Abstract: A woven, self-expanding stent device has one or more strands and is configured for insertion into an anatomical structure. The device includes a coupling structure secured to two different strand end portions that are substantially aligned with each other. The two different strand end portions include nickel and titanium. The coupling structure is not a strand of the device.

Abstract: A fiber optic pressure-based transducer catheter is capable of measuring pressure and temperature in the environment in which it is deployed. The pressure sensor embedded in the distal end of the catheter can be realized via optical Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) technology.

Abstract: A woven, self-expanding stent device has one or more strands and is configured for insertion into an anatomical structure. The device includes a coupling structure secured to two different strand end portions that are substantially aligned with each other. The two different strand end portions include nickel and titanium. The coupling structure is not a strand of the device.

Abstract: A woven, self-expanding stent device has one or more strands and is configured for insertion into an anatomical structure. The device includes a coupling structure secured to two different strand end portions that are substantially aligned with each other. The two different strand end portions include nickel and titanium. The coupling structure is not a strand of the device.

Abstract: A woven, self-expanding stent device has one or more strands and is configured for insertion into an anatomical structure. The device includes a coupling structure secured to two different strand end portions that are substantially aligned with each other. The two different strand end portions include nickel and titanium. The coupling structure is not a strand of the device.

Abstract: A woven, self-expanding stent device has one or more strands and is configured for insertion into an anatomical structure. The device includes a coupling structure secured to two different strand end portions that are substantially aligned with each other. The two different strand end portions include nickel and titanium. The coupling structure is not a strand of the device.

Abstract: A pusher assembly for a stent delivery device includes a distal end of an elongate member and a stent-engaging member having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the stent-engaging member is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the inner member by a connector, or the proximal end of the stent-engaging member is at least partially inside the distal end of the elongate inner member. The stent-engaging member includes a portion that radially outwardly extends towards the distal end of the stent-engaging member, or the stent-engaging member includes a portion that radially outwardly extends towards the distal end of the stent-engaging member. The stent-engaging member is configured to move a stent when distally advanced and configured to not move a stent when proximally retracted. A stent delivery device includes an elongate outer member, an elongate inner member coaxially positioned within the outer member, and the pusher assembly.

Abstract: A woven, self-expanding stent device has one or more strands and is configured for insertion into an anatomical structure. The device includes a coupling structure secured to two different strand end portions that are substantially aligned with each other. The two different strand end portions include nickel and titanium. The coupling structure is not a strand of the device.

Abstract: A pusher assembly for a stent delivery device includes a distal end of an elongate member and a stent-engaging member having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the stent-engaging member is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the inner member by a connector, or the proximal end of the stent-engaging member is at least partially inside the distal end of the elongate inner member. The stent-engaging member includes a portion that radially outwardly extends towards the distal end of the stent-engaging member, or the stent-engaging member includes a portion that radially outwardly extends towards the distal end of the stent-engaging member. The stent-engaging member is configured to move a stent when distally advanced and configured to not move a stent when proximally retracted. A stent delivery device includes an elongate outer member, an elongate inner member coaxially positioned within the outer member, and the pusher assembly.

Abstract: Devices and methods for stent advancement, including methods for instructing another or others how to advance a stent into an anatomical structure or into a testing/demonstration synthetic structure, such as a polymer tube. The advancement may be achieved by at least two periods of stent engagement that drive a stent distally from a sheath separated by a period of non-engagement.

Abstract: A woven, self-expanding stent device has one or more strands and is configured for insertion into an anatomical structure. The device includes a coupling structure secured to two different strand end portions that are substantially aligned with each other. The two different strand end portions include nickel and titanium. The coupling structure is not a strand of the device.

Abstract: A woven, self-expanding stent device has one or more strands and is configured for insertion into an anatomical structure. The device includes a coupling structure secured to two different strand end portions that are substantially aligned with each other. The two different strand end portions include nickel and titanium. The coupling structure is not a strand of the device.

