Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Razmodics LLC

Other

Origin Medsystems, Inc.

Richard J Saunders

Timothy A Limon

Philip C Foreman

Gregory W Teaby, Ii

James C Peacock, Iii

Bj&ouml;rn G Svensson

Kamal Ramzipoor

James K Hong

Joseph R Callol

Jon A Becker

Bjorn G Svensson

William A Holmes

Peter F Costa

Tim J Kovac

Jay Daulton

Peter L Callas

Bruce H Wand

Terrance L Kloeckl

Steven Saunders

A bioabsorbable composite stent structure, comprising bioabsorbable polymeric ring structures which retain a molecular weight and mechanical strength of a starting substrate and one or more interconnecting struts which extend between and couple adjacent ring structures. The ring structures can have a formed first diameter and being radially compressible to a smaller second diameter and re-expandable to the first diameter. The ring structures can comprise a base polymeric layer. The interconnecting struts can be formed from a polymer blend or co-polymer of poly-L-lactide (PLLA) and an elastomeric polymer. The interconnecting struts each can have a width that is less than a circumference of one of the ring structures. The adjacent ring structures can be axially and rotationally movable relative to one another via the interconnecting struts. The interconnecting struts can also be bioabsorbable.

Composite stent having multi-axial flexibility and method of manufacture thereof

An apparatus is described for supporting and/or constricting a surface of a valve annulus. The apparatus includes a tubular member of dimensions suitable for insertion into a body vessel. The tubular member includes at least two first segments attachable to an interior wall of the body vessel. The tubular member further includes at least one second segment which is capable of decreasing its axial length to draw one of the first segments towards the other first segment.

Valve annulus constriction apparatus and method

The present invention is directed to an expandable polymer link hybrid stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery along with a method of making the stent. The stent generally includes a series of metallic cylindrical rings longitudinally aligned on a common axis of the stent and interconnected by a series of polymeric links. The polymer links are formed by applying polymer layers between the rings and laser ablating the excess material. The polymeric material forming the polymeric links, provides longitudinal and flexural flexibility to the stent while maintaining sufficient column strength to space the cylindrical rings along the longitudinal axis. The metallic material forming the rings provides the necessary radial stiffness.

Polymer link hybrid stent

An intraluminal catheter which provides access to distal locations within a patient's body lumen and which is provided with a flexible distal section having an inner lining, an outer jacket or coating and a helical coil between the lining and jacket. The distal section of the catheter is quite flexible yet it has sufficient transverse or radial rigidity to prevent significant distortion of the transverse cross-sectional shape of the catheter.

Catheter providing intraluminal access

A stent-delivery catheter system delivers and implants a self-expanding stent intraluminally into a human patient's body lumen. A self-expanding stent is removabaly attached to the distal end of an inner member so that attachment projections prevent axial movement of the stent on the inner member while the stent is being delivered and implanted in a patient's body lumen.

Self-expanding stent delivery system

The invention is directed to a system for removably securing a stent which generally includes an expandable member of a catheter assembly, the expandable member having outwardly extending protrusions. An expandable stent is crimped onto the expandable member such that the protrusions extend into the gaps in the stent. The stent is secured in place on the expandable member while advancing the system through tortuous body lumen passages. The stent is implanted at the desired location in the body lumen by inflating the expandable member and thereby expanding the stent into the body lumen. The protrusions are pulled away from and out of the stent gaps by deflating the expandable member and retracting the remainder of the system.

System for removably securing a stent on a catheter assembly and method of use

A method of forming a catheter shaft having a flexible section by selective removal of catheter shaft material using laser radiation, and a catheter produced therefrom. The laser radiation is of an ultraviolet wavelength. The catheter shaft is made more flexible without a disadvantageous decrease in column strength by operating the laser in the UV, which allows for machining recess patterns with smooth and repeatable recess surfaces while producing little or no thermal or mechanical effects on the remaining adjacent polymeric material.

Method of manufacturing a catheter with a flexible tip and taper

A catheter assembly is provided for use in delivering and implanting a stent in a body lumen, such as in a coronary artery. An elongated catheter body includes an expandable member or balloon having a folded configuration and an expanded configuration wherein a plurality of pre-formed grooves extending generally circumferentially around the balloon when the balloon is in its folded configuration. An intravascular stent is removably crimped over the balloon and is at least partially retained on the balloon by the grooves. Upon inflation of the balloon, the grooves will flatten out thereby releasing the stent and allowing the stent to expand radially outwardly into contact with the body lumen or coronary artery.

Pre-formed expandable member having grooves

An improved expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and an improved method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cut cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements, the elements having a rectangular cross-section from cut-to-cut. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are disposed in an undulating pattern. The stent is manufactured by direct laser cutting from a single metal tube using a finely focused laser beam passing through a coaxial gas jet structure to impinge on the working surface of the tube as the linear and rotary velocity of the tube is precisely controlled.

Method and apparatus for direct laser cutting of metal stents

A catheter system for removably securing a stent which generally includes an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member with an expandable member disposed about the inner tubular member. A deformable material is disposed between the expandable member and the inner tubular member. An expandable stent is crimped onto the expandable member and is retained in place by compressing the deformable material. Used with a stent delivery system, the catheter system is inserted into a body lumen such as an artery. The stent is secured in place while advancing the system through tortuous body lumen passages. The stent is advanced to the desired location in the body lumen and implanted by inflating the expandable member and thereby expanding the stent into the body lumen. The stent is released from the system by deflating the expandable member and withdrawing the catheter system from the body.

Catheter with a flexible tip and taper and method of manufacture

An improved method of making expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cut cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements, the elements having a rectangular cross-section from cut-to-cut. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are disposed in an undulating pattern. The stent is manufactured by direct laser cutting from a single metal tube using a finely focused laser beam passing through a coaxial gas jet structure to impinge on the working surface of the tube as the linear and rotary velocity of the tube is precisely controlled.

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Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Richard J Saunders