Abstract: A process and device for marking and measuring test specimens in order to determine the deformation properties of the test specimen utilizing an energy based system for creating high resolution gauge marks.

Abstract: A method to facilitate the ability to engineer an organized microstructure within a monolithically homogeneous implantable biomaterial, particularly metallic alloys, is provided. By starting with an ultra-fine grained, equiaxed microstructure having an averaged linear grain size of less than 5 microns, a functionally graded microstructure is developed by establishing a temperature gradient across the cross sectional dimension. In the case of a tubular product form, this dimension would be framed by the outer and inner surfaces. By ensuring one surface is held at a substantially lower temperature than the other surface a temperature gradient is developed. The present invention also provides an implantable medical device which includes an organized microstructure.

Abstract: A biocompatible material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. The biocompatible material may comprise metallic and non-metallic materials. These materials may be designed with a microstructure that facilitates or enables the design of devices with a wide range of geometries adaptable to various loading conditions. Both the load bearing elements and the substantially non-load bearing elements may utilize these materials. Additionally, therapeutic agents may be incorporated into the microstructure or the bulk material.

Abstract: A biocompatible material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. The biocompatible material may comprise metallic and non-metallic materials. These materials may be designed with a microstructure that facilitates or enables the design of devices with a wide range of geometries adaptable to various loading conditions. Both the load bearing elements and the substantially non-load bearing elements may utilize these materials.

Abstract: A biocompatible material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. The biocompatible material may comprise metallic and non-metallic materials. These materials may be designed with a microstructure that facilitates or enables the design of devices with a wide range of geometries adaptable to various loading conditions.

Abstract: A biocompatible solid-solution alloy may be formed into any number of implantable medical devices. The solid-solution alloy comprises a combination of elements in specific ratios that improve its fatigue resistance while retaining the characteristics required for implantable medical devices. The biocompatible solid-solution alloy is a quaternary cobalt-nickel-chromium-molydenum alloy having substantially reduced titanium content.

Abstract: A biocompatible material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. The biocompatible material may comprise metallic and non-metallic materials. These materials may be designed with a microstructure that facilitates or enables the design of devices with a wide range of geometries adaptable to various loading conditions.

Abstract: A biocompatible metallic material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. The biocompatible metallic material comprises a unique composition and designed-in properties that enable the fabrication of intraluminal stents that are able to withstand a broader range of loading conditions than currently available stents. More particularly, the microstructure designed into the biocompatible metallic material facilitates the design of stents with a wide range of geometries that are adaptable to various loading conditions.

Abstract: A biocompatible metallic material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. The intraluminal stents may be specifically configured to optimize the number of discrete equiaxed grains that comprise the wall dimension so as to provide the intended user with a high strength, controlled recoil device as a function of expanded inside diameter. One biocompatible metallic material may comprise a Cobalt-Chromium alloy having substantially reduced Iron and/or Silicon content.

Abstract: A biocompatible solid-solution alloy may be formed into any number of implantable medical devices. The solid-solution alloy comprises a combination of elements in specific ratios that make it magnetic resonance imaging compatible while retaining the characteristics required for implantable medical devices. The biocompatible solid-solution alloy is a cobalt-chromium alloy having substantially reduced iron and/or Silicon content.

Abstract: The method for use of the present invention stent and stent delivery system is to insert a first guidewire into the branch vessel and advance the stent delivery system until the marker at the distal end of the split proximal end is aligned with the downstream edge of the sidebranch ostium. The balloon is then inflated to deliver the stent into the sidebranch. If the two zone balloon is being used as a stent delivery system, the initial inflation will cause the split proximal end to flare apart. If the stent is delivered on a standard balloon angioplasty catheter, then a second balloon of larger diameter would be used to post-dilate the proximal end of the split end stent. A stent is then advanced into the main branch and deployed, further spreading the split proximal and of the split end sidebranch stent outward against the wall of the main branch. A guidewire is then placed through the main branch stent and the opening into the sidebranch is enlarged using balloon inflation.