Abstract: A method for chemically crosslinking and optionally shaping (including thickness reduction) substantially non-cross-linked tissue, in particular biological tissue, using a permeable material layer. The method can be used in combination with a stepless pressure load/compression on the tissue, so as to always allow fluid transport into and out of the tissue to be treated under the chemical cross-linking; along the lines of drainage. The method can be carried out under different pressure loads/compressions, in particular in order to specifically influence the resulting tissue properties, and, for example, to bring about a homogeneous thickness distribution of the tissue and/or to deliberately and specifically place inhomogeneities, if desired. Furthermore, the method allows the introduction/imprinting of a consistent three-dimensional shape into the tissue to be treated, e.g. of inhomogeneities in the thickness of the tissue.

Abstract: A crossing catheter system for crossing chronic total occlusion includes or consists of a support catheter having a support catheter shaft defining a support catheter lumen capable of receiving a dilator. A dilator is arranged within the support catheter lumen. A locking handle is arranged at a proximal support catheter end. The dilator has a proximal segment with a uniform radial circumference and a distal segment that has a radial circumference that is smaller than the radial circumference of the proximal segment.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment folding box includes a bottom. A circumferential lateral wall is connected to the bottom. A lid is hinged to the rear wall portion, so that the lid is pivotable in an open state of the folding box and closed state. A panel of the wall includes two front flaps each being connected to the panel via a first crease. In the closed state of the folding box, a slot is delimited by a front wall portion, an edge region and the two front flaps. A slot is arranged between the edge region and the front wall portion in the closed state to allow insertion of a package information leaflet. The wing is integrally connected to the front wall portion via a second crease and configured to protrude from the front wall portion along the panel of the lid when the folding box is in the closed state.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system has a catheter with a catheter shaft surrounding a lumen. A balloon is connected to a distal end of the catheter shaft such that a fluid inflation medium can be introduced into or removed from a balloon interior via the lumen. A pressure sensor is configured to measure an instantaneous pressure (p) of the inflation medium in the lumen during inflation and/or deflation of the balloon. A flow sensor is configured to measure an instantaneous volume flow (v) of the inflation medium during the inflation and/or deflation. An evaluation unit is configured to record the instantaneous pressure and the instantaneous volume flow and to determine therefrom a time curve of the flow resistance (R).

Abstract: An implant, such as an endovascular implant, has degradable main body that defines a lumen. A degradable coating including at least one degradable polymer substantially completely encloses the main body on its luminal and abluminal sides. An antiproliferative active substance is upon the degradable coating only on the abluminal side of the main body.

Abstract: This application relates generally to the field of implants and more specifically to drug eluting vascular stents and methods of making and using same. Specifically, this technology relates to controlled release of drug from an implant and particular from a stent without the presence of polymer or alteration of the implant surface.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has magnesium and one or more additional alloying elements, including aluminum. The alloy has a microstructure comprising equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns and continuous or discontinuous second-phase precipitates in grain boundaries between the Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains, the second-phase precipitates having an average longest dimension of 0.5 micron or less.

Abstract: A protective device for an elongate catheter carrying a functional element, in particular a stent or a balloon, in particular a balloon coated with an active substance, on a distal end portion of the catheter. The protective device includes a protector configured to be arranged on the distal end portion so that the functional element is surrounded by the protector. A protective sleeve surrounds an interior to receive the catheter together with the protector. The protective sleeve has at least one projection on an inner side of the protective sleeve facing the interior of the protective sleeve. The projection is configured to retain the protector when the catheter together with the protector is arranged in the interior of the protective sleeve and the catheter is withdrawn from the protective sleeve so that the protector is pulled off the distal end portion of the catheter.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a balloon extending in an axial direction (z). The balloon includes an expandable balloon wall that extends around the balloon in a circumferential direction (U) and surrounds a balloon interior space of the balloon. The balloon interior space is configured to be filled with a fluid inflation medium. A capacitive sensor is configured to measure a diameter (D) extending in a radial direction (R) of the balloon. The sensor includes a capacitor having two planar and expandable electrodes arranged on the balloon wall.

Abstract: A catheter having a catheter shaft connected to a two-part connecting piece. The catheter shaft includes a first tube forming an inflation lumen and a second tube disposed at least partially within the first tube to form a second lumen. The first tube and the second tube terminate proximally at a same longitudinal position. An outer surface of the second tube is welded longitudinally to an inner surface of the first tube to form a weld seam. The connecting piece includes a channel through a body of the connecting piece extending to and in fluid communication with the inflation lumen and a conical-shaped proximal section or element with a conical-shaped outer contour that fits into a distal element so that the second lumen seals around the proximal element and sole access to a proximal end of the inflation lumen is through the distal element.

