Abstract: A medical device having a catheter shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion, a medical balloon co-axially mounted on the distal portion of the catheter shaft and a tubular mesh wrapped around the balloon, wherein the mesh strengthens and reinforced the balloon and may be manipulation to dictate the shape of the balloon and to squeeze the balloon down onto the catheter shaft during deflation of the balloon.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to internal (e.g., implantable, insertable, etc.) drug delivery devices which contain the following: (a) one or more sources of one or more therapeutic agents; (b) one or more first electrodes, (c) one or more second electrodes and (d) one or more power sources for applying voltages across the first and second electrodes. The power sources may be adapted, for example, to promote electrically assisted therapeutic agent delivery within a subject, including electroporation and/or iontophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second electrodes are adapted to have tissue of a subject positioned between them upon deployment of the medical device within the subject, such that an electric field may be generated, which is directed into the tissue. Furthermore, the therapeutic agent sources are adapted to introduce the therapeutic agents into the electric field.

Abstract: A medical device has a catheter with a proximal portion, a distal portion, a shaft and an expandable member located at the distal portion. The expandable member is constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state. A removable sleeve is positioned around the entire length of the expandable member. The sleeve has a first end and a second end, and an inner diameter that increases over the entire length of the sleeve.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and uses of bucky paper are provided in the present invention. These embodiments include covering medical implants with single or multiple layers of bucky paper, treating bucky paper with various therapeutics to be released through the bucky paper to a target site, shaping bucky paper into non-conventional configurations for improved therapeutic deliver, and using bucky paper alone or in conjunction with other materials to treat a target site.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter shaft having a distal tip, the distal tip having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a rounded profile. The catheter may be made by rounding the inner surface of the distal tip.

Abstract: According to one embodiment a computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes memory. The memory includes two or more rows, where each row has a plurality of memory devices. The computer system also includes a chipset. The chipset includes a detection/correction circuit to detect single and double symbol errors and correct single symbol errors for each memory row, and markers to maintain a log of errors within each memory row.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to distal tip designs for catheter, wherein distal tip material is positioned about an inner shaft. The distal tip material may also be used as a tie layer for thermally bonding two incompatible materials together, such as a waist portion of a balloon to the inner shaft.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises at least one catheter shaft and a balloon. The catheter shaft comprises a substantially cylindrical portion and at least one tapered portion. The tapered portion forms an angle with the cylindrical portion of about 1 degree to about 25 degrees. At least one of the waists of the balloon is sealingly engaged to the tapered portion.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to medical devices and related methods. In some embodiments, the methods include applying a material to the balloon and then removing the material from one or more regions of the balloon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing material from an outer surface of a workpiece such as a catheter or other medical device. The method begins by generating a laser beam having an intensity profile and directing the laser beam onto the outer surface of the workpiece. After the laser beam is generated, its intensity profile is adjusted by a component such as a diffractive optical element (DOE) or a holographic optical element (HOE) so that material can be removed from the workpiece by ablation in a prescribed manner.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to medical devices and related methods. In some embodiments, the methods include applying a material to the balloon and then removing the material from one or more regions of the balloon.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to internal (e.g., implantable, insertable, etc.) drug delivery devices which contain the following: (a) one or more sources of one or more therapeutic agents; (b) one or more first electrodes, (c) one or more second electrodes and (d) one or more power sources for applying voltages across the first and second electrodes. The power sources may be adapted, for example, to promote electrically assisted therapeutic agent delivery within a subject, including electroporation and/or iontophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second electrodes are adapted to have tissue of a subject positioned between them upon deployment of the medical device within the subject, such that an electric field may be generated, which is directed into the tissue. Furthermore, the therapeutic agent sources are adapted to introduce the therapeutic agents into the electric field.

Abstract: The invention relates to medical balloons, and methods of modifying said balloons by forming a void pattern in their exterior surfaces and filling the voids with a material, such as a fiber or a nanomaterial (e.g., nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes) and a matrix material, e.g., a polymer.

Abstract: Medical devices formed using a sacrificial structure, and processes of forming the devices therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to medical balloons, and methods of modifying said balloons by forming a void pattern in their exterior surfaces and filling the voids with a material, such as a fiber or a nanomaterial (e.g., nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes) and a matrix material, e.g., a polymer.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis such as a stent is composed of a metal or ceramic, such as Irox, embedded in the stent material.

Abstract: A device for providing a fluid to a target tissue region of a body vessel is described. The device includes an elongate member having a lumen to receive a fluid, and a structure deployable from a distal portion of the elongate member to channel blood flowing in the vessel. Also described are a method of, and a system for, providing a fluid to a target tissue region inside a body.

Abstract: One or more multi-level NAND flash cells are operated so as to store only single-level data, and these operations achieve an increased level of charge separation between the data states of the single-level operation by requiring a write to both the upper and lower pages, even though only one bit of data is being stored. That is, the second write operation increases the difference in floating gate charge between the erased state and the programmed state of the first write operation without changing the data in the flash memory cell. In one embodiment, a controller instructs the flash memory to perform two write operations for storing a single bit of data in an MLC flash cell. In another embodiment, the flash memory recognizes that a single write operation is directed a high reliability memory area and internally generates the required plurality of programming steps to place at least a predetermined amount of charge on the specified floating gate.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for deployment in a vessel includes a catheter shaft extending from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. A balloon is operatively coupled to the distal end portion of the catheter shaft. At least one cutting member is coupled to the catheter assembly. As the balloon is inflated, the cutting member is moved to a position to cut a portion of the vessel.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system comprises an inner tube, a medical device disposed about a portion of the distal region of the inner tube, a medical device sheath disposed about the medical device, a medical device sheath retraction device extending proximally from the medical device sheath and an outer sheath disposed about a portion of the medical device sheath retraction device. The distal end of the outer sheath terminates at least one medical device length proximal of the medical device. The medical device sheath is movable relative to the outer sheath and relative to the inner tube.