Abstract: A surgical stent (10) is provided which can be radially expanded away from a central axis (2) within a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent (10) is formed from a series of struts (20) circumscribing a cylindrical contour of the stent (10). Each strut (20) has a series of bends (30) formed therein with each bend including at least one trough (32) and at least one crest (36). Gaps (40) are provided between adjacent struts (20). Each gap (40) is spanned by an axial element such as a tie bar (50). Each tie bar (50) attaches to adjacent struts (20) through troughs (32) so that when the stent (10) is radially expanded, the struts (20) are not drawn together, but rather maintain their position and the stent (10) hence maintains its axial length without contracting. Other elements can alternatively be provided between adjacent circumferential elements to provide varying degrees of flexibility between adjacent struts (20).

Abstract: A stent device (1) constructed from several consecutively arranged cylindrical spring member stents (4) interconnected by at least three resilient connecting members (5) that are firmly fastened to arm sections (6) at a distance from the elbow sections (7) of the stents (4). A graft (2) includes graft material (2) affixed to the stent device (1).

Abstract: A method for polishing radially expandable surgical stents is disclosed where fluid abrasive media M flows over surfaces of the stent 10 causing the surfaces of the stent 10 to be polished and streamlined. The stent 10 is temporarily provided with cylindrical support ends 20, which are not radially expandable to support the stent 10 during the polishing process. An interior polishing fixture 100 is provided which has cylindrical chambers 135 therein adapted to receive a stent 10 therein. Fluid abrasive media M then flows into bores 108 in the fixture 100 leading to the cylindrical chambers 135 and adjacent the inner diameter surfaces of the stent 10. Surfaces of the stent 10 forming the outer diameter are polished by placing the stent 10 within an exterior polishing fixture 200 which has a cylindrical recess 220 therein.

Abstract: A silver implantable medical device 10 includes a structure 12 adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract; at least one layer 18 of a bioactive material posited on one surface of structure 12; and at least one porous layer 20 posited over the bioactive material layer 18 posited on one surface of structure 12 and the bioactive-material-free surface. Also included is a layer or impregnation of silver 45. Preferably, the structure 12 is a coronary stent. The porous layer 20 is comprised of a polymer applied preferably by vapor or plasma deposition and provides a controlled release of the bioactive material. It is particularly preferred that the polymer is a polyamide, parylene or a parylene derivative, which is deposited without solvents, heat or catalysts, merely by condensation of a monomer vapor. Silver is included as a base material, coating or included in a carrier, drug, medicament material utilized with the implantable stent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device graft arrangement comprising a main graft and at least one peripheral graft wherein the grafts are expandable. Upon insertion of the peripheral graft(s) into the main graft, the peripheral grafts expand and seal the junction of the graft arrangement to provide fluid communication between the lumens of the main and peripheral grafts. The graft arrangement optionally has a cover folded in such a manner to provide further sealing.

Abstract: A prosthesis (18) comprising stents (7,8) sutured to a graft (5) comprising a tube of biocompatible material. The stents are attached to the inside surface of the tube and there is at least one fenestration (10) in the tube corresponding to an intersecting artery opening. A further stent (1) extends proximally and may have caudally facing barbs (2). Each fenestration includes one or more radiopaque markers (11) defining a periphery of the fenestration. A release mechanism for the prosthesis includes trigger wires (15,17) stitched into a fold (16) on the material to retain the prosthesis in a partially compressed state during deployment. A delivery device (20) has a sheath (26) to hold the compressed prosthesis during insertion and a top cap (24) to retain the top stent (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a needle, during exposure to radiation, such as X-ray radiation. The apparatus includes a needle collar and a control bar. The needle collar attaches to needle and has a first attachment point. The control bar has a second attachment point. The first attachment point and the second attachment point cooperate to releasably engage the needle collar and the control bar. In use, the needle collar and the control bar are engaged and the user grasps the control bar to control the needle while maintaining the hands of the user outside of a field of the radiation, e.g., outside of a field of the X-ray radiation. The control bar is dimensioned such that its proximal end (i.e., the end to be grasped by the user) is outside the field of radiation.

