Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080243228 | Implantable medical devices fabricated from block copolymers - Implantable medical devices fabricated from block copolymers are disclosed. | 10-02-2008 |
20080249614 | Implantable medical devices fabricated from polymer blends with star-block copolymers - Implantable medical devices fabricated from polymer blends with star-block copolymers are disclosed. | 10-09-2008 |
20080269874 | Implantable medical devices fabricated from polymers with radiopaque groups - Inplantable medical devices fabricated from radiopaque polymers are disclosed. | 10-30-2008 |
20080306591 | Implantable medical devices with elastomeric block copolymer coatings - Implantable medical devices with elastomeric block copolymer coatings are disclosed. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306592 | Elastomeric copolymer coatings for implantable medical devices - Implantable medical devices with elastomeric copolymer coatings are disclosed. | 12-11-2008 |
20090005860 | Method to fabricate a stent having selected morphology to reduce restenosis - Methods of fabricating a stent and a stent having selected morphology on abluminal and luminal surfaces of the stent are disclosed. | 01-01-2009 |
20090088829 | Method and Apparatus for Stent Retention on a Balloon Catheter - A balloon is inflated from a collapsed configuration, then deflated. A polymeric stent is then disposed over the deflated balloon and the stent crimped to the balloon. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088834 | STENT FORMED FROM BIOERODIBLE METAL-BIOCERAMIC COMPOSITE - Medical devices and methods of fabricating such medical devices, such as stents, formed at least in part from a metal matrix composite including bioceramic particles dispersed within an erodible metal are disclosed. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088835 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES FABRICATED FROM BLOCK COPOLYMERS - Medical devices, such as stents, fabricated at least in part from a polymer composite including a biodegradable elastomeric phase dispersed within a biodegradable polymeric matrix are disclosed. The composite is composed of a block copolymer including an elastomeric homopolymer block and a glassy polymer block. | 04-02-2009 |
20090148591 | Methods to improve adhesion of polymer coatings over stents - Methods are disclosed to improved adhesion of polymer coatings over polymer surfaces of stents which include plasma treatment, applying an adhesion promoting layer, surface treatments with solvents, and mechanical roughening techniques. | 06-11-2009 |
20090149940 | BIOABSORBABLE STENT WITH RADIOPAQUE LAYER AND METHOD OF FABRICATION - Embodiments of a stent and methods of fabricating the same with a bioabsorbable radiopaque layer are disclosed. | 06-11-2009 |
20090171449 | STENT FORMED FROM POLYMER-BIOCERAMIC COMPOSITE WITH RADIOPAQUE BIOCERAMIC PARTICLES - Implantable medical devices fabricated at least in part of a polymer-bioceramic composite having bioceramic particles with radiopaque functional groups grafted to a surface of the bioceramic particles are disclosed. Implantable medical devices fabricated at least in part of a radiopaque material having bioceramic particles with polymer chains grafted onto a surface of the bioceramic particles, the radiopaque functional groups being chemically bonded to the grafted polymer chains, are disclosed. | 07-02-2009 |
20090216316 | Bioabsorbable Stent With Layers Having Different Degradation Rates - A bioabsorbable stent including a stent scaffolding formed from polymer layers with different degradation rates is disclosed. The polymer layers include an abluminal layer, a luminal layer, and optionally one or more middle layers. A degradation rate of the layers increases from the luminal layer to the abluminal layer. | 08-27-2009 |
20090248147 | Stent With Nucleating Agent - The use of nucleating agents to manufacture polymeric stents is disclosed. The resulting stents may have increased crystallinity, decreased crystal size, increased mechanical properties, and faster degradation times. | 10-01-2009 |
20090259297 | Implantable Medical Devices Fabricated From Polyurethanes With Grafted Radiopaque Groups - Medical devices, such as stents, fabricated from a polymer including degradable polymer segments joined by di-urethane linkages with radiopaque functional groups chemically bonded to the polymer are disclosed. | 10-15-2009 |
20090319031 | Bioabsorbable Polymeric Stent With Improved Structural And Molecular Weight Integrity - Various embodiments of the present invention include implantable medical devices such as stents manufactured from polymers, and more particularly, biodegradable polymers including biodegradable polyesters. Other embodiments include methods of fabricating implantable medical devices from polymers. The devices and methods utilize one or more stabilizers, where each stabilizer may be chosen from the following categories: free radical scavengers, peroxide decomposers, catalyst deactivators, water scavengers, and metal scavengers. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319036 | Medical Devices Made From Polymers With End Group Modification For Improved Thermal Stability - Implantable medical devices and methods of forming thereof made from polymers with end groups providing improved thermal stability are disclosed. Implantable medical devices made from such polymers including stabilizing agents are additionally disclosed. | 12-24-2009 |
