Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises an unexpanded configuration, a nominally expanded configuration, and a fully expanded configuration. The stent further comprises a plurality of circumferential bands and a plurality of connectors connecting adjacent circumferential bands to one another. Each circumferential band has a plurality of struts interconnected by bridges. Adjacent struts form strut pairs and are connected to one another at a first end or a second end but not both. Each strut pair defines an opening between the struts of the strut pair; the bridges extend into the openings. In the unexpanded configuration, the struts are straight along their length. Also in the unexpanded configuration, the bridges comprise two adjacent straight segments that are connected by a u-shaped segment, and the straight segments are parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: An expandable medical framework for implantation in a mammalian body comprises a plurality of serpentine bands and connector columns. Each serpentine band comprises alternating straight band struts and turns. Each connector column comprises a plurality of connector struts and connects adjacent serpentine bands. The turns of a serpentine band comprise connected turns and unconnected turns, each connected turn having a connector strut extending therefrom. Each unconnected turn has no connector struts extending therefrom. The serpentine bands at the ends of the framework are each connected to an intermediate serpentine band via four or more connector struts which are equally spaced about the circumference of the expandable medical framework. Each two adjacent intermediate serpentine bands is connected one to the other via two connector struts which are equally spaced about the circumference of the expandable medical framework.

Abstract: A medical implant includes a metallic base, a tie layer, and at least a first layer overlying an outer surface of the tie layer. The tie layer is bonded to at least a portion of a surface of the metallic base. The tie layer includes magnesium or a magnesium-based alloy. The tie layer can have an outer surface comprising dendritic grains. The tie layer can have a rough outer surface defined by pores, projecting grain structures, and/or projecting particles. A method of producing a tie layer on a medical device includes applying magnesium or a magnesium-based alloy to the medical device and cooling the magnesium or the magnesium-based alloy to produce a rough outer surface.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent that is positionable adjacent to a branched body vessel. The stent includes a tapered middle portion with a side branch assembly for positioning within the deviating branch of a body vessel. The portion of the stent positioned within the first body vessel and the portion positioned within the main branch vessel have largely different sized diameters. The middle region tapers steeply to bridge this diameter differential. The tapered middle region also angles the side branch assembly which can easily be extended at an angle to the main body of the stent.

Abstract: A stent may comprise a plurality of serpentine bands, wherein adjacent serpentine bands are connected by at least one connector strut. A serpentine band may comprise alternating straight struts and s-shaped struts. Connector struts may comprise first connector struts and second connector struts, wherein the first connector struts are nonparallel to the second connector struts.

Abstract: Medical devices such as catheters can include structure or provision that permit a physician or other health care professional to adjust the stiffness of at least a portion of the medical device. In some instances, the medical device may be adjusted prior to inserting the medical device into a patient. In some cases, the medical device may be adjusted while in use within the patient.

Abstract: A biodegradable stent body is defined by a composite of a biodegradable polymer and a biodegradable metal insert. The composition, geometry, and location of the metal and polymer are selected for desirable stent performance.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of serpentine bands and a plurality of connector columns. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of alternating straight band struts and turns. Adjacent serpentine bands are connected across a connector column by a plurality of connector struts. Each connector strut is connected at one end to a turn of one serpentine band and connected at the other end to a turn of another serpentine band. The turns of a serpentine band comprise connected turns that connect to a connector strut and unconnected turns that do not connect to a connector strut. At least one serpentine band comprises a repeating pattern of three band struts and then five band struts extending between connected turns as the serpentine band is traversed. At least one serpentine band comprises a repeating pattern of three band struts and then one band strut extending between connected turns as the serpentine band is traversed.

Abstract: A stent assembly comprises a proximal stent and a distal stent. Each stent has a tubular body defining a stent lumen and a circumference. A proximal flap extends from the distal end of the proximal stent and a distal flap extends from the proximal end of the distal stent. Each flap defines only a portion of the circumference. In an expanded state the proximal flap and the distal flap form a side branch support having a side branch support lumen. The side branch support lumen is in fluid communication with the stent lumen and has a longitudinal axis different from that of the stent lumen.

Abstract: Among other things, a bio-erodible implantable endoprosthesis comprises a member that includes (a) a core having a surface, and (b) a bio-erodible metal on a least a portion of the surface of the core, wherein the bio-erodible metal erodes more slowly than the core and includes openings through which physiological fluids can access the core upon implantation.

