Abstract: A helical stent having bio-resorbable connecting members connecting sections of the stent. The connecting members provide various spring rates or spring constants to the stent, and permit a change in the flexibility of the stent subsequent to implantation while maintaining the unitary design of the stent.

Abstract: A stent may comprise a helically wound ribbon of material. The stent may comprise a plurality of ribbon turns about a longitudinal axis of the stent. Upon expansion of the stent, the diameter of the stent may increase and the number of ribbon turns may decrease. Upon expansion of the stent, the width of the ribbon may increase. The length of the stent may be the same in unexpanded and expanded states.

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: The invention is in the field of mechanical devices. It relates to a device and methods for supporting the wall of a lumen. In particular, the invention relates to a device and method for supporting the wall of a human or animal body lumen, the device comprising a coiled body which can be inserted into a lumen and expand therein. The device may advantageously be used for treating arterial and vascular diseases, in particular coronary conditions and cardiovascular diseases. The device may also advantageously be used for the localized delivery of drugs. In particular, the invention provides a device for supporting the wall of a lumen comprising a coiled structure (10) defining an inner core (20) wherein the inner core comprises a support wire (30) comprising a shape memory material, wherein the shape memory material is programmed to make the coiled structure (10) assume a macro-coiled structure (40) upon an appropriate trigger.

Abstract: A flexible stent structure includes a plurality of axially spaced strut portions defining generally tubular axial segments of the stent and constructed to be radially expandable. A helical portion is interposed axially between two strut portions and has a plurality of helical elements connected between circumferentially spaced locations on the two strut portions. The helical elements extend helically between those locations and the length of a helical element is sufficient so that, when the stent is in a radially expanded state, it can simultaneously withstand repeated axial compression or expansion and bending.

Abstract: The stent-graft described herein generally includes a substrate, a helix disposed about the substrate, a covering disposed over at least a portion of the helix, and a support member coupled to the covering.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable vascular prosthesis configured for use in a wide range of applications, such as treating aneurysms, maintaining patency in a vessel, and allowing for the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents to a vessel wall. The prosthesis comprises one or more helical sections coupled to one or more anchoring sections having a generally zig-zag or cell-like configuration. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and further is configured to be precisely deployed in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening during deployment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable vascular prosthesis configured for use in a wide range of applications, such as treating aneurysms, maintaining patency in a vessel, and allowing for the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents to a vessel wall. The prosthesis comprises a helical proximal section coupled to a distal anchoring section having a generally zig-zag configuration. The prosthesis is configured to comply to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and further is configured to be precisely deployed in a vessel without shifting during deployment. The prosthesis also has a substantially small delivery profile compared to other known stents, while having an increased surface area to enhance delivery of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A stent (10) suitable for deployment in a blood vessel to support at least part of an internal wall of the blood vessel comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart annular elements (11), and a plurality of connecting elements (12) to connect adjacent annular elements (11). Each connecting element (12) is circumferentially offset from the previous connecting element (12). Upon application of a load to the stent (10), the stent (10) moves from an unloaded configuration to a loaded configuration. In the unloaded configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent (10) is straight, and the stent (10) is cylindrically shaped. In the loaded configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent (10) is curved in three-dimensional space, and the stent (10) is helically shaped.

Abstract: A self expanding flexible or balloon expandable flexible device includes a helical strut member helically wound about an axis of the stent. The helical strut member comprises a plurality of helical strut elements. A plurality of individual helical elements are helically wound about the axis of the device in the same direction of the helical strut member with the helical elements extending between and interconnecting points on subsequent windings of the helical strut member. The device can be a flow diverter, anchor, revascularization device or filter. A self expanding flexible bifurcation device can include at least one leg. The at least one leg comprising the helical strut member and the plurality of individual helical elements helically wound about the axis of the device in the same direction of the helical strut member with the helical elements extending between and interconnecting points on subsequent windings of the helical strut member.

