Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to tantalum-alloy products, implantable medical devices that incorporate tantalum-alloy products such as stents or other implantable medical devices, methods of making and/or processing the tantalum-alloy products and implantable medical devices, and methods of using the implantable medical devices. In an embodiment, a stent includes a stent body having a plurality of struts. At least a portion of the stent body is made from a tantalum alloy. The tantalum alloy includes a tantalum content of about 77 weight % ("wt %") to about 92 wt %, a niobium content of about 7 wt % to about 13 wt %, and a tungsten content of about 1 wt % to about 10 wt %. The tantalum alloy exhibits at least one mechanical property modified by heat treatment thereof, such as yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, or ductility.
Abstract:
A medical device such as, for example, an implantable expandable stent is constructed of a ternary alloy of molybdenum, rhenium, and a third metal. In a preferred embodiment, the third metal is a refractory metal selected to improve the ductility of the alloy. The alloy may further be advantageously constructed to have a crystal structure selected from HCP, BCC, FCC, and tetragonal to further optimize the physical characteristics of the medical device.
Abstract:
A stent and method for manufacturing a stent that achieves both strength as well as ductility. In the manufacturing process, the material used to form the stent is only partially annealed to lower the grain size across the thickness of the stent. The material is partially annealed either prior to or after the cutting a stent pattern into a tube.
Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to radiopaque implantable structures ( e.g ., stents) formed of cobalt-based alloys that comprise cobalt, chromium and one or more platinum group metals, refractory metals, or combinations thereof. Platinum group metals include platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, and iridium. Here, the term "refractory metals" include zirconium, niobium, rhodium, molybdenum, halfnium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, as well as the precious metals silver and gold. In one embodiment, the one or more included platinum group or refractory metals substitute for nickel, such that the alloy is substantially nickel free. The stents exhibit improved radiopacity as compared to similar alloys including greater amounts of nickel.
Abstract:
A method is described including introducing a delivery device to a point within a renal artery or a renal segmental artery and delivering a treatment agent from the delivery device according to conditions that create a turbulent blood flow and wherein the treatment agent is capable of inhibiting a biological process contributing to nephropathy. In other embodiments, an apparatus and kit are described including a delivery device for insertion to a point within a renal artery or renal segmental artery and delivery of a treatment agent capable of inhibiting a biological process contributing to nephropathy.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for supporting ischemic tissue of the heart using scaffolds (10) that may be placed within the heart percutaneously. A scaffold assembly may include a layer (22) of biocompatible material detachably secured to a placement rod (36), such that the placement rod may be used to urge the layer of biocompatible material through a catheter (12) to adjacent an area of ischemic tissue. Anchors (28) may secure the layer of material to the myocardium. Multiple layers of biocompatible material may be placed in the ventricle separately to form the scaffold. In some embodiments, a scaffold is formed or reinforced by injecting a polymer, such as a visco - elastic foam, around an inflatable member inflated within a ventricle.