Abstract: Balloon catheters, coil assemblies, and methods for making the same. An example balloon catheter may include a coil assembly. The coil assembly may include a coil, a coating disposed on the coil, and a sheath disposed over the coil and the coating. A guidewire lumen may be defined by the coil assembly. An outer tube disposed over at least a portion of the coil assembly. A balloon may be coupled to the outer tube. An inflation lumen may be defined between the coil assembly and the outer tube.

Abstract: Systems for delivering medical devices, as well as related methods are described.

Abstract: Balloon systems for treating bifurcated lumens include desirable burst and folding characteristics. In some cases, the balloon systems can be formed by varying the wall thickness of a balloon parison.

Abstract: A medical device in which a melt processed part has different crystallized properties at different locations. The part is formed of a polymer composition by inclusion a of polymer crystallization modifier in the composition making up at least a portion of such part, the amount of the polymer crystallization modifier is varied at different locations on the part in accordance with the desired difference in crystallization behavior.

Abstract: A catheter for crossing an occluding lesion with an inflatable balloon and dilating the lesion includes an inner tube that defines a longitudinal axis. The balloon includes a distal section that is bonded to the tube's distal end, a working section, and a conically shaped distal transition section connecting the working and distal section. A plurality of rigid ribs are spaced around the circumference of the balloon near the catheter's distal end. Each rib includes a first elongated portion attached to the balloon's distal section and aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis. A second portion extending from the first portion and at an angle thereto is attached to and lies along the surface of the balloon's distal transition section. The plurality of ribs combine to simulate a stiff, tapered surface that can be wedged into the occluding lesion to create a passageway to cross the lesion with the balloon.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering a medical device into a body lumen, and method for preparing said catheter, wherein the catheter comprises an elongate body, at least a portion of which defines a medical device retaining region for retaining a medical device thereon. At least a portion of the medical device retaining region comprises a predetermined pattern of material. The predetermined pattern of material is a photoresist material that may be placed on the outer surface of the catheter to modify at least one physical property of the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter for crossing an occluding lesion with an inflatable balloon and dilating the lesion includes an inner tube that defines a longitudinal axis. The balloon includes a distal section that is bonded to the tube's distal end, a working section, and a conically shaped distal transition section connecting the working and distal section. A plurality of rigid ribs are spaced around the circumference of the balloon near the catheter's distal end. Each rib includes a first elongated portion attached to the balloon's distal section and aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis. A second portion extending from the first portion and at an angle thereto is attached to and lies along the surface of the balloon's distal transition section. The plurality of ribs combine to simulate a stiff, tapered surface that can be wedged into the occluding lesion to create a passageway to cross the lesion with the balloon.

Abstract: Balloon systems for treating bifurcated lumens include desirable burst and folding characteristics. In some cases, the balloon systems can be formed by varying the wall thickness of a balloon parison.

Abstract: A medical device in which a melt processed part has different crystallized properties at different locations. The part is formed of a polymer composition by inclusion a of polymer crystallization modifier in the composition making up at least a portion of such part, the amount of the polymer crystallization modifier is varied at different locations on the part in accordance with the desired difference in crystallization behavior.

Abstract: Balloon catheters, coil assemblies, and methods for making the same. An example balloon catheter may include a coil assembly. The coil assembly may include a coil, a coating disposed on the coil, and a sheath disposed over the coil and the coating. A guidewire lumen may be defined by the coil assembly. An outer tube disposed over at least a portion of the coil assembly. A balloon may be coupled to the outer tube. An inflation lumen may be defined between the coil assembly and the outer tube.

Abstract: A medical device in which a melt processed part has different crystallized properties at different locations. The part is formed of a polymer composition by inclusion a of polymer crystallization modifier in the composition making up at least a portion of such part, the amount of the polymer crystallization modifier is varied at different locations on the part in accordance with the desired difference in crystallization behavior.

Abstract: A balloon catheter may include an elongate shaft and a shaft lumen extending through the elongate shaft to a distal end thereof A balloon may be disposed about a distal region of the elongate shaft while a coil may be disposed within the balloon. A polymer coating may be disposed on an interior of the balloon. The coil may be formed of a coil wire that is polymer coated prior to winding the coil. The catheter may be either OTW or SOE.

Abstract: An athertome assembly comprises a series of spanning and descending members extended between a segmented base and a cutting surface. This athertome assembly configuration provides both flexibility and structural strength which facilitates the implantation of medical devices.

Abstract: Stent delivery catheters adapted to provide both flexibility and strength are disclosed. Such stent delivery catheters may have outer shafts adapted for tensile strength and inner shafts adapted for compressive strength. In some instances, at least one of the outer shaft and/or the inner shaft may include a micromachined portion.

Abstract: Medical devices that include micromachined hypotubes or that have themselves been micromachined can provide advantages in flexibility, strength and other desirable properties. Examples of such medical devices may include catheters such as guide catheters and balloon catheters. Such devices may also include dual shaft medical devices in which an outer shaft is reversibly lockable onto an inner shaft.

Abstract: Systems for delivering medical devices, as well as related methods are described.

Abstract: A catheter tip assembly comprises a marker band and a catheter tip. The catheter tip has an inner lumen therethrough and an outer portion and an inner portion with the marker band disposed therebetween.

Abstract: RNA, preferably messenger RNA, is purified by use of selective precipitation, preferably by addition of compaction agents. Also included is a scaleable method for the liquid-phase separation of DNA from RNA. RNA may also be recovered by fractional precipitation according to the invention. We have discovered that specific classes of compounds are unexpectedly potent in causing selective precipitation of DNA away from RNA, at low concentrations and in the presence of relatively elevated ionic strength. Modification of the selective removal of DNA can also remove both RNA and DNA, leaving behind a mixture which is advantageous for the further purification of, e.g., proteins. Additional aspects of the invention include mini-preps, preferably of RNA or of plasmid and chromosomal DNA to obtain sequenceable and restriction digestible DNA in high yields in multiple simultaneous procedures.

Abstract: A coextrusion employing a tie layer between two layers of different polymer materials. The tie layer is formed in the extrusion melt of a composition comprising one of the two polymer materials and a coupling agent that includes functional groups that are reactive at least with functional groups on the second polymer. The coupling agent may be incorporated into the tie layer material in amounts above 5% by weight.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon for use in combination with a catheter device, the balloon having a waist, cone and body portion and having a first layer formed from a first polymeric composition, the balloon having a second layer disposed on at least a portion of the first layer, the second layer formed from a second polymeric composition which is crosslinked on at least a portion of the dilatation balloon, and methods of making and using the same.