Abstract: Embodiments include an infusion-occlusion system having a delivery catheter, a guide catheter adapted to receive the delivery catheter, and a guidewire with an occlusion device adapted to be received within the guide catheter. The guide catheter of the catheter kit may be provided with an occlusion device at the distal end of the guide catheter. The delivery catheter may have an accessory lumen, coaxial and/or co-linear lumen, a supporting mandrel, and/or an occlusion device at its distal end. Moreover, according to embodiments, occlusion devices may be a single material or a composite balloon having an inner liner and an outer layer of different materials, a high compliance low pressure balloon, and/or a filter device that restricts particles from passing through but does not restrict fluid, such as blood. An inflation device with a large volume and low volume syringe can be used to inflate the balloon.

Abstract: A method including forming a pseudo-gel of a semi-crystalline polymer material and a solvent. The pseudo-gel is shaped into a first form and stretched. A portion of the solvent is removed to create a second form. The second form is stretched into a microstructure including nodes interconnected by fibrils. A method including forming a first form of a pseudo-gel including an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material and a solvent; stretching the first form; removing the solvent to form a second form; stretching the second form into a microstructure including nodes interconnected by fibrils; and annealing the stretched second form. An apparatus including a body portion formed of a dimension suitable for a medical device application and including a polyolefin polymer including a node and a fibril microstructure. An apparatus including a body portion including an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin material including a node and a fibril microstructure.

Abstract: A composition comprises a solid-stated block copolymer of an aromatic polyester and a caprolactone, wherein the copolymer has been solid state polymerized such that intrinsic viscosity increases at least 20%, the caprolactone content decreases no more than 1.2% absolute and the transesterification increases no more than 3.5% absolute, and wherein the solid-stated copolymer has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.82. Particularly preferred chain extension reactions are performed at a temperature of less than 175° C., and even more preferably at less than 165° C. In further aspects of the inventive subject matter, yarns and methods of producing a fiber include contemplated solid-stated block copolymers.

Abstract: Methods, devices, kits and compositions to treat a myocardial infarction. In one embodiment, the method includes the prevention of remodeling of the infarct zone of the ventricle. In other embodiments, the method includes the introduction of structurally reinforcing agents. In other embodiments, agents are introduced into a ventricle to increase compliance of the ventricle. In an alternative embodiment, the prevention of remodeling includes the prevention of thinning of the ventricular infarct zone. In another embodiment, the prevention of remodeling and thinning of the infarct zone involves the cross-linking of collagen and prevention of collagen slipping. In other embodiments, the structurally reinforcing agent may be accompanied by other therapeutic agents. These agents may include but are not limited to pro-fibroblastic and angiogenic agents.

Abstract: Methods, devices, kits and compositions to treat a myocardial infarction. In one embodiment, the method includes the prevention of remodeling of the infarct zone of the ventricle. In other embodiments, the method includes the introduction of structurally reinforcing agents. In other embodiments, agents are introduced into a ventricle to increase compliance of the ventricle. In an alternative embodiment, the prevention of remodeling includes the prevention of thinning of the ventricular infarct zone. In another embodiment, the prevention of remodeling and thinning of the infarct zone involves the cross-linking of collagen and prevention of collagen slipping. In other embodiments, the structurally reinforcing agent may be accompanied by other therapeutic agents. These agents may include but are not limited to pro-fibroblastic and angiogenic agents.

Abstract: A hybrid stent is formed which exhibits both high flexibility and high radial strength. The expandable hybrid stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, consists of radially expandable cylindrical rings generally aligned on a common longitudinal axis and interconnected by one or more links. In one embodiment, a dip-coated covered stent is formed by encapsulating cylindrical rings within a polymer material. In other embodiments, at least some of the rings and links are formed of a polymer material which provides longitudinal and flexural flexibility to the stent. These polymer rings and links are alternated with metallic rings and links in various configurations to attain sufficient column strength along with the requisite flexibility in holding open the target site within the body lumen. Alternatively, a laminated, linkless hybrid stent is formed by encapsulating cylindrical rings within a polymer tube.

Abstract: A catheter balloon formed at least in part of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer having a p-phenylene diisocyanate hard segment and a polycaprolactone soft segment. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer forms a first layer of the balloon that is bonded to an elongated catheter shaft. The thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer provides improved bonding of the balloon to the elongated shaft.

