Abstract: The invention described herein provides for a simple, economical system and method for reducing environmental release of dental amalgamous mercury from teeth caused by cremation of corpses. The invention controls and reduces the amount of mercury released using a pre-crematorial and non-disfiguring system and method. The system of the invention can include a dental containment and applicator delivery system to apply a curable thermal protectant composition onto the teeth. The composition coating significantly inhibits the extent of thermal destruction of the tooth per se including its amalgam filling content.

Abstract: An implantable medical device has an outer stent with a tubular body disposed about a longitudinal axis. The outer stent includes members defining openings which are in fluid communication with a flow path. At least one opening is larger than adjacent openings when the outer stent is in an expanded state, and is positioned between the ends of the outer stent. The at least one larger opening is a side branch opening having a perimeter. The device also has an inner stent with a tubular body disposed within the outer stent and about a longitudinal axis. The inner stent has a branch portion with deployable petals positioned adjacent to the side branch opening of the outer stent. The petals are biased against the perimeter of the side branch opening such that the petals are restrained from opening outward when the outer stent is in an unexpanded state.

Abstract: A balloon assembly includes an elongated balloon, one or more cutting elements engaged to the balloon, and one or more therapeutic agents disposed within an opening defined by the cutting blades.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided which comprise a metallic region and a coating on all or part of the metallic region that comprises a multivalent acid.

Abstract: A crimping fixture for crimping a stent onto a balloon of a catheter is disclosed. The crimping fixture includes a flexible elastomeric body having a crimping lumen and one or more inflation lumens extending through the flexible elastomeric body. The flexible elastomeric body is elastically stretched such that a pre-crimped stent may be placed in the crimping lumen. The inflation lumens are then pressurized with a fluid to impart an inward crimping force onto the stent to crimp the stent to a balloon.

Abstract: A delivery system has a stent and a balloon The stent has a first section made of a plurality of interconnected framework members which define a plurality of potential side branches. The balloon is a dual lumen balloon that can inflate from the proximal end to the distal end with a plurality of protrusions and/or herniations.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate generally to medical devices that are useful for delivering one or more therapeutic agents to a body tissue of a subject, and methods for making and using such devices. In particular, the embodiments relate to a medical device such as a stent having a sidewall structure comprising a plurality of struts, in which one or more therapeutic agents are released from different surfaces of the struts at different release profiles. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a stent having a sidewall structure comprising a plurality of struts, in which the two side surfaces of each strut are coated with a coating composition that is different from the coating composition used to coat the outer surface and/or inner surface of the strut.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are detachment mechanisms for vaso-occlusive devices that allow for rapid operator-controlled release of the vaso-occlusive device into the selected site. Also disclosed are vaso-occlusive assemblies comprising these detachment mechanisms and methods of using these detachment mechanisms and vaso-occlusive assemblies.

Abstract: The invention is directed to mechanisms and methods that reduce the delamination of a therapeutic agent from a stent. The mechanisms include holes (channels, wells, and other hole configurations), protrusions, sintered metal cores, clamps/staples, pins, and stainless steel shields.

Abstract: A balloon folding system specifically configured to reduce a side branch balloon of a bifurcated balloon catheter assembly includes a die that defines at least one chamber for receipt of the sidebranch balloon, and at least one pin sized to fit into the chamber and reduce the balloon to a substantially flattened state. The system also may include a housing for the reduction and folding of a primary branch balloon. The system is configurable to fold and reduce both branches simultaneously or separately.

Abstract: A balloon fold design for efficient expansion of a side branch assembly in a bifurcated stent. The design involves forming a cup allangement by folding the radial end of the side branch balloon structure into the luminal end of the side branch balloon structure and then folding the cup down into an orderly discus arrangement. The folding pattern allows for the side branch balloon structure to inflate in a sweeping rotational manner efficiently pushing the side branch assembly petals out and away from the main body of the stent with a low risk of the balloon becoming entangled or damaged by its contact with the petals. The design also allows for the expansion force to be applied at the appropriate time in the optimally needed direction by initially being oriented in a predominantly circumferential direction which is gradually shifting to a predominantly radial direction. In addition, the fold design reduces the overall volume and profile of the side branch balloon structure.

Abstract: A balloon folding device comprises a first die having an external contacting surface and a second die having a cavity. A portion of the cavity comprises a contacting surface shaped complimentary to the external contacting surface of the first die. The second die is movable with respect to the first die. A balloon catheter having a primary balloon and a secondary balloon is oriented with the secondary balloon located between the first die and the second die. The secondary balloon is folded by moving the second die toward the first die until the contacting surfaces of the dies contact, fold and deflate the secondary balloon. In some embodiments, the dies are moved until at least a portion of the external contacting surface of the first die is oriented within the cavity of the second die.