Abstract: Methods are provided for delivering nitric oxide to the vascular tissue of a patient to inhibit or prevent restenosis or improve vascular function following various surgical procedures or associated with various NO-related conditions. The disclosed methods comprise contacting the vascular tissue of a patient with a medical device coated with a coating comprising nitric oxide associated with and releaseable from a polyurea network formed from the reaction on said medical device of a polyisocyanate; an amine donor and/or hydroxyl donor; an isocyanatosilane adduct having terminal isocyanate groups and at least one hydrolyzable alkoxy group bonded to silicon; and optionally a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polyacrylic acid.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a device for insertion into a body of a subject being treated to deliver localized x-ray radiation, and a method for fabricating such a device. The device includes a cathode structure that has a thin, diamond film as a cathode. The device further comprises a vacuum housing and an anode. A method for fabricating a device for localized x-ray radiation is described which includes the formation of a thin diamond film on a getter at temperatures below an activation temperature of the getter.

Abstract: A Balloon dilation catheter comprising an elongated tubular shaft and an inner tube defining inflation and guide wire lumens. A dilation balloon is mounted on the distal end of the tubular shaft and communicates with the inflation lumen. The guide wire lumen extends through the balloon. A stiffening wire is positioned within the tubular shaft and has a proximal end secured in the proximal portion of the catheter. The distal end of the stiffening wire is anchored within the inner tube in an area adjacent the guide wire entrance port. The stiffening wire maximizes strength to the proximal portion of the catheter while maintaining flexibility in the distal end of the catheter as well as the balloon.

Abstract: Coatings are provided in which biopolymers may be covalently linked to a substrate. Such biopolymers include those that impart thromboresistance and/or biocompatibility to the substrate, which may be a medical device. Coatings disclosed herein include those that permit coating of a medical device in a single layer, including coatings that permit applying the single layer without a primer. Suitable biopolymers include heparin complexes, and linkage may be provided by a silane having isocyanate functionality. Plasma deposition and solvent swelling techniques are described as preferred methods of depositing a derivatized silane or a silane-heparin coating.

Abstract: Improved endoluminal prostheses and methods for their use, having discrete position indicating elements which facilitate the orienting and deploying of the prostheses within body lumens. The endoluminal prostheses may include endovascular prostheses, often formed as stent-grafts having a flexible tubular liner or “graft.” The position indicating elements may include an improved radiopaque image marker to be applied to the graft, before the graft is deployed particularly within branching blood vessels for the treatment of abdominal and other aneurysms. The marker is in the form of a flat metal blank resembling a circular plate or “button.” The disk may be fastened or secured on to the graft using a pair of fastening shanks or tangs which extend parallel to each other outward from a surface of the plate.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for a radially compressible tubular prosthesis comprises an elongate shaft slidably received within a tubular cover. The prosthesis is carried within a plurality of elongate, relatively hard runners, and is restrained in a radially compressed configuration by the cover. After introducing the catheter to a desired target location within a body lumen, the prosthesis may be released by proximally retracting the cover. The runners may optionally remain disposed about the prosthesis to be retracted separately, or, alternatively, the runners retract proximally with the cover as the prosthesis slides over the hard runner surfaces.

Abstract: A multi-stage stent graft for implantation into a blood vessel is disclosed. Each stage or layer may comprise radially compressible spring stents with or without a fabric covering, or may comprise a foamed tube. The various stages or layers may also have an adhesive coated thereon. The multi-stage stented graft and the adhesive coatings provide a surface for the ingrowth of cells and promote healing. Also disclosed is a coaxial delivery system for the delivery and endovascular assembly of the multi-stage stented graft during one trip into the vasculature.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for a radially compressible tubular prosthesis comprises an elongate shaft slidably received within an elongate sheath. The prosthesis is carried over the distal end of the shaft where it is contained in a radially compressed configuration by the sheath. After introducing the catheter to a desired target location within a body lumen, the prosthesis may be released by proximally retracting the sheath. The prosthesis will remain anchored to the shaft during at least part of the release procedure, permitting the user to recapture the prosthesis by distally advancing the sheath.

Abstract: The present invention is a distal protection device for use with a delivery member. A filter assembly is located on the distal end of the delivery member. The filter is deployed distally of the region to be treated to capture emboli released during and immediately after the procedure. The filter is then retracted to retain any captured emboli and then removed from the patient.

Abstract: An endovascular support device for treatment of chronic restenosis or other vascular narrowing is disclosed together with a method of manufacture and a method for delivering a plurality of such devices to an affected area of a vessel. In a preferred embodiment, the endovascular support device comprises a unitary wire-like structure configured to form a plurality of upper and lower peaks which may be compressed for delivery to an affected area of a coronary or peripheral vessel in a human, and then expanded to maintain a passageway through the vessel.

