Abstract: A multi-stage stent including a stent body and a bio-erodible material is provided. The stent body can be compressed in an initial state and the bio-erodible material can be coupled to the stent body in a configuration that holds the stent body in an expanded first state, following a first stage expansion from the initial state upon deployment of the stent body. Upon erosion of the bio-erodible material the stent body is released from the first state to expand further in a second stage expansion to a second state.

Abstract: A biopsy needle assembly configured for use with a tissue biopsy device is disclosed. The biopsy needle assembly may be configured to be advanced to a predetermined tissue sample, sever the tissue sample, and extract the tissue sample from a body tissue of a patient. The biopsy needle assembly may be further configured with two or more cooperating members configured to sever a sample.

Abstract: A multi-stage stent including a stent body and a bio-erodible material is provided. The stent body can be compressed in an initial state and the bio-erodible material can be coupled to the stent body in a configuration that holds the stent body in an expanded first state, following a first stage expansion from the initial state upon deployment of the stent body. Upon erosion of the bio-erodible material the stent body is released from the first state to expand further in a second stage expansion to a second state.

Abstract: As detailed herein, a biocompatible apparatus comprises a porous material comprising ceramic nanotubes bound together with a filler material. The proportion of the filler material may be selected to provide porosity for the porous material that is biocompatible, and the porous material may be shaped to provide a compliant biomedical device. In one embodiment, the compliant biomedical device is a stent such as intravascular stent. A method for fabricating a biocompatible device is also described herein. The method may include growing ceramic nanotubes on a substrate, infiltrating the ceramic nanotubes with a filler material to provide a porous material having a porosity that is biocompatible, and removing the porous material from the substrate to provide a biocompatible ceramic device. The method may also include coating the biocompatible ceramic device with a drug-eluting material.

Abstract: A biopsy needle assembly configured for use with a tissue biopsy device is disclosed. The biopsy needle assembly may be configured to be advanced to a predetermined tissue sample, sever the tissue sample, and extract the tissue sample from a body tissue of a patient. The biopsy needle assembly may be further configured with two or more cooperating members configured to sever a sample.

Abstract: As detailed herein, a biocompatible apparatus comprises a porous material comprising ceramic nanotubes bound together with a filler material. The proportion of the filler material may be selected to provide porosity for the porous material that is biocompatible, and the porous material may be shaped to provide a compliant biomedical device. In one embodiment, the compliant biomedical device is a stent such as intravascular stent. A method for fabricating a biocompatible device is also described herein. The method may include growing ceramic nanotubes on a substrate, infiltrating the ceramic nanotubes with a filler material to provide a porous material having a porosity that is biocompatible, and removing the porous material from the substrate to provide a biocompatible ceramic device. The method may also include coating the biocompatible ceramic device with a drug-eluting material.