Abstract: A metal balloon catheter having a main tubular body, a metal balloon proximate a distal end of the main tubular body, a central annulus extending along an entire longitudinal aspect of the catheter for accommodating a guidewire therethrough and an inflation annulus adjacent the central annulus which extends along the longitudinal axis of the main tubular body and terminates in fluid flow communication with an inflation chamber of the metal balloon. The metal balloon catheter may be either unitary integral metal catheter in which the main tubular body and the balloon are fabricated of metal, or it may consist of a polymeric main tubular body and a metal balloon.

Abstract: Implantable in vivo sensors used to monitor physical, chemical or electrical parameters within a body. The in vivo sensors are integral with an implantable medical device and are responsive to externally or internally applied energy. Upon application of energy, the sensors undergo a phase change in at least part of the material of the device which is then detected external to the body by conventional techniques such as radiography, ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, radio frequency imaging or the like. The in vivo sensors of the present invention may be employed to provide volumetric measurements, flow rate measurements, pressure measurements, electrical measurements, biochemical measurements, temperature, measurements, or measure the degree and type of deposits within the lumen of an endoluminal implant, such as a stent or other type of endoluminal conduit.

Abstract: Implantable in vivo sensors used to monitor physical, chemical or electrical parameters within a body. The in vivo sensors are integral with an implantable medical device and are responsive to externally or internally applied energy. Upon application of energy, the sensors undergo a phase change in at least part of the material of the device which is then detected external to the body by conventional techniques such as radiography, ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, radio frequency imaging or the like. The in vivo sensors of the present invention may be employed to provide volumetric measurements, flow rate measurements, pressure measurements, electrical measurements, biochemical measurements, temperature, measurements, or measure the degree and type of deposits within the lumen of an endoluminal implant, such as a stent or other type of endoluminal conduit.

Abstract: An implantable expandable medical device in which selected regions of the device are in a martensite phase and selected regions are in an austenite phase. The martensitic regions exhibit pseudoplastic behavior in vivo and may be deformed without recovery under in vivo body conditions. In contrast the austenitic regions exhibit superelastic behavior in vivo and will recover their pre-programmed configuration upon deformation or release of an applied strain.

Abstract: Scaffold-supported metal or pseudometallic film covers suitable for use as medical devices are disclosed together with methods of fabricating the devices. Methods for making the medical devices consist of either providing or forming a scaffold, then depositing a metallic or pseudometallic film cover onto the scaffold in such a manner as to form an integral, substantially monolithic junction between the deposited cover material and the scaffold.

Abstract: A method for forming a self-expanding stent-graft, including coupling a shape memory member to a polymer cladding to form a polymer clad member, disposing a length of the polymer clad member in an overlapping helical manner about a longitudinal axis, joining and sealing adjacent overlapping regions of the polymer clad member to form a stent-graft, manipulating the stent-graft from a first diameter to a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and loading the stent-graft into a restraining sheath at the second diameter, the restraining sheath preventing expansion of the stent-graft from the second diameter to the first diameter.

Abstract: A metal balloon catheter having a main tubular body, a metal balloon proximate a distal end of the main tubular body, a central annulus extending along an entire longitudinal aspect of the catheter for accommodating a guidewire therethrough and an inflation annulus adjacent the central annulus which extends along the longitudinal axis of the main tubular body and terminates in fluid flow communication with an inflation chamber of the metal balloon. The metal balloon catheter may be either unitary integral metal catheter in which the main tubular body and the balloon are fabricated of metal, or it may consist of a polymeric main tubular body and a metal balloon.

Abstract: Implantable medical grafts fabricated of metallic or pseudometallic films of biocompatible materials having a plurality of microperforations passing through the film in a pattern that imparts fabric-like qualities to the graft or permits the geometric deformation of the graft. The implantable graft is preferably fabricated by vacuum deposition of metallic and/or pseudometallic materials into either single or multi-layered structures with the plurality of microperforations either being formed during deposition or after deposition by selective removal of sections of the deposited film. The implantable medical grafts are suitable for use as endoluminal or surgical grafts and may be used as vascular grafts, stent-grafts, skin grafts, shunts, bone grafts, surgical patches, non-vascular conduits, valvular leaflets, filters, occlusion membranes, artificial sphincters, tendons and ligaments.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing intravascular stents wherein the intravascular stent has its inner surface treated to promote the migration of endothelial cells onto the inner surface of the intravascular stent. In particular, the inner surface of the intravascular stent has at least one groove formed therein.

