Abstract: A method for forming a balloon provides a preform that encloses an internal space. The preform is pre-heated to a shaping temperature by passing a heated gas or fluid via an inlet of the preform into the internal space. The preform is then shaped the preform into a balloon. A device is configured to heat a preform using heated gas or fluid to decouple heating from the temperature of a shaping tool.

Abstract: An implant has a support structure (e.g., alloplastic) such as a stent or a scaffold, and a functional element (e.g., a heart valve) including or made of bacterial cellulose. At least a part of the support structure is embedded in the functional element or in an extension thereof so as to connect the functional element to the structural element via positive fit.

Abstract: A method forms an implant with a base body made of a biocorrodible magnesium alloy. The methods make magnesium alloy that contains a plurality of statistically distributed particles, with one or more of the elements Y, Zr, Mn, Sc, Fe, Ni, Co, W, Pt and noble earths with the atomic numbers 57 to 71, or the particles comprise alloys or compounds containing one or more of the elements mentioned. The mean distance of the particles from each other is smaller than the hundredfold mean particle diameter.

Abstract: An implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, or a semi-finished part for an implant, having a hollow cylindrical body, wherein the body includes magnesium, and the body is enriched with gallium or a gallium alloy in a region close to a surface.

Abstract: A process for fixing an implant to a balloon includes providing, in an interior of a sleeve, a heated balloon having a pressurizable balloon interior and an implant crimped to the balloon. The implant has a supporting structure with a multiplicity of through openings. A negative pressure is applied in the interior of the sleeve and a positive pressure is applied to the balloon interior, so that the balloon is deep-drawn into the openings of the implant, producing a form-locking connection between the balloon and the implant. A configuration for carrying out the process and an apparatus for fixing an implant to a balloon are also provided.

Abstract: A catheter device for the recanalisation of an occlusion in a vessel. A proximal balloon is arranged at the distal end portion of a catheter shaft for anchoring the catheter shaft in the vessel and for opening the occlusion. A distal balloon arranged at the distal end portion for opening the occlusion.

Abstract: A catheter shaft includes a first tube made of an extrudable copolymer that has reactive groups, and a second tube made of a polymeric material, which is welded to the first tube. A distal balloon is welded to the first tube.

Abstract: A method produces a marker element, which is composed of two radiopaque layers and an interposed adhesive layer. The marker element is heated and joined into the eyelet of a stent. The introduction of the mechanical force causes the two layers of the marker element to be compressed, whereby the available volume is reduced for the softened adhesive of the adhesive layer. Consequently, the softened adhesive from the adhesive layer is pushed out of the side of the marker element, so that the adhesive flows into the empty volume of the adhesive gap between the marker element and the inner edge of the eyelet of the scaffold and bonds to the inner edge of the eyelet.

Abstract: An insertion device for the insertion of a medical implant into a human and/or animal body. The device has at least one outer shaft, which has a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. A receiving element is connected to the outer shaft, for the implant. The outer shaft and the receiving element are surrounded at a transition between the outer shaft and receiving element by a locally placed sleeve, which dampens mechanical tensile and/or compressive stresses.

