Baxter International Inc.

Radiance Medical Systems, Inc.

Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Endologix, Inc.

Other

Biosensors International Group, Ltd.

Devax, Inc.

Endology, Inc.

Brett A Trauthen

Lisa A Tam

Manouchehr Miraki

Blair D Walker

Henry Nita

Jean-Claude Laborde

Robert John Elicker

Jacques R Seguin

William Rice

Greg Welsh

Shawn O'Leary

Charles C Hart

Nabil Hilal

Mark M Dehdashtian

Said S Hilal

Michael D Crocker

Maurice Buchbinder

Sheryl W Higgins

Bounsavanh Pravongviengkham

Michael Henson

Kambiz Ghaerzadeh

Gary Strathern

Paul McCormick

Mark Hall

Paul Teirstein

Hey Lee

Nora Pham

Hye Lee

Robert Fazio

Kambiz Ghearzadeh

Edward F Smith

Disclosed is a stent that is useful for treating a vascular bifurcation, the stent having a plurality of segments extending coaxially end to end along a longitudinal axis of the stent from a first end to a second end of the stent, each segment having a plurality of struts extending in a zig-zag pattern around the circumference of the stent, wherein the stent is expandable from reduced diameter to an expanded diameter, the second end of the stent having a larger diameter than the first end when expanded; and an eyelet integrally formed with the segment positioned adjacent the second end, and configured to receive a radiopaque marker therein. The stent provides an improvement over prior stents for treating a vascular bifurcation by allowing the stent to be deployed in the widened transitional zone of a bifurcation such that the second end of the stent is accurately positioned at the carina.

Bifurcation stent and method of positioning in a body lumen

A method of deploying a bifurcation stent at a vascular bifurcation of a main vessel into first and second branch vessels includes: positioning a bifurcation stent at a vascular bifurcation, the bifurcation stent expandable from a reduced diameter to an expanded diameter, the bifurcation stent comprising a first end, a second end, and a marker near the first end, wherein the first end diameter is larger than the second end diameter when the bifurcation stent is expanded, and wherein the bifurcation stent is positioned such that the marker is approximately aligned with a carinal plane at the vascular bifurcation; partially expanding the first end of the bifurcation stent; adjusting the position of the bifurcation stent such that the marker is positioned past the carinal plane and towards the first branch vessel; and deploying the bifurcation stent at the bifurcation. Devices are also disclosed.

Disclosed is a thin film radiation source, which may be used to deliver a radioactive dose to a site in a body lumen. The source comprises a thin flexible substrate, and a layer of radioisotope attached thereto. The source may further comprise additional layers such as one or more tie layers disposed between the substrate and the radioisotope layer and one or more outer coating layers. In one embodiment, the source is wrapped around an inflatable balloon. Inflation of the balloon at a treatment site positions the source directly adjacent to the vessel wall, and allows irradiation of the site following or simultaneously with a balloon angioplasty, stent implantation, or stent sizing procedure.

Method for delivering radiation to an intraluminal site in the body

Disclosed are sources and methods for delivering a radioactive dose to a site in a body lumen. The sources are preferably mounted on a balloon or other expandable or deployable mechanical structure. The source and methods enable delivery of a clinically significant dose of radiation into a vessel wall in a relatively short time while using a relatively low activity. The sources also enable delivery of a substantially uniform dose into the vessel wall, whether or not such delivery is through the wall of a stent.

Radiation delivery catheters and dosimetry methods

A sealed radiation source, which may be used to deliver a radioactive dose to a site in a body lumen. The source comprises a thin flexible substrate, and a layer of radioisotope attached thereto. The source may further comprise additional layers such as one or more tie layers disposed between the substrate and the radioisotope layer and one or more outer coating layers. In one embodiment, the source is wrapped around an inflatable balloon. Inflation of the balloon at a treatment site positions the source directly adjacent to the vessel wall, and allows irradiation of the site following or simultaneously with a balloon angioplasty, stent implantation, or stent sizing procedure.

Multi layer radiation delivery balloon

Thin film radiation source

Disclosed is a radioactive tubular prosthesis formed by rolling a flexible sheet around a longitudinal axis. Preferably, the prosthesis is self expandable under the radially outwardly directed spring bias of the rolled sheet. At least a portion of the sheet is provided with a coating comprising at least one radioisotope.

