Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

Tony Alexander

Jason M Reynolds

Eric K Mangiardi

Ulf R Borg

Ji Hwan You

Pankaj Satasiya

A stent removal device for removing or repositioning a stent from within a lumen is provided. The stent typically comprises at least one element arranged circumferentially about the stent. The stent removal device includes a tube positioned within the lumen proximate to the stent, wherein the tube is capable of receiving at least a portion of the stent. The stent removal device also includes a pusher positioned within the tube capable of engaging the stent and/or the element. The stent removal device further includes a hook positioned within the tube and including a hook member capable of engaging the element such that force applied to the hook causes the stent to purse string.

Stent removal and repositioning device and associated method

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

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 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 obstruction clearance and/or radiation therapy capabilities.

Active stent

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.

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Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Tony Alexander