Abstract: A method for polishing radially expandable surgical stents is disclosed where fluid abrasive media M flows over surfaces of the stent 10 causing the surfaces of the stent 10 to be polished and streamlined. The stent 10 is temporarily provided with cylindrical support ends 20, which are not radially expandable to support the stent 10 during the polishing process. An interior polishing fixture 100 is provided which has cylindrical chambers 135 therein adapted to receive a stent 10 therein. Fluid abrasive media M then flows into bores 108 in the fixture 100 leading to the cylindrical chambers 135 and adjacent the inner diameter surfaces of the stent 10. Surfaces of the stent 10 forming the outer diameter are polished by placing the stent 10 within an exterior polishing fixture 200 which has a cylindrical recess 220 therein.

Abstract: A stent delivery system, and methods of use, are provided in which a stent is constrained in a contracted delivery state with binding straps that are electrolytically erodible to deploy the stent. The binding straps are attached to a power source and each have a small electrically uninsulated reduced thickness portion. A second electrode wire is disposed adjacent to the uninsulated areas or separately electrically coupled to an exterior surface of the patient's body. When an electric current is applied, the uninsulated areas of the binding straps are electrolytically eroded and rupture, thereby allowing the stent to at least partially deploy.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for making substantially linear incisions, especially through walls of vessels, such arteries, specifically designed for coronary artery bypass graft procedures (CABG) on the beating heart. The invention is particularly useful to create the incision in the artery to which a bypass graft is sewn, typically the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The instruments allow incisions to be rapidly made, precisely measured and cleanly formed so that a bypass graft can be rapidly sewn in place, without undue trauma to surrounding tissue and excessive loss of blood. In one embodiment, a hand-held instrument has a cutting edge formed on the interior edge of a curved blade fixed near the end of the instrument. The tip of the blade has a point for penetrating the vessel wall which may have several alternate shapes to facilitate penetration of the vessel wall while minimizing to the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A method for polishing radially expandable surgical stents is disclosed where fluid abrasive media M flows over surfaces of the stent 10 causing the surfaces of the stent 10 to be polished and streamlined. The stent 10 is temporarily provided with cylindrical support ends 20, which are not radially expandable to support the stent 10 during the polishing process. An interior polishing fixture 100 is provided which has cylindrical chambers 135 therein adapted to receive a stent 10 therein. Fluid abrasive media M then flows into bores 108 in the fixture 100 leading to the cylindrical chambers 135 and adjacent the inner diameter surfaces of the stent 10. Surfaces of the stent 10 forming the outer diameter are polished by placing the stent 10 within an exterior polishing fixture 200 which has a cylindrical recess 220 therein.

Abstract: A radially expandable surgical stent 10 is provided for implantation into a body lumen. The stent 10 includes a series of circumferential elements 20 circumscribing a central axis 4 of the stent 10 and axially spaced from each other by gaps 40. Each circumferential element 20 includes a wave-like series of bends 30. Each bend 30 has one side defining a trough 32 in and an opposite side defining a crest 36. The trough 32 is that side of the bend 30 most distant from adjacent circumferential elements 20. The crest 36 is that side of each bend 30 closest to adjacent circumferential elements 20. Axial elements 50 span each gap 40 with ends of each axial element 50 attaching to circumferential elements 20 at troughs 32. Some of the axial elements 50 are configured as tie bars 51 extending linearly axially between adjacent circumferential elements 20. Other axial elements 50 can be configured as double bend links 60 extending between adjacent circumferential elements 20.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements consist of ribbon-like material disposed in an undulating pattern. Portions of the expanded stent project outwardly into engagement with the vessel wall to more securely attach the stent.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements consist of ribbon-like material disposed in an undulating pattern. Portions of the expanded stent project outwardly into engagement with the vessel wall to more securely attach the stent.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements consist of ribbon-like material disposed in an undulating pattern. Portions of the expanded stent project outwardly into engagement with the vessel wall to more securely attach the stent.

Abstract: A radially expandable and contractible surgical stent 10 is provided formed from a shape memory material such as a Nickel-Titanium alloy. The stent 10 includes a series of wave-like struts 20 spaced apart by gaps 60. Each gap 60 is spanned by tie bars 70 at a maximum 64 width portion of the gap 60 or by an angled link 80 or a straight link 90 at a minimum 62 width portion of a gap 60. Hence, axial expansion or contraction of the stent 10 is avoided when the stent 10 is radially expanded or contracted. Each strut 20 is formed from a series of substantially linear legs 30 joined together by free bends 40 or attachment bends 50. The legs 30 and bends 40, 50 can be provided with an enhanced thickness 36 to augment resistance of the stent 10 to fracture when radially expanded or contracted. The stent 10 can be radially contracted to a diameter less than one-fourth of its radially expanded configuration when in a martensite phase.

Abstract: A flexible balloon 10 is provided for use in delivering and radially expanding a surgical stent 110. The flexible balloon 10 includes an interior which can be inflated with a fluid to expand the balloon 10 from a collapsed to an inflated radial size. The balloon 10 is formed with an outer surface 22 having a contour which includes a series of substantial cylindrical sections 20 spaced apart by notches 30. The notches 30 have a lesser radial size than that exhibited by the cylindrical sections 20. The notches 30 thus assist the balloon 10 in flexing to allow the balloon 10 to be passed through body lumens L having tight bends therein. A stent 110 is additionally disclosed which includes multiple separate segments 180. The segments 180 are sized to match axial length of the cylindrical sections 20 and are provided with greater flexibility axially between segments 180 than within segments 180 of the stent 110. Thus, areas of flexibility within the stent 110 align with areas of flexibility in the balloon 10.

