Abstract: A method for updating a computer the includes converting a first computer the to executable byte code and receiving a second computer the that includes a change that distinguishes the second computer file from the first computer file. The method also includes converting the second computer the to executable byte code and comparing at least a portion of the executable byte code of the second computer file with at least a portion of the executable byte code of the first computer file. The method further includes inserting, into the executable byte code the first computer file, a modification that causes at least a portion of the executable byte code of the first computer the to resemble the executable byte code of the second computer file.

Abstract: A method of updating computer software includes identifying an orphaned computer file in a second version of computer software, the orphaned computer file having a name that does not correspond to any name of a computer file in a first version of computer software and computing symmetric divergence between the orphaned computer file and each computer file in the first version of computer software. The method also includes choosing a file from the computer files in the first version of computer software that yields a minimum value of symmetric divergence between the file and the orphaned computer file and using the file as a reference file for compressing the orphaned computer file.

Abstract: A method for updating a computer the includes converting a first computer the to executable byte code and receiving a second computer the that includes a change that distinguishes the second computer file from the first computer file. The method also includes converting the second computer the to executable byte code and comparing at least a portion of the executable byte code of the second computer file with at least a portion of the executable byte code of the first computer file. The method further includes inserting, into the executable byte code the first computer file, a modification that causes at least a portion of the executable byte code of the first computer the to resemble the executable byte code of the second computer file.

Abstract: A method of updating computer software includes identifying an orphaned computer file in a second version of computer software, the orphaned computer file having a name that does not correspond to any name of a computer file in a first version of computer software and computing symmetric divergence between the orphaned computer file and each computer file in the first version of computer software. The method also includes choosing a file from the computer files in the first version of computer software that yields a minimum value of symmetric divergence between the file and the orphaned computer file and using the file as a reference file for compressing the orphaned computer file.

Abstract: A process for producing a dilatation balloon by extruding a multiblock copolymer composition to form an extrudate comprising phase-separated glassy, rubber, and semicrystalline microdomains that are macroscopically ordered in a perpendicular alignment. The balloon formed by the process demonstrates, during inflation, a true stress vs. nominal strain response curve comprising a first zone representative of a low modulus balloon, a second zone representative of a high strength balloon, and a sharp transition from the first zone to the second zone.

Abstract: A process for producing a dilatation balloon by extruding a multiblock copolymer composition to form an extrudate comprising phase-separated glassy, rubber, and semicrystalline microdomains that are macroscopically ordered in a perpendicular alignment. The balloon formed by the process demonstrates, during inflation, a true stress vs. nominal strain response curve comprising a first zone representative of a low modulus balloon, a second zone representative of a high strength balloon, and a sharp transition from the first zone to the second zone.

Abstract: A sterilization process that preserves the mechanical properties of dilatation balloons and balloon catheters manufactured from polymers susceptible to the degradation reactions induced by ionizing radiation. The advantages of the sterilization process contemplated by this invention results from a reduced oxygen environment during sterilization, thereby preventing the degeneration process initiated in polymers during irradiation. Additionally, a balloon or balloon dilatation catheter sterilized by the process of the invention is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an occlusion in a vessel inside of a patient. The apparatus includes an external high intensity focused ultrasound transducer configured to be positioned outside of the vessel and to emit ultrasonic waves of energy to the occlusion and to detect ultrasonic waves of energy, an internal ultrasound transducer configured to be positioned inside of the vessel at a position adjacent to or inside the occlusion and to emit ultrasonic waves of energy for detection by the external high intensity focused ultrasound transducer, and a controller configured to control the ultrasonic waves of energy emitted by the external high intensity focused ultrasound transducer based on an electrocardiogram of the patient.

Abstract: A probe for detecting at least one property of a chronic total occlusion in a lumen. The probe includes an elongated member having a distal end configured to be inserted into the lumen, and an ultrasound transducer mounted at the distal end of the elongated member. The ultrasound transducer is configured to emit an ultrasonic signal and to receive a reflected signal from the chronic total occlusion. The probe also includes a processor configured to receive the reflected signal from the ultrasound transducer and convert the reflected signal to at least one property of the chronic total occlusion.

Abstract: A self-wrapping dilatation balloon comprising a multiblock copolymer having high elasticity and elastic recovery from nominal strains greater than about 30% is described. Also described herein, is a polymeric extrudate for making a dilatation balloon comprising a multiblock copolymer having tensile strength in the range of about 50 MPa to about 450 MPa, strain at break in the range of about 50% to about 600% and substantially complete elastic recovery from nominal strains of at least about 30%. The extrudate has phase-separated microdomains that are macroscopically aligned in parallel, perpendicular, transverse or a combination thereof. Also described herein is a process for producing a polymeric extrudate for use as a dilatation balloon. The process comprises extruding a multiblock copolymer mixture or composition to form an extrudate.

