Abstract: A radially expandable, endovascular stent designed for placement at a site of vascular injury, for inhibiting restenosis at the site, a method of using, and a method of making the stent. The stent includes a radially expandable body formed of one or more metallic filaments where at least one surface of the filaments has a roughened or abraded surface. The stent may include a therapeutic agent on the abraded surface.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for determining the amount of change required in a coronary sinus to reduce valve regurgitation. The device includes a distal tube having a distal anchor at a distal end portion of the distal tube, a proximal tube having a proximal anchor at a distal end portion of the proximal tube, and an adjustor to move the distal tube relative to the proximal tube. The proximal tube and the distal tube together form a telescoping elongate body adapted to fit within the coronary sinus, and the device includes a scale to measure the movement of the distal anchor relative to the proximal anchor.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an intracorporeal device formed of a high strength Co—Ni—Cr alloy and is particularly suitable for forming a composite product with a pseudoelastic member formed of NiTi alloy. Suitable intracorporeal products include guidewires and stents. The high strength alloy consists essentially of about 28 to about 65% cobalt, about 2 to about 40% nickel, about 5 to about 35% chromium, up to about 12% molybdenum, up to about 20% tungsten, up to about 20% iron and the balance inconsequential amounts of impurities and other alloying constituents, with a preferred alloy composition including about 30 to about 45% cobalt, about 25 to about 37% nickel, about 15 to about 25% chromium and about 5 to about 15% molybdenum. Intravascular devices such as guidewires, stents and the like can be formed of this high strength Co—Ni—Cr alloy.

Abstract: Embolic implants, delivery systems and methods of manufacture and delivery are disclosed. The devices can be used for aneurysm treatment and/or parent vessel occlusion. Implant designs offer low profile compressibility for delivery to neurovasculature, while maintaining other necessary features such as density for occlusion purposes and desirable radial strength characteristics.

Abstract: An elongate body including a proximal and distal anchor, and a bridge between the proximal and distal anchors. The bridge has an elongated state, having first axial length, and a shortened state, having a second axial length, wherein the second axial length is shorter than the first axial length. A resorbable thread may be woven into the bridge to hold the bridge in the elongated state and to delay the transfer of the bridge to the shortened state. In an additional embodiment, there may be one or more central anchors between the proximal and distal anchors with a bridge connecting adjacent anchors.

Abstract: The methods disclosed herein are directed to altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of, for instance, an individual having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. More particularly, these methods produce and maintain collateral openings or channels through the airway wall so that expired air is able to pass directly out of the lung tissue to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or to decompress hyper-inflated lungs. Devices and methods apply cryo-energy to maintain the patency of the surgically created openings.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating mitral regurgitation by reshaping the mitral annulus in a heart. One preferred device for reshaping the mitral annulus is provided as an elongate body having dimensions as to be insertable into a coronary sinus. The elongate body includes a proximal frame having a proximal anchor and a distal frame having a distal anchor. A ratcheting strip is attached to the distal frame and an accepting member is attached to the proximal frame, wherein the accepting member is adapted for engagement with the ratcheting strip. An actuating member is provided for pulling the ratcheting strip relative to the proximal anchor after deployment in the coronary sinus. In one preferred embodiment, the ratcheting strip is pulled through the proximal anchor for pulling the proximal and distal anchors together, thereby reshaping the mitral annulus.

Abstract: A stent delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a guidewire lumen extending from the distal end to at least part way between the proximal end and the distal end. A balloon is disposed over the catheter body near the distal end, and a stent is positioned over the balloon. The stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and a side opening between the proximal end and the distal end. A side sheath is coupled to the catheter body and has a proximal end, a distal end, and a guidewire lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end of the side sheath is located between the proximal end of the catheter body and the balloon, and the side sheath exits out of the side opening of the stent.

Abstract: A stent delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a guidewire lumen extending from the distal end to at least part way between the proximal end and the distal end. A balloon is disposed over the catheter body near the distal end, and a stent is positioned over the balloon. The stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and a side opening between the proximal end and the distal end. A side sheath is coupled to the catheter body and has a proximal end, a distal end, and a guidewire lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end of the side sheath is located between the proximal end of the catheter body and the balloon, and the side sheath exits out of the side opening of the stent.

Abstract: A radially expandable, endovascular stent designed for placement at a site of vascular injury, for inhibiting restenosis at the site, a method of using, and a method of making the stent. The stent includes a radially expandable body formed of one or more metallic filaments where at least one surface of the filaments has a roughened or abraded surface. The stent may include a therapeutic agent on the abraded surface.

Abstract: An improvement in drug-eluting stents, and method of their making are disclosed. The surface of a metal stent is roughened to have a surface roughness of at least about 20 ?in (0.5 ?m) and a surface roughness range of between about 300-700 ?in (7.5-17.5 ?m). The roughened stent surface is covered with a polymer-free coating of a limus drug, to a coating thickness greater than the range of surface roughness of the roughened stent surface.

