Abstract: An implant device for placement within a salivary gland duct having a first end adjacent a parotid gland and a second end adjacent a submandibular gland. The implant device comprises an elongate body having a lumen, and a first and a second plate offset from the proximal end of the elongate body. The first plate is located on one side of the elongate body and the second plate is located on the other side of the elongate body. The first plate includes a first and a second hole operable to suture the first plate to a location adjacent the parotid gland. The second plate includes a first and a second hole operable to suture the second plate to a location adjacent the submandibular gland.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, a system, and a method for removing kidney stones from the urinary system of a patient with reduced pain and expenses. The system includes expandable, elongated balloon sheaths that deliver and retrieve forceps and a urethral sparing prosthetic stent. The stent is reconstrainable with interwoven nylon strands that are strategically positioned amongst the struts to ensure smooth collapse for removal. An atraumatic coating of PTFE or PET lining on the stent extends from the struts through the tip of the penis to assist patients in passing stones while the stent is in place at the bladder neck. The stent can stay in place for several days while permitting urine drainage. The basket-shaped forceps device has multiple curved, rigid arms to dilate the urethra and capture occluded or embedded stones with a built-in camera. The method is for removing stones through a protected urethral canal.

Abstract: Devices and methods of treating sleep disordered breathing are provided herein. The devices are designed capable of preventing collapse of an oral airway tissue during sleep while maintaining normal velopharyngeal functions.

Abstract: A prosthesis for placement within a body vessel of a patient may include a tubular frame and a covering material coupled to the tubular frame. The covering material may have an outer surface defining at least a segment of an outer surface of the prosthesis. An anti-migration coating may be applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of the prosthesis. The anti-migration coating may include a mucoadhesive agent. The mucoadhesive agent may include a polymer configured to adhere to a mucous membrane within the body vessel. The anti-migration coating may have a thickness of greater than or equal to about 2 ?m in a dry state to promote adhesion to the mucous membrane.

Abstract: A non-expandable endoluminal prosthesis for implantation within a body lumen may include an elongate tubular conduit. The tubular conduit may have a first end segment and a second end segment. A drainage lumen may extend longitudinally within the tubular conduit. An actuating lumen may extend longitudinally within the tubular conduit. The prosthesis may include an actuating member received within the actuating lumen. The endoluminal prosthesis may be movable between a delivery configuration in which the tubular conduit is substantially linear and a deployed configuration in which at least one of the first end segment and the second end segment includes a retaining mechanism configured to retain the prosthesis in place relative to the body lumen. The actuating member may be configured to urge the prosthesis toward the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A rapid exchange stent delivery catheter includes an inner tubular member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a stent holding portion located adjacent the distal portion of the inner member, and a guide wire lumen extending from a proximal guide wire opening disposed distal of the proximal portion of the inner member to a distal guide wire opening disposed at a distal end of the inner member. The proximal guide wire opening has a first length. An outer tubular member is slidably disposed about the inner member. The outer member has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a guide wire opening disposed distal of the proximal portion of the outer member. The guide wire opening of the outer member has a second length that is shorter than the first length and a guide wire ramp extends into, and is movable along the first length.

Abstract: A cannula for placement within a salivary gland duct having a first end adjacent an oral cavity and a second end adjacent a salivary gland is provided. The cannula includes an elongate body having a lumen and a first and a second plate offset from a proximal end of the elongate body. The first plate is located on one side of the elongate body and the second plate is correspondingly located on the other side of the elongate body and adjacent the first plate. The first plate has a first hole that is operable to suture the first plate to a location adjacent the first end of the salivary duct adjacent the oral cavity, whereby upon placement of the cannula within the salivary gland duct, saliva flows through the elongate body's lumen from the salivary gland to the oral cavity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an endoluminal device (10) comprising a stent (20) and a sleeve (30). In one embodiment, the endoluminal device is implanted in a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The stent has a first region (22) and a second region (24) where the first and second regions provide different levels of radial force. The first region is made from a plurality of first wires having a first diameter and the second region is made from a plurality of second wires having a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter. In other embodiments, the endoluminal device has at least one engagement mechanism (60) engaging the stent to the sleeve, the endoluminal device to a body lumen, and any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the endoluminal device has a wall with at least one opening therein.

