Abstract:
A radiopaque composite wire for medical applications has a core comprising a rare earth metal, an outer layer comprising a nickel-titanium alloy disposed over the core, and a controlled diffusion zone between the core and the outer layer. The controlled diffusion zone includes at least one compound phase comprising (a) the rare earth metal and (b) nickel and/or titanium.
Abstract:
A delivery system for a self-expanding medical device is provided. The delivery system includes an outer sheath that radially restrains the medical device. First and second inner catheters are disposed within the outer sheath. The first inner catheter is a composite structure with a closed coil wire covered by a polymer outer layer. The second inner catheter is disposed within the closed coil wire but is not attached to the closed coil wire.
Abstract:
A single-wire stylet may be constructed as an elongate single-wire, memory-metal alloy body with a generally cylindrical body profile, extending distally from a proximal end terminus, where embodiments include a polymeric distal tip member fixedly attached directly at a distal end of the single-wire body. At least one lengthwise portion of the single-wire body is at least partially in martensitic phase at operating temperatures at and below about 37° C. Where present, the polymeric distal tip member has a generally cylindrical body profile circumferentially bounded by an outer circumference substantially equal to or greater than that of the metal body. The polymeric distal tip member may be overmolded upon a distal-end tip length of an elongate single-wire, memory-metal alloy stylet body, where the distal end and/or discrete intermediate distal-portion length(s) that include martensitic-phase alloy and any polymeric member have greater flexibility than a proximal-most length of the alloy stylet body.
Abstract:
A delivery system for a self-expanding medical device is provided. The delivery system includes an outer sheath that radially restrains the medical device. First and second inner catheters are disposed within the outer sheath. The first inner catheter is a composite structure with a closed coil wire covered by a polymer outer layer. The second inner catheter is disposed within the closed coil wire but is not attached to the closed coil wire.
Abstract:
A medical needle including an elongate tubular body having an outer wall defining at least one longitudinal lumen is provided. The at least one longitudinal lumen may be configured to provide access for at least one of a wire guide, a therapeutic tool, a diagnostic tool, a medicament, and/or contrast fluid. The body may be configured with sufficient length and flexibility to be extended out of and operated through a working channel of a surgical endoscope. The body further includes one or more wires embedded in, and secured substantially immovably relative to, the outer wall. A distal end of the body includes a needle tip configured with at least one sharpened surface configured to penetrate into body tissue.
Abstract:
A prosthesis and a method for making a prosthesis for controlling flow through a bodily lumen are provided. The prosthesis includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough and further includes a valve operably connected to the body. The valve has a distal end including a first portion of a surface of the valve lumen and a second portion of the surface that contact each other and form a seal in a closed configuration. The distal end of the valve is formed such that the first portion and the second portion of the surface of the valve lumen contact each other and the distal end is configured to open in response to a pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure.
Abstract:
A stent may include a tubular stent body having a lumen extending therethrough. The stent may further include an anchor portion attached to an end of the tubular stent body, where the lumen continues through the anchor portion, and where the anchor portion includes at least one opening configured to facilitate tissue ingrowth. The anchor portion may be detachable from the tubular stent body while the stent is in a deployed state.
Abstract:
There are disclosed implantable medical devices and apparatus for treating implantable medical devices during production, so as to cause the implantable medical devices to have abluminal surfaces and luminal surfaces with different functional characteristics and in particular surface energies. The luminal surfaces of the medical device are preferably coated with carbon, so as to have a low surface energy, which reduces the risk of thrombi forming when implanted into a patient's vessels. The abluminal surfaces are treated so as to have a high surface energy, such that a therapeutic, preferably bioactive, material, such as a drug, can adhere to the abluminal surfaces and preferably without any need for a containment layer such as polymer or other matrix material. Once the therapeutic material has been delivered into the tissue wall, the stent can remain within the patient's vessel without leaving any delivery artefacts, as occurs with some prior art drug eluting medical devices.
Abstract:
A medical device such as a stent or medical balloon is functionalised prior to coating with a bioactive material, specifically by carboxylic acidification of the contact surface or surfaces of the medical device. The preferred process involves washing a stent or other medical device in a washing solution which may be sodium hydroxide, soaking in a carboxylic acid solution, rinsing in water to remove excess carboxylic acid, allowing to dry before applying a bioactive agent layer. It has been found that washing after functionalisation removes excess carboxylic acid and enhances the retention of bioactive agent on the contact surface or surfaces of the medical device leading to a more uniform and consistent layer of bioactive agent.
Abstract:
A medical device such as a stent (10) or medical balloon (40) is at least partially coated with a saturated carboxylic acid layer in order to enhance biocompatibility, reduce thrombogenesis and increase endothelialisation. The coating is preferably of citric acid in non-crosslinked form and preferably non-porous so as to mask the underlying structure of the medical device. The acid coating forms an outer surface of at least a part of the medical device, that is has no other layer or material overlying it, save for in some embodiments a partial coating of a bioactive material.