Abstract: A stent may comprise a plurality of serpentine bands connected by connector struts. The stent may further comprise a side branch cell having a plurality of outwardly deployable petals. Each serpentine band may have an approximate longitudinal axis. A portion of the serpentine bands may be flared in the unexpanded state, wherein a portion of the axis of each flared band is oriented helically about a portion of the stent. The bands may reorient during stent expansion, whereafter the axis of each band is oriented in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A stent may comprise a plurality of serpentine bands, wherein adjacent serpentine bands are connected by at least one connector strut. A serpentine band may comprise alternating straight struts and s-shaped struts. Connector struts may comprise first connector struts and second connector struts, wherein the first connector struts are nonparallel to the second connector struts.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently from other cells of the stent. The side branch structure comprises a serpentine ring that extends around the inner side branch cell. The serpentine ring comprises alternating struts and turns. The turns comprise alternating inner turns and outer turns, and the inner turns comprise alternating first inner turns and second inner turns. The second inner turns are located farther away from a side branch center point than the first inner turns.

Abstract: Medical devices such as catheters can include structure or provision that permit a physician or other health care professional to adjust the stiffness of at least a portion of the medical device. In some instances, the medical device may be adjusted prior to inserting the medical device into a patient. In some cases, the medical device may be adjusted while in use within the patient.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of serpentine bands and a plurality of connector columns. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of alternating straight band struts and turns. Adjacent serpentine bands are connected across a connector column by a plurality of connector struts. Each connector strut is connected at one end to a turn of one serpentine band and connected at the other end to a turn of another serpentine band. The turns of a serpentine band comprise connected turns that connect to a connector strut and unconnected turns that do not connect to a connector strut. At least one serpentine band comprises a repeating pattern of three band struts and then five band struts extending between connected turns as the serpentine band is traversed. At least one serpentine band comprises a repeating pattern of three band struts and then one band strut extending between connected turns as the serpentine band is traversed.

Abstract: A stent has a plurality of expansion columns that extend in a radial direction to form a circumference of the stent and interconnected in the axial direction to form an overall axial length of the stent. Each expansion column has a plurality of first cells and a plurality of second cells that alternates along the expansion column with at least one first cell. Each first cell has at least two facing walls extending in the radial direction that have a first width. The second cells each have at least two facing walls that extend in the radial direction which have a second with greater than the first width. The first cell uses less force to open than the second cell, but upon opening provides increased radial strength by creating a substantially vertical cell wall.

Abstract: A stent comprises at least one closed pathway that defines a single cell. In some embodiments, the closed pathway includes a plurality of petals constructed and arranged to extend away from the tubular wall of the stent. In one embodiment, some of the petals of the closed pathway overlap other of the petals of the closed pathway when the stent is in a reduced state. In at least one embodiment, the stent comprises a plurality of closed pathways. In one embodiment, the closed pathways are arranged in bands that extend either along the length of the stent or about the circumference of the stent.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a stent comprises a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell. The inner side branch cell has a shape that is different from any other cell of the stent. The stent further comprises first and second support members, which are positioned on opposite sides of the side branch structure. The first and second support members each have a strut width that is greater than the width of a strut included in the side branch structure. The stent further comprises first and second connecting members, which are positioned on opposite ends of the side branch structure. Each connecting member is connected at one end to the first support member and is connected at the other end to the second support member. Each connecting member comprises a serpentine structure having a plurality of straight struts and turns. One or both of the connecting members includes at least one straight strut that has a length that is at least ten times its width.

Abstract: A stent has a main body, which has a circumference that defines a primary lumen and longitudinal axis, which extends therethrough. A first region of the main body comprises at least one band disposed circumferentially about the longitudinal axis. A second region of the main body comprises a plurality of interconnected rings concentrically disposed about a side branch opening. An outermost ring extends fully about the circumference of the main body. Each of the rings consist of two longitudinally oriented elements and two circumferentially extending elements.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent that uses turning segments to reduce the strain at regions which bend at extreme angles. The turning segments can be placed on side branch petals or on connectors connecting the petals to the stent body. Combining the turning segments with connectors of different length and tethers provides for a stent with high flexibility that can accommodate various shaped body vessels. This design allows the bifurcation branch to extend easily, to a useful distance, and to be deployed along oblique angles. Best of all, this design avoids the problems of angularly strained side branch.