Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a system for treating a vascular condition. A catheter including an inflatable balloon is provided. A stent is positioned over the balloon. An adhesive material is applied between an inner surface of the stent and an outer surface of the balloon. The adhesive material is heated to above a melting point of the adhesive material. The adhesive material is cooled to below a melting point of the adhesive material to provide an adhesive bond that retains the stent to the catheter during vascular delivery, wherein the stent is released from the balloon following inflation and deflation of the balloon at a treatment site.

Abstract: A system for forming a polymeric body includes a non-perforated irrigating shaped form, such as a catheter balloon, fluidly coupled with a container storing a first component. The irrigating shaped form is sized and dimensioned for positioning within a patient's body. A second component is disposed at the irrigating shaped form. The second component can either be supplied separately to the irrigating shaped form, pre-exist within the irrigating shaped form, exist as a coating or other residual element on the irrigating shaped form, or the like. In a corresponding method, a first component reacts with the second component upon delivery of the first component from the first component container through the irrigating shaped form. The reaction of the components forms a compound emitted from the irrigating shaped form to a targeted location within the patient's body. The compound cures to form the polymeric body.

Abstract: Methods of treating the prostate include administering a thermal ablation therapy and inhibiting the obstruction or closure of the prostatic urethral opening by forming a biodegradable stent in situ in the subject such that the stent attaches to the walls of the prostatic urethra. A related method of treating BPH includes thermally treating or ablating localized tissue in the prostate with a treatment catheter and inserting flowable stent material via the treatment catheter into the prostate (either before, during, or after the thermal treatment), forming the flowable stent material so that it defines a stent that remains in position after removal of the treatment catheter to inhibit the closure of the urinary passage. Associated stents and catheters are included.

Abstract: Percutaneous treatment of aortic aneurysms and like vascular anomalies by an apparatus and method wherein the apparatus is delivered via catheter and comprises a sleeve with at least one peripheral conduit which is caused to assume an expanded, rigid configuration by the introduction of a chemical or mechanical hardening means, whereby the sleeve is caused to assume an open cylindrical configuration for fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using multiple, discreet stent structures, or continuous coiled or mesh stent structures. Stent structures may be balloon expandable or self-expanding and are delivered by a delivery catheter which is repositioned to spaced-apart delivery sights. By coating the stents with particular biologically active substances, hyperplasia within and between the implanted stents can be inhibited. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having a deployment mechanism for deploying one or more stents of selectable length into the vessel.

Abstract: A device (100) for repairing an aneurysm by deployment within the aneurysm comprises a graft tube, at least part thereof having an inflatable wall (102, 104) whereby the tube can be deployed in an artery and be inflated to grip at least part of the arterial wall.

Abstract: Novel endoprostheses comprising one or more photocurable materials are disclosed. Said endoprostheses may comprise regions wherein said photocurable materials are selectively disposed about said endoprosthesis and are cured according to desired parameters to achieve varying desired properties. Said properties may include but are not limited to cross-linking density, material density, modulus of elasticity, rate of erosion, extensibility, compressibility, mechanical strength, tensile strength, crystallinity, diffusion coefficient, and permeability.

Abstract: A novel process for paving or sealing the interior surface of a tissue lumen by entering the interior of the tissue lumen and applying a polymer to the interior surface of the tissue lumen. This is accomplished using a catheter which delivers the polymer to the tissue lumen and causes it to conform to the interior surface of the lumen. The polymer can be delivered to the lumen as a monomer or prepolymer solution, or as an at least partially preformed layer on an expansile member.

Abstract: Methods of treating the prostate include administering a thermal ablation therapy and inhibiting the obstruction or closure of the prostatic urethral opening by forming a biodegradable stent in situ in the subject such that the stent attaches to the walls of the prostatic urethra. A related method of treating BPH includes thermally treating or ablating localized tissue in the prostate with a treatment catheter and inserting flowable stent material via the treatment catheter into the prostate (either before, during, or after the thermal treatment), forming the flowable stent material so that it defines a stent that remains in position after removal of the treatment catheter to inhibit the closure of the urinary passage. Associated stents and catheters are included.

Abstract: A collapsible stent graft for aortic aneurysms comprises a collapsible inner tubular member (26) and an outer layer (24) fused or adhered thereto such as to provide a spiral inflatable member (22) therebetween. The stent graft is inserted into an artery in the collapsed state and then expanded into position by introducing a liquid into the inflatable member and sealing the member. The graft is held in place by an expandable stent (40).

Abstract: A tubular prosthesis is implanted at a target location within a body lumen by transluminally placing and embedding an expansible prosthesis body within a sealing layer. The sealing layer occludes at least a circumferential band within an interface region between the prosthesis body and the inner wall of the body lumen, thus providing for blockage of body lumen flow past the prosthesis. The sealing layer may be introduced prior to or simultaneously with the prosthesis body. A tubular prosthesis may be implanted in blood vessels, particularly to protect aneurysms.

Abstract: Percutaneous treatment of aortic aneurysms and like vascular anomalies by an apparatus and method wherein the apparatus is delivered via catheter and comprises a sleeve with at least one peripheral conduit which is caused to assume an expanded, rigid configuration by the introduction of a chemical or mechanical hardening means, whereby the sleeve is caused to assume an open cylindrical configuration for fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: Extruded, stretched, sintered tubular PTFE materials are produced which are suited for use in the medical field as liners and covers for expandable stents. The PTFE materials have an unusually low REC (Radial Expansion Coefficient) and RER (Radial Expansion Ratio).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for vascular reconstruction of diseased, non-aneurysmal arteries.