Abstract: A catheter introducing system includes an introducer catheter comprising a flexible sheath having a hemostasis valve and an obturator having a steering mechanism operated by a proximal actuator handle. The catheter introducer system will usually be introduced with the obturator inside of the flexible sheath so that the obturator can effect steering by laterally deflecting the distal end of the combined sheath and obturator. Such catheter introducing systems are particularly useful for large diameter sheaths which are not readily introduced over guide wires. A first exemplary hemostasis valve comprises a compressed foam insert having an axial lumen therein. A second exemplary hemostasis valve comprises an elastomeric insert which receives and seals over the catheter.

Abstract: An endolumenal prosthesis delivery assembly includes an endolumenal prosthesis which is delivered to a desired location within a body lumen by used of first and second delivery members. The first delivery member has a prosthesis coupler that is adapted to removeably engage the prosthesis during delivery to the desired location and to release the prosthesis and implant it at the desired location. The second delivery member has an anchor on its distal end portion which is adapted to secure the second delivery member within the body lumen distally of the desired location for stenting. Once the second delivery member is anchored, the first delivery member is slideably advanced over the second delivery member until the prosthesis is positioned at the desired location. The anchor along the second delivery member according to this assembly is either an expandable member, such as a balloon, or is otherwise adapted to engage the body lumen wall, such as by use of suction or other mechanical means.

Abstract: A encapsulated stent device for implantation within the vascular system includes a balloon of a balloon catheter formed around and adhered to a wire-like stent so that the outer surface of the device is more regular for delivery through the vascular system without an exterior sheath. The encapsulation securely anchors the stent to the balloon and maintains a low profile for negotiation of tortuous and narrowed vessels. Encapsulation requires placement of the stent over the balloon, placement of a sheath over the stent on the balloon, heating and preferably pressurization of the balloon to cause it to expand around the stent within the sheath, and cooling while preferably maintaining pressure to cause the balloon to adhere to the stent and to set the shape of the expanded balloon. Retainers may be placed at the distal and/or proximal ends of the stent during the encapsulation process, or the balloon material may expand to form retainers.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis is provided having an expandable, generally cylindrical body portion defining an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface is preferably regular and smooth to yield a low coefficient of friction, while the outside surface is modified to yield a relatively high coefficient of friction with a vessel surface, includes a macroscopic surface modification to engage the vessel surface, or includes an adhesive coating that bonds the stent to the vessel surface.

Abstract: A coating is provided comprising a polyurethane network formed from the reaction on a substrate to be coated, of a mixture comprising a polyisocyanate; a hydroxyl donor and/or amine donor; a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polyacrylic acid; and an isocyanatosilane adduct having terminal isocyanate groups and at least one hydrolyzable alkoxy group bonded to silicon in a solvent. A method for preparing the coating is also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an X-ray device is described including the step of coupling a housing that includes diamond to an anode structure that includes diamond. Further, a target metal may be formed on a tip of the anode structure. An X-ray device is also described including a housing made of diamond, a cathode within the housing, and an anode structure that includes diamond. The anode structure may include conductive diamond, while the housing structure may include high resistivity diamond.

Abstract: Balloons and balloon catheters with a superior overall combination of distensibility, elastic stress response and strength. The improved properties of the balloons result from the method or process used to form the balloons, as well as the polymeric materials used in said balloon forming process. Additionally, the enhanced combination of properties of the balloons will not be adversely affected by the novel sterilization process contemplated by this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for delivering a therapeutic substance to a treatment site within a patient such as a vessel that has undergone angioplasty. The device provides flexible conduits placed together in the vessel along with a shaft that is attached to their distal ends. After being navigated to the treatment site, the shaft may be moved relative to the conduits causing them to buckle and bow radially outward into contact with the tissue to be treated. The therapeutic substance is then pressurized to be delivered through perfusion ports along the distal portion of the conduits. Because the conduits can be expanded into contact with the treatment site without the assistance of an inflatable member, blood flow through the region during delivery of the therapeutic substance is not interrupted in any significant way. Alternatively, the present invention may be used in conjunction with a balloon angioplasty catheter to deliver therapeutic substances after the dilatation procedure.

Abstract: A thrombolytic filtration and drug delivery catheter is disclosed comprising a shaft which longitudinal ribs. The ribs are compressed while being advanced to the site of interest and are released at the site, flaring to a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft. The ribs can be compressed by a sleeve or thread, for example. Drugs or other agents can be delivered through lumens in the shaft and ribs, out through ports in the ribs. Preferably, the ports are positioned to deliver the drugs or other agents between the ribs and within the region defined by the ribs.

Abstract: A method described includes positioning an x-ray emitter at a treatment area, where the x-ray emitter is connected to a cable, setting a voltage source at a source voltage, and measuring a current through the x-ray emitter. The method may include comparing a current flowing through the emitter with a high limit and a low limit. The method further includes increasing the source voltage if the current is lower than the low limit. The method further includes decreasing the source voltage if the current is higher than the high limit. The method includes determining the high limit and the low limit based on the source voltage and the desired radiation.