Abstract:
A guide wire exchange system including an elongate, flexible, guide wire exchange catheter capable exchanging one guide wire for another in a safe, efficient, and secured manner, where a primary guide wire, after having been advanced through the body, is to be replaced with a secondary guide wire that is to be securely advanced through the body to the target site by the advancement of the exchange catheter over the path of the primary wire. The exchange catheter may include a securement element in order to releasably secure at least one guide wire to the exchange catheter at or near the distal end of the exchange catheter. Once secured, both the exchange catheter and the secured guide wire(s) may be advanced or retracted in a synchronous manner, without the possibility of divergence at the distal ends of the secured components as they are being manipulated by an operator.
Abstract:
Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patients side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
Abstract:
A system, a closure (22), and method for sealing a percutaneous puncture (24) in a blood vessel (26). The puncture includes a tract (24A) leading to it from the skin of the being. The system includes an introducer sheath (28), a positioning device (200), a hemostatic puncture closure (22), and a deployment instrument (20). The positioning device positions the introducer sheath (28) at a desired position within the vessel (26). The deployment instrument includes a tubular carrier (100) having a distal end (102) storing the closure. The carrier is extended via an introducer sheath (28) through the tract (24A) and puncture (24) into the blood vessel (26). The closure comprises a rigid anchor (32), a spacer member (36), a compressed collagen plug (30), and a thin filament (34) connecting them in a pulley-like arrangement. The anchor has a centrally located domed projection (54). The carrier (100) ejects the anchor through the introducer (28) and puncture (24) and then draws it against the free end (28C) of the introducer (28). The instrument (100) and introducer (28) are then withdrawn together to pull the anchor (32) against the tissue contiguous with the puncture (24) inside the artery (26) and so that the domed portion (54) of the anchor (32) extends through the puncture (24). Further withdrawal draws the plug (30) and spacer (36) out of the carrier (100) into the puncture tract (24A), whereupon the spacer (36) engages the domed portion (54) of the anchor (32) to prevent the plug (30) from entering the puncture (24). A tensioning device (136) limits the force applied to the filament (34). The carrier also includes a tamper (130) which is used to mechanically deform the plug (30) within the tract (24A). Hemostasis occurs rapidly and the plug seals the tract.
Abstract:
An attachment tool to facilitate the attachment of one or more catheters or similar elongated instruments to a guide-wire or other elongated guide member, without requiring access to either end of said wire or member. The tool provides repeatable and reliable alignment of components to be attached, while being operated with a single hand. The catheter systems can be used for revascularization or treatment of arteries and lumens within the body, and the associated delivery of therapies therein and can include side attachable and over-the-wire components and/or low profile combination catheters to allow for flush and extraction of debris in small or tortuous anatomic pathways.
Abstract:
Devices and processes (e.g., improved Plasticized Melt Flow processes (PMF) or improved Phase Separation Polymer Concentration (PSPC), etc.) used to make resorbable and non-resorbable structures for treating and/or healing of tissue defects are disclosed. Among the advantages of using these improved processes are the preservation of molecular weight and the broadening of the processing conditions for temperature sensitive polymers and therapies (e.g. polylactide, polyglycolide, polycaprolactone or Cisplatin, etc.). This reduction in processing temperature, pressure and time can help to preserve the molecular weight and/or integrity of the final product or any additive incorporated therein. Additionally, pore size and shape tailoring can increase the osteoconductive nature of the device.
Abstract:
An attachment tool to facilitate the attachment of one or more catheters or similar elongated instruments to a guide-wire or other elongated guide member, without requiring access to either end of said wire or member. The tool provides repeatable and reliable alignment of components to be attached, while being operated with a single hand. The catheter systems can be used for revascularization or treatment of arteries and lumens within the body, and the associated delivery of therapies therein and can include side attachable and over-the-wire components and/or low profile combination catheters to allow for flush and extraction of debris in small or tortuous anatomic pathways.