Abstract: An implantable medical device having enhanced endothelial migration features, generally comprises: a structural member including a leading edge and a trailing edge interconnected by a third surface region, the leading edge including a second surface region in a generally curvilinear cross-section, and the trailing edge including a fourth surface region in a generally curvilinear cross-section, whereby blood flow over the second surface region generate shear stress at the second surface region without an eddy region in the second surface region.

Abstract: A transluminal cardiac valve includes an expandable generally tubular cage including when expanded a generally uniform central region, first and second ends each diametrically constricted relative to the central region, a blood impervious region extending from the first end of the cage to within the generally uniform central region, and an inflatable plunger freely disposed and captured within the cage when inflated.

Abstract: A metallic or pseudometallic covered stent in which the stent component and the cover component are each fabricated of biocompatible metallic or pseudometallic materials, in which the cover and the stent are joined by at least one juncture at each of a proximal and distal end of the stent and the cover. A method of joining the stent and the cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an endoluminal implantable surface, stent, or graft includes the steps of providing an endoluminal implantable surface, stent, or graft having an inner wall surface, an outer wall surface, and a wall thickness and forming a pattern design into the endoluminal implantable surface, stent, or graft. At least one groove is created in the inner surface of the intravascular stent by applying a laser machining method to the inner surface.

Abstract: An intravascular stent have a hybrid pattern is disclosed herein.

Abstract: An implantable endoluminal device that is fabricated from materials that present a blood or body fluid and tissue contact surface that has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent-graft and web-stent that is made of an monolithic material deposited into a monolayer and etched into regions of structural members and web regions subtending interstitial regions between the structural members. An endoluminal graft is also provided which is made of a biocompatible metal or metal-like material. The endoluminal stent-graft is characterized by having controlled heterogeneities in the stent material along the blood flow surface of the stent and the method of fabricating the stent using vacuum deposition methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing medical devices wherein the medical device has a surface treated to promote the migration of cells onto the surface of the medical device. In particular, the surface of the medical device has at least one topographical feature formed therein.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an implantable structural element for in vivo delivery of bioactive active agents to a situs in a body. The implantable structural element may be configured as an implantable prosthesis, such as an endoluminal stent, cardiac valve, osteal implant or the like, which serves a dual function of being prosthetic and a carrier for a bioactive agent. Alternatively, the implantable structural element may simply be an implantable article that serves the single function of acting as a time-release carrier for the bioactive agent.

Abstract: An implantable biocompatible material includes one or more vacuum deposited layers of biocompatible materials deposited upon a biocompatible base material. At least a top most vacuum deposited layer includes a homogeneous molecular pattern of distribution along the surface thereof and comprises a patterned array of geometric physiologically functional features.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a new method of mass-transfer/fabrication of micro-sized features/structures onto the inner diameter (ID) surface of a stent. This new approach is provided by technique of through mask electrical micro-machining. One embodiment discloses an application of electrical micro-machining to the ID of a stent using a customized electrode configured specifically for machining micro-sized features/structures.

Abstract: An implantable expandable medical device in which selected regions of the device are in a martensite phase and selected regions are in an austenite phase. The martensitic regions exhibit pseudoplastic behavior in vivo and may be deformed without recovery under in vivo body conditions. In contrast the austenitic regions exhibit superelastic behavior in vivo and will recover their pre-programmed configuration upon deformation or release of an applied strain.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing intravascular stents are disclosed wherein the intravascular stent has its inner surface treated to promote the migration of endothelial cells onto the inner surface of the intravascular stent. In particular, the inner surface of the intravascular stent has at least one groove formed therein.

Abstract: An Inverted Cylindrical Magnetron (ICM) System and Methods of Use is disclosed herein generally comprising a co-axial central anode concentrically located within a first annular end anode and a second annular end anode; a process chamber including a top end and a bottom end in which the first annular end anode and the second annular end anode are coaxially disposed, whereby the first annular end anode, the second annular end anode, and the central anode form a 3-anode configuration to provide electric field uniformity, and the process chamber including a central annular space coupled to a tube insulator disposed about the central annular space wall; a cathode concentrically coupled to the tube insulator and a target; and a plurality of multi-zone electromagnets or hybrid electro-permanent magnets surrounding the exterior of the process chamber providing a tunable magnetic field.

Abstract: An endoluminal stent composed of a plurality of first structural elements arrayed to form the circumference of the stent and extending along the longitudinal axis of the stent, and a plurality of second structural elements that interconnect adjacent pairs of first structural elements. The plurality of first structural elements have either a linear shape or a generally sinusoidal configuration with either a regular or irregular periodicity or regions of regular and regions of irregular periodicity between the peaks and troughs of the pattern, with the peaks and troughs projecting from the first structural elements in the circumferential axis. The plurality of second structural elements are generally linear or sinusoidal-shaped members which interconnect an apex of a peak of one of the plurality of first structural elements with an apex of a valley of a second and adjacent one of the plurality of first structural elements.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having enhanced endothelial migration features, generally comprises: a structural member including a leading edge and a trailing edge interconnected by a third surface region, the leading edge including a second surface region in a generally curvilinear cross-section, and the trailing edge including a fourth surface region in a generally curvilinear cross-section, whereby blood flow over the second surface region generate shear stress at the second surface region without an eddy region in the second surface region.

Abstract: A transluminal cardiac valve includes an expandable generally tubular cage including when expanded a generally uniform central region, first and second ends each diametrically constricted relative to the central region, a blood impervious region extending from the first end of the cage to within the generally uniform central region, and an inflatable plunger freely disposed and captured within the cage when inflated.

Abstract: An implantable expandable medical device in which selected regions of the device are in a martensite phase and selected regions are in an austenite phase. The martensitic regions exhibit pseudoplastic behavior in vivo and may be deformed without recovery under in vivo body conditions. In contrast the austenitic regions exhibit superelastic behavior in vivo and will recover their pre-programmed configuration upon deformation or release of an applied strain.

Abstract: The implantable structural element for in vivo controlled delivery of bioactive active agents to a situs in a body. The implantable structural element may be configured as an implantable prosthesis, such as an endoluminal stent, cardiac valve, osteal implant or the like, which serves a dual function of being prosthetic and a carrier for a bioactive agent. Control over elution of the bioactive agents occurs through a plurality of cantilever-like cover members which prevent drug elution until an endogenous or exogenous stimulus causes the cover members to open and permit drug elution.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a new method of mass-transfer/fabrication of micro-sized features/structures onto the inner diameter (ID) surface of a stent. This new approach is provided by technique of through mask electrical micro-machining. One embodiment discloses an application of electrical micro-machining to the ID of a stent using a customized electrode configured specifically for machining micro-sized features/structures.

Abstract: Implantable medical grafts fabricated of metallic or pseudometallic films of biocompatible materials having a plurality of microperforations passing through the film in a pattern that imparts fabric-like qualities to the graft or permits the geometric deformation of the graft. The implantable graft is preferably fabricated by vacuum deposition of metallic and/or pseudometallic materials into either single or multi-layered structures with the plurality of microperforations either being formed during deposition or after deposition by selective removal of sections of the deposited film. The implantable medical grafts are suitable for use as endoluminal or surgical grafts and may be used as vascular grafts, stent-grafts, skin grafts, shunts, bone grafts, surgical patches, non-vascular conduits, valvular leaflets, filters, occlusion membranes, artificial sphincters, tendons and ligaments.