Cook Medical Technologies LLC

Cook Incorporated

Sabin Corporation

Other

Vance Products Inc.

Cook Incorporated and Sabin Corporation

David A Drewes

David G Burton

Scott E Boatman

Darin Gene Schaeffer

David R Lessard

Michael C Hoffa

Maggie A Z Hupcey

Gregory A Frankland

Brett O Baker

Thomas A Osborne

Steen Aggerholm

Thomas Lysgaard

Jay A Dittman

Fred T Parker, Jr

David Christian Lentz

James C Merk

Tue Thuren Bödewadt

Michael D Deckard

Scott E Eells

Tyler Joseph Bunch

Walter N Ryan

Eric Richard Hennessy

Bruce J Demars

Carrie L Fercik Grant

Brian Tankersley

Alyssa M Bailey

Eric D Densford

Disclosed herein are compositions of matter for inclusion in a medical device for visualization purposes. Such compositions may include a radiopaque metal, such as tungsten, within a functionalized hydrophobic polymer. Methods of making devices incorporating such elements are also disclosed.

Hydrophobically encased tungsten

A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis. The balloon catheter is provided with one or more dilation elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. Each dilation element is monolithically connected to an outer surface of the balloon by a connector. The connector is sufficiently sized and designed to undergo stress-induced plastic deformation incurred during blow molding so that a significant portion of each of the dilation elements does not become absorbed into the wall of the final blow molded balloon, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of each of the dilation elements. The dilation element has a flattened outer surface along at least proximal and distal neck portions of the balloon.

Cutting balloon with connector and dilation element

A medical balloon for a balloon catheter is described. The balloon has at least a first layer made from a first material and a second layer made from a second material, said first and second layers being in overlying relationship with one another and being integral with one another; wherein the first layer has a softening or melting temperature which is higher than a softening or melting temperature of the second layer. A method of forming the medical balloon is also described, including locating a raw tubing in a mold; preheating and inflating the raw tubing so as to cause it to stretch; heating the raw tubing to soften or melt the second layer; setting the inflated raw tubing to form the medical balloon; and cooling the set balloon.

Medical balloon

Catheters adapted for use in small body vessels are described. A catheter includes an elongate shaft having a main body that defines first and second lumens. An inner tubular member is disposed in the second lumen and is formed of a material that has a stiffness that is greater than a stiffness of the material forming the main body and that has an elastic modulus greater than or equal to about 400 MPa.

Multi-lumen catheters for small body vessel applications

A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis. The balloon catheter is provided with one or more dilation elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. Each dilation element is connected to an outer surface of the balloon by a connector. The connector is sufficiently sized and designed to undergo stress-induced plastic deformation incurred during blow molding so that a significant portion of each of the dilation elements does not become absorbed into the wall of the final blow molded balloon, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of each of the dilation elements.

A medical balloon () of a balloon catheter assembly () includes a balloon wall () formed of at least two layers (). The first layer () is made of an impervious polymeric material. The second layer (), which is integral with the first layer () is made of a radiopaque and/or echogenic material and a polymeric material. In the preferred embodiment, there is provided 60 to 80% by weight of radiopaque material in the second layer (). It has been found that these concentrations of radiopaque material provide good visibility of the balloon under ultrasonic imaging.

Medical balloon and balloon catheter assembly

A sheath for deploying a medical device to a target site in the body of a patient. A tubular inner liner has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an outer surface. An outer jacket has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an inner surface. A reinforcing member is received within a length of the outer jacket. The outer jacket is positioned longitudinally around the inner liner and bonded to the outer surface of the liner. The reinforcing member, which may be a triaxial braid, or an encapsulated longitudinal reinforcing wire, extends along the outer jacket length and is configured for inhibiting elongation of the sheath upon deployment of the device.

Longitudinally reinforced sheath

A method of forming a reinforced tubular medical device in a continuous operation, and a medical device formed by the continuous method. An elongated core capable of movement about a line is provided. An elongated tubular member is formed around a moving length of the core by extruding a coating of a functionalized polymer around the moving core length, applying a reinforcing member to an outer surface of the functionalized polymer coating along the moving length, and extruding a polymeric outer jacket over the functionalized polymer and reinforcing member along the moving length, such that a bond is formed between the functionalized polymer and the polymeric outer jacket. The elongated tubular member is cut to desired length to form the tubular medical device, and the core is removed from the device.

Method of forming reinforced tubing

A reinforced catheter or sheath includes an inner tube manufactured via an extrusion process from a mixture of thermoplastic and hollow glass beads. The resultant tube exhibits an inner goose bump surface that defines a central lumen. A reinforcement, such as a braid and/or coil is attached to at least a segment of the outer surface of the inner tube. A second tube of thermoplastic is extruded over at least a portion of the reinforcement. The inner goose bump surface exhibits a net low coefficient of friction comparable to that of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Reinforced catheter or sheath with reduced friction surface

A large diameter, flexible, kink-resistant, delivery catheter or sheath for percutaneous delivery of a contained and implantable medical device in the vasculature of a patient. The delivery catheter or sheath includes a reinforcement such as a flat wire coil with uniform spacing between the turns, which is compression fitted about an inner, lubricous PTFE tube. The delivery catheter or sheath further includes an outer tube of a heat formable polyamide material which is heat formed and compressed through the spaces between the turns of the wire coil to mechanically connect to a roughened outer surface of the inner tube. A polymeric radiopaque marker tube may be positioned at the distal end of the coil and between the inner and outer tubes for radiographic visualization. A side port may also be positioned thereat for the infusion of contrast media.

Large diameter delivery catheter/sheath

A catheter having a non uniform wall thickness comprising first and second wall regions is described. The first region is thicker than the second region and at least a part of the first region comprises a material having a lower stiffness modulus than the second region. Typically, the ratio of stiffness between the first region and the second region is less than 1.25:1 and preferably approximately 1:1. The first region may comprise the same material as the second region but having a different formulation so that the stiffness modulus is altered. Alternatively, the regions may comprise different materials. The lower modulus material is coextruded into at least a part of the broadest/thicker cross sectional region(s).

Catheter with non-uniform wall thickness

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for facilitating folding of a balloon before, during or after a medical procedure. In a first embodiment, the apparatus generally comprises at least one catheter shaft member, a balloon disposed on a distal region of the catheter shaft member, and at least one folding member disposed along at least a proximal region of the balloon. The folding member may comprise at least one radially-outward projecting member integrally formed with or attached to the balloon, or an internally-formed groove in the balloon, which is adapted to promote twisting of the balloon to reduce the profile of the balloon in the deflated state. Optionally, biasing members may be disposed between the folding member and an adjacent portion of the balloon to promote folding of the balloon in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

Balloon catheter having improved balloon folding capability

A disposable access sheath having a deflectable tip is provided. The access sheath is very flexible and allows a physician or other medical professional to provide diagnostic or therapeutic services to a remote body cavity. The access sheath has a deflectable tip that is able to bend at least 90&#xb0; or 180&#xb0; or more. This flexibility allows the physician or medical professional to make a very tight turn to visualize or treat the body cavity being treated. The access sheath may include a visualization system, a working channel, an irrigation channel, or other desirable features. The access sheath may include an interface at the proximal end of the working channel for insertion of an instrument for diagnosis or treatment of a human or mammalian patient.

Growing community of inventors

Bloomington, IN, United States of America

David A Drewes