Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Isostent, Inc.

Todd H Turnlund

Thomas H Campbell

Joseph P Loeffler

Robert P Eury

William L Sweet

Joseph M Tartaglia

Timothy A Limon

Robert T Chang

Richard A Glenn

Minh Q Dinh

A method for increasing the rate of thrombus formation and/or proliferative cell growth of a selected region ( ) of cellular tissue ( ) including the step of endovascularly irradiating the selected region ( ) with radiation, having a dose range of endovascular radiation of about 1 Gy to about 600 Gy at a low dose rate of about 1 cGy/hr to about 320 cGy/hr, to increase thrombus formation and/or cell proliferation of the affected selected region ( ). Preferably, the delivery means includes a deformable endovascular prosthesis ( ) adapted for secured positioning adjacent to the selected region ( ) of cellular tissue ( ), and a radioactive source. This source cooperates with the deformable endovascular device ( ) in a manner endovascularly irradiating the selected region with radiation, having the above-indicated dose range and low dose rate of endovascular radiation to increase thrombus formation and/or cell proliferation of the affected selected region ( ).

Radioactive intraluminal endovascular prothesis and method for the treatment of aneurysms

A stent crimping apparatus for crimping a deformable radioactive stent onto a deployment device which includes a first jaw member defining a shielded first compression surface, and an opposed, second jaw member defining a shielded second compression surface oriented opposite the first compression surface. The first and second compression surfaces are adapted to collectively form an elongated guide bore formed for axial receipt of the deformable stent and the deployment device therein. To protect against exposure to the radioactive stent, a shield assembly is provided defining an opening into a bore therein which is formed and dimensioned for longitudinal receipt of the deformable stent in an uncrimped condition. A shield assembly defines an opening into the bore, and cooperates with the first and second jaw members to substantially prevent radioactive particles emitted by the radioactive stent from passing out of the crimping apparatus. An operating mechanism is operatively coupled to the first and second jaw members for selective movement between a loading condition and a crimping condition. In the loading condition, the uncrimped stent and the deployment device may be inserted through the opening and into the bore. In the crimping condition, the deformable stent is radially compressed onto the deployment device between the first and second compression surfaces.

Stent crimper apparatus with radiation shied

A method for increasing the rate of thrombus formation and/or proliferative cell growth of a selected region (,) of cellular tissue (,) including the step of endovascularly irradiating the selected region (,) with radiation, having a dose range of endovascular radiation of about 1 Gy to about 600 Gy at a low dose rate of about 1 cGy/hr to about 320 cGy/hr, to increase thrombus formation and/or cell proliferation of the affected selected region (,). Preferably, the delivery means includes a deformable endovascular prosthesis (,) adapted for secured positioning adjacent to the selected region (,) of cellular tissue (,), and a radioactive source. This source cooperates with the deformable endovascular device (,) in a manner endovascularly irradiating the selected region with radiation, having the above-indicated dose range and low dose rate of endovascular radiation to increase thrombus formation and/or cell proliferation of the affected selected region (,).

Radioactive intraluminal endovascular prosthesis and method for the treatment of aneurysms

A radiation shield assembly (,) for a radioactive stent (,) mounted onto a deployment portion (,) of a delivery apparatus (,) including a relatively thin, elongated tube member (,) having a wall (,) defining a receiving passage (,) formed and dimensioned for axial receipt of the stent mounted onto the deployment portion therein to substantially prevent direct contact with the stent (,). A removal structure (,) cooperating with the wall (,) of the tube member (,) for longitudinal severing thereof to enable selective removal of the tube member from the delivery apparatus (,) for deployment use thereof.

Shield assembly with removable inner-tube apparatus for radioactive stents

A stent loading apparatus for loading a deformable stent onto a deployment device. The stent loading apparatus includes an elastic member defining a passage therein formed for longitudinal receipt of the deformable stent in an uncrimped condition. A first member includes a first compression region; and a second member includes a second compression region positioned substantially adjacent the first compression region at a first position. At this first position, the elastic member and the deformable stent in the uncrimped condition may be received between the opposed first and second compression regions. The first compression region and the second compression region are further configured to provide rolling support and compression of the elastic member during relative movement between the first position and a second position for rolling radial compression of the deformable stent onto the deployment device.

Cylindrical roller stent crimper apparatus with radiation shield

The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery. The stent has an open lattice structure and is constructed so that at least one end section has a thicker cross-section and corresponding greater radial strength than the remaining sections of the stent.

Stent having varied amounts of structural strength along its length

The biodegradable mesh and film stent for use in blood vessels is formed of a sheet of a composite mesh material formed of biodegradable high strength polymer fibers bonded together with a second biodegradable adhesive polymer, and laminated on at least one side with a thin film of a third biodegradable polymer. The biodegradable mesh and film material is formed as a sheet and cut in a shape that can be used as a stent, such as a 'belt-buckle' type shape, the ends of which can be joined in a contractible, expandable loop. In the method of making the biodegradable composite mesh and film stent, the composite mesh is preferably formed from a weave formed of high strength biodegradable polymeric fibers, and a plurality of low temperature melting biodegradable polymeric fibers. In an alternate embodiment, the high strength fibers are commingled with the low temperature melting fibers. In another alternate embodiment, the high strength fibers are coated with the low temperature melting polymer. The composite mesh is covered on at least one side by a laminating film, and is then cut into the shape of the stent.

Biodegradable mesh and film stent

The drug loaded stent includes an expandable stent structural member, and a planar sheet of polymeric material attached to the outside of the expandable stent structural member. The polymeric material is preferably bioabsorbable, and loaded or coated with a therapeutic agent or drug to reduce or prevent restenosis in the vessel being treated. The polymer material can be attached to the metal stent at one or more points, and wrapped in a coil around the stent in an unexpanded state, to uncoil and expand in diameter to substantially match the expanded diameter of the metal stent; or can be wrapped tightly around the stent structural member and attached to itself, to stretch radially when the stent structural member is expanded. In another currently preferred embodiment, a combination of a stent structural member and a polymeric film wrapping can be provided with a coating of lubricious material. The lubricious material can be polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, hydrophilic soft segment urethanes, some natural gums, polyanhydrides or other similar hydrophilic polymers, and combinations thereof. The layer of lubricious material protects the stent from the guide or the body lumen in which the stent is inserted by providing a low friction surface over the stents.

Polymer film for wrapping a stent structure

The drug loaded stent includes an expandable stent structural member, and a planar sheet of polymeric material attached to the outside of the expandable stent structural member. The polymeric material is preferably bioabsorbable, and loaded or coated with a therapeutic agent or drug to reduce or prevent restenosis in the vessel being treated. The polymer material can be attached to the metal stent at one or more points, and wrapped in a coil around the stent in an unexpanded state, to uncoil and expand in diameter to substantially match the expanded diameter of the metal stent; or can be wrapped tightly around the stent structural member and attached to itself, to stretch radially when the stent structural member is expanded. In another currently preferred embodiment, a combination of a stent structural member and a polymeric film wrapping can be provided with a coating of lubricious material. The lubricious material can be polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, hydrophilic soft segment urethanes, some natural gums, polyanhydrides or other similar hydrophilic polymers, and combinations thereof. The layer of lubricious material protects the stent from the guide or the body lumen in which the stent is inserted by providing a low friction surface over the stent.

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Todd H Turnlund