Abstract: A medical device such as a stent (10) or medical balloon (40) is functionalised prior to coating with a bioactive material (54), specifically by acidification or basification of the contact surface or surfaces (50) of the medical device. Functionalisation with subsequent coating of bioactive agent directly onto the functionalised surface provides a significantly more consistent and reliable coating of bioactive agent on a medical device without requiring containment or time release devices.

Abstract: This application is directed generally to minicircle DNA vectors for the vaccination of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The transgene expression cassette in the minicircle DNA vector includes: a eukaryotic translation initiation nucleotide sequence, a mutant nucleotide sequence that encodes a foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) capsid polyprotein precursor that contains at least one mutation to eliminate a restriction enzyme recognition site, a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protease that cleaves the FMDV capsid polyprotein precursor into a plurality of FMDV capsid proteins and a translational regulatory element to regulate the expression of the protease. The minicircle DNA vectors can be transfected directly into the cell of a mammalian host. When transfected into the mammalian host cell, virus-like particles can be produced intrinsically to stimulate the mammalian host's immune system to develop adaptive immunity toward foot-and-mouth disease.

Abstract: A stent and method for treating an end of a pre-woven stent is provided. The method includes providing a pre-woven stent including a plurality of sharp ends. A pair of wire portions that extend in opposite helical directions around the stent are bent and woven into the stent to define a pair of overlapping crown portions. When the wires are woven into the stent a double weave portion of the stent is defined. The wires can be cut to define tail portions that are removed from the stent, leaving a single crown portion. The sharp ends can be alternatively treated by curving the ends to define rounded looped ends.

Abstract: A medical needle including an elongate tubular body having an outer wall defining at least one longitudinal lumen is provided. The at least one longitudinal lumen may be configured to provide access for at least one of a wire guide, a therapeutic tool, a diagnostic tool, a medicament, and/or contrast fluid. The body may be configured with sufficient length and flexibility to be extended out of and operated through a working channel of a surgical endoscope. The body further includes one or more wires embedded in, and secured substantially immovably relative to, the outer wall. A distal end of the body includes a needle tip configured with at least one sharpened surface configured to penetrate into body tissue.

Abstract: A delivery system for a self-expanding medical device is provided. The delivery system includes an outer sheath that radially restrains the medical device. First and second inner catheters are disposed within the outer sheath. The first inner catheter is a composite structure with a closed coil wire covered by a polymer outer layer. The second inner catheter is disposed within the closed coil wire but is not attached to the closed coil wire.

Abstract: A prosthesis and a method of controlling flow through a bodily lumen are provided. The prosthesis includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough. The prosthesis also includes a first valve and a second valve operably connected to the body. The first valve has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a distal end extending distally relative to the proximal portion of the body and a lumen extending through the first valve. The first valve is closed in the absence of a second and third pressure that are greater than a first pressure. The second valve has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a distal end extending distally relative to a proximal portion of the body and a lumen extending through the second valve, the distal end of the first valve extending distal to the distal end of the second valve.

Abstract: A prosthesis and a method for making a prosthesis for controlling flow through a bodily lumen are provided. The prosthesis includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough and further includes a valve operably connected to the body. The valve has a distal end including a first portion of a surface of the valve lumen and a second portion of the surface that contact each other and form a seal in a closed configuration. The distal end of the valve is formed such that the first portion and the second portion of the surface of the valve lumen contact each other and the distal end is configured to open in response to a pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a bioactive material coated on a contact surface. The contact surface and bioactive material each has a defined surface energy density comprising a polar component and a non-polar component. The polar components of the surface energies are substantially matched and the non-polar components of the surface energies are substantially matched so as to allow optimised bonding and elution of the material when in situ within a patient. A method for manufacturing the device is also provided.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices are described. For example, various implantable medical devices having a sleeve with differential wall thicknesses are described. An exemplary medical device comprises a frame and a sleeve that has a first configuration where the sleeve is in an extended position and a second configuration where the sleeve is in an inverted position.

Abstract: A single-wire stylet may be constructed as an elongate single-wire, memory-metal alloy body with a generally cylindrical body profile, extending distally from a proximal end terminus, where embodiments include a polymeric distal tip member fixedly attached directly at a distal end of the single-wire body. At least one lengthwise portion of the single-wire body is at least partially in martensitic phase at operating temperatures at and below about 37° C. Where present, the polymeric distal tip member has a generally cylindrical body profile circumferentially bounded by an outer circumference substantially equal to or greater than that of the metal body. The polymeric distal tip member may be overmolded upon a distal-end tip length of an elongate single-wire, memory-metal alloy stylet body, where the distal end and/or discrete intermediate distal-portion length(s) that include martensitic-phase alloy and any polymeric member have greater flexibility than a proximal-most length of the alloy stylet body.

