Abstract: A method of forming a surface structure of a component of a medical devices includes forming a fatigue-resistant portion, which entails forming a first layer comprising a transition metal selected from the group consisting of Ta, Nb, Mo, V, Mn, Fe, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, and Si on at least a portion of a surface of the component, where the surface comprises a nickel-titanium alloy, and alloying the transition metal of the first layer with the nickel-titanium alloy of the surface. The method further includes forming a rough outer surface of the fatigue-resistant portion, where the rough outer surface is adapted for adhesion of a material thereto.

Abstract: A method of forming a surface structure of a component of a medical devices includes forming a fatigue-resistant portion, which entails forming a first layer comprising a transition metal selected from the group consisting of Ta, Nb, Mo, V, Mn, Fe, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, and Si on at least a portion of a surface of the component, where the surface comprises a nickel-titanium alloy, and alloying the transition metal of the first layer with the nickel-titanium alloy of the surface. The method further includes forming a rough outer surface of the fatigue-resistant portion, where the rough outer surface is adapted for adhesion of a material thereto.

Abstract: A system (60) for ablating internal heart tissue (12) in an ablation pattern (50) on a surface of the tissue within the heart. The system (60) includes an ablation catheter (14) with a distal end having an ablating tip portion (20) operative to allow selective ablation of tissue. A guiding device (62) is engageable with the ablation catheter (14) and includes a tissue anchoring portion (74) operable to engage with tissue proximate to the tissue to be ablated so as to temporarily anchor the guiding device (62) relative to the tissue (12). Engagement of the guiding device (62) with the ablation catheter (14) operates to assist with guiding the ablating tip portion (20) in moving along the pattern (50). Various devices and methods of use are further disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid stent (100) includes at least one resilient ring (105) comprising a superelastic wire (102) formed in a sinusoidal pattern of alternating crests (110) and troughs (115) about a circumference of the ring (105). A plurality of malleable cannula segments (120) overlie the superelastic wire at the crests and troughs. Each of the cannula segments (120) includes a bend (125) and has an inner diameter sized to allow relative motion between the wire (102) and the cannula segment (120). The hybrid stent (100) may also include a plurality of gaps (130), where each gap (130) is defined by a spacing between opposing cannula segments (120). Deformation of the malleable cannula segments (120) dominates a response of the stent to substantially uniform radial forces, and deformation of the resilient ring (105) dominates a response of the stent to radially nonuniform crushing forces.

Abstract: A system (60) for ablating internal heart tissue (12) in an ablation pattern (50) on a surface of the tissue within the heart. The system (60) includes an ablation catheter (14) with a distal end having an ablating tip portion (20) operative to allow selective ablation of tissue. A guiding device (62) is engageable with the ablation catheter (14) and includes a tissue anchoring portion (74) operable to engage with tissue proximate to the tissue to be ablated so as to temporarily anchor the guiding device (62) relative to the tissue (12). Engagement of the guiding device (62) with the ablation catheter (14) operates to assist with guiding the ablating tip portion (20) in moving along the pattern (50). Various devices and methods of use are further disclosed.

Abstract: A method of bonding a first component of a medical device to a second component of the medical device, where at least one of the components comprises a shape memory material, includes positioning the components in close proximity to each other to obtain an assembled configuration, and heating the assembled configuration at a temperature in the range of from about 800° C. to about 1100° C. to obtain a diffusion bond at a region of contact between the two components. The assembled configuration is formed into a desired set shape and heat-set at a temperature in the range of from about 350° C. to about 550° C. to impart a memory of the desired set shape to the shape memory materials without substantially impairing the diffusion bond.

Abstract: A hybrid stent (100) includes at least one resilient ring (105) comprising a superelastic wire (102) formed in a sinusoidal pattern of alternating crests (110) and troughs (115) about a circumference of the ring (105). A plurality of malleable cannula segments (120) overlie the superelastic wire at the crests and troughs. Each of the cannula segments (120) includes a bend (125) and has an inner diameter sized to allow relative motion between the wire (102) and the cannula segment (120). The hybrid stent (100) may also include a plurality of gaps (130), where each gap (130) is defined by a spacing between opposing cannula segments (120). Deformation of the malleable cannula segments (120) dominates a response of the stent to substantially uniform radial forces, and deformation of the resilient ring (105) dominates a response of the stent to radially nonuniform crushing forces.

Abstract: A method of bonding a first component of a medical device to a second component of the medical device, where at least one of the components comprises a shape memory material, includes positioning the components in close proximity to each other to obtain an assembled configuration, and heating the assembled configuration at a temperature in the range of from about 800° C. to about 1100° C. to obtain a diffusion bond at a region of contact between the two components. The assembled configuration is formed into a desired set shape and heat-set at a temperature in the range of from about 350° C. to about 550° C. to impart a memory of the desired set shape to the shape memory materials without substantially impairing the diffusion bond.