20090324670 | Polyester Implantable Medical Device With Controlled In Vivo Biodegradability - This invention relates to blends of high, optionally medium, and low molecular weight polyesters where at least the low molecular weight polyester is substituted with an acidic moiety, the biodegradation of the blends being controllable by selection of the mean molecular weigh of each fraction, the quantity of each fraction in the blend and the amount and pKa of the acidic moiety(ies). | 12-31-2009 |
20090326642 | Implantable Medical Devices Fabricated From Radiopaque Polymers With High Fracture Toughness - Medical devices, such as stents, fabricated from a polymer including degradable polymer segments joined by di-urethane linkages with radiopaque functional groups chemically bonded to the polymer are disclosed. | 12-31-2009 |
20100025894 | TUBE EXPANSION PROCESS FOR SEMICRYSTALLINE POLYMERS TO MAXIMIZE FRACTURE TOUGHNESS - Methods of fabricating a polymeric stent with improved fracture toughness including radial expansion of a polymer tube along its entire length at the same time and fabricating a stent from the expanded tube are disclosed herein. | 02-04-2010 |
20100036478 | Method Of Improving Fracture Toughness Of Implantable Medical Devices Through Annealing - Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device with improved fracture toughness through annealing are disclosed herein. A polymeric construct is annealed with no or substantially no crystal growth to increase nucleation density. After the annealing, crystallites are grown around the formed nuclei. An implantable medical device, such as a stent, can be fabricated from the polymer construct after the crystallite growth. | 02-11-2010 |
20100038822 | Fracture Toughness Of Medical Devices With A Stereocomplex Nucleating Agent - Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device from a PLLA/PDLA blend such as a stent with improved fracture toughness are disclosed. The blend is melt processed to allow formation of stereocomplex crystallites, which are nucleation sites for crystal growth. A polymer construct is formed from the melt processed blend and device is formed from the polymer construct. The stereocomplex crystallites result in an in increase in nucleation density and reduced crystal size, which increases fracture toughness of the formed device. | 02-18-2010 |
20100198330 | Bioabsorbable Stent And Treatment That Elicits Time-Varying Host-Material Response - Methods of treating a diseased blood vessel exhibiting stenosis with a bioabsorable stent are disclosed. The implanted stent supports the section of the vessel at an increased diameter for a period of time to allow the vessel to heal. The stent loses radial strength sufficient to support the section of the vessel in less than 6 months after implantation. Upon complete absorption of the stent, the section moves and functions in a manner that is the same, more similar to, or substantially as a normal blood vessel. In particular, the section can have an increased diameter allowing increased blood flow and vasomotion is partially or substantially completely restored in the section. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198331 | Bioabsorbable Stent That Modulates Plaque Geometric Morphology And Chemical Composition - Methods of treating a diseased blood vessel exhibiting stenosis with a bioabsorable stent are disclosed. The implanted stent supports the section of the vessel at an increased diameter for a period of time to allow the vessel to heal. The stent loses radial strength sufficient to support the section of the vessel in less than 6 months after implantation, loses mechanical integrity, and then erodes away from the section. The biodegradable stent results in changes in properties of plaque with time as the stent degrades. The time-dependent properties include the luminal area of the plaque and plaque geometric morphology parameters. | 08-05-2010 |
20100244304 | STENTS FABRICATED FROM A SHEET WITH INCREASED STRENGTH, MODULUS AND FRACTURE TOUGHNESS - Methods of fabricating a polymeric stent from a polymer sheet with improved strength, modulus and fracture toughness are disclosed. The methods include stretching the polymer sheet along one or more axesto increase the strength, fracture toughness, and modulus of the polymer along the axis of stretching. The methods further include forming a tubular stent from the stretched sheet. The stent can include a slide-and-lock mechanism that permits the stent to move from a collapsed diameter to an expanded diameter and inhibiting radial recoil from the expanded diameter. | 09-30-2010 |
20100251838 | Fixture for Mechanical Analysis of a Hollow Tube - A test fixture for use with a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) restrains a hollow cylindrical tube for purposes of performing either a tensile or transverse/bending load test. The fixture includes a clamp that is configured to restrain the tube without imparting a preload or changing a mechanical property of the tube. | 10-07-2010 |
