Abstract: Systems and method for using a sleeve for enhanced drug delivery are described. The sleeve may incorporate porous materials and may be coated or treated with various drugs and/or therapeutic agents. The sleeve may be utilized in cooperation with balloon catheters and/or other devices. When acting as a reservoir for holding various drugs and/or therapeutic agents, the drug delivery sleeve provides a means of reducing drug losses as well as a controlled mechanism for drug release. The materials for the sleeve, constructed by various techniques, may be circumferentially distensible, may be elastic, and may have varying degrees of recoil as needed for any particular purpose.

Abstract: Systems and method for using a sleeve for enhanced drug delivery are described. The sleeve may incorporate porous materials and may be coated or treated with various drugs and/or therapeutic agents. The sleeve may be utilized in cooperation with balloon catheters and/or other devices. When acting as a reservoir for holding various drugs and/or therapeutic agents, the drug delivery sleeve provides a means of reducing drug losses as well as a controlled mechanism for drug release. The materials for the sleeve, constructed by various techniques, may be circumferentially distensible, may be elastic, and may have varying degrees of recoil as needed for any particular purpose.

Abstract: Systems and method for using a sleeve for enhanced drug delivery are described. The sleeve may incorporate porous materials and may be coated or treated with various drugs and/or therapeutic agents. The sleeve may be utilized in cooperation with balloon catheters and/or other devices. When acting as a reservoir for holding various drugs and/or therapeutic agents, the drug delivery sleeve provides a means of reducing drug losses as well as a controlled mechanism for drug release. The materials for the sleeve, constructed by various techniques, may be circumferentially distensible, may be elastic, and may have varying degrees of recoil as needed for any particular purpose.

Abstract: Systems and method for using a sleeve for enhanced drug delivery are described. The sleeve may incorporate porous materials and may be coated or treated with various drugs and/or therapeutic agents. The sleeve may be utilized in cooperation with balloon catheters and/or other devices. When acting as a reservoir for holding various drugs and/or therapeutic agents, the drug delivery sleeve provides a means of reducing drug losses as well as a controlled mechanism for drug release. The materials for the sleeve, constructed by various techniques, may be circumferentially distensible, may be elastic, and may have varying degrees of recoil as needed for any particular purpose.

Abstract: Systems and method for using a sleeve for enhanced drug delivery are described. The sleeve may incorporate porous materials and may be coated or treated with various drugs and/or therapeutic agents. The sleeve may be utilized in cooperation with balloon catheters and/or other devices. When acting as a reservoir for holding various drugs and/or therapeutic agents, the drug delivery sleeve provides a means of reducing drug losses as well as a controlled mechanism for drug release. The materials for the sleeve, constructed by various techniques, may be circumferentially distensible, may be elastic, and may have varying degrees of recoil as needed for any particular purpose.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side-branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch. The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials. The materials for the conduit may be constructed by various techniques and may include materials with enhanced flexibility and kink resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side-branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch. The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials. The materials for the conduit may be constructed by various techniques and may include materials with enhanced flexibility and kink resistance.

Abstract: Systems and method for using a sleeve for enhanced drug delivery are described. The sleeve may incorporate porous materials and may be coated or treated with various drugs and/or therapeutic agents. The sleeve may be utilized in cooperation with balloon catheters and/or other devices. When acting as a reservoir for holding various drugs and/or therapeutic agents, the drug delivery sleeve provides a means of reducing drug losses as well as a controlled mechanism for drug release. The materials for the sleeve, constructed by various techniques, may be circumferentially distensible, may be elastic, and may have varying degrees of recoil as needed for any particular purpose.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch, The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side-branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch. The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials. The materials for the conduit may be constructed by various techniques and may include materials with enhanced flexibility and kink resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side-branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch. The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials. The materials for the conduit may be constructed by various techniques and may include materials with enhanced flexibility and kink resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side-branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch. The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials. The materials for the conduit may be constructed by various techniques and may include materials with enhanced flexibility and kink resistance.

Abstract: A tube which circumferentially distends from its initial circumference upon the application of a circumferentially distending force such as applied by an internal pressure, and which exhibits minimal recoil following the removal of the circumferentially distending force. The tube preferably has a second circumference larger than the initial circumference which remains substantially unchanged by further increasing force once it has been achieved. Because of the distensible circumference and minimal recoil of the tube, the tube is useful as a liner for pipes and vessels and particularly for pipes and vessels having irregular internal surfaces to which the tube can smoothly conform. The tube is preferably made from porous PTFE with thin walls, in which form it is particularly useful as a liner for both living and prosthetic blood vessels and to line anastomoses between living and prosthetic blood vessels.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side-branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch. The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials. The materials for the conduit may be constructed by various techniques and may include materials with enhanced flexibility and kink resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for forming and mounting a sleeve on a catheter shaft in order to form a distensible balloon catheter. The balloon is formed from a distensible sleeve that is treated to render one or both of its ends essentially non-distensible. The balloon is mounted on the catheter shaft by the non-distensible ends, without compromising the distensible operative portion of the balloon. The balloon may also be mounted using non-distensible tape or similar means to achieve a similar result.

Abstract: Balloon catheters having the strength and maximum inflated diameter characteristics of an angioplasty balloon and having the recovery characteristics during deflation of an elastic embolectomy balloon. The balloon catheter can be made in very small sizes and has a lubricious and chemically inert outer surface. The balloon catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways, is capable of rapid inflation and deflation and has high burst strengths. Balloon covers having these same characteristics are also described for use with conventional embolectomy balloons or angioplasty balloons.

Abstract: A balloon catheter. The balloon is of a composite material having the flexibility and elastic characteristics of an elastomeric material, yet exhibiting the growth limits of inelastic materials. The balloon may be provided in various shapes. The balloon may be treated to maintain a substantially constant length during inflation and deflation. The balloon may be provided with regions of porosity for the delivery of therapeutic agents, and may be treated to exhibit regions of distinct compliance. Also disclosed is an apparatus, which may be used to impart the regions of distinct compliance into the balloon.

Abstract: Balloon catheters having the strength and maximum inflated diameter characteristics of an angioplasty balloon and having the recovery characteristics during deflation of an elastic embolectomy balloon. The balloon catheter can be made in very small sizes and has a lubricious and chemically inert outer surface. The balloon catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways, is capable of rapid inflation and deflation and has high burst strengths. Balloon covers having these same characteristics are also described for use with conventional embolectomy balloons or angioplasty balloons.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved balloon catheter. The balloon is of a composite material having the flexibility and elastic characteristics of an elastomeric material, yet exhibiting the growth limits of inelastic materials. The balloon may be treated to maintain a substantially constant length during inflation and deflation. The balloon may be provided with regions of porosity for the delivery of therapeutic agents, and may be treated to exhibit regions of distinct compliance. Also disclosed is an apparatus, which may be used to impart the regions of distinct compliance into the balloon.

Abstract: A balloon catheter. The balloon is of a composite material having the flexibility and elastic characteristics of an elastomeric material, yet exhibiting the growth limits of inelastic materials. The balloon may be provided in various shapes. The balloon may be treated to maintain a substantially constant length during inflation and deflation. The balloon may be provided with regions of porosity for the delivery of therapeutic agents, and may be treated to exhibit regions of distinct compliance. Also disclosed is an apparatus, which may be used to impart the regions of distinct compliance into the balloon.