Abstract: A dilatation balloon is fabricated according to a process that forms cavities and indentations in the balloon and/or catheter sections. A length of tubing is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser or another type of laser or mechanical material removal tool is used to remove the polymeric material, virtually without thermal effects. Cavities in the sleeve sections of the balloon are defined and if desired, indentations in the cone sections are defined. Material removal, particularly near the balloon sleeves enables a thinner, more flexible bonding area between the catheter shaft and the balloon. Further, the indentations along the cone sections enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile. Rigidity near the sleeves is reduced for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways.

Abstract: The system according to the present disclosure includes a metal stent (3) as a medical implant for treating lesions in blood vessels and a packaging (1) having an inside volume, in which the stent (3) is arranged in a protected manner. The stent (3) has a plurality of webs (33), which produce a tubular shape with each other, and a proximal end (31) and a distal end (32), between which a stent lumen (34) extends. The stent surface (35) has a hydrophilic property. The molecular chemical impurities originating in the atmosphere, primarily hydrocarbon compounds, are significantly reduced on the surface by a treatment, whereby the contact angle as a measure of the hydrophilicity of a water drop present on the surface (35) is reduced in proportion to the contact angle prior to said treatment. The stent (3) is stored in an inert manner in the packaging (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter having a soft distal tip that can be manufactured at lower cost than catheters in the prior art. In one embodiment, the catheter is produced by coupling a soft sleeve to the distal end of a catheter tube. The sleeve may affixed to the catheter tube under temperature and pressure conditions that cause the proximal end of the sleeve to taper against the outer surface of the catheter tube, avoiding or minimizing discontinuities in the insertion profile of the catheter, and that also cause the inner wall of the sleeve to taper against the distal end of the catheter tube, avoiding or minimizing discontinuities in the lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon is fabricated according to a process that forms cavities and indentations in the balloon and/or catheter sections. A length of tubing is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser or another type of laser or mechanical material removal tool is used to remove the polymeric material, virtually without thermal effects. Cavities in the sleeve sections of the balloon are defined and if desired, indentations in the cone sections are defined. Material removal, particularly near the balloon sleeves enables a thinner, more flexible bonding area between the catheter shaft and the balloon. Further, the indentations along the cone sections enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile. Rigidity near the sleeves is reduced for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways.

Abstract: A device and a method for providing a stent for implantation into a body lumen are provided, wherein the stent (3) has a proximal end (31) and a distal end (32), between which a stent lumen having a compressible diameter d extends. The device comprises a crimping apparatus (4), having elements (40) which are disposed about an axis and can be moved at least partially relative to each other radially to the axis, and an activator (42) for actuating the crimping apparatus (4). The elements (40) of the crimping apparatus comprise the stent (3) and can be moved radially by means of the activator (42) from a widened position, in which the stent (3) is not crimped, into a closed position, in which the diameter d of the stent (3) is compressed.

Abstract: Secondary part or securing an impression cap (72) releasably on a tooth implant (10). The secondary part (40) is secured on the latter by means of a screw connection. The secondary part (40) has elastically deformable spring fingers (44) that cooperate with a wall (76) of the impression cap (72). The wall (76) is dimensionally stable. With a good fit of the impression cap, the device can thus have a slender configuration, such that it is also suitable in particular for use in the front area of the lower jaw.

Abstract: The present invention involves porous polymer membranes, suitable for use in medical implants, having controlled pore sizes, pore densities and mechanical properties. Methods of manufacturing such porous membranes are described in which a continuous fiber of polymer is extruded through a reciprocating extrusion head and deposited onto a substrate in a predetermined pattern. When cured, the polymeric material forms a stable, porous membrane suitable for a variety of applications, including reducing emboli release during and after stent delivery, and providing a source for release of bioactive substances to a vessel or organ and surrounding tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter having a soft distal tip that can be manufactured at lower cost than catheters in the prior art. In one embodiment, the catheter is produced by coupling a soft sleeve to the distal end of a catheter tube. The sleeve may affixed to the catheter tube under temperature and pressure conditions that cause the proximal end of the sleeve to taper against the outer surface of the catheter tube, avoiding or minimizing discontinuities in the insertion profile of the catheter, and that also cause the inner wall of the sleeve to taper against the distal end of the catheter tube, avoiding or minimizing discontinuities in the lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention involves porous polymer membranes, suitable for use in medical implants, having controlled pore sizes, pore densities and mechanical properties. Methods of manufacturing such porous membranes are described in which a continuous fiber of polymer is extruded through a reciprocating extrusion head and deposited onto a substrate in a predetermined pattern. When cured, the polymeric material forms a stable, porous membrane suitable for a variety of applications, including reducing emboli release during and after stent delivery, and providing a source for release of bioactive substances to a vessel or organ and surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Abutment (5) for a two-part dental implant for receiving an element that is to be applied, the abutment (5) having at least one core (75) and a cover layer (70). The at least one core (75) and the cover layer (70) are visually and/or acoustically distinct from each other.

Abstract: One-part dental implant (5) with an anchoring part (10) for anchoring in the bone and with a build-on part (15) for receiving an element to be applied. The build-on part has at least one core (25) and a covering layer (30) which are visually and/or acoustically different from one another.