20100252965 | Fabricating An Implantable Medical Device From An Amorphous Or Very Low Crystallinity Polymer Construct - Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device with improved fracture toughness through annealing, nucleating agents, or both are disclosed herein. A polymeric construct that is completely amorphous or that has a very low crystallinity is annealed with no or substantially no crystal growth to increase nucleation density. Alternatively, the polymer construct includes nucleating agent. The crystallinity of the polymer construct is increased with a high nucleation density through an increase in temperature, deformation, or both. An implantable medical device, such as a stent, can be fabricated from the polymer construct after the increase in crystallinity. | 10-07-2010 |
20100323091 | Methods To Increase Fracture Resistance Of A Drug-Eluting Medical Device - Methods for increasing the fracture resistance of a polymer stent's drug-polymer coating and scaffolding including applying a coating and crimping using techniques that increase the resistance to fracture in the coating layer and scaffolding and scaffolding. | 12-23-2010 |
20110021717 | Method To Make Poly(L-Lactide) Stent With Tunable Degradation Rate - Methods of making a biodegradable polymeric stent made from poly(L-lactide) and a low concentration of L-lactide monomer is disclosed. The concentration of L-lactide is adjusted to provide a degradation behavior that is suitable for different treatment applications including coronary, peripheral, and nasal. Methods include making a poly(L-lactide) material for a stent with uniformly distributed L-lactide monomer through control of polymerization conditions during PLLA synthesis, control of post-processing conditions, or both. | 01-27-2011 |
20110022155 | Biodegradable Stent With Adjustable Degradation Rate - A biodegradable polymeric stent made from poly(L-lactide) and a low concentration of L-lactide monomer is disclosed. The concentration of L-lactide is adjusted to provide a degradation behavior that is suitable for different treatment applications including coronary, peripheral, and nasal. | 01-27-2011 |
20110022163 | Implantable Medical Device Comprising Copolymer Of L-Lactide With Improved Fracture Toughness - The present invention relates to implantable medical devices comprising a L-lactide-constitutional unit-containing copolymer having a wt % percent crystallinity of 40% or less. | 01-27-2011 |
20110056350 | METHOD TO PREVENT STENT DAMAGE CAUSED BY LASER CUTTING - Apparatus, method and system for cutting a polymeric stent including the use of a polymeric mandrel as a laser shielding device. The polymeric mandrel is allowed to roll freely within a polymeric tube that is cut into a polymeric stent. | 03-10-2011 |
20110065825 | Method To Minimize Molecular Weight Drop Of Poly(L-Lactide) Stent During Processing - A method to reduce or minimize the reduction in molecular weight of a stent during processing is disclosed. The stent has a scaffolding including a polymer formulation comprising PLLA and polymandelide. The polymandelide reduces the molecular weight drop during processing, particularly during sterilization. The stent scaffolding can further include one or more additional stabilizing agents that additionally reduce the molecular weight drop during processing. | 03-17-2011 |
20110066222 | Polymeric Stent and Method of Making Same - A stent may be formed from a PLLA tubular polymer construct that is deformed in a blow mold. A desirable polymer morphology resulting in improved stent performance is obtained with a selected radial axial expansion ratio from about 20% to about 70%, a selected radial expansion ratio from about 400% to about 500%, a selected axial rate of deformation propagation at or about 0.3 mm/minute, a selected expansion pressure at or about 130 psi, and a selected expansion temperature that does not exceed 200 deg F. The tubular polymer construct may also be made of PLGA, PLLA-co-PDLA, PLLD/PDLA stereocomplex, and PLLA-based polyester block copolymer containing a rigid segment of PLLA or PLGA and a soft segment of PCL or PTMC. | 03-17-2011 |
20110172758 | Stents Formed From Polymer-Bioceramic Composite With Radiopaque Bioceramic Particles - Implantable medical devices fabricated at least in part of a polymer-bioceramic composite having bioceramic particles with radiopaque functional groups grafted to a surface of the bioceramic particles are disclosed. Implantable medical devices fabricated at least in part of a radiopaque material having bioceramic particles with polymer chains grafted onto a surface of the bioceramic particles, the radiopaque functional groups being chemically bonded to the grafted polymer chains, are disclosed. | 07-14-2011 |
20110202126 | Polymer-Bioceramic Composite Implantable Medical Device with Different Types of Bioceramic Particles - Implantable medical devices fabricated from polymer/bioceramic composites with different types of bioceramic particles are disclosed. | 08-18-2011 |
