Abstract: A process for arranging a protective sheath on a drug-coated balloon catheter in a machine. The protective sheath is transported via a transport system into a holding device. A drug coated area of the balloon catheter from contact with the machine. The protective sheath is arranged on a drug-coated area of the balloon catheter by machine relative motion between the balloon catheter and the protective sheath. The protecting can be placing at least one first and one second flexible film between the balloon catheter and a guide of the machine during the relative motion or can be holding the balloon catheter at a position on the catheter away from the drug-coated area during the relative motion.

Abstract: A method for producing x-ray markers. During the process, a predetermined breaking point is severed in order to detach x-ray markers from part of a material layer. There is also described an x-ray marker, a medical implant, and a semifinished product.

Abstract: A process for repositioning a drug-coated stent that is pre-crimped on a balloon of a balloon catheter extending in an axial direction so that an inner surface of the stent lies against an outer surface of the balloon. The stent is gripped with at least one contact element and a protection device between the stent and the at least one contact element to prevent contact between the stent and the at least one contact element. The stent is moved with the at least one contact element in the axial direction with respect to the balloon of the balloon catheter to reposition the stent with respect to the balloon.

Abstract: Generally, the invention is in relation to the field of drug delivery devices to augment standard radiation therapy and methods of making and using same. Specifically, this technology utilizes a controlled release of drug from a coated balloon for local intratumoral drug delivery to breast tissue to supplement or replace standard radiation therapy.

Abstract: A method for producing a balloon for a balloon catheter includes providing the balloon that has an outer surface. A solution including a solvent and a polymer is used to deposit the polymer onto the surface and form a surface coating of the polymer.

Abstract: A method for preparing tissue, in particular pericardial tissue, in particular for a heart valve prosthesis, the method including: decellularizing the tissue; subjecting the decellularized tissue to a cross-linking solution including glutaraldehyde; subjecting the tissue to a shape- and structure-stabilizing step, in which the tissue is exposed to a first solution containing glycerol and is exposed to a second solution containing polyethylene glycol; and drying the tissue after the shape- and structure-stabilizing step.

Abstract: An arrangement of an expandable substrate and a strain sensor applied onto a surface of the substrate. The strain sensor is made from an ink composition that is a mixture of a conductive silver ink and a conductive carbon ink. A ratio between the conductive silver ink and the conductive carbon ink lies in a range between 30:70 and 70:30 in on arrangement and between 40:60 and 60:40 in another. A method for forming the arrangement directly prints the strain sensor on the substrate.

Abstract: A balloon catheter-stent device includes a balloon catheter has a catheter tube and a radially expandable balloon. A stent surrounds the balloon. The stent can be radially expanded in its radial extent by the balloon. The stent includes at least one folding protrusion, which unfolds with radial expansion and axial shortening of the stent to form an outer stent protrusion.

Abstract: A process for arranging a stent, especially a drug-coated stent, on a balloon of a balloon catheter. At a stent implantation site (e.g., during an angioplasty procedure), the balloon of the balloon catheter serves to expand the stent radially, so that the stent, e.g., opens a vascular stenosis and is securely fixed to the vessel wall. Pressure plates are arranged and operate to maintain a protection device that avoids contamination of the stent.

Abstract: A method of preparing biological tissue for use as a component of an implant, in particular as part of a vascular implant, more particularly as part of a heart valve prosthesis, which can be implanted by a catheter. The biological tissue is decellularized using a detergent, which includes surfactin and deoxycholic acid (DCA).

Abstract: Medical material and a method for preparing a biological tissue for a medical application are provided. The material is useful as a sealing element in a heart valve prosthesis. A method includes decellularizing the biological tissue by decellularizing solution to obtain an acellular extracellular matrix, solubilizing the extracellular matrix of the biological tissue, and crosslinking collagen fibers of the solubilized extracellular matrix.

Abstract: An implant (in particular a stent) includes a main structure and a sensor assembly for measuring a body parameter. The sensor assembly includes at least one electrical conductor and at least one capacitor which are connected in such a way that the conductor and the capacitor form at least one electrical resonant circuit. The electrical conductor is surrounded by an electrical insulation. The electrical conductor is in the form of a coil having at least one turn. The capacitor is in contact at least on one side with the surrounding environment and its capacitance changes depending on the body parameter that is to be determined.