Abstract: An airway stent with an integral suture anchor is used to prevent migration of the stent within the airway. The suture anchor is incorporated by percutaneous placement of a suture through the neck and into the stent. The distal end of the suture includes an anchor element to secure the suture to the stent. The opposite end of the suture is tensioned and held in place by a suture clamp and a pledget routed over the stent and placed against the neck. Airway stents such as tracheal stents are effective at maintaining airway patency however; a common complication is stent migration. The integral suture anchor provides a reliable, economical, and non-intrusive solution to stent migration.

Abstract: An expandable surgical site access system and method for using the expandable surgical site access system to perform minimally invasive, percutaneous surgeries to access the spine or other bone structures, organs, or locations of the body is disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical site access system includes an elongated, expandable stent that is particularly adapted to be deployed in a body during a surgical procedure to provide access to a surgical site within the body. The stent defines a working channel through the body from a point of entry to the surgical site.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. The endoprostheses comprise a tubular member capable of maintaining patency of a bodily vessel. The tubular member includes a duplex stainless steel (e.g., 2205 stainless steel), which may be magnetized.

Abstract: A highly elastic stent is made of an alloy that exhibits superelasticity at body temperature. At least a part of the highly elastic stent has such a property that load increases with displacement without exhibiting a distinct yield on a load-displacement curve obtained by a compression test and a bending test.

Abstract: The present invention relates to central airway stents, and methods and devices for deploying such stents. The central airway stents are useful for maintaining or prolonging the patency of a central airway.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to nasal stents incorporating a filter and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, a nasal stent has a stent body having a lumen with the same inner diameter (ID) along the length thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the nasal stent has a stent body having a lumen with a decreasing ID along the length thereof. In any embodiment, the stent is capable of having a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. The nasal stent may further include a tubular insert housing a retaining mechanism to retain a filter at a proximal end thereof. A support may further fix the filter at a proximal end thereof. When inserted within a nostril of a person, the filter may function to filter particulates from the air when a person breathes in.

Abstract: The present invention provides bariatric therapy systems. One system includes a gastrointestinal implant device and a delivery mechanism therefor. The device can include a sleeve for placement into a small intestine and to minimize absorption of nutrients by its walls. An anchoring mechanism coupled to a proximal end of the sleeve and designed to be secured within the stomach can be provided. A passageway extending through the anchoring mechanism and the sleeve can also be provided, along which food can be directed from the stomach to the small intestine. The delivery mechanism can include a housing for accommodating the device, and a deploying balloon situated within the housing and which can be actuated to direct the sleeve of the device from within the housing to the site of implantation. Methods for providing bariatric therapy are also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses of stents with likely reduced rates of tissue perforation are provided. Some embodiments include reducing the profile of a portion of the stent using a wire profile reduction electropolishing bath and/or other wire profile reduction means.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are disclosed for delivering an implant into the body of a patient. The devices include a damping assembly having an internal chamber with a varying inner diameter, and a piston slideably disposed therein. The piston is operably connected with a catheter portion such that movement of the piston is associated with concurrent movement of the catheter for implant delivery. The varying inner diameter of the damping assembly results in a decrease in damping force during implant delivery, thus providing a substantially constant velocity of implant delivery.

Abstract: Implantable splinting devices for supporting a passageway defect in a patient that is formed from one or more support structures comprising a polymer or a polymer and acellularized tissue matrix that define a structural component that substantially conforms to a defective passageway of the patient. The structural component also has a plurality of pores. The implantable splinting device is capable of being placed around a trachea, a bronchi, an esophagus and a blood vessel of a patient. The implantable splinting device may also be configured for placement between the trachea and the esophagus of a patient.