Abstract: An expandable helical stent is provided, wherein the stent may be formed of a main stent component and a securement. The main stent component is formed from a flat strip having one or more undulating side bands that may be connected to form geometrically shaped cells and are helically wound to form a stent. 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 windings contributes to maintaining the tubular shape and uniformity of the helically coiled stent. Alternatively, the flat strip may comprise a single undulating pattern. At the ends of the main stent component are end bands, which when wound, form a cylindrical ring. In one embodiment, one or more struts of the main stent component may have a width sufficient to include one or more fenestrations. The fenestrated struts may be connected by loops or turns wherein the material is narrower than that of the fenestrated struts to provide enhanced flexibility.

Abstract: A resonator device including an induction coil, a conductive member positioned adjacent the induction coil, and a dielectric layer between at least a portion of the induction coil and the conductive member to form a capacitor structure. In one embodiment, the conductive member can be a stent. In an alternative embodiment, the conductive member can be a conductive film. In an additional embodiment, the dielectric layer can have a dielectric constant that changes in a predetermined fashion between at least a portion of the induction coil and the conductive member to allow for a uniform current distribution in the resonator device. The dielectric layer can also include a flexible elongate body.

Abstract: A disclosure provides a removable intraluminal stent for treating injuries or other conditions inside a body lumen. The stent can include a seam, such as a helical seam, for supporting the structure of the stent, which can be unseamed, for example, during removal of the stent from a lumen. The stent can include an elongated tubular member, or stent body, for positioning inside a lumen. The stent can be flexible and can include one or more other stent components coupled to the body. The stent can be formed from an obliquely-angled-parallelogram-shaped sheet. The stent can include a peripheral wire, which can be memory shape-retaining wires, for coupling the stent in place and/or a longitudinal support wire for supporting one or more components of the stent.

Abstract: A stent includes a stent body having a circumference and struts disposed helically about the circumference. Each of the struts has a strut length and a ratio of a number of the struts around the circumference to the strut length is greater than 800 per inch, in particular, over 1000 per inch. A method for manufacturing a helical stent includes the steps of providing a stent body with struts disposed about the circumference thereof in turns and with bridges connecting the struts in adjacent turns. The stent body is expanded and, thereafter, some of the bridges, in particular, sacrificial bridges, are removed.

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 stent (1) comprising a hoselike body obtained by braiding a multiplicity of thin wires (2) of superelastic metal into plaited form. In the longitudinal intermediate portion of the hoselike body, mutually neighboring individual thins wires (2) of superelastic metal are in contact with each other or close to each other with a minute interspace and are formed into a thin wire densely braided hose portion (3) with a length needed to block any opening of blood vessel dilation. At both side portions thereof, mutually neighboring individual thin wires (2) of superelastic metal are formed into a thin wire coarsely braided hose portion (4) provided with an interstice allowing passage of blood flow. The hoselike body when pulled in the longitudinal direction causes the individual thin wires (2) of superelastic metal to strech into fine gathering, and when released from pulling can make resilient restoration to the original hoselike body.

Abstract: A helical formation within a conduit and a method of determining the helix angle of the helical formation are disclosed. The method includes specifying the internal dimensions of the conduit and an intended fluid mass flow through the conduit. The helix angle is determined from the pressure drop and the turbulent kinetic energy for a conduit having the specified internal dimensions and intended fluid mass flow.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a delivery catheter for use in deploying a vascular prosthesis having a self-expanding helical section for use in a wide range of interventional applications. The delivery catheter comprises an elongated member having a helical ledge with a pitch selected to impose a predetermined amount of foreshortening on the vascular prosthesis during deployment. Methods of making and using the delivery catheter of the present invention also are provided.