Abstract: An improved guiding member for use within a body lumen having a unique combination of superelastic characteristics. The superelastic alloy material has a composition consisting of about 30% to about 52% (atomic) titanium, and about 38% to 52% nickel and may have one or more elements selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, platinum, palladium, vanadium, copper, zirconium, hafnium and niobium. The alloy material is subjected to thermomechanical processing which includes a final cold working of about 10 to about 75% and then a heat treatment at a temperature between about 450° and about 600° C. and preferably about 475° to about 550° C. Before the heat treatment the cold worked alloy material is preferably subjected to mechanical straightening. The alloy material is preferably subjected to stresses equal to about 5 to about 50% of the room temperature ultimate yield stress of the material during the thermal treatment.

Abstract: An improved guiding member for use within a body lumen having a unique combination of superelastic characteristics. The superelastic alloy material has a composition consisting of about 30% to about 52% (atomic) titanium, and about 38% to 52% nickel and may have one or more elements selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, platinum, palladium, vanadium, copper, zirconium, hafnium and niobium. The alloy material is subjected to thermomechanical processing which includes a final cold working of about 10 to about 75% and then a heat treatment at a temperature between about 450° and about 600° C. and preferably about 475° to about 550° C. Before the heat treatment the cold worked alloy material is preferably subjected to mechanical straightening. The alloy material is preferably subjected to stresses equal to about 5 to about 50% of the room temperature ultimate yield stress of the material during the thermal treatment.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for determining the amount of change required in a coronary sinus to reduce valve regurgitation. The device includes a distal tube having a distal anchor at a distal end portion of the distal tube, a proximal tube having a proximal anchor at a distal end portion of the proximal tube, and an adjustor to move the distal tube relative to the proximal tube. The proximal tube and the distal tube together form a telescoping elongate body adapted to fit within the coronary sinus, and the device includes a scale to measure the movement of the distal anchor relative to the proximal anchor.

Abstract: An improved guiding member for use within a body lumen having a unique combination of superelastic characteristics. The superelastic alloy material has a composition consisting of about 30% to about 52% (atomic) titanium, and about 38% to 52% nickel and may have one or more elements selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, platinum, palladium, vanadium, copper, zirconium, hafnium and niobium. The alloy material is subjected to thermomechanical processing which includes a final cold working of about 10 to about 75% and then a heat treatment at a temperature between about 450° and about 600° C. and preferably about 475° to about 550° C. Before the heat treatment the cold worked alloy material is preferably subjected to mechanical straightening. The alloy material is preferably subjected to stresses equal to about 5 to about 50% of the room temperature ultimate yield stress of the material during the thermal treatment.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for determining the amount of change required in a coronary sinus to reduce valve regurgitation. The device includes a distal tube having a distal anchor at a distal end portion of the distal tube, a proximal tube having a proximal anchor at a distal end portion of the proximal tube, and an adjustor to move the distal tube relative to the proximal tube. The proximal tube and the distal tube together form a telescoping elongate body adapted to fit within the coronary sinus, and the device includes a scale to measure the movement of the distal anchor relative to the proximal anchor.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for treating a mitral valve. The method preferably includes advancing a guide catheter to an ostium of the coronary sinus and advancing a delivery catheter containing a medical implant through the guide catheter and into the coronary sinus. The delivery catheter has an inner member on which the medical implant is held and an outer sheath which is retractable for deploying and releasing the medical implant. In one embodiment, the medical implant has proximal and distal anchors and a bridge containing resorbable material. The inner member may have a flexible sleeve for gripping and holding a portion of the outer sheath, thereby providing a releasable attachment mechanism. In another embodiment, the inner member may include an inflatable balloon having a tapered distal region which extends from the outer sheath for providing an atraumatic tip. The inflatable balloon may also be used to expand the medical implant and to grip the outer sheath.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating mitral regurgitation by reshaping the mitral annulus in a heart. One preferred device for reshaping the mitral annulus is provided as an elongate body having dimensions as to be insertable into a coronary sinus. The elongate body includes a proximal frame having a proximal anchor and a distal frame having a distal anchor. A ratcheting strip is attached to the distal frame and an accepting member is attached to the proximal frame, wherein the accepting member is adapted for engagement with the ratcheting strip. An actuating member is provided for pulling the ratcheting strip relative to the proximal anchor after deployment in the coronary sinus. In one preferred embodiment, the ratcheting strip is pulled through the proximal anchor for pulling the proximal and distal anchors together, thereby reshaping the mitral annulus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for accessing the interior of an intervertebral disc to perform a function within the disc. One such apparatus comprises a catheter having a lumen; and a guide wire having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and configured to be positioned within and moved relative to the lumen of the catheter; wherein the guide wire is capable of navigating itself within an intradiscal section of the intervertebral disc to a selected section of the disc and the catheter is capable of being advanced relative to the guide wire such that the catheter follows a path of the guide wire within the intradiscal section of the disc to the selected section. These apparatus and methods may be used for the treatment of intervertebral disc disorders such as sealing fissures of the annulus fibrosus, which may or may not be accompanied with contained or escaped extrusions. These apparatus and methods may also be used, for example, for the removal or addition of material to the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for determining the amount of change required in a coronary sinus to reduce valve regurgitation. The device includes a distal tube having a distal anchor at a distal end portion of the distal tube, a proximal tube having a proximal anchor at a distal end portion of the proximal tube, and an adjustor to move the distal tube relative to the proximal tube. The proximal tube and the distal tube together form a telescoping elongate body adapted to fit within the coronary sinus, and the device includes a scale to measure the movement of the distal anchor relative to the proximal anchor.