Abstract: An intraluminal stent comprising fibrin and an elutable drug is capable of providing a treatment of restenosis.

Abstract: An intraluminal stent comprising fibrin and an elutable drug is capable of providing a treatment of restenosis.

Abstract: An bioelastomeric intraluminal stent comprising fibrin and elastin is capable of providing a treatment of restenosis.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as a catheter, a guidewire, a catheter sheath for use with catheter introducers or a drug infusion catheter/guidewire. The apparatus includes a flexible tubular member with an encasing covering the tubular member that creates a fluid-tight seal around the periphery of the tubular member. The tubular member is self-supporting and includes a plurality of apertures therein in a predetermined configuration to increase the flexibility of the tubular member.

Abstract: An intraluminal stent comprising fibrin and heparin is capable of providing a treatment of restenosis.

Abstract: An intraluminal stent comprising fibrin and heparin is capable of providing a treatment of restenosis.

Abstract: A stent and catheter device for temporary support of body lumens. The stent has a generally cylindrical continuous winding providing radial support from within a body lumen after implantation which can be implanted and removed by a balloon catheter. The stent is provided with an elongated lead attached to the proximal end of the winding and means at a proximal end of the lead and remote from the winding for uncoiling the winding to facilitate its removal in an opened condition with minimal tissue damage. This stent and catheter device is especially useful as a temporary supporting device for repairing damage to blood vessels caused during angioplasty procedures.

Abstract: A radially expandable stent for implantation within a body lumen having a generally cylindrical body with open proximal and distal ends, the cylindrical body comprising a plurality of metal elements joined to allow flexing of the cylindrical body along the longitudinal axis of the body whereby the stent can conform to a curved body lumen and a polymeric film extending between the metal elements of the stent. The stent provides a biocompatible polymeric surface to contact and support a body lumen and also a flexible structure to allow the stent to conform closely to bends in a body lumen. The stent is especially useful for repairing an injury to blood vessels caused during angioplasty procedures.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as a catheter guidewire and a method for making a catheter guidewire. The apparatus comprises an elongate non-coiled wire having a proximal portion, a distal tip and a flexible portion located between the proximal portion and the distal tip having axially spaced grooves cut therein. The method for making the guidewire includes burnishing one end of a wire to create a rounded distal tip and cutting a predetermined pattern of axially spaced grooves in a length of wire adjacent to the distal tip to create a flexible portion.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a sheath surrounding the balloon, the sheath having a longitudinal line of weakness and a drug-containing viscous matrix material intermediate between the balloon and the sheath such that when the balloon is positioned and inflated in the body lumen it causes the sheath to burst at the line of weakness and release viscous matrix material onto said body lumen. The device provides accurate placement of the dosage required at the location in need of treatment. The catheter is especially useful in balloon angioplasty procedures.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a sheath surrounding the balloon, the sheath having a longitudinal line of weakness and a drug-containing viscous matrix material intermediate between the balloon and the sheath such that when the balloon is positioned and inflated in the body lumen it causes the sheath to burst at the line of weakness and release viscous matrix material onto said body lumen. The device provides accurate placement of the dosage required at the location in need of treatment. The catheter is especially useful in balloon angioplasty procedures.

Abstract: A model of arterial restenosis in domestic pigs using deep injury to the coronary arterial media resulting in extensive proliferative response. Metal wire coils are delivered percutaneously to the coronary arteries of pigs with an oversized, high pressure (14 atm) balloon and left in place for 5-6 weeks. During placement, the balloon expands the coils and delivers them securely within the arterial lumen causing fracture of the internal elastic lamina by the coil. An extensive proliferative response occurs and is associated with a lumenal area narrowing of at least 50% Immunohistochemical studies confirms the prominence of smooth muscle cells in the tissue. The histopathologic features of the proliferative response are identical to those observed in cases of restenosis post-angioplasty.This model closely mimics the proliferative portion of human restenosis both grossly and microscopically.

Abstract: A radially expandable stent for implantation within a body lumen having a generally cylindrical body with open proximal and distal ends, the cylindrical body comprising a plurality of metal elements joined to allow flexing of the cylindrical body along the longitudinal axis of the body whereby the stent can conform to a curved body lumen and a polymeric film extending between the metal elements of the stent. The stent provides a biocompatible polymeric surface to contact and support a body lumen and also a flexible structure to allow the stent to conform closely to bends in a body lumen. The stent is especially useful for repairing an injury to blood vessels caused during angioplasty procedures.

Abstract: An intracatheter pump apparatus and method is described for infusing fluids through a lumen of a catheter. The intracatheter pump includes a motor or power source on the outside of the catheter which causes movement of a fluid moving mechanism positioned in the lumen of the catheter, the fluid moving mechanism being attached to the distal end of an elongated member which in turn is attached to the motor.

Abstract: An intracatheter pump apparatus and method is described for infusing fluids through a lumen of a catheter. The intracatheter pump includes a motor or power source on the outside of the catheter which causes movement of a fluid moving mechanism positioned in the lumen of the catheter, the fluid moving mechanism being attached to the distal end of an elongated member which in turn is attached to the motor.

Abstract: An instrument particularly useful for locating and removing ureteral calculi and other occlusive objects from body passages. The instrument includes a flexible tube or sheath which slidably receives a tightly-twisted multi-stranded cable of a length greater than that of the tube, the cable having an integral cage portion at its distal end. That cage portion, which is normally collapsed and concealed within the distal end of the tube, may be extended beyond the tube to assume an expanded helical pear-shaped configuration for ensnaring and withdrawing ureteral stones and other passage-occluding bodies. The tightly wound strands of the cable are arranged in a circumferential pattern about an axial lumen which in one embodiment is useful for fluid drainage and injection and which in other embodiments accommodates conductors for transmitting light, images, and/or ultrasonic energy.