Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a stent is provided, which contains at least one filament that has a longitudinal axis and comprises a bioabsorbable polymeric material. Polymer molecules within the bioabsorbable polymeric material are provided with a helical orientation which is aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filament. The stent is at least partially bioabsorbed by a patient upon implantation or insertion of the stent into the patient.

Abstract: A device for cleaning the interior wall of a catheter has a cleaning lumen and a non-inflatable removal element comprising whisks. The whisks are configured around of the cleaning lumen and each whisk has a first position when unconstrained and a second position when within the catheter. The removal element self-positions the device concentrically within the catheter. Suction is desirably applied to the cleaning lumen during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stent structures having improved migration resistance. In particular, the invention relates to mesh stents, such as braided or twisted stent designs, where at least a portion of the stent is folded back over itself to form a multi-layered stent device. Such multi-layered portions provide for migration resistance, among other advantages.

Abstract: A stent loading and deployment device includes an outer elongate tubular member having opposed proximal and distal ends and an inner elongate tubular member having opposed proximal and distal ends and slidably disposed within the outer tubular member. When the distal ends of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member are axially aligned, a stent deployment region is defined there in between. The device further includes a stent loading member having opposed proximal and distal ends and slidably disposed between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. The distal end of the stent loading member is slidable to a distal position past the distal end of the outer tubular member for receiving a stent and is further slidable toward the proximal end of the outer tubular member to a location past the stent deployment region for disengagement of a stent from the stent loading member.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis comprising a stent, a cover fully covering the stent wherein the cover has variable porosity in the radial direction; and an adhesion layer connecting the stent to the cover. Another aspect of the invention is a method of implanting an endoprosthesis which includes a stent, providing a cover with variable porosity in the radial direction, connecting the stent to the cover with an adhesion layer to form a covered stent, and implanting the covered stent within a body lumen of a patient.

Abstract: A stent loading and deployment device includes an outer elongate tubular member having opposed proximal and distal ends and an inner elongate tubular member having opposed proximal and distal ends and slidably disposed within the outer tubular member. When the distal ends of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member are axially aligned, a stent deployment region is defined there in between. The device further includes a stent loading member having opposed proximal and distal ends and slidably disposed between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. The distal end of the stent loading member is slidable to a distal position past the distal end of the outer tubular member for receiving a stent and is further slidable toward the proximal end of the outer tubular member to a location past the stent deployment region for disengagement of a stent from the stent loading member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable radiopaque stent adapted to be disposed in a body lumen. In one aspect of the invention, a plurality of elongate filaments including one or more radiopaque filaments are arranged to form a hollow tubular structure having a tubular wall that defines an inner surface and an outer surface and opposing first open end and second open end. One of the open ends of the stent is formed by an intersection of adjacent filament ends. A radiopaque compound is applied to the intersection, the radiopaque compound comprising radiopaque material and polymeric material. The radiopaque compound and radiopaque filament provide improved external imaging of the tubular structure on imaging equipment.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis comprising a stent, a cover fully covering the stent wherein the cover has variable porosity in the radial direction; and an adhesion layer connecting the stent to the cover. Another aspect of the invention is a method of implanting an endoprosthesis which includes a stent, providing a cover with variable porosity in the radial direction, connecting the stent to the cover with an adhesion layer to form a covered stent, and implanting the covered stent within a body lumen of a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable radiopaque stent adapted to be disposed in a body lumen. In one aspect of the invention, a plurality of elongate filaments including one or more radiopaque filaments are arranged to form a hollow tubular structure having a tubular wall that defines an inner surface and an outer surface and opposing first open end and second open end. One of the open ends of the stent is formed by an intersection of adjacent filament ends. A radiopaque compound is applied to the intersection, the radiopaque compound comprising radiopaque material and polymeric material. The radiopaque compound and radiopaque filament provide improved external imaging of the tubular structure on imaging equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable radiopaque stent adapted to be disposed in a body lumen. In one aspect of the invention, at least one radiopaque filament is arranged for permanent attachment to a hollow tubular structure. The filament is desirably arranged in a linear direction traverse to a longitudinal length of the structure, the structure having a tubular wall that defines an inner surface and an outer surface and opposing first open end and second open end. The radiopaque filament improves external imaging of the tubular structure on fluoroscope or x-ray imaging equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stent structures having improved migration resistance. In particular, the invention relates to mesh stents, such as braided or twisted stent designs, where at least a portion of the stent is folded back over itself to form a multi-layered stent device. Such multi-layered portions provide for migration resistance, among other advantages.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a stent is provided, which contains at least one filament that has a longitudinal axis and comprises a bioabsorbable polymeric material. Polymer molecules within the bioabsorbable polymeric material are provided with a helical orientation which is aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filament. The stent is at least partially bioabsorbed by a patient upon implantation or insertion of the stent into the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stent structures having improved migration resistance. In particular, the invention relates to mesh stents, such as braided or twisted stent designs, where at least a portion of the stent is folded back over itself to form a multi-layered stent device. Such multi-layered portions provide for migration resistance, among other advantages.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis holder includes a proximal connector structure having an outer surface. A distal connector structure has an outer surface. An intermediate connector structure is connected to the proximal and distal connector structures such that the intermediate connector structure is between the proximal and distal connector structures. The intermediate connector structure includes one or more intermediate transverse structures and one or more axial structures. The one or more intermediate transverse structures are connected to one another and to the proximal and distal connector structures by the one or more axial structures. The intermediate connector structure has an outer surface. An outward protrusion is connected to one or more of the outer surfaces of the proximal connector structure or distal connector structure or intermediate connector structure.