20110207843 | Polymer-Bioceramic Composite Implantable Medical Devices - Methods and devices relating to polymer-bioceramic composite implantable medical devices are disclosed. | 08-25-2011 |
20110238155 | STENT FORMED FROM BIOERODIBLE METAL-BIOCERAMIC COMPOSITE - Medical devices and methods of fabricating such medical devices, such as stents, formed at least in part from a metal matrix composite including bioceramic particles dispersed within an erodible metal are disclosed. | 09-29-2011 |
20110270383 | Methods for Crimping a Polymeric Stent Onto a Delivery Balloon - A medical device-includes a polymer stent crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The stent is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes heating the stent to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve stent retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the stent when later deployed to support a body lumen. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270387 | Implantable Medical Devices Comprising Poly[L-Lactide-Co-(3,6-Dialkyl-1,4-Dioxane-2,5-Dione)] - This invention is directed to implantable medical device comprising a polymeric composition comprising poly[L-lactide-co-(3,6-dialkyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione)], alone or as a blend with one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of poly(L-lactide) and poly(3,6-dialkyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione). | 11-03-2011 |
20110271513 | Methods for Crimping a Polymeric Stent Scaffold Onto a Delivery Balloon - A medical device includes a polymer stent scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. A process for forming the medical device includes placing the scaffold on a support supported by an alignment carriage, and deionizing the scaffold to remove any static charge buildup on the scaffold before placing the scaffold within a crimper to reduce the scaffold's diameter. The polymer scaffold is heated to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve scaffold retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the scaffold when deployed to support a body lumen. | 11-10-2011 |
20110278771 | TUBE EXPANSION PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS FOR SEMICRYSTALLINE POLYMERS TO MAXIMIZE FRACTURE TOUGHNESS - Methods of and systems for fabricating a polymeric stent with improved fracture toughness including radial expansion of a polymer tube along its entire length at the same time and fabricating a stent from the expanded tube are disclosed herein. | 11-17-2011 |
20120003379 | METHODS TO IMPROVE ADHESION OF POLYMER COATINGS OVER STENTS - Methods are disclosed to improved adhesion of polymer coatings over polymer surfaces of stents which include plasma treatment, applying an adhesion promoting layer, surface treatments with solvents, and mechanical roughening techniques. | 01-05-2012 |
20120004721 | METHODS TO IMPROVE ADHESION OF POLYMER COATINGS OVER STENTS - Methods are disclosed to improved adhesion of polymer coatings over polymer surfaces of stents which include plasma treatment, applying an adhesion promoting layer, surface treatments with solvents, and mechanical roughening techniques. | 01-05-2012 |
20120017416 | Method For Stent Retention On A Balloon Catheter - A balloon is inflated from a collapsed configuration, then deflated. A polymeric stem is then disposed over the deflated balloon and the stent crimped to the balloon. | 01-26-2012 |
20120024460 | METHODS FOR IMPROVED STENT RETENTION - Methods for improved stent retention on an expandable member during delivery are disclosed. Methods include fabricating delivery systems including a degradable or water soluble sheath over the stent, the expandable member, or both for improving retention of the stent on the expandable member during delivery. | 02-02-2012 |
20120024474 | METHODS FOR IMPROVED STENT RETENTION - Methods for improved stent retention on an expandable member during delivery are disclosed. Methods include fabricating delivery systems including a retention layer over the stent, the expandable member, or both for improving retention of the stent on the expandable member during delivery. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029615 | BIOABSORBABLE STENT WTIH LAYERS HAVING DIFFERENT DEGRADATION RATES - A bioabsorbable stent and method of forming the same including a stent scaffolding formed from polymer layers with different degradation rates is disclosed. The polymer layers include an abluminal layer, a luminal layer, and optionally one or more middle layers. A degradation rate of the layers increases from the luminal layer to the abluminal layer. | 02-02-2012 |
20120038087 | FABRICATING A STENT FORMED FROM POLYMER-BIOCERAMIC COMPOSITE WITH RADIOPAQUE BIOCERAMIC PARTICLES - Fabricating a stent with a radiopaque layer including radiopaque bioceramic particles using coextrusion is disclosed. | 02-16-2012 |
20120042501 | Reducing Crimping Damage to Polymer Scaffold - A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the catheter by a multi-step process for increasing scaffold-catheter yield following a crimping sequence. Damage reduction during a crimping sequence includes modifying blades of a crimper, adopting a multi-step crimping sequence, and inflating a supporting balloon to support the scaffold during crimping. | 02-23-2012 |
