Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

Alveolus Inc.

Jason M Reynolds

Eric K Mangiardi

Ulf R Borg

Tony Alexander

Jeff Reuther

Ji Hwan You

Pankaj Satasiya

William Webb

Robert R Snider

A delivery device for positioning and deploying an implantable device within a lumen is provided. The device includes a longitudinal outer tube having proximal and distal ends, wherein the implantable device is positioned proximate to the distal end of the outer tube. The device also includes a longitudinal inner tube slidably disposed within the outer tube and having proximal and distal ends, wherein at least a portion of the distal end of the inner tube is configured to underlie at least a portion of a proximal end of the implantable device. The distal end of the inner tube is located proximally of the distal end of the outer tube to define a gap for accommodating at least a portion of the implantable device. A mechanism is coupled to the inner and/or outer tubes and is operable to deploy the implantable device within the lumen.

Delivery device with shortened inner tube and associated method

The present invention, in an exemplary embodiment, provides a delivery system and novel handle configuration for the delivery system that facilitates repeatable placement of implantable devices. In particular, in optical embodiments, the handle allows for the reversible coupling of scopes directly to the handle to enhance physician control during placement. The delivery system also allows for one-handed manipulation as finger action can be used to engage and disengage the scope as well as actuate the extent of implantable device deployment. Exemplary delivery systems are flexible, durable and/or assure proper installation of one or more implantable devices in a single procedure. Moreover, the preferred embodiments of the delivery system provides for the reloading of the delivery device with additional implantable devices for additional interventional procedures, resulting in a substantially reusable delivery device.

Implantable device delivery system handle and method of use

The present invention, in an exemplary embodiment, provides a therapeutic medical appliance, delivery device and method of use. In particular, plug therapeutic medical appliances are provided that allow for the interventional treatment of pulmonary disorders such as defects characterized by pulmonary blebs and/or diffused destructive parenchymal disease. The plug therapeutic medical appliances themselves combine many of the excellent characteristics of both silicone and metal therapeutic medical appliances while eliminating the undesirable ones. In particular, these therapeutic medical appliances are preferably self-expanding in nature and allow the predetermined differential selection of relative hardness/softness of regions of the therapeutic medical appliance to provide additional patient comfort. An exemplary embodiment also provides a family of delivery devices that facilitate flexibility, durability and/or proper installation of one or more medical appliances in a single procedure. Moreover, the preferred embodiment of the delivery device provides for the reloading of the delivery device with additional medical appliances for additional interventional procedures.

Therapeutic medical appliance delivery and method of use

A delivery device for positioning and deploying an implantable device within a lumen is provided. The delivery device includes inner and outer tubular members slidable to each other between at least a first hold position and a second release position, a handle and a deployment mechanism adapted for an operator to use a first hand for operating the delivery device and moving the tubular members between the first and second positions. The delivery device further includes a protective member adapted for insulating at least a portion of the outer tubular member from the tendency of the operator to use his or her second hand to grab the outer tubular member during operations or from other external forces.

Medical delivery device with a protective member

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices for allowing a user to deploy a stent in an anatomical lumen of a patient. For example, one embodiment is directed to a device including a longitudinally extending inner tubular member and a longitudinally extending outer tubular member that are longitudinally and axially displaceable relative to one another. The outer tubular member includes at least one longitudinally extending channel formed between the exterior and interior diameter of the outer tubular member. In addition, the device includes a handle configured to displace the outer tubular member and inner tubular member relative to each other in response to user intervention and a stop configured to coaxially engage the handle to form a safety mechanism. Displaceability of the outer tubular member and inner tubular member relative to each other is limited by the safety mechanism to a predetermined threshold.

Medical appliance optical delivery and deployment apparatus and method

The present invention, in an exemplary embodiment, provides a stent, which combines many of the excellent characteristics of both silicone and metal stents while eliminating the undesirable ones. In particular, a principal objective in accordance with the present invention is to provide a family of stents where the relative hardness/softness of regions of the stent can differ from other regions of the stent to provide additional patient comfort and resistance to compression forces. Exemplary embodiments provide a stent that is coated in a manner that limits the amount of coating surface area that is in direct contact with the target lumen. In particular, a covered stent is provided that is coated internally such that the outer scaffolding surface of the stent is raised from the outer surface of the coating. To this end, cilia function is only partially limited and mucociliary clearance is not significantly affected. Moreover, the coating itself has anti-adherent properties such that bacteria, fungi or other microbials cannot colonize the cover in particular and the stent generally.

