Abstract: An incision device 10 is provided for precisely initiating and controlling the depth of an incision I in an artery A, such as a coronary artery A of a heart H, particularly while the heart H is beating. A handle 12 is provided for grasping by a surgeon and from which an arm 40 adjustably extends. A blade 70 is located at a free end 44 of the arm 40. A front depth control pin 80 and a rear depth control pin 90 are oriented parallel to each other and perpendicular to a plane in which the arm 40 and handle 12 are oriented and perpendicular to a cutting plane in which the cutting edge 74 of the blade 70 is oriented. The two depth control pins 80,90 together define a depth control plane with the cutting edge 74 of the blade 70 extending below the depth control plane to a desired maximum depth. The blade 70 is spaced sufficiently away from the front depth control pin 80 that the front depth control pin 80 can be located adjacent the artery A before the incision I is initiated.

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 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: Radiopaque marker elements for attachment to ends of a radially expandable surgical stent are disclosed. Each radiopaque marker element is homogeneously formed from a radiopaque material and attached through an attachment means to ends of the stent. The radiopaque marker elements enhance the visibility of the stent when the stent is viewed with a medical imaging device, such as a fluoroscope. The marker elements extend beyond ends of the stent. The marker elements are attached to the stent before radial expansion and are configured to radially expand along with the stent during surgical implantation thereof within a body lumen, such as an artery. The radiopaque marker elements can either be attached to an unmodified radially expandable surgical stent or to a prepped stent which includes receivers at ends of the stent particularly configured to attach to the radiopaque marker elements.

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 dtent.

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 coupler is provided for connecting a stent and a vascular graft for repairing aneurysms. An intravascular stent is connected to a vascular graft by a coupler having a high degree of elasticity so that the stent-coupler-graft assembly can be implanted to repair a body passageway, including aortic aneurysms.

Abstract: A radiopaque marker associated with a stent which is adapted to be implanted into a patient's body lumen to maintain the patency thereof and a convenient and accurate method for affixing the radiopaque marker to the stent. The radiopaque marker defining an acceptable profile and capable of facilitating, under fluoroscopy, the identification of the position, diameter and length of a stent without obscuring the lesion being repaired and without impeding the deformation of an expandable stent.

Abstract: A surgical stent 10 is provided which is formed of a plurality of stent segments 40 having a streamlined contour. Each stent segment 40 includes an outer surface 42 spaced from an inner surface 44. The inner surface 44 is bordered by inner edges 54, 56 and the outer surface 42 is bordered by outer edges 50, 52. The outer edges 50, 52 have a contour defined by outer curves 64, 66 and the inner edges 54, 56 have a contour defined by inner curves 60, 62. Radii of curvature for the inner curves 70, 72 are greater than radii of curvature for the outer curves 64, 66. The inner surface 44 is thus streamlined for passage of blood/bodily fluid B adjacent the inner surface 44 and the outer surface 42 is particularly configured for maximum adherence without irritation to an inner surface S of a body lumen L, such as an artery.

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: 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: An cutter apparatus for removing obstructive tissue has a distal housing having a window for invaginating tissue. An axially reciprocating and rotating cutting blade makes successive longitudinal cuts while slowly rotating across the open window. An axial guide assembly holds the cutting edge of the blade in a cutting path immediately adjacent to the inner surface of the housing. The shape and motion of the cutting blade pares off a generally uniformly thick slice of tissue from the stenosis and directs it toward the interior of the housing. A spiral parting edge opposed to the rotating cutting edge provides clean separation of the tissue slice from the stenosis. The tissue slice is received in a chamber internal to the housing and is retained by the blade and guide assembly for later removal from the patient.

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. The stents are made by coating a length of tubing with an etchant-resistive material and then selectively removing portions of the coating to form a pattern for the stent on the tubing and to expose the portions of the tubing to be removed. This may done by machine-controlled activation and relative positioning of a laser in conjunction with the coated tubing. After the patterning of the tubing, the stent is formed by removing exposed portions of the tubing by an etching process.

Abstract: A method and system for making a three dimensional product wherein the size and shape of a plurality of cross-sectional segments of the three dimensional object are determined which when assembled together in a particular sequence form the desired three dimensional shape. Thin layers of material in the shape of each of the cross-sectional segments are applied in the particular sequence in which they form the three dimensional object. The application of each of the layers is much like a lithographic printing process in that a resin may be applied by a roller in the shape of the cross-sectional segments.

Abstract: A method for removing excess etchant from a work piece after the work piece exits an etching chamber. The steps include sensing the presence of the work piece as it exits the chamber and subjecting the work piece to a gas liquid spray to remove excess etchant, capture the excess etchant and recycle the captured excess etchant.

Abstract: Etching method and etching and etchant removal apparatus. A specific embodiment includes two sets of fan spray nozzles located adjacent to the etching chamber and positioned to direct a spray at the work piece as the work piece exits the etching chamber. A sensor is also located adjacent to the etching chamber for turning the nozzles on when the work piece is present. Hydrometer means for determining the specific gravity of the etchant solution controls one set of nozzles whereby the nozzles are turned on to decrease the density of the etchant and turned off to increase the density of the etchant.

Abstract: A metal abrading material formed from acid etching with a resist pattern comprising a plurality of polygonal shapes with accentuated corners dispersed in a pattern chosen to intermix cutting points with planing edges.

Abstract: A metal abrading material formed from acid etching with a resist pattern comprising a plurality of polygonal shapes with accentuated corners dispersed in a pattern chosen to intermix cutting points with planing edges.

Abstract: An etched metal abrasive formed from a laminated sheet of steel having a top layer of high carbon steel and a base layer of low carbon steel.