Abstract:
A medical device includes a curved tubular body configured for being used as an extravascular device to support vein maturation following the formation of an arteriovenous fistula. The tubular body is curved. The tubular body has an entrance angle of less than about 40 degrees to improve blood flow from the artery into the vein. And the tubular body includes a cuff or edge at the proximal end to stabilize the tubular body at the fistula.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for controlling the moisture content of biodegradable and bioresorbable polymer resin during extrusion above a lower limit that allows for plasticization of the polymer resin melt and below an upper limit to reduce or prevent molecular weight loss are disclosed. Methods are further disclosed involving plasticization of a polymer resin for feeding into an extruder with carbon dioxide and freon.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method for fabricating an implantable medical device to increase biocompatibility of the device, the method comprising: heat setting a polymer construct, wherein the polymer construct is at a temperature range of from about Tg to about 0.6(Tm−Tg)+Tg such that the set polymer construct comprises a crystalline structure having crystals at a size less than about 2 microns; and fabricating an implantable medical device from the heat set polymer construct.
Abstract:
A pattern is used to form a stent scaffold from a polymeric precursor tube having a particular outer diameter. A new pattern can be derived from a base pattern, wherein the new pattern can be used to form a stent scaffold from a precursor tube having an outer diameter ODPR smaller than that needed for the base pattern. The new pattern can be derived by determining the shape of a stent scaffold, having the base pattern, after having been radially compressed to ODPR. The radially compressed shape is used to design the new pattern, which is applied to a precursor tube having an outer diameter ODPR. The new pattern can have a plurality of W-shaped closed cells, each W-shape closed cell bounded by struts oriented in such a way to form interior angles from about 80 degrees to about 95 degrees between every two adjacent struts.
Abstract:
Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device, such as a stent, with improved fracture toughness through annealing a polymer construct below the glass transition temperature of the polymer of the construct prior to a deformation step are disclosed herein. The deformation of the construct induces crystallization in the polymer construct through strain-induced crystallization. The annealing of the polymer construct accelerates the crystallization induced during the deformation and results in an increase in crystallite density with smaller crystallites as compared to deformation of a tube that has not been annealed. A stent scaffolding is then made from the deformed tube.
Abstract:
A method of determining the thrombogenicity of an implantable medical device is disclosed. The implanted device is exposed in vitro to platelet rich plasma, the activity of an indicator is assayed, and the thrombogenicity is determined.
Abstract:
This invention is directed to methods of treating solid tumor cancers, particularly refractory cancers by administration of a drug capable of inhibiting mTOR and/or inhibiting an efflux pump and/or inhibiting HIF-1α and VEGF, the drug in particular being selected from the group consisting of sirolimus, everolimus, zotarolimus, tacrolimus, iolimus A9, deforolimus, AP23572, tacrolimus, temsirolimus, pimecrolimus, novolimus, 40-O-(3-hydroxypropyl), 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin and 40-O-tetrazolylrapamycin, the drug being administered along with a chemotherapeutic agent and/or radiation therapy.
Abstract:
Methods of treating a diseased blood vessel exhibiting stenosis with a bioabsorbable stent are disclosed. The implanted stent supports the section of the vessel at an increased diameter for a period of time to allow the vessel to heal. The stent loses radial strength sufficient to support the section of the vessel in less than 6 months after implantation, loses mechanical integrity, and then erodes away from the section. The biodegradable stent results in changes in properties of plaque with time as the stent degrades. The time-dependent properties include the luminal area of the plaque and plaque geometric morphology parameters.
Abstract:
A polymeric stent can be implanted for treatment of the Eustachian tube. The stent can be designed to have length-dependent radial strength to allow it to stay within the Eustachian tube and to allow normal closing and opening of the Eustachian tube. A balloon can be used to implant the stent, and the balloon can be coated with a therapeutic agent. A coated balloon can also be used to transfer therapeutic agents to the sinus cavity during a balloon sinus dilation procedure.