Abstract: A catheter arrangement is described that is arranged to permit a guide wire or other structure to be fed laterally from the region of an expandable working element. The catheter includes an elongate flexible tubular member and an inflatable structure carried by a distal portion of the flexible tubular member. The flexible tubular member has a guide wire lumen and at least one fluid supply lumen that is in fluid communication with the inflatable structure. The inflatable structure includes at least one, and preferably two, inflatable members (which may take the form of balloons). In the case of two inflatable members, the first and second inflatable members are radially spaced about the guide wire lumen such that at least one gap is formed between the inflatable members. With this arrangement, the distal end of a guide wire may be advanced through the guide lumen and out of a side opening such that the guide wire passes laterally between the first and second inflatable members.

Abstract: A catheter arrangement is described that is arranged to permit a guide wire or other structure to be fed laterally from the region of an expandable working element. The catheter includes an elongate flexible tubular member and an inflatable structure carried by a distal portion of the flexible tubular member. The flexible tubular member has a guide wire lumen and at least one fluid supply lumen that is in fluid communication with the inflatable structure. The inflatable structure includes at least one, and preferably two, inflatable members (which may take the form of balloons). In the case of two inflatable members, the first and second inflatable members are radially spaced about the guide wire lumen such that at least one gap is formed between the inflatable members. With this arrangement, the distal end of a guide wire may be advanced through the guide lumen and out of a side opening such that the guide wire passes laterally between the first and second inflatable members.

Abstract: A variety of methods are described that pre-condition a balloon used in a balloon catheter in order to increase its flexibility. Generally, the membrane that forms the balloon is crumpled in order to induce a large number of irregular crumples in the balloon. The crinkling of the balloon improves its flexibility and thus the flexibility of the catheter. Most typically, torsion and/or compression are applied to the balloon membrane in order to induce the crumpling. The described crumpling can be used to increase the flexibility of a balloon of a given strength in a variety of catheters, including angioplasty catheters and stent delivery catheters. In stent delivery catheters, the resulting crinkles also have the additional benefit of improving stent retention.

Abstract: Various improved catheter marking arrangements are described. In a first aspect of the invention, a first longitudinally extending radiopaque marker is positioned on the catheter. A second longitudinally extending radiopaque marker is positioned opposite the first marker at a rotational orientation that is approximately 180 degrees offset from the first marker. The second marker has a length that is sufficiently different from the first marker such that a surgeon utilizing the catheter in a surgical procedure would be able to readily differentiate the first and second markers in a fluoroscopic image based on their respective lengths in order to determine the rotational orientation of the catheter. In some embodiments, the catheter includes a lumen that has a side port that opens to a side of the catheter. The first marker is composed of a pair of axially aligned marker segments located on opposite ends of the side port.

Abstract: Various improved catheter marking arrangements are described. In a first aspect of the invention, the catheter includes an expandable member (such as for example, a balloon, a stent, etc.). A pair of radiopaque end markers mark the distal and proximal ends of the expandable member. Additionally, a radiopaque intermediate marker is provided that marks an intermediate position on the expandable member. The intermediate marker may be used to mark important points on the expandable member. The markers are sized and positioned such that a surgeon utilizing the catheter in a surgical procedure would be able to readily differentiate the markers in a fluoroscopic image to determine the location of the item marked by the orientation of the catheter. In various other aspects of the invention, the intermediate marker is arranged to mark a position on the expandable member that constitutes a line of demarcation for an agent (such as a drug) carried by a balloon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter having a soft distal tip that can be manufactured at lower cost than catheters in the prior art. In one embodiment, the catheter is produced by coupling a soft sleeve to the distal end of a catheter tube. The sleeve may affixed to the catheter tube under temperature and pressure conditions that cause the proximal end of the sleeve to taper against the outer surface of the catheter tube, avoiding or minimizing discontinuities in the insertion profile of the catheter, and that also cause the inner wall of the sleeve to taper against the distal end of the catheter tube, avoiding or minimizing discontinuities in the lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: Disclosed are stent delivery apparatus and methods for moving a balloon catheter carrying a stent through a body vessel without the stent slipping from the balloon are provided. In general, the stent delivery system includes a stent stopper that impedes the stent from slipping from the balloon. The stent stopper is sized to serve as a barrier to the stent as it is carried on the balloon. In a specific embodiment, the stent stopper is formed from a material that encircles the proximal end of the balloon and abuts the proximal end of the stent. The stent stopper material expands with expansion of the balloon and collapses with deflation of the balloon. In some embodiments, the stent stopper material has a thickness that is about equal to or greater than the thickness of the stent so as to form a barrier against the stent and impede the stent from slipping off the proximal end of the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter for POBA or stent delivery applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to a balloon catheter having a soft distal tip member and methods for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A guidewire apparatus for a medical device that includes an expandable guidewire section that can be locked in an expanded state. In one use, the expandable section can be temporarily locked to a working element of a medical device to facilitate the transmission of torque from the guidewire to the medical device. Hence, this configuration may be utilized to aid in orientation of the working element with a vessel side branch by providing the user with the ability to apply a rotational force to the distal end of the stent delivery system. Another use includes docking the expandable section near an opening into a guidewire lumen at the catheter tip. This configuration is particularly useful in forming a smooth transition between the guidewire and the catheter tip to reduce the phenomenon of fish-mouthing.