Abstract: A method for producing x-ray markers. During the process, a predetermined breaking point is severed in order to detach x-ray markers from part of a material layer. There is also described an x-ray marker, a medical implant, and a semifinished product.

Abstract: A communication device for near field communication (NFC) with a catheter includes an NFC coil and a communication circuit connected thereto and is configured for bidirectional near-field communication with the catheter. The device includes a rechargeable energy storage device, and an electric charging coil connected to a charging circuit for charging the energy storage device. A housing surrounds the NFC coil, the communication circuit, the energy storage device, the charging coil and the charging circuit. The housing is configured to be releasably secured to the catheter for near-field communication with the catheter. The housing is preferably in the form of a catheter handle. A system includes a docking station configured to communicate with and dock the communication device. The system can include a computer configured to communicate with the docking station.

Abstract: A method for producing a balloon for a balloon catheter includes providing the balloon that has an outer surface. A solution including a solvent and a polymer is used to deposit the polymer onto the surface and form a surface coating of the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the use of small particles, such as micro particles or nanoparticles, to produce a therapeutic scar such as “trans-mural” scarring or other desired “deep tissue” scarring. In one preferred embodiment, these particles can be delivered to a target location by an implant. More specifically, these particles can be incorporated into the structure of implants or into the coatings on implants. In another preferred embodiment, these small particles can be delivered directly with a catheter by electrophoresis or hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: An inflatable and implantable balloon for treatment of degenerative disc disease, bones, lesions, spinal deformities and spinal motion segment instabilities. The balloon is comprised of adjustable and expandable volumes. Further disclosed are methods of forming, inserting, expanding, and implanting the multi-volume balloon for proper placement and stabilization of the spinal lesion or disease. Still further disclosed are kits for aligning and stabilizing elements of the spine.

Abstract: A balloon catheter has an outer shaft which surrounds a shaft lumen. The outer shaft has a proximal outer shaft portion connected to a distal outer shaft portion. An inner shaft is in a distal portion of the shaft lumen. A guide wire lumen is in the inner shaft. An opening at a proximal end portion of the inner shaft permits the guide wire to be guided out from the outer shaft. A metallic tube is in the shaft lumen. The proximal end portion of the inner shaft is engaged with the metallic tube. A separate, elongate and metallic stiffening element is in the shaft lumen, and is connected to the metallic tube and protrudes from the metallic tube into the distal portion of the shaft lumen and into the proximal portion of the shaft lumen to stiffen portions of the outer shaft.

Abstract: A method for producing a balloon for a balloon catheter includes providing the balloon that has an outer surface. A solution including a solvent and a polymer is used to deposit the polymer onto the surface and form a surface coating of the polymer.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon provides a preform that encloses an internal space. The preform is pre-heated to a shaping temperature by passing a heated gas or fluid via an inlet of the preform into the internal space. The preform is then shaped the preform into a balloon. A device is configured to heat a preform using heated gas or fluid to decouple heating from the temperature of a shaping tool.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system has a balloon extending in an axial direction and surrounding a balloon interior. The balloon has an outer side facing away from the balloon interior. A catheter is connected to the balloon and extending in the axial direction, the catheter having a lumen in fluid communication with the balloon interior. First and second annular electrodes are disposed on the outer side, each extending in a circumferential direction of the balloon and being located opposite one another in the axial direction. The electrodes are configured to measure one of more of strain of the balloon in the circumferential direction, strain of the balloon in the radial direction, an impedance of tissue of a patient resting against the electrodes, and a redox potential of tissue of the patient contacting at least one of the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the use of small particles, such as micro particles or nanoparticles, to produce a therapeutic scar such as “trans-mural” scarring or other desired “deep tissue” scarring. In one preferred embodiment, these particles can be delivered to a target location by an implant. More specifically, these particles can be incorporated into the structure of implants or into the coatings on implants. In another preferred embodiment, these small particles can be delivered directly with a catheter by electrophoresis or hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: An inflatable and implantable balloon for treatment of degenerative disc disease, bones, lesions, spinal deformities and spinal motion segment instabilities. The balloon is comprised of adjustable and expandable volumes. Further disclosed are methods of forming, inserting, expanding, and implanting the multi-volume balloon for proper placement and stabilization of the spinal lesion or disease. Still further disclosed are kits for aligning and stabilizing elements of the spine.