Abstract: An electrolyte for electropolishing metal surfaces, in particular workpieces, in particular made of titanium or titanium alloys such as nitinol. The electrolyte composition includes methanesulfonic acid and more than one polyhydric alcohol. The content of methanesulfonic acid is less than 15 vol %, the polyhydric alcohols having at least one diol and at least one polyalcohol.

Abstract: A vascular implant, in particular a prosthetic heart valve, for providing valve function, has a stent structure with a proximal conical-convex inflow region, a distal, linear cylindrical outflow region, an intermediate transition region, and a corresponding valve arrangement. When the stent structure is in the expanded state, a higher maximum radial force exists in the inlet region in direct comparison to the lower maximum radial force in the outlet region and in the transition region.

Abstract: A method for connecting an X-ray marker to a base body of an implant is provided. The based body includes a receptacle for receiving an X-ray marker. A flexible film and an X-ray marker are arranged so that at least a section of the film is located between the receptacle and the X-ray marker. The X-ray marker is pressed into the receptacle while interposing the film so that the X-ray marker is plastically deformed and, together with the film, is fixed in a force-fit manner in the receptacle. The film prevents contact between the X-ray marker and the base body.

Abstract: A processing system including a processing unit is configured to be connected to a catheter in a releasable fashion via a connecter portion of a housing. The processing unit is configured to exchange data with a component of the catheter and at least one of a database, a computer network, and a computer device. The processing unit includes an integrated circuit for processing the data.

Abstract: A functionally integratable catheter system comprising functional units that can be assembled to produce different configurations. The functional units include: one or more FICS support catheters; one or more FICS dilators: one or more FICS PTA catheters; and one or more FICS lock-grip handles. Functional units can be provided in a pre-assembled form by the manufacturer, optionally pre-packaged as a device tray, for assembly into different configurations by clinical operators. The configurational adaptability of the FICS platform enables physicians to efficiently address multiple procedural aspects of treatment processes, including lesion access, lesion penetration, guide-wire negotiation, lesion recanalization, and dilation, by providing in situ treatment options, including intraluminal and/or extraluminal recanalization, and enables multi-stage, patient-customized treatments of complex lesions in vivo, including lesion-length-selective, multi-stage angioplasty treatment.

Abstract: An absorber device for absorbing a fluid residing in an a package inner space. The absorber device includes an absorber arranged in the inner space of a container and a movable penetration device. The penetration device is configured to be moved from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the penetration device is positioned in the inner space of the container. In the second position, the penetration device is configured to penetrate a container contact section and a wall of the package. The absorber in the inner space of the container is thereby fluidically connected to the inner space of the package in the second position.

Abstract: A method for producing a magnesium alloy having improved mechanical and electrochemical properties. The method includes generating a high-purity magnesium by vacuum distillation. A billet of the alloy is generated by synthesis of the high-purity magnesium with 2.0 to 10.0% by weight Al, the remainder being magnesium containing impurities, which promote electrochemical potential differences and/or the formation of precipitations and/or intermetallic phases, in a total amount of no more than 0.0063% by weight of Fe, Si, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zr, Y, Sc or rare earths having the ordinal numbers 21, 57 to 71 and 89 to 103, Be, Cd, In, Sn and/or Pb as well as P, wherein the matrix of the alloy includes intermetallic phases formed of Mg and Al. The alloy is homogenized by annealing at a temperature between 150° C. and 450° C. The homogenized alloy is formed in the temperature range between 200° C. and 400° C.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system has a balloon extending in an axial direction and surrounding a balloon interior. The balloon has an outer side facing away from the balloon interior. A catheter is connected to the balloon and extending in the axial direction, the catheter having a lumen in fluid communication with the balloon interior. First and second annular electrodes are disposed on the outer side, each extending in a circumferential direction of the balloon and being located opposite one another in the axial direction. The electrodes are configured to measure one of more of strain of the balloon in the circumferential direction, strain of the balloon in the radial direction, an impedance of tissue of a patient resting against the electrodes, and a redox potential of tissue of the patient contacting at least one of the electrodes.

Abstract: A catheter for dilating and/or destroying a stenosis in a vessel of a patient includes a catheter shaft having a cavity, at least one first active element within the cavity fixedly connected to a wall delimiting the cavity, and at least one radially protruding scoring element arranged on the outside of the catheter shaft at the cavity for exerting a pressure force on a stenosis in a vessel. The at least one first active element is configured to react to an axially movable element by radially expanding the catheter shaft and thereby radially expanding the at least one radially protruding scoring element.