Abstract: A radially expandable stent (10) made from a cannula or sheet of biocompatible material that includes at least one longitudinal segment (14) comprised of a series of laterally interconnected closed cells (13). Each closed cell of a longitudinal segment is defined laterally by a pair of longitudinal struts (15, 16) that are interconnected at each end by a circumferentially adjustable member (19, 20). When the stent is expanded using a balloon (47), the opposing circumferentially adjustable members deform to allow circumferential expansion of the longitudinal segment, while the length of the segment, as defined by the longitudinal struts, is maintained. Self-expanding versions of the stent utilize a nickel-titanium alloy. Adjacent longitudinal segments are joined by flexible interconnection segments (21) that permit the stent to bend laterally. The flexible interconnection segment is comprised of curvilinear struts (22, 23) that form a series of serpentine bends (81) that distribute lateral bending forces.

Abstract: A catheter(10) includes an elongated tubular member (14) having a proximal end (34) opposite a distal end (36). The distal end has a loop hole (70), at least one transition hole (72), and an end hole (78). A thread (60) has one end (62) fixed at the proximal end. The thread extends through the interior of the tubular member and out from the loop hole. The thread then extends through the transition hole and re-enters the tubular member at the end hole (78). The thread has a pulling end (64) exiting the tubular member at the proximal end. Application of a pulling force on the pulling end causes the distal end to form a first loop from the loop hole to the transition hole and a second loop from the transition hole to the end hole. The tubular member has a plurality of drainage/infusion ports (40) between the distal end and the end hole. The ports are in a radial position substantially opposite the radial position of the loop hole. The catheter (10) further includes a hub (12) having a channel (20) therethrough.

Abstract: A kit of parts for taking a biopsy sample from a hard tissue having a needle and a biopsy gun. The needle having an interior shaft and an exterior sleeve forming a tip for piercing hard tissue. The sleeve having a first attachment means and the shaft having a second attachment means complementary to the first attachment means. The biopsy gun having a sampling tip and a third attachment means that is complementary to the second attachment means. In operation, the biopsy gun is placed in the sleeve and secured by the third attachment means and when the gun is fired, a recoil is absorbed by the shaft.

Abstract: A stent deployment device (10) includes a catheter (12), a stent (14) positioned on the catheter (12), and a sleeve (16) carried on the catheter (12). The sleeve (16) has a portion (18) extending fully over and containing the stent (14). The stent deployment device (10) also includes a mechanism (20) for splitting at least the portion (18) of the sleeve (16) extending over the stent (14) and, preferably, for splitting the entire sleeve (16). Splitting of the sleeve portion (18) permits expansion of the stent (14). The mechanism (20) can include an inflatable, nondistending balloon (22) carried on the catheter (12), the stent (14) and the sleeve portion (18) being positioned over the balloon (22). The stent (14) can be self-expanding or can be expanded by the balloon (22) itself. Alternatively, the mechanism (20) can include a bulbous end (24) on the catheter (12).

Abstract: A needle assembly (70) comprising an infusion needle (11) that includes a plurality of needle cannulae (13) made of a superelastic material such as nitinol. The needle cannulae are cold-worked or heat annealed to produce preformed bends (16) that can be straightened with in passageway (21) of a coaxial outer cannula (12) for introduction into the body of a patient. Upon deployment from the outer cannula, the needle cannulae substantially return to their preformed configurations for the introduction or extraction of materials at areas lateral to the entry path of the needle assembly. The plurality of needle cannulae (13) can be variably arranged or configured for their distal tip portions to attain a desired infusion pattern such as an umbrella shaped array (75), and/or be staggered axially.

Abstract: A medical device (10) such as a radio frequency dilator sheath for separating an encapsulated elongated structure (11) such as an electrical cardiac lead implanted in biological tissue (12) such as a vessel leading to or from a patient's heart. The radio frequency dilator sheath includes inner and outer coaxial dilator sheaths (13 and 28) with respective beveled distal ends (18 and 36) for mechanically loosening and separating encapsulating tissue from an implanted electric cardiac lead. The beveled distal end of the inner sheath is truncated to form a transverse face or surface (89) that is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sheath. Electrical conductors (16 and 17) are positioned about the distal end (14) and passage (15) of the inner dilator sheath.

