Abstract: Stabilizing an object in the body of a patient involves the injection of a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) material or other flowable material into the body of the patient so that the material contacts the object. The LCST material or other flowable material then forms a gel in the body such that the object is contained at least partially within the gel and thereby stabilized by the gel such that the object can then be easily fragmented within the body and/or retrieved from the body.

Abstract: A medical device such as a tube or a balloon including wall structure with multiple layers. The wall structure can distribute stress, resulting in reduced defect propagation and failure.

Abstract: A medical device, such as, for example, a catheter, includes a tubular member having a first portion having a shape memory polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. The invention also relates to devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy a stent.

Abstract: A medical device includes a balloon catheter having an expandable member, e.g., an inflatable balloon, at its distal end and a stent or other endoprosthesis. The stent is, for example, an apertured tubular member formed of a polymer and is assembled about the balloon. The stent has an initial diameter for delivery into the body and can be expanded to a larger diameter by inflating the balloon.

Abstract: A medical device includes a balloon catheter having an expandable member, e.g., an inflatable balloon, at its distal end and a stent or other endoprosthesis. The stent is, for example, an apertured tubular member formed of a polymer and is assembled about the balloon. The stent has an initial diameter for delivery into the body and can be expanded to a larger diameter by inflating the balloon.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon and catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit. The catheter (10) includes shaft (12) and a dilatation balloon (24) at the distal end of the shaft. The balloon is inflated via a central lumen (14) in the shaft for delivery of a fluid inflation media. The balloon is fabricated from a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), preferably an engineering thermoplastic elastomer (ETE), with a non-compliant structural polymeric material. The combination may be a blend of the non-compliant structural polymer and the TPE. Alternatively, the combination may be a layered balloon having, for example, a non-compliant structural polymer inner layer and a soft, abrasion resistant, elastomeric outer layer. Methods for fabricating the balloon from the combination of a TPE and a non-compliant structural polymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antithrombotic neurovascular device useful for the treatment of brain aneurysms and/or acute ischemic stroke. The device comprises a mechanical structure, which may be a stent, stent-like structure, or flow diverter, and a drug-eluting coating. This device is designed for local delivery of antiplatelet medication to the site of device implantation in order to improve outcomes for the population of brain aneurysm and/or acute ischemic stroke patients currently being treated with stents, and for use with patients presenting with ruptured aneurysms, in whom systemic dual antiplatelet therapy is contraindicated. The coating comprises an antiplatelet drug, preferably, a GPIIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor, more preferably, abcixmab, and optionally comprises a polymeric binder that functions as a drug modulating polymer. Also disclosed are methods for producing the antithrombotic neurovascular device, and using the device for the treatment of brain aneurysms and/or acute ischemic stroke.

Abstract: A medical device includes a balloon catheter having an expandable member, e.g., an inflatable balloon, at its distal end and a stent or other endoprosthesis. The stent is, for example, an apertured tubular member formed of a polymer and is assembled about the balloon. The stent has an initial diameter for delivery into the body and can be expanded to a larger diameter by inflating the balloon.

Abstract: A medical device includes a body, a member in the body, and a contrast agent in the member. The device can be visible by magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon and catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit. The catheter (10) includes shaft (12) and a dilatation balloon (24) at the distal end of the shaft. The balloon is inflated via a central lumen (14) in the shaft for delivery of a fluid inflation media. The balloon is fabricated from a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), preferably an engineering thermoplastic elastomer (ETE), with a non-compliant structural polymeric material. The combination may be a blend of the non-compliant structural polymer and the TPE. Alternatively, the combination may be a layered balloon having, for example, a non-compliant structural polymer inner layer and a soft, abrasion resistant, elastomeric outer layer. Methods for fabricating the balloon from the combination of a TPE and a non-compliant structural polymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: In certain aspects of the invention, an extrusion apparatus for making a multilayer article includes multiple discs, each of which has at least one passageway configured to permit fluid flow therethrough in a flow direction. At least one of the discs includes a cone shaped portion extending substantially parallel to the flow direction.

Abstract: A guidewire having a super elastic core surrounded by a shape memory polymer jacket. The super elastic core wire permits the guidewire to be navigated through tortuous vasculature without undergoing plastic deformation, and the shape memory polymer jacket permits the guidewire to be shaped by the physician.

Abstract: In certain aspects of the invention, an extrusion apparatus for making a multilayer article includes multiple discs, each of which has at least one passageway configured to permit fluid flow therethrough in a flow direction. At least one of the discs includes a cone shaped portion extending substantially parallel to the flow direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. The invention also relates to devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy a stent.

Abstract: Disclosed are medical devices comprising a coil, coated with a multi-layer coating system and possess the flexibility, lubricity and trackability desired in applications where such devices are utilized. The coating system comprises a non-hydrophilic polymer primer coat and a hydrophilic polymer topcoat. These coating materials do not comprise any cross-linkers or reactive functional groups, and do not require the use of a hazardous solvent. The multi-layer coating system is very thin; having a maximum dry thickness in the range of about 15 microns to about 40 microns. Also disclosed are methods for coating and using these medical devices. The coatings are applied at low temperatures, in an aqueous environment, and in such a way that the coil is coated discretely, without forming a thick layer between the coil portions. Such coating prevents substantial bridging between the loops of the coil, thus preventing the coil tip from being stiff or non-trackable.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter shaft, at least a portion of which defines a medical device receiving region, and at least one sleeve. The at least one sleeve comprises a tubular member constructed and arranged to transition between an extended state and a retracted state. The tubular member has a first portion being engaged to a portion of the catheter shaft adjacent to the medical device receiving region. In the extended state a second portion is constructed and arranged to at least partially overlay the medical device receiving region. In the retraced state the second portion is removed from about the medical device receiving region. At least one of the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member are at least partially constructed from a shape memory material.

Abstract: Multilayer medical devices, apparatuses for making such devices, and methods of making such devices are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. The invention also relates to devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy a stent.

Abstract: In certain aspects of the invention, an extrusion apparatus for making a multilayer article includes multiple discs, each of which has at least one passageway configured to permit fluid flow therethrough in a flow direction. At least one of the discs includes a cone shaped portion extending substantially parallel to the flow direction.