Abstract: A method of a forming a hollow, drug-eluting medical device includes providing composite member having an outer member and a core member disposed within a lumen of the outer member. The composite member is shaped into a pattern. Openings are formed through the outer member of the composite member. The composite member is processed to remove the core member from the lumen of the outer member without harming the outer member, leaving a hollow tubular member already formed into the desired pattern. The lumen of the outer member is filled with a therapeutic substance.

Abstract: A method of a forming a hollow, drug-eluting medical device includes providing composite member having an outer member and a core member disposed within a lumen of the outer member. The composite member is shaped into a pattern. Openings are formed through the outer member of the composite member. The composite member is processed to remove the core member from the lumen of the outer member without harming the outer member, leaving a hollow tubular member already formed into the desired pattern. The lumen of the outer member is filled with a therapeutic substance.

Abstract: A dual cannula apparatus is provided for insertion into the gastrointestinal tract. One end of a first outer cannula is placed within the small intestine providing a guide for advancement of a second inner cannula. The second inner cannula extends beyond the first outer cannula and provides a source of nutritional support and pharmacological therapy. The first outer cannula has a radiopaque tip to facilitate placement thereof under x-ray or fluoroscopic guidance. The first outer cannula can also be provided with a flared end for maintenance with the naris. The second inner cannula includes one or more openings for flow of the nutritional support or pharmacological therapy into the small intestine.

Abstract: A method for treating a vascular condition is disclosed, the method comprising delivering a stent to a target region of a vessel, the stent including a drug polymer coating including an elution portion and a remaining portion, eluting the elution portion from the delivered stent for an elution period, heating the delivered stent after the elution period; and removing the remaining portion based on the heating.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent includes forming a stent blank including a predetermined alloy composition, the alloy composition including at least base element and at least one sacrificial element and forming a stent framework from the stent blank. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the sacrificial element and forming at least one pore based on the removal. A method of manufacturing a vascular treatment system includes forming a stent blank including a predetermined alloy composition including at least one base element and at least one sacrificial element. The method further includes forming a stent framework and removing at least a portion of the sacrificial element. The method also includes forming at least one pore based on the removal, bending the stent framework to a delivery shape, and attaching the bent stent framework including the formed pores to a catheter.

Abstract: A method of a forming a hollow, drug-eluting medical device includes providing composite member having an outer member and a core member disposed within a lumen of the outer member. The composite member is shaped into a pattern. Openings are formed through the outer member of the composite member. The composite member is processed to remove the core member from the lumen of the outer member without harming the outer member, leaving a hollow tubular member already formed into the desired pattern. The lumen of the outer member is filled with a therapeutic substance.

Abstract: A pulmonary valve replacement system having a vascular conduit and a prosthetic valve device including a valve operably connected to a support structure. The prosthetic valve device is positioned within the vascular conduit. A conduit support includes a substantially circular cross-section. The conduit support is positioned adjacent to and reinforces the vascular conduit. In one embodiment, the pulmonary valve replacement system includes a catheter and an inflatable member operably attached to the catheter. The prosthetic valve device is disposed on the inflatable member. The invention provides a method for replacing a pulmonary valve including providing a vascular conduit positioned at a treatment site. The vascular conduit includes a conduit support positioned adjacent the vascular conduit. A prosthetic valve device is deployed within the vascular conduit via catheter. The prosthetic valve device includes a valve operably connected to a support structure.

Abstract: The coil stent delivery system and method of use includes a stent delivery system including a coil stent; a housing, the housing having a receiver defining a receiver chamber and a sheath defining a sheath lumen, the receiver chamber being in communication with the sheath lumen; and a screw assembly, the screw assembly having a shaft, a helical screw disposed about a distal portion of the shaft, and a drive operably coupled to the shaft. The shaft is disposed in the receiver chamber and the sheath lumen, the helical screw is disposed in the sheath, and the coil stent is disposed about the shaft in the receiver chamber and engages the helical screw. Rotation of the drive moves the coil stent through the sheath lumen.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a stented prosthetic heart valve to a lumen of a patient, the delivery system including a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a base portion with a plurality of extending elements, wherein each of the extending elements is engageable with a portion of a stent of a prosthetic heart valve. The delivery system further includes a sleeve having an inner area. The sheath is longitudinally moveable relative to the base portion from a first position where the inner area of the sleeve at least partially covers the extending elements of the base portion to a second position where the extending elements are not positioned within the inner area of the sleeve.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable stent includes one or more radiopaque markers. The stent body may include a generally cylindrical body portion and a marker support for receiving the one or more marker(s). The marker support may be connected to an end of the body portion, or may be an integral portion of the body portion. By selectively controlling dissolution of the biodegradable material of the marker support, the marker support will remain intact for a sufficient time to allow for the marker to endothelialize and therefore prevent the marker from dislodging and embolizing. The controlled dissolution may be accomplished via one or more of the following mechanisms, including increasing the cross-sectional thickness of the marker support, passivating or oxidizing the marker support, utilizing a different, slower absorbing material for the marker support, utilizing a bioabsorbable polymeric coating on the marker support, or protecting the marker support with a sacrificial anode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent includes determining a porosity characteristic and combining at least two predetermined alloy constituents based on the porosity characteristic. The method further determines a solidification profile based on the porosity characteristic and combined alloy constituents and solidifies the combined alloy constituents based on the solidification profile. In addition, the method includes forming a stent framework from the solidified alloy constituents, removing at least a portion of at least one of the alloy constituents, and forming pores within the stent framework based on the removal and consistent with the porosity characteristic.

