Abstract: The present invention uses sets of strut members where the most distal set of strut members is similar to that of most stents in that the plane of the distal set of strut members is perpendicular to the stent's longitudinal axis. The present invention has a multiplicity of circumferential sets of strut members, but only the distal set of strut members has its plane perpendicular to the stent's longitudinal axis. The more proximal sets of strut members are angulated, so that the plane of the most proximal set of strut members has a preset angle such as 30°, 45° or 60° relative to the stent's longitudinal axis. The stent could also be formed from or coated with a highly radiopaque material. Alternately, a radiopaque marker could be placed at the most proximal point of the angulated, side branch stent, for the stent has to be rotated by the clinician until the plane of the most proximal angulated set of strut members is situated to be approximately parallel to the plane of the ostium of the side branch.

Abstract: A pulmonary decompression device may be utilized to remove trapped air in the lung or lungs, thereby reducing the volume of diseased lung tissue. A lung reduction device may passively decompress the lung or lungs. In order for the system to be effective, an airtight seal between the parietal and visceral pleurae is required. Chemical pleurodesis is utilized for creating the seal.

Abstract: A method for controlling inventory of a time sensitive medical product includes providing packaging for the medical product, setting an expiration date for the medical product; and displaying the expiration date with the medical product in a visible manner on or within the packaging or on or within the medical product. A warning period is set for warning of an upcoming expiration for the medical product in advance of the expiration date and elapsed time is monitored with the packaging or with the medical product after setting the expiration date for the medical product. A warning indicator is displayed on or within the packaging or on or within the medical product of the upcoming expiration for the medical product upon commencement of the warning period.

Abstract: The invention is a system, apparatus, and method for treating or repairing, an aneurysm in a large vessel, such as a thoracic aneurysm. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention include a first prosthesis for anchoring a proximal end of the system in the blood vessel, a second prosthesis for anchoring a distal end of the system, and at least one third second prosthesis for bypassing the aneurysm, the first prosthesis optionally further comprising a seat or the like adapted and configured to receive the third prosthesis.

Abstract: Methods of preparing intravascular stents with a polymeric coating containing macrocyclic lactone (such as rapamycin or its analogs), stents and stent graphs with such coatings, and methods of treating a coronary artery with such devices. The macrocyclic lactone-based polymeric coating facilitates the performance of such devices in inhibiting restenosis.

Abstract: Methods of preparing intravascular stents with a polymeric coating containing macrocyclic lactone (such as rapamycin or its analogs), stents and stent graphs with such coatings, and methods of treating a coronary artery with such devices. The macrocyclic lactone-based polymeric coating facilitates the performance of such devices in inhibiting restenosis.

Abstract: Methods of preparing intravascular stents with a polymeric coating containing macrocyclic lactone (such as rapamycin or its analogs), stents and stent graphs with such coatings, and methods of treating a coronary artery with such devices. The macrocyclic lactone-based polymeric coating facilitates the performance of such devices in inhibiting restenosis.

Abstract: A stent or other intraluminal medical device may be constructed utilizing a series of split-bridges interposed between a series of fixed bridges to reduce the likelihood of deformation during stent loading and stent deployment without sacrificing overall stent flexibility. The stent comprises a plurality of hoops interconnected by a plurality of fixed bridges. The stent also comprises a plurality of split-bridges, which only make contact when the stent is subjected to compressive axial loading. The stent may also comprise markers formed from housings integral with the stent and marker inserts having a higher radiopacity than the stent. This design provides for more precise placement and post-procedural visualization in a vessel, by increasing the radiopacity of the stent under X-ray fluoroscopy. The housings are formed integral to the stent and the marker inserts are made from a material close in the galvanic series to the stent material and sized to substantially minimize the effect of galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: Methods of preparing intravascular stents with a polymeric coating containing macrocyclic lactone (such as rapamycin or its analogs), stents and stent graphs with such coatings, and methods of treating a coronary artery with such devices. The macrocyclic lactone-based polymeric coating facilitates the performance of such devices in inhibiting restenosis.

Abstract: A device for delivering a drug includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and an opening in the distal end thereof. An orifice mechanism at the distal end of the body communicates with the opening. The orifice mechanism includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end; a winding helically wound around the inner member; and wherein the winding and the inner member define a first channel for carrying a drug therethrough. An inlet is at the proximal end of the winding and an outlet is at the distal end of the inner member.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a time sensitive medical product includes a medical product; a packaging containing the medical product; and at least one label associated with the packaging or the medical product. The at least one label includes at least one permanent region having permanent indicia; at least one transformable region having time sensitive indicia wherein the time sensitive indicia is non-detectable in a first state and detectable in a second state; a micro-controller operatively connected to at least one of the at least one permanent region and the at least one transformable region, wherein the micro-controller monitors elapsed time and causes the at least one transformable region to change from the first state to the second state thereby revealing the time sensitive indicia in the second state; and a power source operatively connected to the micro-controller.

Abstract: A stent delivery catheter includes at least an inner and outer body, and a specially shaped balloon affixed near one end of both of the inner and outer bodies. At least the outer body is tubular, and the space between the outer and inner bodies defines an inflation lumen for inflating and deflating the balloon. The balloon is designed to surround and hold a compressed self-expanding stent in a small initial size. An inner portion of the cylindrical balloon extends from where it is affixed to the inner body of the catheter shaft at a point proximal to the stent to a distal leading edge at a point distal to the stent. At this leading edge, the balloon is folded back upon itself, and an outer portion of the balloon extends proximally from the leading edge to a point proximal of the stent where it is affixed to the outer body of the catheter shaft. When the outer body is retracted in the proximal direction, the balloon progressively peels back or everts, to progressively release the stent.

Abstract: A long term oxygen therapy system having an oxygen supply directly linked with a patients lung or lungs may be utilized to more efficiently treat hypoxia caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The system includes an oxygen source, one or more valves and fluid carrying conduits. The fluid carrying conduits link the oxygen source to diseased sites within the patients lungs. A collateral ventilation bypass trap system directly linked with a patient's lung or lungs may be utilized to increase the expiratory flow from the diseased lung or lungs, thereby treating another aspect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The system includes a trap, a filter/one-way valve and an air carrying conduit.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. In addition to reducing or substantially eliminating a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism, the medical device in combination with one or more therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to treat various vascular diseases, for example, restenosis and vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: A prosthesis defining a fluid flow path includes a cover and a support assembly supporting the cover. The support assembly includes one or more support structures and each support structure includes an outer portion matingly connected to an inner portion, such that the cover is sandwiched between the outer and inner portions.

Abstract: An embolic coil deployment system for placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel of the human body. The deployment system includes a heating element at the distal end of a delivery member and a heat responsive coupling for holding the coil during positioning of the coil and the heating element is heated to reduce the strength of the heat responsive coupling for releasing the coil at a desired position within the vessel.

Abstract: An embolic coil deployment system for placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel of the human body. The deployment system includes a heating element at the distal end of a delivery member and a heat responsive coupling for holding the coil during positioning of the coil and the heating element is heated to reduce the strength of the heat responsive coupling for releasing the coil at a desired position within the vessel.

Abstract: A stent or other intraluminal medical device may be constructed utilizing multiple, individual, independent, self-expanding stent segments which are designed to interlock when constrained within a delivery sheath and uncouple upon deployment. The individual segments are releasably connected by a series of bridging elements and receptacles.

Abstract: An abdominal aortic aneurysm device having an anchoring portion with attached bifurcated legs for increasing the column strength thereof. The bifurcated legs comprise staggered stents so that nesting is possible during delivery.