Abstract: A stent includes a stent body having a circumference, a diameter of between approximately 4 mm and approximately 12 mm, in particular, 8 mm, and a length of between approximately 10 mm and approximately 250 mm, in particular, 150 mm, and struts disposed helically about the circumference in turns. Substantially circumferentially oriented connecting bridges connect respectively adjacent ones of the turns. A method for manufacturing a helical stent includes the steps of providing a stent body with struts disposed about the circumference thereof in turns and with bridges connecting the struts in adjacent turns. The stent body is expanded and, thereafter, some of the bridges, in particular, sacrificial bridges, are removed.

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 bioabsorbable implantable endoprosthesis having elongate elements including hollow, cavity or porous portions adapted to accumulate by-product from the degradation of the bioabsorbable material and shortening the diffusion distance for water absorption and thereby relatively increasing the degradation of the structure.

Abstract: An endovascular prosthesis is described, in the shape of a cylindrical spiral, and comprising: one or more multiple elements each of which with a sinusoidal shape composed of first sections with a substantially rectilinear development (peaks), defining corresponding levels, and being connected to one another through second sections with a substantially rectilinear development (connection segments); the peaks (1, 2) and the connection segments (3) have an orientation that substantially follows the natural orientation of the elastic fibres of the artery.

Abstract: The intravascular stent is formed from a composite wire includes an inner core of radiopaque metal, a polymer layer coaxially disposed about the inner core, and an outer metal layer coaxially disposed about the polymer layer. The intermediary polymer layer acts as a barrier material between the inner core and the outer sheath, so that the inner core and outer sheath may be made of dissimilar metallic layers, and the intermediary polymer layer will prevent a galvanic reaction between the inner core and the peripheral metal layer. The intravascular stent has ends flared radially outwardly to prevent radially and longitudinally inward deformation of the ends of the stent when the stent is disposed in a desired location in a patient's vasculature.

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: 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: An anatomically correct endoluminal prosthesis is provided for placement in a lumen or vessel of a body. In a preferred embodiment, the prosthesis is a stent having at least one segment of curvature located along the body of the stent. The stent may have segments of curvature, apertures, tapers, flares, beveling, non-circular cross-sections, coverings or branching. Preferably, the stent has orientation markers and lines to allow for in vivo identification and orientation by conventional imaging formats. The stent may have multiple segments of curvature in succession or overlapping and may have segments of curvature lying in different planes of curvature. A method of forming the prosthesis is provided.

Abstract: The coil stent delivery system and method of use includes a stent delivery system including a coil stent; a housing, the housing having a receiver defining a receiver chamber and a sheath defining a sheath lumen, the receiver chamber being in communication with the sheath lumen; and a screw assembly, the screw assembly having a shaft, a helical screw disposed about a distal portion of the shaft, and a drive operably coupled to the shaft. The shaft is disposed in the receiver chamber and the sheath lumen, the helical screw is disposed in the sheath, and the coil stent is disposed about the shaft in the receiver chamber and engages the helical screw. Rotation of the drive moves the coil stent through the sheath lumen.

Abstract: A method for producing cell material (20) having multiple biological cells (21), which have a predefined geometrical arrangement, includes the steps of providing a manipulation tool (10) having a tool body (11), whose surface (12, 14) at least partially contacts the cell material (20), and adjusting the manipulation tool (10) using a change of geometrical properties of the surface (12, 14) in such a way that the geometrical arrangement of the cells (21) is changed. A manipulation tool for performing a method of this type is also described.

Abstract: A stent deployment device comprises an elongate catheter shaft (2), and an inflatable balloon (3). The inflatable balloon (3) is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration part of the longitudinal axis of the balloon (3) is curved in three-dimensional space, and part of the balloon (3) is helically shaped. A stent (6) is movable from a collapsed delivery configuration to a partially expanded intermediate configuration, and subsequently from the intermediate configuration to a fully expanded deployed configuration. In the delivery configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent (6) is straight. The longitudinal axis of the stent (6) may be straight or curved in three-dimensional space in the intermediate configuration. In the deployed configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent (6) is curved in three-dimensional space. The balloon (3) in the expanded configuration exerts force on the stent (6).