Coated stent with geometry determinated functionality and method of making the same

A removable stent for placement within a lumen is provided. The stent includes a scaffolding of struts configured to define a substantially cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end. The stent also includes at least one flexible element spirally wound along at least a portion of a respective strut, wherein the element comprises at least one engageable member such that a force applied to the engageable member does not result in purse-stringing.

Stent removal and repositioning aid and associated method

The present invention provides a lumen measuring device and method that allows the user to calculate the exact length and diameter of a suitable interventional prosthesis as well as the height and length of stenosis during the same exploratory procedure.

Lumen-measuring devices and method

A lumen measuring device generally includes a central member dimensioned to extend into a lumen and an elongate outer member having a flexible region configured to flex outward from the central member in response to retraction of the central member. In measuring a lumen, the flexible region is caused to contact the lumen. The lumen may be contacted by linear segments that hinge or by members that bow arcuately. A polygon, such as a triangle, may be defined by portions of the outer member and the central member. A handle assembly may be provided by which the disposition of the central member relative to the outer member may be adjusted. Indicators may be defined by the central member and outer member by which the disposition of the central member and by which the diameter of a lumen may be determined.

Lumen measuring devices and methods

The present invention, in an exemplary embodiment, provides a stent, which combines many of the excellent characteristics of both silicone and metal stents while eliminating the undesirable ones. In particular, a principal objective in accordance with the present invention is to provide a family of stents where the relative hardness/softness of regions of the stent can differ from other regions of the stent to provide additional patient comfort and resistance to compression forces. Exemplary embodiments provide a stent that is covered so as to provide certain predefined characteristics. In particular, a covered stent is provided that is coated internally such that the outer scaffolding surface of the stent has enhanced friction points while the internal surface exemplifies certain characteristics.

Differential covering and coating methods

The present invention, in an exemplary embodiment, provides a stent, which combines many of the excellent characteristics of both silicone and metal stents while eliminating the undesirable ones. In particular, a principal objective in accordance with the present invention is to provide a family of stents generally and a biliary stent in particular where the relative hardness/softness of regions of the stent can differ from other regions of the stent to provide additional patient comfort and resistance to radial forces. An exemplary embodiment also provides a family of stents with novel interstice configurations that facilitate flexibility, durability and/or proper installation. Additionally, the biliary stent in accordance with the present invention provides enhanced flow mechanics to ensure the adequate clearance of viscid fluids such as bile.

Removable biliary stent

The present invention, in an exemplary embodiment, provides a therapeutic medical appliance, delivery device and method of use. In particular, plug therapeutic medical appliances are provided that allow for the interventional treatment of pulmonary disorders such as defects characterized by pulmonary blebs and/or diffused destructive parenchymal disease. The plug therapeutic medical appliances themselves combine many of the excellent characteristics of both silicone and metal therapeutic medical appliances while eliminating the undesirable ones. In particular, these therapeutic medical appliances are preferably self-expanding in nature and allow the predetermined differential selection of relative hardness/softness of regions of the therapeutic medical appliance to provide additional patient comfort. An exemplary embodiment also provides a family of delivery devices that facilitate flexibility, durability and/or proper installation of one or more medical appliances in a single procedure. Moreover, the preferred embodiment of the delivery device provides for the reloading of the delivery device with additional medical appliances for additional inferventional procedures.

A delivery device for positioning and deploying an implantable device within a lumen is provided. The device includes an inner tube positioned within an outer tube and capable of sliding therein, wherein the inner and outer tubes have proximal and distal ends. A side opening is defined in each of the inner and outer tubes, wherein each side opening is defined proximate to the implantable device and is capable of substantially aligning with the other side opening. The device includes an optical device capable of viewing at least a portion of the lumen prior to deploying the implantable device when the side openings are aligned with each other. A mechanism is coupled to at least one of the inner and outer tubes and is operable to deploy the implantable device within the lumen.

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Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Jason M Reynolds