Abstract:
A temporary stent endoprosthesis that does not require an interventional procedure for removal. The disintegrating stent is preferably made from a bioabsorbable polymer, such as by braiding polymer monofilaments into a tubular mesh shape, and the polymer has fracture initiation sites within it that promotes the disintegration of the stent into small pieces that are harmlessly transported out of the body by the vessel contents. Fracture initiation sites may be created by controlling the heterogenous structure of amorphous and crystalline regions, by introducing internal or surface fracture initiation sites, or use of multiple strands with small section size.
Abstract:
Medical stents having valves and their methods of manufacture are disclosed. The valve may be basket-shaped and formed integral to a medical stent to prevent undesirable backflow across the valve. The valve can be formed by converting the braided wires of the stent, by providing elastomeric material onto a mold or fixture to form an elastomeric valve, or by attaching a gasket valve. The valve is normally closed but configured to allow easy opening in response to a predetermined condition.
Abstract:
A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible body including an alloy comprising at least 85 weight percent magnesium and at least one high-melting-temperature element having a melting temperature of greater than 700° C. The alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed magnesium-rich phase grains and optionally high-melting-temperature intermetallic phases. The equiaxed magnesium-rich phase grains have an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 10 microns. High-melting-temperature intermetallic phases, if present, can have an average longest dimension of 3 microns or less.
Abstract:
Stent delivery system and method of manufacturing same. The stent delivery system comprises an inner catheter with an enlarged tip disposed at the distal end thereof. A stent engaging sleeve coaxially surrounds and is secured to a portion of the inner catheter proximally contiguous to the tip. The stent engaging sleeve is used to frictionally engage a stent mounted thereover in such a way as to prevent the stent, during deployment, from sliding proximally relative to the inner catheter. The system additionally comprises a self-expandable stent of the type comprising a knitted mesh of nitinol wire flexible in both the radial and longitudinal axes. The stent is mounted over the stent engaging sleeve in a longitudinally stretched state. The system also includes an outer catheter surrounding the stent and stent engaging sleeve, the outer catheter being adapted for axial movement relative to the inner catheter.
Abstract:
A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns and second-phase precipitates in grain boundaries between the equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains. The beta-phase precipitates have an average longest dimension of 0.5 micron or less. The microstructure can be produced by one or more equal-channel high-strain processes.
Abstract:
A stent delivery catheter comprising at least one catheter shaft, the catheter shaft having an inner surface and an outer surface and a distal end and a proximal end, the catheter shaft defining a guidewire lumen, the guidewire lumen comprising a diameter defined by the inner surface of the catheter shaft, a stent disposed within the distal end of the catheter shaft and in contact with the inner surface of the catheter shaft, and a stylet disposed within the distal end of the catheter shaft, the stylet comprising a wave geometry.
Abstract:
A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible body including an alloy comprising at least 85 weight percent magnesium and at least one high-melting-temperature element having a melting temperature of greater than 700° C. The alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed magnesium-rich phase grains and optionally high-melting-temperature intermetallic phases. The equiaxed magnesium-rich phase grains have an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 10 microns. High-melting-temperature intermetallic phases, if present, can have an average longest dimension of 3 microns or less.
Abstract:
An intravascular catheter is disclosed that includes an elongated shaft defined by a wall including at least one port extending through the wall into a lumen. At least one channel may be defined between layers of polymer making up the catheter shaft. The channel extends along at least a portion of the shaft and is in fluid communication with the port. Outer and inner diameters of the catheter may be substantially constant along the length of the catheter.
Abstract:
A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns and second-phase precipitates in grain boundaries between the equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains. The beta-phase precipitates have an average longest dimension of 0.5 micron or less. The microstructure can be produced by one or more equal-channel high-strain processes.
Abstract:
A delivery device for delivering an implantable endoprosthesis with an occlusion region for occluding fluid flow to a desired location in a body lumen. The delivery device includes an outer sleeve and an inner tube terminating at a distal tip. The distal tip is made of one of a dissolvable, bioabsorbable, or deformable material. Upon deployment of the endoprosthesis at the desired location, the shape of the distal tip is altered to a different shape and withdrawn through the constricted region of the endoprosthesis.