Abstract: Features for a restraint, such as a cap, are described. The restraint secures a cardiac device in a collapsed, delivery configuration for transcatheter delivery to a heart. The restraint may have a tubular sidewall extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a proximal opening defined by the sidewall at the proximal end and a channel defined by the sidewall and extending distally from the proximal opening. The restraint is configured to receive the implant in the collapsed configuration through the proximal opening to radially restrain the implant within the channel. The restraint eliminates the need for a surrounding sheath, reducing the delivery profile and size of the overall delivery system, among other advantages. The restraint may have an atraumatic leading edge to reduce the risk of injury to the patient.

Abstract: Features for a restraint, such as a cap, are described. The restraint secures a cardiac device in a collapsed, delivery configuration for transcatheter delivery to a heart. The restraint may have a tubular sidewall extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a proximal opening defined by the sidewall at the proximal end and a channel defined by the sidewall and extending distally from the proximal opening. The restraint is configured to receive the implant in the collapsed configuration through the proximal opening to radially restrain the implant within the channel. The restraint eliminates the need for a surrounding sheath, reducing the delivery profile and size of the overall delivery system, among other advantages. The restraint may have an atraumatic leading edge to reduce the risk of injury to the patient.

Abstract: A delivery, deployment and retrieval device for a stent made from a phase-change material includes a balloon catheter modified to allow the stent to be secured on the outside of the balloon without the need for a sheath. A temperature-controlled fluid to effect a phase change to expand the stent is injected through an inflation lumen to maintain the selected temperature and to inflate the balloon. The balloon maintains intimate physical and thermal contact with the stent during deployment. One or more exit apertures are provided for the fluid to escape from the inflation lumen and enhance the phase change by bathing the stent with the fluid.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis is provided having an expandable, generally cylindrical body portion defining an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface is preferably regular and smooth to yield a low coefficient of friction, while the outside surface is modified to yield a relatively high coefficient of friction with a vessel surface, includes a macroscopic surface modification to engage the vessel surface, or includes an adhesive coating that bonds the stent to the vessel surface.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis is provided having an expandable, generally cylindrical body portion defining an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface is preferably regular and smooth to yield a low coefficient of friction, while the outside surface is modified to yield a relatively high coefficient of friction with a vessel surface, includes a macroscopic surface modification to engage the vessel surface, or includes an adhesive coating that bonds the stent to the vessel surface.

Abstract: A encapsulated stent device for implantation within the vascular system includes a balloon of a balloon catheter formed around and adhered to a wire-like stent so that the outer surface of the device is more regular for delivery through the vascular system without an exterior sheath. The encapsulation securely anchors the stent to the balloon and maintains a low profile for negotiation of tortuous and narrowed vessels. Encapsulation requires placement of the stent over the balloon, placement of a sheath over the stent on the balloon, heating and preferably pressurization of the balloon to cause it to expand around the stent within the sheath, and cooling while preferably maintaining pressure to cause the balloon to adhere to the stent and to set the shape of the expanded balloon. Retainers may be placed at the distal and/or proximal ends of the stent during the encapsulation process, or the balloon material may expand to form retainers.

Abstract: An endoprosthetic device comprises at least two short stent segments welded together to form a connected stent. Each stent segment defines a single wire having straight sections integrally formed between axial turns. The welds are placed between stent segments at one or more aligned adjacent axial turns. The welded connected stent is flexible enough to allow it to pass through sharp turns and to be implanted to conform to the contour of the lesion to be treated. In one aspect of the invention all adjacent axial turns are welded together. In another aspect of the invention, selected adjacent axial turns are welded together to create a generally balanced spiral pattern of welds surrounding the cylindrical connected stent.

Abstract: A stent and method for manufacturing a stent comprising an expandable, generally tubular body portion in which one or both ends of the stent are provided with a generally rounded, smooth radiused portion that forms a bulbous protrusion out of the plane of the circumference of the stent. The design of the stent increases the profile of the end of the stent and decreases the risk of injury or vessel dissection during stent deployment.

Abstract: A turn-limiting proximal adaptor for steerable catheter systems comprising a stationary portion and a rotator portion, the rotator portion secured to a guidewire to provide rotational mobility of the guidewire component relative to the catheter component. The proximal adaptor includes a turn-limiter section which has a translational nut threaded onto a central element and limited in longitudinal displacement by a proximal stop and a distal stop. The central threaded element is secured to the stationary portion of the proximal adapter and forms a torsionally rigid body.