Abstract: A prosthesis and a method of manufacturing the prosthesis for controlling flow through a bodily lumen are provided. The prosthesis includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough. The prosthesis also includes a valve operably connected to the body. The valve has a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending through the valve, where the valve lumen is connected to the body lumen. The valve is configured to be closed in the absence of an antegrade pressure and a retrograde pressure, the retrograde pressure being greater than the antegrade pressure. The valve includes a material portion operably connected to the valve, the material portion providing increased stiffness to the valve relative to the valve alone, wherein the material portion is configured to facilitate self-reversion of the valve to the closed configuration.

Abstract: A delivery system for a self-expanding medical device is provided. The delivery system includes an outer sheath that radially restrains the medical device. First and second inner catheters are disposed within the outer sheath. The first inner catheter is a composite structure with a closed coil wire covered by a polymer outer layer. The second inner catheter is disposed within the closed coil wire but is not attached to the closed coil wire.

Abstract: A prosthesis and a method for making a prosthesis for controlling flow through a bodily lumen are provided. The prosthesis includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough and further includes a valve operably connected to the body. The valve has a distal end including a first portion of a surface of the valve lumen and a second portion of the surface that contact each other and form a seal in a closed configuration. The distal end of the valve is formed such that the first portion and the second portion of the surface of the valve lumen contact each other and the distal end is configured to open in response to a pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A fiducial deployment system may include one or more of a needle including a dimpled retention structure configured to releasably retain a plurality of fiducials, each of which includes a central aperture (which may be embodied as a groove or similar opening); a retention/deployment stylet that traverses through each fiducial's central aperture and releasably engages a distalmost fiducial of the plurality of fiducials with a splayed distal stylet end; a pusher cannula member; and echogenic dimpling and/or other echogenic-enhancing features on at least a distal portion of the needle.

Abstract: A stent delivery system, a dilator system and a method for implanting a stent are provided. The stent delivery system includes an elongate shaft including a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, and a stent receiving portion on the distal portion of the shaft. The stent delivery system also includes a stent positioned at the stent receiving portion of the elongate shaft, the stent having a constrained configuration and an expanded configuration. A proximal constraining member and a distal constraining member releasably connected to the stent and having a first position and a second position are also included. The proximal constraining member and the distal constraining member cooperatively apply longitudinal tensile force to at least a portion of the stent with the proximal and distal constraining members each in the first position.

Abstract: A prosthesis and a method of manufacturing the prosthesis for controlling flow through a bodily lumen are provided. The prosthesis includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough. The prosthesis also includes a valve operably connected to the body. The valve has a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending through the valve, where the valve lumen is connected to the body lumen. The valve is configured to be closed in the absence of an antegrade pressure and a retrograde pressure, the retrograde pressure being greater than the antegrade pressure. The valve includes a material portion operably connected to the valve, the material portion providing increased stiffness to the valve relative to the valve alone, wherein the material portion is configured to facilitate self-reversion of the valve to the closed configuration.

Abstract: Devices are illustrated which provide for accurately controlling the extension of a needle from a protective sheath to increase accuracy and improve the outcome of the treatment procedure.

Abstract: A collapsing structure for collapsing the crowns of a stent and method of use thereof are described. The collapsing structure comprises an inner filament engaged to an outer filament. The outer filament is interwoven through at least a portion of the crowns of the stent end so as to create a plurality of loops. The inner filament is interwoven through at least a portion of the loops of the outer filament. Pulling on the inner filament causes the loops of the outer filament to be pulled radially inward, thereby pulling the crowns towards each other to collapse the stent end.

Abstract: Devices are illustrated which provide for accurately controlling the extension of a needle from a protective sheath to increase accuracy and improve the outcome of the treatment procedure.

Abstract: A medical needle including an elongate tubular body having an outer wall defining at least one longitudinal lumen is provided. The at least one longitudinal lumen may be configured to provide access for at least one of a wire guide, a therapeutic tool, a diagnostic tool, a medicament, and/or contrast fluid. The body may be configured with sufficient length and flexibility to be extended out of and operated through a working channel of a surgical endoscope. The body further includes one or more wires embedded in, and secured substantially immovably relative to, the outer wall. A distal end of the body includes a needle tip configured with at least one sharpened surface configured to penetrate into body tissue.