Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090074610 | METHOD OF STERILIZING POLYMERIC STRUTS AND STENTS - It has been determined that gamma sterilization of biodegradable polymer stents does not cause significant polymer cross-linking and collapse. Using sufficient spacing can lead to stents that display little if any detrimental effects from the procedure. In certain embodiments, using structures in the general region of about 100 micron spacing between the struts leads to highly functional stents that do not fuse. Further, the resulting stent has radially homogenous mechanical properties. Therefore, the stent has a uniform expansion within the lumen. | 03-19-2009 |
20090076594 | METHOD OF MONITORING POSITIONING OF POLYMER STENTS - The invention is directed to a polymer stent with one or more markers such that when the stent is placed within a lumen, the markers can be detected external to the body. The markers can also be used to monitor the stent position after placement and absorption of bioabsorbable stents. Further, the stent may comprise two markers used to determine the diameter of the stent in real time. It is also contemplated that the stent may comprise at least three markers. The use of at least three markers enables the three dimensional orientation of the stent to be determined at any time. The stent may also comprise markers such that the markers are located in regions with different in vivo lifetimes. It is also contemplated that the pattern and material type of markers on the stent may be used to determine the type of stent within a lumen or box. | 03-19-2009 |
20090095715 | METHODS OF POLYMERIC STENT SURFACE SMOOTHING AND RESURFACING TO REDUCE BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SITES - The present invention provides methods for fabricating a stent using a chemical treatment to smooth, polish or strengthen the stent. One such treatment involves exposing the stent to acetone or a similar solvent. In certain embodiments, the additional step comprises placing the stent in a bath containing acetone, or a similar solvent, where the bath also contains the polymer the stent is composed of. The acetone bath step may be conducted at a temperature that is below the glass transition temperature. The present invention also provides for methods of fabricating a stent using an acetone bath that comprises poly (lactic) acid. Other embodiments provide for methods of fabricating a stent using an acetone bath that comprises poly (lactic) acid and polyethylene glycol. | 04-16-2009 |
20090099639 | METHOD FOR EXPANSION AND DEPLOYMENT OF POLYMERIC STRUCTURES INCLUDING STENTS - The invention is to methods of deploying polymeric biodegradable or non biodegradable stents by use of stepwise creases in the pressure placed upon the inner diameter of the stent to slowly increase the stent diameter. In one embodiment, the pressure on the interior stent diameter is slowly increased. The stent is allowed to acclimate to this diameter for a set period of time, and then the pressure is again increased. This series of steps continues until the stent reaches its final diameter and a final period of acclimatization is maintained prior to the removal of the deployment/delivery device. | 04-16-2009 |
20090105800 | METHODS OF MINIMIZING STENT CONTRACTION FOLLOWING DEPLOYMENT - The present invention provides methods for fabricating a stent using a preheating stage. The inventors have found a fabrication methods that result in the same and/or better product quality stent using a single step process performed at a temperature of below 65° C., more preferably below 60° C., most preferably below 55° C. Stent fabrication under such reduced temperature conditions reduces the exposure of the stent to adverse temperature conditions, thereby enabling the greater retention of the polymer's memory. Further, upon expansion, the stent does not contract to a smaller diameter but instead remains at a constant diameter or increases to a larger diameter. | 04-23-2009 |
20090133817 | STENT MANUFACTURING METHODS - A novel method of manufacturing stents by use of molds ( | 05-28-2009 |
20100204778 | POLYMER-BASED STENT ASSEMBLY - Methods for preparing a polymer-based stent assembly comprising an inflatable balloon catheter and a polymer-based stent resistant to relaxation-related negative recoil are provided. The methods comprise heating a polymeric cylindrical device which is at a final predetermined shape and diameter to a temperature sufficiently above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer and for a time sufficient to erase any memory of previous processing of the polymeric cylindrical device and then quenching the polymeric cylindrical device to provide an educated polymeric cylindrical device having a memory of the final predetermined diameter and shape, mounting the educated cylindrical device on an inflatable balloon catheter, reducing the diameter of the educated cylindrical device by heating to a temperature at or slightly above the Tg of the polymer while evenly applying pressure on the exterior surface of the wall of the cylindrical device, and then cooling the cylindrical device below the Tg of the polymer to provide a stent assembly comprising an inflatable balloon catheter and an expandable, educated, polymeric stent snugly and stably disposed thereon. Assemblies comprising an inflatable balloon and a polymer based stent that is substantially resistant to relaxation related recoil mounted snugly on the balloon are also provided. | 08-12-2010 |
20140114397 | METHOD FOR EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT OF POLYMERIC STRUCTURES INCLUDING STENTS - The invention is to methods of deploying polymeric biodegradable or non biodegradable stents by use of stepwise creases in the pressure placed upon the inner diameter of the stent to slowly increase the stent diameter. In one embodiment, the pressure on the interior stent diameter is slowly increased. The stent is allowed to acclimate to this diameter for a set period of time, and then the pressure is again increased. This series of steps continues until the stent reaches its final diameter and a final period of acclimatization is maintained prior to the removal of the deployment/delivery device. | 04-24-2014 |