Abstract: A stent crimping device for crimping a stent onto a balloon delivery catheter of the kind typically used in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures. The device comprises a pair of plates bearing mutually opposed parallel ribs. The ribbed plates move in a direction such that a stepped circular crimp may be rolled onto a stent thereby firmly fixing the stent to a catheter balloon.

Abstract: A composite intraluminal prostheses for treating a stenotic region in a blood vessel. The intraluminal prostheses including a thermally expandable stent and an open cell stent cover where the cell size is selected to be small enough to prevent plaque prolapse and the ingrowth of diseased tissue through the openings in the stent, while allowing for the re-endothelialization of the blood vessel wall with healthy tissue. The stent cover is further able to expand and contract with the stent without becoming loose upon contraction and without exerting significant resistence to radial expansion.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polymers derivatized with at least one —SNO group per 1200 atomic mass unit of the polymer. In one embodiment, the S-nitrosylated polymer has stabilized-S-nitrosyl groups. In another embodiment the S-nitrosylated polymer prepared by polymerizing a compound represented by the following structural formula: R is an organic radical. Each X′ is an independently chosen aliphatic group or substituted aliphatic group. Preferably, each X′ is the same and is a C2-C6 alkylene group, more preferably—CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2— or —CH2CH2CH2CH2—. p and m are independently a positive integer such that p+m is greater than two. The polymers of the present invention can be used to coat medical devices to deliver nitric oxide in vivo to treatment sites.

Abstract: A perfusion-occlusion catheter provides an occluded region in a vessel to facilitate, for example, an anastomosis in the region, while providing a path for perfusing fluid (blood) through the path for delivery in the vessel downstream from the occluded region. According to one aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the catheter that effects vessel occlusion comprises a shield that when exposed to suture needles or like piercing instruments deflects or resists perforation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a self-expanding stent for implantation into a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by a plurality of interconnecting members placed on the stent in a collinear arrangement such as to create at least one continuous spine which extends along the length of the stent. The invention is also directed to a stent delivery system for implantation of a stent in a vessel which includes an outer tubular member having a restraining sheath and an inner tubular member having a distal end which has a compressed stent mounted thereto. The proximal end of the inner tubular member is connected to a housing assembly which prevents the inner tubular member from moving when the outer tubular member is retracted to deploy the stent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for irradiating stent structures that are selectively collapsible or reducible along their longitudinal axis to reduce the total length thereof are described. Providing a collapsible stent structure reduces the effective surface area which must be exposed to the radiation beam, thereby reducing the time required for the irradiation process. Stent structures suitable for irradiation using the method and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter which includes bumpers located adjacent to the proximal and distal ends of the catheter balloon. The bumpers form a recessed pocket into which a stent crimped onto the catheter balloon is mounted. The recessed pocket formed by the bumpers securely retains the stent on the balloon and minimizes undesired contact between the stent and arterial walls and lesions during advancement of the stent within a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: A deformable sheath is attached to a catheter and introduced intravascularly to be expanded against an arterial wall and entrap plaque therebetween. A stent is subsequently deployed within the expanded sheath and the sheath is then withdrawn from within the vasculature to leave the stent expanded against the arterial wall with the plaque entrapped therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polymers derivatized with at least one -SNO group per 1200 atomic mass unit of the polymer. In one embodiment, the S-nitrosylated polymer has stabilized —S—nitrosyl groups.

Abstract: A deformable sheath is attached to a catheter and introduced intravascularly to be expanded against an arterial wall and entrap plaque therebetween. A stent is subsequently deployed within the expanded sheath and the sheath is then withdrawn from within the vasculature to leave the stent expanded against the arterial wall with the plaque entrapped therebetween.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter which includes bumpers located adjacent to the proximal and distal ends of the catheter balloon. The bumpers form a recessed pocket into which a stent crimped onto the catheter balloon is mounted. The recessed pocket formed by the bumpers securely retains the stent on the balloon and minimizes undesired contact between the stent and arterial walls and lesions during advancement of the stent within a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polymers derivatized with at least one —SNO group per 1200 atomic mass unit of the polymer. In one embodiment, the S-nitrosylated polymer has stabilized —S-nitrosyl groups. In another embodiment the S-nitrosylated polymer prepared by polymerizing a compound represented by the following structural formula: R is an organic radical. Each X′ is an independently chosen aliphatic group or substituted aliphatic group. Preferably, each X′ is the same and is a C2-C6 alkylene group, more preferably —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2— or —CH2CH2CH2CH2—. p and m are independently a positive integer such that p+m is greater than two. The polymers of the present invention can be used to coat medical devices to deliver nitric oxide in vivo to treatment sites.

