Abstract: A system and method verify a user's identity in an Internet-related transaction. One system and method use a personal computer having identification information, a card reader, and a personal identification card having access information, to verify a user's identity using the access information and the identification information. Another system and method use a personal computer, a card reader, and a personal identification card having access information, wherein the card reader is included as part of a mouse coupled to the personal computer and wherein a user's identity is verified using the access information. Another system and method use a personal computer, a device coupled to the personal computer having identification information, a card reader, and a personal identification card having access information to verify a user's identity using the access information and the identification information.

Abstract: A system and method verify a user's identity in an Internet-related transaction. One system and method use a personal computer having identification information, a card reader, and a personal identification card having access information, to verify a user's identity using the access information and the identification information. Another system and method use a personal computer, a card reader, and a personal identification card having access information, wherein the card reader is included as part of a mouse coupled to the personal computer and wherein a user's identity is verified using the access information. Another system and method use a personal computer, a device coupled to the personal computer having identification information, a card reader, and a personal identification card having access information to verify a user's identity using the access information and the identification information.

Abstract: An improved method and devices for preventing restenosis are provided. The method may include delivering a stent configured to contain a stenosis to a body vessel. The method may also include using atherectomy at the site prior to stent delivery. In one embodiment, the stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and a center portion arranged such that the diameters of the proximal and distal ends are greater than the diameter of the center portion. In one embodiment, the atherectomy device includes a housing to prevent injury to the unaffected areas of the body vessels but the cutter is extendible beyond the housing. In one embodiment, the stent may be impregnated with at least one drug after stent deployment.

Abstract: A system and method to verify a user's identity in an Internet-related transaction. One system and method use a personal computer having identification information, a card reader, and a personal identification card having access information, to verify a user's identity using the access information and the identification information. Another system and method use a personal computer, a card reader, and a personal identification card having access information, wherein the card reader is included as part of a mouse coupled to the personal computer and wherein a user's identity is verified using the access information. Another system and method use a personal computer, a fingerprint reader, a card reader, and a personal identification card having access information to verify a user's identity using the access information and the data of the fingerprint reader.

Abstract: An improved method and devices for preventing restenosis are provided. The method may include delivering a stent configured to contain a stenosis to a body vessel. The method may also include using atherectomy at the site prior to stent delivery. In one embodiment, the stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and a center portion arranged such that the diameters of the proximal and distal ends are greater than the diameter of the center portion. In one embodiment, the atherectomy device includes a housing to prevent injury to the unaffected areas of the body vessels but the cutter is extendible beyond the housing. In one embodiment, the stent may be impregnated with at least one drug after stent deployment.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting restenosis is disclosed. The method includes reducing contaminants during manufacturing of angioplasty devices and during angioplasty procedures. An angioplasty device is preferably examined for contaminants prior to the angioplasty procedure, and the contaminants are reduce if present.

Abstract: An improved method and devices for preventing restenosis are provided. The method may include delivering a stent configured to contain a stenosis to a body vessel. The method may also include using atherectomy at the site prior to stent delivery. In one embodiment, the stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and a center portion arranged such that the diameters of the proximal and distal ends are greater than the diameter of the center portion. In one embodiment, the atherectomy device includes a housing to prevent injury to the unaffected areas of the body vessels but the cutter is extendible beyond the housing. In one embodiment, the stent may be impregnated with at least one drug after stent deployment.

Abstract: The method of vascular treatment for restenosis or vulnerable plaque after an invasive procedure, such as for example angioplasty, stenting with or without drug coating, or drug delivery, comprises: inserting a catheter or hollow guide wire to the treatment location; delivering light through the catheter in the wavelength range of about 700–2500 nm; and moving the light to treat the affected region.

Abstract: An improved method and devices for preventing restenosis are provided. A multiple drug combination eluting stent is provided. The stent includes a plurality of drugs which interact to combat restenosis. In some embodiments, the drugs are delivered simultaneously, while in other embodiments, the drugs are delivered sequentially.

Abstract: A drug delivery stent and stent delivery system and method are provided. The stent comprises at least two therapeutic agents. In one embodiment, at least two therapeutic agents are administered at dosage levels that a lower than conventional dosing, in order to reduce the risk of side-effects. In another embodiment, the first agent is preferably a slow-release agent, while the second agent is a quick-release agent. These agents are administered using a stent.

