested prior to deployment of the fixation device to allow for easy repositioning of the implant. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251660 | Slidable Fixation Device for Securing a Medical Implant - A fixation device for retaining a leadless medical implant to tissue includes an annular collar and an array of self-expanding tines extending from the collar. When deployed, the annular collar encircles the implant and the tines are preset to splay outwardly from the implant to grab body tissue and anchor the implant at a treatment site. The implant and fixation device are contained within a sheath for delivery to the treatment site and a pushing force is applied to a pusher of the delivery system to distally advance the fixation device relative to the implant and deploy the tines. A distal end of the implant having an electrode may form a distal tip of the delivery system, and a potential implantation site may be tested prior to deployment of the fixation device to allow for easy repositioning of the implant if the potential implantation site is determined to be unacceptable. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251589 | Catheter With Distensible and Frangible Cap - A catheter for delivering a medical implant in a patient's vasculature includes an elongate catheter having a distensible and frangible cap mounted across the open distal end thereof. The cap is distendable by pressure within the catheter to provide a bumper tip for guiding the catheter through a patient's vasculature. At the desired site for deploying the medical implant, the cap is ruptured to permit the implant to be advanced through the distal opening. Methods of using the catheter are also disclosed. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251545 | Cell Reservoirs Created by Polymer Plugs - Described herein generally are catheter systems used to deliver cells and other bioactive materials to a target location within the vascular system of the human body, and methods of delivering cells and other bioactive materials to such target locations. | 10-13-2011 |
20110245782 | Method of Using Catheter with Rotating Portion - A catheter includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including an arcuate portion. The catheter further includes a rotating portion, the rotating portion connecting the proximal portion and distal portion, the rotating portion including a first piece and a second piece, wherein the first piece and second piece create a snap fit. Methods of using the catheter include threading the inserted catheter through the vasculature and allowing the distal portion to freely rotate about an axis defined by the rotating portion responsive to any tortuosity in the vasculature. | 10-06-2011 |
20110238160 | Bifurcated Stent with Variable Length Branches - A bifurcated stent includes a trunk portion and first and second branches. At least one of the branches includes a longitudinally extendable portion such that the branch can be extended from a first length up to second length. The longitudinally extendable portion may be formed of a plurality of cylindrical rings coupled to each other by a curved link, wherein pulling the branch straightens the curved link, thereby lengthening the branch. The longitudinally extendable portion may be formed by winding a portion of a continuous wire of the branch at a first pitch whereas the remainder of the branch is wound at a second pitch greater than the first pitch. Thus, when the branch is pulled, the pitch of the longitudinally extendable portion increases, thereby lengthening the branch. A method of deploying a stent with a longitudinally extendable portion is also disclosed. | 09-29-2011 |
20110224649 | Catheter Having Improved Traceability - Embodiments hereof relate to a catheter having a metal hypotube proximal shaft and a radio frequency identification (RFID) integrated circuit electrically connected to the metal hypotube such that the metal hypotube operates as an antenna for transmitting and receiving modulated RF signals between the RFID integrated circuit and an external receiver configured to read the electronic identification information carried by the RFID integrated circuit. The hypotube and RFID integrated circuit are embedded in a luer hub of the catheter. The RFID integrated circuit contains electronic identification information such as model/serial number, manufacturing information and other summary information for improving traceability of the catheter and removing paper work associated with product tracking. | 09-15-2011 |
20110218615 | Stent With Multi-Crown Constraint and Method for Ending Helical Wound Stents - A stent includes a wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns with each crown connecting two adjacent struts. The wave form is wrapped around a longitudinal axis to define a plurality of turns. The stent includes a first connection that connects an end of the wave form to an adjacent crown in a first turn that defines an end of the stent, and a second connection that connects a first crown of the wave form to an adjacent crown in a second turn. | 09-08-2011 |
20110218614 | Stent With Sinusoidal Wave Form and Orthogonal End and Method for Making Same - A stent includes a wave form that includes a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. The wave form is wrapped around a longitudinal axis so as to define a plurality of turns, including a first turn disposed at a first angle and a second turn disposed at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis. A first connection connects an end of the wave form that started the first turn to an adjacent crown of the wave form that completed the first turn, a second connection connects a first crown of the second turn to an adjacent crown that completed the second turn, and a third connection connects a crown of the first turn to an adjacent crown of the second turn. The wave form is disrupted between the first turn and the second turn. | 09-08-2011 |
