Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating atrioventricular valve prolapse of the drained human heart, includes a handle for being held by a surgeon, a shaft extending distally from the handle, the shaft having a lumen open to a shaft distal end, a cannulated needle arranged in the shaft; with a distal end of the needle protruding from the shaft distal end at least in one possible needle position. The needle accommodates a first, distal implant equipped for being anchored in a papillary muscle, and a second, proximal implant shaped to hold on to a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve, the first and second implants each including a chord connector portion for connecting the respective implant to an artificial chord. The apparatus further includes a trigger arrangement for releasing the first, distal implant upon a first release actuation and for releasing the second, proximal implant upon a second release actuation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug-eluting medical device, in particular a balloon for angioplasty catheters with drug elution to prevent the restenosis of the vessel subjected to angioplasty. More particularly, the present invention relates to a catheter balloon completely or partially coated with paclitaxel in hydrated crystalline form or in hydrated solvated crystalline form, having an immediate release and bioavailability of a therapeutically effective amount of paclitaxel at the site of intervention. The balloon can be made of a polyether-polyamide block copolymer, or a polyester amide, or polyamide-12.

Abstract: A drug coated balloon (DCB) catheter (4) has a connector (8), a shaft (20) extending from a proximal end (24) to a distal end (28) along an axial direction (X-X) and has a guidewire lumen (32) and an inflation lumen (36), the shaft being connected to the connector (8) on said proximal end (24), wherein the shaft (20) being provided with an inflatable balloon (48), fluidically connected with said inflation lumen (36) in order to be selectively inflated and/or deflated. Advantageously, the balloon (48) is coated with a drug to be delivered on a target lesion, an external wall (52) of the shaft (20), opposite to said lumens (32,36), is covered with a lubricant, and said guidewire lumen (32) is internally covered with a lubricant.

Abstract: Catheters and methods of making catheters are provided which include a connector with a guide wire channel and an inflation channel, a shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a guide wire lumen and an inflation lumen, the shaft being connected, at its proximal end, to the connector so that said guidewire lumen and inflation lumen are mechanically and fluidly connected with said guide wire channel and inflation channel respectively. The connection is realized in correspondence to a kink portion. Such catheters may include a protective sheath placed around an external wall of the shaft extending from a first sheath end, axially placed at a first distance from the proximal end of the shaft so as to allow direct contact and fixation between the external wall of the shaft and the internal wall of the kink portion, to a second sheath end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endolumenal prosthesis comprising a tubular body adapted to convert from a contracted condition to an expanded condition. The tubular body develops along a longitudinal axis and comprises: a plurality of coils and at least one bridge. The coils develop along a substantially circumferential direction and the bridge connects two coils. The coils are realized in a persistent material, while the bridge is realized in a bioabsorbable material.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis comprises a tubular body which can be expanded about a longitudinal axis. A plurality of serpentines extend in a substantially circumferential direction. Each comprises arm portions and bend portions which join two subsequent arms. The bends facing an adjacent serpentine are circumferentially offset relative to the respective opposite bends of the contiguous serpentine, both when the prosthesis is collapsed and when the prosthesis is expanded. A first portion comprises at least two adjacent serpentines interconnected by at least one bridge, and at least two bends situated at the shortest longitudinal distance between the two serpentines is not connected by a bridge. A second portion comprises at least two adjacent serpentines interconnected by a number of bridges equal to the number of pairs of bends of the two serpentines, at the shortest longitudinal distance between the two serpentines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug-eluting medical device, in particular a balloon for angioplasty catheters with drug elution to prevent the restenosis of the vessel subjected to angioplasty. More particularly, the present invention relates to a catheter balloon completely or partially coated with paclitaxel in hydrated crystalline form or in hydrated solvated crystalline form, having an immediate release and bioavailability of a therapeutically effective amount of paclitaxel at the site of intervention. The balloon can be made of a polyether-polyamide block copolymer, or a polyester amide, or polyamide-12.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly (10) comprising at least a first stent (1?) and a second stent (1?). Each stent comprises a proximal section (2), a central section (3), and a distal section (4). The proximal and distal sections provide a radial force which is essentially equal to a half of the radial force which is provided by the central section. Thus, by overlapping the distal section (4?) of the second stent (1?) to the proximal section (2?) of the first stent (1?), the radial force which is provided by the overlapped sections is nearly equal to the radial force which is provided by the central sections (3?, 3?) of the two stents.

