Abstract: Intravascular imaging catheters and methods for making and using intravascular imaging catheters are disclosed. An example intravascular imaging catheter may include an elongate catheter shaft having a distal end region and a proximal region. The distal end region may include a side port. An imaging core may be disposed within the elongate catheter shaft. The imaging core may include an imaging device configured to be slidable within the elongate catheter shaft and through the side port.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a total occlusion in a blood vessel may include a self-orienting device including an elongate shaft and an inflatable orienting element. The shaft includes an inflation lumen having a first noncircular shape and a working lumen having a second noncircular shape. The inflatable orienting element includes first and second inflatable members extending laterally from the shaft. An outer diameter of the shaft is 0.045 inches or less, a cross-sectional area of the first noncircular cross-sectional shape is at least 0.00013 square inches, and a cross-sectional area of the second noncircular cross-sectional shape is at least 0.00056 square inches. The shaft may include a distal tail extending distally from the inflatable orienting element, the distal tail being at least 15 millimeters long. The shaft may include a plurality of first apertures communicating with the working lumen and disposed in the distal tail.

Abstract: A medical device useful for cracking or cutting an intravascular lesion may include a monolithic blade or a blade assembly including a first terminal blade segment and a second terminal blade segment. The length of each of the first terminal blade segment and the second terminal blade segment, which may be defined at least in part by one or more flex points, may allow the first terminal blade segment and the second terminal blade segment to flex at least 30 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis when the monolithic blade is pressed against a lesion.

Abstract: A recanalization catheter for facilitating reentry into a lumen of a vessel having an occlusion therein from a subintimal space in a wall of the vessel. The recanalization catheter includes a catheter shaft extending distally from a hub. The catheter shaft defines a guidewire lumen extending therethrough. First and second inflatable balloon members are disposed on a distal end region of the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft includes an inflation lumen in fluid communication with the first and second inflatable balloon members. A lateral opening which is in communication with the guidewire lumen opens to an exterior of the catheter shaft between the first and second inflatable balloon members on a first side of the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft also includes an imaging lumen extending through the catheter shaft configured to receive an IVUS imaging device therein.

Abstract: Catheters configured to substantially simultaneously cut or score a lesion and deliver a pressure wave to the lesion. An illustrative catheter may comprise a catheter shaft, an expandable member secured to a distal portion of the catheter shaft, a cutting member secured to the expandable member, and an ultrasound transducer disposed within the expandable member. Tethers may be attached between the expandable member and the emitter that self-orientate the emitter towards target tissue due to uneven expansion of expandable member due to different compliance between target tissue and surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A catheter is advanced to a treatment site proximate a lesion, the catheter including a plurality of traction elements and an inflatable balloon adapted to urge the plurality of traction elements radially outwardly when the inflatable balloon is inflated. The inflatable balloon is inflated to urge the plurality of traction elements radially outwardly into contact with the lesion with the distal region at a first rotational orientation. The inflatable balloon is deflated and the proximal region of the catheter is rotated in order to rotate the distal region to a second rotational orientation different from the first rotational orientation. The inflatable balloon is inflated to again urge the plurality of traction elements radially outwardly into contact with the lesion. The catheter is adapted to provide a substantially one-to-one rotational arrangement between the proximal region and the distal region.

Abstract: Medical device packages may be configured to be easily openable in dark locations such as but not limited to cardiac catheter labs and surgical suites. Medical device packages may be configured to be more easily opened by including features that help to instruct a user where to grasp the medical device package, present a grip feature to quickly separate and grasp the two layers to be separated and provide texture on the grip to improve grip and control of the packaging and the sterile product within the packaging during transfer to a sterile surgical field or user, for example. In some cases, medical device packages may be configured to facilitate cooperation between a user opening the package outside of a sterile field and a user within the sterile field accepting the medical device disposed within the medical device package.

