Abstract: A serpentine coiled ladder stent is provided, in which the coil is formed from a wound strip of cells, wherein the sides of the cells are serpentine. Thus, the stent is comprised of a strip helically wound into a series of coiled windings, wherein the strip is formed of at least two side bands connected to each other, for example by a series of cross struts. Each side band is formed in a serpentine pattern comprising a series of bends, wherein upon expansion of the stent, the bends of the side bands open to increase the length of each of the individual cells in the helical direction, thereby lengthening the strip in the helical direction to allow the stent to expand without any significant unwinding of the strip.

Abstract: An intravascular stent especially suited for implanting in curved arterial portions. The stent retains longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The stent is formed of intertwined meander patterns forming triangular cells. The triangular cells are adapted to provide radial support, and also to provide longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The triangular cells provide increased coverage of a vessel wall. The stent can have different portions adapted to optimize radial support or to optimize longitudinal flexibility. Loops in the stent are disposed and adapted to cooperate so that after expansion of said stent within a curved lumen, the stent is curved and cells on the outside of the curve open in length, but narrow in width whereas cells on the inside of the curve shorten in length but thicken in width to maintain a density of stent element area which much more constant than otherwise between the inside and the outside of the curve.

Abstract: Coated stents for increased radiopacity. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a stent in the form of a tubular member comprising struts of a first material, and a first coating on the tubular member. The first coating substantially covers the tubular member and is substantially uniform in thickness. The first coating comprises a second material that is more radiopaque than the first material. In another embodiment, the stent further comprises a second coating between the tubular member and the first coating, wherein the second coating covers only a portion of the tubular member. In yet another embodiment, the stent is a coated bifurcated stent for positioning in a bifurcated body lumen.

Abstract: An intravascular stent especially suited for implanting in curved arterial portions. The stent retains longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The stent includes a plurality of first circumferential bands containing a pattern of loops at a first frequency and a plurality of second circumferential bands containing a pattern of loops at a second frequency higher than said first frequency, alternating with said first circumferential bands and periodically coupled thereto to form cells. The high frequency elements provide a flexibility after expansions which can be repeatedly stress by the beating heart, with out exceeding the elastic limit of the stent material.

Abstract: A therapeutic device and therapeutic method for delivering electrical energy or a medicament to a body tissue or organ utilizing ultrasonic vibration to cause a device implanted in the body tissue or organ to be treated to discharge an electrical current or medicament to the target area.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent for insertion into a bifurcated vessel such as a blood vessel. In one embodiment, a first sheet is formed into a first leg, a second sheet is formed into a second leg, a third sheet is formed into a stem, and the two legs are attached to the stem. In a second embodiment, a first sheet is formed into a member having a first leg and half of a stem, a second sheet is formed into a second member having a second leg and half of a stem, and the two stem halves are combined to form the bifurcated stent. In a third embodiment, the stent comprises two sections that are serially inserted and assembled within the vessel at the site of the bifurcation to be treated.

Abstract: Coated stents for increased radiopacity. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a stent in the form of a tubular member comprising struts of a first material, and a first coating on the tubular member. The first coating substantially covers the tubular member and is substantially uniform in thickness. The first coating comprises a second material that is more radiopaque than the first material. In another embodiment, the stent further comprises a second coating between the tubular member and the first coating, wherein the second coating covers only a portion of the tubular member. In yet another embodiment, the stent is a coated bifurcated stent for positioning in a bifurcated body lumen.

Abstract: An intravascular stent especially suited for implanting in curved arterial portions. The stent retains longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The stent is formed of intertwined meander patterns forming triangular cells. The triangular cells are adapted to provide radial support, and also to provide longitudinal flexibility after expansion. The triangular cells provide increased coverage of a vessel wall. The stent can have different portions adapted to optimize radial support or to optimize longitudinal flexibility. The stent can be adapted to prevent flaring of portions of the stent during insertion.

Abstract: A method is provided for electropolishing a stent. A stent is mounted on a rack having electropolishing mounts. Each of the mounts has a base and an electrically conductive first member having a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the base and the second end contacts the external surface of the stent. Each of the mounts also has a non-electrically conductive second member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the second member is attached to the base and the second end is placed in the bore of the stent. The second ends of the first and second members bias towards each other to secure the stent between them. The stent is immersed in an electropolishing bath and an electrical current is applied to the first member.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent for insertion into a bifurcated vessel such as a blood vessel. In one embodiment, a first sheet is formed into a first leg, a second sheet is formed into a second leg, a third sheet is formed into a stem, and the two legs are attached to the stem. In a second embodiment, a first sheet is formed into a member having a first leg and half of a stem, a second sheet is formed into a second member having a second leg and half of a stem, and the two stem halves are combined to form the bifurcated stent. In a third embodiment, the stent comprises two sections that are serially inserted and assembled within the vessel at the site of the bifurcation to be treated.