20120046756 | TREATMENT OF NASAL CAVITIES WITH STENT HAVING A SOFT OUTER LAYER - A method of treatment of sinusitis and other related diseases including disposing a radially expandable stent into a nasal passageway and radially expanding the stent in a blocked region of the nasal passageway to expand the blocked region is disclosed. The stent includes a tissue-cushioning portion composed of a hydrogel-forming or elastomeric polymer material to provide cushioning between the stent and nasal tissue and reduce irritation of the nasal tissue. | 02-23-2012 |
20120089221 | BIOABSORBABLE STENT WITH LAYERS HAVING DIFFERENT DEGRADATION RATES - A bioabsorbable stent and method of forming the same including a stent scaffolding formed from polymer layers with different degradation rates is disclosed. The polymer layers include an abluminal layer, a luminal layer, and optionally one or more middle layers. A degradation rate of the layers increases from the luminal layer to the abluminal layer. | 04-12-2012 |
20120091633 | Method To Minimize Chain Scission And Monomer Generation In Processing of Poly(L-Lactide) Stent - Methods of fabricating an implantable medical devices such as stents made from biodegradable polymers are disclosed that reduce or minimize chain scission and monomer generation during processing steps. The method includes processing a poly(L-lactide) resin having an number average molecular weight between 150 to 200 kD in an extruder in a molten state. A poly(L-lactide) tube is formed from the processed resin and a stent is fabricated from the tube. The number average molecular weight of the poly(L-lactide) of the stent after sterilization is 70 to 100 kD. | 04-19-2012 |
20120239135 | STENTS INCLUDING POLY(L-LACTIDE) FORMULATIONS THAT MINIMIZE MOLECULAR WEIGHT DROP DURING PROCESSING - A stent scaffolding including a polymer formulation comprising PLLA and polymandelide is disclosed. The polymandelide reduces the molecular weight drop during processing, particularly during sterilization. The stent scaffolding can further include one or more additional stabilizing agents that additionally reduce the molecular weight drop during processing. | 09-20-2012 |
20120277358 | STENT WITH NUCLEATING AGENT - The use of nucleating agents to manufacture polymeric stents is disclosed. The resulting stents may have increased crystallinity, decreased crystal size, increased mechanical properties, and faster degradation times. | 11-01-2012 |
20120285123 | Methods of Stabilizing Molecular Weight of Polymer Stents After Sterilization - Methods of stabilizing the molecular weight of polymer stents scaffolds after E-beam sterilization are disclosed. The molecular weight of the polymer of the irradiated scaffolds is stabilized through exposure to gas containing oxygen. | 11-15-2012 |
20120285609 | Methods for Crimping a Polymeric Scaffold to a Delivery Balloon and Achieving Stable Mechanical Properties in the Scaffold After Crimping - A medical device-includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes inflating the delivery balloon during a diameter reduction to improve scaffold retention. A crimping temperature is maintained at about the onset of glass transition of the polymer material to facilitate more rapid stabilization of mechanical properties in the scaffold following crimping. | 11-15-2012 |
20120290063 | Method of Increasing Stent Retention of Bioabsorbable Scaffolding with a Sheath - A medical device includes a polymer stent crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The stent is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes heating the stent to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve stent retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the stent when later deployed to support a body lumen. A variable diameter sheath with a central portion that prevents expansion of the stent when the balloon is pressurized and larger diameter ends is disposed over the crimped stent-balloon assembly. The balloon is pressurized and the larger diameter ends of the sheath allow the balloon beyond the ends of the stent to expand. The balloon is then depressurized. | 11-15-2012 |
20120290070 | Control Of Degradation Profile Of Bioabsorbable Poly(L-Lactide) Scaffold - Methods of controlling the degradation profile of a biodegradable stent scaffolding are disclosed. Disclosed methods include controlling features of the degradation profile including the time to loss of radial strength and the degradation time of the stent. | 11-15-2012 |
20120290071 | Bioabsorbable Scaffold With Particles Providing Delayed Acceleration of Degradation - Methods of controlling the degradation profile of a biodegradable stent scaffolding are disclosed. A bioabsorbable scaffold having a plurality of particles incorporated into the scaffolding that accelerate the absorption of the scaffolding after an induction time during degradation is disclosed. | 11-15-2012 |