Abstract: A stent including a stent wire comprising a plurality of filaments twisted into a bundle having a helix, the stent wire bent into a pattern having a plurality of substantially straight wire sections separated by a plurality of bends. The pattern of the stent wire is spirally wound about a central axis in the same direction as the helix formed by the plurality of filaments. Each of the filaments in a bend have a cylindrical cross-section where at least one of the plurality of filaments is displaced and spaced from an immediately adjacent filament in the 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: An artificial or modified natural blood flow tubing has a helical-flow inducer to induce helical flow in such fashion as to eliminate or reduce turbulence. One inducer is a tubular stent of expansible mesh having a helical vane.

Abstract: The present invention regards an endoluminal prosthesis (1) or stent comprising a tubular body (10) adapted to be brought from a contracted condition to an expanded condition. The tubular body extends along a longitudinal axis (X-X) and comprises a plurality of bands (11, 11?), and at least one thread (13, 13?) connected to at least one of the bands (11.a).

Abstract: A coated medical device, such as a stent, that elutes a taxane agent in a controlled manner is provided. In one embodiment, the taxane agent is paclitaxel and at least a portion of the paclitaxel is present in a dihydrate solid form. The medical device may be coated with a layer including a taxane agent and a layer of bioabsorbable elastomer over the layer including the taxane agent. Methods of manufacturing and using the coated medical device are also provided.

Abstract: Medical devices comprising implants for use in blood vessels or other body lumens. The implant comprises an elongate member that, in its native configuration, follows a generally helical path. The elongate member is formed of one or more strands that are wound into a coil of minor windings, wherein the coil of minor windings is itself wound into the generally helical path. The one or more strands are formed of materials that provide the elongate member with the desired flexibility. In some cases, the elongate member may be capable of delivering a therapeutic agent. This can be accomplished by, for example, using capsules, swellable materials, corrodable elements, magnetically-sensitive particles, coatings, and/or core wires. Also provided are a method of treating a superficial femoral artery and a method of making an implant.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of an implantable medical device with a high degree of flexibility is shown and described. One aspect includes an implantable stent having an intermediate portion with a helical winding and first and second end portions. The implantable stent further includes a coupling portion with a helical winding, and bridges joining struts of defining the helical windings. The stent also includes a paddle providing a bridge joining the ends or the helical windings. Another aspect relates to a radially self-expansible stent with a plurality of radiopaque markers attached to it. The markers are shaped and located at the stent end such that the compressive stress exerted on the end annulus of the stent during release of the stent is shared between the markers and the inflection zones that do not carry a marker.

Abstract: A stent comprises at least one segment. The segment comprises a first tubular closed ring section, a second tubular closed ring section, a first generally helical section having a first end and a second end, and a second generally helical section having a first end and a second end. The first ends of the first and second generally helical sections extend from the first tubular closed ring section and the second ends extend from the second tubular closed ring section. The first and second generally helical sections both extend in the same direction about the longitudinal axis of the stent.

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 reservoirs, which can be affixed in the cavity, the drug reservoirs 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: A helical stent having bioresorbable connecting members connecting sections of the stent. The connecting members provide various spring rates or spring constants to the stent, and permit a change in the flexibility of the stent subsequent to implantation while maintaining the unitary design of the stent. A method of making the helical stent includes forming a tube with a section made of a bioresorbable material prior to forming the stent.

