Abstract: A system for treating a vascular condition includes a catheter and a stent disposed on the catheter. The stent includes tubing having a wall defining a central lumen and a plurality of holes. The system further includes a therapeutic agent disposed within the central lumen of the tubing. A method of manufacturing a therapeutic agent carrying stent includes inserting a therapeutic agent within a therapeutic agent delivery system into the central lumen of a hollow metal tube and forming a stent framework from the hollow tube.

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

Abstract: A method for treating a vascular condition is disclosed, the method comprising delivering a stent to a target region of a vessel, the stent including a drug polymer coating including an elution portion and a remaining portion, eluting the elution portion from the delivered stent for an elution period, heating the delivered stent after the elution period; and removing the remaining portion based on the heating.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a drug-carrying stent includes cutting a plurality of stent rings from a blank, stamping a plurality of dimples in at least one side of the stent rings, bending the stamped stent rings into a stent segment, and attaching the stent segments together.

Abstract: A branch vessel in a human patient is located or mapped using in vivo tracked field sensors where in one variation the sensor positions can be located by determining the positions of the sensors relative to a plurality of magnetic field sources of known location. This approach is used, for example, in locating the opening in a renal artery and positioning the proximal end of the AAA stent-graft adjacent to the opening. In another example, the sensors are tracked along the inner wall of an aneurysm and the acquired sensor location data processed to map the contour of the aneurysm to size a prostheses for spanning the aneurysm. The portions of the vessel adjacent the aneurysm also can be mapped. In a further embodiment, an in vivo sensor is positioned in a deployed prosthesis to create a reference for a prosthetic member having a sensor to track to during cannulation of the deployed prosthesis with the prosthetic member.

Abstract: A branch vessel in a human patient is located using in vivo tracked field sensors where in one variation the sensor positions can be located by determining the positions of the sensors relative to a plurality of magnetic field sources of known location. This approach is used, for example, in locating the opening in a renal artery and positioning the proximal end of the AAA stent-graft adjacent to the opening. According to another embodiment, field sensors in combination with signal generators are placed in vivo to locate vasculature aspects. In a further embodiment, an in vivo sensor is positioned in a deployed prosthesis to create a reference for a prosthetic member having a sensor to track to during cannulation of the deployed prosthesis with the prosthetic member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stent-graft assembly. The assembly comprises at least one stent framework and a graft member. The graft member is positioned adjacent an inner surface of the stent framework and everted over an outer surface of the stent framework to enclose at least a portion of the stent framework. The assembly may further comprise a therapeutic agent that is enclosed by the graft member. Elution openings may be formed in the graft member to preferentially elute a therapeutic agent into the wall rather than the lumen of a vessel into which the stent-graft assembly is placed.

Abstract: The present invention is an intralumenal stent device made up of two or more elements. Each element has undulations forming peaks and valleys and is formed from a repeating series including a long segment, a first midsized segment, a short segment, and a second midsized segment. These elements are aligned on a common axis and are connected directly to an adjacent element by a connection. The stent incorporates the advantages of having both long and short segments into a single element.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing and treating a patient having erectile dysfunction by placement of a stent or paving material within a stenosed region of a pelvic vessel. The diagnosing of the patient's condition includes determining if a treatable stenosis exists within a pelvic vessel and if proper blood flow is otherwise occurring within the penile arteries.

Abstract: A catheter based system for treating mitral valve regurgitation includes a reshaping device having a body and a plurality of movable anchoring barbs attached to the body of the device. The reshaping device can be made from a biocompatible material having suitable shape memory properties. The devices of the current invention can be self expandable, balloon expandable, or a combination self expandable and balloon expandable. One embodiment of the invention includes a method for attaching a reshaping device to the annulus of a mitral valve, moving the body of the device from a fully expanded configuration to a resting configuration, and thereby reshaping the mitral valve annulus.

Abstract: A valve replacement system that can be used for treating abnormalities of the right ventricular outflow tract includes a prosthetic valve device having a sealant contacting at least a portion of the outer surface of the valve device. The sealant may be breakable, and may be a hydrogel, an expandable hydrogel, or a solid. One embodiment of the invention includes a flowable sealant that is injected within the vascular system. Another embodiment of the invention includes a method for replacing a pulmonary valve that includes forming a seal around the exterior surface of a replacement valve and preventing blood flow around the replacement valve.

Abstract: A system and method for treating a vascular condition includes a conduit having an elongate tubular member with an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defines a conduit lumen. The system further includes at least one symmetry indicator attached to the elongate tubular member and a replacement valve device. The replacement valve device includes a prosthetic valve connected to an expandable support structure. The replacement valve device is positioned within the conduit lumen adjacent the inner surface.