Abstract: A drug delivery stent and stent delivery system and method are provided. The stent comprises at least two therapeutic agents. In one embodiment, at least two therapeutic agents are administered at dosage levels that a lower than conventional dosing, in order to reduce the risk of side-effects. In another embodiment, the first agent is preferably a slow-release agent, while the second agent is a quick-release agent. These agents are administered using a stent.

Abstract: An improved method and devices for preventing restenosis are provided. The method may include delivering a stent configured to contain a stenosis to a body vessel. The method may also include using atherectomy at the site prior to stent delivery. In one embodiment, the stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and a center portion arranged such that the diameters of the proximal and distal ends are greater than the diameter of the center portion. In one embodiment, the atherectomy device includes a housing to prevent injury to the unaffected areas of the body vessels but the cutter is extendible beyond the housing. In one embodiment, the stent may be impregnated with at least one drug after stent deployment.

Abstract: An improved method and devices for preventing restenosis are provided. A multiple drug combination eluting stent is provided. The stent includes a plurality of drugs which interact to combat restenosis. In some embodiments, the drugs are delivered simultaneously, while in other embodiments, the drugs are delivered sequentially.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting restenosis is disclosed. The method includes reducing contaminants during manufacturing of angioplasty devices and during angioplasty procedures. An angioplasty device is preferably examined for contaminants prior to the angioplasty procedure, and the contaminants are reduce if present.

Abstract: A system and method verify a user's identity in an Internet-related transaction. One system and method use a personal computer having identification information, a card reader, and a personal identification card having access information, to verify a user's identity using the access information and the identification information. Another system and method use a personal computer, a card reader, and a personal identification card having access information, wherein the card reader is included as part of a mouse coupled to the personal computer and wherein a user's identity is verified using the access information. Another system and method use a personal computer, a device coupled to the personal computer having identification information, a card reader, and a personal identification card having access information to verify a user's identity using the access information and the identification information.

Abstract: A drug delivery stent and stent delivery system and method are provided. The stent comprises at least two therapeutic agents. In one embodiment, at least two therapeutic agents are administered at dosage levels that a lower than conventional dosing, in order to reduce the risk of side-effects. In another embodiment, the first agent is preferably a slow-release agent, while the second agent is a quick-release agent. These agents are administered using a stent.

Abstract: A low profile wire perfusion catheter is disclosed for use in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The catheter includes a wire configured to be inserted into a blood vessel. The wire is hollow and defines an axial lumen therein. An inflation balloon is attached directly to the wire and is configured to expand radially outward in response to inflation thereof. Inflow and outflow perfusion ports extend through the wire and communicate with the lumen to allow perfusion of blood across the balloon when the balloon is inflated within a blood vessel. Because the balloon is attached directly to the wire, the catheter has an advantageously low cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A low profile wire perfusion catheter is disclosed for use in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The catheter includes a wire configured to be inserted into a blood vessel. The wire is hollow and defines an axial lumen therein. An inflation balloon is attached directly to the wire and is configured to expand radially outward in response to inflation thereof. Inflow and outflow perfusion ports extend through the wire and communicate with the lumen to allow perfusion of blood across the balloon when the balloon is inflated within a blood vessel. Because the balloon is attached directly to the wire, the catheter has an advantageously low cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A low profile wire perfusion catheter is disclosed for use in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The catheter includes a wire configured to be inserted into a blood vessel. The wire is hollow and defines an axial lumen therein. An inflation balloon is attached directly to the wire and is configured to expand radially outward in response to inflation thereof. Inflow and outflow perfusion ports extend through the wire and communicate with the lumen to allow perfusion of blood across the balloon when the balloon is inflated within a blood vessel. Because the balloon is attached directly to the wire, the catheter has an advantageously low cross-sectional area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light angioplasty catheter and method for exposing the interior of a body lumen to a source of light. Light exposure may be accomplished prior to, during, or following conventional balloon dilatation. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for exposing a preselected portion of vessel wall to a source of light. Relatively low energy light exposure has been found by the inventors herein to both inhibit restenosis following dilatation of a stenotic region, and to inhibit vascular spasms whether or not associated with a stenotic region. It may also arrest progress of a stenosis. Methods are also disclosed for cooling the vascular wall to treat a stenosis. Cooling may be accomplished prior to, during, or following dilatation.