Abstract: A method of making expanded fluoropolymer articles thermally bonds portions of expanded fluoropolymers together, without using an adhesive or crushing force, to produce stronger bonds at the joint between the expanded fluoropolymers than the bonds within the constituent expanded fluoropolymers. The method involves placing the portions of expanded fluoropolymers to be thermally bonded together in intimate contact with each other after wet-stretching the expanded fluoropolymers, and removing the wetting agent used to wet-stretch the expanded fluoropolymers, without subsequent expansion or stretching, to yield an expanded fluoropolymer article exhibiting unexpected and superior properties that can be used in a variety of medical and industrial applications.

Abstract: A vascular graft includes an implantable tubular body defining a lumen and at least one support frame engaged to the tubular body for modifying a shape of a cross-section of at least a portion of the lumen. The tubular body and at least one support frame are configured to receive pulsatile blood flow so that as pressure of blood flowing through the lumen increases, a cross-sectional area of the portion of the lumen increases while a perimeter of the portion of the lumen remains substantially unchanged in order to dampen the pulsatile blood flow. A method of forming a vascular graft including a step of attaching at least one support frame to a tubular body defining a lumen that modifies a shape of a cross-section of at least a portion of the lumen of the tubular body is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A chest drainage system including a collection device configured to receive fluid from the pleural cavity of a patient. A sensor is included to detect a pressure differential in the fluid. A display is configured to display a trend in occurrences of changes in pressure of the fluid over time in predetermined time increments based on a number of detections of pressure differentials that exceed a predetermined pressure differential during each of the predetermined time increments. The trend is correlative to the percentage of time that the patient is deemed to have an air leak in the pleural cavity in the predetermined time increments. The trend is derived from a ratio of the quantity of respiratory cycles of the patient for which the predetermined pressure differential is detected (QRCleak) in the predetermined time increments to the total quantity of respiratory cycles of the patient in respective predetermined time increments (QRCtotal).

Abstract: A stent device includes generally cylindrical rings aligned along a longitudinal axis, and interconnected by interconnecting members. Each interconnecting member includes a first coupling end, a second coupling end, and an elongate portion therebetween. The first coupling end, the elongate portion, and the second coupling end combine in either a first orientation or a second orientation, which are substantially mirror images. For each interconnecting member, the first coupling end can intersect with a midpoint of a transition region of a substantially repeating curved segment on one of the rings, and the second coupling end can intersect with a midpoint of a curved segment of a different and immediately adjacent ring. The interconnecting members can be arranged in rows extending longitudinally along the device. Along each row, consecutive interconnected members alternate between the first orientation and the second orientation. A cover may be provided over the stent device.

Abstract: A chest drainage system including a collection device configured to receive fluid from the pleural cavity of a patient. A sensor is included to detect a pressure differential in the fluid. A display is configured to display a trend in occurrences of changes in pressure of the fluid over time in predetermined time increments based on a number of detections of pressure differentials that exceed a predetermined pressure differential during each of the predetermined time increments. The trend is correlative to the percentage of time that the patient is deemed to have an air leak in the pleural cavity in the predetermined time increments. The trend is derived from a ratio of the quantity of respiratory cycles of the patient for which the predetermined pressure differential is detected (QRCleak) in the predetermined time increments to the total quantity of respiratory cycles of the patient in respective predetermined time increments (QRCtotal).

Abstract: A stent device includes generally cylindrical rings aligned along a longitudinal axis, and interconnected by interconnecting members. Each interconnecting member includes a first coupling end, a second coupling end, and an elongate portion therebetween. The first coupling end, the elongate portion, and the second coupling end combine in either a first orientation or a second orientation, which are substantially mirror images. For each interconnecting member, the first coupling end can intersect with a midpoint of a transition region of a substantially repeating curved segment on one of the rings, and the second coupling end can intersect with a midpoint of a curved segment of a different and immediately adjacent ring. The interconnecting members can be arranged in rows extending longitudinally along the device. Along each row, consecutive interconnected members alternate between the first orientation and the second orientation. A cover may be provided over the stent device.

Abstract: Fatty acid-based, pre-cure-derived biomaterials, methods of making the biomaterials, and methods of using them as drug delivery carriers are described. The fatty acid-derived biomaterials can be utilized alone or in combination with a medical device for the release and local delivery of one or more therapeutic agents. Methods of forming and tailoring the properties of said biomaterials and methods of using said biomaterials for treating injury in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: A vascular graft suitable for implantation, and more particular to a vascular graft having an expandable outflow region for restoring patency of the graft after implantation into a body lumen.

Abstract: A vascular graft suitable for implantation, and more particular to a vascular graft having an expandable outflow region for restoring patency of the graft after implantation into a body lumen.

Abstract: A stent device is provided. The stent device includes: at least one radially expandable body portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the stent device defining a lumen; and at least one outwardly flarable portion connected to the body portion. The outwardly flarable portion includes at least one radially expandable ring connected to the body portion and at least one flaring connector connected to the at least one ring configured to cause a crown of the at least one ring to automatically flare radially outwardly relative to other portions of the ring upon radial expansion of the body portion so as to form a flared crown. After radial expansion, the outwardly flaring portion may be held in place by a support strut that lessens its ability to collapse. A method of deploying the stent device is also provided.