Abstract: A woven, self-expanding stent device has one or more strands and is configured for insertion into an anatomical structure. The device includes a coupling structure secured to two different strand end portions that are substantially aligned with each other. The two different strand end portions include nickel and titanium. The coupling structure is not a strand of the device.

Abstract: Methods of treating a device such as an endoprostheses or a batch thereof include first soaking the device in nitric acid for greater than 1 hour; after first soaking the device, first sonicating the device in deionized water for between about 5 minutes and about 20 minutes; and after first sonicating the device, repeating, at least once, soaking the device in nitric acid for greater than 1 hour, and, after soaking the device in the nitric acid, sonicating the device in deionized water between about 5 minutes and about 20 minutes. Methods may further include soaking in a mild acid for between about 30 minutes and about 45 minutes. The methods may form a protective oxide having a thickness between about 30 ? and about 100 ?.

Abstract: A pusher assembly for a stent delivery device includes a distal end of an elongate member and a stent-engaging member having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the stent-engaging member is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the inner member by a connector, or the proximal end of the stent-engaging member is at least partially inside the distal end of the elongate inner member. The stent-engaging member includes a portion that radially outwardly extends towards the distal end of the stent-engaging member, or the stent-engaging member includes a portion that radially outwardly extends towards the distal end of the stent-engaging member. The stent-engaging member is configured to move a stent when distally advanced and configured to not move a stent when proximally retracted. A stent delivery device includes an elongate outer member, an elongate inner member coaxially positioned within the outer member, and the pusher assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, and an apparatus, for forming a prescribed concentration of a substance in a mixture with a fluid, from a comparatively dilute mixture. The mixture is most preferably a solution of a solute in a solvent. The following summary and description generally discuss the invention in terms of a particularly preferred solution and a preferred use for that solution; however, in its broadest embodiments, the invention encompasses both the use for other solutions, and the use for a suspension of a solid substance in a fluid to form a mixture (which can also be referred to as a slurry). The invention provides for significant economic, safety and quality benefits over conventional evaporative systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, and an apparatus, for forming a prescribed concentration of a substance in a mixture with a fluid, from a comparatively dilute mixture. The mixture is most preferably a solution of a solute in a solvent. The following summary and description generally discuss the invention in terms of a particularly preferred solution and a preferred use for that solution; however, in its broadest embodiments, the invention encompasses both the use for other solutions, and the use for a suspension of a solid substance in a fluid to form a mixture (which can also be referred to as a slurry). The invention provides for significant economic, safety and qualify benefits over conventional evaporative systems.

Abstract: A radiation source for invasive medical treatment, such as intracoronary radiotherapy or other such intravascular radiotherapy, is described. The radiation source includes a thread extending longitudinally within a sleeve. The sleeve is a hollow circular cylinder, sealed at either end, made from a polyimide resin, and is configured such that it is sufficiently flexible enough to be used for intravascular radiotherapy. A plurality of laser-drilled holes are configured in an evenly spaced pattern along the sleeve, and promote uniform liquid evaporation from within the sleeve. The thread is comprised of twelve rayon filaments wound in a helical fashion, which extend longitudinally through the sleeve and are anchored in the seals at either end of the sleeve. A radioactive isotope is formed into a coating on surfaces within the sleeve.

Abstract: A compact cartridge for an afterloader includes a housing containing a radioactive sourcewire and a dummy test wire, each accommodated in a helical groove on the periphery of a wire storage drum. The wires are contained in the grooves by low friction bearings, such as rollers, so that advancement of the wire from the drum is under very low friction conditions. The cartridge is removably inserted in the head of an afterloader apparatus and engages a primary drive system and an emergency retract mechanism mounted in the head. The cartridge also contains an electronics board with software for updating the software in the control electronics for the afterloader.

Abstract: A compliance monitoring apparatus (10) includes sensors (70, 72, 74, 76) for sensing specified conditions such as temperature and impact, and a signal processor (26) for storing sensor data and concurrent time data for subsequent analysis. The invention finds utility in monitoring compliance with a prescribed mode of a person wearing an appliance such as a splint (12), and for monitoring the conditions experienced by a package (100) during shipment.