Abstract: A system for replacing a pulmonary valve includes a conduit having a lumen, a delivery catheter and a replacement valve device disposed on the delivery catheter. The replacement valve device includes a prosthetic valve connected to a valve support region of an expandable support structure. The valve support region includes a plurality of protective struts disposed between a first stent region and a second stent region. A method for replacing a pulmonary valve includes implanting a conduit and delivering a replacement valve device to the conduit. The replacement valve device includes a valve connected to a valve support region that includes a plurality of protective struts. The method also includes deploying the prosthetic valve device from a delivery catheter into the lumen, positioning the prosthetic valve device within the conduit lumen and expanding the prosthetic valve device into contact with the inner wall of the conduit.

Abstract: A system for treating a septal defect comprises a treatment device slidably received within a catheter. The device includes a patch attached to a support. The support has a body segment and a plurality of leg segments that self-expand radially outward as the device is released from the catheter. A method for treating a septal defect comprises delivering the treatment device in the catheter proximate a septal defect. The device is slid in a distal direction to release a portion of each leg segment from the catheter, the leg segments partially expanded radially outward. The leg segments are placed in contact with tissue surrounding the septal defect. The device is slid farther until the leg segments are fully released from the catheter and fully expanded, thereby implanting a distal portion of each leg segment in tissue surrounding the septal defect and positioning the patch against the septal defect.

Abstract: A system for reducing a compass of an opening or structure in a mammalian body comprises an anchor having a central aperture, a tensioner having a plurality of openings, and a plurality of filaments, each including a retaining member affixed to a distal portion of the filament. The tensioner is receivable within the anchor central aperture. A proximal portion of each filament is receivable within a tensioner opening. A method of reducing a compass of a lumen or structure in a mammalian body comprises delivering the anchor to a first location proximate target tissue, delivering the filaments to a second location proximate the target tissue, threading the filaments through the anchor and the tensioner openings, positioning the tensioner in the anchor aperture, retaining the filaments in the tensioner, and rotating the tensioner to twist the filaments, thereby shortening the length of the filaments and increasing the tension across the system.

Abstract: The invention provides an endovascular torquing device for a rotational fastener and a system and method for endovascular delivery of a rotational fastener to a treatment site within a patient. The torquing device comprises a flexible body portion having a guidewire lumen extending longitudinally there through. A coupling portion formed on a distal end of the body portion interfaces with a rotational fastener positioned within a vessel. The system comprises a guide catheter, at least one guidewire, at least one rotational fastener disposed on the guidewire, and a torquing device. The guide catheter is positioned adjacent to a treatment site, and the rotational fastener and guidewire are delivered through the guide catheter to the treatment site. The torquing device, which has a guidewire lumen extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the device, tracks over the guidewire to engage and rotate the fastener.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for treating a vascular condition. The system comprises a guide catheter that includes a central lumen. A stent delivery device that includes a delivery catheter and a stent disposed on the delivery catheter is slidably received in the central lumen. A stop interface retains a portion of the delivery catheter within the central lumen while still allowing positioning of the stent beyond a distal end of the guide catheter. In use, the guide catheter with the retained stent delivery device is introduced into a vessel. The stent carried on the stent delivery device is expanded after being positioned at a location beyond a distal end of the guide catheter.

Abstract: Intraluminal stent assemblies and methods of deploying the same. The assemblies include a catheter including at least one lumen formed therein. At least one inflatable member is disposed on the catheter and in communication with the lumen. The inflatable member includes at least one distal projection and/or at least one retention material. A stent is expandable from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration. The stent is disposed on the inflatable member in the compressed configuration. A sheath is slidably positioned over the stent wherein the stent expands to the expanded configuration upon retraction of the sheath. The inflatable member is inflated with a fluid flowing through the lumen. The at least one distal projection and/or at least one retention material retain the stent in position on the inflatable member while the stent is being deployed.

Abstract: A system for treating a vascular condition includes a catheter and a stent coupled to the catheter. The stent includes a stent framework having at least one stent segment with a plurality of interconnected struts and crowns and at least one stiffening ring having a plurality of ring segments connected between circumferentially adjacent crowns of the stent segment. The stiffening ring is oriented circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the stent framework when the stent is deployed. A stent and a method of treating a vascular condition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is an intralumenal stent device made up of two or more elements. Each element has undulations forming peaks and valleys and is formed from a repeating series including a long segment, a first midsized segment, a short segment, and a second midsized segment. These elements are aligned on a common axis and are connected directly to an adjacent element by a connection. The stent incorporates the advantages of having both long and short segments into a single element.