Abstract: A valve (10) useful as a fluid flow check valve or as a self-sealing, penetrable, hemostatic valve for sealing a catheter introducer (12) includes a seal (26) which is highly resistant to tearing and leakage, yet is capable of accepting repeated penetrations by devices of a wide variety of diameters. The seal (26) is disk-shaped and is composed of a thermoplastic styrenic elastomer, such as a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer, of very low durometer (a hardness of no more than about 30 Shore A). The seal (26) is preferably contained in a valve body (40) and is disposed between a valve seat (48) in the valve body (40) and a cap (56) connected to the valve body (40) and becomes deflected upon assembly of the valve. The seal (26) includes at least one perforation (34) closed by such deflection.

Abstract: A flexible stent having a waveform pattern formed from a sheet of biocompatible material and into a tubular shape for maintaining the patency of a lumen such as in a coronary vessel. The waveform pattern of the stent is formed from a flat sheet of malleable, biocompatible material by, for example, photochemically etching the sheet and leaving a framework or plurality of closed cells. The waveform pattern is formed into a tubular shape around a deflated, delivery catheter balloon with segments of the closed cells being interposed only overlapping a reinforcing member extending longitudinally along the stent. The stent material is treated to reduce the coefficient of friction of the material and to aid in the radial expansion of the stent with the balloon. Radiopaque markers are positioned at the ends of the stent to aid the physician in positioning the stent at an occlusion site.

Abstract: A guidewire comprising a distal end (2), a shaft portion (4) and a proximal end (3), wherein the shaft portion comprises a single helically wound, ribbon-shaped wire (7) having a pitch angle (&agr;) in the range of 35° to 76°, and said helical wound wire preferably has a smaller total outer diameter at the distal end than at its proximal end.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for sustaining a vessel or hollow organ lumen (a stent) have a tubular wire frame (1) with rows of elongate cells (2) each having a larger axis and a smaller axis. The cells are arranged with the larger axis in the circumferential direction of the frame (2) and the smaller axis parallel to the axial direction thereof. Each cell is formed by two U-shaped wire sections, and in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis one of the branches of the U-shaped wire sections in one row form together a closed ring shape (4) which provides the frame (1) with large radial stiffness. In the axial direction the frame (1) has only low stiffness so that it easily conforms to the vascular wall even if this deforms due to external loads. The interconnection between the cells (2) may be flexible.

Abstract: A vasoocclusive device 10 is adapted for introduction into a vessel of a human or veterinary patient and occluding flow through the vessel. The device 10 includes a radiopaque member 12 (such as a metallic coil 14) having a proximal end 16 and a distal end 18, the distal end 18 being introduced first into the vessel. The member 12 is about 1.5 mm to about 3.0 mm long and no more than about 2.7 mm wide, preferably about 0.25 to 0.4 mm wide. The device 10 also includes a distal plurality 20 of fibers having an average distal fiber length, associated with and extending away from the distal end 18 of the member 12, as well as a proximal plurality 24 of fibers having an average proximal fiber length, associated with and extending away from the proximal end 16 of the member 12. The average proximal fiber length is about two to about five times the average distal fiber length. The average distal fiber length is preferably about 4 to 8 mm, while the average proximal fiber length is preferably about 9 to 15 mm.

Abstract: A guidewire (1) comprising a distal end (2), a shaft portion (4) and a proximal end (3), wherein the shaft portion comprises at least one helically wound group (10) of at least two wires (7,8,9) extending side by side and having a pitch angle in the range of 35° to 76°.

Abstract: A medical device 10 for collecting both endocervical cells and exocervical cells from a human or veterinary patient includes an elongate handle 12 having first and second handle ends 14 and 16, an elongate foam portion 18 carried by one of the handle ends 14 or 16, and a disk-like foam portion 19 carried by either the same or the opposite handle end 14 or 16. The device 10 includes at least one base plate 30 or 32 connected to the handle 12, to which the elongate and disk-like foam portions 18 and 19 are affixed. The elongate foam portion 18 can be cylindrical in shape, while the disk-like portion 19 can be a convex disk 20 or a generally flat disk 60 or 80. The first foam portion 18 is positioned about a tip 40 or 48 carried by the first handle end 14, for example, connected to the first base plate 30. The first and second foam portions 18 and 19 can be carried on opposite ends 14 and 16 of the handle 12, or can be unitarily formed as a single foam portion 22 carried by the first handle end 14.