Abstract: A system for treating a vascular condition comprises a therapeutic agent eluting stent having a layered coating on the stent framework. The coating releases therapeutically effective amounts of one or more therapeutic agents in and ordered sequence and over a selected time period. Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of treating a vascular condition by placing a stent having a layered coating at a treatment site and delivering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more therapeutic agents at the treatment site in an ordered sequence and over a selected time period.

Abstract: A system for treating abnormalities of the right ventricular outflow tract includes a prosthetic valve device having a barrier material contacting at least a portion of the outer surface of the valve device. One embodiment of the invention includes a barrier member attached to the exterior surface of the valve device. Another embodiment includes a barrier material that is injected within the vascular system. Yet another embodiment of the invention includes a method for replacing a pulmonary valve that includes forming a barrier around the outer surface of a replacement valve and preventing blood flow around the replacement valve.

Abstract: A system for treating a vascular condition includes a catheter and a stent disposed on the catheter. The stent includes tubing having a wall defining a central lumen and a plurality of holes. The system further includes a therapeutic agent disposed within the central lumen of the tubing. A method of manufacturing a therapeutic agent carrying stent includes inserting a therapeutic agent within a therapeutic agent delivery system into the central lumen of a hollow metal tube and forming a stent framework from the hollow tube.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent includes forming a stent blank including a predetermined alloy composition, the alloy composition including at least base element and at least one sacrificial element and forming a stent framework from the stent blank. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the sacrificial element and forming at least one pore based on the removal. A method of manufacturing a vascular treatment system includes forming a stent blank including a predetermined alloy composition including at least one base element and at least one sacrificial element. The method further includes forming a stent framework and removing at least a portion of the sacrificial element. The method also includes forming at least one pore based on the removal, bending the stent framework to a delivery shape, and attaching the bent stent framework including the formed pores to a catheter.

Abstract: A stent includes a central portion having a first waveform. The first waveform is wrapped around a longitudinal axis of the stent at a pitch to define a plurality of helical turns. The stent also includes an end segment connected to one end of the central portion. The end segment has a second waveform that includes a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each of the plurality of struts has a different length so that peaks of the crowns that define an end of the stent lie within a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Cross-sectional areas of the struts having different lengths vary so that the struts move substantially uniformly during radial contraction and/or radial expansion of the stent.

Abstract: A system for treating abnormalities of the cardiovascular system includes a stent having a plurality of therapeutic agent-carrying regions and non therapeutic agent-carrying regions. The therapeutic agent-carrying regions are located within low strain regions of the stent and the non therapeutic agent-carrying regions are located within high strain regions of the stent. Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of manufacturing a therapeutic agent-carrying stent comprising forming a stent framework and applying a formulation containing one or more therapeutic agents to the stent framework while preventing the therapeutic agents from contacting the high strain regions of the stent framework.

Abstract: A method for treating a vascular condition is disclosed, the method comprising delivering a stent to a target region of a vessel, the stent including a drug polymer coating including an elution portion and a remaining portion, eluting the elution portion from the delivered stent for an elution period, heating the delivered stent after the elution period; and removing the remaining portion based on the heating.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis for placement in a body lumen of a metallic material having controlled porosity for improved ductility. The metallic material may be formed into a stent structure or a wire or sheet, which may then be formed into the stent structure. The porous network of the stent includes pores that range from nanometer scale to micron scale. The controlled porosity accommodates volume changes as well as provides a barrier to crack propagation to allow alloy steels and amorphous metal materials, which would otherwise be considered too brittle for the demands of intraventional use, to be utilized in a stent.

Abstract: A metallic composite coating, and methods for forming same, for an implantable medical device is disclosed. The composite coating comprises at least one metal or metallic tie layer formed on the surface of the device, followed by an electroless electrochemical cladding of one or more additional layers over the tie layer. One or more therapeutic or biologically active agents are co-deposited with at least one of the electroless electrochemical claddings.