Abstract: Material processing apparatus, systems, methods, and products are described. An example of a material processing apparatus includes a holding member, a base, a tensioning member, an actuator, and a first inner member. The holding member defines a holding member passageway. The base is attached to the holding member. The tensioning member is partially disposed within the holding member passageway. The tensioning member defines a tensioning member passageway. The tensioning member is moveable relative to the holding member between a first position and a second position. The actuator is attached to the tensioning member and is moveable in a first direction and a second direction. Movement of the actuator results in movement of the tensioning member between its first position and second position. The first inner member is adapted to be disposed within the tensioning member passageway.

Abstract: Differential pressure material processing systems, apparatus, methods, and products are described. An example embodiment of a differential pressure material processing system includes a tank, a holding member, and a sheet of tissue disposed within the holding member. The holding member defines a first holding member chamber and a second holding member chamber. The first holding member chamber has a first pressure when a fluid is disposed within the first holding member chamber. The second holding member chamber has a second pressure when a fluid is disposed within the second holding member chamber. The second pressure is different than the first pressure.

Abstract: Storage devices, loading devices, delivery systems, kits, and associated methods for implantable medical devices are described. An example embodiment of a storage device includes a storage member, a first cap, and a second cap. The storage member has a first end, a second end, and a main body that defines a first opening, a second opening, a passageway, a separating wall, and a plurality of holes. The passageway has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from the first end of the storage member to the separating wall and the second portion extends from the second end of the storage member to the separating wall. Each hole of the plurality of holes extends through the separating wall and provides access between the first portion and the second portion. Each of the first and second caps is releasably attached to the storage member.

Abstract: Storage devices, loading devices, delivery systems, kits, and associated methods for implantable medical devices are described. An example embodiment of a storage device includes a storage member, a first cap, and a second cap. The storage member has a first end, a second end, and a main body that defines a first opening, a second opening, a passageway, a separating wall, and a plurality of holes. The passageway has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from the first end of the storage member to the separating wall and the second portion extends from the second end of the storage member to the separating wall. Each hole of the plurality of holes extends through the separating wall and provides access between the first portion and the second portion. Each of the first and second caps is releasably attached to the storage member.

Abstract: Medical device valve repair systems that include a stabilization member are provided. The stabilization member includes an engaging channel to contact the engaging surface of a valve holding valve leaflets in a position such that a tissue repair device may form a coaptation between the valve leaflets.

Abstract: An endoluminal medical device comprises a drug release system that releases a cathepsin inhibitor at a predetermined location within a lumen of a patient. The endoluminal devices and methods of treatment of disease can treat illnesses such as aneurysms and aortic dissections.

Abstract: A self-expanding or otherwise expandable artificial valve prostheses for deployment within a body passageway, such as a vessel or duct of a patient. The valve prostheses include a support structure having an outer frame, a supporting member and a valve leaflet. The portion of the valve leaflet is supported by the supporting member and is positioned away from the wall of the body passageway when the device is deployed within the body passageway.

Abstract: Endovascular filter (10) including a plurality of struts (14) with distal ends (18) adapted to anchor the filter to the vessel wall after deployment, such as by having barbs (20), the filter being adapted to be retrieved if desired. Strut distal ends (18) are coated with an antiproliferative agent (40) that inhibits the ingrowth of tissue around the filter, thereby permitting the filter to be retrieved and removed atraumatically after a prolonged period of time, thus extending the useful life of the retrievable filter. Optionally, the proximal end (22) of the filter may also be so coated, or the entire filter.

Abstract: Methods of making coated implantable medical devices are provided. The methods include positioning a first layer comprising a bioactive on at least a portion of a structure, and positioning at least one porous layer over the first layer. The at least one porous layer has a thickness adequate to provide a controlled release of the bioactive.

Abstract: Methods of making coated implantable medical devices are provided. The methods include positioning a first layer comprising a bioactive on at least a portion of a structure, and positioning at least one porous layer over the first layer. The at least one porous layer has a thickness adequate to provide a controlled release of the bioactive.

Abstract: A coated implantable medical device 10 includes a structure 12 adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract; at least one coating layer 16 posited on one surface of the structure; and at least one layer 18 of a bioactive material posited on at least a portion of the coating layer 16, wherein the coating layer 16 provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material from the coating layer. In addition, at least one porous layer 20 can be posited over the bioactive material layer 18, wherein the porous layer includes a polymer and provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material therethrough. Preferably, the structure 12 is a coronary stent. The porous layer 20 includes a polymer applied preferably by vapor or plasma deposition and provides for a controlled release of the bioactive material.

Abstract: Described are vascular valve devices having valve elements formed of flexible material and at least one removable frame element. Also described are methods for using such devices in the vascular system and in particular in the venous system to treat venous insufficiency.

Abstract: Bioactive-coated medical devices are provided, including coated vascular stents. The medical device coating can include a coating layer posited over at least a portion of the medical device surface, and can include a butyl methacrylate polymer or an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer in combination with a bioactive material that can function as both an immunosuppressive agent and an antiproliferative agent. Optionally, multilayer coatings can further include an adhesion promoting layer comprising parylene positioned between the coating layer and the medical device surface, a porous layer comprising butyl methacrylate positioned over at least a portion of the coating layer, or both. The coating layer preferably comprises between about 0.5 and 2.0 ?g/mm2 of the bioactive material on the outer surface of the medical device. The bioactive material can be absorbed into the coating layer, which can have a thickness of between about 0.5 ?m to about 5 ?m.

Abstract: A variable curvature stent limb is disclosed herein. A stent derived from a plurality of these variable curvature stent limbs may be highly compressible, such that it is compatible with a low-profile delivery device. This stent may be useful over a wider range of body vessel diameters and may possess a greater fatigue life, since this stent may provide a more controlled constant radial force.

Abstract: A coated medical device (10) including a structure (12) adapted for introduction into a passage or vessel of a patient. The structure is formed of preferably a non-porous base material (14) having a bioactive material layer (18) disposed thereon. The medical device is preferably an implantable stent or balloon (26) of which the bioactive material layer is deposited thereon. The stent can be positioned around the balloon and another layer of the bioactive material posited over the entire structure and extending beyond the ends of the positioned stent. The ends of the balloon extend beyond the ends of the stent and include the bioactive material thereon for delivering the bioactive material to the cells of a vessel wall coming in contact therewith. The balloon further includes a layer of hydrophilic material (58) positioned between the base and bioactive material layers of the balloon.

Abstract: An endoluminal device comprises a stent and a tubular graft supported by the stent. The graft has a proximal and a distal opening and comprises a synthetic material and a bioremodelable material. The bioremodelable material is disposed on an exterior surface in at least one band adjacent at least one of the proximal and distal openings.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring blood pressure by sensing the Korotkoff sounds which prevail only between the systolic and diastolic point. The instrument used is essentially a hand-held device. The instrument has a pressure-sensitive element made up of a flexible material containing fluid and crystal transducer supported on the flexible material which responds to the Korotkoff sounds. The sensor is made in a unique geometrical structure shaped to fit between bones and tendons over an artery. The crystal operates through an amplifier, a high pass filter and low pass filter through a comparator to a one shot enabling means connected to a panel meter. The pressure on the fluid in the sensed by a pressure sensor that is in contact with the fluid in the sensor which is connected to the panel digital meter. The digital display shows the pressure exerted on the artery at each Korotkoff sound. A LED shows that pulses are present.