Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of applying drug-release coatings whereby a polymer can be dissolved in a first solvent (solvent A) to form a polymer system and a drug can be dissolved or suspended in a second solvent (solvent B) to form a drug system. The coating or layer of coating so formed comprises a substantially uniform combination of the drug and polymer. Solvent B can be the same as or different than solvent A. The coating can be applied on a stent body by separately spraying or dipping the polymer system and the drug system onto the devices. The coating can be accomplished by either applying the polymer and drug systems sequentially or simultaneously. In certain embodiments, a drug can be suspended in solvent B. In some cases, three or more systems can be utilized. For instance, a third system containing pure solvent A or B can smooth the coating surface, if the solvent of the third spraying system is compatible with the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable implantable endoprosthesis having elongate elements including hollow, cavity or porous portions adapted to accumulate by-product from the degradation of the bioabsorbable material and shortening the diffusion distance for water absorption and thereby relatively increasing the degradation of the structure.

Abstract: A left coronary catheter including a hub, a linear flexible tubular body stock extending from the hub and a curved flexible tubular stem extending from the body stock. The curved stem includes a first, arcuate section extending from a distal end of the body stock, a second, arcuate section from a distal end of the first section, a third, arcuate section extending from a distal end of the second section, and a fourth, linear section including a soft tip extending from a distal end of the third section. The first and second sections curve toward the body stock. The third section curves away from the body stock.

Abstract: A stent graft for transluminal implantation includes a resilient tubular interbraided latticework of metal or polymeric monofilaments, a tubular interbraided sleeve of polymeric multifilament yarns, and an adhesive layer between the sleeve and latticework for bonding them together. The monofilaments and multifilament yarns are arranged in respective sets of axially spaced apart and oppositely directed helices, concentric on a common axis of the stent graft. The respective braid angles of the monofilaments and multifilament yarns are carefully matched to ensure that the latticework and sleeve behave according to substantially the same relationship governing the amount of radial reduction that accompanies a given axial elongation. According to a process for fabricating the stent graft, the latticework and sleeve are braided and thermally set independently, then bonded to one another by a silicone polymer adhesive applied evenly to the latticework in a liquid spray that also incorporates an organic solvent.

Abstract: A device for transluminal implantation of a substantially tubular, radially expansible stent. The device includes a central tube surrounded by an outer tube axially displaceable relative to the central tube, with the radial dimensions of the tubes being such as to form an annular space therebetween capable of accommodating the stent in an unexpanded state. The outer tube is axially displaceable relative to the central tube. In one embodiment of the device, the central tube, at a distal end thereof, is provided with a section of reduced diameter at the proximal end of which there is an undercut groove forming a circumferential flange within which a proximal end of the stent rests until release of the stent by rearward displacement of the outer tube. In a modification of the device, the central tube, at its distal end, includes a sleeve slidably positioned therearound for capturing at least a proximal portion of the stent restraining the proximal portion against movement until stent deployment.

Abstract: The present invention is an occlusion device adapted for implantation into a fluid flow-supporting body lumen. The occlusion device comprises a flexible support structure and a flexible fluid flow-occluding membrane that is positioned concentric with the flexible support structure. The support structure is formed from a plurality of interwoven filaments that form an axially flexible and radially compressible structure that, in its expanded state, engages the lumen. The membrane generally includes a constricted region and constriction means, such as a mechanical seal, for closing the membrane at one end. The membrane is formed from a plurality of filaments, and in one embodiment, the membrane filaments are tightly interbraided with the structure filaments to form the occlusion device. Alternatively, the membrane is separately fabricated of interwoven filaments, and is positioned either within the support structure or without the structure so as to surround the support structure.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent graft implantable in branched internal passageways includes an open-frame stent latticework formed of helically wound structural strands, and a graft sleeve formed of interwoven textile strands. The sleeve is substantially impervious to fluids and is adjustable along with the graft between a nominal state and radially-reduced axially-elongated state, according to substantially the same relationship of radial reduction versus axial elongation. The sleeve and stent are bonded to one another at least at proximal and distal end regions of the stent graft. The sleeve preferably is surrounded by the stent, and incorporates a flow dividing feature in the form of an axially extending seam. The seam brings together portions of the sleeve that otherwise would be circumferentially spaced apart in the tubular sleeve shape.

Abstract: A method of making a balloon expandable braided stent with a restraint to initially prevent self-expansion and the resulting product. Multiple strands of a resilient metal or plastic are braided to form a tubular configuration of a predetermined outside diameter which assumes a lesser diameter when the tubular stent is longitudinally stretched. When in its stretched condition, it is coated with a polymeric material which is then cross-linked to effectively "freeze" the intersections of the braided structure holding it in its reduced diameter configuration. The tubular stent is designed to be placed within a body vessel using a balloon stent delivery catheter. When the balloon surrounded by the braided wire stent is inflated, the stent expands initially to an extent to break the bonds of plastic material between the intersections of the strands, thereby permitting self-expansion to take place.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent formed of helically wound and braided filaments of wrought cobalt, chromium and molybdenum alloy containing less than about five weight percent nickel. The composition of the alloy from which one embodiment of the stent is formed is Co-26Cr-6Mo-1Si-1Fe-1Mn-1Ni.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent formed from helically wound and braided filaments of titanium or titanium alloys such as Ti-13Zr-13Nb.

