Abstract: A method and system for treating a bodily lumen with an implantable medical device, such as a stent, are disclosed. The device may be disposed within a bodily lumen and radially expanded by circumferentially deforming a tube-like section of the device. The deforming section may expand the lumen and the deformed section may support the lumen.

Abstract: A method including introducing an expandable body into a blood vessel at a point coextensive with a vulnerable plaque lesion, and expanding the expandable body from a first diameter to a different second diameter sufficient to modify the shape of an inner diameter of the blood vessel at the point coextensive with the lesion without rupturing the lesion. An apparatus including a cannula having a dimension suitable for insertion into a blood vessel and including an expandable body coupled thereto, the expandable body including a first outer diameter suitable for insertion through the blood vessel and a second outer diameter greater than the first diameter and having a maximum dimension to modify the shape of an inner diameter of the blood vessel and retain a same perimeter. A kit including a cannula including an expandable body and a stent. An expandable framework comprising a polymer material. An apparatus including an expandable body.

Abstract: Medical implants containing a temporary plasticizer, methods of producing such implants, and methods of using the implants in treating a disease, or ameliorating one or more symptoms thereof, in a subject are provided.

Abstract: Medical assemblies with a releasable connection and methods of constructing such medical assemblies are disclosed. The medical assemblies generally comprise a stent, a catheter assembly having catheter body a balloon, and a releasable connection between the stent and the catheter assembly that releases the stent from the catheter assembly in response to enlargement of the balloon or when the balloon has been enlarged to an expanded configuration.

Abstract: An improved expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and an improved method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cut cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements, the elements having a rectangular cross-section from cut-to-cut. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are disposed in an undulating pattern. The stent is manufactured by direct laser cutting from a single metal tube using a finely focused laser beam originating from a diode pumped fiber laser with an external pulse generator and passing through a coaxial gas jet structure to impinge on the working surface of the tube as the linear and rotary velocity of the tube is precisely controlled. To optimize the cut, the laser parameters may be adjusted and/or the laser pulse may be shaped.

Abstract: An improved expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and an improved method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cut cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements, the elements having a rectangular cross-section from cut-to-cut. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are disposed in an undulating pattern. The stent is manufactured by direct laser cutting from a single metal tube using a finely focused laser beam originating from a diode pumped fiber laser with an external pulse generator and passing through a coaxial gas jet structure to impinge on the working surface of the tube as the linear and rotary velocity of the tube is precisely controlled. To optimize the cut, the laser parameters may be adjusted and/or the laser pulse may be shaped.

Abstract: An improved expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and an improved method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cut cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements, the elements having a rectangular cross-section from cut-to-cut. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are disposed in an undulating pattern. The stent is manufactured by direct laser cutting from a single metal tube using a finely focused laser beam originating from a diode pumped fiber laser with an external pulse generator and passing through a coaxial gas jet structure to impinge on the working surface of the tube as the linear and rotary velocity of the tube is precisely controlled. To optimize the cut, the laser parameters may be adjusted and/or the laser pulse may be shaped.

Abstract: An intravascular stent for controlled release of therapeutic drugs and for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel having a tubular stent member formed of a microcellular porous metal capable of absorbing and releasing therapeutic drugs, wherein a thin layer of a polymeric material is applied to an outer surface of the tubular stent member. A method of making a polymer coated, porous metal stent having sufficient strength and capable of absorbing and releasing therapeutic drugs for the delivery of same in localized drug therapy at an intravascular site is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An improved expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and an improved method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cut cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements, the elements having a rectangular cross-section from cut-to-cut. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are disposed in an undulating pattern. The stent is manufactured by direct laser cutting from a single metal tube using a finely focused laser beam originating from a diode pumped fiber laser with an external pulse generator and passing through a coaxial gas jet structure to impinge on the working surface of the tube as the linear and rotary velocity of the tube is precisely controlled.

Abstract: In the removal of water from a gas by contact with sulfuric acid, the improvement which comprises supplying the sulfuric acid in finely divided form having a surface of about 10.sup.4 to 10.sup.7 m.sup.2 /h at a concentration of about 95 to 99% and a temperature of about 35.degree. to 80.degree. C and with a contact time of about 0.2 to 2 seconds, whereby the residual moisture content of the gas is reduced to about 30 to 250 mg of H.sub.2 O/Nm.sup.3. Preferably the sulfuric acid is sprayed through a constriction into a vessel through which the gas is passed. The large sulfuric acid surface area permits high levels of dehydration to be achieved with far less sulfuric acid than heretofore believed possible and with small vessels and minimal contact times. Contact may be effected serially in several stages with the spent acids combined, brought up to initial concentration and recirculated.

Abstract: In the processing of a corrosive liquid mixture, such as 50 to 80% aqueous sulfuric acid, by its passage over one surface of a wall of inert heat resistant material, and heating the other surface of said wall, thereby to evaporate from said corrosive liquid mixture the more volatile component thereof, the improvement which comprises heating said wall by contact with an inert liquid material, and heating said inert liquid material indirectly through heat exchange with a normally solid molten material. Desirably the wall of inert material is a pipe surrounded by a molten metal in a first annular jacket and a molten salt in a second annular jacket.

Abstract: In the processing of a corrosive liquid mixture, such as 50 to 80% aqueous sulfuric acid, by its passage over one surface of a wall of inert heat resistant material, and heating the other surface of said wall, thereby to evaporate from said corrosive liquid mixture the more volatile component thereof, the improvement which comprises heating said wall by contact with an inert liquid material, and heating said inert liquid material indirectly through heat exchange with a normally solid molten material. Desirably the wall of inert material is a pipe surrounded by a molten metal in a first annular jacket and a molten salt in a second annular jacket.