20120290073 | BIOABSORBABLE SCAFFOLDS MADE FROM COMPOSITES - Bioabsorbable scaffolds made at least in part of a poly(L-lactide)-based composite are disclosed. The composite includes poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) or poly(L-lactide)-b-polycaprolactone block copolymer, which increases the fracture toughness or fracture resistance of the scaffold. The composite can further include bioceramic particles, L-lactide monomer, or both dispersed throughout the composite. The bioceramic particles improve the radial strength and stiffness of the scaffold. The L-lactide monomer is used to control the absorption rate of the scaffold. | 11-15-2012 |
20120290075 | MODIFICATION OF BIOABSORBABLE STENT TO REDUCE THROMBOGENECITY - Bioabsorbable polymer scaffolds with coatings are disclosed that include immobilized antithrombotic agents on the scaffolds or in or on the coatings. The agents act synergistically with antiproliferative agents released from coatings by providing hemocompatibility during and without interfering with antiproliferative agent release. Methods of modifying scaffolds and coatings with the antithrombotic agents are disclosed. | 11-15-2012 |
20120299226 | Method and System for Manufacturing a Polymer Endoprosthesis by Injection Molding and Blow Molding - A polymer endoprosthesis is fabricated by a combination of injection molding and blow molding which form a tubular substrate of polymer material, followed by laser cutting, crimping and sterilization. After the injection and blow molding processes, a subtractive process is performed on the tubular substrate to transform it into a stent having a network of stent struts. The tubular substrate can be made in an injection mold and blow mold which are attached to each other. The transition from injection molding and blow molding can be performed while the injection molded substrate remains at a temperature at or above Tg of the polymer material. | 11-29-2012 |
20120303114 | Implantable Medical Devices Fabricated From Polymers With Radiopaque Groups - Implantable medical devices comprising radiopaque star-block copolymers. | 11-29-2012 |
20120330404 | Elastomeric Copolymer Coatings For Implantable Medical Devices - Implantable medical devices with elastomeric copolymer coatings are disclosed. | 12-27-2012 |
20130026681 | TUBE EXPANSION PROCESSES FOR SEMICRYSTALLINE POLYMERS TO MAXIMIZE FRACTURE TOUGHNESS - Methods for fabricating a polymeric stent with improved fracture toughness including radial expansion of a polymer tube and fabricating a stent from the expanded tube are disclosed. The polymer tube is disposed within a mold and may be heated with radiation. The heated tube radially expands within the mold. | 01-31-2013 |
20130032967 | COLD ETHYLENE OXIDE STERILIZATION OF A BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERIC STENT - Methods of sterilizing medical devices, particularly stents, that include a polymer with ethylene oxide. The polymer may be in the device body or a coating on the device. The method entails exposure such that the temperature of the device does not exceed the glass transition temperature of the polymer in the wet stage, that is as plasticized by the sterilant. The sterilant may include water vapor. | 02-07-2013 |
20130041065 | METHOD OF MAKING POLYMER-BIOCERAMIC COMPOSITE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - Methods and devices relating to polymer-bioceramic composite implantable medical devices are disclosed. | 02-14-2013 |
20130041129 | Controlling Moisture In And Plasticization Of Bioresorbable Polymer For Melt Processing - Methods and systems for controlling the moisture content of biodegradable and bioresorbable polymer resin during extrusion above a lower limit that allows for plasticization of the polymer resin melt and below an upper limit to reduce or prevent molecular weight loss are disclosed. Methods are further disclosed involving plasticization of a polymer resin for feeding into an extruder with carbon dioxide and freon. | 02-14-2013 |
20130085563 | RUBBER TOUGHENED BIORESORBABLE POLYMER PERIPHERAL SCAFFOLDS - Bioabsorbable scaffolds are disclosed with a rigid polymer component and a rubbery polymer component. The rubbery polymer component is miscible, partially miscible, or immiscible with the rigid polymer component. | 04-04-2013 |
20130085564 | MODIFIED SCAFFOLDS FOR PERIPHERAL APPLICATIONS - Stent scaffolds that include a polymeric structure or structures bonded to the scaffold and extending along their length are disclosed. The polymeric structure extends across some or all of the gaps in struts along the length of the scaffold. Segmented scaffolds are also disclosed that include two or more axial segments arranged end to end not connected by link struts. | 04-04-2013 |
20130119586 | METHOD TO PREVENT STENT DAMAGE CAUSED BY LASER CUTTING - Apparatus, method and system for cutting a polymeric stent including the use of a polymeric mandrel as a laser shielding device. The polymeric mandrel is allowed to roll freely within a polymeric tube that is cut into a polymeric stent. | 05-16-2013 |