Abstract: A low profile resorbable stent comprising an oriented, resorbable material, wherein said material has Young's Modulus and tensile strength in the oriented state greater than Young's modulus and tensile strength of unoriented material is disclosed. The low profile resorbable stent has a resorbable material with Young's modulus about 2-300 GPa and/or tensile strength 50-200 MPa. The resorbable material of the present invention is oriented such that the tensile strength and modulus are higher than the unoriented materials allowing for the low profile stent design. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a low profile resorbable stent. The method comprises providing an extrudate comprising a resorbable material, inducing molecular alignment in the extrudate to form an oriented extrudate and forming the stent from the oriented extrudate. The extrudate of resorbable material can be a sheet, tube or some other form. The sheet extrudate is stretched axially or biaxially to induce molecular alignment.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter with a generally circular cross-section having a central guidewire lumen, partially circumscribed by an inflation lumen having a generally C-shaped cross-section defining a web and a guidewire access cut extending radially through that web from the outer surface of the multi-lumen catheter to the central guidewire lumen. The guidewire access cut allowing access to an indwelling guidewire for direct control over axial translation, or ingress and egress of the guidewire.

Abstract: A rapid exchange catheter includes an exchange joint that is coupled between a proximal shaft and first and second distal shafts. The exchange joint includes a proximal end that is configured to be coupled to the proximal shaft, and a distal end that is configured to be coupled to the first distal shaft and the second distal shaft. The distal end includes a first portion that includes a first guidewire lumen, and a second portion that includes a second guidewire lumen. The exchange joint also includes a guidewire port that is configured to provide access for a first guidewire into the first distal inner lumen via the first guidewire lumen and a second guidewire into the second distal inner lumen via the second guidewire lumen.

Abstract: A rapid exchange catheter includes an elongate proximal shaft comprising a proximal lumen, an elongate distal shaft defining an distal outer lumen, an elongate distal inner lumen inside the distal shaft, and an exchange joint coupled between the elongate proximal shaft and the elongate distal shaft. The exchange joint includes a guidewire port providing external access for a guidewire into the elongate distal inner lumen, and a transition lumen in communication with the proximal lumen and the distal outer lumen. The transition lumen has a crescent-shaped cross-section at least at the exchange joint distal end.

Abstract: A mold for forming a balloon of a balloon catheter including a body portion defining a body region of a mold cavity and distal and proximal end caps defining tapering regions and neck regions of the mold cavity. During the molding process, the mold cavity is visible from an exterior surface of the body portion, which is transparent or translucent. The distal and proximal end caps are metal and can be precision machined in the tapering and neck regions of the mold cavity in order to achieve more accurate molded balloon dimensions. Also disclosed is a method for making a balloon of a balloon catheter using the mold and a balloon made therefrom.

Abstract: A catheter and a guidewire exchange system includes a catheter and a guide member. The catheter includes a lumen extending through the shaft and sized to receive the guidewire, and a longitudinal guideway enabling transverse access from the shaft exterior surface to the lumen. The guide member includes a housing, a catheter passageway extending through the housing and adapted to slidably receive the catheter, a guidewire passageway extending from one end of the housing into the catheter passageway and including a tube adapted to merge the guidewire transversely through the guideway and into the first lumen, and a user-activated device positioned in the guidewire passageway and including a clamping body adapted to clamp the guidewire and thereby secure the guidewire in the guidewire passageway.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter with a generally circular cross-section having a central guidewire lumen, partially circumscribed by an inflation lumen having a generally C-shaped cross-section defining a web and a guidewire access cut extending radially through that web from the outer surface of the multi-lumen catheter to the central guidewire lumen. The guidewire access cut allowing access to an indwelling guidewire for direct control over axial translation, or ingress and egress of the guidewire.

Abstract: A minimal injury resorbable stent comprising an oriented resorbable material drawn to a ratio about 7-350 is disclosed. The drawn materials of the present invention have tensile strength of about 50-500 MPa and Young's modulus of about 2-300 GPa. The bioresorbable stents can have cylindrical shape and optionally further comprise one or more of a solvent, plasticizer, biologically active agent and modifier. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a minimal injury resorbable stent. The process comprises contacting a resorbable polymer with a solvent to form a polymer mixture, extruding said polymer mixture to form an extrudate, drawing said extrudate to a draw ratio in the range of about 7-350 to form a drawn extrudate and forming said stent from said drawn extrudate. The process optionally further comprises coagulating the extrudate and annealing the extrudate and/or stent.

Abstract: A low profile resorbable stent comprising an oriented, resorbable material, wherein said material has Young's Modulus and tensile strength in the oriented state greater than Young's modulus and tensile strength of unoriented material is disclosed. The low profile resorbable stent has a resorbable material with Young's modulus about 2-300 GPa and/or tensile strength 50-200 MPa. The resorbable material of the present invention is oriented such that the tensile strength and modulus are higher than the unoriented materials allowing for the low profile stent design. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a low profile resorbable stent. The method comprises providing an extrudate comprising a resorbable material, inducing molecular alignment in the extrudate to form an oriented extrudate and forming the stent from the oriented extrudate. The extrudate of resorbable material can be a sheet, tube or some other form. The sheet extrudate is stretched axially or biaxially to induce molecular alignment.

Abstract: A self-wrapping dilatation balloon comprising a multiblock copolymer having high elasticity and elastic recovery from nominal strains greater than about 30% is described. Also described herein, is a polymeric extrudate for making a dilatation balloon comprising a multiblock copolymer having tensile strength in the range of about 50 MPa to about 450 MPa, strain at break in the range of about 50% to about 600% and substantially complete elastic recovery from nominal strains of at least about 30%. The extrudate has phase-separated microdomains that are macroscopically aligned in parallel, perpendicular, transverse or a combination thereof. Also described herein is a process for producing a polymeric extrudate for use as a dilatation balloon. The process comprises extruding a multiblock copolymer mixture or composition to form an extrudate.