Abstract: An elongated flexible housing for an atherectomy or other intracorporeal catheter which is formed of a shape memory alloy such as an alloy formed predominantly of NiTi intermetallic compound. The housing preferably has an inner chamber with a tissue cutter or other diagnostic or therapeutic system provided within the chamber to sever stenotic material which is urged into the chamber through a opening or window in the housing. In one embodiment the housing has at least one section which is relatively flexible with adjacent sections which are relatively stiff to provide an increase in the overall flexibility of the housing.

Abstract: A radially expandable surgical stent is provided with a helical element 20 extending from a first end 12 of the stent 10 to a second end 14 of the stent 10 with a series of turns 26. Each turn 26 of the helical element 20 includes bends 30, 32, 34 therein which can have their radius of curvature 35 increased to expand the stent 10 radially. The stent 10 resists an accordion effect caused when axial contracting forces are applied to the stent, by having axial elements 50 between turns 26 in the helical element 20. The axial elements 50 span gaps 44 between adjacent turns 26 and maintain a spacing between the turns 26.

Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing device, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing device such that the contraction of the beating heart causes only minimal excess motion at the surgery site.

Abstract: A stent delivery system, and methods of use, are provided in which a stent is constrained in a contracted delivery state with binding straps that are electrolytically eroded to deploy the stent. The binding straps are attached to a power source and each have a small electrically uninsulated reduced thickness portion. A second electrode wire is disposed adjacent to the uninsulated areas or separately electrically coupled to an exterior surface of the patient's body. When an electric current is applied, the uninsulated areas of the binding straps are electrolytically eroded and rupture, thereby allowing the stent to at least partially deploy.

Abstract: A surgical stent (10) is provided which can be radially expanded away from a central axis (2) within a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent (10) is formed from a series of struts (20) circumscribing a cylindrical contour of the stent (10). Each strut (20) has a series of bends (30) formed therein with each bend including at least one trough (32) and at least one crest (36). Gaps (40) are provided between adjacent struts (20). Each gap (40) is spanned by an axial element such as a tie bar (50). Each tie bar (50) attaches to adjacent struts (20) through troughs (32) so that when the stent (10) is radially expanded, the struts (20) are not drawn together, but rather maintain their position and the stent (10) hence maintains its axial length without contracting. Other elements can alternatively be provided between adjacent circumferential elements to provide varying degrees of flexibility between adjacent struts (20).

Abstract: A grant-and-stent combination is disclosed for deploying by an intravascular delivery system at the site of an aneurysm, the combination being expandable from a first diameter to a second, larger diameter to hold open and press the graft against regions of the body lumen just proximal and distal to the aneurysm. The combination is characterized by one or more stents that are flexible due to independently expandable and interconnected cylindrical elements, which provide sufficient radial strength to the combination when the graft-and-stent are being attached to the vessel, but which nonetheless afford sufficient resiliency to allow a great degree of expansion at a rapid rate when the combination is being deployed. Attachment elements in the form of hooks are provided to securely affix the ends of the stent extending distally and proximally of the graft after expansion to the walls of the vessel just distally and proximally of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A surgical stent (10) is provided which can be radially expanded away from a central axis (2) within a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent (10) is formed from a series of struts (20) circumscribing a cylindrical contour of the stent (10). Each strut (20) has a series of bends (30) formed therein with each bend including at least one trough (32) and at least one crest (36). Gaps (40) are provided between adjacent struts (20). Each gap (40) is spanned by an axial element such as a tie bar (50) or links (180). Each tie bar (50) attaches to adjacent struts (20) through troughs (32) so that when the stent (10) is radially expanded, the struts (20) are not drawn together, but rather maintain their position and the stent (10) hence maintains its axial length without contracting. Other elements such as the links (180) can be provided spanning the gaps (140) to provide enhanced flexibility for the surgical stent (110) including such links (180).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming or shaping an intraluminal stent for low profile delivery into a body lumen. A nickel titanium intraluminal stent has a tubular member formed from a plurality of coils which are bent to form lobe-shaped members, like a cloverleaf, to reduce the profile of the tubular member and form an involuted spring stent. The involuted spring stent will transform to the implanted diameter of the tubular member when exposed to body heat. The involuted spring stent can be attached to a tubular graft, or coated with a polymeric material to form an involuted spring graft, both of which can be used to repair aortic aneurysms.

Abstract: An elongated flexible housing for an atherectomy or other intracorporeal catheter which is formed of a shape memory alloy such ass an alloy formed predominantly of NiTi intermetallic compound. The housing preferably has an inner chamber with a tissue cutter or other diagnostic or therapeutic system provided within the chamber to sever stenotic material which is urged into the chamber through a opening or window in the housing. In one embodiment the housing has at least one section which is relatively flexible with adjacent sections which are relatively stiff to provide an increase in the overall flexibility of the housing.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for making substantially linear incisions, especially through the wall of vessels, such as arteries, specifically designed for coronary artery bypass graft procedures (CABG) on the beating heart. The invention is particularly useful to create the incision in the artery to which a bypass graft is sewn, typically the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The instruments allow incisions to be rapidly made, precisely measured, and cleanly formed so that a bypass graft can be rapidly sewn in place, without undue trauma to surrounding tissue and excessive loss of blood. In one embodiment, a hand-held instrument has a cutting edge formed on the interior edge of a curved blade fixed near the end of the instrument. The tip of the blade has a point for penetrating the vessel wall which may have several alternate shapes to facilitate penetration of the vessel wall while minimizing trauma to the surrounding tissue.