Abstract:
A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy includes magnesium, between 7 and 8 weight percent aluminum, between 0.4 and 0.8 weight percent zinc, and between 0.05 and 0.8 weight percent manganese.
Abstract:
Medical devices, such as stents, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method includes diffusing a first element into a first portion of the medical device. The first element includes carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, or combinations thereof. The first portion includes a refractory material.
Abstract:
A stent is adapted to be implanted in a duct of a human body to maintain an open lumen at the implant site, and to allow viewing body tissue and fluids by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) energy applied external to the body. The stent constitutes a metal scaffold. An electrical circuit resonant at the resonance frequency of the MRI energy is fabricated integral with the scaffold structure of the stent to promote viewing body properties within the lumen of the stent.
Abstract:
The embodiments herein relate to an electrode having a porous coating including a fiber mesh, a multi-layer coating, and an outer coating, and a method of making the same. The various electrode coating embodiments include pores in the coating that prevent access by protein or cells while allowing for ion and/or liquid access.
Abstract:
In a process of fabricating a stent composed primarily of niobium alloyed with a trace amount of zirconium, tantalum, or titanium for hardening, the stent is annealed under vacuum in a substantially oxygen-free environment. The vacuum is preferably maintained at pressure less than 10−4 millibars, oxygen-content less than about 80 parts per million, and the annealing temperature exceeds 400° C. for at least one hour, and is preferably kept in a range from about 1100-1200° C. for several hours. This may be followed by applying a surface layer of oxide, such as iridium oxide, with a thickness of 299-300 nm to the stent.
Abstract:
Catheter devices having an expandable balloon for delivering a therapeutic agent to a body site. The balloon has one or more folds which serve as a reservoir for containing the therapeutic agent. The fold may have any of various configurations to hold the therapeutic agent. In some cases, the balloon comprises one or more lobes that forms the fold(s). The therapeutic agent may be provided in various ways. For example, the therapeutic agent may be contained in packets that rupture upon expansion of the balloon, or as a plurality of discrete bulk masses, or sealed within compartments.
Abstract:
An endoprosthesis such as a coronary stent includes a porous reservoir of drug, e.g. directly in the body of the stent, and an overlayer formed of ceramic or metal for controlling elution of drug from the reservoir
Abstract:
In a process for producing a biocompatible stent, a tubular substrate of the stent adapted for diametric expansion has a layer of a noble metal oxide formed over at least the outer surface of greater diameter of the substrate, the substrate being composed of a metal or an alloy thereof that is non-noble or less-noble than the layer's noble metal. An interface region adapted to prevent corrosion and to provide a firm bond between the surface of the substrate and the noble metal oxide layer is established, at least in part, by forming the noble metal oxide layer with a progressively varying concentration of noble metal-to-oxide with depth of the layer such that a surface of pure noble metal and negligible oxide of the layer is in closest proximity to the surface of the substrate. In one embodiment of the process, the interface region is established by forming the surface of pure noble metal and negligible oxide thereof in direct contact with the metal or alloy of the substrate surface. In another, the interface region is established by first creating an oxide of the substrate metal or alloy thereof at the substrate surface, and then forming the noble metal oxide layer as above, but in contact with the substrate metal or alloy oxide. Alternatively, the noble metal oxide layer has no progressively varying concentration but simply overlies an oxide of the substrate metal or alloy.
Abstract:
A stent is adapted to be implanted in a duct of a human body to maintain an open lumen at the implant site, and to allow viewing body tissue and fluids by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) energy applied external to the body. The stent constitutes a metal scaffold. An electrical circuit resonant at the resonance frequency of the MRI energy is fabricated integral with the scaffold structure of the stent to promote viewing body properties within the lumen of the stent.