Abstract: A stent is disclosed that has an elongated body composed of a bioabsorbable polymer having a proximal end, a distal end, two open spiral channels formed on the exterior surface of the body to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. The stent also has a central lumen open at the proximal and distal ends of the stent for the passage of a guide wire. A method for using the stent and a kit containing the stent are also disclosed.

Abstract: An instrument for deploying an implantable medical device into a body lumen is disclosed. The instrument comprises a base member having a base handle and a deployment extension, a first tubular member having a first tubular body and a first handle, and a second tubular member having a second tubular body and a second handle. The first tubular member fits over the deployment extension and is longitudinally slidable over the deployment extension, and the second tubular member fits over the first tubular member and is longitudinally slidable over the first tubular member. The distal ends of the deployment extension, the first tubular body, and the second tubular body are adapted to hold and deploy the implantable medical device.

Abstract: An instrument for deploying an implantable medical device into a body lumen is disclosed. The instrument comprises a base member having a base handle and a deployment extension, a first tubular member having a first tubular body and a first handle, and a second tubular member having a second tubular body and a second handle. The first tubular member fits over the deployment extension and is longitudinally slidable over the deployment extension, and the second tubular member fits over the first tubular member and is longitudinally slidable over the first tubular member. The distal ends of the deployment extension, the first tubular body, and the second tubular body are adapted to hold and deploy the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A system for deploying an implantable medical device into a body lumen is disclosed. The system comprises a catheter having functional zones for stability, protection, flexibility, trackability and pushability. The system further comprises a device for deploying an implantable medical device with the catheter. A method for deploying an implantable medical device into a body lumen using the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stent is disclosed that has an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, at least one open spiral channel formed on the exterior surface of the body to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. The stent also has a central lumen open at the proximal and distal ends of the stent for the passage of a guide wire. A method for using the stent and a kit containing the stent are also disclosed.

Abstract: Orthopedic fastener devices for fixation of fractured bones are disclosed. The orthopedic fastener device is in the form of an orthopedic fastener having an IM nail coated on its external surface with a bioabsorbable or biodegradable hydrogel. Also disclosed are hydrogel coated orthopedic fastener devices in the form of a K-wire or bone screw, a method for stabilizing a fractured long bone fracture by inserting an orthopedic fastener into the medullary canal of the bone and a kit for fastener implantation.

Abstract: A variable scale medical implant deployment device comprising a variable inner diameter scale sleeve insert is provided. Also described are kits containing the variable scale medical implant deployment device and methods for deploying a medical implant into a body lumen using a variable scale medical implant deployment device.

Abstract: A system for deploying an implantable medical device into a body lumen is disclosed. The system comprises a catheter having functional zones for stability, protection, flexibility, trackability and pushability. The system further comprises a device for deploying an implantable medical device with the catheter. A method for deploying an implantable medical device into a body lumen using the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Orthopedic fastener devices for fixation of fractured bones are disclosed. The orthopedic fastener device is in the form of an orthopedic fastener having an IM nail coated on its external surface with a bioabsorbable or biodegradable hydrogel. Also disclosed are hydrogel coated orthopedic fastener devices in the form of a K-wire or bone screw, a method for stabilizing a fractured long bone fracture by inserting an orthopedic fastener into the medullary canal of the bone and a kit for fastener implantation.

Abstract: Orthopedic fastener devices for fixation of fractured bones are disclosed. The orthopedic fastener device is in the form of an orthopedic fastener having an IM nail coated on its external surface with a bioabsorbable or biodegradable hydrogel. Also disclosed are hydrogel coated orthopedic fastener devices in the form of a K-wire or bone screw, a method for stabilizing a fractured long bone fracture by inserting an orthopedic fastener into the medullary canal of the bone and a kit for fastener implantation.

Abstract: A variable scale medical implant deployment device comprising a variable inner diameter scale sleeve insert is provided. Also described are kits containing the variable scale medical implant deployment device and methods for deploying a medical implant into a body lumen using a variable scale medical implant deployment device.

Abstract: Orthopedic fastener devices for fixation of fractured bones are disclosed. The orthopedic fastener device is in the form of an orthopedic fastener having an IM nail coated on its external surface with a bioabsorbable or biodegradable hydrogel. Also disclosed are hydrogel coated orthopedic fastener devices in the form of a K-wire or bone screw, a method for stabilizing a fractured long bone fracture by inserting an orthopedic fastener into the medullary canal of the bone and a kit for fastener implantation.

Abstract: A bidirectional twistable stent is disclosed. The stent comprises a cylinder-shaped stent body having a plurality of axially arranged rows of struts encircling a central lumen and a plurality of flex connectors that connect at least two adjacent rows of struts in such a manner that allows the stent to be twisted clockwise or counter clockwise without causing deformation of any struts in the stent body. Also disclosed are the method of making the stent, method of using the stent, and a kit containing the stent.

Abstract: A biodegradable in vivo supporting device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a coated stent device includes a biodegradable metal alloy scaffold made from a magnesium alloy, iron alloy, zinc alloy, or combination thereof, and the metal scaffold comprises a plurality of metal struts. The metal struts are at least partially covered with a biodegradable polymer coating. A method for making and a method for using a biodegradable in vivo supporting device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bidirectional twistable stent is disclosed. The stent comprises a cylinder-shaped stent body having a plurality of axially arranged rows of struts encircling a central lumen and a plurality of flex connectors that connect at least two adjacent rows of struts in such a manner that allows the stent to be twisted clockwise or counter clockwise without causing deformation of any struts in the stent body. Also disclosed are the method of making the stent, method of using the stent, and a kit containing the stent.

Abstract: A bidirectional twistable stent is disclosed. The stent comprises a cylinder-shaped stent body having a plurality of axially arranged rows of struts encircling a central lumen and a plurality of flex connectors that connect at least two adjacent rows of struts in such a manner that allows the stent to be twisted clockwise or counter clockwise without causing deformation of any struts in the stent body. Also disclosed are the method of making the stent, method of using the stent, and a kit containing the stent.

Abstract: A stent is disclosed that has an elongated body composed of a bioabsorbable polymer having a proximal end, a distal end, two open spiral channels formed on the exterior surface of the body to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. The stent also has a central lumen open at the proximal and distal ends of the stent for the passage of a guide wire. A method for using the stent and a kit containing the stent are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for deploying an implantable medical device into a body lumen is disclosed. The system comprises a catheter having functional zones for stability, protection, flexibility, trackability and pushability. The system further comprises a device for deploying an implantable medical device with the catheter. A method for deploying an implantable medical device into a body lumen using the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An instrument for deploying an implantable medical device into a body lumen is disclosed. The instrument comprises a base member having a base handle and a deployment extension, a first tubular member having a first tubular body and a first handle, and a second tubular member having a second tubular body and a second handle. The first tubular member fits over the deployment extension and is longitudinally slidable over the deployment extension, and the second tubular member fits over the first tubular member and is longitudinally slidable over the first tubular member. The distal ends of the deployment extension, the first tubular body, and the second tubular body are adapted to hold and deploy the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A biodegradable in vivo supporting device is disclosed. The in vivo supporting device comprises a biodegradable metal scaffold and a biodegradable polymer coating covering at least a portion of the biodegradable metal scaffold, wherein the biodegradable polymer coating has a degradation rate that is faster than the degradation rate of the biodegradable metal scaffold.