Abstract: A prosthesis for implantation in a blood vessel includes struts with a cross-section having a flat base with angled edges on the inner surface and chamfered edges on the outer or exterior surface. The base angled edge is substantially a right angle, while the outer or exterior surface has edges that are chamfered with either round or angled chamfers. The chamfers could be manufactured by either machining the chamfer into the stock material, or by tumbling the stent in a tumbler to abrasively wear the edges to form a chamfer.

Abstract: Balloons and balloon catheters with a superior overall combination of distensibility, elastic stress response and strength. The improved properties of the balloons result from the method or process used to form the balloons, as well as the polymeric materials used in said balloon forming process. Additionally, the enhanced combination of properties of the balloons will not be adversely affected by the novel sterilization process contemplated by this invention.

Abstract: A temporarily implantable brachyherapy assembly is adapted to locally deliver acute doses of radiation to tissue at or adjacent to a body lumen wall. The assembly includes a radiation source which is stored in a housing in radioactive isolation. A first delivery member is adapted to removably engage the radiation source and remove it from storage for delivery to an injured or stenosed region of a vessel. The first delivery member is adapted to be delivered to the site through a lumen extending through a second delivery member. The second delivery member is also a shielding device with a shielded region of substantially radiopaque material, and also with an unshielded region made of substantially radioluscent material and which is distal to the shielded region. A third delivery member or centering device has a lumen through which the second delivery member may be delivered to the treatment site.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a stenosis or an occlusion in a blood vessel is disclosed in which a main catheter is first delivered to a site proximal to the occlusion. The main catheter may include an occlusive device at its distal end. An inner catheter or elongate member (e.g., a guidewire) having an occlusive device at its distal end is delivered to the site of the occlusion, and the occlusive device is activated at a site distal to the occlusion. A therapy catheter is then introduced to treat the occlusion. Next, a catheter is delivered just proximal to the occlusive device, and this catheter is used to aspirate and/or irrigate the area removing particles and debris. The aspiration and irrigation steps are preferably repeated until the particles and debris are removed. Perfusion may be performed by using a perfusion-filter distal of the lesion to be treated or a hypotube which extends beyond the occlusive device attached to the guidewire.

Abstract: The invention is a dilation catheter which comprises an elongated catheter shaft, a guide wire tube, and an angioplasty balloon. The distal end of the balloon is attached to the distal portion of the guide wire tube, and the proximal portion of the balloon is attached to the distal portion of the catheter shaft. A stiffening wire is attached to the inner wall of the catheter shaft at a plurality of points along its length. The distal extremity of the guide wire tube is decreased in size relative to the proximal portion of the guide wire tube. A fluid is contained within the guide wire lumen.

Abstract: The present invention is a collapsible blood filter for use during a vascular procedure, such as angioplasty or stent deployment. A filter made of braided filaments is located on the distal end of a delivery member, and the filter is deployed downstream of the vascular treatment site to capture emboli released during and immediately after the procedure. Optimal braid geometry of the filter ensures that captured emboli will be retained during collapse and removal of the filter following the procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides controlled expansion endoluminal prostheses and methods for their deployment and expansion. The present stent-grafts generally comprise a radially expansible tubular frame and a plastically expansible liner on the frame. Either the frame or the liner includes a reinforcing element which limits expansion of the stent-graft at a predetermined expanded size. In some embodiments, the reinforcing element restrains the frame, for example, by limiting the circumferential diagonals of perforations on a perforate frame structure. Generally, however, the reinforcing element is included in the liner as circumferentially oriented yarn. A particularly advantageous liner includes composite circumferential yarns having inexpansible fibers wrapped around an expansible fiber, such as a partially oriented yarn, PTFE, or the like.

Abstract: A stent delivery catheter includes an extendable shaft portion, a tubular balloon mounted thereon, a stent and a pair of elastic retaining caps. The balloon is mounted onto the catheter at a mounted length that is shorter than the formed length of the balloon to generate excess balloon material which is gathered into circumferential folds. The extendable portion of the catheter shaft elongates in response to tension applied by the balloon as the folds open during inflation. Elongation of the catheter shaft drives the retaining caps apart to uncover the ends of the stent.

Abstract: A delivery, deployment and retrieval device for a stent made from a phase-change material includes a balloon catheter modified to allow the stent to be secured on the outside of the balloon without the need for a sheath. A temperature-controlled fluid to effect a phase change to expand the stent is injected through an inflation lumen to maintain the selected temperature and to inflate the balloon. The balloon maintains intimate physical and thermal contact with the stent during deployment. One or more exit apertures are provided for the fluid to escape from the inflation lumen and enhance the phase change by bathing the stent with the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides modular bifurcated intraluminal tubular prostheses, particularly stents and stent-grafts, for the treatment of disease conditions, particularly aneurysms. Modular sections of the prostheses, or “prosthetic modules,” may be selectively assembled to form a prosthesis having characteristics which are tailored to the specific requirements of the patient, including branch angle and branch lumen sizes which match the patients vascular geometry. A Y-connector prosthetic module structure provides support and separation for each of the adjacent branching lumens. Radiopaque markers on the prostheses promote alignment between prosthetic modules and with the body lumen system.

Abstract: A multi-stage stent graft for implantation into a blood vessel is disclosed. Each stage or layer may comprise radially compressible spring stents with or without a fabric covering, or may comprise a foamed tube. The various stages or layers may also have an adhesive coated thereon. The multi-stage stented graft and the adhesive coatings provide a surface for the ingrowth of cells and promote healing. Also disclosed is a coaxial delivery system for the delivery and endovascular assembly of the multi-stage stented graft during one trip into the vasculature.