Abstract: A prosthesis and a method for directing flow through a passageway formed between a first bodily lumen and a second bodily lumen are provided. The prosthesis includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough. The prosthesis also includes a sleeve operably connected to the body at a connected portion. The sleeve has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a sleeve lumen extending therethrough. At least a portion of the body is positioned within at least a portion of the sleeve lumen and the distal portion of the sleeve is free from connection to the distal portion of the body and extendable away from the body to contact a wall of the first bodily lumen. The sleeve is configured to allow fluid flow through the sleeve lumen from the first bodily lumen to the second bodily lumen.

Abstract: Articles, compositions, and methods for growing tissues and organs using bioreactors, including rotating bioreactors, are provided. Synthetic scaffolds for growing artificial tissue and organ transplants are also provided.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a medical device comprising a stent framework having proximal and distal regions and a lumen extending therebetween, and which comprises a biodegradable material. A first covering is coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the stent framework. When the stent framework is in an expanded deployed configuration, at least a portion of the first covering is disposed adjacent to a target site and fluid flows through the lumen of the stent framework. Further, the stent framework comprises a material that biodegrades a predetermined time after the first covering achieves at least partial remodeling at the target site. In various embodiments, one or more second coverings may be disposed adjacent to the first covering and comprise a material that biodegrades before the stent framework biodegrades.

Abstract: A method and device may be used to avoid surgically re-opening a stoma or the like in an animal, including human beings. The stoma stabilitating device comprises an anchoring portion, preferably flat, that includes an opening configured to surround a stoma. The anchoring portion preferably includes an inner tension ring attached to an inner edge to define the opening and a tension ring attached to an outer edge. The anchoring portion may include additional structural rings. The device may be of a mesh construction and used to maintain, for example, a stoma, a fistula, a tracheotomy and any other pathway from outside the body to the inner part of the body. The device may be used to maintain an open pathway for air and to maneuver devices within a cavity. The device may also be used internally.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials that can be used to replace a circumferential segment of an esophagus. For example, methods and materials that can be used to provide a tubular connection from one stump end of an esophagus to another stump end of the esophagus are provided.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to pancreatic devices and methods for guiding cannulation of the bile duct. In certain aspects, the invention provides a tubular stent comprising groove along the length of at least a portion of the stent. In certain aspects, the invention provides a method for cannulating a bile duct.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed, which comprises a functional unit (C) for permanent or temporary placement in the urogenital tract of a human or animal body. The functional unit has at least one electrically conducting portion. A power source (G) supplies a current to the electrically conducting portion after placement of the functional unit in the urogenital tract. In this manner, the growth of bacteria on the functional unit can be reduced.

Abstract: A method is provided for storing a medical device. One step of the method includes providing a medical device having an initial tensile strength. The medical device is placed into a storage container so that at least a portion of the medical device is immersed in a hydrophobic liquid. Next, the medical device is stored in the storage container for a period of time. The initial tensile strength of the medical device is substantially preserved over the period of time.

Abstract: A stent includes an iron-based alloy that consists essentially of: Fe—X—Y, wherein X is at least one austenite stabilizing element selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Mn, Cu, Re, Rh, Ru, Ir, Pt, Pd, C, and N, and wherein Y is at least one corrosion-activator species selected from the group consisting of Au, and Pd.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is provided having a plurality of interstices including concave or convex shaped coatings. The concave or convex shaped coatings are configured to straighten and then stretch as the implantable medical device is compressed or elongated, thereby delaying the onset of wrinkling in the coating material. The implantable medical device may include a tubular body having a central body portion and a flange of greater diameter than the central body portion.

Abstract: A collapsible gastrointestinal anchor can be characterized in various embodiments by a radial force of about 0.1 Newtons (N) or greater at a compressed diameter of 25 millimeters (mm); by an average spring rate of about 13 Newtons/meter (N/m) or greater in a range of motion between a relaxed diameter and a compressive elastic deformation diameter; or by a radial force over the range of motion of about 0.1 N or greater. Typically, the anchor can be adapted to be retained within a subject's intestine, more typically in the duodenum, or particularly in the duodenal bulb just distal to the pylorus. A gastrointestinal implant device includes the collapsible gastrointestinal anchor and a floppy sleeve. The sleeve is open at both ends and adapted to extend into a subject's intestine, the anchor being coupled to a proximal portion of the sleeve. Also include are methods of implanting the gastrointestinal implant device in a subject, and methods of treating a subject for disease.