Abstract: A perfusion-occlusion catheter provides an occluded region in a vessel to facilitate, for example, an anastomosis in the region, while providing a path for perfusing fluid (blood) through the path for delivery in the vessel downstream from the occluded region. According to one aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the catheter that effects vessel occlusion comprises a shield that when exposed to suture needles or like piercing instruments deflects or resists perforation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a guidewire having an elongate core member with a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section has at least one tapered segment, wherein the elongate core member tapers distally to a reduced diameter. Preferably, the tapered segments of the distal section of the elongate core member are marked with radiopaque markers to indicate where a tapered segment begins or ends. A proximal coil having a rectangular cross section and at least one distal coil having a round cross section are disposed around at least a portion of the distal section of the elongate core member. The proximal end of the proximal coil is attached to the distal section of the elongate core member. The distal coils can be made of a material that is radiopaque or non-radiopaque. If one of the distal coils is radiopaque, it may be made from a radiopaque material or it may be made of a hollow tube of non-radiopaque material that is filled with material that is at least partially radiopaque.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polymers derivatized with at least one --NO.sub.X group per 1200 atomic mass unit of the polymer. X is one or two. In one embodiment, the polymer is an S-nitrosylated polymer and is prepared by reacting a polythiolated polymer with a nitrosylating agent under conditions suitable for nitrosylating free thiol groups. The polymers of the present invention can be used to coat medical devices to deliver nitric oxide in vivo to treatment sites.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable stent for placement at the locus of a stenotic portion of a body passage, such as a blood vessel, which is flexible and compliant for safe and effective delivery to the site of the stenotic portion of, for example, a blood vessel, and so as to avoid the disadvantages of chronic implantation, such as arterial rupture or aneurism formation while exposed to the continuous stresses of a beating heart. The stent is formed from a bioabsorbable material and is porous or has apertures defined there through to facilitate tissue ingrowth and encapsulation of the stent. The stent is encapsulated and biodegrades or bioabsorbs within a period of days, weeks or months as desired following encapsulation to thereby minimize the likelihood of embolization or other risks of the dissolved material and to avoid the disadvantages of chronic implantation.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for sealing a perforation in the wall of, for example, a blood vessel. The device is in the form of a two part closure which seals the hole by clamping the tissue surrounding the hole from both the inside and the outside of the vessel. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, two rivet portions are provided which are bayonet or screw threadedly interlocked to clamp the vessel wall about the perforation. An alternate embodiment applies heat to couple the rivet parts as well as to cauterize the wound site. Heat may also advantageously be used to separate the rivet from its delivery system.

Abstract: An absorbable stent for placement at the locus of a stenotic lesion which is flexible and compliance for safe and effective delivery to the cite of a coronary obstruction, for example, and so as to avoid arterial rupture or aneurysm formation while under continuous stress of a beating heart. The stent is expandable from a reduced diameter configuration, which facilitates delivery to the cite of a targeted arterial obstruction, to an expanded configuration when disposed within the targeted area. The stent can be carried to the cite to be treated and expanded to its supporting diameter on any suitable expandable catheter such as a mechanically expandable catheter or a catheter having an inflatable balloon. The stent is formed so as to have a wall with pores and/or holes to facilitate tissue ingrowth and encapsulation of the stent. The stent will subsequently be bioabsorbed to minimize the likelihood of embolization of the dissolved material.

Abstract: An absorbable stent for placement at the locus of a stenotic lesion which is flexible and compliance for safe and effective delivery to the cite of a coronary obstruction, for example, and so as to avoid arterial rupture or aneurysm formation while under continuous stress of a beating heart. The stent is expandable from a reduced diameter configuration, which facilitates delivery to the cite of a targeted arterial obstruction, to an expanded configuration when disposed within the targeted area. The stent can be carried to the cite to be treated and expanded to its supporting diameter on any suitable expandable catheter such as a mechanically expandable catheter or a catheter having an inflatable balloon. The stent is formed so as to have a wall with pores and/or holes to facilitate tissue ingrowth and encapsulation of the stent. The stent will subsequently be bioabsorbed to minimize the likelihood of embolization of the dissolved material.

Abstract: A laser catheter for removing atherosclerotic plaque. The distal end of the laser catheter, in addition to including a distal port for dye injection and preferably a steerable or at least movable guide wire, includes a smoothly tapered forward face with a sapphire, ruby, diamond or the like window for directing a mid-infrared laser beam centripedally toward a targeted plaque structure. A mid-infrared laser beam, preferably a erbium YAG or HF laser, is conducted through the catheter to abate plaque. A second catheter, substantially identical to the first catheter can slidably disposed about the first catheter so as to provide a tiered laser catheter. Thus, the smaller catheter can target plaque in the most constricted regions of the vessel and can then be advanced into the smaller diameter region wile bringing the second, larger catheter into engagement with a larger diameter packed portion thereby enable the irradiation, and ablation of the same.