Abstract: A catheter device for transporting an implant to a target location in a body lumen and also for releasing the implant at the target location. The device includes an outer shaft configured to transport the implant to the target location, and an implant capsule configured to receive the implant. The implant capsule has a tubular capsule core, which surrounds the implant prior to the release. The capsule core, at a proximal end of the capsule core, has a plurality of tabs for fixing the capsule core to the outer shaft, which tabs protrude from a tubular portion of the capsule core along an axial direction of the capsule core.

Abstract: A handle for a catheter having an inner shaft and a retractable shaft. The handle includes a housing, a pull cable and a release button mounted movably on the housing. A sleeve is secured in the housing and a brake hose is guided movably in the longitudinal direction in a continuous opening of the sleeve. The brake hose has a first continuous opening for arrangement of the pull cable and a second continuous opening for arrangement of the inner shaft. The brake hose configured and arranged such that its position relative to the sleeve in a first state is fixed by the release button, and such that the brake hose in a second state is displaceable after actuation of the release button together with the pull cable in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve and relative to the sleeve and the inner shaft in the proximal direction in order to retract the retractable shaft, such that the retractable shaft can be connected to the pull cable.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy includes <3% by weight of Zn, ?0.6% by weight of Ca, with the rest being formed by magnesium containing impurities, which favor electrochemical potential differences and/or promote the formation of intermetallic phases, in a total amount of no more than 0.005% by weight of Fe, Si, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Al, Zr and P, wherein the alloy contains elements selected from the group of rare earths with the atomic number 21, 39, 57 to 71 and 89 to 103 in a total amount of no more than 0.002% by weight.

Abstract: A balloon catheter has an outer shaft which surrounds a shaft lumen. The outer shaft has a proximal outer shaft portion connected to a distal outer shaft portion. An inner shaft is in a distal portion of the shaft lumen. A guide wire lumen is in the inner shaft. An opening at a proximal end portion of the inner shaft permits the guide wire to be guided out from the outer shaft. A metallic tube is in the shaft lumen. The proximal end portion of the inner shaft is engaged with the metallic tube. A separate, elongate and metallic stiffening element is in the shaft lumen, and is connected to the metallic tube and protrudes from the metallic tube into the distal portion of the shaft lumen and into the proximal portion of the shaft lumen to stiffen portions of the outer shaft.

Abstract: A device for producing purified, especially high-purity, magnesium includes a reactor for vacuum distillation that is extended along a longitudinal axis (L). The reactor defines a reactor inner chamber having a heating region for heating magnesium. A crucible forms a crucible inner chamber for receiving purified magnesium vaporized and condensed by the device. A radial projection in the heating region defines a contact surface that extends essentially transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) and forms an essentially sealed connection with an edge of the crucible adjacent to the crucible inner chamber.

Abstract: A lubricant includes at least 45 wt % paraffin oil, less than 8 wt % of a pyrophosphate or triphosphate, more than 6 wt % of a group 6 disulfide or diselenide and up to 27.5 wt % of graphite. The lubricant is used in a method for producing a magnesium alloy tube via extrusion, and is especially useful to form implants such as stents while maintaining the biocompatibility of the magnesium alloy.

Abstract: A new class of rapamycin 40-O-cyclic hydrocarbon esters is disclosed. The 40-O position of the rapamycin ester has the form 40-O—R, where R is C(O)—(CH2)n—X, n is 0, 1 or 2, and X is a cyclic hydrocarbon having 3-8 carbons, optionally containing one or more unsaturated bonds, and one or more linear (CH2)n) and/or cyclic (X) carbon atoms may have an OH or halide group. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions and methods that employ the novel analogs.

Abstract: A system and method for loading a self-expandable prosthetic device into a delivery device. The system includes a compression member that has a chamber with a tapered inner surface, a support member, a splay member and a constriction member. The compression member and the constriction member can be releasably attached to each other directly or via a spacer element, in two different positions relative to each other. The first position offers an optimal configuration for releasable attachment of the prosthetic device to the delivery device and the second position offers an optimal configuration for reducing the diameter of the delivery device. The risk of damaging the delivery device and to the prosthetic device during the loading procedure is thereby reduced.