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.

Abstract: A wind energy plant with a rotor hub which is connected to at least one pitch bearing, and with at least one rotor blade, the blade root of which is connectable to the pitch bearing via joining means, wherein a stiffening element is provided, which is arranged between the rotor blade root and the pitch bearing and connected to the same via the joining means.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon and catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit. The catheter (10) includes shaft (12) and a dilatation balloon (24) at the distal end of the shaft. The balloon is inflated via a central lumen (14) in the shaft for delivery of a fluid inflation media. The balloon is fabricated from a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), preferably an engineering thermoplastic elastomer (ETE), with a non-compliant structural polymeric material. The combination may be a blend of the non-compliant structural polymer and the TPE. Alternatively, the combination may be a layered balloon having, for example, a non-compliant structural polymer inner layer and a soft, abrasion resistant, elastomeric outer layer. Methods for fabricating the balloon from the combination of a TPE and a non-compliant structural polymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Endovascular prostheses and methods for their use are disclosed. The prostheses include an endovascular member in need of repair and a patch therefore, as well as prostheses comprising two or more endovascular members, such as stent-grafts, which may be assembled in situ. Components of the prostheses are held together in substantially fluid tight engagement as the result of hook and loop structures which are present on the members. The hooks engage the loops to secure the components to one another. As a result, the present invention is particularly useful for the in situ repair of damaged prostheses and for the in situ assembly of bifurcated endovascular prostheses, particularly for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abstract: An expandable medical balloon having at least one static state, at least one expanded state, and at least one deflated state, the expandable medical balloon including at least one active region, the at least one active region including electroactive polymer.

Abstract: A thermal spraying powder contains 30 to 50% by mass of chromium carbide with the remainder being an alloy containing chromium, aluminum, yttrium, and at least one of cobalt and nickel. The thermal spraying powder has an average particle size of 20 to 60 ?m. The thermal spraying powder may contain 20% by mass or less of yttrium oxide in place of a part of the alloy. A thermal spray coating obtained by thermal spraying of the thermal spraying powder, particularly, a thermal spray coating obtained by high-velocity flame spraying of the thermal spraying powder is suitable for the purpose of a hearth roll.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering a medical device into a body lumen, and method for preparing said catheter, wherein the catheter comprises an elongate body, at least a portion of which defines a medical device retaining region for retaining a medical device thereon. At least a portion of the medical device retaining region comprises a predetermined pattern of material. The predetermined pattern of material is a photoresist material that may be placed on the outer surface of the catheter to modify at least one physical property of the catheter.

Abstract: A device for folding a balloon of a balloon catheter onto a catheter tube during a balloon deflation includes a first band positioned on the catheter tube distal to the balloon and a second band positioned on the catheter tube proximal to the balloon. One or more elastic member(s) are attached to and extend between the bands for interaction with the outer surface of the balloon. During a balloon deflation, the elastic members cooperate to fold the balloon into pleats. When used on a cutting balloon, each elastic member is formed with a slot to allow a respective blade of the cutting balloon to extend through the elastic member. The elastic members fold the cutting balloon into a configuration in which each blade becomes nestled within a pair of adjacent balloon pleats to prevent the blade from inadvertently incising tissue during an in-vivo movement of the balloon catheter.

Abstract: Medical balloons and balloon preforms are made by methods which include the step of selectively removing material from the proximal and/or distal ends of a segment. In the case of a thermoplastic material characterized by one or more glass transition temperatures, the segment may optionally be maintained at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the segment during the material removal step.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an outer shaft comprising a first section of electroactive polymer. The first section of electroactive polymer affecting either the flexibility of the catheter or the steerability of the catheter.

