Abstract: The present invention provides improved stents and other prostheses for delivering substances to vascular and other luminal and intracorporeal environments. In particular, the present invention provides for therapeutic capable agent eluting stents with minimized undesirable loss of the therapeutic capable agent during expansion of the stent.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved stents and other prostheses for delivering substances to vascular and other luminal and intracorporeal enviroments. In particular, the present invention provides luminal prostheses which allow for a programmed and controlled substance delivery protocols for a variety of purposes. The prostheses comprise a scaffold which is implantable within a body lumen and a substance reservoir present over at least a portion of the scaffold. Usually, a rate-controlling element will be formed over the substance-containing reservoir to provide for a number of different substance release characteristics.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reducing, inhibiting, or treating restenosis and hyperplasia after intravascular intervention are provided. In particular, the present invention provides luminal prostheses which allow for controlled release of at least one therapeutic capable agent with increased efficacy to selected locations within a patient's vasculature to reduce restenosis. An intraluminal prosthesis may comprise an expandable structure and a source adjacent the expandable structure for releasing the therapeutic capable agent into a body lumen to reduce smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices and methods for minimizing and/or inhibiting restenosis and hyperplasia after intravascular intervention. In particular, the present invention provides luminal prostheses which allow for programmed and controlled methylprednisolone delivery with increased efficacy to selected locations within a patient's vasculature to inhibit restenosis. An intraluminal delivery prosthesis may comprise an expansible structure and means on or within the structure for releasing methylprednisolone into the body lumen to inhibit smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the treating, e.g. sterilizing and packaging of medical devices and other articles, particularly such devices and articles which are reactive to oxygen or moisture containing atmospheres. The sterilized package has a container which includes at least one portion which is gas permeable and at least one portion which is gas impermeable and an interior in fluid communication with the gas permeable portion. The container may be sealed by applying an impermeable patch to the permeable portion thereof or by disposing the container in an enclosure formed of impermeable material and sealing the enclosure. After exposing the container to a sterilizing gas, the gas permeable portion may be removed or sealed off from the gas impermeable portion of the container in order to provide a package which is gas impermeable and can protect one or more articles within the interior of the container against environmental gases and moisture.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reducing, inhibiting, or treating restenosis and hyperplasia after intravascular intervention are provided. In particular, the present invention provides luminal prostheses which allow for sustained or controlled release of at least one therapeutic capable agent with increased efficacy to selected locations within a patient's vasculature to reduce restenosis. An intraluminal prosthesis may comprise an expandable structure and a source adjacent the expandable structure for releasing the therapeutic capable agent into a body lumen to reduce smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved prostheses and methods for their endolumenal placement within body lumens, particularly blood vessels. In one embodiment, the prosthesis of the present invention comprises a plurality of radially expansible rings having, a plurality of beams connecting axially remote points on adjacent rings, and a plurality of expansion joints connecting axially proximate points on adjacent rings. The beams maintain the remote points at a fixed distance when the prosthesis is radially expanded and the expansion joints allow for relative movement of the proximate points during delivery of the prosthesis. The combination of the beams and expansion joints minimizes the risk of injury to the body lumen during delivery of the prosthesis to a target site and provides improved tracking capabilities.

Abstract: Luminal prostheses comprise adjacent expansible segments, typically serpentine ring segments joined by sigmoidal links. By properly orienting the sigmoidal links and aligning hinge regions on adjacent serpentine rings, enhanced performance can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved stents and other prostheses for delivering substances to vascular and other luminal and intracorporeal environments. In particular, the present invention provides luminal prostheses which allow for a programmed and controlled substance delivery protocols for a variety of purposes. The prostheses comprise a scaffold which is implantable within a body lumen and a substance reservoir present over at least a portion of the scaffold. Usually, a rate-controlling element will be formed over the substance-containing reservoir to provide for a number of different substance release characteristics.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reducing, inhibiting, or treating restenosis and hyperplasia after intravascular intervention are provided. In particular, the present invention provides luminal prostheses which allow for sustained or controlled release of at least one therapeutic capable agent with increased efficacy to selected locations within a patient's vasculature to reduce restenosis. An intraluminal prosthesis may comprise an expandable structure and a source adjacent the expandable structure for releasing the therapeutic capable agent into a body lumen to reduce smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved stents and other prostheses for delivering substances to vascular and other luminal and intracorporeal environments. In particular, the present invention provides luminal prostheses which allow for a programmed and controlled substance delivery protocols for a variety of purposes. The prostheses comprise a scaffold which is implantable within a body lumen and a substance reservoir present over at least a portion of the scaffold. Usually, a rate-controlling element will be formed over the substance-containing reservoir to provide for a number of different substance release characteristics.

