Abstract: An intravascular stent is formed by utilizing the process of metal injection molding (MIM) applied to metal powder, ceramic powder and ceramic metal composite powder. The devices may have longitudinal/circumferential channels and/or depots molded into the tubing thereof to enable such devices to act as a functional drug delivery vehicle having adequate drug reservoir capability.

Abstract: A quaternary nickel-titanium alloy includes: Ni at a concentration of between about 48 at. % and about 52 at. %; Cr at a concentration of from about 0.3 at. % to about 1 at. %; Co at a concentration of from about 0.5 at. % to about 2 at. %; and Ti at a concentration wherein a ratio of Ni:Ti is about 1.03. According to one exemplary embodiment of the alloy, the concentration of Cr may be about 0.5 at. % and the concentration of Co may be about 0.75 at. %. According to another exemplary embodiment of the alloy, the concentration of Cr may be about 0.25 at. % and the concentration of Co may be about 0.5 at. %.

Abstract: A method of improving the properties of a component of a medical device entails constraining the component, which comprises about 45-55 at. % Ni, about 45-55 at. % Ti, and about 0.3 at. % Cr, into a predetermined configuration. The component also includes at least about 35% cold work. The component is heated during the constraining at a temperature of between about 425° C. and about 500° C. for a time duration of between about 5 minutes and about 30 minutes, thereby improving the superelastic and mechanical properties of the component. A medical device includes a superelastic component for use in a body vessel that comprises about 45-55 at. % Ni, about 45-55 at. % Ti, and about 0.3 at. % Cr, where the component has an upper plateau strength of at least about 75 ksi, a residual elongation of about 0.1% or less, and an austenite finish temperature (Af) of about 30° C. or less.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed embodiments of biopsy needles having improved radiological visualization properties. Exemplary needles include an outer cannula and a stylet slidable within the cannula. At least a portion of the stylet is radiologically contrasting to at least a part of the cannula. When the stylet is extended from the cannula within the patient, the clinician can observe radiologically where the extended portion of the stylet is, because of the radiological contrast between the stylet and cannula. The clinician can compare that contrasting area to the tissue of interest, to assure that the needle is properly placed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a woven fabric for use in an implantable medical device. The woven fabric comprises shape memory element strands woven with textile strands. At least one of the shape memory element strands has at least one float of at least five textile strands between binding points.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a woven fabric for use in an implantable medical device. The woven fabric comprises shape memory element strands woven with textile strands. At least one of the shape memory element strands has at least one float of at least five textile strands between binding points.

Abstract: A cryopreservation device for storing reproductive biological material is provided. The device comprises an elongate first member includes an elongate first member extending between a distal end and a proximal end, a first bulge portion disposed around a circumference of the first member, and a trough defined within the first member, the trough being configured to receive a reproductive biological sample thereon. A second member includes a second member with a lumen defined therethrough. The second member is configured to slide over the first member and the inner diameter of the second member is similar to an outer diameter of the bulge portion to form a seal between the first and second members.

Abstract: A method of loading a medical device into a delivery system includes providing a two-stage shape memory alloy at a temperature at which at least a portion of the alloy includes austenite. A stress which is sufficient to form R-phase from at least a portion of the austenite is applied to the medical device at the temperature. A delivery configuration of the medical device is obtained, and the medical device is loaded into a restraining member. Preferably, the delivery configuration of the medical device includes stress-induced R-phase.