Abstract: Implantable frames for use in body passages are provided herein. The implantable frames can include a plurality of hoop members joined by a plurality of longitudinal connecting members to form a tubular frame defining a cylindrical lumen. The plurality of longitudinal connecting members may include one or more pairs of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implantable frame. The circumferential distance between the closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members preferably subtends an angle less than (2?/n) radians, where (n) is an integer equal to the total number of longitudinal connecting members connecting two longitudinally adjacent hoop members.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods for forming a target tissue substitute. The methods of the invention comprise the following steps: (a) providing a scaffold comprising one or more layers of one or more arrays of microfibers, wherein one or more of the arrays of microfibers is designed to mimic the configuration of one or more structural elements in a target tissue; and (b) culturing cells on the scaffold to form a target tissue substitute. In another aspect, the invention provides implantable medical devices. The implantable medical devices of the invention comprise a scaffold comprising one or more layers of one or more arrays of microfibers, wherein one or more of the arrays of microfibers is arranged to mimic the configuration of one or more structural elements in a target tissue. Typically, cells are cultured on the scaffold to form a target tissue substitute.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to aneurysm treatment devices which are capable of being delivered to the situs of a vascular aneurysm through a catheter. The treatment devices comprise, in general, a body member formed by at least one support member and a reactive material selectively applied to the at least one support member. The body member provide support mechanical support to a weakened or otherwise incompetent blood vessel. The reactive material is capable of restricting or occluding blood flow to the aneurysm, without substantially affecting blood flow through the blood vessel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a micro-muscle designed to be immersed in a biological liquid, comprising a deformable chamber whereof one portion at least consists of a semipermeable membrane, said chamber containing a solution capable of osmotic activity. The solution is preferably activated by a product to be injected into the biological liquid.

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 5 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 10 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: A removable device such as a stent-graft, intended for applications where it may be desirable to remove the device at some time following implantation. The stent-graft of the present invention includes a helically-wound stent component provided with a covering of graft material. It is removable by gripping an end of the helically-wound stent component with a retrieval device and applying tension to the stent component in the direction in which it is intended to be withdrawn from the site of implantation. The use of such a retrieval device allows the stent-graft to be removed remotely, such as via a catheter inserted into the body at a different location from the implantation site. The design of the stent-graft is such that the stent component is extended axially while the adjacent portion of the graft separates between windings of the stent component.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a stent is provided, which contains at least one filament that has a longitudinal axis and comprises a bioabsorbable polymeric material. Polymer molecules within the bioabsorbable polymeric material are provided with a helical orientation which is aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filament. The stent is at least partially bioabsorbed by a patient upon implantation or insertion of the stent into the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stent for insertion into and placement inside a body cavity of a human being or an animal, said stent being intended for having a first configuration during insertion into the cavity and said stent, after having been placed in the cavity, being intended for having a second configuration. In an aspect of the invention, an expandable part is constituted by at least one first section of at least one helical winding in a clockwise direction and at least one second section of at least one helical winding in a counter-clockwise direction, each of said first and second at least one section being radially expandable so that during expansion, and where the at least one first section will be rotating in counter-clockwise direction and the at least one second section will be rotating in clockwise direction.

Abstract: An intraluminal prosthesis includes an outer three-dimensional (3D) anti-migration structure that is attached to the outer wall of a fully covered or partially covered stent to prevent migration and still allow stent removal at a later period of time. A method of manufacturing the intraluminal prosthesis includes attaching the anti-migration structure by usage of a polymer such as polyurethane.

Abstract: The intravascular stent is formed from a composite wire includes an inner core of radiopaque metal, a polymer layer coaxially disposed about the inner core, and an outer metal layer coaxially disposed about the polymer layer. The intermediary polymer layer acts as a barrier material between the inner core and the outer sheath, so that the inner core and outer sheath may be made of dissimilar metallic layers, and the intermediary polymer layer will prevent a galvanic reaction between the inner core and the peripheral metal layer. The intravascular stent has ends flared radially outwardly to prevent radially and longitudinally inward deformation of the ends of the stent when the stent is disposed in a desired location in a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: A flexible stent structure includes a plurality of axially spaced strut portions defining generally tubular axial segments of the stent and constructed to be radially expandable. A helical portion is interposed axially between two strut portions and has a plurality of helical elements connected between circumferentially spaced locations on the two strut portions. The helical elements extend helically between those locations and the length of a helical element is sufficient so that, when the stent is in a radially expanded state, it can simultaneously withstand repeated axial compression or expansion and bending.