Medtronic, Inc.

Lifecore Biomedical, Inc.

Arthur J Coury

Patrick T Cahalan

Christopher M Hobot

Robert S Schwartz

Darrel F Untereker

Vincent W Hull

Elaine P Lindell

Rebecca M Bergman

John Bresnahan

Allan H Jevne

Michael Dror

Paul M Skarstad

Eric J Fogt

Marye S Norenberg

Edward D Di Domenico

James R Keogh

John Matthew Swoyer

Kenneth B Stokes

Richard D Sandstrom

Michael J Kallok

Kenneth W Keeney

Warren W Howland

Phong D Doan

Frank J Wilary

Kurt Carlson

A radially expandable stent for implantation within a body lumen having a generally cylindrical body with open proximal and distal ends, the cylindrical body comprising a plurality of metal elements joined to allow flexing of the cylindrical body along the longitudinal axis of the body whereby the stent can conform to a curved body lumen and a polymeric film extending between the metal elements of the stent. The stent provides a biocompatible polymeric surface to contact and support a body lumen and also a flexible structure to allow the stent to conform closely to bends in a body lumen. The stent is especially useful for repairing an injury to blood vessels caused during angioplasty procedures.

Intravascular radially expandable stent

A method for making a radially expandable stent for implantation within a body lumen having a generally cylindrical body with open proximal and distal ends, the cylindrical body comprising a plurality of metal elements joined to allow flexing of the cylindrical body along the longitudinal axis of the body whereby the stent can conform to a curved body lumen and a polymeric film applied to the cylindrical body such that it extends between the metal elements of the stent. Therapeutic substances may be incorporated within the applied film. The stent provides a biocompatible polymeric surface to contact and support a body lumen and also a flexible structure to allow the stent to conform closely to bends in a body lumen. The stent is especially useful for repairing an injury to blood vessels caused during angioplasty procedures.

Biocompatible heparin-like material and surfaces thereof are made by co-polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and attaching the copolymer to a suitable substrate or blending the copolymer into a suitable substrate. The material produced also possesses surface slip-properties and some decreased bacterial and platelet adherence.

Thromboresistant material and articles

An improved biomedical appliance having disposed on a skin-contacting, operant portion thereof, a film or layer of a skin compatible, tacky, pressure sensitive polymeric adhesive, the reaction product consisting of at least one fatty acid dimer based or derived component and a suitable co-reactant. Electrodes, surgical tapes, TENS devices and iontophoresis devices employing the adhesive are disclosed.

Biomedical apparatus having fatty acid dimer derived skin compatible

Improved electrical leads provided by the surface treatment of silicone rubber tubing covering on implantable pulse generator, or IPG leads and the like by exposure of the silicone rubber to radio frequency glow discharge in a polymer forming or non-polymer forming gas at reduced pressure whereby improved slip properties are provided and binding between two or more of the leads in contact with each other is minimized.

Radio frequency glow discharge surface treatment of silicone tubing used

By reacting polyamines with cyclic carbonates, di-poly-(hydroxyalkyl urethanes) are produced. These diols and polyols are particularly useful for the synthesis of polyurethanes by reaction with diisocyanates or polyisocyanates.

Method for producing polyurethanes from poly-(hydroxyalkyl urethanes)

A cardiac pacing lead or other stimulation lead carrying a steroid compounded within a polymer matrix. The steroid is dispersed in thermoplastic or thermoset polyurethane or polyurea forming monomers or prepolymers. The mixture is then chain extended by addition of the appropriate difunctional or multifunctional isocyanate, hydroxyl or amine curing agent to form a solid polymer. The resulting formulation is molded or cast into a desired shape, and incorporated in the distal end of a medical electrical lead, adjacent to or within the electrode. In a preferred embodiment, the medical lead employs an extendable helix which is screwed into body tissue, and the polymer containing the drug takes the form of a generally dimensionally stable annular member mounted to the lead, encircling the helix.

Medical electrical lead with polymeric monolithic controlled release

By reacting polyamines with ethylene carbonate, hydroxyethyl urethane diols and polyols are produced. These diols and polyols are particularly useful for the synthesis of polyurethanes by reaction with diisocyanates or polyisocyanates.

Hydroxyl functional monomers

Highly stable, segmented, aliphatic polyurethanes prepared by particular processes are disclosed. The segmented polyurethanes of this invention are substantially free of ester and ether linkages and are found to be particularly hydrolytically and oxidatively stable. The polyurethanes of this invention are prepared by a particular two stage process involving the formation of a prepolymer and subsequent reaction with simultaneously or sequentially added diisocyanate and diol monomers.

Biostable, segmented aliphatic polyurethanes and process therefor

Preparation of an absorbent quantitative test device in the form of a flat patch. When placed on the skin of a subject, the device collects a fixed volume of sweat. It is particularly intended to be used in screen testing for cystic fibrosis by measuring the chloride level in sweat and providing a visual indication when the level is in excess of a predetermined concentration. A fill tab indicator undergoes a color change when the fixed volume of sweat has been collected signifying completion of the test. The device includes two concentric circular reaction areas of chemically treated absorbent paper or the like. The sweat sample is introduced into the device at the center of the first or inner circular reaction area which contains a chemical composition capable of reacting with all chloride in the sweat sample below a predetermined concentration value to screen out that amount of chloride. A second or outer ring-shaped reaction area contains a chemical composition which indicates a color change for any chloride reaching it in excess of the predetermined concentration value. The color change in the outer ring-shaped portion thereby provides a quantitative indication of the pressure of a concentration of chloride in the subject's sweat in excess of the predetermined concentration level.

Method of preparing a fluid absorbent quantitative test device

An improved hydrogel adhesive, particularly adapted for adhesion and contact to tissue. It is especially useful in attaching electrical leads to tissue, for example in attaching pacemaker leads to the heart, interiorly or exteriorly.

Hydrogel adhesive

Reaction grade 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid is refined by mildly heating a slurry-like suspension formed of the acid and a liquid monohydric alcohol, recovering the acid from the alcohol and subsequently drying it.

Refining of reaction grade 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid

A method of preparing an improved medical electrode particularly adaptable to tape-like configurations for use in sensing and stimulation applications in which the electrode is applied to the skin. An essential electrode component comprises a mixture of a polymerized form of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid or one of its salts with water and/or an alcohol. The mixture possesses electrically conductive properties, flexible properties and adhesive properties particularly lending itself to skin contact and adhesion.

Growing community of inventors

Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Arthur J Coury