Abstract:
A guide catheter extension, including a push member having a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end; a tube frame defining a lumen therein, a longitudinal axis, and a proximal segment and a distal segment, wherein the tube frame comprises a plurality of cut patterns therein; and a tongue element extending from the proximal segment of the tube frame, wherein the tongue element is coupled to the push member.
Abstract:
A device guide includes a distal portion configured for insertion through a guide catheter so as to extend out of a distal end of the guide catheter into a branch blood vessel. The distal portion of the device guide has a semi-tubular shape chosen so as to guide an intravascular device inserted through the guide catheter into the branch blood vessel
Abstract:
A slitter for slitting a guide catheter has a handle and a blade assembly coupled to the handle. The blade assembly includes a shroud for receiving an elongated body of a medical device and a slitting blade having an exposed cutting edge to slit the guide catheter. The blade assembly includes a user-deflectable portion coupled to the shroud for causing the shroud to flex in response to deflection of the user-deflectable portion. The handle and the blade assembly may be assembled from piece parts in a manufacturing method.
Abstract:
Loading tools for use with medical devices are disclosed. An example loading tool may include a tubular sleeve having a proximal end region, a distal end region, and a lumen. The distal end region may be designed to be engaged with a resilient seal member of a hemostasis valve so that a medical device disposed within the lumen can be passed through the resilient seal member. The tubular sleeve may include a tube wall. At least a portion of the tube wall may overlap to define an overlapping region.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an assembly of parts for an endourological procedure, including a tubular sheath and an introducer, the tubular sheath being removably mounted on the introducer. The introducer comprises a security channel that is openable to shift a guidewire from a position inside the security channel to a position outside and next to the tubular sheath. Disclosed are also access sheaths and a method of performing an endourological procedure.
Abstract:
An angioplasty catheter comprises a catheter body having a balloon or other radially expandable shell at its distal end. A non-axial external structure is carried over the shell and scores a stenosed region in a blood vessel when the balloon is inflated therein. The catheter has an attachment structure disposed between the catheter body and the balloon to accommodate foreshortening and rotation of the external structure as the balloon is expanded. The external structure may be part of a helical cage structure which floats over the balloon.
Abstract:
An introducer sheath includes an elongated outer sheath and an elongated inner sheath coaxially disposed within the outer sheath. The elongated outer sheath includes an outer sheath wall extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the outer sheath to an extent greater than 180° and less than 360° to define an outer sheath slot. The elongated inner sheath includes an inner sheath wall extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the inner sheath to an extent greater than the difference between 360° and the circumferential extent of the outer sheath wall, and less than 360° to define an inner sheath slot. The inner sheath is rotatable relative to the outer sheath to form an enclosed lumen when the outer and inner sheath slots are not aligned, and to form an open slot along the entire length of the introducer sheath when the outer and inner sheath slots are aligned.
Abstract:
Dilators and sheaths for use in minimally invasive vascular therapy are disclosed. In some embodiments, the dilators include a slot that accesses a guidewire lumen within the dilator. These slots facilitate rapid exchange of one dilator for another. In another embodiment, a dilator is sufficiently stiff to facilitate entry, but also designed to facilitate placement of the dilator along a tortuous path.
Abstract:
The method of purifying an unrefined edible oil or fat by contacting the unrefined edible oil or fat with at least one adsorbent material. The at least one adsorbent material comprises magnesium silicate. The magnesium silicate may be used alone or in combination with other purifying materials, such as citric acid. Such method provides for improved removal of impurities, such as phosphorus-containing compounds, soap, chlorophyll, metals, and sterol glucosides from the unrefined edible oil or fat.
Abstract:
Sheath introducers and methods for making and using. A method of making a sheath introducer may include providing a splittable sheath, attaching a splittable hub to the proximal end of the splittable sheath, the splittable hub including a cavity having a threaded section and a valve disposed in the cavity, and disposing a valve actuator in the cavity, the valve actuator including threads on an external surface thereof threadably engaged with the hub along the threaded section of the cavity, the valve actuator opening the valve upon rotation of the valve actuator from a first position, in which a bottom surface of the valve actuator is proximal to an upper surface of the valve, to a second position, in which the bottom surface of the valve actuator is distal to the upper surface of the valve.