Abstract: A method of forming a stent includes the steps of forming a composite member into a stent pattern, forming openings through an outer member of the composite member, processing the composite member to remove a portion of the composite member without adversely affecting the outer member, and swaging the outer member to create a plurality of lumens. The composite member may be formed of an outer member with an hourglass-shaped inner member, wherein the processing step removes the inner member and the swaging step forms two lumens from the hourglass shaped cavity. The composite member may be formed of an outer member, an inner member, and an intermediate member, wherein the processing step removes the intermediate member and the swaging step presses portions of the outer member into contact with the inner member to form two lumens separated by the inner member.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and retaining a leadless medical implant to tissue, wherein a docking base and the implant are sequentially delivered to an implantation site. In a first stage, the docking base is delivered and deployed into tissue at an implantation site. In a second stage, the implant is navigated through the vasculature and coupled to the docking base. Various mechanisms for navigating the implant to the previously implanted docking base and coupling the implant thereto are described. Navigational mechanisms include advancing the implant over a proximally extending wire portion that is releasably attached to the previously implanted docking base, utilizing fluoroscopic visualization to guide the implant to a previously implanted docking base that is at least partially radiopaque and utilizing electromagnetism to guide the implant to a previously implanted docking base that is electro-magnetizable.

Abstract: A stent includes a plurality of bands aligned generally along a common longitudinal axis. The plurality of bands includes at least a first band having a plurality of first crowns and a second band adjacent to the first band and having a plurality of second crowns. A magnetic connection joins at least one of the first crowns and at least one of the second crowns.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for loading drug onto a stent. The method comprises positioning at least one polymer coated stent on a mandrel, positioning a drug infused sheath onto the stent and diffusing drug from the sheath into the polymer coating of the stent. The system includes a drug coated mandrel and sheath positioned adjacent to and in contact with a polymer coated stent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for loading drug onto a stent. The method comprises positioning at least one polymer coated stent on a mandrel, positioning a drug infused sheath onto the stent and diffusing drug from the sheath into the polymer coating of the stent. The system includes a drug coated mandrel and sheath positioned adjacent to and in contact with a polymer coated stent.

Abstract: A drug eluting implantable device includes an exterior surface on the device and at least one recess formed in the exterior surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for loading drug onto a stent. The method comprises positioning at least one polymer coated stent on a mandrel, positioning a drug infused sheath onto the stent and diffusing drug from the sheath into the polymer coating of the stent. The system includes a drug coated mandrel and sheath positioned adjacent to and in contact with a polymer coated stent.

Abstract: A stent device including a stent body having a plurality of adjacent rows and one or more interconnections or interlocking rings between rows. The interconnections have first and second connecting portions with first ends permanently and immovably coupled to the rows and second ends interlocked with each other, such that the second ends of each portion can move independently of the other. The interconnections include ball and socket joints, hinge joints or universal joints. Interlocking rings have indentations for receiving the other ring, such that when interlocked, the rings will lay flat against a body lumen wall.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition. The system includes a catheter and a stent disposed on the catheter. The system further includes a stent with at least an outer portion of the stent framework coated with a drug polymer solution and a contrast medium substantially covering at least an outer surface of the drug coating disposed on the outer surface of the stent framework. A method of manufacturing the contrast coated stent and a method of using the contrast coated stent is included.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for deploying a stent and infusing a therapeutic agent into tissue adjacent to the ends of the stent. The system comprises a catheter, an inflatable balloon, a stent, and a plurality of infusion elements. The catheter has an inflation lumen and at least one therapeutic agent delivery lumen. The balloon is disposed on the catheter and is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The stent is disposed on the balloon. The infusion elements are positioned adjacent to distal and proximal ends of the stent and are in fluid communication with at least one therapeutic agent delivery lumen. The infusion elements are inserted into a wall of a target region of a vessel responsive to inflation of the balloon. Further inflation of the balloon deploys the stent within the target region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing a stent. A stent framework is provided and inserted into a stent-reduction sleeve having a plurality of apertures formed therein. The stent-reduction sleeve is compressed towards a central axis of the stent framework with a substantially uniform inwardly directed radial force that is generated on the inserted stent framework. The stent diameter of the stent framework is reduced based on the amount of compression. A system for treating a vascular condition and a stent including a sleeve-compressed stent framework are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a catheter flushing device. The device comprises a syringe fitting, a hollow stylet, and a sleeve. The hollow stylet is attached to and in fluid communication with the syringe fitting. The sleeve is attached to the syringe fitting external to and coaxial with the hollow stylet. The hollow stylet is received within a distal end of a catheter, the sleeve surrounding a distal portion of the catheter. The syringe fitting and hollow stylet serve as a flushing cannula for the catheter. The sleeve surrounds a distal portion of the catheter, protecting a treatment device carried on the catheter from contact with the flushing solution. The flushing device is attached to a catheter prior to shipment by the catheter manufacturer or supplier, thus saving the end user time when preparing the catheter for use, and also protecting the treatment device during shipping and storage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stent comprising a stent framework having a plurality of stent framework rings. At least one stent framework ring includes a plurality of interconnected crowns and struts with at least one protruding crown formed by two elongated struts. The protruding crowns of one stent framework ring are connected to corresponding crowns of an adjacent stent framework ring. A system for treating a vascular condition, a method of manufacturing a stent, and a method of reducing polymer bridging within a drug-polymer coated stent are also disclosed.

Abstract: A radially expandable modular stent for implantation within the body of a patient is disclosed. The modular stent includes a first stent module defining a first passageway, at least a second stent module defining at least a second passageway, and a least one polymer bridge in communication with the first stent module and the second stent module. The polymer bridge couples the first stent module to the second stent module such that the first passageway and the second passageway are in fluid communication.