Abstract: The invention relates to an expandable marker device having a pre-delivery state, a delivery state and at least one active region. The at least one active region incorporates electroactive polymer material. In addition, the expandable marker includes at least one radiopaque material to enhance observation through a medical imaging device.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an outer shaft comprising a first section of electroactive polymer. The first section of electroactive polymer affecting either the flexibility of the catheter or the steerability of the catheter.

Abstract: Medical devices or components thereof having electroactive polymer actuators embedded within at least a portion of the device of component thereof, and novel electroactive polymer actuators formed with a conductive substrate layer and an electroactive polymer layer, the electroactive polymer actuated upon application of a voltage to surrounding liquid electrolyte, the actuators may be embedded within an inert polymer matrix material, or within solid polyelectrolyte matrix material.

Abstract: A system for reducing the diameter of a stent comprises a stent contracting assembly and a fluid source. The assembly comprises a plurality of contracting members that define a diameter reduction chamber for receiving a stent. When the chamber is in a pre-reduction configuration the stent has a first diameter and when the chamber is in a reduced configuration the stent has a second diameter. The second diameter is less than the first diameter. The fluid source is in fluid communication with the chamber and is constructed and arranged to inject a fluid therein. The fluid forms a fluid bearing between the contracting members and the stent which prevents the contracting members from contacting the stent in the reduced diameter configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to implantable or insertable medical devices that contain a substrate and one or more electrical circuits disposed over the substrate. The electrical circuits in the devices of the present invention contain at least one multilayer region, which in turn contains (a) a plurality of polyelectroyte layers which contain at least one type of polyelectrolyte and/or (b) a plurality of particle layers which contain at least one type of charged particle.

Abstract: A stent may comprise a plurality of serpentine bands that overlap along the length of the stent. Each serpentine band may comprise a plurality of alternating first struts and second struts connected by a plurality of alternating proximal turns and distal turns. Each first strut defines a curvilinear path different from that of each second strut.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base and a coating disposed on the base. A therapeutic agent is disposed on at least one of the base or the coating. A vibration device is coupled to the base. The vibration device is configured to cause movement of the base such that at least a portion of the therapeutic agent is released from the base or the coating. A method includes inserting a stent into a body lumen of a patient. The stent has a base, a coating disposed on at least a portion of the base, and a therapeutic agent carried by at least one of the base or the coating. The stent is vibrated such that at least a portion of the therapeutic agent is released from the stent.

Abstract: A stent can comprise a tubular body having a first region and a second region. The tubular body is defined by a plurality of serpentine bands. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of alternating proximal turns and distal turns connected by struts. The second region comprises a first serpentine band and a second serpentine band that overlap one another about a common stent circumference. The first region comprises a serpentine band that is not overlapped by another serpentine band about a common stent circumference.

Abstract: A catheter tip has an outer surface section, an inner surface section, a spatial configuration and at least one segment of electroactive polymer. The inner surface section defines a guide wire lumen. The electroactive polymer has an actuated state and a non-actuated state. In an actuated state, the electroactive polymer alters the spatial configuration of the catheter tip.

Abstract: A stent assembly comprises a rotatable sheath and a stent. The assembly is crimped or reduced in diameter prior to loading onto a catheter by one or more crimping apparatuses. One crimping apparatus comprises a blade having a stepped configuration. A mandrel may be used to support the assembly during crimping. The mandrel may have an expandable region. A protective sheath may be used to protect the stent during crimping and to redirect the crimping forces to desired locations about the assembly.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter, a balloon, a plurality of guidewire housings, and a stent. The stent is disposed about the balloon. At least a portion of each of the guidewire housings is positioned between the stent and the balloon.

Abstract: A system for protecting a stent includes an electroactive polymer (EAP) sleeve, a stent, a balloon catheter, and a voltage source. A voltage is applied to the EAP sleeve, whereupon the EAP sleeve expands. The stent, disposed about the balloon catheter is inserted into the region defined by the inner surface of the EAP sleeve. The voltage is removed, whereupon the EAP sleeve contracts.

Abstract: The stent placement dilation balloon assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end, a distal end portion, and a proximal end, a balloon mounted to, about, and around the distal end portion of the catheter. The assembly further includes an elastic sheath positioned about and around the balloon. The outer surface of the sheath includes a profile which encourages stent securement. A stent is mounted on the sleeve for placement in a vessel in a human body.

Abstract: A medical device at least a portion of which has a degradable coating, the coating degrading in an aqueous environment, and to methods of making and using the same. The coating may be a layer-by-layer coating, the first layer comprising a material having a positive charge and the second layer comprising a material having a negative charge.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter shaft having a proximal region a distal region and a rotational seal therebetween. The rotational seal comprises a first component fixedly engaged to the proximal region and a second component fixedly engaged to the distal region. The components engaged in an overlapping arrangement. The rotational seal is actuatable between a non-activated and activated states. In the non-activated state the first component and the second component are separated by a gap which provides for the distal region of the catheter shaft to be rotatable relative to the proximal region. In the activated state at least a portion of the fist component and the second component being sealingly engaged together such that distal region is made static relative to the proximal region.

Abstract: Medical devices, for example, those that have balloons, and methods of making the devices are described. In some embodiments, a method includes providing a medical balloon having a first cone portion and a body portion, and removing material from an outer surface the body portion of the balloon such that the balloon includes a first region and a second region, the first region being recessed relative to the second region.

Abstract: A medical device may be secured to a medical device delivery apparatus by providing a wrapped medical device, the wrapped medical device comprising a medical device with a polymeric sheet disposed thereabout, compressing the wrapped medical device and affixing at least one opposing edge of the polymeric sheet to a portion of the polymeric sheet adjacent thereto so as to form a sheathed medical device and securing the sheathed medical device to a medical device delivery apparatus.

Abstract: A stent assembly comprises a rotatable sheath and a stent. The assembly is crimped or reduced in diameter prior to loading onto a catheter by one or more crimping apparatuses. One crimping apparatus comprises a blade having a stepped configuration. A mandrel may be used to support the assembly during crimping. The mandrel may have an expandable region. A protective sheath may be used to protect the stent during crimping and to redirect the crimping forces to desired locations about the assembly.

Abstract: A system for reducing the diameter of a stent comprises a stent contracting assembly and a fluid source. The assembly comprises a plurality of contracting members that define a diameter reduction chamber for receiving a stent. When the chamber is in a pre-reduction configuration the stent has a first diameter and when the chamber is in a reduced configuration the stent has a second diameter. The second diameter is less than the first diameter. The fluid source is in fluid communication with the chamber and is constructed and arranged to inject a fluid therein. The fluid forms a fluid bearing between the contracting members and the stent which prevents the contracting members from contacting the stent in the reduced diameter configuration.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter, a rotatable sheath, a guidewire housing and a stent. The rotatable sheath is disposed about at least a portion of the catheter shaft and is rotatable thereabout. The stent is disposed about a stent receiving region of the rotatable sheath and at least a portion of the guidewire housing. The first end of the rotatable sheath extends beyond a proximal end region of the stent and the second end region of the rotatable sheath extends beyond a distal end region of the stent.