Abstract: Luminal prostheses comprise adjacent expansible segments, typically serpentine ring segments joined by sigmoidal links. By properly orienting the sigmoidal links and aligning hinge regions on adjacent serpentine rings, enhanced opening characteristics can be obtained. Additionally, by varying the mechanical characteristics of adjacent serpentine rings, program expansion of the luminal prostheses over their lengths may be obtained. The disclosed prostheses also have controllable opening characteristics and can be crimped to small diameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved prostheses and methods for their endolumenal placement within body lumens, particularly blood vessels. In one embodiment, the prosthesis of the present invention comprises a plurality of radially expansible rings having, a plurality of beams connecting axially remote points on adjacent rings, and a plurality of expansion joints connecting axially proximate points on adjacent rings. The beams maintain the remote points at a fixed distance when the prosthesis is radially expanded and the expansion joints allow for relative movement of the proximate points during delivery of the prosthesis. The combination of the beams and expansion joints minimizes the risk of injury to the body lumen during delivery of the prosthesis to a target site and provides improved tracking capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices and methods for minimizing and/or inhibiting restenosis and hyperplasia after intravascular intervention. In particular, the present invention provides luminal prostheses which allow for programmed and controlled mycophenolic acid delivery with increased efficacy to selected locations within a patient's vasculature to inhibit restenosis. An intraluminal delivery prosthesis may comprise an expansible structure and means on or within the structure for releasing mycophenolic acid at a rate selected to inhibit smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract: Luminal prostheses comprise adjacent expansible segments, typically serpentine ring segments joined by sigmoidal links. By properly orienting the sigmoidal links and aligning hinge regions on adjacent serpentine rings, enhanced performance can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved prostheses and methods for their endolumenal placement within body lumens, particularly blood vessels. In one embodiment, the prosthesis of the present invention comprises a plurality of radially expansible rings having, a plurality of beams connecting axially remote points on adjacent rings, and a plurality of expansion joints connecting axially proximate points on adjacent rings. The beams maintain the remote points at a fixed distance when the prosthesis is radially expanded and the expansion joints allow for relative movement of the proximate points during delivery of the prosthesis. The combination of the beams and expansion joints minimizes the risk of injury to the body lumen during delivery of the prosthesis to a target site and provides improved tracking capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to method and apparatus for treating vulnerable tissue sites, such as aneurysms in the abdominal area or in the thoracic cavity, and expanded tissues on various organs and body surfaces such as the heart. The apparatus of the present invention, are containment members for at least partially containing the vulnerable tissue site, thus preventing or minimizing the further vulnerability or growth of the site. Additionally, or alternatively, the containment members can apply resistive force to the vulnerable tissue site. The force can be compressive against the exterior surface of the tissue site. The containment members of the present invention can be used alone or in combination with support members, such as stent/grafts, in treating a tissue site. In this embodiment, the support member is disposed within the inner lumen of the vulnerable tissue site with the containment member disposed on the exterior surface of the lumen.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved prostheses and methods for their endolumenal placement within body lumens, particularly blood vessels. In one embodiment, the prosthesis of the present invention consists a plurality of radially expansible rings having, a plurality of beams connecting axially remote points on adjacent rings, and a plurality of expansion joints connecting axially proximate points on adjacent rings. The beams maintain the remote points at a fixed distance when the prosthesis is radially expanded and the expansion joints allow for relative movement of the proximate points during delivery of the prosthesis. The combination of the beams and expansion joints minimizes the risk of injury to the body lumen during delivery of the prosthesis to a target site and provides improved tracking capabilities.

Abstract: Luminal prostheses comprise adjacent expansible segments, typically serpentine ring segments joined by sigmoidal links. By properly orienting the sigmoidal links and aligning hinge regions on adjacent serpentine rings, enhanced opening characteristics can be obtained. Additionally, by varying the mechanical characteristics of adjacent serpentine rings, program expansion of the luminal prostheses over their lengths may be obtained. The disclosed prostheses also have controllable opening characteristics and can be crimped to small diameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved prostheses and methods for their endolumenal placement within body lumens, particularly blood vessels. In one embodiment, the prosthesis of the present invention having a plurality of radially expansible rings having, a plurality of beams connecting axially remote points on adjacent rings, and a plurality of expansion joints connecting axially proximate points on adjacent rings. The beams maintain the remote points at a fixed distance when the prosthesis is radially expanded and the expansion joints allow for relative movement of the proximate points during delivery of the prosthesis. The combination of the beams and expansion joints minimizes the risk of injury to the body lumen during delivery of the prosthesis to a target site and provides improved tracking capabilities.