Abstract: A method including forming a semi-crystalline polymer material into a lamella; and stretching the lamella into a polymer comprising a node of folded lamella and a fibril orientation. A method including extruding a pseudo-gel comprising an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene material into a lamella; stretching the lamella into a polymer comprising a node of folded lamella and a fibril orientation; and annealing the polymer at a temperature sufficient to define the node and fibril orientation. An apparatus including a body portion formed of a dimension suitable for a medical device application and comprising a semi-crystalline polymer arrayed in a node of folded lamella and a fibril orientation. An apparatus including a body portion comprising an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material arrayed in a node of folded lamella and a fibril orientation.

Abstract: A composition comprises a solid-stated block copolymer of an aromatic polyester and a caprolactone, wherein the copolymer has been solid state polymerized such that intrinsic viscosity increases at least 20%, the caprolactone content decreases no more than 1.2% absolute and the transesterification increases no more than 3.5% absolute, and wherein the solid-stated copolymer has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.82. Particularly preferred chain extension reactions are performed at a temperature of less than 175° C., and even more preferably at less than 165° C. In further aspects of the inventive subject matter, yarns and methods of producing a fiber include contemplated solid-stated block copolymers.

Abstract: A delivery catheter that includes a flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having an outer diameter less than about 13 mm; a delivery lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, the delivery lumen within the flexible shaft, the delivery lumen having at least an outlet port or at least one side hole at the distal end of the delivery lumen, the delivery lumen having a cross-sectional area at least about 5 mm2; a pressure monitoring lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, the pressure monitoring lumen within the flexible shaft; a pressure port adjacent to and connected to the distal end of the pressure monitoring lumen; a balloon inflation lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, the balloon inflation lumen within the flexible shaft; a soft tip at the distal end of the flexible shaft; a balloon at the distal end of the flexible shaft, the balloon connected to the distal end of the balloon inflation lumen, the balloon includes at least one of the following materials, po

Abstract: A method including forming a pseudo-gel of a semi-crystalline polymer material and a solvent. The pseudo-gel is shaped into a first form and stretched. A portion of the solvent is removed to create a second form. The second form is stretched into a microstructure including nodes interconnected by fibrils. A method including forming a first form of a pseudo-gel including an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material and a solvent; stretching the first form; removing the solvent to form a second form; stretching the second form into a microstructure including nodes interconnected by fibrils; and annealing the stretched second form. An apparatus including a body portion formed of a dimension suitable for a medical device application and including a polyolefin polymer including a node and a fibril microstructure. An apparatus including a body portion including an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin material including a node and a fibril microstructure.

Abstract: A method including forming a semi-crystalline polymer material into a lamella; and stretching the lamella into a polymer including a node of folded lamella and a fibril orientation. A method including extruding a pseudo-gel including an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene material into a lamella; stretching the lamella into a polymer including a node of folded lamella and a fibril orientation; and annealing the polymer at a temperature sufficient to define the node and fibril orientation. An apparatus including a body portion formed of a dimension suitable for a medical device application and including a semi-crystalline polymer arrayed in a node of folded lamella and a fibril orientation. An apparatus including a body portion including an ultra-high molecular polyethylene material arrayed in a node of folded lamella and a fibril orientation.

Abstract: The present invention provides partially crystallizing lead-free and cadmium-free glass enamel composition that fuse at low temperatures. Glass enamel compositions according to the present invention form predominantly bismuth titanate and optionally zinc titanate crystals upon firing. Preferably, glass enamel compositions according to the invention include a glass component that includes by weight from about 11% to about 52% SiO2, from 10.2% to about 40% TiO2, from about 5% to about 75% Bi2O3, up to about 8% B2O3, up to about 14% BaO+SrO, and up to about 45% by weight ZnO, where the sum of Bi2O3 and ZnO comprises from about 30% to about 85% of the glass component by weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic device having a lead-free and cadmium-free glass composition applied thereto and fired to form an acid resistant overglaze, and a method of overglazing an electronic device using the lead-free and cadmium-free glass composition. The lead-free and cadmium-free glass composition fuses at low firing temperatures and is particularly suitable for use in thick film pastes. The glass composition forms predominantly bismuth titanate and/or zinc titanate crystals upon firing. Preferably, glass compositions include by weight from about 11% to about 52% SiO2, from 3.4% to about 40% TiO2, up to about 75% Bi2O3, up to about 40% by weight ZnO, where the sum of Bi2O3 and ZnO comprises from about 15% to about 85% of the glass composition by weight.