Abstract: A chest drainage system includes a collection device and a fluid pathway configured to extend from the collection device to a patient. A pressure source is configured to selectively provide sub-atmospheric pressure to the fluid pathway. The system is configured to introduce sub-atmospheric pressure from the pressure source at a substantially constant target pressure and at a dynamic pressure that varies from the target pressure. A method is also disclosed for draining a pleural cavity of a patient. The method involves applying dynamic pressure to the pleural cavity of a patient by changing sub-atmospheric pressure applied to the patient such that the patient's pleura moves without any or limited patient activity, thus facilitating removal of loculated fluid from the pleural cavity. The method may involve the use of the chest drain system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid delivery enables navigation through tortuous, spatially restricted body anatomy to access narrow diameter body lumens for the continuous delivery of fluids, including therapeutic fluids, to the lumen in an atraumatic manner that avoids damage to the body lumen. The fluid delivery device can have a flexible conduit having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending along an interior of the flexible conduit providing a fluid flow path between the proximal and distal ends, where the lumen transitions into a micro-lumen exiting through a port through which a high concentration of fluid injected into the lumen exits laterally out along an image viewable zone at the distal end of the flexible conduit. The flexible conduit has a maximum outer diameter sized sufficient to navigate narrow diameter body lumens.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward fatty acid-based particles, and methods of making such particles. The particles can be associated with an additional, therapeutic agent. Also provided herein is a method of forming fatty acid particles, comprising associating a cross-linked, fatty acid-derived biomaterial with a cryogenic liquid; and fragmenting the bio material/cryogenic liquid composition, such that fatty acid particles are formed. The particles can be used for a variety of therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A chest drainage system, including a circulation assembly having an intake for taking fluid into the system and an exhaust for exhausting fluid out of the system. An intake flow device is configured to selectively control fluid flow through the intake and an exhaust flow device is configured to selectively controlling fluid flow through the exhaust. The circulation assembly has a first configuration and a second configuration such that transitioning between the first and second configurations during operation of the circulation assembly displaces at least a portion of fluid within the system with fluid from outside the system via the intake and the exhaust. A sensor is arranged in fluid communication with the fluid within the system and configured to detect a concentration of a reference fluid in the fluid in the system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the correlation of chemical properties of oils with the physical properties of a resulting cured oil composition. Also disclosed are biocompatible materials and coatings for medical devices prepared using enriched oils and methods for enhancing or modifying the physical and chemical characteristics of cured oils by enriching such oils with fatty acid alkyl esters. Methods of tailoring the properties of biocompatible materials and coatings to deliver one or more therapeutic agents are also provided.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide adhesion barriers having anti-adhesion and tissue fixating properties. The adhesion barriers are formed of fatty acid based films. The fatty acid-based films may be formed from fatty acid-derived biomaterials. The films may be coated with, or may include, tissue fixating materials to create the adhesion barrier. The adhesion barriers are well tolerated by the body, have anti-inflammation properties, fixate, well to tissue, and have a residence time sufficient to prevent post-surgical adhesions.

Abstract: A medical device including a first layer having an opening formed therein. A second layer is positioned with respect to the first layer to form a pocket therebetween. A support member is at least partially located in the pocket and reconfigurable for removal of the support member from the pocket via the opening. An affixation element located in the pocket between the support member and the second layer, and secured to the second layer. A method of implanting a medical device is also included.

Abstract: An endovascular fixation device includes a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion to define a central lumen extending longitudinally through the portions. The first portion includes a first radially expandable ring and at least one first connector, connected to the first ring, configured to cause at least one first flarable crown of the first ring to flare radially outwardly relative to other portions of the first ring when the first ring is expanded from a retracted position to an expanded position. The second portion includes a second radially expandable ring and at least one second connector, connected to the second ring, configured to cause at least one second flarable crown of the second ring to flare radially outwardly relative to other portions of the second ring when the second ring is expanded from a retracted position to an expanded position.

Abstract: A chest drainage system including a collection device configured to receive fluid from the pleural cavity of a patient. A sensor is included to detect a pressure differential in the fluid. A display is configured to display a trend in occurrences of changes in pressure of the fluid over time in predetermined time increments based on a number of detections of pressure differentials that exceed a predetermined pressure differential during each of the predetermined time increments. The trend is correlative to the percentage of time that the patient is deemed to have an air leak in the pleural cavity in the predetermined time increments. The trend is derived from a ratio of the quantity of respiratory cycles of the patient for which the predetermined pressure differential is detected (QRCleak) in the predetermined time increments to the total quantity of respiratory cycles of the patient in respective predetermined time increments (QRCtotal).

Abstract: A medical device including a mesh prosthesis having a first layer having an opening a second layer secured to the first layer and forming a pocket therebetween. A deployment device is positioned in the pocket and arranged to resiliently exert a deployment force on the mesh prosthesis to urge the mesh prosthesis into a deployment shape. The deployment device has a first shape when deployed that has at least one dimension larger than that of the opening to frustrate removal of the deployment device therethrough. Upon application of a suitable pulling force the deployment device is reconfigurable into a second shape that permits the deployment device to be removed from the pocket through the opening upon application of the suitable pulling force. A method of using a medical device is also included.