Ethicon, Gmbh

Anthony C Lunn

Frank V Mattei

The present invention addresses two previously unresolved problems simultaneously. First, the question concerning the amount of heparin applied to a stent is resolved. That is, the invention set forth herein will demonstrate that by varying the amount of heparin, the practitioner can actually more adequately determine whether in fact the patient will receive the correct dosage to address the problem, and at the right time in which to address the problem. Second, the problem of applying the heparin coating to a stent is addressed. There, specifically, the invention turns to the fashion in which to apply multiple layers of heparin coating to the stent, and to thereby variably adjust the dosage applied to the patient at the lesion site. The present invention does so by providing a method and device for coating a stent with multiple layers of heparin coating. By so doing, the heparin coating is absorbed by the body in a degree which varies with the amount of heparin applied. Thus, contrary to formerly popular belief, the present method allows for the significant adjustment of heparin therapy. And, the stent so coated allows for the variable application of such heparin therapy at the lesion site.

Stent and method of varying amounts of heparin coated thereon to control

This invention relates to a graft for placement in a body passageway. The graft comprises a longitudinally extending thin walled cylinder having first and second open ends. The graft is divided into first and second axially extending end portions adjacent such open ends and an axially extending central portion therebetween. The walls of the central portion are provided with circumferential crimps and the wall of the end portions are provided with axially extending crimps whereby the central portion can be extended longitudinally to vary the distance between the end portions and the end portions may be expanded radially to vary the diameter of the end portions. In preferred embodiment the end portions have a greater diameter than the central portion imparting to the graft a somewhat dumbbell like shape preferable in employing the graft in the reduced diameter lumen of a diseased blood vessel.

Bi-directional crimped graft

There is disclosed a wound closure tape comprising a nonwoven fabric having a pressure-sensitive adhesive uniformly disposed over one surface thereof. The tape is strong enough to hold minor wounds closed, and yet will conform to skin contours and will permit flexing and bending without undue restraint or detachment of the tape. The nonwoven fabric employed in the invention is a web of continuous filaments that are randomly oriented in the plane of the fabric, with the filaments being essentially free of bonding at cross-over points (that is, at points of intersection), and wherein the fabric is emboss bonded in an intermittent pattern.

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Princeton, NJ, United States of America

Anthony C Lunn