摘要:
A method and apparatus is provided for removing material from an outer surface of a workpiece such as a catheter or other medical device. The method begins by generating a laser beam having an intensity profile and directing the laser beam onto the outer surface of the workpiece. After the laser beam is generated, its intensity profile is adjusted by a component such as a diffractive optical element (DOE) or a holographic optical element (HOE) so that material can be removed from the workpiece by ablation in a prescribed manner.
摘要:
The invention generally relates to internal (e.g., implantable, insertable, etc.) drug delivery devices which contain the following: (a) one or more sources of one or more therapeutic agents; (b) one or more first electrodes, (c) one or more second electrodes and (d) one or more power sources for applying voltages across the first and second electrodes. The power sources may be adapted, for example, to promote electrically assisted therapeutic agent delivery within a subject, including electroporation and/or iontophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second electrodes are adapted to have tissue of a subject positioned between them upon deployment of the medical device within the subject, such that an electric field may be generated, which is directed into the tissue. Furthermore, the therapeutic agent sources are adapted to introduce the therapeutic agents into the electric field. In another aspect, the therapeutic agent sources are polymeric regions that contain one or more types of ion-conductive polymers and one or more types of charged therapeutic agents. In yet another aspect, the therapeutic agent sources are polymeric regions that contain one or more types of electrically conductive polymers and one or more types of charged therapeutic agents.
摘要:
One or more multi-level NAND flash cells are operated so as to store only single-level data, and these operations achieve an increased level of charge separation between the data states of the single-level operation by requiring a write to both the upper and lower pages, even though only one bit of data is being stored. That is, the second write operation increases the difference in floating gate charge between the erased state and the programmed state of the first write operation without changing the data in the flash memory cell. In one embodiment, a controller instructs the flash memory to perform two write operations for storing a single bit of data in an MLC flash cell. In another embodiment, the flash memory recognizes that a single write operation is directed a high reliability memory area and internally generates the required plurality of programming steps to place at least a predetermined amount of charge on the specified floating gate.
摘要:
A catheter assembly for deployment in a vessel includes a catheter shaft extending from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. A balloon is operatively coupled to the distal end portion of the catheter shaft. At least one cutting member is coupled to the catheter assembly. As the balloon is inflated, the cutting member is moved to a position to cut a portion of the vessel.
摘要:
The invention generally relates to internal (e.g., implantable, insertable, etc.) drug delivery devices which contain the following: (a) one or more sources of one or more therapeutic agents; (b) one or more first electrodes, (c) one or more second electrodes and (d) one or more power sources for applying voltages across the first and second electrodes. The power sources may be adapted, for example, to promote electrically assisted therapeutic agent delivery within a subject, including electroporation and/or iontophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second electrodes are adapted to have tissue of a subject positioned between them upon deployment of the medical device within the subject, such that an electric field may be generated, which is directed into the tissue. Furthermore, the therapeutic agent sources are adapted to introduce the therapeutic agents into the electric field. In another aspect, the therapeutic agent sources are polymeric regions that contain one or more types of ion-conductive polymers and one or more types of charged therapeutic agents. In yet another aspect, the therapeutic agent sources are polymeric regions that contain one or more types of electrically conductive polymers and one or more types of charged therapeutic agents.
摘要:
Percutaneous treatment of aortic aneurysms and like vascular anomalies by an apparatus and method wherein the apparatus is delivered via catheter and comprises a sleeve with at least one peripheral conduit which is caused to assume an expanded, rigid configuration by the introduction of a chemical or mechanical hardening means, whereby the sleeve is caused to assume an open cylindrical configuration for fluid flow therethrough.
摘要:
Improved methods and apparatus for capturing emboli and subsequently removing or immobilizing the captured emboli are described. Emboli can be captured within a blood vessel and can be withdrawn to a position exterior to the blood vessel. Some filters can remain within a blood vessel yet direct emboli to a position exterior to the blood vessel.
摘要:
A balloon catheter is provided having an expandable distal portion and balloon protector means comprising a first removable sleeve having a variable inner diameter to ease sliding the first sleeve over the balloon, and an optional second removable (outer) sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve, the second (outer) sleeve having a constrictive relationship with the first (inner) sleeve, said first and second sleeves being removed prior to use of the catheter. A stent delivery system is provided to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, and includes a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state, said distal portion further comprising a balloon and at least one dam over which the balloon extends, and a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter around the balloon or gripper linear control device, said stent having a contracted condition, being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the balloon in the contracted state, and being expandable to an expanded condition; a first removable (inner) sleeve in the region of the distal portion of the catheter positioned around the stent (and between the dams where the device comprises two dams), said first sleeve comprising a first end, a second end and a variable inner diameter to ease sliding the sleeve over the balloon and stent; an optional second removable (outer) sleeve positioned over the stent, first sleeve and at least one dam, said second (outer) sleeve having a constrictive relationship with the first (inner) sleeve, whereby when compressed by the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve will have an inner diameter approximately equal to or less than the outer profile of the collapsed balloon over the at least one dam, said first and second sleeves being removed prior to use of the stent delivery system and release of the stent by expansion of the balloon.