Abstract: Apparatus for pulling and positioning an apparatus, e.g., a stent, in the target area of a lumen. In one embodiment, a cylindrically shaped motor has a longitudinal bore, a friction area within the longitudinal bore, and a guide wire disposed within the longitudinal bore. The guide wire and friction area of the motor are sized and adapted to contact each other and impart friction between the friction area and the guide wire to permit the motor to pull a catheter to the target area by crawling against the guide wire. In another embodiment, a cylindrical motor having a friction area on its outer surface is disposed within a guide tube.

Abstract: A stent and a method for fabricating the stent are disclosed. The stent has an originally flat pattern and connection points where the sides of the flat pattern are joined. The method includes the steps of a) cutting a stent pattern into a flat piece of metal thereby to produce a metal pattern, b) deforming the metal pattern so as to cause two opposing sides to meet, and c) joining the two opposing sides at least at one point. Substantially no portion of the stent projects into the lumen of the stent when the stent is expanded against the internal wall of a blood vessel.

Abstract: A stent and a method for fabricating the stent are disclosed. The stent has an originally flat pattern and connection points where the sides of the flat pattern are joined. The method includes the steps of a) cutting a stent pattern into a flat piece of metal thereby to produce a metal pattern, b) deforming the metal pattern so as to cause two opposing sides to meet, and c) joining the two opposing sides at least at one point. Substantially no portion of the stent projects into the lumen of the stent when the stent is expanded against the internal wall of a blood vessel.

Abstract: A device and method for intravascular ultrasound imaging. A catheter including ultrasonic apparatus is introduced into and may be moved through a bodily lumen. The apparatus transmits ultrasonic signals and detects reflected ultrasound signals which contain information relating to the bodily lumen. A processor coupled to the catheter is programmed to derive a first image or series of images and a second image or series of images from the detected ultrasound signals. The processor is also programmed to compare the second image or series of images to the first image or series of images respectively. The processor may be programmed to stabilize the second image in relation to the first image and to limit drift. The processor may also be programmed to monitor the first and second images for cardiovascular periodicity, image quality, temporal change and vasomotion. It can also match the first series of images and the second series of images.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent for insertion into a bifurcated vessel such as a blood vessel. In one embodiment, a first sheet is formed into a first leg, a second sheet is formed into a second leg, a third sheet is formed into a stem, and the two legs are attached to the stem. In a second embodiment, a first sheet is formed into a member having a first leg and half of a stem, a second sheet is formed into a second member having a second leg and half of a stem, and the two stem halves are combined to form the bifurcated stent. In a third embodiment, the stent comprises two sections that are serially inserted and assembled within the vessel at the site of the bifurcation to be treated.

Abstract: A stent and a method for fabricating the stent are disclosed. The stent has an originally flat pattern and connection points where the sides of the flat pattern are joined. The method includes the steps of a) cutting a stent pattern into a flat piece of metal thereby to produce a metal pattern, b) deforming the metal pattern so as to cause two opposing sides to meet, and c) joining the two opposing sides at least at one point. Substantially no portion of the stent projects into the lumen of the stent when the stent is expanded against the internal wall of a blood vessel.

Abstract: A device and method for intravascular ultrasound imaging. A catheter including ultrasonic apparatus is introduced into and may be moved through a bodily lumen. The apparatus transmits ultrasonic signals and detects reflected ultrasound signals which contain information relating to the bodily lumen. A processor coupled to the catheter is programmed to derive a first image or series of images and a second image or series of images from the detected ultrasound signals. The processor is also programmed to compare the second image or series of images to the first image or series of images respectively. The processor may be programmed to stabilize the second image in relation to the first image and to limit drift. The processor may also be programmed to monitor the first and second images for cardiovascular periodicity, image quality, temporal change and vasomotion. It can also match the first series of images and the second series of images.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent for insertion into a bifurcated vessel such as a blood vessel. In one embodiment, a first sheet is formed into a first leg, a second sheet is formed into a second leg, a third sheet is formed into a stem, and the two legs are attached to the stem. In a second embodiment, a first sheet is formed into a member having a first leg and half of a stem, a second sheet is formed into a second member having a second leg and half of a stem, and the two stem halves are combined to form the bifurcated stent. In a third embodiment, the stent comprises two sections that are serially inserted and assembled within the vessel at the site of the bifurcation to be treated.

Abstract: An articulated stent for delivering through a bodily conduit, for example, a peripheral or coronary artery, which has one or more curved portions and for implantation therein. The articulated stent includes at least two substantially rigid segments and a flexible connector for connecting adjacent segments. The connector assumes a cylindrical configuration when relaxed and a differentially stretched and compressed curved configuration when flexed.

Abstract: A stent and a method for fabricating the stent are disclosed. The stent has an originally flat pattern and connection points where the sides of the flat pattern are joined. The method includes the steps of a) cutting a stent pattern into a flat piece of metal thereby to produce a metal pattern, b) deforming the metal pattern so as to cause two opposing sides to meet, and c) joining the two opposing sides at least at one point. Substantially no portion of the stent projects into the lumen of the stent when the stent is expanded against the internal wall of a blood vessel.