Abstract: A radially self-expanding stent particularly suited for treating esophageal strictures, includes a medial region and proximal and distal cuffs having diameters greater than the medial region diameter when the stent is in the relaxed state. A silicone coating circumscribes the medial region, but the cuffs are not coated and retain their open weave construction. As a result, the cuffs remain particularly well suited to immediately contact esophageal wall tissue and resist stent migration, while the silicone coated medial region provides a barrier to tumor ingrowth, and has an enhanced radial restoring force to maintain an open passageway in the esophagus. A deployment device for the stent includes an interior catheter surrounded by the stent and having an esophageal dilation feature, along with an exterior catheter that radially compresses the stent.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed having a proximal shaft formed from an inner liner formed from a copolymer of polyvinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene, an outer jacket formed from a blend of nylon and polyether block amide or polyether block amide alone, and a soft flexible tip affixed to the distal end of the proximal shaft formed from polyether block amide. A stem may be located between the proximal shaft and the soft flexible tip. The stem has an outer jacket formed from a proximal stem transition sleeve with a tapered distal end and a distal stem sleeve with a complementary tapered proximal end connected to the tapered distal end of the proximal stem transition sleeve. The stem transition sleeve and the stem sleeve are both formed from polyether block amide alone or a blend of polyether block amide and nylon. The outer jacket may be the same hardness as or harder than the stem transition sleeve which in turn is harder than the stem sleeve and the soft flexible tip.

Abstract: A process for rendering the surfaces of polymeric plastic or rubber materials, which are intrinsically non-polar or only slightly polar, and hydrophobic, polar or more polar, and hydrophilic, so that amine-containing functional groups, and ultimately, a durable tenaciously adhering, slippery polyurethane or polyurethane-urea hydrogel coating may subsequently be applied to the polymer surface, is disclosed.

Abstract: A balloon catheter with a stent delivery device having inner and outer catheters, with the outer catheter having a second lumen for inflation of the balloon. The delivery device also includes a radiopaque marker band adjacent each end of the stent located at the distal end of the device adjacent a tapered tip. The device also includes a manifold having a flushing port fluidly coupled to an annular space between the inner and outer catheters and an inflation port fluidly coupled to the second lumen of the outer catheter for inflating the balloon.

Abstract: A method of coating implantable open lattice metallic stent prosthesis is disclosed which includes sequentially applying a plurality of relatively thin outer layers of a coating composition comprising a solvent mixture of uncured polymeric silicone material and crosslinker and finely divided biologically active species, possibly of controlled average particle size, to form a coating on each stent surface. The coatings are cured in situ and the coated, cured prosthesis are sterilized in a step that includes preferred pretreatment with argon gas plasma and exposure to gamma radiation electron beam, ethylene oxide, steam.

Abstract: An improved catheter having at least one lumen with a nonlinear inflation lumen flow portion that may be used with a balloon or in a guide catheter. Additionally disclosed is a catheter assembly having a nonlinear flow portion for contrast media delivery. The nonlinear flow portions facilitate hydraulic and mechanical characteristics relating to deflation of a balloon, the flow rate of fluid, contrast media or the like, and relative performance.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter having an elongated tubular body with a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubular body is formed with: (a) a first layer of polytetrafluoroethylene; (b) a reinforcing means at least partially surrounding the inner layer; and (c) a second layer comprising a blend of polyetherester elastomer and polybutylene terephthalate at least partially covering the second layer.

Abstract: A vascular dilatation catheter including an elongated catheter shaft having a distal and a proximal end and a first lumen extending therethrough fluid connection with a distally located balloon and a second lumen capable of receiving a guidewire is provided with a clip device attached about a proximal portion of the catheter shaft and adapted to releasibly secure the catheter shaft in a coiled configuration between uses.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon (20,98) is fabricated according to a process that yields high hoop strength and uniformity in balloon wall thickness. A length of tubing (34) is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form (36) to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser (46,66,84) is used to remove the polymeric material by photo-chemical ablation, virtually without thermal effects. Dilatation balloon walls are thinned primarily along tapered sections (26,28) between proximal and distal balloon stems (30,32) and a medial working section (24) of the balloon. Material removal, particularly near the balloon stems, enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile, and reduces rigidity near the stems for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways. The balloon tapered sections are reduced to a wall thickness substantially equal to that of the medial section. Alternatively, an array of grooves (96) is formed in each tapered section.

Abstract: A body compatible stent is formed of multiple filaments arranged in two sets of oppositely directed helical windings interwoven with one another in a braided configuration. Each of the filaments is a composite including a central core and a case surrounding the core. In the more preferred version, the core is formed of a radiopaque and relatively ductile material, e.g. tantalum or platinum. The outer case is formed of a relatively resilient material, e.g. a cobalt/chromium based alloy. Favorable mechanical characteristics of the stent are determined by the case, while the core enables in vivo imaging of the stent. The composite filaments are formed by a drawn filled tubing process in which the core is inserted into a tubular case of a diameter substantially more than the intended final filament diameter. The composite filament is cold-worked in several steps to reduce its diameter, and annealed between successive cold-working steps.