Abstract: Scaffold-supported metal or pseudometallic film covers suitable for use as medical devices are disclosed together with methods of fabricating the devices. Methods for making the medical devices consist of either providing or forming a scaffold, then depositing a metallic or pseudometallic film cover onto the scaffold in such a manner as to form an integral, substantially monolithic junction between the deposited cover material and the scaffold.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a cover, and a method for using the cover with a surface. One embodiment of the cover comprises a flexible, substantially planar member. A plurality of reinforcing members is attached to the flexible, substantially planar member. The plurality of reinforcing members is arranged on the flexible, substantially planar member so that the flexible, substantially planar member can reliably support a load. A plurality of manipulation members is operatively associated with the plurality of reinforcing members. The plurality of manipulation members is accessible to a lifter so that the lifter can apply force to the plurality of reinforcing members and can move the load reliably supported by the flexible, substantially planar member.

Abstract: A catheter imaging probe for a patient. The probe includes a conduit through which energy is transmitted. The probe includes a first portion through which the conduit extends. The probe includes a second portion which rotates relative to the conduit to redirect the energy from the conduit. A method for imaging a patient. The method includes the steps of inserting a catheter into the patient. There is the step of rotating a second portion of the catheter relative to a conduit extending through a first portion of the catheter, which redirects the energy transmitted through the conduit to the patient and receives the energy reflected back to the second portion from the patient and redirects the reflected energy to the conduit.

Abstract: Optical methods, devices, and systems for non-invasively detecting transient surface displacements in a neuron are disclosed. Methods, devices, and systems provided may employ a phase-sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer. In addition, surface displacements due to action potential propagation in neural tissues may be detected in some embodiments using back-reflected light. According to some embodiments, exogenous chemicals or reflection coatings are not required. Transient neural surface displacement of less than 1 nm in amplitude and 1 ms in duration may be detected and may be generally coincident with action potential arrival to the optical measurement site. The systems and methods may be used for noninvasive detection of various neuropathies such as retinal neuropathies. They may also be useful in detecting the effects of various pharmacological agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable endoluminal graft comprised of a microporous thin-film covering having a plurality of openings and a structural support element underlying and physically attached to the microporous thin-film covering, the microporous thin-film covering having shape memory properties.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods, devices, and compositions having improved piezoelectric characteristics with high energy density. Compositions of the present invention are ceramic materials of the formula: Pb[(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3]1?x[(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3]x+Mn, where x is 0.05 to 0.20 and Mn is manganese in a form that is present from about 0.1 to 1.5 wt %. Suitable manganese forms as the starting material include MnCO3, MnO2, MnO, and Mn3O4. The compositions exhibit a high product of piezoelectric voltage constant and piezoelectric stress constant. The compositions are polycrystalline or textured with a dense microstructure and small grain.

Abstract: A communication system and method for enhancing the effectiveness of wireless and wired systems. The communication system is comprised of a communication management system and at least one wireless communication device to initiate the communication of marketing messages for marketing to the wireless communication device.

Abstract: A vacuum deposition method for fabricating high-strength nitinol films by sputter depositing nickel and titanium from a heated sputtering target, and controlling the sputter deposition process parameters in order to create high-strength nitinol films that exhibit shape memory and/or superelastic properties without the need for precipitation annealing to attenuate the transition conditions of the deposited material. A vacuum deposited nitinol film having high-strength properties equal to or better than wrought nitinol films and which are characterized by having non-columnar crystal grain structures.

Abstract: A mechanism for capturing mechanical energy and converting it to electrical energy for use continually charging or providing emergency power to mobile, battery-powered devices comprises a plurality of elongated piezoelectric elements mounted at one or support points to one or more support structures. The plurality of piezoelectric elements are preferably structured and arranged so that at least each three-dimensional coordinate axis has at least one element with a dominant mode of deflection in a plane normal to the axis, in order to permit harvesting energy from forces applied in any direction without regard to the orientation of the energy harvesting mechanism to the source of forces. This results in improved coupling of the transducer with the random movements or vibrations that may not confined to any particular plane or in a plane that is not necessarily aligned with the plane in which a piezoelectric element is designed to bend, thus improving the efficiency of energy capture.

Abstract: An implantable endoluminal device that is fabricated from materials that present a blood or body fluid and tissue contact surface that has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent-graft and web-stent that is made of an monolithic material deposited into a monolayer and etched into regions of structural members and web regions subtending interstitial regions between the structural members. An endoluminal graft is also provided which is made of a biocompatible metal or metal-like material. The endoluminal stent-graft is characterized by having controlled heterogeneities in the stent material along the blood flow surface of the stent and the method of fabricating the stent using vacuum deposition methods.

Abstract: Implantable medical grafts fabricated of metallic or pseudometallic films of biocompatible materials having a plurality of microperforations passing through the film in a pattern that imparts fabric-like qualities to the graft or permits the geometric deformation of the graft. The implantable graft is preferably fabricated by vacuum deposition of metallic and/or pseudometallic materials into either single or multi-layered structures with the plurality of microperforations either being formed during deposition or after deposition by selective removal of sections of the deposited film. The implantable medical grafts are suitable for use as endoluminal or surgical grafts and may be used as vascular grafts, stent-grafts, skin grafts, shunts, bone grafts, surgical patches, non-vascular conduits, valvular leaflets, filters, occlusion membranes, artificial sphincters, tendons and ligaments.

Abstract: An implantable endoluminal device which is fabricated from materials which present a blood or body fluid and tissue contact surface which has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent which is made of a material having controlled heterogeneities in the stent material along the blood flow surface of the stent and the method of fabricating the stent using vacuum deposition methods.

Abstract: The present invention includes particle compositions and methods of fabrication that prevent agglomeration, thereby maintaining particle size and/or shape. Particles of the present invention were prepared after embedding chemically disordered metal-containing particles in at least one salt to form a dispersion. The dispersion of particles in salt was treated to temperatures of at least about 500 degrees Centigrade for several hours. Particles were easily recovered from the dispersion and did not agglomerate. The particles were also absent contaminating salts after performing simple washing and/or rinsing steps. Structural, compositional and/or magnetic characterizations of the metal-containing particles confirmed that they had not agglomerated. When particles with an fcc structure formed a dispersion with at least one salt, the method yielded the formation of particles having an fct structure with high magnetic anisotropy and without a substantial change in size and/or shape.