Abstract: An expandable helical stent is provided, wherein the stent may be formed of an amorphous metal alloy or other non-amorphous metal with a securement. The stent is formed from flat or tubular metal in a helical coiled structure which has an undulating pattern. The main stent component may be formed of a single helically coiled component. Alternatively, a plurality of helically coiled ribbons may be used to form a stent heterogeneous in design, material, or other characteristic particular to that stent. The helical tubular structure may be secured with a securement, such as a weld, interlock or a polymer, to maintain the helical coils in a tubular configuration. The helical coils of the main stent component may be spaced apart or nestled to each other. The nestling of the undulation of adjacent helical coils contributes to maintaining the tubular shape of the helically coiled stent.

Abstract: An expandable stent comprised of a plurality of helical segments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stent is generally cylindrical in shape having a cylindrical axis, and comprises a first and second set of helical segments. The helical segments in the first set are substantially parallel and have a first pitch forming a first helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. The helical segments in the second set are also generally parallel to each other and form a second pitch that differs from the first pitch, thereby forming a second helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. In an alternative embodiment, the stent comprises one set of helical segments and a plurality of circumferential elements that are joined together by the helical segments to form a plurality of cylindrical elements which are joined together to form a stent body. The stent may also have endzones.

Abstract: A stent includes a continuous wave form wrapped around a longitudinal axis of the stent at a first pitch angle to define a first helix comprising a plurality of turns. The wave form includes a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects adjacent struts within a turn to define the continuous wave form. The stent also includes a plurality of connections configured to connect selected crowns of adjacent turns so that when the stent is in an unexpanded condition, the plurality of connections are aligned at a second pitch angle to define a second helix, and when the stent is in an expanded condition, at least some of the connections align along a substantially straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: A helical stent includes at least one helical winding. Each helical winding includes a plurality of alternating long struts and short struts, ends of at least some of the long struts being joined to an end of an adjacent short strut by a flexible hinge arrangement, the struts being substantially rigid. The stent also includes at least one interconnection member connecting a hinge arrangement on one turn of the at least one winding with a hinge arrangement on an adjacent turn of the at least one winding. Fewer than all hinge arrangements on the at least one helical winding are connected to other hinge arrangements by an interconnection member.

Abstract: An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate deployment in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening.

Abstract: A helical stent is provided that is wound in a zig-zag pattern along a pitch angle with respect to a plane transverse to the axis of the stent. A bisecting line extending through a bend and between two adjacent angular struts is also angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a stent with a high degree of flexibility are shown and described. The stent can include a continuous helical winding having interconnected struts joined at vertices, and having bridges connecting sections of the helical winding to each other. An annular ring can be provided at one or both ends of the helical winding, and the annular ring can have five extensions extending to connect to the helical winding. One of the extensions can connect to a bridge and another extension can connect to a vertex. The struts at the ends of the helical winding can have strut lengths that differ from the strut lengths of the struts in a central portion of the winding between the ends of the winding.

Abstract: A method of forming a stent includes the steps of forming an elongated composite member or plurality of elongated composite members into a stent pattern having struts interconnected by crowns, the composite member including an outer member and a core member. Openings are formed through the outer member of the composite member. The composite member is processed to remove the core member from at least a plurality of the struts of the stent without adversely affecting the outer member and such that the core member is not removed from at least a plurality of the crowns of the stent, thereby leaving the outer member with a lumen in at least a plurality of the struts and the outer member with the core member in at least a plurality of the crowns. The lumens may then be filled with a biologically or pharmacologically active substance.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a stent with a high degree of flexibility are shown and described. The stent can include a continuous helical winding having interconnected struts joined at vertices, and having bridges connecting sections of the helical winding to each other. An annular ring can be provided at one or both ends of the helical winding, and the annular ring can have extensions extending to connect to the helical winding. One of the extensions can connect to a bridge and another extension can connect to a vertex. The struts at the ends of the helical winding can have strut lengths that differ from the strut lengths of the struts in a central portion of the winding between the ends of the winding.

Abstract: A stent for positioning within a lumen is provided. The stent includes a stent region and a pair of transition regions extending from respective ends of the stent region, wherein each of the transition and stent regions define an aperture therethrough. At least a portion of at least one of the transition regions is configured in a helix including a plurality of turns, wherein the stent region is capable of expanding to conform to a stricture and each of the transition regions is capable of expanding to conform to the lumen proximally and distally of the stricture.

