Abstract:
The invention provides a method for fabricating an implantable medical device to increase biocompatibility of the device, the method comprising: heat setting a polymer construct, wherein the polymer construct is at a temperature range of from about Tg to about 0.6(Tm - Tg) + Tg such that the set polymer construct comprises a crystalline structure having crystals at a size less than about 2 microns; and fabricating an implantable medical device from the heat set polymer construct.
Abstract:
A method of combustion for pulverized hydrocarbonaceous fuelincludes the steps of injecting an oxidant/fuel stream into a burner, causing a low-pressure zone; directing a flow of a high-temperature combustion gas from a combustion chamber into the low-pressure zone in the burner; mixing the high-temperature combustion gas with the injected oxidant/fuel stream to heat the injected oxidant/fuel stream, and injecting the heated oxidant/fuel stream from the burner to the combustion chamber, wherein the oxidant/fuel stream is rapidly devolatilized and combusted in a flame that has a high temperature; sensing a combustion parameter; and based on the sensed combustion parameter, controlling combustion to achieve at least one of a desired NOx reduction and a desired distance from the burner to a flame front.
Abstract:
A polymeric tube is positioned on a polymeric mandrel and then laser cut to form an implantable medical device, such as a stent. The method reduces contamination of the inner surface of the stent, which would be caused if conventional glass or metal mandrels are used, while simultaneously reducing damage to the inner surface of the stent due to the shielding effect of the polymeric mandrel.
Abstract:
Method is disclosed including thermally processing a scaffold to increase the radial strength of the scaffold when the scaffold is deployed from a crimped state to a deployed state such as a nominal deployment diameter. The thermal processing may further maintain or increase the expansion capability of the scaffold when expanded beyond the nominal diameter.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for controlling inflation pressure, pressurization rate, and volumetric flow rate of a balloon during deployment of a stent or scaffold is disclosed. The apparatus includes a valve (200, 300) that has a flow restrictor (228, 328) that limits flow of inflation fluid into the balloon to a maximum value and provides essentially no resistance upon deflation of the baloon.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for controlling the moisture content of biodegradable and bioresorbable polymer resin during extrusion above a lower limit that allows for plasticization of the polymer resin melt and below an upper limit to reduce or prevent molecular weight loss are disclosed. Methods are further disclosed involving plasticization of a polymer resin for feeding into an extruder with carbon dioxide and freon.
Abstract:
A multiple stent structure including a plurality of stent bodies arranged end to end in which adjacent stent bodies of the structure are connected by a severable connecting portion disposed between the adjacent stent bodies is disclosed. A method of coating a plurality of stents including depositing a coating on the multiple stent structure and severing the severable connecting portions to disconnect the plurality of stent bodies is disclosed.