Abstract: Stents that have non-circular cross-sectional profiles and systems for delivering the stents are described herein.

Abstract: A stent is formed from a magnesium alloy that consists essentially of: 0-10 weight % rare earth element; 0-5 weight % Li; 0-1 weight % Mn; 0-1 weight % Zr; and balance Mg, or the stent is formed from a magnesium alloy that consists essentially of: 0-5 weight % rare earth element; 0-8 weight % Li; 0-1 weight % Mn; 0-1 weight % Sn; 0-3 weight % Al; 0-4 weight % Zn; and balance Mg.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for splinting and/or maintaining a cavity, an organ duct and or a vessel in a human or animal body, said device including at least one compressible and self-expanding stent that is composed of at least three phases.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a stent includes an elongate member and a distal retention member. The elongate member is configured to be disposed within a ureter of a patient and has a first portion, a second portion and a plurality of beads bonded together. The plurality of beads define a plurality of spaces between the plurality of beads. The plurality of spaces are configured to allow fluid to flow from the first portion of the elongate member to the second portion of the elongate member. The distal retention member is configured to help maintain a portion of the stent within a kidney of the patient.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer stent with radiopacity and a method of making and using a stent with enhanced mechanical strength and/or controlled degradation for use in a bodily lumen is described.

Abstract: A stent (30) is provided with an improved structural member (38) at the end (34) of the stent structure (32) to minimize deformation of the stent structure when pushing forces are applied to the end of the stent. The improved structural member is wider than other structural members (40, 42, 44, 46, 48) in the stent structure. The improved structural member is better able to distribute pushing forces to the other structural members in the stent structure with minimal deformation.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved stent design for repairing vasculature, the stent having rings including struts defining first peaks and second peaks, selected second peaks of adjacent rings being connected by links. The stent design incorporates non-linear links with undulating portions extending generally perpendicular to or circumferentially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent and adjacent first peaks with different longitudinal lengths such that stent flexibility is increased without sacrificing stent compression for delivery.

Abstract: A drug delivery device comprising an intraluminal stent for improving coronary luminal diameter of small vessels in patients with symptomatic heart disease is disclosed. The intraluminal stent comprises struts having a thickness of less than approximately 110 ?m. A polymer is adhered to the intraluminal stent that includes from about 50 ?g/cm2 to about 150 ?g/cm2 of everolimus therein. Quantitative coronary angiography measurements indicate that the drug delivery device provides an in-stent late loss of less than about 0.20 mm and an in-stent diameter stenosis of less than about 15% at 12 months following implantation in a human.

Abstract: Paranasal sinus apparatus is provided, including a hole-forming member configured to form a hole through a bone wall of a paranasal sinus of a subject. An implant is provided, having a proximal end and a distal end, and which is shaped to define a lumen. The implant is couplable to the hole-forming member, and is securable to the wall and extendable through the hole, such that the proximal end is disposed external to the paranasal sinus and the distal end is disposed within the paranasal sinus. The implant includes a biodegradable material. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A ureteral stent for assisting the movement of urine along a patient's ureter and into the patient's bladder. The stent includes an elongated tubular segment extending toward the bladder from a kidney end region for placement in the renal cavity to a bladder end region. A central lumen connects at least one opening at the first end region to at least one opening in the bladder end region. Thin flexible tail(s) are attached to the bladder end region of the tubular segment at a point outside the bladder so as to receive urine from the opening in the bladder end region of the tubular segment and to transport urine from there across the ureter/bladder junction and into the bladder. The tails include an elongated external urine-transport surface sized and configured to transport urine along the ureter. The urine transporting surface(s) are sized and configured to extend along at least part of the ureter, across the ureter/bladder junction, and from there into the bladder.

