Abstract: There are super elastic NiTi materials for use as medical components, especially implantable medical components, and methods of fabricating such components to have desired R-phase characteristics in-vivo. Additionally, there are methods of processing a TiNi material to produce an implantable medical component by cold or warm working the TiNi material at least 15%; aging the cold or warm worked TiNi material under stress at between 300-700° C.; and further aging the TiNi material below 300° C. to produce desired R-phase characteristics. Additionally, there are methods of processing a TiNi material to produce a medical component by processing the TiNi material to produce a medical component that has a stress free M*s below a normal body temperature. Additionally, a TiNi material is used to produce a super elastic medical component from a tube, a sheet, a wire or a strip to have a stress free M*s below a normal body temperature.

Abstract: A multi-layered balloon is provided where each layer is formed such that each layer is made from tubing that optimizes the inner wall stretch thus providing maximum balloon strength. The high pressure, multi-layer balloon is provided with layers that allow for slipping, such that the balloon has a very high pressure rating and toughness, yet excellent folding characteristics. Methods for producing such multi-layer balloons using existing balloon forming equipment are also provided. The multi-layer balloons can have alternating structural and lubricating layers, or layers with low-friction surfaces. The multi-layer balloons are preferably manufactured using a variety of methods including nesting, co-extrusion, or a combination of nesting and co-extrusion. The multi-layer balloons have balloon layers having substantially similar, or the same, high degree of biaxial orientation of their polymer molecules such that each balloon layer of the multi-layer balloon will fail at approximately the same applied pressure.

Abstract: A stent-graft assembly is provided for a variety of medical treatments. The stent-graft assembly includes a stent disposed to and attached between an inner layer of graft material and an outer layer of graft material. One of both of the graft layers includes one or more of a depression, dimple or detent that increases the localized surface area of the graft in one or more portions of the stent otherwise susceptible to graft stretching in the absence of the depression, dimple or detent. There is also described a method of forming dimples in selective locations on one or port graft layers in one or more locations relative to a portion of the stent where a portion of the graft may be susceptible to stretching or tearing during crimping or loading operations.

Abstract: A multi-layered balloon is provided where each layer is formed such that each layer is made from tubing that optimizes the inner wall stretch thus providing maximum balloon strength. The high pressure, multi-layer balloon is provided with layers that allow for slipping, such that the balloon has a very high pressure rating and toughness, yet excellent folding characteristics. Methods for producing such multi-layer balloons using existing balloon forming equipment are also provided. The multi-layer balloons can have alternating structural and lubricating layers, or layers with low-friction surfaces. The multi-layer balloons are preferably manufactured using a variety of methods including nesting, co-extrusion, or a combination of nesting and co-extrusion. The multi-layer balloons have balloon layers having substantially similar, or the same, high degree of biaxial orientation of their polymer molecules such that each balloon layer of the multi-layer balloon will fail at approximately the same applied pressure.

Abstract: A stent includes a first section and a second section. The first section and the second section each include a plurality of expandable modules and a plurality of bridging modules. Each expandable module includes a plurality of strut elements that join together at a plurality of apices, and each bridging module includes bridging elements that connect an apex of a first module with an apex of a second module. In some aspects, the first section is more flexible along the longitudinal axis of the stent than the second section and is configured to be placed in a specific region of a vessel that requires flexibility to accommodate surrounding anatomy. In some aspects, the first section is more radially stiff than the second section and is configured to be placed in a specific region of the vessel that requires radial stiffness to counteract crushing force caused by surrounding anatomy.

Abstract: A stent includes a first section and a second section. The second section is aligned with the first section along a longitudinal axis of the stent. Each section includes a plurality of expandable modules and a plurality of bridging modules. Each expandable module includes a plurality of strut elements that join together at a plurality of apices. Each bridging module includes bridging elements that connect an apex of a first module with an apex of a second module. The plurality of expandable modules or the plurality of bridging modules in the first section are more radially stiff than the plurality of expandable modules or the plurality of bridging modules in the second section such that at least a portion of the first section is configured to be placed in a region of a vein subjected to physiologic compression.

Abstract: A hypotube based deliver system is used to position one or more elements in position for treatment within the body. The elements may include electrodes, sensors or injection ports or even anchors. The hypotubes may have pre-set shapes or are plastically deformed prior to positioning as they exit a positioning device. There are methods of providing therapy using the hypotubes including mixed mode therapies are also described.