Abstract: An expandable stent for use within a body lumen that is coated with a radiation-absorbing material and that is not plastically expandable at normal body temperatures but is expandable at a temperature between about 38° C. to 60° C. following exposure to radiation. The invention also relates to a method of deploying such a stent within the body.

Abstract: A graft (1) which is in the form of an inflatable member adapted to be formed into a predetermined and/or selected shape when deployed in situ by filling with a filler material (6) which can be made rigid in situ and deployed on a balloon catheter (12). The deployment balloon (13) is formed from a non-compliant material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are disclosed for treating, preventing and terminating arrhythmias. In particular, the apparatus is implantable within or on various tissues and structures and is used to prevent or block conduction of aberrant impulses. A variety of methods of the present invention may be used to attack arrhythmias by short-circuiting impulses, inducing fibrosis, ablating tissue or inducing inflammation. In addition, the device and methods may also be used to treat aneurysms. The device may also be used to treat hypertension, and to function as a blood pressure regulator.

Abstract: A multiple-sided medical device comprises a closed frame of a single piece of wire or other resilient material and having a series of bends and interconnecting sides. The device has both a flat configuration and a second, folded configuration that comprises a self-expanding stent. The stent is pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel. One or more barbs are attached to the frame of the device for anchoring or to connect additional frames. A covering of fabric or other flexible material such as DACRON, PTFE, or collagen, is sutured or attached to the frame to form an occlusion device, a stent graft, or an artificial valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet. A partial, triangular-shaped covering over the lumen of the device allows the valve to open with normal blood flow and close to retrograde flow.

Abstract: A vascular implant formed of a compressible foam material has a compressed configuration from which it is expansible into a configuration substantially conforming to the shape and size of a vascular site to be embodied. Preferably, the implant is formed of a hydrophobic, macro porous foam material, having an initial configuration of a scaled-down model of the vascular site, from which it is compressible into the compressed configuration. The implant is made by scanning the vascular site to create a digitized scan data set; using the scan data set to create a three-dimensional digitized virtual model of the vascular site; using the virtual model to create a scaled-down physical mold of the vascular site; and using the mold to create a vascular implant in the form of a scaled-down model of the vascular site. To embolism a vascular site, the implant is compressed and passed through a micro catheter, the distal end of which has been passed into a vascular site.

Abstract: A very small diameter intravascular stent device which may be used to occlude or partially occlude an aneurysm in the human brain which is comprised of a thin-walled skeletal cylindrical tube formed of S-shaped or sinusoidal elements which, when compressed, nest tightly with each other.

Abstract: An expandable stent including a light and water curable resin embedded in a stent wall wherein the wall is formed to be transmissive to light for curing the resin and transmissive to fluid for further curing of the resin. A catheter delivery system may be provided for in vivo delivery, expansion, rigidization, and installation of the stent into a body lumen.

Abstract: The invention provides tailored, biocompatible conduits for use as, for example, stents, vascular grafts, and drug delivery devices, and methods of making the conduits. The conduits are formed from a resin-impregnated matrix that is introduced to a site of interest in a malleable state, formed into a desired shape, and cured by exposure to radiant energy. The radiant energy may be visible light.

Abstract: A drug and drug delivery system may be utilized in the treatment of vascular disease. A local delivery system is coated with rapamycin or other suitable drug, agent or compound and delivered intraluminally for the treatment and prevention of neointimal hyperplasia following percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography. The local delivery of the drugs or agents provides for increased effectiveness and lower systemic toxicity.

Abstract: A drug and drug delivery system may be utilized in the treatment of vascular disease. A local delivery system is coated with rapamycin or other suitable drug, agent or compound and delivered intraluminally for the treatment and prevention of neointimal hyperplasia following percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography. The local delivery of the drugs or agents provides for increased effectiveness and lower systemic toxicity.

Abstract: A drug and drug delivery system may be utilized in the treatment of vascular disease. A local delivery system is coated with rapamycin or other suitable drug, agent or compound and delivered intraluminally for the treatment and prevention of neointimal hyperplasia following percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography. The local delivery of the drugs or agents provides for increased effectiveness and lower systemic toxicity.

Abstract: A drug and drug delivery system may be utilized in the treatment of vascular disease. A local delivery system is coated with rapamycin or other suitable drug, agent or compound and delivered intraluminally for the treatment and prevention of neointimal hyperplasia following percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography. The local delivery of the drugs or agents provides for increased effectiveness and lower systemic toxicity.

Abstract: A endovascular graft having at least two thin wall graft members, with at least one of the thin wall graft members configured to be deployed within a lumen of another thin wall graft member. The thin wall graft members may be coupled or connected to each other so as to allow relative axial displacement of the sections, or they may be separate members that have dimensions and a configuration to allow coaxial deployment within inner lumens of each other. By having multiple thin wall graft member, the graft may be built up within a patient's vasculature in steps through a delivery catheter system that is smaller in profile and more flexible than a delivery catheter system configured to deliver a single component graft. The graft of the invention may be delivered percutaneously or intraoperatively.

Abstract: An intralumen medical device comprising anti-proliferative and anti-thrombotic or anti-coagulant drugs, agents or compounds may be utilized in the treatment of vascular disease. The intralumen medical device is selectively coated with the drugs, agents or compounds for local delivery, thereby increasing their effectiveness and reducing potential toxicity associated with systemic use. The selective coating is utilized to ensure that the specific drugs, agents or compounds come into contact with or are delivered to the appropriate tissues and/or fluids for maximum effectiveness.