Abstract: A system for dilating a stenosed vessel is provided. The system includes a balloon mounted on a catheter shaft, the balloon being composed of a first material and fibers forming a grid attached to a surface of the balloon or integrated within a wall thereof. The fibers are composed of a second material having less elasticity than the first material such that when the balloon is inflated beyond a predetermined pressure balloon regions protrude from the grid formed by the fibers.

Abstract: A multi-element, bioresorbable, vascular stent may be used to maintain or enhance patency of a blood vessel. The stent may be used in peripheral blood vessels, which may be long and/or tortuous. By using multiple, separate stent elements that are balloon expandable, the multi-element stent may be stronger than a traditional self-expanding stent but may also be more flexible, due to its multiple-element configuration, than a traditional balloon-expandable stent. Thus, the multi-element, bioresorbable, vascular stent described herein may be particularly advantageous for treating long lesions in tortuous peripheral blood vessels.

Abstract: A system for dilating a stenosed vessel is provided. The system includes a balloon mounted on a catheter shaft, the balloon being composed of a first material and fibers forming a grid attached to a surface of the balloon or integrated within a wall thereof. The fibers are composed of a second material having less elasticity than the first material such that when the balloon is inflated beyond a predetermined pressure balloon regions protrude from the grid formed by the fibers.

Abstract: Devices constrain a distal portion or region of a wire, such as a guidewire or a filterwire, from movement at or near a proximal portion or region of the wire. A magnetic field may be used to constrain a wire passing through a hub. A clamping apparatus may include first and second clamps that, when used in combination, restrain wire movement while advancing an exchange device. A guide catheter may include an anchor movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.