Abstract: A prosthesis for annuloplasty comprising a laminar or tubular element having a plurality of apertures along at least one portion. Preferably, the shape, dimensions, and arrangements of the apertures in this prosthesis are chosen in such a way as to give the prosthesis a differentiated flexibility in dependence on the location and direction of application of an external stress.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: A process for setting an angioplasty stent on a corresponding insertion element, such as a delivery catheter, in which the angioplasty stent is subjected to an action of radial contraction. The stent is in a radially contracted state before being placed on the insertion element. Preferably, radial contraction of the stent results in a diameter at least marginally smaller than the diameter of the insertion element, e.g., a balloon catheter. After the stent has been set on the insertion element, in the structure of the stent there remain residual states of constraint which act in the direction of securing the stent in the condition of coupling to the insertion element.

Abstract: A stent for use at an implant site in a vessel having recesses containing one or more active agents. The stent is a tubular body having a plurality of sinusoidal shaped annular elements and connection elements. The recesses are formed so as to leave substantially unaltered the bending moments of these elements. The recesses may be continuous or discontinuous and may be distributed uniformly or nonuniformly.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: A stent for use at an implant site in a vessel having recesses containing one or more active agents. The stent is a tubular body having a plurality of sinusoidal shaped annular elements and connection elements. The recesses are formed so as to leave substantially unaltered the bending moments of these elements. The recesses may be continuous or discontinuous and may be distributed uniformly or nonuniformly.

Abstract: The stent for angioplasty has a body in the form of a generally tubular casing capable of being dilated in use from a radially-contracted position to a radially-expanded position. The body includes a support structure made from a first material capable of withstanding this dilation without losing its structural integrity. A structure made from a second material which has been rendered radioactive following the exposure of the stent itself to a neutron flux is associated with at least a portion of the carrying structure.

Abstract: The stent (1) has surface sculpturing, preferably on its outer surface (2) only, constituted, for example, by microspheres (3), having the function of increasing the actual geometric surface area of the stent, of creating undercuts and roughness to encourage the application of coatings of active or activatable agents, as well as of improving the attachment of the stent (1) to the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A stent has surface sculpturing, preferably on its outer surface only, having, for example, microspheres, having the function of increasing the actual geometric surface area of the stent, of creating undercuts and roughness to encourage the application of coatings of active or activatable agents, as well as of improving the attachment of the stent to the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: A device, method, and kit for conveying a radioactive agent to a site of stenosis. The device includes a body portion to be disposed about the surface of a stent. The device comprises a radioactive agent. The device is capable of expanding, thus following the deployment movement of the stent, and is used to counter restenosis.

Abstract: A device for determining the effectiveness of the electrical stimulation of heart muscle from a signal having a post-potential component and, with effective stimulation, a superimposed evoked response component. The device includes a differential stage with a first input for application of the signal and a second input for application of a feedback signal. The differential stage generates a corresponding output signal whose level is determined by the levels of the signals present at the first and said second inputs. A comparator stage has feedback units able to act on the second input in a follower relationship with respect to the signal present at the first input avoiding saturation of the differential stage. The feedback units generate at least one compensation signal indicating the variation in the signal present at the first input over time. The compensation signal is indicative of the evoked response superimposed on the post-potential component.

Abstract: A prosthesis having an apertured structure is located in a chamber (11) which is taken to sub-atmospheric pressure. Once sub-atmospheric pressure has been reached, a liquid, optionally containing pharmacological agents, is introduced into the chamber. Drawn by the sub-atmospheric pressure, the liquid saturates the apertured structure of the prosthesis. In this way, the invention eliminates the risk of air being trapped in the apertured structure that could give rise to the formation of blood clots after implantation of the prosthesis. The liquid can contain drugs that penetrate the prosthesis, performing their therapeutic action locally and over time after implantation.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: A device, method, and kit for conveying a radioactive agent to a site of stenosis. The device includes a body portion to be disposed about the surface of a stent. The device comprises a radioactive agent. The device is capable of expanding, thus following the deployment movement of the stent, and is used to counter restenosis.

Abstract: Electrodes can generate electrical stimulation pulses at least one first intensity level and at least one second intensity level. The first and second intensity levels are above and below a given stimulation threshold, respectively. The synchronous or asynchronous delivery of second-level pulses enables the conduction of the atrioventricular node to be modulated by electrotonic effect, for example, to reduce ventricular frequency in the event of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: This invention is a stent having a substantially tubular body defining a longitudinal axis comprising first and second adjacent annular segments, each segment defining a substantially sinusoidal shape having a plurality of peaks and valleys, the peaks of the first segment extending toward the second segment and being aligned longitudinally with the valleys of the second segment. The stent has a plurality of bridge elements having a U-shaped portion between first and second connector arms, the first connector arm of one bridge element being connected between a first peak and a first valley of the first segment and the second connector arm being connected between a first peak and a first valley of the second segment.

Abstract: This invention is a stent having a substantially tubular body defining a longitudinal axis comprising first and second adjacent annular segments, each segment defining a substantially sinusoidal shape having a plurality of peaks and valleys, the peaks of the first segment extending toward the second segment and being aligned longitudinally with the valleys of the second segment. The stent has a plurality of bridge elements having a U-shaped portion between first and second connector arms, the first connector arm of one bridge element being connected between a first peak and a first valley of the first segment and the second connector arm being connected between a first peak and a first valley of the second segment in a manner such that the U-shaped portion extends in the direction of the first peak of the first segment and the first valley of the second segment. The bridge elements may be connected to the segments at points spaced 360° apart along the sinusoidal shape of the segments.

Abstract: A device, method, and kit for conveying a radioactive agent to a site of stenosis. The device includes a body portion to be disposed about the surface of a stent. The device comprises a radioactive agent. The device is capable of expanding, thus following the deployment movement of the stent, and is used to counter restenosis.

Abstract: A prosthesis having an apertured structure is located in a chamber (11) which is taken to sub-atmospheric pressure. Once sub-atmospheric pressure has been reached, a liquid, optionally containing pharmacological agents, is introduced into the chamber. Drawn by the sub-atmospheric pressure, the liquid saturates the apertured structure of the prosthesis. In this way, the invention eliminates the risk of air being trapped in the apertured structure that could give rise to the formation of blood clots after implantation of the prosthesis. The liquid can contain drugs that penetrate the prosthesis, performing their therapeutic action locally and over time after implantation.