Abstract: A process for coating of implantable structures, such as stents, by using a composition which comprises at least one hydrophobin derivative (H), water and further components leads to long time usable implants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of esophageal stents and related methods for the treatment of esophageal dysphagia. Esophageal stents, according to the present disclosure, may have a diameter between 8 mm and 16 mm. Further, esophageal stents according to the present disclosure may have a length between 40 and 150 mm. A method, according to the present disclosure, may include the steps of placing an esophageal stent across an esophageal stricture, treating an underlying cause of the esophageal stricture, and retrieving the esophageal stent following migration of the esophageal stent. The esophageal stents of the present disclosure may be configured to avoid radial and other forces that cause undue strain and/or stretching of the esophageal tissue.

Abstract: Constructs including a tubular biodegradable polyglycolic acid scaffold may be coated with extracellular matrix proteins and are substantially acellular. The constructs can be utilized as an arteriovenous graft, a coronary graft, an arterial graft, a venous graft, a duct graft, a skin graft, or a urinary graft or conduit.

Abstract: The medical stent includes: a main body formed into an approximately tubular shape along a longitudinal axis with a first resin material; an elastic member formed of a second resin material which is larger in flexural modulus than the first resin material, and configured to have one end portion connected to an end portion of the main body and the other end portion formed to extend to the central portion side of the main body along the longitudinal axis and also to direct to the radial direction of the main body; and a treated layer formed between the end portion of the main body and the one end portion of the elastic member and configured to have a functional group for joining the end portion of the main body and the one end portion of the elastic member to each other.

Abstract: A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis self-expandable from a collapsed position in which the prosthesis has a first diameter to an expanded position in which the prosthesis has a second, larger, diameter. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed in the collapsed position and inserted into a stomach of a patient. The prosthesis is allowed to self-expand from the collapsed position to the expanded position and into contact with the walls of the stomach, where it induces feelings of satiety and/or inhibits modulation of satiety-controlling factors such as Ghrelin.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an elongate member having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a medial portion that is disposed between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. The medial portion is configured to be disposed in a ureter of a patient. The apparatus further includes an expandable member that is coupled to the elongate member. The expandable member has an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The expandable member is further configured to be inserted into the ureter of the patient and configured to contact the ureter to help retain the elongate member in place within the patient.

Abstract: A stent comprised of a scaffolding structure having components configured to allow at least a portion of the stent to decrease in diameter in response to an axial force applied to the stent. Further, the components and elements of the stent may be configured to balance transverse forces applied to the stent, thus reducing the incidence of infolding.

Abstract: This invention is directed to implantable medical device comprising a polymeric composition comprising poly[L-lactide-co-(3,6-dialkyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione)], alone or as a blend with one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of poly(L-lactide) and poly(3,6-dialkyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione).

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus that can include a wound dressing, a fluid collection device, a vacuum pump comprising a pump motor, and tubing can be powered by auxiliary power sources such as high efficiency batteries, photovoltaic panels or cells, fuel cells, combustion generators, human powered generators, or other mechanical, electrical, or chemical power sources such as hand operated dynamos or wound springs, or any combination of the foregoing. Additionally, the apparatus can include a high efficiency pressure controller for controlling the output of the vacuum pump. In some embodiments, the pressure controller can control the pump without using a processor, and can have other features such as an intermittent delay function and an anti-stall mechanism to reduce the energy consumption of the apparatus.

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: The self-expanding plastic stent is a resilient plastic stent with such expansional strength that a small diameter delivery system may be used to implant the stent, thereby minimizing possible complications for the patient. The stent is made from a braided monofilament, which may be polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyetherketoneether-ketoneketone (PEKEKK), or any blends and alloys of these particular resins. The plastic stent may or may not be covered with polymer film. When used, the polymer film includes materials based on polyurethanes, silicones, or materials that biodegrade or erode in the body. Specifically the biodegradable materials might include poly-L-lactide, poly-D-lactide, polyglycolide, ?-caprolactone (epsilon-caprolactone), starch, and collagen or its polymer blends, alloys or copolymers. This material is heat-treated. The monofilament preferably has a diameter of 0.2-0.7 mm.