Abstract: Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include an intravascular nerve modulation system including an elongated shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region. The system may include an expandable frame having one or more electrodes positioned on or about the frame. An actuation assembly including a biasing element, a central shaft, and a piston may be configured to provide for controlled expansion of the expandable frame. The system may further include a control element for controlling the actuation assembly.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for determining blood flow rates based on light reflection measurements. The catheter may include a lumen extending between a proximal end of the catheter and a distal end of the catheter. The catheter may include fluid infusion openings at the distal end region of the catheter that are configured to permit the indicator fluid to exit the catheter from the lumen. The catheter system may include an optical fiber having one or more sensors thereon for sensing light reflected by blood particles in a body vessel lumen. A blood flow rate may be determined based on the sensed light reflected by blood particles in the body vessel lumen.

Abstract: Nanoparticles can be embedded into a medical device by accelerating them to a speed of between 100 m/s and 1,000 m/s and embedding the particles into a polymer surface of a medical device or a precursor thereof. In some cases, the nanoparticles can be embedded until the nanoparticles accumulate in sufficient number to adhere together to form a coating over the polymer surface. The nanoparticles can provide a conductive pathway, an abrasion resistant surface, a pro-healing surface, and/or an anti-bacterial surface.

Abstract: Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include an intravascular nerve modulation system including an elongated shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region. The system may include an expandable frame having one or more electrodes positioned on or about the frame. An actuation assembly including a biasing element, a central shaft, and a piston may be configured to provide for controlled expansion of the expandable frame. The system may further include a control element for controlling the actuation assembly.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes an expandable tubular body defined by a plurality of struts. In some embodiments, the expandable tubular body includes a bioerodible metal that has at least a first surface region and a second surface region. The first and second surface regions can have different surface oxide compositions. In some embodiments, the first portion has a thermally altered microstructure and the second portion has a wrought microstructure. The thermally altered microstructure can be a cast microstructure comprising dendritic grains. The first portion forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the expandable tubular body. In some embodiments, the expandable tubular body includes iron or a bioerodible iron alloy and at least one surface of the expandable tubular body includes a substantially uniform coating of iron(III) oxide.

Abstract: Medical devices may include an electrode that has been processed to increase its surface area. In some cases, an electrode may be processed using an ultrafast laser to produce an electrode surface that includes macrostructures formed within the electrode surface and nanostructures formed on the macrostructures. The nanostructures may be formed of material that was removed from the electrode surface in forming the macrostructures.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guide extension catheter. The guide extension catheter may include an elongate tubular member having a proximal region, a distal region, and a slot formed in the tubular member between the proximal region and the distal region. The proximal region of the tubular member may be configured to shift between a first configuration and a collapsed configuration. The guide extension catheter may also include an elongate shaft for shifting the proximal region between the first configuration and the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and an electrical conductor electrically connected to the proximal end portion of the lead body. Also, the lead has at least one electrode connected to the distal end portion of the lead body and connected to the electrical conductor. The electrode includes a conductive base structure, a first set of pores formed on an outer surface of the conductive base structure, the first set of pores having an average first pore dimension of between about ¼th and about 1/100th an electrode dimension, and a second set of pores formed on at least a portion of the first set of pores, the second set of pores having an average second pore dimension of between about ¼th and about 1/100th average first pore dimension.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis erodes to a desirable geometry that can provide, e.g., improved mechanical properties or degradation characteristics.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis erodes to a desirable geometry that can provide, e.g., improved mechanical properties or degradation characteristics.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes an expandable tubular body defined by a plurality of struts. In some embodiments, the expandable tubular body includes a bioerodible metal that has at least a first surface region and a second surface region. The first and second surface regions can have different surface oxide compositions. In some embodiments, the first portion has a thermally altered microstructure and the second portion has a wrought microstructure. The thermally altered microstructure can be a cast microstructure comprising dendritic grains. The first portion forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the expandable tubular body. In some embodiments, the expandable tubular body includes iron or a bioerodible iron alloy and at least one surface of the expandable tubular body includes a substantially uniform coating of iron(III) oxide.

Abstract: Endoprostheses such as stents are disclosed that are, or that include portions that are, bioerodible.

Abstract: Endoprostheses such as stents are disclosed that are, or that include portions that are, bioerodible.

Abstract: Medical devices are described that include a device body that carries a first bioerodible member and a second bioerodible member. One of the first or second members includes a bioerodible metallic material or ceramic, and the other includes a bioerodible polymeric material. The first and/or second member can include a therapeutic agent such as paclitaxel.

Abstract: A sealed lead-acid cell and positive plate for a sealed lead-acid cell are provided. The positive plate comprises a grid supporting structure having a layer of active material pasted thereto, the grid supporting structure comprising a lead-based alloy consisting essentially of lead, from about 0.02% to about 0.05% calcium, from about 1.5% to about 3.0% tin, and from about 0.01% to about 0.05% silver. A positive plate in accordance with the invention has excellent mechanical properties, and is satisfactory for use in a lead-acid cell.

Abstract: The use of a continuous process for making a directly cast strip to provide a thickness satisfactory for industrial cells and batteries for stationary and motive power applications is disclosed, the thickness of the strip being at least 0.060 inch, and the process providing a visually crack-free surface in the transverse direction of the directly cast strip, the strip being lead or a lead-based alloy, such as, for example, calcium-tin-silver.

Abstract: Disclosed are curable sealant compositions for coating a conductive bushing for a lead-acid cell or battery having positive and negative plates disposed within a container and a cover, the conductive bushing being molded into the cover and providing electrical communication with at least one of the plates, the bushing presenting an interface with the exterior of the bushing and the cover. The sealant compositions comprise a sealing elastomer in an amount from about 1% to about 15% by weight and a solvent in an amount of up to about 99% by weight. In accordance with the invention, the sealant composition is a terpene solvent, preferably a cyclic terpene and more preferably D-limonene. The sealant compositions preferably further comprise a reinforcing agent in an amount of about 1% to about 15% by weight. In use, at least a portion of a bushing is coated with the sealant composition, and the sealant composition is cured.

Abstract: Automotive SLI lead-acid batteries are disclosed which are characterized by enhanced resistance to intercell connection corrosion, even when exposed to the relatively high under-the-hood service temperatures in use with recent model automobiles. The straps are formed from a lead-based alloy including from about 2.0 to 2.6% or so antimony, from about 0.04 to 0.07% tin, from about 0.04 to about 0.07% arsenic, and from about 0.012 to about 0.030% selenium, the percentages being based upon the weight of the alloy.

Abstract: A continuous method for making starting, lighting and ignition lead-acid battery positive plates and the resulting battery is disclosed which utilizes a direct cast alloy strip wherein the alloy consists essentially of lead, from about 0.02 to 0.05% calcium, from about 0.3 to about 0.5% tin, and from about 0.02 to 0.05% silver, the percentages being based upon the weight of the alloy strip, as well as related alloys utilizing calcium and strontium or strontium in place of calcium.

Abstract: Automotive SLI lead-acid batteries are disclosed which are characterized by enhanced resistance to intercell connection corrosion, even when exposed to the current, relatively high under-the-hood service temperatures in use with recent model automobiles. The straps are formed from a lead-based alloy including from about 3.0 to 3.3% antimony, from about 0.04 to 0.07% tin, from about 0.04 to 0.07% arsenic and from about 0.014 to 0.020% selenium, the percentages being based upon the weight of the alloy.