Abstract: Biodegradable endoprostheses are formed from amorphous polymers having desirable biodegradation characteristics. The strength of such amorphous polymers is enhanced by annealing to increase crystallinity without substantially increasing the biodegradation time.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a radially expansible stent formed from a tube, comprising a continuous spiral of tube material with a plurality of turns (30, 32) wrapping about a longitudinal axis from a first end of the stent to a second end of the stent, the spiral including a plurality of struts (40, 42) in a zig-zag arrangement joined at points of inflection (44), wherein each strut includes a double bend (46) remote from a point of inflection (44) and first (58, 60) and second (62, 64) length portions on opposite sides of the double bend (46); adjacent struts (40, 42) have handed double bends that are substantially mirror images of one another, the handed double bends facing each other such that in a stent collapsed configuration the length portions (58, 60) of adjacent struts on a first side of the double bends (46) are spaced closer than the length portions (62, 64) of adjacent struts on a second side of the double bends (46) opposite the first side, the adjacent struts on said first side of the double bend

Abstract: An expandable stent comprised of a plurality of helical segments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stent is generally cylindrical in shape having a cylindrical axis, and comprises a first and second set of helical segments. The helical segments in the first set are substantially parallel and have a first pitch forming a first helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. The helical segments in the second set are also generally parallel to each other and form a second pitch that differs from the first pitch, thereby forming a second helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. In an alternative embodiment, the stent comprises one set of helical segments and a plurality of circumferential elements that are joined together by the helical segments to form a plurality of cylindrical elements which are joined together to form a stent body. The stent may also have endzones.

Abstract: A stent suitable for deployment in a blood vessel to support at least part of an internal wall of the blood vessel includes plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart annular elements, and a plurality of connecting elements to connect adjacent annular elements. Each connecting element is circumferentially offset from the previous connecting element. Upon application of a load to the stent, the stent moves from an unloaded configuration to a loaded configuration. In the loaded configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent is curved in three-dimensional space. The stent can be helically shaped.

Abstract: A manipulation tool is disclosed for producing cell material having multiple biological cells, which have a predefined geometrical arrangement. The tool includes a tool body, whose surface at least partially contacts the cell material, and a setting device for adjusting the tool body by a continuous expansion, so that geometrical properties of the surface change and an interior of the tool body is enlarged. The setting device is adapted to expand the tool body at an advance velocity in a range from 0.1 ?m/h to 1 mm/h.

Abstract: A medical prosthesis having a low profile for delivery into a body lumen is disclosed. The stent includes a plurality of wire strands woven to form a plurality of joints at the intersections, some of which are helically wrapped. The helically wrapped joints may be offset form the joints of a second plurality of wire strands concentric to the first. Alternatively, the helically wrapped joints can doubled forming box nodes.

Abstract: A stent, having a central axis that extends in a longitudinal direction of the stent, includes a first strand group and a second strand group. The first strand group and the second strand group are woven together. The first strand group is wound in a right-handed spiral around the central axis and the second strand group is wound in a left-handed spiral around the central axis. A maximum diameter of first strands constituting the first strand group is different from a maximum diameter of second strands constituting the second strand group.

Abstract: A bioabsorable stent is disclosed. The stent is made of a bioabsorable material and has an elongated body having a proximate end, a distal end, and at least one open channel formed on the exterior surface of the elongated body to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. Also disclosed is a bioabsorable stent having an elongated center rod having a proximate end and a distal end and a plurality of leaflets extending outward from the center rod and forming channels between two neighboring leaflets to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end.

Abstract: A stent for insertion in a fluid conduit of a human or animal body includes a hollow structure having generally circumferentially extending parts which have opposite end portions in the longitudinal direction. The circumferential parts are joined to a longitudinally adjacent circumferential parts along the length of the hollow structure wherein the end portions of adjacent circumferential parts are not in parallel planes and/or the end portions of the same part are not in parallel planes. Also, the non-parallel end portions are arranged along the length of the hollow structure such that a flow lumen defined by the hollow structure, and imposed on the flow lumen by the hollow structure when in the fluid conduit, follows a non-planar curve.

Abstract: A bioabsorable stent is disclosed. The stent is made of a bioabsorable material and has an elongated body having a proximate end, a distal end, and at least one open channel formed on the exterior surface of the elongated body to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. Also disclosed is a bioabsorable stent having an elongated center rod having a proximate end and a distal end and a plurality of leaflets extending outward from the center rod and forming channels between two neighboring leaflets to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end.