Abstract: A method of making a catheter balloon or other expandable medical device, and a balloon or other device formed thereby, in which at least a portion of a tubular, wrapped sheet of polymeric material is heated with laser radiation to form a fused seam extending along at least a section of the length of the tubular body. In one embodiment, the portion of the sheet heated by laser radiation is less than the entire area of the sheet, so that the fused seam is formed by heating portions of the sheet without heating sections of the sheet spaced apart from the fused seam. In one embodiment, the sheet of polymeric material comprises a polymer having a porous and preferably a node and fibril microstructure, which in one embodiment is selected from the group consisting of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and expanded ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and useful nonstick coating for use on pure aluminum, alloys of aluminum, or aluminized steel surfaces. A nonstick coating according to the present invention includes a ceramic substrate disposed on an aluminum surface and a fluorocarbon polymer coating disposed on the ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate, prior to firing, includes at least two layers: a first or bottom layer applied to the aluminum surface including an enamel ground coat; and a second or top layer applied over the enamel ground coat layer including a blend of one or more glass frits, non-ceramic refractory particles, and non-vitreous inorganic oxide particles. Upon firing, the ceramic substrate includes a continuous layer of vitreous enamel that is bonded to the aluminum surface. The exposed surface of the ceramic substrate has a micro-rough texture that is enriched with bonding sides for binder resins used in a fluorocarbon polymer primer layer.

Abstract: A catheter balloon formed of a polymeric material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) bonded to a second layer formed of a low tensile set polymer and/or impregnated with a low tensile set polymer. In a presently preferred embodiment, the low tensile set polymer is an elastomer selected from the group consisting of a silicone-polyurethane copolymer and a diene polymer. The low tensile set polymer has high strength, low modulus, high elongation, and low tensile set, to provide improved balloon performance. The diene or silicone-polyurethane has a low tensile set, which facilitates deflation of the balloon to a low profile deflated configuration. One aspect of the invention provides improved attachment of the diene to the ePTFE. In one embodiment, the second layer is formed of a diene mixed with a bonding promoter such as a vulcanizing agent which is covalently bonded to the diene.

Abstract: A method including forming a semi-crystalline polymer material into a lamella; and stretching the lamella into a polymer comprising a node of folded lamella and a fibril orientation. A method including extruding a pseudo-gel comprising an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene material into a lamella; stretching the lamella into a polymer comprising a node of folded lamella and a fibril orientation; and annealing the polymer at a temperature sufficient to define the node and fibril orientation. An apparatus including a body portion formed of a dimension suitable for a medical device application and comprising a semi-crystalline polymer arrayed in a node of folded lamella and a fibril orientation. An apparatus including a body portion comprising an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material arrayed in a node of folded lamella and a fibril orientation.

Abstract: A composition comprises a solid-stated block copolymer of an aromatic polyester and a caprolactone, wherein the copolymer has been solid state polymerized such that intrinsic viscosity increases at least 20%, the caprolactone content decreases no more than 1.2% absolute and the transesterification increases no more than 3.5% absolute, and wherein the solid-stated copolymer has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.82. Particularly preferred chain extension reactions are performed at a temperature of less than 175° C., and even more preferably at less than 165° C. In further aspects of the inventive subject matter, yarns and methods of producing a fiber include contemplated solid-stated block copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and useful nonstick coating for use on pure aluminum, alloys of aluminum, or aluminized steel surfaces. A nonstick coating according to the present invention includes a ceramic substrate disposed on an aluminum surface and a fluorocarbon polymer coating disposed on the ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate, prior to firing, includes at least two layers: a first or bottom layer applied to the aluminum surface including an enamel ground coat; and a second or top layer applied over the enamel ground coat layer including a blend of one or more glass frits, non-ceramic refractory particles, and non-vitreous inorganic oxide particles. Upon firing, the ceramic substrate includes a continuous layer of vitreous enamel that is bonded to the aluminum surface. The exposed surface of the ceramic substrate has a micro-rough texture that is enriched with bonding sides for binder resins used in a fluorocarbon polymer primer layer.