Abstract: A method for electrostatic spray-coating a medical device having a tubular wall, such as a stent, having an inner surface, an outer surface and openings therein. The tubular wall is grounded or electrically charged, and an electrically charged conductive core wire is located axially through the center of the stent. An electrical potential is applied to the conductive core wire to impart an electrical charge to the conductive core wire. The tubular wall is exposed to an electrically charged coating formulation, and the electrically charged coating formulation is deposited onto a portion of the tubular wall to form a coating. The electrical potentials of the conductive core wire and tubular wall can be repeatedly alternated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an implantable stent prosthesis comprising a sidewall and at least one channel for containing a biologically active material. A method for making such stent prosthesis is also disclosed. In the method, at least one tube or mandrel is placed in contact with a covering material on a stent and surrounded by the covering material to form a channel. Alternatively, a channel can be formed by covering the tube or mandrel with a channel material and exposing the covered tube or mandrel to an appropriate treatment. The channel can be attached to a sidewall of a stent or attached to a strut material to form a stent wire. A method of treating an afflicted area of a body lumen by implanting the stent prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for electrostatic spray-coating a medical device having a tubular wall, such as a stent, having an inner surface, an outer surface and openings therein. The tubular wall is grounded or electrically charged, and an electrically charged conductive core wire is located axially through the center of the stent. An electrical potential is applied to the conductive core wire to impart an electrical charge to the conductive core wire. The tubular wall is exposed to an electrically charged coating formulation, and the electrically charged coating formulation is deposited onto a portion of the tubular wall to form a coating. The electrical potentials of the conductive core wire and tubular wall can be repeatedly alternated.

Abstract: A method for electrostatic spray-coating a medical device having a tubular wall, such as a stent, having an inner surface, an outer surface and openings therein. The tubular wall is grounded or electrically charged, and an electrically charged conductive core wire is located axially through the center of the stent. An electrical potential is applied to the conductive core wire to impart an electrical charge to the conductive core wire. The tubular wall is exposed to an electrically charged coating formulation, and the electrically charged coating formulation is deposited onto a portion of the tubular wall to form a coating. The electrical potentials of the conductive core wire and tubular wall can be repeatedly alternated.

Abstract: An implantable stent prosthesis comprises a sidewall and at least one channel for containing a biologically active material. A method for making such stent prosthesis is also disclosed. In the method, at least one tube or mandrel is placed in contact with a covering material on a stent and surrounded by the covering material to form a channel. Alternatively, a channel can be formed by covering tube or mandrel with a channel material and exposing the covered tube or mandrel to an appropriate treatment. The channel can be attached to a sidewall of a stent or attached to a strut material to form a stent wire. A method of treating an afflicted area of a body lumen by implanting the stent prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for electrostatic spray-coating a medical device having a tubular wall, such as a stent, having an inner surface, an outer surface and openings therein. The tubular wall is grounded or electrically charged, and an electrically charged conductive core wire is located axially through the center of the stent. An electrical potential is applied to the conductive core wire to impart an electrical charge to the conductive core wire. The tubular wall is exposed to an electrically charged coating formulation, and the electrically charged coating formulation is deposited onto a portion of the tubular wall to form a coating. The electrical potentials of the conductive core wire and tubular wall can be repeatedly alternated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an implantable stent prosthesis comprising a sidewall and at least one channel for containing a biologically active material. A method for making such stent prosthesis is also disclosed. In the method, at least one tube or mandrel is placed in contact with a covering material on a stent and surrounded by the covering material to form a channel. Alternatively, a channel can be formed by covering the tube or mandrel with a channel material and exposing the covered tube or mandrel to an appropriate treatment. The channel can be attached to a sidewall of a stent or attached to a strut material to form a stent wire. A method of treating an afflicted area of a body lumen by implanting the stent prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for electrostatic spray-coating a medical device having a tubular wall, such as a stent, having an inner surface, an outer surface and openings therein. The tubular wall is grounded or electrically charged, and an electrically charged conductive core wire is located axially through the center of the stent. An electrical potential is applied to the conductive core wire to impart an electrical charge to the conductive core wire. The tubular wall is exposed to an electrically charged coating formulation, and the electrically charged coating formulation is deposited onto a portion of the tubular wall to form a coating. The electrical potentials of the conductive core wire and tubular wall can be repeatedly alternated.

Abstract: An implantable stent prosthesis comprises a sidewall and at least one channel for containing a biologically active material. A method for making such stent prosthesis is also disclosed. In the method, at least one tube or mandrel is placed in contact with a covering material on a stent and surrounded by the covering material to form a channel. Alternatively, a channel can be formed by covering tube or mandrel with a channel material and exposing the covered tube or mandrel to an appropriate treatment. The channel can be attached to a sidewall of a stent or attached to a strut material to form a stent wire. A method of treating an afflicted area of a body lumen by implanting the stent prosthesis is also disclosed.