Abstract: A stent for insertion in a fluid conduit of a human or animal body when the stent is in a collapsed condition and for expansion to an expanded condition, includes an outer wall for engagement with the conduit. The outer wall has a helical portion which in the expanded condition extends longitudinally and circumferentially, and which, upon expansion of the stent from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition, resists extension.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent includes forming a wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects two adjacent struts. The wave form has a center and two portions extending from opposite sides of the center. The method includes wrapping a first portion of the wave form about a longitudinal axis in a first direction at a first pitch angle, starting at the center of the wave form, to define at least one turn oriented at the first pitch angle, and wrapping a second portion of the wave form about the longitudinal axis in a second direction that is opposite the first direction at a second pitch angle, starting at the center of the wave form, to define at least one turn oriented at the second pitch angle. The first pitch angle is opposite the second pitch angle.

Abstract: A stent includes a wave form that includes a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. The wave form is wrapped around a longitudinal axis so as to define a plurality of turns, including a first turn disposed at a first angle and a second turn disposed at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis. A first connection connects an end of the wave form that started the first turn to an adjacent crown of the wave form that completed the first turn, a second connection connects a first crown of the second turn to an adjacent crown that completed the second turn, and a third connection connects a crown of the first turn to an adjacent crown of the second turn. The wave form is disrupted between the first turn and the second turn.

Abstract: An expandable tubular reinforcing member used for body lumens such as blood vessels, the reinforcing member being formed of a continuous elongated helical element comprised of spaced undulating portions forming end loop portions and including a plurality of curvilinear connector elements extending between and interconnecting at least some of the adjacent undulating portions of the helical element over its length.

Abstract: A medical stent comprising a coil formed by winding a wire around an axis, an outer layer formed substantially tubular made from a first resin material, provided on an outer peripheral side of said coil and coaxial to said coil, and an inner layer formed substantially tubular made from a second resin material, provided on an inner peripheral side of said coil and coaxial to said coil.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent comprising a series of zig-zag stenting rings (A, B, C, D, E, F, D1, D2) spaced along the axis and with adjacent said rings connected by connecting links (12, 14) spaced around the circumference of the rings, the links (12) between any two axially adjacent rings A, B being circumferentially staggered relative to the links (14) between the rings B and C, each ring being constituted by a succession of alternating struts (18) with points of inflection (16, 16?, 16?) therebetween. The points of inflection at one end of at least one of the rings are staggered in their location along the longitudinal axis whereby, with axial withdrawal of a surrounding sheath at a stenting site, to deploy the self-expanding stent, the individual points of inflection at said one ring end escape from the sheath sequentially, with continued withdrawal of the sheath, rather than simultaneously.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stent with a highly flexible structure that is configured to provide an elevated degree of vessel scaffolding and to absorb torque applied on the stent. The stent may include an essentially tubular body formed by a web structure that is composed of a plurality of longitudinally adjacent web rings, each including a plurality of web elements that are disposed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the stent and that are adjoined one to the other by a junction bend. Each junction bend in a first web ring is coupled to another junction bend in a neighboring ring by a connector having a step-wise configuration, in which a central segment of the connector is disposed essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent and may become twisted to absorb torque imposed on the stent.

Abstract: An intraluminal stent made of a zig-zag or sinusoidal member defining a successive series of struts connected by apex sections and formed into a series of axially displaced hoop members wherein at least one of the hoop members has at least one strut connected to a strut of an adjacent hoop. The connected struts may be connected by spot welding, continuous welding, or suturing, for example, or by a bridging member connected to each strut, and may be spaced along the length of the stent in a pattern to form a connective spine. The number of zigs of the zig-zag member in each hoop member may be varied, as can the zig length. A plurality of connective spines may also be included.

Abstract: A stent shaped as a three-dimensional body which is formed by interlaced threads (1) arranged in multistart turns of a helical line. The threads (1) are arranged in at least two groups (2 and 3) of the helical turns featuring opposite senses of helix. The stent ends are established by sections (5) where the turns of one helical line merge into those of the other helical line, said sections appearing as a single length of the thread (1).