Abstract: A nickel-titanium-rare earth (Ni—Ti-RE) alloy comprises nickel at a concentration of from about 35 at. % to about 65 at. %, a rare earth element at a concentration of from about 1.5 at. % to about 15 at. %, boron at a concentration of up to about 0.1 at. %, with the balance of the alloy being titanium. In addition to enhanced radiopacity compared to binary Ni—Ti alloys and improved workability, the Ni—Ti-RE alloy preferably exhibits superelastic behavior. A method of processing a Ni—Ti-RE alloy includes providing a nickel-titanium-rare earth alloy comprising nickel at a concentration of from about 35 at. % to about 65 at. %, a rare earth element at a concentration of from about 1.5 at. % to about 15 at. %, the balance being titanium; heating the alloy in a homogenization temperature range below a critical temperature; and forming spheroids of a rare earth-rich second phase in the alloy while in the homogenization temperature range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire guide (20) suitable for use in a body vessel, such as a peripheral vessel. The wire guide comprises a core member (22) and a first coiled member (40), each having proximal and distal ends. In one embodiment, the core member comprises at least one recessed portion (36), wherein the proximal end of the first coiled member is seated at least partially within the recessed portion to form a substantially flush exterior surface with the core member. The wire guide further preferably comprises a second coiled member (50) having proximal and distal ends, wherein the second coiled member is disposed distal to the first coiled member. The distal end of the first coiled member may be partially intertwined with the proximal end of. the second coiled member. A shaping ribbon (60) may be disposed substantially beneath the second coiled member to achieve a desired curvature at the distal tip of the wire guide.

Abstract: An occluding device designed for occlusion of fluid flow through a body cavity. The device comprises a coil and fibers attached to the coil. The coil has a proximal and distal portion, with variable rigidity along the length of the coil. The distal portion has greater rigidity than the proximal portion. The fibers extend from the coil at a length.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved implantable medical device comprising at least one portion made of a radiopaque material selected from the group consisting of various palladium alloys, including a palladium alloy having, by weight, rhenium in the range of up to about 20 percent, and preferably rhenium at about 14 percent of the alloy, by weight. The present invention further provides a wire guide, an embolization coil, a marker band, a stent, a filter, an RF ablation coil, and an electrode having at least one portion made of the radiopaque material.

Abstract: A stent including a stent wire comprising a plurality of filaments twisted into a bundle having a helix, the stent wire bent into a pattern having a plurality of substantially straight wire sections separated by a plurality of bends. The pattern of the stent wire is spirally wound about a central axis in the same direction as the helix formed by the plurality of filaments. Each of the filaments in a bend have a cylindrical cross-section where at least one of the plurality of filaments is displaced and spaced from an immediately adjacent filament in the bend.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes, according to one embodiment, at least one radiopaque and MRI-compatible component comprising an oxide dispersion strengthened metal alloy, where the oxide dispersion strengthened metal alloy has a volume magnetic susceptibility of no greater than about 100×10?6 and a radiopacity greater than that of grade 304 stainless steel.

Abstract: A woven fabric for an implantable medical device includes a plurality of carbon nanotube strands interwoven with a plurality of textile strands, where each carbon nanotube strand comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes. An implantable medical device comprises a component and a fabric secured to the component, where the fabric includes a plurality of woven carbon nanotube strands, and each of the carbon nanotube strands comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that can include an amorphous glass primer layer, an amorphous glass drug-containing layer and a nanoporous amorphous glass top-coat layer is disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a woven fabric for use in an implantable medical device. The woven fabric comprises shape memory element strands woven with textile strands. At least one of the shape memory element strands has at least one float of at least five textile strands between binding points.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nickel-titanium alloy comprising nickel, titanium, and at least one rare earth element. The nickel-titanium alloy comprises from about 34 at. % to about 60 at. % nickel, from about 34 at. % to about 60 at. % titanium, and from about 0.1 at. % to about 15 at. % at least one rare earth element. The nickel-titanium alloy may further include one or more additional alloying elements. In addition to radiopacity, the nickel-titanium alloy preferably exhibits superelastic or shape memory behavior. Medical devices comprising the nickel-titanium alloy and a method of making them are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intravascular stent for controlled release of therapeutic drugs and for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel having a tubular stent member formed of a microcellular porous metal capable of absorbing and releasing therapeutic drugs, wherein a thin layer of a polymeric material is applied to an outer surface of the tubular stent member. A method of making a polymer coated, porous metal stent having sufficient strength and capable of absorbing and releasing therapeutic drugs for the delivery of same in localized drug therapy at an intravascular site is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of manufacturing various medical devices and starting materials by utilizing the processes of high speed injection molding and slurry-based, semi-solid die casting applied to biocompatible metals or metal alloys that may have a high melting point temperature. These devices may be made fully consolidated or porous to allow the devices to act as a functional drug delivery vehicle.