Abstract: An implant having a preferably hollow cylindrical basic structure. A nonwoven fabric is disposed in and/or on the basic structure, the nonwoven fabric preferably comprising biocompatible thermoplastic polyurethane and/or a polymer selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, and a copolymer thereof, and/or a polymer including polyphosphazene. At least in at least one section of the implant, preferably at the proximal and/or distal ends of the implant, fastening means are provided or the nonwoven fabric is treated such that, at least in the expanded state of the implant, the protrusion of nonwoven fabric sections from the implant is significantly reduced. Furthermore, a method for producing such an implant is provided.

Abstract: A balloon suitable for use in a catheter for carrying out a method for angioplasty consists of a middle cylindrical region and two end regions delimiting the middle cylindrical region. The balloon, with a pressure application of 6 bar, has a ratio of the cross section in the middle region to the cross sections in the two end regions of at least 2, and preferably greater than 3. The balloon can have a balloon wall thickness in the middle cylindrical region that is greater than or equal to a balloon wall thickness in the two end regions and is preferably more than 10% thicker than a balloon wall thickness in the two end sections.

Abstract: An inflatable and implantable balloon for treatment of degenerative disc disease, bones, lesions, spinal deformities and spinal motion segment instabilities. The balloon is comprised of adjustable and expandable volumes. Further disclosed are methods of forming, inserting, expanding, and implanting the multi-volume balloon for proper placement and stabilization of the spinal lesion or disease. Still further disclosed are kits for aligning and stabilizing elements of the spine.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon provides a preform that encloses an internal space. The preform is pre-heated to a shaping temperature by passing a heated gas or fluid via an inlet of the preform into the internal space. The preform is then shaped the preform into a balloon. A device is configured to heat a preform using heated gas or fluid to decouple heating from the temperature of a shaping tool.

Abstract: A method for producing a balloon from a suitable blank is provided. The blank is introduced into an outer mold heated an first expanded to expand it against the inner wall of the outer mold. Pressure is reduced to relax the blank away from the inner wall. The three-dimensional volume of the mold is changed. Second expanding of the blank expands again against the inner wall of the changed volume of the outer mold. Balloons of the invention consist of a middle cylindrical region and two end regions delimiting the middle cylindrical region. With a pressure application of 6 bar, a ratio of the cross section in the middle region to the cross section in the end region is at least 2, and preferably greater than 3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart valve prosthesis including a heart valve a main body for supporting the heart valve. The heart valve includes a terminating material selected from material and configured to at least partially close a paravalvular leak by controlled thrombus development.

Abstract: A balloon catheter has an outer shaft which surrounds a shaft lumen. The outer shaft has a proximal outer shaft portion connected to a distal outer shaft portion. An inner shaft is in a distal portion of the shaft lumen. A guide wire lumen is in the inner shaft. An opening at a proximal end portion of the inner shaft permits the guide wire to be guided out from the outer shaft. A metallic tube is in the shaft lumen. The proximal end portion of the inner shaft is engaged with the metallic tube. A separate, elongate and metallic stiffening element is in the shaft lumen, and is connected to the metallic tube and protrudes from the metallic tube into the distal portion of the shaft lumen and into the proximal portion of the shaft lumen to stiffen portions of the outer shaft.

Abstract: Packaging has an outer sleeve, which surrounds an interior space for receiving an object, such as a sterilized medical implant. A separate container is arranged in the interior space and surrounds an absorber in a gas-tight manner, such that a gas present in the interior space cannot pass to the absorber. The container is configured to be opened by the application of force when the outer sleeve is closed, such that a gas disposed in the interior space can pass to the absorber and can be absorbed thereby. In preferred embodiments, the absorber absorbs air with the reactive constituents O2 and/or H2O. Depending on the application, however, other gases can also be absorbed by the absorber. A method for packaging is also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing x-ray markers. During the process, a predetermined breaking point is severed in order to detach x-ray markers from part of a material layer. There is also described an x-ray marker, a medical implant, and a semifinished product.