Radioactive vascular liner

Disclosed is a dual catheter radiation delivery system, for delivering a dose of radiation to a treatment site, typically in a body lumen. The system comprises an outer sheath catheter, having an inflatable balloon thereon. The system further comprises an inner radiation delivery catheter, having a radially expandable structure such as a balloon with a radiation source thereon. The sheath catheter is positioned such that the sheath balloon is at the treatment site, and the radiation delivery catheter is transluminally advanced through the sheath catheter such that the radiation source is positioned within the sheath balloon. The radiation delivery balloon is inflated within the sheath balloon, to position the radioactive source near the vessel wall. The source may comprise a thin film carried by the radiation delivery balloon, having a radioactive isotope implanted therein or chemically bonded thereto. Alternatively, the radioactive isotope may be implanted within or adhered to the radiation delivery balloon.

Dual catheter radiation delivery system

An exchange catheter facilitates the replacement of an existing guiding catheter with a larger guiding catheter during catheterization procedures such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty without disturbing the position of a guidewire. The exchange catheter has a distal portion through which a guidewire is slidable. The outer diameter of the distal portion is slightly less than the inner diameter of the existing guiding catheter. A femoral sheath is slidable over the proximal portion of the exchange catheter so as to facilitate femoral sheath exchange.

Catheters with enhanced exchange capability

A suturing apparatus adapted to close an incision and an anterior tissue wall includes an elongate support structure having an axis extending between a proximal end and distal end. A receiver disposed at the distal end is insertable through the incision in a low-profile state and expanded to a high-profile state on the far side of the tissue wall. Needles carried by the support structure are operable to extend through the support wall on either side of the incision and into the expanded receiver. Sutures advanced through the needles are captured by the receiver after the needles are removed and the receiver is returned to its low-profile state. Removal of the suturing apparatus from the incision draws the captured suture ends outwardly through the incision. A novel suture knot can be tied in the four suture ends and moved into proximity with the tissue wall to close the incision.

Suturing apparatus and method

A balloon catheter includes a flexible small-diameter guide wire provided with an enlarged-diameter distal end portion, and a flexible elongated tubular shaft with at least one dual-function fluid-conducting lumen adapted to both receive the guide wire extending therethrough, and to communicate pressurized inflation fluid to a distal balloon of the catheter. A distal orifice of the catheter communicates with the balloon and is provided with selective valving means for releasably engaging sealingly with the enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire. Apparatus is disclosed for axially moving the guide wire to effect engagement and disengagement of the enlarged distal end portion with the selective valving means of the catheter shaft. A torquer device is also provided by means of which the guide wire may be rotated relative to the catheter shaft for steering of the guide wire along a vascular pathway. A distal end tapered portion of the catheter shaft provides protection for a joint of the guide wire assembly. The tubular shaft of the catheter may extend through the balloon to provide better pushability for the catheter, especially in versions which employ a comparatively limp material for the balloon. Several alternative constructions for the selective valving means of the catheter shaft and for the enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire assembly are presented.

Exchangeable integrated-wire balloon catheter

A catheter combination as disclosed for passing an endoscope along a vessel. The catheter combination includes a catheter having a hollow tubular member defining a lumen having a first cross-sectional area. The catheter has a proximal end, a distal end and an irrigation connector at the proximal end of the catheter with a wall defining a passageway connecting with the lumen. An endoscope has an endoscope body with a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The body has a cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area of the lumen. The endoscope proximal end portion extends proximally of the catheter proximal end and the endoscope distal end portion extends distally of the catheter distal end. The endoscope body extends through the lumen such that fluid from the passage in the irrigation connector can pass between the endoscope body and the lumen.

Catheter and endoscope assembly and method of use

A catheter meter is described for determining spacial parameters such as linear distance in a vessel or other body cavity. The catheter meter includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and a handle for holding the catheter. The catheter further includes a hollow tubular member defining a lumen extending distally of the handle to a catheter tip. A wall in the catheter defines a passageway communicating with the lumen for passing a cylindrical member such as a tube or cable having a length and a tip through the passageway and the lumen so that the tip of the cylindrical member can extend distally of the catheter tip. A measurement gauge at the proximal end of the catheter is provided for measuring the distance from the proximal end of the catheter to the tip of the cylindrical member when the tip has been passed through the catheter passageway and the lumen and beyond the catheter tip.

Catheter depth gauge and method of use

Growing community of inventors

Newport Beach, CA, United States of America

Brett A Trauthen