Abstract: A method of imposing a shape on an intact blood vessel other than a graft includes inserting a stent in the vessel. The stent includes a supporting portion which internally supports an interior wall of the vessel. The supporting portion includes a hollow tube, the walls of which have openings therein so that the interior wall of the vessel is exposed via the openings to fluid flow along the vessel. A central axis of the hollow tube forms a non-planar three dimensional at least partially helical shape. The hollow tube imposes the three-dimensional at least partially helical shape on the central axis of the vessel, inducing a swirling fluid flow within the stent supported part of the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable device for local release of at least one drug at a predefined location in a natural cavity having a wall in the body of a mammal, characterized by at least one drug reservoir, which can be affixed in the cavity, the drug reservoir and/or a drug outlet being arranged at a distance from the wall, such that the at least one drug is released at a distance from the wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoprosthesis comprising a radially distensible, tubular stent comprising opposed open ends and a stent wall structure having opposed exterior and luminal surfaces; and a continuous and seamless ePTFE tubular covering having a node and fibril structure securably disposed to at least one of the stent surfaces, the graft covering comprising at least two laminated layers, wherein the laminated layers include at least one region where the laminated layers are not securely bonded; and the at least one region has a different bending flexibility from the tubular graft covering.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method for crimping a polymeric stent onto a catheter for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or other intraluminal interventions. The method comprises crimping the stent onto a catheter when the polymer is at a target temperature other than ambient temperature. The polymer can optionally comprise drug(s).

Abstract: A stent shaped as a three-dimensional body which is formed by interlaced threads (1) arranged in multistart turns of a helical line. The threads (1) are arranged in at least two groups (2 and 3) of the helical turns featuring opposite senses of helix. The stent ends are established by sections (5) where the turns of one helical line merge into those of the other helical line, said sections appearing as a single length of the thread (1).

Abstract: Waveforms for forming helical stents with opposing and/or alternating pitch angles along their lengths are disclosed. A wire is bent to form a waveform having a series of sinusoidal segments between a first end and a second end thereof. Each sinusoidal segment is longitudinally offset from its adjacent segment(s). Each waveform includes at least one sinusoidal segment having a first portion in which the amplitude between consecutive turns of the wire gradually increases and a longitudinally offset second portion in which the amplitude between consecutive turns of the wire gradually decreases. The waveform is wrapped from one end to the other about a mandrel to form the stent and depending on the arrangement of sinusoidal segments along the waveform may have opposing and/or alternating pitch angles along a section or an entire length of the stent.

Abstract: A stent includes a central portion of helically wound undulations formed of struts, cylindrical end portions, and transition zones between the helical portion and the cylindrical portions. According to a first aspect of the invention, the torsional flexibility of the stent is maximized by having bridges connecting adjacent winding be interrupted by the maximum possible number of undulations. In a preferred design, each winding includes nineteen undulations around the circumference, bridges are provided every five undulations. According to a second aspect of the invention, uniform, opening of the transition zone is achieved by altering the width, and thereby the flexibility, of a series of struts in accordance with their lengths. Specifically, the long transition zone struts are made wider.

Abstract: The stent of the present invention combines a helical strut band interconnected by coil elements. This structure provides a combination of attributes that are desirable in a stent, such as, for example, substantial flexibility, stability in supporting a vessel lumen, cell size and radial strength. The structure of the stent of the present invention provides a predetermined geometric relationship between the helical strut band and interconnected coil elements in order to maintain connectivity at any diameter size state of the stent.

Abstract: A method for compressing an intraluminal prosthesis provides a mesh tube having first and second longitudinally spaced tube ends and a hollow tube bore located therebetween. The intraluminal prosthesis is completely inserted into the hollow tube bore. The tube is stretched in a longitudinal dimension, which reduces the tube in a radial dimension and causes the intraluminal prosthesis to radially compress.

Abstract: There is disclosed an insert (2) for a conduit (4) adapted to effect helical flow in the conduit (4) comprising a longitudinally extending member having a helical formation.