20110218606 | Methods for Stabilizing Femoral Vessels - The invention provides methods for stabilizing the femoral artery. | 09-08-2011 |
20110208175 | Methods for Treating Sleep Apnea Via Renal Denervation - Methods for therapeutic renal neuromodulation are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to methods that block, reduce and/or inhibit renal sympathetic nerve activity to achieve a reduction in central sympathetic tone. Renal sympathetic nerve activity may be altered or modulated along the afferent and/or efferent pathway. The achieved reduction in central sympathetic tone may carry several therapeutic benefits across many disease states, including, without limitation, sleep apnea. | 08-25-2011 |
20110208173 | Methods for Treating sleep apnea via renal Denervation - Methods for therapeutic renal neuromodulation are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to methods that block, reduce and/or inhibit renal sympathetic nerve activity to achieve a reduction in central sympathetic tone. Renal sympathetic nerve activity may be altered or modulated along the afferent and/or efferent pathway. The achieved reduction in central sympathetic tone may carry several therapeutic benefits across many disease states, including, but without limitation, insulin resistance, diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome. | 08-25-2011 |
20110207758 | Methods for Therapeutic Renal Denervation - Methods for therapeutic renal denervation are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to methods that block, reduce and/or inhibit renal sympathetic nerve activity to achieve a reduction in central sympathetic tone. Renal sympathetic nerve activity may be altered or modulated along the afferent and/or efferent pathway. The achieved reduction in central sympathetic tone may carry several therapeutic benefits across many disease states. | 08-25-2011 |
20110202128 | Distal Tip Assembly for a Heart Valve Delivery Catheter - A catheter assembly according to the present invention includes a handle assembly, an introducer sheath, and a distal tip assembly. The distal tip assembly can include first and second retaining sleeves and a slotted tip with a non-traumatic tip guard positioned at the proximal end of the slotted tip. The handle assembly can include a fixed main handle and two or more rotating handles that allow a user to control the distal tip assembly of the catheter. Each control knob on the handle assembly controls a portion of the components on the distal tip of the catheter by allowing for precise manipulation of various delivery shafts. Each delivery shaft extends from the handle assembly to respective positions towards the distal end of the catheter. | 08-18-2011 |
20110202127 | Apparatus and Methods for Creating a Venous Valve From Autologous Tissue - An implantable prosthesis for percutaneous placement within a vein that forces opposing portions of the vessel wall of a vein together to create a new valve of autologous vein tissue to be operable to alternate between a valve closed configuration and a valve open configuration. When in a preset closed configuration, the implantable prosthesis pushes or pulls portions of the vessel wall of the vein together to substantially close the vein lumen and prevent retrograde blood flow from backflowing through the new valve in the valve closed configuration. The implantable prosthesis has leg portions that may be pushed apart in response to antegrade blood flow through the vein to allow the new valve to achieve the valve open configuration. | 08-18-2011 |
20110202124 | Apparatus and Methods for Creating a Venous Valve from Autologous Tissue - An implantable prosthesis for percutaneous placement within a vein that forces opposing portions of the vessel wall of a vein together to create a new valve of autologous vein tissue to be operable to alternate between a valve closed configuration and a valve open configuration. When in a preset closed configuration, the implantable prosthesis pushes or pulls portions of the vessel wall of the vein together to substantially close the vein lumen and prevent retrograde blood flow from backflowing through the new valve in the valve closed configuration. The implantable prosthesis has leg portions that may be pushed apart in response to antegrade blood flow through the vein to allow the new valve to achieve the valve open configuration. | 08-18-2011 |
20110196477 | Methods and Apparatus for Treatment of Aneurysms Adjacent Branch Arteries - A polymer coating/ring is employed to aid in the sealing and connection of modular elements used in body flow lumens for the exclusion and bypass of diseased regions of the flow lumen, such as where aneurysm occurs adjacent to branching blood vessels. | 08-11-2011 |
20110184504 | Methods and Apparatus for Providing an Arteriovenous Fistula - Methods and apparatus for creating an artificial arteriovenous fistula between an artery and an adjacent vein are disclosed. Methods include utilizing a hollow spiral shunt that defines a fluid passageway between a proximal port and a distal port thereof. The spiral shunt is loaded within a delivery device that is transversely advanced through a wall of the artery. A piercing end of the spiral shunt is than exposed and the delivery device is rotated to pierce an opposing wall of the artery and a wall of the adjacent vein with the spiral shunt piercing end. Rotation of the delivery device corkscrews the spiral shunt through the walls of the artery and the vein in order to position the spiral shunt to fluidly connect the artery and vein. Once so positioned, the spiral shunt is released to be deployed between the artery and vein lumens thereby forming an artificial arteriovenous fistula therebetween. | 07-28-2011 |
