Abstract: A side catheter branch of a catheter assembly is oriented with respect to the main or side balloons of a catheter assembly. In some examples, the orientation is accomplished by connecting the side catheter branch to the main and/or side balloons or waist portions thereof. In other examples, the side catheter branch is positioned within the folds of the main or side balloons during assembly of the catheter assembly. In this manner, the side catheter branch remains in a known orientation with respect to the main and/or side balloons prior to and/or after deployment.

Abstract: Medical devices have material that that has a laser induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS) pattern on at least a portion thereof. The LIPSS pattern is provided by exposing a material surface to a pulsed polarized laser energy fluence below the ablation threshold. The LIPSS pattern is useful for purposes such as reducing contact areas on sliding surfaces, increasing total surface area for adhesions, providing anisotropic reinforcement of a material layer or layers, and to provide multiple channels for directing cell growth.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including a side branch locator that is moveable between a retracted position within a main vessel of a vessel bifurcation, and an extended position wherein a distal end of the side branch locator extends into a branch vessel of the vessel bifurcation. The side branch locator includes a first end fixed relative to a portion of the catheter assembly that remains in the main vessel. A second end of the side branch locator is moveable between the retracted and extended positions. The catheter assembly can include a moveable sheath that holds the side branch locator in the retracted position. The catheter assembly can further include a stent having a lateral branch opening through which the side branch locator extends.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods directed to a main balloon and a side balloon, wherein the side balloon is coupled in fluid communication with the main balloon at a location distal of the side balloon. In one example, a side inflation member couples the side balloon in fluid communication to the main balloon at a distal end portion of the main balloon. A side catheter branch of the catheter assembly, which defines a side guidewire lumen, can be operatively mounted to the side balloon at a side balloon connection point to help maintain alignment of the side catheter branch relative to the side balloon.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and uses of bucky paper are provided in the present invention. These embodiments include covering medical implants with single or multiple layers of bucky paper, treating bucky paper with various therapeutics to be released through the bucky paper to a target site, shaping bucky paper into non-conventional configurations for improved therapeutic deliver, and using bucky paper alone or in conjunction with other materials to treat a target site.

Abstract: A medical implant includes a bioerodible portion that includes a bioerodible polymer and a bioerodible metal. The bioerodible polymer matrix degrades under physiological conditions to form acidic degradation products. The bioerodible metal degrades under physiological conditions to form basic degradation products. The acidic degradation products and the basic degradation products buffer at least a portion of the medical implant. In one aspect, the bioerodible portion includes a bioerodible polymer matrix and a bioerodible metal within the bioerodible polymer matrix. In another aspect, the medical implant can include a body, a plurality of discrete deposits of the bioerodible polymer on the body, and a plurality of discrete deposits of the bioerodible metal on the body.

Abstract: A closure device to be inserted at least partially through a blood vessel wall aperture in a blood vessel wall. The closure device includes at least two parts, an internal part and an external part. The internal part is adapted to be extended at least partially through the blood vessel wall aperture and into the lumen to at least partially block the blood vessel wall aperture. Each of the internal part and the external part consists essentially of a metal that biodegrades within a living being in a period of time that permits biological repair of the blood vessel wall in and around the blood vessel aperture.

Abstract: A closure device to be inserted at least partially through a blood vessel wall aperture in a blood vessel wall, having at least two metal petals that can be inserted through the blood vessel wall aperture and into the lumen of the blood vessel. The petals are structured to prevent withdrawal through the blood vessel wall aperture when the length of the petal is generally aligned with the blood vessel wall. The metal petals have alignment features that tend to urge them into alignment relative to each other. The closure device includes a metal expansion member that is alterable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state. A bioabsorbable tensioning member interconnects the petals and the metal expansion member and is securable to the metal expansion member.

Abstract: Endoprosthesis assemblies and methods of making endoprosthesis assemblies are disclosed. For example, endoprosthesis assemblies are described that include an endoprosthesis body and a polymeric coating about the endoprosthesis body. The polymeric coatings are engaged tightly to the endoprosthesis wall through engageable features created on the surface of the polymeric coatings and the surface of the endoprosthesis wall prior to engaging the surfaces.

