Abstract: A stent comprises two serpentine bands, at least one first connector; and at least one second connector. The first and second connectors connect the two serpentine bands together. The first connector and the second each have at least a first portion of a first curvature and a second portion of a second curvature. The second portion being more flexible than the first portion. The first and second connectors are adjacent one another and the first portion of the first connector nests within the second portion of the second connector and the second portion of the second connector nests within the first portion of the first connector.

Abstract: An expandable bifurcated stent is formed of a main body and a first branch. The body wall is made up of interconnected stent members that define a plurality of cells, at least one of which is a side opening. The first branch body extends from the body wall from at least two regions adjacent the side opening. At least one stent member adjacent the perimeter is bioabsorbable.

Abstract: A stent may comprise a plurality of serpentine bands, wherein adjacent serpentine bands are connected by at least one connector strut. A serpentine band may comprise alternating straight struts and s-shaped struts. Connector struts may comprise first connector struts and second connector struts, wherein the first connector struts are nonparallel to the second connector struts.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to stents, such as intravascular stents. More particularly, the invention is directed to stents comprising expandable stent segments, such as unconnected expandable stent segments. The invention is also directed to methods for making such stents.

Abstract: A stent may comprise a plurality of serpentine bands, wherein adjacent serpentine bands are connected by at least one connector strut. A serpentine band may comprise alternating straight struts and s-shaped struts. Connector struts may comprise first connector struts and second connector struts, wherein the first connector struts are nonparallel to the second connector struts.

Abstract: A bifurcation having a main branch portion and a side branch portion which interface about a frame. The frame is expandable from a first configuration enclosing a first area to a second configuration enclosing a second area wherein the second area is larger than the first area.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, an endoprosthesis includes a first portion having a first width, and a second portion having a second width different than the first width, wherein the first and second portions have different grain sizes.

Abstract: A medical device having at least one static state, at least activated state, and at least one active region including electroactive polymer (EAP) capable of fine electro-activated movements. The EAP movements include bending components for proper alignment, rotating components for pooper fittings, making components more rigid or flexible, and increasing and decreasing the volume of components. The fine movements allow for highly versatile and adaptable medical devices.

Abstract: An expandable medical balloon having at least one static state, at least one expanded state, and at least one deflated state, the expandable medical balloon including at least one active region, the at least one active region including electroactive polymer.

Abstract: A stent has a main body, which has a circumference that defines a primary lumen and longitudinal axis, which extends therethrough. A first region of the main body comprises at least one band disposed circumferentially about the longitudinal axis. A second region of the main body comprises a plurality of interconnected rings concentrically disposed about a side branch opening. An outermost ring extends fully about the circumference of the main body. Each of the rings consist of two longitudinally oriented elements and two circumferentially extending elements.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of serpentine bands and a plurality of connector columns. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of alternating straight band struts and turns. Adjacent serpentine bands are connected across a connector column by a plurality of connector struts. Each connector strut is connected at one end to a turn of one serpentine band and connected at the other end to a turn of another serpentine band. The turns of a serpentine band comprise connected turns that connect to a connector strut and unconnected turns that do not connect to a connector strut. At least one serpentine band comprises a repeating pattern of three band struts and then five band struts extending between connected turns as the serpentine band is traversed. At least one serpentine band comprises a repeating pattern of three band struts and then one band strut extending between connected turns as the serpentine band is traversed.

Abstract: A catheter system comprises a catheter comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion and an inner shaft. The inner shaft comprises a medical device receiving region for receiving and carrying a medical device. The retaining device is at least partially constructed of an electroactive polymer. The retaining device is located on or adjacent to the medical device receiving region. The electroactive polymer of the retaining device has an activated state and an inactivated state. The retaining device is capable of retaining a medical device to the catheter and releasing the medical device from the catheter by transitioning between the activated state and the inactivated state.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent that uses turning segments to reduce the strain at regions which bend at extreme angles. The turning segments can be placed on side branch petals or on connectors connecting the petals to the stent body. Combining the turning segments with connectors of different length and tethers provides for a stent with high flexibility that can accommodate various shaped body vessels. This design allows the bifurcation branch to extend easily, to a useful distance, and to be deployed along oblique angles. Best of all, this design avoids the problems of angularly strained side branch.

Abstract: A stent that has a middle section is that is engaged to the proximal section and the distal section by rotational links which extend about the circumference of the stent. The reduced diameters of the proximal section and the distal section are smaller than the reduced diameter of the middle section.

Abstract: A stent formed of a plurality of serpentine bands, each band formed from a plurality of straight sections connected by curved end portions, at least some of the end portions having a curable resin composition disposed thereon, and a method of making and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a bifurcation stent comprising a plurality of interconnected expansion columns, wherein the plurality of interconnected expansion columns are longitudinally spaced from the proximal end of the stent to the distal end of the stent and wherein the plurality of interconnected expansion columns define a plurality of cells. The inventive stent further comprises a framework defining a side branch cell. The framework is designed to minimize the circumferential space the side branch structure consumes. A plurality of expansion columns are connected to the framework. When the side branch is extended and expanded, the connected expansion columns form the wall of the side branch and the framework expands to conform to the shape of a targeted bodily vessel.

Abstract: A tethered stent made up of interconnected struts which together form expansion columns. At least some of the struts are connected to each other by tethers. When the stent expands, the tethers pull on the interconnected struts and limit how far apart from each other the struts can move when expanding. This limitation allows for greater control over what overall shape the expanded stent will assume and how particular portions of the stent will deploy. The tethers also add density to the stent and increases surface area which leads to better stent scaffolding and greater effectiveness of drug coatings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medical device for expansion in a bifurcated bodily vessel. The medical device includes a first stent and at least one expansion column connected to an end of the first stent. The axes of the first stent and the expansion column(s) are generally perpendicularly oriented relative to one another, such that the expansion column(s) is/are expanded within the main branch of the bifurcated bodily vessel and the first stent is expanded within a side branch of the bifurcated bodily vessel.

Abstract: A stent assembly includes a branch portion and a main body with a proximal main body, a contralateral main body, and a distal main body. The branch portion is in fluid communication with the main body. In the expanded state the branch portion extends at an oblique angle in relation to the longitudinal axis. The main body and the branch portion are at least partially constructed of interconnected struts. A plurality of the struts are connected one to another by a peak. The distal main body has a greater peak width to strut width ratio than does the proximal main body and contralateral main body.

Abstract: An expandable stent may be made having a tubular body and an expandable side branch section. The tubular body has at least one perimeter which defines at least one opening in the wall of the tubular body. The expandable side branch section has a plurality of elongate members with a first end engaged to the perimeter. Each of the plurality of elongate members has a second end that extends to a pre-determined distance away from the tubular body when in an expanded state. The expandable side branch section is configured to expand outward to allow for the formation of a bifurcated stent with a side branch.