Abstract: A medical device may be secured to a medical device delivery apparatus by providing a wrapped medical device, the wrapped medical device comprising a medical device with a polymeric sheet disposed thereabout, compressing the wrapped medical device and affixing at least one opposing edge of the polymeric sheet to a portion of the polymeric sheet adjacent thereto so as to form a sheathed medical device and securing the sheathed medical device to a medical device delivery apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel stent apparatuses for use in treating lesions at or near the bifurcation point in bifurcated cardiac, coronary, renal, peripheral vascular, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, urinary and neurovascular vessels and brain vessels. More particularly, the invention concerns a stent apparatus with at least one side opening which may further comprise an extendable stent portion laterally extending from the side opening and at least partly in registry with the wall of the side opening.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a shotshell comprises a casing defining an internal chamber, a plurality of first shot pellets within the internal chamber and a plurality of second shot pellets within the internal chamber. The first shot pellets comprise a first shape and the second shot pellets comprise a second shape that is different from the first shape.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for diagnostic and therapeutic agent delivery is provided by the present invention. In one embodiment a method for injecting an agent into the body of a patient is provided. This method includes: covering an injection structure having a piercing tip with a coating that contains a first agent; urging the piercing tip of the injection structure into a first target located in the body of the patient; and, maintaining the injection structure in the first target location for a predetermined amount of time. In so doing the agent may be conveniently and accurately delivered to the target site. In another embodiment of the present invention a drug delivery device is provided. This drug delivery device includes a catheter having a proximate end and a distal end and an injection structure coupled to the distal end of the catheter. In this embodiment the catheter is covered with a coating that contains an agent.

Abstract: A catheter for crossing an occluding lesion with an inflatable balloon and dilating the lesion includes an inner tube that defines a longitudinal axis. The balloon includes a distal section that is bonded to the tube's distal end, a working section, and a conically shaped distal transition section connecting the working and distal section. A plurality of rigid ribs are spaced around the circumference of the balloon near the catheter's distal end. Each rib includes a first elongated portion attached to the balloon's distal section and aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis. A second portion extending from the first portion and at an angle thereto is attached to and lies along the surface of the balloon's distal transition section. The plurality of ribs combine to simulate a stiff, tapered surface that can be wedged into the occluding lesion to create a passageway to cross the lesion with the balloon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm in a patient includes the steps of providing a deployable tubular graft of length to extend across the aneurysm. The graft is inserted endovascularly through an artery communicating with the aorta to a site within the aorta whereby an insertion end of the graft is positioned adjacent a non-dilated region of the aorta. The graft is deployed such that the insertion end of the graft is placed against an interior wall of the non-dilated region of the aorta. The graft is held from within the graft against the interior walls of the aorta and while being held, sutures are introduced laparoscopically through a wall of the aorta to the exterior of the graft whereby the graft is sutured to the inner walls of the aorta and the graft.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electrical connector comprises a male body and a female body. The male body comprises a first insulating base and a plurality of male terminals. Each male terminal includes a male contact. The female body comprises a second insulating base and a plurality of female terminals. Each female terminal includes a female contact arranged to engage a male contact so as to form a circuit. The male contact is formed with a protrusion extending from a side surface. The female contact is bent to form an arc-shaped convex surface that abuts the male contact, and engages the protrusion of the male contact.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent includes a first stent section and a second stent section. The first stent section is balloon expandable, has an unexpanded configuration, an expanded configuration, and a tubular wall defining a secondary opening. The secondary stent section is self-expanding and an end of the secondary stent section is engaged to a portion of the tubular wall of the primary stent section defining the secondary opening. The secondary stent section has an unexpanded configuration with a first length and an expanded configuration with a second length where the first length is less than the second length. The secondary stent section is expanded to the expanded configuration after the primary stent section is expanded to the expanded configuration. The secondary stent section forms a portion of the tubular wall of the primary stent section in the unexpanded configuration.

Abstract: An implantable, varied-diameter graft is seamlessly flat-woven to provide a seamless, varied-diameter graft. The graft includes a flat-woven tubular portion having opposed first and second tubular ends with a contiguous bulbous woven section therebetween. The bulbous woven section has opposed first and second open ends with the first bulbous end being contiguous with the first tubular end. The second bulbous end is contiguous with the second tubular end. The first tubular end has a first number of warp yarns interlaced with a plurality of fill yarns in a woven pattern to define a first flat-woven tubular diameter. The second end has a second number of warp yarns interlaced with a plurality of fill yarns in a woven pattern to define a second flat-woven tubular diameter. The bulbous section has a third number of warp yarns interlaced with a plurality of fill yarns in a woven pattern to define a third flat-woven tubular diameter.