Abstract: A fluid directing device may include a catheter and a skirt. The catheter may define a lumen and may have a distal end and a proximal end. The skirt may be attached to a distal region of the catheter and may encircle the catheter. The skirt may have a proximal end attached to the catheter, and a free distal end, the skirt having a sidewall extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof, the skirt configured to move between a collapsed state and an expanded state in which the sidewall extends radially away from the catheter, the sidewall defining an interior chamber in the expanded state, wherein the skirt is configured to prevent contrast media that exits the catheter lumen from passing through the sidewall.

Abstract: Embolic protection devices and methods for making and using embolic protection devices are disclosed. An embolic protection device may include an elongate filter wire having a distal end region, a filter anchor coupled to the distal end region, a filter membrane coupled to the filter anchor, and a bumper coupled to the filter anchor. The bumper may be designed to provide a tactile feedback to a clinician during delivery of the embolic protection device.

Abstract: A vessel occlusion device is provided for use during a coronary artery bypass procedure. The vessel occlusion device may include a clamp including at least one rigid portion sized to be disposed around an outer surface of a vessel such as the aorta. The clamp defines a clamp lumen sized to receive the vessel. The clamp has a sidewall with an opening extending therethrough, and an inflatable balloon disposed within the clamp lumen and positioned proximal of the opening in the sidewall.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has magnesium and one or more additional alloying elements, including aluminum. The alloy has a microstructure comprising equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns and continuous or discontinuous second-phase precipitates in grain boundaries between the Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains, the second-phase precipitates having an average longest dimension of 0.5 micron or less.

Abstract: Embolic protection devices and methods for making and using embolic protection devices are disclosed. An embolic protection device may include an elongate filter wire having a distal end region, a filter anchor coupled to the distal end region, a filter membrane coupled to the filter anchor, and a bumper coupled to the filter anchor. The bumper may be designed to provide a tactile feedback to a clinician during delivery of the embolic protection device.

Abstract: A fluid directing device may include a catheter and a skirt. The catheter may define a lumen and may have a distal end and a proximal end. The skirt may be attached to a distal region of the catheter and may encircle the catheter. The skirt may have a proximal end attached to the catheter, and a free distal end, the skirt having a sidewall extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof, the skirt configured to move between a collapsed state and an expanded state in which the sidewall extends radially away from the catheter, the sidewall defining an interior chamber in the expanded state, wherein the skirt is configured to prevent contrast media that exits the catheter lumen from passing through the sidewall.

Abstract: A vessel occlusion device is provided for use during a coronary artery bypass procedure. The vessel occlusion device may include a clamp including at least one rigid portion sized to be disposed around an outer surface of a vessel such as the aorta. The clamp defines a clamp lumen sized to receive the vessel. The clamp has a sidewall with an opening extending therethrough, and an inflatable balloon disposed within the clamp lumen and positioned proximal of the opening in the sidewall.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable stent comprises a plurality of struts interconnected by a plurality of curved intersections. Each of the plurality of curved intersections defines a crescent shaped opening therethrough. The stent has a manufactured state, a crimped state and an expanded state. The crescent shaped openings each have a width and a length such that in the crimped state the width of the crescent shaped opening is less than the width of the crescent shaped opening in the manufactured state or the expanded state.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns and second-phase precipitates in grain boundaries between the equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains. The beta-phase precipitates have an average longest dimension of 0.5 micron or less. The microstructure can be produced by one or more equal-channel high-strain processes.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns and second-phase precipitates in grain boundaries between the equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains. The beta-phase precipitates have an average longest dimension of 0.5 micron or less. The microstructure can be produced by one or more equal-channel high-strain processes.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable stent comprises a plurality of struts interconnected by a plurality of curved intersections. Each of the plurality of curved intersections defines a crescent shaped opening therethrough. The stent has a manufactured state, a crimped state and an expanded state. The crescent shaped openings each have a width and a length such that in the crimped state the width of the crescent shaped opening is less than the width of the crescent shaped opening in the manufactured state or the expanded state.

Abstract: A stent includes a tubular network of struts cut from a bioerodible polymer tube. The tubular network includes a plurality of bands and a plurality of connectors. Each band includes at least nine peaks. Each band being connected to one or more adjacent bands by at least two connectors.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns and second-phase precipitates in grain boundaries between the equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains. The beta-phase precipitates have an average longest dimension of 0.5 micron or less. The microstructure can be produced by one or more equal-channel high-strain processes.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes an expandable tubular body defined by a plurality of struts. In some embodiments, the expandable tubular body includes a bioerodible metal that has at least a first surface region and a second surface region. The first and second surface regions can have different surface oxide compositions. In some embodiments, the first portion has a thermally altered microstructure and the second portion has a wrought microstructure. The thermally altered microstructure can be a cast microstructure comprising dendritic grains. The first portion forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the expandable tubular body. In some embodiments, the expandable tubular body includes iron or a bioerodible iron alloy and at least one surface of the expandable tubular body includes a substantially uniform coating of iron(III) oxide.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises an expandable framework comprising a plurality of serpentine bands and a plurality of connector struts. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of alternating struts and turns. A plurality of the serpentine bands each have their proximal turns aligned on a common stent circumference and comprise first distal turns and second distal turns. The first distal turns are aligned with one another on a common stent circumference. The second distal turns aligned with one another on another common stent circumference. Each band in the plurality comprises first struts and second struts. Each first strut is attached between a proximal turn and a first distal turn, and each second strut is attached between a proximal turn and a second distal turn. The second struts are wider than said first struts.

Abstract: An improved embolic protection filtering device. In at least some embodiments, an embolic protection filtering device includes a filter wire assembly. The filter wire assembly may include an elongate shaft, a tubular member, and an embolic protection filter.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that allow a stent to be folded within a balloon of a stent delivery system. In one example, a stent has first and second columns that extend from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis. Each of the first columns extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and comprise a plurality of elements that each have a substantially polygonal shape. Each of the second columns extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and are between adjacent first columns. Each of the respective second columns include a plurality of first connectors that have a curvilinear shape and that extend in a substantially circumferential direction to connect adjacent first columns. The stent also has a plurality of second connectors, wherein at least one of the second connectors extends between a first element and a second element.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises an expandable framework comprising a plurality of serpentine bands and a plurality of connector struts. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of alternating struts and turns. A plurality of the serpentine bands each have their proximal turns aligned on a common stent circumference and comprise first distal turns and second distal turns. The first distal turns are aligned with one another on a common stent circumference. The second distal turns aligned with one another on another common stent circumference. Each band in the plurality comprises first struts and second struts. Each first strut is attached between a proximal turn and a first distal turn, and each second strut is attached between a proximal turn and a second distal turn. The second struts are wider than said first struts.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis erodes to a desirable geometry that can provide, e.g., improved mechanical properties or degradation characteristics.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes a composite. The composite includes a matrix comprising a bioerodible iron or a bioerodible iron alloy and particles within the matrix. The particles include palladium, manganese oxide, a transition metal oxide, or a combination thereof.