Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stenting are provided comprising a stent attached to a porous biocompatible material that is permeable to endothelial cell ingrowth, but impermeable to release of emboli of predetermined size. Preferred stent designs are provided, as well as preferred manufacturing techniques. Apparatus and methods are also provided for use at a vessel branching. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may comprise a coating configured for localized delivery of therapeutic agents. Embodiments of the present invention are expected to provide enhanced embolic protection, improved force distribution, and improved recrossability, while reducing a risk of restenosis and thrombus formation.

Abstract: Stent delivery system having a contracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration is provided. The stent delivery system includes a stent having a plurality of expandable elements and a plurality of interstices disposed between adjacent expandable elements, and a delivery catheter having an inflatable balloon including creases extending non-uniformly within the interstices of the stent in the contracted delivery configuration. Each crease defines a maximum radial height within a corresponding interstice, and the maximum radial heights of the creases vary. A method for stenting at a target site within a patient's vessel including providing a stent delivery system is also provided.

Abstract: A medical balloon for deployment of stents is disclosed. The medical balloon includes a central section; a proximal and a distal cone section; a proximal and a distal shaft section; a proximal sleeve which is arranged coaxial to and radially inside the proximal shaft section. The proximal end of the proximal shaft section is permanently connected and/or unitarily formed with the proximal end of the proximal sleeve, and distal thereto, at least part of the proximal cone section is connected with the proximal sleeve by an adhesive bond, and a distal sleeve which is arranged coaxial to and radially inside the distal shaft section. Methods of manufacturing a medical balloon are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stenting are provided comprising a stent attached to a porous biocompatible material that is permeable to endothelial cell ingrowth, but impermeable to release of emboli of predetermined size. Preferred stent designs are provided, as well as preferred manufacturing techniques. Apparatus and methods are also provided for use at a vessel branching. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may comprise a coating configured for localized delivery of therapeutic agents. Embodiments of the present invention are expected to provide enhanced embolic protection, improved force distribution, and improved recrossability, while reducing a risk of restenosis and thrombus formation.

Abstract: An implantable lumen filter (200) is described. The implantable lumen filter includes a body (202) having a proximal end (202a), a distal end (202b), and a generally tapered outer surface (204). The outer surface is formed by a plurality of struts (206a, 206b). The plurality of struts forms a plurality of apertures (210). The apertures are dimensioned to inhibit and/or to lyse particulates of a selected size from passing through the apertures. The body (202) is transitionable from a collapsed state toward a deployed state. The implantable lumen filter includes an engaging portion (220) having a proximal end (220a) and a distal end (220b). The proximal end of the engaging portion is connected to a distal end of the body. The engaging portion has a generally annular shape and is configured to engage an inner surface of a body lumen.

Abstract: The present invention refers to medical devices comprising a non-metallic micro tube containing FRP (fiber reinforced polymer), especially to respective tubings, used for constructing catheters like balloon dilation catheters, stent delivery catheters, guiding catheters and diagnostic catheters.

Abstract: A stent-graft including an inner stent having a wall structure including juxtaposed strut-patterns with interconnected struts and connectors connecting the strut-patterns is described. The wall structure of the inner stent has a predetermined length. An outer stent is coaxially arranged around the inner stent and has a wall structure including juxtaposed strut-patterns with interconnected struts and connectors connecting the strut-patterns. The wall structure of the outer stent has a predetermined length and a flexible stretchable material layer arranged between the inner stent and the outer stent. The wall structure of the inner stent has a design differing from the design of the wall structure of the outer stent and the length of the inner stent is equal to the length of the outer stent.

Abstract: An implantable lumen filter is described. The filter may include a body formed from an elongate member. The body may include loops encircling an axis extending along the length of the body. The body may be sized to be implanted into a body lumen. The body may be capable of transitioning from a collapsed state to a deployed state. The filter may include a first group of a plurality of members positioned around at least one loop of said body. At least a portion of the plurality of members may be oriented towards the axis. The plurality of members may be arranged to capture and/or lyse particulates of a selected size and/or to inhibit the particulates from passing through the body. Methods to of making, deploying, and retrieving the same are described.

Abstract: Apparatus for enhancing pushability and minimizing kinking of a balloon catheter is provided, wherein a catheter comprises inner and outer tubes, and a balloon that is proximally affixed to the outer tube and distally affixed to the inner tube. The catheter of the present invention further comprises a tubular member imposed on the inner tube which is configured to form a reversible mechanical linkage between inner tube and outer tube while an axially compressive load is applied to the catheter tip.

Abstract: A stent includes an essentially tubular body formed by a web structure that is composed of a plurality of longitudinally adjacent web rings, each including a plurality of web elements that are disposed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the stent and that are adjoined one to the other by a junction bend. Each junction bend in a first web ring is coupled to another junction bend in a neighboring ring by a connector having a step-wise configuration, in which a central segment of the connector is disposed essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent and may become twisted to absorb torque imposed on the stent.

