| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090221909 | Apparatus and Methods for Delivering Stem Cells and Other Agents Into Cardiac Tissue - A system for delivering an agent to tissue surrounding a target vessel includes an elongate delivery device and a source coupled to a proximal tubular portion of the device. A first lumen extends through the tubular portion and an expandable sheath of the device, wherein the expandable sheath has a proximal end that surrounds and overlies a distal end of the tubular portion. The device further includes a stiffening member, attached to the sheath, and a balloon attached to the stiffening member, at a location spaced apart from the sheath. A second lumen extends, within the tubular portion and the stiffening member, to the balloon. A volume of fluid may be delivered, from the source, through the first lumen and into a section of the target vessel that is downstream from the expandable sheath and upstream of the balloon, in order to expand the sheath, fill the section and apply a pressure sufficient to cause extravasation of the section. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090259202 | CATHETERS WITH LUBRICIOUS LININGS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THEM - Apparatus and methods are provided for substantially continuously forming thin-walled sleeves that may be incorporated into tubular devices sized for introduction into a patient. In one embodiment, a pair of sheets including coated surfaces oriented towards one another are directed through a cutting apparatus to cut the sheets into multiple pairs of strips. The pairs of strips are bonded together to create a plurality of sleeves having lumens defined by the coated surfaces. In another embodiment, a sheet having a coated surface is fed through a cutting tool to separate the sheet into a plurality of strips, and the strips are formed into sleeves, e.g., by feeding the strips through a die or mandrel using a substantially continuous process. Optionally, the sleeves may be subsequently cut into individual tubular devices and/or further processed, e.g., by providing one or more layers around the sleeves to create catheters, sheaths, or other apparatus. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20100042049 | SLITTABLE OR REMOVABLE VALVES AND APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THEM - A system and/or apparatus for delivering a medical device into a body includes an elongate tubular member and a valve fitted within a proximal end thereof. The valve preferably includes a tubular body and a flap, wherein the tubular body is engaged within the proximal end of the tubular member and has an open end approximately aligned with a proximal termination of the proximal end of the tubular member. The flap of the valve preferably extends over a hole formed in an end wall of the tubular body opposite a side of the end wall that faces a passage of the tubular body, which passage extends between the open end and the end wall. The hole communicates with the passage and with the lumen of the tubular member, and the flap is movable away from the hole when the device is introduced through the passage and the hole. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100057012 | Slittable and Peelable Sheaths and Methods for Making and Using Them - A sheath for delivering a lead or other device into a body lumen is adapted to be removed from around the delivered lead or device via a longitudinally extending feature. This feature of the sheath may be a ripcord, a seam or interlocking features the releasably engage one another. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100160952 | Expandable Guide Sheath and Apparatus and Methods for Making Them - An apparatus for providing access to a body lumen includes a tubular proximal portion and an expandable distal portion, which extends distally from a distal end of the proximal portion. The expandable distal portion includes an expandable sheath and a stiffening member. The proximal portion has a first lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and the expandable sheath defines a second lumen that is in fluid communication with the first lumen and extends distally from the proximal portion to a distal terminal opening of the second lumen. The stiffening member is attached directly to the expandable sheath so as to extend alongside the second lumen, and the distal terminal opening of the second lumen is defined by a portion of a perimeter of a distal terminal end of the expandable sheath that becomes spaced apart from the stiffening member when the sheath is expanded. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100185208 | MECHANICAL PUMP FOR REMOVAL OF FRAGMENTED MATTER AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE - Material transport catheters and methods for their use rely on rotation of an impeller within a catheter body and a clearing element for preventing buildup of materials at the opening of the catheter body. The impeller preferably comprises an inner tube or shaft having a helical rotor formed over an outer surface thereof. The clearing element may comprise a free end of a structure near the distal end of the catheter body for disrupting clot, wherein the free end of the structure extends into the distal opening of the catheter body to break up materials as the impeller is rotated. Alternatively, the clearing element may comprise a cutting member disposed at the distal opening of the catheter body. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100206453 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MAKING COATED LINERS AND TUBULAR DEVICES INCLUDING SUCH LINERS - Apparatus and methods are provided for making coated liners and/or tubular devices including such coated liners. A sleeve may be provided that includes an outer first surface and an inner second surface extending between first and second ends thereof, and a hydrophilic or other coating may be applied to the first. The coated sleeve may be cut between the first and second ends to create opposing edges extending between the first and second ends, and the cut sleeve may be reversed such that the coated first surface defines an inner surface and the opposing edges are disposed adjacent one another, thereby providing a coated liner. Optionally, a tubular structure, e.g., one or more reinforcing layers and/or or outer layers may be attached around the coated liner, thereby providing a tubular device including an inner surface with a desired coating. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110004223 | VALVES AND HUBS FOR TUBULAR DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THEM - A hub for a sheath, catheter, or other tubular device includes a first hub portion including a first hub lumen sized for receiving a medical device therethrough, and a second hub portion including a second hub lumen, the second hub portion coupled to the first hub portion such that the first and second hub lumens are aligned with one another and the first and second hub portions are spaced apart from one another to define a gap. A valve is secured within the gap between the first and second hub portions that includes a valve passage therethrough, e.g., for accommodating receiving a medical device through the first and second hub lumens into the tubular device, while providing a substantially fluid tight seal. For example, the valve passage may include a bore extending partially from a first end of the valve towards a second end of the valve, and a slit that extends from the end of the bore to the second end of the valve. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110034876 | Slittable and Peelable Sheaths and Methods for Making and Using Them - A sheath for delivering a lead or other device into a body lumen is adapted to be removed from around the delivered lead or device via a longitudinally extending feature. This feature of the sheath may be a ripcord, a seam or interlocking features the releasably engage one another. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110040260 | VALVES AND HUBS FOR TUBULAR MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THEM - A hub for a sheath, catheter, or other tubular device includes a tubular hub body including first and second ends, and a lumen extending therebetween and surrounding a central longitudinal axis, the lumen having a first cross-sectional area sized for receiving a medical device therethrough. A valve is secured within the lumen that includes an elastomeric valve body including a passage extending therethrough between front and rear surfaces thereof and offset from the central axis. The valve body defines a second cross-sectional area larger than the first cross-sectional area in a relaxed state in which the passage defines an oval shape, and is secured within the lumen in a compressed state in which the passage is compressed to a closed configuration for sealing the passage from fluid flow. The passage is resiliently expandable to accommodate receiving an instrument therethrough while providing a seal around the instrument. | 02-17-2011 |
