Abstract:
A method of coating a stent comprises contacting a first axial portion of a stent with a support element, such that a second axial portion does not contact the support element or any other support element, applying a coating material to the second axial portion, and inhibiting or preventing application of the coating material on the first axial portion. A shuttle sheath can be used to push the stent off the support element.
Abstract:
A stent delivery method and system are disclosed. The system generally includes an elongated delivery sheath and a perfusion catheter disposed within a sheath lumen of the sheath having an expandable member on its distal extremity. The sheath includes perfusion ports to maintain blood flow to perfusion ports in the catheter during delivery of the stent. A manipulating device is provided at the proximal end of the delivery system to effect relative axial movement between the sheath and the catheter so as to expose the stent mounted on the expandable member on the catheter within a body lumen such as a coronary artery and allow the expansion of the stent by the expansion of the expandable member.
Abstract:
Drug-delivery stents capable of providing release of two or more drugs such as everolimus and estradiol are provided. The stents can be used for treating a disease such as restenosis and vulnerable plaque.
Abstract:
A method of coating a stent may comprise applying a composition including a drug and a polymer to the stent to form a coating. The release rate of the drug from the coating gradually increases along a length of the stent which extends axially from opposite ends of the stent. The variable drug release rate can be accomplished by varying the coating thickness, by applying a barrier region over the drug-containing composition, and/or by having different polymers in the coating, the polymers having different drug permeabilities.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements consist of ribbon-like material disposed in an undulating pattern. Portions of the expanded stent project outwardly into engagement with the vessel wall to more securely attach the stent.
Abstract:
An improved guidewire for advancing a catheter within a body lumen which as a high strength proximal core section, a flexible distal core section preferably formed of pseudoelastic alloy and a connecting element to provide a torque transmitting coupling between the distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section. The ends of the core sections are secured within the inner lumen of the connecting element by means of a hardened mass of bonding material. The wall of the connecting element is provided with an opening to facilitate the introduction of the hardenable bonding material in the pourable state into the inner lumen of the connecting element. Preferably at least one of the ends of the core sections are configured, e.g. enlarged in at least one dimension compared to an adjacent part of the core section, to develop a mechanical interlock within the mass of hardened material.
Abstract:
A method and system for maintaining the position of a guiding member, such as a guidewire, within a patient's vascular system, particularly within a guiding catheter disposed within the patient's vascular system, while an intravascular catheter slidably mounted on the guiding member is withdrawn and a replacement catheter is advanced over the guiding member. One presently preferred embodiment includes a guiding sheath having an inner lumen extending the length thereof with an engaging device slidably disposed with the guiding sheath. The guidewire engaging device is torqued from its proximal end which extends out of the proximal end of the guiding catheter so that the flexible distal end wraps around the guidewire tightly enough to maintain the position of the guidewire while withdrawing or advancing a catheter over the guidewire. The distal portion of the guidewire engaging device is preferably a pseudo elastic NiTi alloy which is in a stable austenite phase at body temperature (37.degree. C.) and which exhibits a stress-induced transformation from the austenite phase to a martensite phase.
Abstract:
An improved guiding member for use within a body lumen having a unique combination of superelastic characteristics. The superelastic alloy material has a composition consisting of about 30% to about 52% (atomic) titanium, and about 38% to 52% nickel and may have one or more elements selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, platinum, palladium, vanadium, copper, zirconium, hafnium and niobium. The alloy material is subjected to thermomechanical processing which includes a final cold working of about 10 to about 75% and then a heat treatment at a temperature between about 450° and about 600° C. and preferably about 475° to about 550° C. Before the heat treatment the cold worked alloy material is preferably subjected to mechanical straightening. The alloy material is preferably subjected to stresses equal to about 5 to about 50% of the room temperature ultimate yield stress of the material during the thermal treatment. The guiding member using such improved material exhibits a stress-induced austenite-to-martensite phase transformation at an exceptionally high constant yield strength of over 90 ksi for solid members and over 70 ksi for tubular members with a broad recoverable strain of at least about 4% during the phase transformation. An essentially whip free product is obtained.
Abstract:
The end cap is preferably formed of a relatively high durometer material with an inner surface on an outer surface of the shaft and on an outer surface of the balloon skirt section, and contacts a compression member on the balloon outer surface. The configuration prevents or inhibits failure at the balloon seals which otherwise results from the compression member moving or the balloon pulling off the shaft and out from under the compression member during inflation of the balloon. As a result, the balloon catheter of the invention has an improved consistent burst pressure and/or failure mode.