Abstract:
Medical devices, for example, those that have balloons, and methods of making the devices are described. In some embodiments, a method includes providing a medical balloon having a first cone portion and a body portion, and removing material from an outer surface the body portion of the balloon such that the balloon includes a first region and a second region, the first region being recessed relative to the second region.
Abstract:
The stent placement dilation balloon assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end, a distal end portion, and a proximal end, a balloon mounted to, about, and around the distal end portion of the catheter. The assembly further includes an elastic sheath positioned about and around the balloon. The outer surface of the sheath includes a profile which encourages stent securement. A stent is mounted on the sleeve for placement in a vessel in a human body.
Abstract:
A system for protecting a stent includes an electroactive polymer (EAP) sleeve, a stent, a balloon catheter, and a voltage source. A voltage is applied to the EAP sleeve, whereupon the EAP sleeve expands. The stent, disposed about the balloon catheter is inserted into the region defined by the inner surface of the EAP sleeve. The voltage is removed, whereupon the EAP sleeve contracts.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a base and a coating disposed on the base. A therapeutic agent is disposed on at least one of the base or the coating. A vibration device is coupled to the base. The vibration device is configured to cause movement of the base such that at least a portion of the therapeutic agent is released from the base or the coating. A method includes inserting a stent into a body lumen of a patient. The stent has a base, a coating disposed on at least a portion of the base, and a therapeutic agent carried by at least one of the base or the coating. The stent is vibrated such that at least a portion of the therapeutic agent is released from the stent.
Abstract:
A stent can comprise a tubular body having a first region and a second region. The tubular body is defined by a plurality of serpentine bands. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of alternating proximal turns and distal turns connected by struts. The second region comprises a first serpentine band and a second serpentine band that overlap one another about a common stent circumference. The first region comprises a serpentine band that is not overlapped by another serpentine band about a common stent circumference.
Abstract:
The stent placement dilation balloon assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end, a distal end portion, and a proximal end, a balloon mounted to, about, and around the distal end portion of the catheter. The assembly further includes an elastic sheath positioned about and around the balloon. The outer surface of the sheath includes a profile which encourages stent securement. A stent is mounted on the sleeve for placement in a vessel in a human body.
Abstract:
Medical devices or components thereof having electroactive polymer actuators embedded within at least a portion of the device of component thereof, and novel electroactive polymer actuators formed with a conductive substrate layer and an electroactive polymer layer, the electroactive polymer actuated upon application of a voltage to surrounding liquid electrolyte, the actuators may be embedded within an inert polymer matrix material, or within solid polyelectrolyte matrix material.
Abstract:
A catheter tip has an outer surface section, an inner surface section, a spatial configuration and at least one segment of electroactive polymer. The inner surface section defines a guide wire lumen. The electroactive polymer has an actuated state and a non-actuated state. In an actuated state, the electroactive polymer alters the spatial configuration of the catheter tip.
Abstract:
In accordance with one aspect, the invention relates to medical devices which comprise at least one reservoir, a therapeutic-agent-containing region disposed within the reservoir and an electrode comprising a conductive polymer. The devices of the invention are configured such that a rate of release of the therapeutic agent from the reservoir changes upon a change in the oxidation state of the conductive polymer.
Abstract:
A medical device at least a portion of which has a degradable coating, the coating degrading in an aqueous environment, and to methods of making and using the same. The coating may be a layer-by-layer coating, the first layer comprising a material having a positive charge and the second layer comprising a material having a negative charge.