Abstract: A catheter device for crossing occlusions includes an elongate body, a central lumen extending within the elongate body from the proximal end to the distal end, a rotatable tip at the distal end of the elongate body, and an OCT imaging sensor. The rotatable tip is configured to rotate relative to the elongate body. The OCT imaging sensor includes an optical fiber coupled with the rotatable tip and configured to rotate therewith. A distal end of the elongate body includes one or more markers configured to occlude the OCT imaging sensor as it rotates. A fixed jog in the elongate body proximal to the distal end of the catheter positions the distal end of the catheter at an angle relative to the region of the catheter proximal to the fixed jog and is aligned with the one or more markers on the elongate body.

Abstract: A leaflet for a prosthetic valve formed of at least one layer that includes a composite material containing at least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane having serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is provided. The fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene. In at least one embodiment, the elastic properties are present in an axial direction the leaflet. The leaflets may be single layered or multi-layered. The leaflets may be coupled to a support structure and movable between open and closed configurations relative to the support structure to form a heart valve. The elasticity within the leaflets permits, among other things, the leaflets to bend with a reduced occurrence of wrinkles as the valve opens and closes. The elastic properties of the leaflet also, among other things, improve bending properties and reduce closure stresses, thereby extending the life of the leaflet.

Abstract: A leaflet for a prosthetic valve formed of at least one layer that includes a composite material containing at least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane having serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is provided. The fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene. In at least one embodiment, the elastic properties are present in an axial direction the leaflet. The leaflets may be single layered or multi-layered. The leaflets may be coupled to a support structure and movable between open and closed configurations relative to the support structure to form a heart valve. The elasticity within the leaflets permits, among other things, the leaflets to bend with a reduced occurrence of wrinkles as the valve opens and closes. The elastic properties of the leaflet also, among other things, improve bending properties and reduce closure stresses, thereby extending the life of the leaflet.

Abstract: Thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite materials are disclosed that are suitable for use in a valve for regulating blood flow direction. In one aspect, the composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a prosthetic heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes a porous polymer membrane and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer fills substantially all of the pores of the porous polymer membrane.

Abstract: A leaflet for a prosthetic valve formed of at least one layer that includes a composite material containing at least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane having serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is provided. The fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene. In at least one embodiment, the elastic properties are present in an axial direction the leaflet. The leaflets may be single layered or multi-layered. The leaflets may be coupled to a support structure and movable between open and closed configurations relative to the support structure to form a heart valve. The elasticity within the leaflets permits, among other things, the leaflets to bend with a reduced occurrence of wrinkles as the valve opens and closes. The elastic properties of the leaflet also, among other things, improve bending properties and reduce closure stresses, thereby extending the life of the leaflet.

Abstract: A leaflet for a prosthetic valve formed of at least one layer that includes a composite material containing at least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane having serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is provided. The fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene. In at least one embodiment, the elastic properties are present in an axial direction the leaflet. The leaflets may be single layered or multi-layered. The leaflets may be coupled to a support structure and movable between open and closed configurations relative to the support structure to form a heart valve. The elasticity within the leaflets permits, among other things, the leaflets to bend with a reduced occurrence of wrinkles as the valve opens and closes. The elastic properties of the leaflet also, among other things, improve bending properties and reduce closure stresses, thereby extending the life of the leaflet.

Abstract: Thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite materials are disclosed that are suitable for use in a valve for regulating blood flow direction. In one aspect, the composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a prosthetic heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes a porous polymer membrane and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer fills substantially all of the pores of the porous polymer membrane.

Abstract: Thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite materials are disclosed that are suitable for use in a valve for regulating blood flow direction. In one aspect, the composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a prosthetic heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes a porous polymer membrane and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer fills substantially all of the pores of the porous polymer membrane.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable self-expanding medical devices formed of an integral framework with a multiplicity of fenestrations are provided. The framework is continuous, non-filamentous, non-braided, and non-interlaced. The devices includes a non-blended hydrolysable co-polymeric material comprising an amorphous component with a glass transition temperature that is below ambient body temperature and a crystallizable component that possesses a crystalline melting point in excess of ambient body temperature. The devices radially expand from a compressed first diameter to an uncompressed second diameter equal to or greater than 1.5 times the first diameter within two minutes in an aqueous medium at 37° C. following release of a compressive force placed on the devices. Additionally, the medical device does not change axial length significantly as the radial dimensions of the devices are changed.

Abstract: A thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material is disclosed that is suitable for use in various implanted configurations. In one aspect, the composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as heart pacing lead or heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes a porous expanded fluoropolymer membrane and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer fills substantially all of the pores of the porous expanded fluoropolymer, and the composite material comprising less than about 80% fluoropolymer by weight.

Abstract: A leaflet for a prosthetic valve formed of at least one layer that includes a composite material containing at least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane having serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is provided. The fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene. In at least one embodiment, the elastic properties are present in an axial direction the leaflet. The leaflets may be single layered or multi-layered. The leaflets may be coupled to a support structure and movable between open and closed configurations relative to the support structure to form a heart valve. The elasticity within the leaflets permits, among other things, the leaflets to bend with a reduced occurrence of wrinkles as the valve opens and closes. The elastic properties of the leaflet also, among other things, improve bending properties and reduce closure stresses, thereby extending the life of the leaflet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a composite medical device having a non-bioabsorbable implantable tissue repair or reconstruction component and a resilient bioabsorbable support member component that aids in deployment and placement of the implantable component at a surgical site. Following deployment, the support member component is readily bioabsorbed and removed from the implantable component. The invention is particularly useful in laproscopic, endoluminal, and other surgical procedures.

Abstract: Articles including expanded fluoropolymer membranes having serpentine fibrils are provided. The fluoropolymer membranes exhibit high elongation while substantially retaining the strength properties of the fluoropolymer membrane. The membrane may include a fluoropolymer and/or elastomer. Additionally, the article has an elongation in at least one direction of at least about 100% and a matrix tensile strength of at least about 50 MPa. The article may be formed by (1) expanding a dried, extruded fluoropolymer tape in at least one direction to produce an expanded fluoropolymer membrane and (2) retracting the expanded fluoropolymer membrane in at least one direction of expansion by applying heat or by adding a solvent. The application of a tensile force at least partially straightens the serpentine fibrils, thereby elongating the article. The expanded fluoropolymer membrane may include a microstructure of substantially only fibrils. The membranes may be imbibed with an elastomeric material to form a composite.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.

Abstract: A thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material is disclosed that is suitable for use in various implanted configurations. In one aspect, the composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as heart pacing lead or heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes a porous expanded fluoropolymer membrane and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer fills substantially all of the pores of the porous expanded fluoropolymer, and the composite material comprising less than about 80% fluoropolymer by weight.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.