Abstract: A closure device to be inserted at least partially through a blood vessel wall aperture in a blood vessel wall, having at least two metal petals that can be inserted through the blood vessel wall aperture and into the lumen of the blood vessel. The petals are structured to prevent withdrawal through the blood vessel wall aperture when the length of the petal is generally aligned with the blood vessel wall. The metal petals have alignment features that tend to urge them into alignment relative to each other. The closure device includes a metal expansion member that is alterable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state. A bioabsorbable tensioning member interconnects the petals and the metal expansion member and is securable to the metal expansion member.

Abstract: A closure device to be inserted at least partially through a blood vessel wall aperture in a blood vessel wall. The closure device includes at least two parts, an internal part and an external part. The internal part is adapted to be extended at least partially through the blood vessel wall aperture and into the lumen to at least partially block the blood vessel wall aperture. Each of the internal part and the external part consists essentially of a metal that biodegrades within a living being in a period of time that permits biological repair of the blood vessel wall in and around the blood vessel aperture.

Abstract: A medical implant includes a bioerodible portion that includes a bioerodible polymer and a bioerodible metal. The bioerodible polymer matrix degrades under physiological conditions to form acidic degradation products. The bioerodible metal degrades under physiological conditions to form basic degradation products. The acidic degradation products and the basic degradation products buffer at least a portion of the medical implant. In one aspect, the bioerodible portion includes a bioerodible polymer matrix and a bioerodible metal within the bioerodible polymer matrix. In another aspect, the medical implant can include a body, a plurality of discrete deposits of the bioerodible polymer on the body, and a plurality of discrete deposits of the bioerodible metal on the body.

Abstract: Endoprosthesis assemblies and methods of making endoprosthesis assemblies are disclosed. For example, endoprosthesis assemblies are described that include an endoprosthesis body and a polymeric coating about the endoprosthesis body. The polymeric coatings are engaged tightly to the endoprosthesis wall through engageable features created on the surface of the polymeric coatings and the surface of the endoprosthesis wall prior to engaging the surfaces.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and uses of bucky paper are provided in the present invention. These embodiments include covering medical implants with single or multiple layers of bucky paper, treating bucky paper with various therapeutics to be released through the bucky paper to a target site, shaping bucky paper into non-conventional configurations for improved therapeutic deliver, and using bucky paper alone or in conjunction with other materials to treat a target site.

Abstract: A side catheter branch of a catheter assembly is oriented with respect to the main or side balloons of a catheter assembly. In some examples, the orientation is accomplished by connecting the side catheter branch to the main and/or side balloons or waste portions thereof. In other examples, the side catheter branch is positioned within the folds of the main or side balloons during assembly of the catheter assembly. In this manner, the side catheter branch remains in a known orientation with respect to the main and/or side balloons prior to and/or after deployment.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes a member having a surface that includes a fractal structure.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods directed to a main balloon and a side balloon, wherein the side balloon is coupled in fluid communication with the main balloon at a location distal of the side balloon. In one example, a side inflation member couples the side balloon in fluid communication to the main balloon at a distal end portion of the main balloon. A side catheter branch of the catheter assembly, which defines a side guidewire lumen, can be operatively mounted to the side balloon at a side balloon connection point to help maintain alignment of the side catheter branch relative to the side balloon.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and uses of bucky paper are provided in the present invention. These embodiments include covering medical implants with single or multiple layers of bucky paper, treating bucky paper with various therapeutics to be released through the bucky paper to a target site, shaping bucky paper into non-conventional configurations for improved therapeutic deliver, and using bucky paper alone or in conjunction with other materials to treat a target site.

Abstract: A method includes: providing a substrate, depositing a ceramic and an extractable material onto the substrate, forming a porous structure in the ceramic by removing the extractable material, and utilizing the ceramic in an endoprosthesis. An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, including a coating formed of a ceramic and an extractable material that can be removed from the coating to form voids is also disclosed.

Abstract: Endoprosthesis includes coatings of selected porosity formed of particulates of ceramics, metals, drugs and/or polymers.