Abstract: There is provided a device for performing a tracheotomy. The tracheostomy dilator has a body, tip and guiding catheter which are non-detachably attached to each other. The dilator has a cannula sized to accommodate a guide wire. After the trachea has been dilated, the entire device may be removed, leaving only the guide wire in the stoma, and a tracheostomy tube may be inserted over the guide wire and into the trachea. This substantially reduces the number of components and steps required for a successful tracheostomy procedure.

Abstract: There is provided a tracheostomy tube loading catheter with a handle, mid-section, tip portion and guiding catheter portion, where the guiding catheter and tip portions are non-detachably attached to the mid-section, and where the loading catheter has a cannula therethrough.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a stent is provided, which contains at least one filament that has a longitudinal axis and comprises a bioabsorbable polymeric material. Polymer molecules within the bioabsorbable polymeric material are provided with a helical orientation which is aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filament. The stent is at least partially bioabsorbed by a patient upon implantation or insertion of the stent into the patient.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis holder includes a proximal connector structure having an outer surface. A distal connector structure has an outer surface. An intermediate connector structure is connected to the proximal and distal connector structures such that the intermediate connector structure is between the proximal and distal connector structures. The intermediate connector structure includes one or more intermediate transverse structures and one or more axial structures. The one or more intermediate transverse structures are connected to one another and to the proximal and distal connector structures by the one or more axial structures. The intermediate connector structure has an outer surface. An outward protrusion is connected to one or more of the outer surfaces of the proximal connector structure or distal connector structure or intermediate connector structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a visualization system including a small gauge vision catheter that is designed to be standalone or received within an instrument channel of a larger endoscope. The vision catheter has imaging means disposable within an imaging channel, a working channel, and an electromagnetic sensor element insertable into the working channel of the catheter to provide position tracking. The working channel of the catheter also provides access for therapeutic and diagnostic tools.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a stent is provided, which contains at least one filament that has a longitudinal axis and comprises a bioabsorbable polymeric material. Polymer molecules within the bioabsorbable polymeric material are provided with a helical orientation which is aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filament. The stent is at least partially bioabsorbed by a patient upon implantation or insertion of the stent into the patient.