Abstract: An x-ray marker for an endoprosthesis and an endoprosthesis with an x-ray marker are provided. The endoprosthesis includes a hollow cylinder made of a first radiopaque metal and a marker element, which is fixedly connected to the hollow cylinder and which is arranged inside the hollow cylinder and consists of a second radiopaque metal. The marker element can be a metal powder or in the form of metal particles which is/are embedded in the electrically non-conductive material. The marker element can be solid cylinder with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow cylinder and the electrically non-conductive material can form a layer between an inner lateral surface of the hollow cylinder and a lateral surface of the solid cylinder.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment is an uncoated, biodegradable stent. The stent has a filigree structure of magnesium alloy struts. The struts of the supporting structure are arranged to permit a compressed form for introduction into the body and to permit an expanded form at the site of the application within a vessel. The magnesium alloy struts are formed of a corrodible magnesium alloy. The magnesium alloy is formed from high-purity vacuum distilled magnesium containing impurities, which promote electrochemical potential differences and/or the formation of precipitations and/or intermetallic phases. The impurities are such that the struts of the stent have a tensile strength of >275 MPa a yield point of >200 MPa, a yield ratio of <0.8, a difference between tensile strength and yield point of >50 MPa.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment is an uncoated, biodegradable corrosion resistant bone implant. The implant includes a body being uncoated and lacking any protective polymer, metallic or ceramic coating, the body being shaped to fix to a bone and/or bone fragment. The body is formed of a magnesium alloy. The magnesium alloy includes from high-purity vacuum distilled magnesium containing impurities, which promote electrochemical potential differences and/or the formation of precipitations and/or intermetallic phases. The impurities are such that the body has a strength of >275 MPa, and a ratio yield point of <0.8, wherein the difference between strength and yield point is >50 MPa.

Abstract: An implant having a preferably hollow cylindrical basic structure. A nonwoven fabric is disposed in and/or on the basic structure, the nonwoven fabric preferably comprising biocompatible thermoplastic polyurethane and/or a polymer selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, and a copolymer thereof, and/or a polymer including polyphosphazene. At least in at least one section of the implant, preferably at the proximal and/or distal ends of the implant, fastening means are provided or the nonwoven fabric is treated such that, at least in the expanded state of the implant, the protrusion of nonwoven fabric sections from the implant is significantly reduced. Furthermore, a method for producing such an implant is provided.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy, implants and method for the production thereof. The magnesium alloy includes 1.5 to 7.0% by weight Zn, 0.5 to 3.5% by weight Al, the remainder being magnesium which contains 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.

Abstract: A device for delivering energy and/or measuring electrical activity in a tubular part of a body has a catheter and/or an inflatable balloon and at least one electrode. A distal end of the catheter with the at least one electrode, or the at least one electrode, is disposed on the outside of an envelope of the balloon. So as to achieve good contact between the at least one electrode and the wall of the vessel to be treated and continuous blood flow, the elasticity of the envelope of the balloon is less in at least one first region than in a second region that different from the first region. The distal end of the catheter with the at least one electrode is disposed in the at least one first region, or the at least one electrode is disposed in the at least one second region of the balloon.

Abstract: A method for producing a balloon from a suitable blank is provided. The blank is introduced into an outer mold heated an first expanded to expand it against the inner wall of the outer mold. Pressure is reduced to relax the blank away from the inner wall. The three-dimensional volume of the mold is changed. Second expanding of the blank expands again against the inner wall of the changed volume of the outer mold. Balloons of the invention consist of a middle cylindrical region and two end regions delimiting the middle cylindrical region. With a pressure application of 6 bar, a ratio of the cross section in the middle region to the cross section in the end region is at least 2, and preferably greater than 3.

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: An embodiment of the invention relates to a release device for releasing a medical implant from an insertion device, in the case of which the implant can be released by way of a relative motion between a first and a second insertion element, comprising a clamping element for clamping the implant in the insertion device, having a proximal end which is distant from a distal end of the insertion device in the state of use, and a distal end which faces the distal end of the insertion device in the state of use, wherein the clamping unit comprises a first component and at least one second component, which clamp the implant there between in the clamped state. The invention further relates to an insertion device comprising such a release device and a method for clamping an implant in an insertion device.

Abstract: A method for producing a storable molded body made of bacterial cellulose and a molded body produced according to the method. A preferred method includes providing a molded body made of bacterial cellulose. Optionally, mechanically pressing the entire molded body or parts of the molded body at temperatures in the range of 10° C. to 100° C. and pressures in the range of 0.01 to 1 MPa for a pressing time of 10-200 min. Treating the molded body with a solution of 20% by weight to 50% by weight of glycerol and 50% by weight to 80% by weight of a C1-C3-alcohol/water mixture. Drying the treated molded body.