Abstract: This invention relates generally to medical devices, such as stents, for delivering a biologically active material to a desired location within the body of a patient. In particular, the invention relates generally to a medical device for delivering a biologically active material to a surface of a body lumen. More particularly, the invention is directed to a medical device comprising two opposing end sections, each having a surface, and a middle portion. The middle portion comprises a plurality of struts and the two opposing end sections comprises non-structural elements.

Abstract: Methods of repairing a joint formed by at least two bone sections are provided wherein a biocompatible osteogenic band fabricated from an osteogenic biological material such as bone, tendon, ligament and collagen is affixed to two or more bone sections.

Abstract: An apparatus including a tether, and an aptation device coupled to the tether at a position corresponding to a location to contact cusps of an atrioventricular valve during systole, wherein the tether and aptation device are suitable for percutaneous delivery to a patient. An apparatus including a support annulus comprising a length corresponding to a circumference of one of an interior portion of an atrium and an atrioventricular valve annulus; and an aptation device coupled to the support annulus corresponding to a location to contact cusps of an atrioventricular valve during at least one of systole when the support annulus is seated in one of an atrium and an atrioventricular valve annulus, wherein the support annulus and aptation device are suitable for percutaneous delivery to a patient. Also, a method of introducing an aptation device to contact cusps or leaflets of an atrioventricular valve.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a method for delivery of mitomycin through an eluting biocompatible implantable medical device. A biocompatible drug release matrix comprises a biocompatible drug release matrix and a drug incorporated into the biocompatible drug release matrix. The drug has antibiotic and anti-proliferative properties and is an analogue related to the quinone-containing alkylating agents of a mitomycin family. The drug is initially released from the biocompatible drug release matrix at a faster rate followed by a release at a slower rate. The drug release rate maintains tissue level concentrations of the drug for at least two weeks after implantation of the medical device. The present invention provides a coating for a vascular prosthesis that elutes the drug at a controlled rate to inhibit proliferation of smooth muscle cells causing restenosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radially expandable multi-layer tubular structure which is intended to be used as a stent and to the production method thereof. The inventive structure comprises an outer layer (1) and an inner layer (2) which are solidly connected to one another. One of the aforementioned layers (2) is provided with hollow channels (3) through the thickness thereof while the other layer is provided with perforations (4). Said channels (3) can be used to alter the mechanical properties of the stent and to house a medicament for the local treatment of the vessel in which the stent is disposed.

Abstract: Endolumenal prostheses that readily and extensively convert from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration are disclosed. Endolumenal prostheses may be fabricated from one or more shape memory polymers, a high modulus elastomer, a polymer that is both elastomeric and exhibits shape memory behavior, a hydrogel, or some combination thereof. Polymers used to fabricate the prostheses are selectively synthesized to exhibit desired characteristics such as crystallinity, strain fixity rate, strain recovery rate, elasticity, tensile strength, mechanical strength, cross-linking density, extent physical cross-linking, extent of covalent cross-linking, extent of interpenetrating networks, rate of erosion, heat of fusion, crystallization temperature, and acidity during erosion. The endolumenal prostheses convert to the deployed configuration following delivery to a treatment site, upon exposure to an initiator either present within the body naturally or introduced into the body.

Abstract: A stent for insertion into a blood vessel is made from a sheet having a longitudinal axis and a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a proximal end and a distal end and a first lateral side and a second lateral side with the lateral sides of the first portion substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and disposed apart from each other a first distance. The second portion has a proximal end and a distal end and a first lateral side and a second lateral side with the lateral sides of the second portion substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and disposed apart from each other a second distance that is less than the first distance. The proximal end of the second portion communicates with the distal end of the first portion. The first lateral side of the first portion is connected to the second lateral side of the first portion and the first lateral side of the second portion is connected to the second lateral side of the second portion to form the stent.

Abstract: This invention deals with a composite vascular construct, which is formed of a first, blood contacting component and a second, tissue contacting component. Preferably, the present vascular constructs are in the form of a vascular patch or vascular graft with surface-activated, non-absorbable fabric with immobilized biomolecules on the blood contacting surface, and an absorbable, compliant film or microporous sheath on the other surface of the non-absorbable component of the composite graft or patch.

Abstract: A thread for forming a vascular stent implanted in vessels is provided. This thread is formed by melt-spinning a biodegradable polymer. On the surface of the thread, there is formed a layer of a drug-containing biodegradable polymer of the same sort as the biodegradable polymer constituting the thread.

