Abstract: An endoprosthesis, a method for imaging an endoprosthesis, a method of making an endoprosthesis involve a polymeric substrate that has been modified to have voids embedded within the substrate. The voids are sized to scatter optical radiation from within the substrate so that an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image can be obtained in which an interior region of the substrate can be easily differentiated from empty space and other structures that surround the endoprosthesis. The voids allow for OCT visualization of the polymeric substrate which may be difficult to visualize by other methods such as fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A method of laser machining a polymer construct to form a stent that includes a bioresorbable polymer and an absorber that increases absorption of laser energy during laser machining. The laser cuts the tubing at least in part by a multiphoton absorption mechanism and the polymer and absorber have a very low absorbance or are transparent to light at the laser wavelength.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, a method for imaging an endoprosthesis, a method of making an endoprosthesis involve a polymeric substrate that has been modified to have voids embedded within the substrate. The voids are sized to scatter optical radiation from within the substrate so that an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image can be obtained in which an interior region of the substrate can be easily differentiated from empty space and other structures that surround the endoprosthesis. The voids allow for OCT visualization of the polymeric substrate which may be difficult to visualize by other methods such as fluoroscopy.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a stent are disclosed including forming a primer layer on a surface of the scaffold including a first polylactide polymer. The primer layer includes a second polylactide polymer and is free of a therapeutic agent. The scaffold with the primer layer is thermally treated to condition the scaffold. A therapeutic layer is formed over the primer layer and the therapeutic layer includes the second polylactide polymer and a drug. The scaffold is crimped and the primer layer improves adhesion of the therapeutic layer to the scaffold and reduces or prevents damage to the therapeutic layer during crimping.

Abstract: A scaffold includes a radiopaque marker connected to a strut. The marker is retained within the strut by a head at one or both ends. The marker is attached to the strut by a process that includes forming a rivet from a radiopaque bead and attaching the rivet to the marker including deforming the rivet to enhance resistance to dislodgement during crimping or balloon expansion. The strut has a thickness of about 100 microns.

Abstract: The present invention involves laser machining polymer substrates to form a stent with laser parameters that minimize damage to the substrate in a surface region adjacent to the machined edge surface. The wavelength and pulse width are selected for this unique application and they can be controlled to minimize the surface modifications (such as voids, cracks which are induced by the laser-material interaction) which contribute to the variation in mechanical properties with distance from the edge surface, bulk mechanical properties, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention involves laser machining polymer substrates to form a stent with laser parameters that minimize damage to the substrate in a surface region adjacent to the machined edge surface. The wavelength and pulse width are selected for this unique application and they can be controlled to minimize the surface modifications (such as voids, cracks which are induced by the laser-material interaction) which contribute to the variation in mechanical properties with distance from the edge surface, bulk mechanical properties, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed including thermally processing a scaffold to increase the radial strength of the scaffold when the scaffold is deployed from a crimped state to a deployed state such as a nominal deployment diameter. The thermal processing may further maintain or increase the expansion capability of the scaffold when expanded beyond the nominal diameter.

Abstract: A polymer scaffold is crimped to a balloon while the polymer material is in a thermodynamically unstable state, or a transient state including crimping shortly after a tube or scaffold processing step that imparts memory to the material, or shortly after rejuvenation of the scaffold.

Abstract: This invention is directed to vascular stents that can be visualized in vivo through the use of fluorescent imaging.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, a method for imaging an endoprosthesis, a method of making an endoprosthesis involve a polymeric substrate that has been modified to have voids embedded within the substrate. The voids are sized to scatter optical radiation from within the substrate so that an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image can be obtained in which an interior region of the substrate can be easily differentiated from empty space and other structures that surround the endoprosthesis. The voids allow for OCT visualization of the polymeric substrate which may be difficult to visualize by other methods such as fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A braided polymeric scaffold, made at least in part from a bioresorbable material is deployed on a catheter that uses a push-pull mechanism to deploy the scaffold. A drug coating is disposed on the scaffold. A plurality of scaffold segments on a catheter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of laser machining a polymer construct to form a stent that includes a bioresorbable polymer and an absorber that increases absorption of laser energy during laser machining. The laser cuts the tubing at least in part by a multiphoton absorption mechanism and the polymer and absorber have a very low absorbance or are transparent to light at the laser wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention involves laser machining polymer substrates to form a stent with laser parameters that minimize damage to the substrate in a surface region adjacent to the machined edge surface. The wavelength and pulse width are selected for this unique application and they can be controlled to minimize the surface modifications (such as voids, cracks which are induced by the laser-material interaction) which contribute to the variation in mechanical properties with distance from the edge surface, bulk mechanical properties, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention involves laser machining polymer substrates to form a stent with laser parameters that minimize damage to the substrate in a surface region adjacent to the machined edge surface. The wavelength and pulse width are selected for this unique application and they can be controlled to minimize the surface modifications (such as voids, cracks which are induced by the laser-material interaction) which contribute to the variation in mechanical properties with distance from the edge surface, bulk mechanical properties, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention involves laser machining polymer substrates to form a stent with laser parameters that minimize damage to the substrate in a surface region adjacent to the machined edge surface. The wavelength and pulse width are selected for this unique application and they can be controlled to minimize the surface modifications (such as voids, cracks which are induced by the laser-material interaction) which contribute to the variation in mechanical properties with distance from the edge surface, bulk mechanical properties, or a combination thereof.