Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises Limited

Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Degima Gmbh

Astellas Pharma Gmbh

Edwards Lifesciences Ag

Heraeus Materials Technology Gmbh & Co. Kg

Celonova Stent, Inc.

Abbott Ireland

Randolf Von Oepen

Travis Richard Yribarren

Gerd Seibold

Richard Roy Newhauser, Jr

Ib Erling Joergensen

Lorcan James Coffey

Thomas Rieth

Bodo Quint

Kenneth J Michlitsch

Stevan Nielsen

Axel Grandt

Marc Gianotti

Kevin Joe Ehrenreich

John L Toner

Silvio Schaffner

Joost J Fierens

Arik Zucker

Tommy Conzelmann

Li Fu Chen

John Joseph Stankus

Andrew Jeffrey

Louise Balfe

Keith R Cromack

James M Jacobs

Sandra E Burke

William E Webler, Jr

Judith Hartwig

Boris Warnack

Silke Pschibl

Barbara E Stamberg

Guenter Lorenz

Armin Stopper

Volker Marx

Anton G Clifford

William Earl Webler, Jr

Jan Otto Solem

Bernhard Uihlein

Stephan Wnendt

Kelly Justin McCrystle

Rainer Bregulla

Per Ola Kimblad

Petrus Antonius Besselink

Suk-Woo Ha

Ian J Clark

Karl-Ludwig Eckert

Alexander Tschakaloff

Jens Trötzschel

Rodney Charles Ow

Yu-Chun Ku

Li Chen

Martina Bremser

Bodo Stefan Josef Quint

Kay Unzicker

Volker Trösken

Zdravkica Dzakula

Greg Chan

Gerhard Lang

Bernd Kuttler

Hans Jurgen Wachter

Alex D Alviar

Volker Trosken

Silvio R Schaffner

Lorcan Coffey

A method for improving the retention between the surfaces of medical devices. The method includes coating a surface of one medical device such as a stent with a coating that includes a functional group and coating a surface of another medical device such as a balloon with a coating that includes an identical or different functional group. The method further includes interacting the coated surfaces to produce a plurality of bonds between the surfaces, thereby improving retention.

Surface interactions to improve retention of medical devices

A vascular endoprosthesis () includes a radially-expandable first segment and a radially expandable second segment. The vascular endoprosthesis further includes first and second coupling elements. The first coupling element extends from the proximal end of the first segment toward the distal end of the second segment, and the second coupling element extends from the distal end of the second segment toward the proximal end of the first segment. The first and second coupling elements cooperate one with another to couple the first and second segments together when the vascular endoprosthesis is in a delivery configuration and to decouple the first and second segments when the vascular endoprosthesis is in a deployed configuration.

Stent with independent stent rings and transitional attachments

Apparatus is provided for sealing a vascular puncture by causing a reduction in the circumference of the puncture tract through delivery of a closure agent into tissue surrounding the puncture tract. A resultant inflammatory response and volumetric increase cause the tissue to swell into the puncture tract, thereby sealing it.

Apparatus for sealing a puncture by causing a reduction in the circumference of the puncture

A system and method for precision cutting using multiple laser beams is described. The system and method includes a combination of optical components that split the output of a single laser into multiple beams, with the power, polarization status and spot size of each split beam being individually controllable, while providing a circularly polarized beam at the surface of a work piece to be cut by the laser beam. A system and method for tracking manufacture of individual stents is also provided.

Multiple beam laser system for forming stents

A dilatation balloon is fabricated according to a process that forms cavities and indentations in the balloon and/or catheter sections. A length of tubing is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser or another type of laser or mechanical material removal tool is used to remove the polymeric material, virtually without thermal effects. Cavities in the sleeve sections of the balloon are defined and if desired, indentations in the cone sections are defined. Material removal, particularly near the balloon sleeves enables a thinner, more flexible bonding area between the catheter shaft and the balloon. Further, the indentations along the cone sections enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile. Rigidity near the sleeves is reduced for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways.

Method of reducing rigidity of angioplasty balloon sections

An improved apparatus for delivering and deployment of an expandable stent with a protection sheath within a blood vessel is provided. The system comprises a fluid pressure device which is coupled with a retraction device for the protection sheath such that after retraction of the protection sheath the stent is automatically deployed by the fluid pressure device. The advantage of the invention is an easy and simple operation of the apparatus.

Apparatus for delivery and deployment of an expandable stent within a blood vessel

System for treating vascular disease comprising a balloon having an outer surface for temporary contact with a vessel wall when in an expanded state, a coating disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface, the coating including an initial amount of a cytostatic agent selected from the group consisting of Zotarolimus (ABT578), everolimus, pimecrolimus, and a combination thereof, the coating being capable of maintaining a therapeutically effective amount of the cytostatic agent on the outer surface for delivery to a vessel wall, and further wherein between about 4.9% to about 23% of the initial amount of the cytostatic agent on the outer surface remains disposed on the outer surface after delivery of the therapeutically effective amount of the cytostatic agent to the vessel wall, and optionally, a stent disposed on the balloon.

Multiple drug delivery from a balloon and prosthesis

Device shields for packaging and protecting medical devices during storage and deployment. A device shield includes a housing configured to maintain a medical device and at least a portion of a medical device delivery apparatus within the housing, and a limit element having a first constraining position and a second open position.

Medical device shield and methods for delivering a medical device

A system and method for precision cutting using multiple laser beams is described, The system and method includes a combination of optical components that split the output of a single laser into multiple beams, with the power, polarization status and spot size of each split beam being individually controllable, while providing a circularly polarized beam at the surface of a work piece to be cut by the laser beam. A system and method for tracking manufacture of individual stents is also provided.

Systems and methods for improving the cutting efficiency and cut profile of stent strut is provided. A means for altering the energy distribution of a laser beam is provided, along with various ways of controlling a laser to provide for improved strut configurations are provided. A method for improved cutting speeds using a combination of laser sources is also provided.

Laser cutting process for forming stents

Apparatus and methods for stenting are provided comprising a stent attached to a porous biocompatible material that is permeable to endothelial cell ingrowth, but impermeable to release of emboli of predetermined size. Preferred stent designs are provided, as well as preferred manufacturing techniques. Apparatus and methods are also provided for use at a vessel branching. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may comprise a coating configured for localized delivery of therapeutic agents. Embodiments of the present invention are expected to provide enhanced embolic protection, improved force distribution, and improved recrossability, while reducing a risk of restenosis and thrombus formation.

Methods and apparatus for stenting comprising enhanced embolic protection coupled with improved protections against restenosis and thrombus formation

The present invention relates to balloon catheters for treating a luminal system of a patient. Specifically, the invention relates to catheters having a flexible membrane positioned at a distal portion of the catheter, the flexible membrane retained in a substantially unexposed conformation prior to deployment. Preferably the flexible membrane is capable of delivering a therapeutic agent to a localized environment when deployed to an exposed conformation.

Drug coated balloon catheter

Expandable biodegradable devices formed of bistable and multistable unit cells for use in devices, such as stents and graft systems, are provided, in which the device has two or more stable configurations, including a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, the contracted stable configuration having a smaller diameter than the expanded configuration.

Device comprising biodegradable bistable or multistable cells and methods of use

Growing community of inventors

Los Altos Hills, CA, United States of America

Randolf Von Oepen