Abstract: A method of collecting a biological sample inside a body cavity (18) using filaments (132). The body cavity (18) is accessed with the filaments (132) contained in a sheath (126) with ends thereof spaced apart from each other. To collect the sample, the filaments (132) are deployed outside the sheath (126) in the body cavity (18) and the ends of the filaments (126) are longitudinally brought closer to each other to bulge the portion extending therebetween to a radius larger than the radius of the sheath 126). Also, a device (100, 300) for performing the method.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an implantable medical device, the method including the steps of: (a) providing in a vapor deposition chamber a substrate including a substrate material, an anodic source made of an anodic material, and a cathodic source made of a cathodic material, the anodic and cathodic materials forming a galvanic couple; (b) operating the vapor deposition chamber to vaporize simultaneously the anodic and cathodic materials from the anodic and cathodic sources and depositing the vaporized cathodic and anodic materials on the substrate to produce a coated substrate including the substrate material coated by a bioresorbable coating; and (c) obtaining the implantable medical device from the coated substrate. Also, a stent, a medical device and a bioresorbable material obtained with vapor deposition of materials forming a galvanic couple.

Abstract: A combination blood pump and oxygenator, comprising an axial flow blood pump defining axially opposed blood inlet and outlet and a central lumen. The combination also includes a gas exchanger extending along the central lumen, the gas exchanger defining a gas inlet and a gas outlet, the gas exchanger being operative for allowing gas exchanges between blood circulated between the blood inlet and the blood outlet and gas circulated in the gas exchanger between the gas inlet and the gas outlet.

Abstract: Bioresorbable medical devices, such as stents, scaffolds and other medical devices implantable in human and animal bodies, in which galvanic couples are formed. The devices include bioresorbable amalgamates, wires, laminates, layered structures or combinations thereof. Also, methods of manufacturing the devices, including laminating, folding, 110 braiding, weaving, crocheting or cold spraying of materials with different galvanic potentials Also, machining of amalgamated materials using electrical discharge machining.

Abstract: An intermixed particulate bioresorbable material including cathodic particles and anodic particles bound to each other, wherein the anodic and cathodic particles are made respectively of an anodic and a cathodic material, the anodic and cathodic materials forming a galvanic couple. The anodic and cathodic particles are present in a predetermined ratio and the anodic particles, cathodic particles and predetermined ratio are such that bioresorption of the bioresorbable material is promoted by galvanic corrosion between the anodic and cathodic materials. Also, a medical device, manufactured using the bioresorbable material and a method of manufacturing the bioresorbable material and the medical device.

Abstract: An intermixed particulate bioresorbable material including cathodic particles and anodic particles bound to each other, wherein the anodic and cathodic particles are made respectively of an anodic and a cathodic material, the anodic and cathodic materials forming a galvanic couple. The anodic and cathodic particles are present in a predetermined ratio and the anodic particles, cathodic particles and predetermined ratio are such that bioresorption of the bioresorbable material is promoted by galvanic corrosion between the anodic and cathodic materials. Also, a medical device, manufactured using the bioresorbable material and a method of manufacturing the bioresorbable material and the medical device.

Abstract: An intermixed particulate bioresorbable material including cathodic particles and anodic particles bound to each other, wherein the anodic and cathodic particles are made respectively of an anodic and a cathodic material, the anodic and cathodic materials forming a galvanic couple. The anodic and cathodic particles are present in a predetermined ratio and the anodic particles, cathodic particles and predetermined ratio are such that bioresorption of said stent is promoted by galvanic corrosion between said anodic and cathodic materials. Also, a medical device, such as a stent, manufactured using the bioresorbable material and a method of manufacturing the bioresorbable material and the medical device.

Abstract: A device for supporting soft tissue includes a tubular body and is constituted of a sequence of compliant portions and anchoring portions. The anchoring portions each include anchor members adapted to penetrate into soft tissue. The compliant portions each include deformable members extending between ends of the compliant portion, at least one of a distance and orientation between said ends being adjustable by application of a force on the tubular body. The tubular body includes a ring-like shape reached at least by deformation of the compliant portions, the ring-like shape having the anchor members of the anchoring portions protruding circumferentially along a direction defined by a vector having a component being at least tangential to the curve of the ring-like shape, for the anchor members to penetrate the soft tissue. A method for anchoring the device to soft tissue is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an implantable medical device, the method including the steps of: (a) providing in a vapor deposition chamber a substrate including a substrate material, an anodic source made of an anodic material, and a cathodic source made of a cathodic material, the anodic and cathodic materials forming a galvanic couple; (b) operating the vapor deposition chamber to vaporize simultaneously the anodic and cathodic materials from the anodic and cathodic sources and depositing the vaporized cathodic and anodic materials on the substrate to produce a coated substrate including the substrate material coated by a bioresorbable coating; and (c) obtaining the implantable medical device from the coated substrate. Also, a stent, a medical device and a bioresorbable material obtained with vapor deposition of materials forming a galvanic couple.

