Abstract: Described are vascular valve devices having valve elements formed of flexible material and at least one removable frame element. Also described are methods for using such devices in the vascular system and in particular in the venous system to treat venous insufficiency.

Abstract: Bioactive-coated medical devices are provided, including coated vascular stents. The medical device coating can include a coating layer posited over at least a portion of the medical device surface, and can include a butyl methacrylate polymer or an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer in combination with a bioactive material that can function as both an immunosuppressive agent and an antiproliferative agent. Optionally, multilayer coatings can further include an adhesion promoting layer comprising parylene positioned between the coating layer and the medical device surface, a porous layer comprising butyl methacrylate positioned over at least a portion of the coating layer, or both. The coating layer preferably comprises between about 0.5 and 2.0 ?g/mm2 of the bioactive material on the outer surface of the medical device. The bioactive material can be absorbed into the coating layer, which can have a thickness of between about 0.5 ?m to about 5 ?m.

Abstract: A variable curvature stent limb is disclosed herein. A stent derived from a plurality of these variable curvature stent limbs may be highly compressible, such that it is compatible with a low-profile delivery device. This stent may be useful over a wider range of body vessel diameters and may possess a greater fatigue life, since this stent may provide a more controlled constant radial force.

Abstract: A coated medical device (10) including a structure (12) adapted for introduction into a passage or vessel of a patient. The structure is formed of preferably a non-porous base material (14) having a bioactive material layer (18) disposed thereon. The medical device is preferably an implantable stent or balloon (26) of which the bioactive material layer is deposited thereon. The stent can be positioned around the balloon and another layer of the bioactive material posited over the entire structure and extending beyond the ends of the positioned stent. The ends of the balloon extend beyond the ends of the stent and include the bioactive material thereon for delivering the bioactive material to the cells of a vessel wall coming in contact therewith. The balloon further includes a layer of hydrophilic material (58) positioned between the base and bioactive material layers of the balloon.

Abstract: An endoluminal device comprises a stent and a tubular graft supported by the stent. The graft has a proximal and a distal opening and comprises a synthetic material and a bioremodelable material. The bioremodelable material is disposed on an exterior surface in at least one band adjacent at least one of the proximal and distal openings.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring blood pressure by sensing the Korotkoff sounds which prevail only between the systolic and diastolic point. The instrument used is essentially a hand-held device. The instrument has a pressure-sensitive element made up of a flexible material containing fluid and crystal transducer supported on the flexible material which responds to the Korotkoff sounds. The sensor is made in a unique geometrical structure shaped to fit between bones and tendons over an artery. The crystal operates through an amplifier, a high pass filter and low pass filter through a comparator to a one shot enabling means connected to a panel meter. The pressure on the fluid in the sensed by a pressure sensor that is in contact with the fluid in the sensor which is connected to the panel digital meter. The digital display shows the pressure exerted on the artery at each Korotkoff sound. A LED shows that pulses are present.