20130134623 | FABRICATING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE FROM AN AMORPHOUS OR VERY LOW CRYSTALLINITY POLYMER CONSTRUCT - Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device with improved fracture toughness through annealing, nucleating agents, or both are disclosed herein. A polymeric construct that is completely amorphous or that has a very low crystallinity is annealed with no or substantially no crystal growth to increase nucleation density. Alternatively, the polymer construct includes nucleating agent. The crystallinity of the polymer construct is increased with a high nucleation density through an increase in temperature, deformation, or both. An implantable medical device, such as a stent, can be fabricated from the polymer construct after the increase in crystallinity. | 05-30-2013 |
20130172982 | POLYMER STENT WITH BREAK-AWAY LINKS FOR ENHANCED STENT RETENTION - Polymer stents with break-away links and methods of forming the links for improved stent retention on an expandable member during delivery are disclosed. | 07-04-2013 |
20130207314 | METHOD OF IMPROVING FRACTURE TOUGHNESS OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES THROUGH ANNEALING - Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device with improved fracture toughness through annealing are disclosed herein. A polymeric construct is annealed with no or substantially no crystal growth to increase nucleation density. After the annealing, crystallites are grown around the formed nuclei. An implantable medical device, such as a stent, can be fabricated from the polymer construct after the crystallite growth. | 08-15-2013 |
20130253637 | Polymer-Bioceramic Composite Medical Devices with Bioceramic Particles having Grafted Polymers - Methods and devices relating to polymer-bioceramic composite implantable medical devices are disclosed. | 09-26-2013 |
20130255853 | Uniform Crimping and Deployment Methods for Polymer Scaffold - A medical device-includes a scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes one or more balloon pressurization steps. The balloon pressurization steps are selected to enhance scaffold retention to the balloon and maintain a relatively uniform arrangement of balloon folds about the inner surface of the crimped scaffold so that the scaffold expands in a uniform manner when the balloon is inflated. | 10-03-2013 |
20130261729 | CONTROL OF BALLOON INFLATION RATE DURING DEPLOYMENT OF SCAFFOLD - An apparatus and method for controlling inflation pressure and pressurization rate of a balloon during deployment of a stent or scaffold is disclosed. | 10-03-2013 |
20130261735 | MAGNESIUM ALLOY IMPLANTS WITH CONTROLLED DEGRADATION - Stents or scaffolds made from magnesium or magnesium alloys including additives or barrier coatings that modify the corrosion rate of the stent are disclosed. Methods of forming barrier coatings that modify the corrosion rate of the stent are disclosed. | 10-03-2013 |
20130300034 | METHOD TO MINIMIZE CHAIN SCISSION AND MONOMER GENERATION IN PROCESSING OF POLY(L-LACTIDE) STENT - Methods of fabricating an implantable medical devices such as stents made from biodegradable polymers are disclosed that reduce or minimize chain scission and monomer generation during processing steps. The method includes processing a poly(L-lactide) resin having an number average molecular weight between 150 to 200 kD in an extruder in a molten state. A poly(L-lactide) tube is formed from the processed resin and a stent is fabricated from the tube. The number average molecular weight of the poly(L-lactide) of the stent after sterilization is 70 to 100 kD. | 11-14-2013 |
20130304182 | FLOW REGULATION VALVE FOR CONTROLLING INFLATION RATE OF A BALLOON DEPLOYING A SCAFFOLD - An apparatus and method for controlling inflation pressure, pressurization rate, and volumetric flow rate of a balloon during deployment of a stent or scaffold is disclosed. | 11-14-2013 |
20130310913 | Polymer Scaffold With Multi-Pleated Balloon - A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a balloon. The balloon is formed with between 6 and 15 pleats to provide a uniform expansion of the scaffold when the balloon is inflated. Also provided are methods for crimping a scaffold to a multi-pleated balloon and methods for making a multi-pleated balloon. | 11-21-2013 |
20130317596 | BIORESORBABLE POLYMER SCAFFOLD AND TREATMENT OF CORONARY ARTERY LESIONS - Methods of treating coronary heart disease with bioresorbable polymer stents are described. | 11-28-2013 |
20130324636 | METHOD OF MAKING POLYMER-BIOCERAMIC COMPOSITE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - Methods and devices relating to polymer-bioceramic composite implantable medical devices are disclosed. | 12-05-2013 |
20130324676 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES FABRICATED FROM POLYURETHANES WITH BIODEGRADABLE HARD AND SOFT BLOCKS AND BLENDS THEREOF - Medical devices, such as stents, fabricated at least in part from a polymer composite including a biodegradable elastomeric phase dispersed within a biodegradable polymeric matrix are disclosed. The composite is composed of a polyurethane block copolymer including soft polymer blocks and a hard polymer blocks. | 12-05-2013 |
20140012365 | STENTS INCLUDING POLY(L-LACTIDE) FORMULATIONS THAT MINIMIZE MOLECULAR WEIGHT DROP DURING PROCESSING - A stent scaffolding including a polymer formulation comprising PLLA and polymandelide is disclosed. The polymandelide reduces the molecular weight drop during processing, particularly during sterilization. The stent scaffolding can further include one or more additional stabilizing agents that additionally reduce the molecular weight drop during processing. | 01-09-2014 |