20110165216 | Hydrogen Sulfide Generating Polymers - Described herein are hydrogen sulfide (H | 07-07-2011 |
20110155149 | Percutanous Methods for Creating Native Tissue Venous Valves - Percutaneous methods of forming a venous valve from autologous tissue are disclosed. The methods include percutaneously creating one or two subintimal dissections for forming one or two flaps of intimal tissue. In one method, a puncture element is delivered by a catheter based delivery system to a treatment site where a new venous valve is to be created. The puncture element is deployed to gain access to a subintimal layer of the vein wall. A dilation balloon is than positioned and inflated within the subintimal layer to create a flap and corresponding pocket/sinus in the vein, which than acts as a one-way monocuspid valve in the manner of a native venous valve. In a similar manner, methods of forming new bicuspid venous valves by subintimal dissections are also disclosed. | 06-30-2011 |
20110150966 | DEGRADABLE POLYMERS INCORPORATING GAMMA-BUTYROLACTONE - Disclosed herein are implantable medical devices having controlled release biodegradable polymer coatings thereon wherein the polymer is formed from ring opening of γ-butyrolactone and at least one additional monomer selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate, lactide, polyethylene glycol, glycolide, the monomers formed from ring opening of ε-caprolactone, 4-tert-butyl caprolactone, and N-acetyl caprolactone, and combinations thereof, and at least one drug releasable from the biodegradable polymer. Also disclosed are implantable medical devices form of the biodegradable polymers and processes for forming the polymers. | 06-23-2011 |
20110144677 | Methods and Systems for Bypassing an Occlusion in a Blood Vessel - Methods and systems for re-entering the true lumen of a vessel after subintimally bypassing an occlusion in a blood vessel. A guidewire is positionable within a subintimal tract in a wall of the blood vessel with a distal end located beyond the occlusion. A hollow lumen of the guidewire includes a retractable blade slidably exposable adjacent a distal end thereof for rotary cutting or scoring the intima layer of the vessel wall to create a transverse cut or line of weakness in the intima. A balloon catheter is subsequently trackable over the guidewire and once inflated tears or otherwise ruptures the transverse cut, thereby creating or enlarging a passageway into the true lumen of the blood vessel beyond the occlusion. | 06-16-2011 |
20110118828 | Implantable Valve Prosthesis for Treating Venous Valve Insufficiency - A valve prosthesis for percutaneous placement within a vein is disclosed that includes a valve scaffold and a backflow barrier. The valve scaffold is of a shape memory or resilient material and the backflow barrier is a flap of flexible material attached to the valve scaffold. The valve prosthesis is operable to alternate between open and closed configurations in response to changes in retrograde blood flow pressure. In the open configuration, the valve scaffold has a frustoconical coil shape of consecutive windings with open spaces therebetween and the backflow barrier allows antegrade blood flow through the open spaces. In the closed configuration, the consecutive windings of the valve scaffold are collapsed such that the valve scaffold has a substantially flat profile and the backflow barrier covers the opens spaces of the flattened valve scaffold to prevent retrograde blood flow from leaking there through. | 05-19-2011 |
20110106136 | IVC Filter With Drug Delivery - Retrievable inferior vena cava filters are disclosed. Such filters provide for easy removal of the filter and provide drug delivery for dissolution of captured emboli. Methods of using such systems for the prevention, capture, dissolution and removal of emboli are described. | 05-05-2011 |
20110106135 | Indwelling Temporary IVC Filter System With Drug Delivery and Aspiration - Indwelling temporary inferior vena cava filter systems are disclosed. Such filter systems provide for easy removal of the filter without the need for additional invasive procedures and provide for dissolution and aspiration of captured emboli. Methods of using such systems for the dissolution, capture and removal of emboli are described. | 05-05-2011 |
20110106134 | Indwelling Temporary IVC Filter System with Aspiration - Indwelling temporary inferior vena cava filter systems are disclosed. Such filter systems provide for easy removal of the filter without the need for additional invasive procedures and provide for aspiration of captured emboli. Methods of using such systems for the capture and removal of emboli are described. | 05-05-2011 |
20110106131 | Systems and Methods for Closing a Percutaneous Vascular Puncture - A system and method for closing a percutaneous vessel puncture at the conclusion of a vascular catheterization procedure includes placement of an intravascular closure device having a tubular membrane mounted about a radially self-expandable scaffold. A tether is attached to a midpoint of the closure device and extends externally therefrom. The closure device is placed by a delivery catheter extending through the puncture site and is radially expanded in a location upstream or downstream of the puncture site. The tether extends through the vessel puncture and tension applied to the tether slides the closure device into a position covering the puncture from within the vessel. | 05-05-2011 |