Abstract: A stent comprises at least one stent member woven to form a substantially tubular body that defines a flow path. The tubular body comprises a first region and a second region. In the first region the at least one stent member defines a plurality of first region openings and in the second region at least one first portion of the at least one member and at least one second portion of the at least one member are engaged together to form at least one primary strand. The at least one primary strand defines a plurality of second region openings. The at least one of the plurality of second region openings is in fluid communication with the flow path. The plurality of second region openings provide the second region with a greater porosity than the first region.

Abstract: A method of measuring blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of a stenosis in a vessel carrying blood includes the steps of providing a guide wire having both a pressure sensor and a velocity sensor disposed on a distal region of the guide wire, introducing the guide wire into the vessel, advancing the guide wire to position the pressure sensor and the velocity sensor proximally and distally of the stenosis, and measuring the blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of the stenosis with the pressure sensor and the velocity sensor.

Abstract: A stent comprises at least one stent member woven to form a substantially tubular body that defines a flow path. The tubular body comprises a first region and a second region. In the first region the at least one stent member defines a plurality of first region openings and in the second region at least one first portion of the at least one member and at least one second portion of the at least one member are engaged together to form at least one primary strand. The at least one primary strand defines a plurality of second region openings. The at least one of the plurality of second region openings is in fluid communication with the flow path. The plurality of second region openings provide the second region with a greater porosity than the first region.

Abstract: A stent comprises at least one stent member woven to form a substantially tubular body that defines a flow path. The tubular body comprises a first region and a second region. In the first region the at least one stent member defines a plurality of first region openings and in the second region at least one first portion of the at least one member and at least one second portion of the at least one member are engaged together to form at least one primary strand. The at least one primary strand defines a plurality of second region openings. The at least one of the plurality of second region openings is in fluid communication with the flow path. The plurality of second region openings provide the second region with a greater porosity than the first region.

Abstract: A method of measuring blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of a stenosis in a vessel carrying blood includes the steps of providing a guide wire having both a pressure sensor and a velocity sensor disposed on a distal region of the guide wire, introducing the guide wire into the vessel, advancing the guide wire to position the pressure sensor and the velocity sensor proximally and distally of the stenosis, and measuring the blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of the stenosis with the pressure sensor and the velocity sensor.

Abstract: A method of measuring blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of a stenosis in a vessel carrying blood includes the steps of providing a guide wire having both a pressure sensor and a velocity sensor disposed on a distal region of the guide wire, introducing the guide wire into the vessel, advancing the guide wire to position the pressure sensor and the velocity sensor proximally and distally of the stenosis, and measuring the blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of the stenosis with the pressure sensor and the velocity sensor.

Abstract: Hypotubes such as micromachined hypotubes can include one or more tie layers appropriate for subsequent application of a hydrophilic coating. In particular, a medical device may include a micromachined hypotube having a level of flexibility and a tie layer disposed over the hypotube such that the medical device has a level of flexibility at least substantially equivalent to the level of flexibility of the hypotube.

Abstract: A method of measuring blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of a stenosis in a vessel carrying blood includes the steps of providing a guide wire having both a pressure sensor and a velocity sensor disposed on a distal region of the guide wire, introducing the guide wire into the vessel, advancing the guide wire to position the pressure sensor and the velocity sensor proximally and distally of the stenosis, and measuring the blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of the stenosis with the pressure sensor and the velocity sensor.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent delivery assembly includes a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a distal region, a lumen, and a longitudinal axis. A retractable sheath having an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end is co-axially disposed around the shaft distal region. A stent is disposed co-axially between the shaft and the retractable sheath. A tubular tapered tip is affixed to the retractable sheath distal end. The tubular tapered tip has an elongate region predisposed to fracturing. Methods of delivering a self-expanding stent are also described.

Abstract: A stent comprises at least one stent member woven to form a substantially tubular body that defines a flow path. The tubular body comprises a first region and a second region. In the first region the at least one stent member defines a plurality of first region openings and in the second region at least one first portion of the at least one member and at least one second portion of the at least one member are engaged together to form at least one primary strand. The at least one primary strand defines a plurality of second region openings. The at least one of the plurality of second region openings is in fluid communication with the flow path. The plurality of second region openings provide the second region with a greater porosity than the first region.