Abstract: A drug delivery stent is formed by a metallic or polymeric tubular strut which is shaped into a generally cylindrical configuration, the tubular strut having a central lumen for containing a therapeutic substance or drug therein. The tubular strut has a continuous channel extending from the inside surface of the strut to the outside surface of the strut positioned spirally about or in a corkscrew fashion around a circumference of the tubular strut for delivering the therapeutic substance or drug to a stenotic lesion. The spiral or corkscrew channel width may be varied along the length of the strut to control elution rate and/or flexibility of the stent. The pitch of the spiral or corkscrew channel may also be varied along the length of the strut to control flexibility of the stent. The stent may be carried on a balloon of a balloon catheter to a site of a stenotic lesion where the stent is implanted.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a stent, includes the steps of winding stent wire around the outer surface of a longitudinal axis of a mandrel into a desired final shape that is polygonal in an elevation orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and forming a stent by setting the wound stent wire in the desired polygonal final shape. The outside diameter of the stent formed will be in co-columnar apposition with a blood vessel in which it is implanted. The mandrel employed in the methods can have a multiple-sided outer surface and a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Elastic compressible stents have a plurality of proximal and distal apices joined by struts that are essentially straight. The stent can have a polygonal cross-sectional shape, such as a dodecahedron shape. Elastic compressible stents can be made by a method that includes winding stent wire around an outer surface of a longitudinal axis of a polygonal cross-sectional shaped mandrel into a desired shape that is polygonal in an elevation orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The stent can be formed by setting the wound stent wire in the desired polygonal final shape. The polygonal cross-sectional shape mandrel can be a mandrel having a multi-sided outer surface. Stents can include graft material attached to the stent.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the airway, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. An implant is positioned within the body with respect to the airway. The spatial orientation of the airway is manipulated, directly or indirectly, to affect the configuration of the airway. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace the trachea in an inferior direction, resist superior displacement of the trachea and/or to alter the tracheal wall tension. The implant restrains the trachea in the manipulated configuration.

Abstract: The stent of the present invention combines a helical strut band interconnected by coil elements. This structure provides a combination of attributes that are desirable in a stent, such as, for example, substantial flexibility, stability in supporting a vessel lumen, cell size and radial strength. The structure of the stent of the present invention provides a predetermined geometric relationship between the helical strut band and interconnected coil elements in order to maintain connectivity at any diameter size state of the stent.

Abstract: Systems, devices and automated methods for minimally invasive surgery. A device is fabricated of bio-compatible semiconductor elements, and can be assembled, delivered, navigated and implanted by automated methods, using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for introducing a helical formation (11) into a flexible tubular material (12). The material (12) is supported together with a surrounding helical former (13) so as to deform the material (12) to have a helical indentation (11) corresponding to the shape of the former (13). The material (12) is then set in that configuration and the former (13) is removed.

Abstract: A medical device is provided with a rotation-symmetrical lattice structure (10) having at least two wire elements (11, 12) which are wound about a common rotational axis R in a spiral shape and form first and second intersection points S?, S? with a common plane L arranged perpendicular to the rotational axis, wherein a first straight line R? runs through the first intersection point S? and a second straight line R? runs through the second intersection point S?, the straight lines being arranged parallel to the rotational axis and enclosing an acute angle (??, ??) with one of the two wire elements (11, 12). The two angles (??, ??) are different from each other. A method for producing a device of this kind is also provided.

Abstract: An expandable slide and lock stent is provided that comprises a plurality of radial elements interconnected to form a tubular member. Each radial element can comprise a helical backbone and at least one elongate member extending from the helical backbone in a circumferential direction. Each backbone can have at least one slot that can be configured to receive an elongate member of an adjacent radial element.

Abstract: A tubular insert for a vessel comprises an inner stent and an outer stent. At least a portion of the inner stent is disposed within the outer stent. The outer stent has a longitudinal axis and is constructed to be free of any closed loops which are electrically conductive and which are disposed about the longitudinal axis such that the longitudinal axis passes through the closed loop. The inner stent has a longitudinal axis and is constructed so as to be free of any closed loops which are electrically conductive and which are disposed about the longitudinal axis such that the longitudinal axis passes through the closed loop. There is a substantially electrically non-conductive connection between the inner and outer stents. Desirably, a wall surface is defined by the outer and inner stents, and there are no closed, electrically conductive loops in the wall surface of the tubular insert.

Abstract: An endovascular stent for vascular vessels which can be used to occlude the vessel or which can be used to bridge damaged areas in the vessel. The endovascular stent comprising a stent that can be permanently expanded from a first diameter to a larger second diameter. The stent can be a helically wound wire stent, each wire comprising at least two strands, the two strands being twisted. The twisted strands securing fibers to form a fabric pile extending outwardly from stent, and optionally extending inwardly into the stent. In a second embodiment, the stent is enclosed with a tubular-like expandable graft, the graft having an exterior fabric pile made up of individual fibers. In both embodiments, the fibers or the pile are optionally coated with a hydrophilic polymeric gel which expands upon being wetted.