Boston Scientific Corporation

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.

J.w. Medical Systems Ltd.

Meadox Surgimed A/s

Erik C Andersen

Ernst Peter Strecker

George T Roberts

John E Abele

Kathleen L Hess

Sandra G Tartaglino

Susanne Urhoj

Nikolaus Reifart

Ib Jorgensen

Timothy W Wheeler

Ning Wen

Hans-Peter Strohband

Darin Wilson

Gianni Leoni

Mihai Iacob

Susan Urhoj

An expandable stent comprising a tubular body made up of a plurality of separated tubular elements () arranged along a common longitudinal axis. Each tubular element () comprises a plurality of rhombic-shaped closed cell elements () joined by circumferentially extending linking members (). The closed cell elements () are expandable to allow the tubular elements, and hence the stent itself, to expand. In the direction of the longitudinal axis of the stent, the extremities of each of the closed cell elements has an enlarged loop () with waisted portions () which allow the tubular elements to interlock to create a stable structure, at least when in the unexpanded condition.

Expandable stent

A stiffenable balloon catheter assembly capable of being converted from an &ldquo;over-the-wire&rdquo; mode with respect to a guidewire extending therethrough to a &ldquo;rapid-exchange&rdquo; mode with respect to a guidewire extending therethrough, and vice versa. The catheter has a plurality of lumens, one lumen however, having a side opening with an obstructable galp, the orientation of which, determines the utilization &ldquo;mode&rdquo; of the catheter assembly. Stiffening stylets may be adjustably locked into the lumens, depending upon the &ldquo;mode&rdquo;, to control the stiffness of the catheter assembly during its utilization within a patient.

Adjustably stiffenable convertible catheter assembly

A stent for reinforcement of the lumen of a peristaltic organ is formed by knitting preferably a nitinol wire into a pattern of overlapping loops selected such that from a relaxed state each row of loops may shift axially relative to and independently of the rows on either side. This local lengthening and shortening accommodate peristalsis of the organ without migrating within the organ. A stent is also shown which comprises two resilient cylindrical mesh layers and a semi-permeable compliant membrane such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, sandwiched between. The two mesh layers may be knit of a flexible filament, and the knit may be configured so that the stent can adapt to peristalsis of the body lumen. A method is also shown of manufacturing a delivery system for a resilient tubular device such as a stent so that the device can be inserted into the body in a substantially reduced diameter. The method uses a confining block having a bore and a slot leading into the bore. The tubular device is pinched and inserted into the bore and the slot, two mandrels are inserted into the bore, one inside the device and one outside and the mandrels are revolved about each other to roll the device on itself.

Medical stents for body lumens exhibiting peristaltic motion

Methods for forming, shaping and heat treating stents for reinforcement of the lumen of peristaltic organs. The stent is formed by knitting preferably a nitinol wire into a pattern of overlapping loops selected such that from a relaxed state each row of loops may shift axially relative to and independently of the rows on either side. This local lengthening and shortening accommodates peristalsis of the organ without migrating within the organ.

A tubular prosthesis including a tubular wall portion of loosely interlocked pattern, e.g. of knitted loops, constructed to function within a body lumen. The loops are preferably formed of co-knitted strand materials. A first strand material is a metal strand that structurally defines the tubular shape of the prosthesis and maintains the shape when positioned in the lumen. A second strand material is a predetermined substance selected to provide desired characteristics to the wall of the prosthesis.

Tubular medical prosthesis

The invention features a catheter having a stylet that increases columnar strength and axial force transmission ('pushability') of the catheter shaft. This aspect of the invention features the stylet extending distally beyond an exit port which is used in rapid catheter exchange and being embedded in the catheter shaft, there being a stress-transferring relationship between the exterior of the stylet and the substance defining the shaft at least in the vicinity of the exit port, the stylet with the embedded relationship increasing the columnar strength of the shaft in the region of the port and increasing the pushability of the catheter.

Dilatation catheter

A stylet and hub assembled for stiffening a catheter in rapid exchange mode. The catheter guidewire lumen has a side port associated with a bi-stable guide element that lies across the lumen. A disengageable feature assembly limits insertion of the stylet into the lumen in rapid exchange mode. To convert from rapid exchange mode, disengagement of the disengageable feature enables the stylet to displace the guide element, clearing the guidewire lumen and enabling guidewire or other device to extend throughout the lumen. The stylet has a long proximal portion, a relatively short portion tapering distally to a smaller diameter, and enlarged end. The guide element is formed by plastic deformation of the catheter wall. The disengageable feature is in a removable housing having an end cap that can be replaced with a syringe for flushing liquid along the stylet. A balloon, preferably a PTCA balloon, is mounted on the catheter.

Convertible catheter and the like

This invention provides prosthesis delivery systems with tips constructed to permit both easier advance into the body and easier removal from the body after expanding the prosthesis. The tip includes a distal taper that can gently widen a lumen during advance in instances where the lumen is narrower than the tip and a proximal taper that can gently widen the lumen on retraction in instances where the prosthesis does not immediately expand the lumen to provide clearance for the larger diameter tip.

Growing community of inventors

Roskilde, Denmark

Erik C Andersen