Abstract: An endoprosthesis that includes a composite having a metal matrix and a plurality of stiffening particles in the matrix. The metal of the metal matrix can include titanium, niobium, tantalum, or alloys thereof The stiffening particles can include a metal core and a thin surface layer. The thin surface layer can include oxides, carbides, nitrides, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. The endoprostheses comprise a tubular member capable of maintaining patency of a bodily vessel. The tubular member includes a mixture of at least two compositions, where the presence of the second composition gives the mixture a greater hardness than that of the first composition alone. The first composition includes less than about 25 weight percent chromium, less than about 7 weight percent molybdenum, from about 10 to about 35 weight percent nickel, and iron. The second composition is different from the first and is present from about 0.1 weight percent to about 5 weight percent of the mixture.

Abstract: Medical stents having valves and their methods of manufacture are disclosed. The valve may be basket-shaped and formed integral to a medical stent to prevent undesirable backflow across the valve. The valve can be formed by converting the braided wires of the stent, by providing elastomeric material onto a mold or fixture to form an elastomeric valve, or by attaching a gasket valve. The valve is normally closed but configured to allow easy opening in response to a predetermined condition.

Abstract: Endoprostheses such as stents are disclosed that are, or that include portions that are, bioerodible.

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: Alloy compositions, including devices and instruments that include the compositions, are disclosed. The compositions have high hardness, strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. The compositions can be used to manufacture, for example, medical devices and products.

Abstract: Implantable medical endoprostheses, such as stents, are disclosed.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent formed from helically wound and braided filaments of bioabsorbable polymers such as PLA, PLLA, PDLA, and PGA.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the stent delivery system comprises an inner catheter. A handle is disposed at the proximal end of the inner catheter, and an enlarged tip is disposed at the distal end thereof. A stent engaging sleeve coaxially surrounds and is secured to a portion of the inner catheter proximally contiguous to the tip. A stent is mounted over the stent engaging sleeve in a longitudinally stretched state and is maintained, until deployment, in the stretched state by a stent restraining sleeve. The stent restraining sleeve, which coaxially surrounds the stent and is appropriately sized to maintain the stent in its stretched state, is a braided tube formed directly over the stent. The system also includes an outer catheter that surrounds much of the distal end of the inner catheter up to its tip, the outer catheter being adapted for axial movement relative to the inner catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stent-graft with a bioabsorbable structure and a permanent graft for luminal support and ‘treatment of arterial fistulas, occlusive disease, and aneurysms. The bioabsorbable structure is formed from braided filaments of materials such as PLA, PLLA, PDLA, and PGA and the graft is formed from materials such as PET, ePTFE, PCU or PU.

Abstract: A temporary and retrievable radiopaque marker and discrete radiopaque marker for use on an implantable endoprosthesis. The elongate marker has a proximal end, a distal end, and a thickness. At least a portion of the marker is radiopaque and the marker is removably-attached to the implantable endoprosthesis.

Abstract: Medical devices, for example, implantable devices such as endoprostheses, include a composite material having a polymer.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering an implantable endoprosthesis with an occlusion region for occluding fluid flow to a desired location in a body lumen. The delivery device includes an outer sleeve and an inner tube terminating at a distal tip. The distal tip is made of one of a dissolvable, bioabsorbable, or deformable material. Upon deployment of the endoprosthesis at the desired location, the shape of the distal tip is altered to a different shape and withdrawn through the constricted region of the endoprosthesis.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent formed from helically wound and braided filaments of bioabsorbable polymers such as PLA, PLLA, PDLA, and PGA.

Abstract: A method of making a stent includes providing a tubular member having a first layer, the first layer and the tubular member having different compositions, removing a portion of the tubular member, and removing a portion of the first layer from the tubular member.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent formed from helically wound and braided filaments of bioabsorbable polymers such as PLA, PLLA, PDLA, and PGA.

Abstract: Medical stents having valves and their methods of manufacture are disclosed. The valve may be basket-shaped and formed integral to a medical stent to prevent undesirable backflow across the valve. The valve can be formed by converting the braided wires of the stent, by providing elastomeric material onto a mold or fixture to form an elastomeric valve, or by attaching a gasket valve. The valve is normally closed but configured to allow easy opening in response to a predetermined condition.

Abstract: Stent delivery system and method of manufacturing same. In one embodiment, the stent delivery system comprises an inner catheter. A handle is disposed at the proximal end of the inner catheter, and an enlarged tip is disposed at the distal end thereof. A stent engaging sleeve coaxially surrounds and is secured to a portion of the inner catheter proximally contiguous to the tip. The stent engaging sleeve is used to frictionally engage a stent mounted thereover in such a way as to prevent the stent, during deployment, from sliding proximally relative to the inner catheter. The system additionally comprises a self-expandable stent of the type comprising a knitted mesh of nitinol wire flexible in both the radial and longitudinal axes. The stent is mounted over the stent engaging sleeve in a longitudinally stretched state and is maintained, until deployment, in the stretched state by a stent restraining sleeve.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as stents, stent-grafts, grafts, guidewires, and filters, having enhanced radiopacity are disclosed.

Abstract: A temporary stent endoprosthesis that does not require an interventional procedure for removal. The disintegrating stent is preferably made from a bioabsorbable polymer, such as by braiding polymer monofilaments into a tubular mesh shape, and the polymer has fracture initiation sites within it that promotes the disintegration of the stent into small pieces that are harmlessly transported out of the body by the vessel contents. Fracture initiation sites may be created by controlling the heterogenous structure of amorphous and crystalline regions, by introducing internal or surface fracture initiation sites, or use of multiple strands with small section size.