Abstract: A method for providing dilation resistance to an implantable tubular graft includes the steps of (a) providing a graft having opposed open ends and a textile wall extending in a lengthwise direction therebetween defining a graft diameter, wherein the textile wall has radially extending yarns having a radial extent which inter-engage longitudinally extending yarns having a longitudinal extent to define a textile pattern and further wherein the radially extending yarns are obliquely oriented to the lengthwise direction of the graft, thereby defining a first acute angle from the lengthwise direction of the graft; (b) providing an elongate tubular mandrel having a diameter which differs from the graft diameter by a factor of at least 1.

Abstract: A mitral valve therapy device effects the condition of a mitral valve annulus of a heart. The device includes an elongated member dimensioned to be placed in the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent the mitral valve annulus. The elongated member is flexible when placed in the heart in a first orientation to position the device in the coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus and relatively inflexible when rotated into a second orientation after the device is positioned in the coronary sinus adjacent to the mitral valve annulus to substantially straighten and increase the radius of curvature of the mitral valve annulus.

Abstract: A method for treating morbid obesity in a body of a mammal having a gastrointestinal tract extending through a stomach and a pyloric sphincter and a wall forming the stomach and pyloric sphincter. At least one implant is formed in the wall in the vicinity of the pyloric sphincter to inhibit emptying of the stomach.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves for regulating fluid flow are provided. The valves have at least one leaflet that includes a plurality of pores that allow a quantity of retrograde flow to pass through the leaflet when the valve is in a closed configuration.

Abstract: Tissue shaping methods and devices are provided. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a less invasive or non-invasive manner, such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. In one example, the device is positioned within the coronary sinus of the patient so as to effect changes in at least one dimension of the mitral valve annulus. The device may also advantageously include a shape memory material that is responsive to changes in temperature and/or exposure to a magnetic field. In one example, the shape memory material is responsive to energy, such as electromagnetic or acoustic energy, applied from an energy source located outside the coronary sinus. A material having enhanced absorption characteristics with respect to the desired heating energy may also be used to facilitate heating and adjustment of the tissue shaping device.

Abstract: A sizing apparatus and a method for ascertaining a size for a cardiac prosthesis are disclosed. Specifically, the sizing is implemented by positioning a contact member at a patient's heart valve for engagement by one or more viable leaflets of the patient's valve. The size is determined based on the engagement between the contact member and the leaflet (or leaflets) of the patient's valve.

Abstract: Blood vessels and other body lumens are expanded using an evertible braided prosthesis. The braided prosthesis is delivered to the blood vessel in a radially collapsed configuration. A leading edge of the braided prosthesis is then everted so that it expands as it is advanced through the blood vessel. Optionally, the prosthesis can be provided with a biologically active substance in order to inhibit hyperplasia or have other desired biological effects.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive prosthetic foot is provided incorporating a cushioned ankle including an ankle block formed of a resilient material or bladder having desired compliance and energy return characteristics. The ankle block is sandwiched between a foot element and an ankle element. One or more openings extends through the ankle block with a substantially transverse orientation relative to a forward walking motion. The size and shape of these openings, as well as the insertion of different types of stiffeners therein, provide desired performance characteristics to the ankle block. When the ankle block takes the form of one or more inflatable bladders, the pressure within these bladders is individually controlled by valves to provide desired performance characteristics to different portions of the prosthetic foot. A pump system can also be used to control and generate fluid pressure into these bladders.

Abstract: A device for modifying the shape of a mitral valve annulus. In one embodiment, the device includes a connector disposed between first and second anchors, the first and second anchors each adapted to be deployed in a coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus to anchor the device in the coronary sinus; and an actuation element adapted to receive a proximally or distally directed actuation force from an actuator and to transmit the actuation force to the first and second anchors simultaneously.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a tissue shaping device adapted to be disposed in a vessel near a patient's heart to reshape the patient's heart. Such tissue shaping device can include an expandable proximal anchor; a proximal anchor lock adapted to lock the proximal anchor in an expanded configuration; an expandable distal anchor; a distal anchor lock adapted to lock the distal anchor in an expanded configuration; and a connector disposed between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor, the connector having a substantially non-circular cross-section.

Abstract: A thinly woven textile prosthetic implant such as a vascular graft may be implanted by catheter implantation. The implant includes an elongate tubular body formed of a woven fabric having a fabric thickness no greater than about 0.16 mm. The tubular body includes a series of longitudinally spaced wave-like generally uniform crimps along the length thereof. The crimps are disposed at a fine pitch along the length of the tubular body. The amplitude of the crimps is relatively small thus reducing the formation of thrombus and plaque on the inside of the implant.