Abstract:
A stent or scaffold has a tapered end or ends. The scaffold is made using an additive manufacturing technique such as stereolithography (SLA). The scaffold may take the shape of a frustum, or a scaffold having one or both of its ends flared. The scaffold has varying mechanical properties over its length, such as a varying ring stiffness, porosity or elasticity modulus. In one embodiment the strut and link widths change linearly from the distal to proximal ends.
Abstract:
A scaffold is formed by several segments joined or connected to each other by only at least one coupling. The coupling decouples the segments in the axial direction over a finite distance of axial displacement. The scaffold when implanted in a peripheral vessel reduces loading on rings of a segment due to the decoupling of the segments in the axial direction over the finite distance.
Abstract:
Various medical implants and methods of using the implants are disclosed. In an embodiment, the implants include piezoelectric polymers for treating unwanted medical conditions of a patient. The medical implants may be delivered to an organ of the patient to treat conditions of those organs.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a stent is disclosed. The stent includes a minimum crimped diameter such that in the minimum crimped diameter, a pair of stent rings, between which marker support structures reside, do not make contact with the marker support structures. The crimped profile of the stent of the present invention can be as small as the crimped profile of a same stent but without the marker support structures.
Abstract:
A bioabsorbable polymeric stent with time dependent structure and properties and methods of treating a diseased blood vessel with the bioabsorable polymeric stent are disclosed. The structure and properties of the stent change with time and allow the vessel to be restored to a natural unstented state. The bioabsorbable stent loses mechanical integrity in a controlled manner due to modification of selected structural elements.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a stent is disclosed. The stent includes a minimum crimped diameter such that in the minimum crimped diameter, a pair of stent rings, between which marker support structures reside, do not make contact with the marker support structures. The crimped profile of the stent of the present invention can be as small as the crimped profile of a same stent but without the marker support structures.
Abstract:
A bodily lumen, such as a blood vessel, can be treated by forming a structural support in situ within the bodily lumen. This can be done by ejecting a formulation that includes a polymer that solidifies over a period of time, such as due to DMSO exchange or photocrosslinking. This can also be done by cooling a formulation until it freezes in situ. The structural support can also be made from a plaque which is already present in the bodily lumen. The plaque can be compressed by a balloon catheter and cooled so that it hardens and thereby forms the structural support. The bodily lumen can also be treated using a preformed structural support made of ice, for example frozen isotonic saline, or a fast degrading polymer, such as PEG. The preformed support is created outside of the bodily lumen, and then transported on a catheter to the treatment zone.
Abstract:
A therapeutic agent delivery system formed of a specific type of poly(ester amide) (PEA), a therapeutic agent, and a water miscible solvent is described herein. A method of delivering the therapeutic agent delivery system by delivering the therapeutic agent delivery system formed of a PEA polymer, a therapeutic agent, and a water miscible solvent to a physiological environment and separating the phase of the therapeutic agent delivery system to form a membrane from the polymer to contain the therapeutic agent within the physiological environment is also described. Additionally disclosed is a kit including a syringe and a therapeutic agent delivery system within the syringe.
Abstract:
A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold has a morphology resulting from a biaxially expanded tube arranged to provide a more balanced, or less anisotropic axial and radial mechanical properties. The scaffold has improved mechanical properties suited for use as a balloon expandable scaffold implanted in a peripheral vessel of the body.
Abstract:
It is provided herein methods, devices, and compositions for trans-arterial local delivery of therapeutic agent for the treatment of liver cancers.