Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantating in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a guidewire having a distal section with multiple distally tapered core segments with at least two contiguous distally tapering core segments in which the most distal tapered core segment preferably has a greater degree of taper than the proximally contiguous tapered core segment. The invention is also directed to an elongated intracorporeal device, preferably a guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal section of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that preferably is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal section of the device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a guidewire having a distal section with multiple distally tapered core segments with at least two contiguous distally tapering core segments in which the most distal tapered core segment preferably has a greater degree of taper than the proximally contiguous tapered core segment. The invention is also directed to an elongated intracorporeal device, preferably a guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal section of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that preferably is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal section of the device.

Abstract: A support catheter that can be used to aid positioning of a guidewire and other medical devices. The support catheter includes a catheter body having a length, and a supporting structure formed or disposed in or on the catheter body. The catheter support structure, whether alone or in combination with the other portions of the support catheter, provides flexibility, stiffness, and torqueability to the support catheter.

Abstract: A dual lumen guidewire support catheter for accurately crossing a chronic total occlusion in a vessel is disclosed. The dual lumen guidewire support catheter includes a first lumen portion and a second lumen portion sharing a common side and a common distal end. The first lumen portion can be a rapid exchange or over-the-wire portion, while the second lumen portion is an over the wire portion. One or both of the portions can include a discontinuity to enable removal of a guidewire following placement through or at an occlusion or lesion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a guidewire having a distal section with multiple distally tapered core segments with at least two contiguous distally tapering core segments in which the most distal tapered core segment preferably has a greater degree of taper than the proximally contiguous tapered core segment. The invention is also directed to an elongated intracorporeal device, preferably a guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal section of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that preferably is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal section of the device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantating in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.

Abstract: A system for delivering a contrast medium to a treatment site including a delivery device, and a portable power injector. The delivery device includes a guidewire lumen and a contrast injection lumen, the guidewire lumen and contrast injection lumen being at least partially coaxial. The portable power injector includes an injector body and is configured to contain a contrast medium. The injector body has a plunger disposed therein. The portable power injector also includes a pressure generator, the pressure generator being configured to apply a pressure to the plunger to drive the contrast medium from the injector body and through a distal end of the contrast injection lumen.

Abstract: A stent configuration wherein a radiopaque material is completely encapsulated in a skin of biocompatible material to prevent the exposure of radiopaque materials to living tissue and to prevent galvanic corrosion between disparate metals. The stent is initially formed and rendered radiopaque after which all surfaces are coated with the biocompatible material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantating in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantating in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.

Abstract: A stent configuration wherein a radiopaque material is completely encapsulated in a skin of biocompatible material to prevent the exposure of radiopaque materials to living tissue and to prevent galvanic corrosion between disparate metals. The stent is initially formed and rendered radiopaque after which all surfaces are coated with the biocompatible material.

Abstract: A balloon catheter with a balloon having first and second tapered sections adjacent the distal and proximal ends of the working length of the balloon, respectively, and third and fourth tapered sections adjacent the first and second tapered section, respectively. The first and second tapered sections taper at a first angle to a smaller outer diameter than the inflated outer diameter of the working length inflated within a deployment range of the balloon, and the third and fourth tapered sections taper at a second angle larger than the first angle. The balloon has expandable retention sections proximal and the distal to the working length of the balloon for inhibiting migration of a stent mounted on the balloon.

Abstract: A balloon catheter with a balloon having first and second tapered sections adjacent the distal and proximal ends of the working length of the balloon, respectively, and third and fourth tapered sections adjacent the first and second tapered section, respectively. The first and second tapered sections taper at a first angle to a smaller outer diameter than the inflated outer diameter of the working length inflated within a deployment range of the balloon, and the third and fourth tapered sections taper at a second angle larger than the first angle. The balloon has expandable retention sections proximal and the distal to the working length of the balloon for inhibiting migration of a stent mounted on the balloon.

Abstract: A balloon catheter with a balloon having first and second tapered sections adjacent the distal and proximal ends of the working length of the balloon, respectively, and third and fourth tapered sections adjacent the first and second tapered section, respectively. The first and second tapered sections taper at a first angle to a smaller outer diameter than the inflated outer diameter of the working length inflated within a deployment range of the balloon, and the third and fourth tapered sections taper at a second angle larger than the first angle. The balloon has expandable retention sections proximal and the distal to the working length of the balloon for inhibiting migration of a stent mounted on the balloon.

Abstract: A motor controller for providing a constant rate of change of pressure during inflation and deflation of an expandable member of a catheter for use in a body lumen by an automated inflation system is disclosed. The system conforms the rate of change of pressure to a set point value by means of a feedback loop controller, and makes possible consistent inflations and deflations using an automated system regardless of variations in catheter volume and compliance characteristics. Safety features such as maximum pressure and balloon rupture alarms are also disclosed.