Abstract:
A micro-needle array (1) is provided that may be used to deliver a bioactive agent to a therapeutic target. The micro-needle array preferably includes a substrate, a plurality of micro-needles integral with the substrate, and a bioactive agent. At least one micro-needle preferably includes a top surface (12), a bottom surface (14), a side surface (17), and a cavity (18) defined by an inner surface. The bioactive agent may be disposed on the substrate and the plurality of micro-needles. The at least one micro-needle may further include a slit (26) connecting the cavity to an aperture, the slit extending from the top surface to the bottom surface.
Abstract:
An implantable valve prosthesis (10) is provided. The valve prosthesis includes a frame structure having first (14) and second (16) independent frame elements. A graft member (18) is attached to both the first and second frame elements and includes a closure member (20), such as a valve leaflet. The closure member is movable between a first position that allows fluid flow through the prosthesis in a first, antegrade direction and a second position that restricts flow through the prosthesis in a second, retrograde direction.
Abstract:
A loading dilator (10) introducing a tracheostomy tube (100) into a stoma (140) formed in an outer body wall of a patient includes a handle (12) and a tubular portion (14) received in a distal opening (61) of the handle. The tubular portion includes a radially outer dilator member (20), and a radially inner actuation member (32) substantially spanning the length of the tubular portion. A radially intermediate segment has a conical member (26) at a tapered distal end of the tubular portion, a compressible member (30) positioned proximal of the conical member, and an elongated tubular member (40) proximal of the compressible member. The conical member is engaged with the inner actuation member such that the conical member and inner actuation member are proximally movable relative to the elongated tubular member, whereby the compressible member is deformable from a smaller diameter to a larger diameter for facilitating entry into the stoma of a medical apparatus. The handle has a trigger (80) operatively engaged with the inner actuation member for effecting proximal movement of the inner actuation member and conical portion.
Abstract:
A coupling wire guide is structured to be slidably coupled to a previously introduced wire guide, and is also well suited for stand-alone use. The coupling wire guide generally includes a main body having a distal end and a coupling tip connection to the distal end. The coupling tip includes a coupling portion and a tip portion. The coupling portion defines a coupling passageway having a proximal port and distal port for receiving a previously introduced wire guide. The tip portion includes a distal end surface having an atraumatic shape.
Abstract:
A balloon catheter assembly comprises an elongate catheter shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and an inflatable balloon secured to the shaft distal portion. A plurality of cutters are arranged along an outer surface of the balloon. The cutters are shielded by folds of the balloon when the balloon is uninflated, and are arranged and configured to facilitate breakdown of a vascular restriction when said balloon is inflated. Preferably, the cutters are arranged in at least three generally parallel longitudinal rows along the balloon outer surface, and there are at least three longitudinally-aligned cutters in each row. Preferably, the cutters are formed of the same or a similar base composition as the balloon, and are bonded to the balloon outer surface.
Abstract:
An occluding device apparatus includes an embolization coil with a distal end and a proximal end with an opening and an attacher that is threaded through the opening at the proximal end of the embolization coil. The apparatus further comprises a delivery kit for delivery of the embolization coil in a body cavity. The kit comprises a guide catheter for percutaneous introduction of the embolization coil and an inner catheter slidably disposed within the guide catheter during insertion. The inner catheter comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The inner catheter further includes a hub disposed adjacent the proximal end. The kit further comprises a guide wire slidably disposed within the inner catheter. The guide wire is configured to provide a path during insertion thereof within a body cavity. The kit further comprises a pushwire to advance the embolization coil through the inner catheter.
Abstract:
An occluding device apparatus includes an embolization coil with a distal end and a proximal end with an opening and an attacher that is threaded through the opening at the proximal end of the embolization coil. The apparatus further comprises a delivery kit for delivery of the embolization coil in a body cavity. The kit comprises a guide catheter for percutaneous introduction of the embolization coil and an inner catheter slidably disposed within the guide catheter during insertion. The inner catheter comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The inner catheter further includes a hub disposed adjacent the proximal end. The kit further comprises a guide wire slidably disposed within the inner catheter. The guide wire is configured to provide a path during insertion thereof within a body cavity. The kit further comprises a pushwire to advance the embolization coil through the inner catheter.
Abstract:
Medical device loading apparatuses, systems, methods and kits are described. A loading apparatus comprises a main body having a proximal end defining a proximal opening, a distal end defining a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. The passageway defines a proximal chamber having a first inner diameter, a distal chamber having a second inner diameter, and a transition chamber disposed between the proximal and distal chambers. The transition chamber has an inner diameter that transitions from the larger second inner diameter to the smaller first inner diameter. The main body has a separable connection that divides the main body between proximal and distal portions when disrupted. An expandable intraluminal medical device can be loaded into a delivery catheter using the loading apparatus by placing the device into the passageway such that it is in a radially-expanded configuration; pulling the device along an axial path through the loading apparatus such that the device transitions from the radially-expanded configuration to a radially-compressed configuration; and pushing the radially-compressed device along the axial path into the delivery catheter.