Abstract:
A guidewire apparatus for a medical device that includes an expandable guidewire section that can be locked in an expanded state. In one use, the expandable section can be temporarily locked to a working element of a medical device to facilitate the transmission of torque from the guidewire to the medical device. Hence, this configuration may be utilized to aid in orientation of the working element with a vessel side branch by providing the user with the ability to apply a rotational force to the distal end of the stent delivery system. Another use includes docking the expandable section near an opening into a guidewire lumen at the catheter tip. This configuration is particularly useful in forming a smooth transition between the guidewire and the catheter tip to reduce the phenomenon of fish-mouthing.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a medical fastener that can be mounted to a bone of a patient. The medical fastener can include a head portion comprising a recess having a first portion, a second tapered portion extending from the first portion, and a third cylindrical portion extending from the second tapered portion. A threaded body portion can extend from the head portion. The first portion and the second portion can have a Torx geometry or star-shaped configuration. Also disclosed is a driver usable to mount the medical fastener to the bone. The driver can include a tip that is complementary to the recess and an end that enables the driver to mount to a drill or other device that can rotate the driver.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a fastener that can be mounted to a bone of a patient and can foreshorten and swell of a desired period of time. The fastener can include a head portion and a body portion extending from the head portion. At least one of the head portion and the body portion has a first width that changes to a second width greater than the first width and collectively the head portion and the body portion have a first length that changes to a second length shorter than the first length upon the head portion and the body portion being exposed to a temperature below a glass transition temperature of a polymeric material forming the head portion and the body portion.
Abstract:
An elongate body including a proximal and distal anchor, and a bridge between the proximal and distal anchors. The bridge has an elongated state, having first axial length, and a shortened state, having a second axial length, wherein the second axial length is shorter than the first axial length. A resorbable thread may be woven into the bridge to hold the bridge in the elongated state and to delay the transfer of the bridge to the shortened state. In an additional embodiment, there may be one or more central anchors between the proximal and distal anchors with a bridge connecting adjacent anchors.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a novel bifurcated stent apparatus for use in treating lesions at or near a bifurcation point in bifurcated vessel. More particularly, a dedicated bifurcation stent apparatus is fabricated from a single tube structure for use in a bifurcated body vessel having a main lumen and a side lumen. The stent apparatus includes a first stent portion comprised of a first stent pattern that is configured for radial expansion into a generally cylindrical main body. A second stent portion is integrally formed with the first stent portion, and includes a second stent pattern configured to form a first branch leg and a second branch leg. Collectively, the first stent portion, and the branch legs form a crocodile cut shape. Each branch leg is of a cylindrical shell-shaped arc segment in a first condition, and each of the first branch leg and the second branch leg is patterned for manipulation and radial expansion, in a second condition, into a generally cylindrical first body and a generally cylindrical second body, respectively.
Abstract:
Catheter including an elongate main body having a proximal section and a distal section. The elongate main body further includes a guidewire lumen along at least a portion of the elongate main body. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the catheter includes a first stiffening member and a second stiffening in an overlapping spaced relationship along at least a portion of a length between the distal end and the proximal end of the elongate main body.
Abstract:
A stent delivery system is disclosed for delivering and deploying a radially expandable stent at a strategic orientation and location in a body vessel. The delivery system includes an elongated flexible tubular shaft sized suitably for insertion into the body vessel. A stent deployment assembly includes a distal transition portion supporting a dilator device adapted for radial expansion about a longitudinal axis of the deployment assembly from a non-expanded condition to a radially expanded condition. The dilator device is configured to support the stent thereon in the non-expanded condition and in predetermined orientation relative the deployment assembly. A rotational clutch assembly rotatably mounts the transition portion to a distal portion of the tubular shaft such that the deployment assembly is substantially torsionally isolated from the tubular shaft, about a longitudinal axis of the clutch assembly. This enables the stent deployment assembly to rotate substantially independently of the tubular shaft for strategic orientation of the dilator device during advancement through the body vessel.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an interventional device for delivery of therapeutic agents from an angioplasty balloon and from a prosthesis such as an intraluminal stent. The invention also relates to the method of loading the beneficial agents onto the balloon and the device, as well as the method of delivery of the agents from separate surfaces. The invention also relates to an interventional device having a prosthesis surface that is loaded with a first beneficial agent, and a balloon surface loaded with a second beneficial agent. The invention also relates to a method of loading multiple beneficial agents onto the prosthesis surfaces and the balloon surfaces, and to a method of manufacturing an interventional device for the delivery of a first beneficial agent and a second beneficial agent from separate surfaces.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a stent comprising a tubular flexible body having a wall with a web structure that is expandable from a contracted delivery configuration to deployed configuration. The web structure comprises a plurality of neighboring web patterns, where each web patterns is composed of adjoining webs, and the web patterns are interconnected by transition sections. Each adjoining web comprises a central section interposed between two lateral sections to form concave or convex configurations. A delivery system for the stent is also provided.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for delivery of at least one therapeutic agent from an angioplasty balloon for treating vascular disease at a bifurcated vessel. The invention also relates to the method of loading the beneficial agents onto the balloon and the device, as well as the method of delivery of the agents from separate surfaces. The invention also relates to a method of loading multiple beneficial agents onto the balloon surfaces