Abstract: A method of making a stent delivery system is provided in which a delivery catheter has a balloon that extends non-uniformly into interstices of a stent. In accordance with the method a balloon/stent/crimping tube assembly is placed in a crimping tool, the balloon is inflated, and the crimping tool is actuated to compress the stent on the outside of the balloon without application of heat or chemicals, thereby causing creases of the balloon to extend non-uniformly into the interstices of the stent. Optionally, pillows may be formed in the balloon to prevent longitudinal movement of the stent with respect to the balloon during intravascular delivery. One or more secondary crimpings also may be performed to achieve a smoother delivery profile.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and an electrolytic solution are described for electropolishing metallic stents made, for example, of high-strength medical alloys. The apparatus may include an electropolishing container made from material of low thermal conductivity. The apparatus may include at least one spiral cathode for optimization of solution agitation and/or voltage distribution in the electrolytic solution. Further, an electrolytic solution including at least dimethylsulfate is described. A method for improved electropolishing to consistently produce smooth surfaces is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a medical stent that includes a holding device for holding a stent and a processing device for processing the stent held by the holding device that includes a first chamber for a fluid medium adapted to exert pressure around the stent. The first chamber for the fluid medium at least partially surrounds or encompasses the stent in the holding device that may include a housing which substantially encloses the first chamber for the fluid medium. A method of processing a medical stent is described. The method may include holding a stent with a holding device, and processing the stent with a processing device while holding the stent with the holding device. Holding the stent may include pressurizing a first chamber for a fluid medium to exert pressure around the stent. A method of producing or manufacturing a stent according to this method is described.

Abstract: A medical balloon for deployment of stents is disclosed. The medical balloon includes a central section; a proximal and a distal cone section; a proximal and a distal shaft section; a proximal sleeve which is arranged coaxial to and radially inside the proximal shaft section. The proximal end of the proximal shaft section is permanently connected and/or unitarily formed with the proximal end of the proximal sleeve, and distal thereto, at least part of the proximal cone section is connected with the proximal sleeve by an adhesive bond, and a distal sleeve which is arranged coaxial to and radially inside the distal shaft section. Methods of manufacturing a medical balloon are disclosed.

Abstract: A vascular endoprosthesis (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) includes a radially-expandable first segment and a radially expandable second segment. The vascular endoprosthesis further includes first and second coupling elements. The first coupling element extends from the proximal end of the first segment toward the distal end of the second segment, and the second coupling element extends from the distal end of the second segment toward the proximal end of the first segment. The first and second coupling elements cooperate one with another to couple the first and second segments together when the vascular endoprosthesis is in a delivery configuration and to decouple the first and second segments when the vascular endoprosthesis is in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: An implantable lumen filter (100) is described. The implantable lumen filter includes a proximal portion (103a) having a generally-tapered outer surface defined by a plurality of outer struts (106).The implantable lumen filter may also include a distal portion (103b) having a generally-tapered outer surface defined by a plurality of outer struts (106b) coupled together at the distal end (102b) of the distal portion. The implantable lumen filter may also include an apex (105) comprising the connection between the proximal and distal portions. The apex may define an outer dimension of the implantable lumen filter. The outer surface of the proximal portion is dimensioned to direct particulates towards the outer dimension.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sealing a vascular puncture by causing a reduction in the circumference of the puncture tract through delivery of a closure agent into tissue surrounding the puncture tract. A resultant inflammatory response and volumetric increase cause the tissue to swell into the puncture tract, thereby sealing it.

Abstract: An implantable lumen filter is described. The filter may include a body formed from an elongate member. The body may include loops encircling an axis extending along the length of the body. The body may be sized to be implanted into a body lumen. The body may be capable of transitioning from a collapsed state to a deployed state. The filter may include a first group of a plurality of members positioned around at least one loop of said body. At least a portion of the plurality of members may be oriented towards the axis. The plurality of members may be arranged to capture and/or lyse particulates of a selected size and/or to inhibit the particulates from passing through the body. Methods of making, deploying, and retrieving the same are described.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for delivering and deployment of an expandable stent with a protection sheath within a blood vessel is provided. The system comprises a fluid pressure device which is coupled with a retraction device for the protection sheath such that after retraction of the protection sheath the stent is automatically deployed by the fluid pressure device. The advantage of the invention is an easy and simple operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of thermal treatment of thermally responsive material wherein areas in or on the material to be thermally treated are defined and thermal energy is inputted on or into the defined areas in order to change/influence the material characteristics. The present invention further relates to medical devices or parts thereof manufactured at least in part from thermally responsive material by a process comprising at least one step of thermal treatment of this thermally responsive material.