Abstract: A multi-catheter emboli containment system is disclosed which is adapted to provide at least one pair of optimized paths for irrigation and aspiration fluid flow. Through careful design of the cross-sectional area of these paths, the present system is able to be compactly utilized in even the smaller size blood vessels. The catheter system itself is provided with occlusive devices to form an emboli containment chamber in which irrigation and aspiration occur. The catheter system of the present invention provides an improved emboli containment and removal system which can be utilized in a wide range of vessel diameters. The system is easy to use and can quickly and efficiently evacuate the containment chamber.

Abstract: A temporarily implantable brachyherapy assembly is adapted to locally deliver acute doses of radiation to tissue at or adjacent to a body lumen wall. The assembly includes a radiation source which is stored in a housing in radioactive isolation. A first delivery member is adapted to removably engage the radiation source and remove it from storage for delivery to an injured or stenosed region of a vessel. The first delivery member is adapted to be delivered to the site through a lumen extending through a second delivery member. The second delivery member is also a shielding device with a shielded region of substantially radiopaque material, and also with an unshielded region made of substantially radioluscent material and which is distal to the shielded region. A third delivery member or centering device has a lumen through which the second delivery member may be delivered to the treatment site.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compliant catheter balloon with an improved elastic response and reduced longitudinal expansion, and a method of forming the same. The balloon comprises a SEBS block copolymer, which is longitudinally pre-stretched during the balloon manufacture process. In order to control the working length of a balloon on a catheter, at least one adhesive stop is provided on the catheter which prevents adhesive from wicking into the working length of the balloon. Preferably, a pair of thermoset tubings with an outer diameter size close to the size of the inner diameter of the balloon are inserted on the distal portion of the catheter. After the proper placement of the balloon, the adhesive is applied at the balloon's proximal and distal ends. As the adhesive wicks to the balloon, the thermoset tubings will eventually stop the adhesive to prevent further wicking of adhesive into the balloon's working length.

Abstract: A stent delivery catheter and method for making the same includes a tubular balloon, an elastic sleeve, and a stent. The balloon is mounted around a catheter shaft, and the stent is crimped onto the balloon. The elastic sleeve is positioned between the balloon and the stent, the sleeve extending beyond the ends of the stent where the ends of the sleeve are fixed to the catheter shaft. Sleeve material is gathered and folded over the ends of the stent to retain the stent snugly against the balloon during delivery.

Abstract: An emitter for a miniature X-ray apparatus comprises an insulating shell, an anode, and a cathode. The insulating shell includes a conical brazing surface, brazed to a conical brazing surface on the anode. The braze consists of a pure titanium layer and a pure tin layer. During brazing, the pure metals react and bond to the insulating shell and create a titanium-tin alloy between the pure layers. Pure tin is sputtered from tin sputter target onto the exposed brazing surfaces of the cathode cap and the anode. The insulating shell is placed in a vacuum chamber of deposition applicator, which deposits an active metal onto the shell brazing surface. In a brazing oven, the anode is placed within insulating shell such that the anode conical brazing surface and the shell conical brazing surface are contacting and aligned with each other. During brazing, the cathode is brought into contact with the insulating shell. The sealed emitters are placed in a sputtering machine's vacuum chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for exchanging catheters while containing emboli within a blood vessel such as a saphenous vein graft, coronary artery, carotid artery, or other similar vessels. A guidewire is inserted through the vasculature of a patient until it reaches a desired treatment site. A therapy catheter is then inserted over the guidewire until the distal end of the therapy catheter reaches the treatment site. The guidewire has a distally mounted balloon which is inflated to occlude the blood vessel. Then, the therapy catheter provides means for treating the vessel at the treatment site. After treatment, the therapy catheter is removed from the guidewire and exchanged with an aspiration catheter which rides over the guidewire until the distal end of the aspiration catheter reaches the treatment site. The aspiration catheter applies negative pressure to remove any emboli formed by the treatment procedure.

Abstract: An endolumenal medical device assembly is provided for use in a bifurcation region of a body lumen. An expandable prosthesis, such as a stent, is included in the assembly and is adjustable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The expandable prosthesis includes a prosthesis passageway and a side port. A dilator or an access device is engaged within the prosthesis passageway and also through the side port while the expandable prosthesis is in the radially collapsed condition. The expandable prosthesis may be positioned in the bifurcation region such that its distal end portion is in a first branch lumen extending from the bifurcation, its proximal end portion is in a common proximal lumen of the bifurcation region, and the side port is aligned with an entrance zone to a second branch lumen extending from the bifurcation.

Abstract: A balloon stent assembly system and method for retaining the stent on the same. The system includes a balloon including an outer layer portion; and a stent including a mesh portion disposed on the balloon, the mesh portion covering at least 55 percent of the outer layer portion. The outer layer portion flows into gaps formed in the stent when the balloon stent assembly is heated to a predetermined temperature, and retains the stent on the balloon during intravascular movement. The method of retaining a stent on a balloon includes: mounting the stent onto the balloon, sheathing the mounted stent and balloon, heating the balloon, and flowing an outer layer of the balloon into the gaps formed in the stent while an inner layer of the balloon does not flow.

Abstract: A coating composition is provided comprising hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water. A method is provided for preparing the coating on a substrate comprising forming a coating mixture of hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water; applying the coating mixture to the substrate; and curing the coating.