Abstract: An axial flow blood pump having a rotor rotatably mounted in a housing. The rotor includes at least two rotor blades having different configurations.

Abstract: An axial flow blood pump having a rotor rotatably mounted in a housing. The rotor includes at least two rotor blades having different configurations.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bioresorbable device, said method comprising: providing an anodic material; providing a cathodic material, said anodic and cathodic materials forming a galvanic couple; vapor depositing simultaneously said anodic and cathodic materials on a substrate to obtain a bioresorbable material; and processing said bioresorbable material to form said bioresorbable device. Said vapor deposition of said anodic and cathodic materials is performed under conditions such that bioresorption of said device is promoted by galvanic corrosion between said anodic and cathodic materials.

Abstract: A device for supporting soft tissue comprises a tubular body and is constituted of a sequence of compliant portions and anchoring portions. The anchoring portions each comprise anchor members adapted to penetrate into soft tissue. The compliant portions each comprise deformable members extending between ends of the compliant portion, at least one of a distance and orientation between said ends being adjustable by application of a force on the tubular body. The tubular body comprises a ring-like shape reached at least by deformation of the compliant portions, the ring-like shape having the anchor members of the anchoring portions protruding circumferentially along a direction defined by a vector having a component being at least tangential to the curve of the ring-like shape, for the retaining members to penetrate the soft tissue. A method for anchoring the device to soft tissue is also provided.

Abstract: An intermixed particulate bioresorbable material including cathodic particles and anodic particles bound to each other, wherein the anodic and cathodic particles are made respectively of an anodic and a cathodic material, the anodic and cathodic materials forming a galvanic couple. The anodic and cathodic particles are present in a predetermined ratio and the anodic particles, cathodic particles and predetermined ratio are such that bioresorption of said stent is promoted by galvanic corrosion between said anodic and cathodic materials. Also, a medical device, such as a stent, manufactured using the bioresorbable material and a method of manufacturing the bioresorbable material and the medical device.

Abstract: A stent insertable in a body vessel, the body vessel defining a vessel wall. The stent includes a plurality of struts, the struts defining a substantially elongated stent passageway, the struts being configured, sized and operatively coupled to each other in a manner such that the stent is deformable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the stent passageway has a first radial dimension and a first longitudinal dimension, and in the second configuration, the stent has a second radial dimension and a second longitudinal dimension, the second radial dimension being at least as large as the first radial dimension and the second longitudinal dimension being larger than the first longitudinal dimension. The stent is able to expand substantially longitudinally with the body vessel as the body vessel grows without reducing in diameter so as to reduce risks of damaging the vessel wall as the body vessel grows.

Abstract: A stent insertable in a body vessel, the body vessel defining a vessel wall. The stent includes a plurality of struts, the struts defining a substantially elongated stent passageway, the struts being configured, sized and operatively coupled to each other in a manner such that the stent is deformable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the stent passageway has a first radial dimension and a first longitudinal dimension, and in the second configuration, the stent has a second radial dimension and a second longitudinal dimension, the second radial dimension being at least as large as the first radial dimension and the second longitudinal dimension being larger than the first longitudinal dimension. The stent is able to expand substantially longitudinally with the body vessel as the body vessel grows without reducing in diameter so as to reduce risks of damaging the vessel wall as the body vessel grows.

Abstract: To determine a coefficient of diffusion of a radioisotope in a radioisotope-containing implant structure and to calculate a quantity of radioisotope to be introduced in an implant structure in view of administering to a vascular region of a patient's body a dose of radioactivity at a given dose rate, a relation is calculated between a coefficient of diffusion of the radioisotope in the implant structure and a coefficient of diffusion of the radioisotope in the vascular region of the patient's body for at least one given period of time during which the radioisotope has to be released. The diffusion coefficient of the vascular region is determined. The method also determines, from the diffusion coefficient of the vascular region and in connection with the above relation, the diffusion coefficient of the implant structure required to release the radioisotope within the given period of time.

Abstract: To determine a coefficient of diffusion of a radioisotope in a radioisotope-containing implant structure and to calculate a quantity of radioisotope to be introduced in an implant structure in view of administering to a vascular region of a patient's body a dose of radioactivity at a given dose rate, a relation is calculated between a coefficient of diffusion of the radioisotope in the implant structure and a coefficient of diffusion of the radioisotope in the vascular region of the patient's body for at least one given period of time during which the radioisotope has to be released. The diffusion coefficient of the vascular region is determined. The method also determines, from the diffusion coefficient of the vascular region and in connection with the above relation, the diffusion coefficient of the implant structure required to release the radioisotope within the given period of time.