Abstract: Scaffold-supported metal or pseudometallic film covers suitable for use as medical devices are disclosed together with methods of fabricating the devices. Methods for making the medical devices consist of either providing or forming a scaffold, then depositing a metallic or pseudometallic film cover onto the scaffold in such a manner as to form an integral, substantially monolithic junction between the deposited cover material and the scaffold.

Abstract: A method for forming a self-expanding stent-graft, including coupling a shape memory member to a polymer cladding to form a polymer clad member, disposing a length of the polymer clad member in an overlapping helical manner about a longitudinal axis, joining and sealing adjacent overlapping regions of the polymer clad member to form a stent-graft, manipulating the stent-graft from a first diameter to a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and loading the stent-graft into a restraining sheath at the second diameter, the restraining sheath preventing expansion of the stent-graft from the second diameter to the first diameter.

Abstract: A method for making an encapsulated stent includes providing a first seamless unsintered ePTFE tube, providing a second seamless unsintered ePTFE tube, positioning a balloon-expandable stent between the first and second ePTFE tubes to form an assembly, disposing an ePTFE interlayer member between the first and second ePTFE tubes, and joining the first ePTFE tube to the second ePTFE tube through openings in a wall of the stent by applying first pressure, and then heat, to the assembly.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that is fabricated from materials that present a blood or body fluid or tissue contact surface that has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent-graft and web-stent that is made of a monolithic material formed into differentiated regions defining structural members and web regions extending across interstitial spaces between the structural members. The endoluminal stent-graft is characterized by having controlled heterogeneities at the blood flow surface of the stent.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing intravascular stents wherein the intravascular stent has its inner surface treated to promote the migration of endothelial cells onto the inner surface of the intravascular stent. In particular, the inner surface of the intravascular stent has at least one groove formed therein.

Abstract: A method for forming a self-expanding stent-graft, including coupling a shape memory member to a polymer cladding to form a polymer clad member, winding a length of the polymer clad member about a mandrel so that adjacent windings include regions of polymer cladding that overlap, heating the wound polymer clad member to join and seal the overlapping regions to one another, manipulating the stent-graft from a first diameter to a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and loading the stent-graft into a restraining sheath, wherein the restraining sheath prevents the stent-graft from reverting to the first diameter.

Abstract: A method for making an encapsulated stent includes providing a first seamless unsintered ePTFE tube, providing a second seamless sintered ePTFE tube, positioning a self-expanding stent between the first and second ePTFE tubes to form an assembly, disposing an ePTFE interlayer member between the first and second ePTFE tubes, and joining the first ePTFE tube to the second ePTFE tube through openings in a wall of the stent by applying first pressure, and then heat, to the assembly.

Abstract: A method for making a radially expandable stent-graft, including positioning a radially expandable stent member concentrically over a first polymeric member, locating a second polymeric member concentrically over the stent member and first polymeric member, and joining the first polymeric member to the second polymeric member through interstices of the stent member at selective locations to form slip planes between the first and second polymeric members. The slip planes accommodate movement of the stent between the polymeric members to facilitate compression of the stent graft to a low profile.

Abstract: A vacuum deposition method for fabricating high-strength nitinol films by sputter depositing nickel and titanium from a heated sputtering target, and controlling the sputter deposition process parameters in order to create high-strength nitinol films that exhibit shape memory and/or superelastic properties without the need for precipitation annealing to attenuate the transition conditions of the deposited material. A vacuum deposited nitinol film having high-strength properties equal to or better than wrought nitinol films and which are characterized by having non-columnar crystal grain structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing intravascular stents wherein the intravascular stent has its inner surface treated to promote the migration of endothelial cells onto the inner surface of the intravascular stent. In particular, the inner surface of the intravascular stent has at least one groove formed therein.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis including a first polymer member bonded to a second polymer member to selectively encapsulate a stent. Selective bonding between the first and second polymer members results in unbonded regions or pockets that accommodate movement of the stent, permitting compression of the prosthesis using minimal force and enabling collapse of the prosthesis to a low profile. The pockets are believed to encourage enhanced cellular penetration for rapid healing and may contain bioactive substances.