Abstract: A stent comprising a plurality of annular elements aligned in the longitudinal direction of extension of the stent and selectively expandable between a radially-contracted condition and a radially-expanded condition as well as a series of connecting elements that extend in the longitudinal direction of extension of the stent to connect the annular elements. The annular elements and the connecting elements are made, respectively, of non-biodegradable material and of biodegradable material. The structure of the stent thus comprises a part of non-biodegradable material, destined to remain long-term at the site of implantation, and a part of biodegradable material, destined to disappear within a longer or shorter period after implantation.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticulate structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: A stent has surface sculpturing, preferably on its outer surface only, having, for example, microspheres, having the function of increasing the actual geometric surface area of the stent, of creating undercuts and roughness to encourage the application of coatings of active or activatable agents, as well as of improving the attachment of the stent to the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A device and method for performing a therapeutic treatment at a treatment site in a patient's vessel, the device configured to be introduced by means of a catheter, the device including an expandable portion capable of being expanded between a contracted position and a deployed position at the treatment site, such as to achieve an angioplasty treatment at the site, and a conveyor portion capable of receiving cells for cellular therapy and delivering the cells to the treatment site such that the angioplasty and cellular therapy procedures are performed substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stent for implantation at a site within a human or animal body comprising: an expandable body having an inner surface and an outer surface; and treatment agents applied to the outer surface of the expandable body, the treatment agents comprising a combination of Paclitaxel and FK506 or their derivatives or analogues.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: A stent for use at an implant site in a vessel having recesses containing one or more active agents. The stent is a tubular body having a plurality of sinusoidal shaped annular elements and connection elements. The recesses are formed so as to leave substantially unaltered the bending moments of these elements. The recesses may be continuous or discontinuous and may be distributed uniformly or nonuniformly.

Abstract: An actuating device for a catheter comprising at least one first part and one second part, which are able to more relative to each other, the actuating device comprising: (i) a slide which can be connected to one of said first part and said second part of the catheter; (ii) a slider, which can be actuated for moving said slide and moving said first part and said second part relative to each other; and (iii) a speed-change mechanism, which is set between said slider and said slide.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: In order to bestow on implantation devices, such as vascular prostheses, a certain degree of mechanical consistency and/or properties of tightness, operating in a non-traumatic way, there is envisaged the use of an element with modifiable structure. This is an element comprising a hydrophilic body that is able to absorb a mass of liquid so as to assume, as a result of the absorption of said mass of liquid, a certain degree of mechanical consistency. Preferably, the aforesaid element with modifiable structure has a base of mixtures of polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol and gellan, so as to give rise to hydrogels or else films that, in turn, give rise to hydrogels by hydration.

Abstract: A stent for use at an implant site in a vessel having recesses containing one or more active agents. The stent is a tubular body having a plurality of sinusoidal shaped annular elements and connection elements. The recesses are formed so as to leave substantially unaltered the bending moments of these elements. The recesses may be continuous or discontinuous and may be distributed uniformly or nonuniformly.

Abstract: The stent for angioplasty has a body in the form of a generally tubular casing capable of being dilated in use from a radially-contracted position to a radially-expanded position. The body includes a support structure made from a first material capable of withstanding this dilation without losing its structural integrity. A structure made from a second material which has been rendered radioactive following the exposure of the stent itself to a neutron flux is associated with at least a portion of the carrying structure.

Abstract: The stent (1) has surface sculpturing, preferably on its outer surface (2) only, constituted, for example, by microspheres (3), having the function of increasing the actual geometric surface area of the stent, of creating undercuts and roughness to encourage the application of coatings of active or activatable agents, as well as of improving the attachment of the stent (1) to the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A stent has surface sculpturing, preferably on its outer surface only, having, for example, microspheres, having the function of increasing the actual geometric surface area of the stent, of creating undercuts and roughness to encourage the application of coatings of active or activatable agents, as well as of improving the attachment of the stent to the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: The stent for angioplasty has a body (10) in the form of a generally tubular casing capable of being dilated in use from a radially-contracted position to a radially-expanded position. The body (10) includes a support structure (12) made from a first material capable of withstanding this dilation without losing its structural integrity. A structure (14) made from a second material which has been rendered radioactive following the exposure of the stent itself to a neutron flux is associated with at least a portion of the carrying structure (12).

Abstract: A device, method, and kit for conveying a radioactive agent to a site of stenosis. The device includes a body portion to be disposed about the surface of a stent. The device comprises a radioactive agent. The device is capable of expanding, thus following the deployment movement of the stent, and is used to counter restenosis.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.