Abstract: The present invention regards an endoluminal prosthesis (1) or stent comprising a tubular body (10) adapted to be brought from a contracted condition to an expanded condition. The tubular body extends along a longitudinal axis (X-X) and comprises a plurality of bands (11, 11?), and at least one thread (13, 13?) connected to at least one of the bands (11.a).

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis comprises a tubular body which can be expanded about a longitudinal axis. A plurality of serpentines extend in a substantially circumferential direction. Each comprises arm portions and bend portions which join two subsequent arms. The bends facing an adjacent serpentine are circumferentially offset relative to the respective opposite bends of the contiguous serpentine, both when the prosthesis is collapsed and when the prosthesis is expanded. A first portion comprises at least two adjacent serpentines interconnected by at least one bridge, and at least two bends situated at the shortest longitudinal distance between the two serpentines is not connected by a bridge. A second portion comprises at least two adjacent serpentines interconnected by a number of bridges equal to the number of pairs of bends of the two serpentines, at the shortest longitudinal distance between the two serpentines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endolumenal prosthesis comprising a tubular body adapted to convert from a contracted condition to an expanded condition. The tubular body develops along a longitudinal axis and comprises: a plurality of coils and at least one bridge. The coils develop along a substantially circumferential direction and the bridge connects two coils. The coils are realised in a persistent material, while the bridge is realised in a bioabsorbable material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stenting are provided comprising a stent attached to a porous biocompatible material that is permeable to endothelial cell ingrowth, but impermeable to release of emboli of predetermined size. Preferred stent designs are provided, as well as preferred manufacturing techniques. Apparatus and methods are also provided for use at a vessel branching. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may comprise a coating configured for localized delivery of therapeutic agents. Embodiments of the present invention are expected to provide enhanced embolic protection, improved force distribution, and improved recrossability, while reducing a risk of restenosis and thrombus formation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stenting are provided comprising a stent attached to a porous biocompatible material that is permeable to endothelial cell ingrowth, but impermeable to release of emboli of predetermined size. Preferred stent designs are provided, as well as preferred manufacturing techniques. Apparatus and methods are also provided for use at a vessel branching. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may comprise a coating configured for localized delivery of therapeutic agents. Embodiments of the present invention are expected to provide enhanced embolic protection, improved force distribution, and improved recrossability, while reducing a risk of restenosis and thrombus formation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stenting are provided comprising a stent attached to a porous biocompatible material that is permeable to endothelial cell ingrowth, but impermeable to release of emboli of predetermined size. Preferred stent designs are provided, as well as preferred manufacturing techniques. Apparatus and methods are also provided for use at a vessel branching. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may comprise a coating configured for localized delivery of therapeutic agents. Embodiments of the present invention are expected to provide enhanced embolic protection, improved force distribution, and improved recrossability, while reducing a risk of restenosis and thrombus formation.

Abstract: A stent holder is configured for holding a self-expandable stent for insertion into a body vessel. In order to prevent the stent from migrating on a holder body of the stent holder, said holder body comprises two fixing or fixation elements for temporarily fastening opposite stent ends of stent.

Abstract: UHMW polyethylene for implants which are intended for a sterilization by means of &ggr; rays or electron beams are doped with vitamin E during the manufacture, which binds off the free radicals faster than the oxygen from the surroundings after the irradiation and thus prevents an oxidation and aging of the implants. A starting material in powder form is wetted at its surface with a liquid which has a suitable amount of vitamin E in order to achieve a concentration K of vitamin E of 0.01%<K<1% on the polyethylene particles. After the evaporation of the liquid the PE powder is compressed to blocks or processed to rods at temperatures around 180° C.-240° C. and pressures from 2-10 MPa.