20140013575 | REDUCING CRIMPING DAMAGE TO A POLYMER SCAFFOLD - A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the catheter by a multi-step process for increasing scaffold-catheter yield following a crimping sequence. Damage reduction during a crimping sequence includes modifying blades of a crimper, adopting a multi-step crimping sequence, and inflating a supporting balloon to support the scaffold during crimping. | 01-16-2014 |
20140018907 | POLYMER-BIOCERAMIC COMPOSITE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF BIOCERAMIC PARTICLES - Implantable medical devices fabricated from polymer/bioceramic composites with different types of bioceramic particles are disclosed. | 01-16-2014 |
20140025161 | SHAPE MEMORY BIORESORBABLE POLYMER PERIPHERAL SCAFFOLDS - Bioabsorbable scaffolds having high crush recoverability, high fracture resistance, and reduced or no recoil due to self expanding properties at physiological conditions are disclosed. The scaffolds are made from a random copolymer of PLLA and a rubbery polymer such as polycaprolactone. | 01-23-2014 |
20140033506 | METHODS FOR CRIMPING A POLYMERIC STENT ONTO A DELIVERY BALLOON - A medical device—includes a polymer stent crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The stent is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes heating the stent to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve stent retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the stent when later deployed to support a body lumen. | 02-06-2014 |
20140039603 | BIOABSORBABLE SCAFFOLDS MADE FROM COMPOSITES - Bioabsorbable scaffolds made at least in part of a poly(L-lactide)-based composite are disclosed. The composite includes poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) or poly(L-lactide)-b-polycaprolactone block copolymer, which increases the fracture toughness or fracture resistance of the scaffold. The composite can further include bioceramic particles, L-lactide monomer, or both dispersed throughout the composite. The bioceramic particles improve the radial strength and stiffness of the scaffold. The L-lactide monomer is used to control the absorption rate of the scaffold. | 02-06-2014 |
20140044860 | METHODS TO INCREASE FRACTURE RESISTANCE OF A DRUG-ELUTING MEDICAL DEVICE - Methods for increasing the fracture resistance of a polymer stent's drug-polymer coating and scaffolding including applying a coating and crimping using techniques that increase the resistance to fracture in the coating layer and scaffolding and scaffolding. | 02-13-2014 |
20140046006 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES FABRICATED FROM BRANCHED POLYMERS - Implantable medical devices fabricated from branched polymers are disclosed. | 02-13-2014 |
20140052235 | STENT RETAINED ON A BALLOON CATHETER - A balloon is inflated from a collapsed configuration, then deflated. A polymeric stem is then disposed over the deflated balloon and the stent crimped to the balloon. | 02-20-2014 |
20140081417 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES FABRICATED FROM BRANCHED POLYMERS - Stent scaffolds comprising branched biocompatible polymers are disclosed. | 03-20-2014 |
20140084515 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE MADE FROM AN AMORPHOUS OR VERY LOW CRYSTALLINITY POLYMER CONSTRUCT - Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device with improved fracture toughness through annealing, nucleating agents, or both are disclosed herein. A polymeric construct that is completely amorphous or that has a very low crystallinity is annealed with no or substantially no crystal growth to increase nucleation density. Alternatively, the polymer construct includes nucleating agent. The crystallinity of the polymer construct is increased with a high nucleation density through an increase in temperature, deformation, or both. An implantable medical device, such as a stent, can be fabricated from the polymer construct after the increase in crystallinity. | 03-27-2014 |
20140096357 | Method of Uniform Crimping and Expansion of Medical Devices - A medical device-includes a scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes one or more balloon pressurization steps. The balloon pressurization steps are selected to enhance scaffold retention to the balloon, maintain a relatively uniform arrangement of balloon folds about the inner surface of the crimped scaffold so that the scaffold expands in a uniform manner when the balloon is inflated, and to avoid any possible over-stretching of balloon material. | 04-10-2014 |
20140107761 | Biodegradable stent with enhanced fracture toughness - Stents and methods of manufacturing a stents with enhanced fracture toughness are disclosed. | 04-17-2014 |
20140110885 | POST ELECTRON BEAM CONDITIONING OF POLYMERIC MEDICAL DEVICES - Methods are disclosed for conditioning a polymeric stent after sterilization, and/or after crimping and before packaging, such that the properties of the polymeric stent fall within a narrower range of values. The stent is exposed to a controlled temperature at or above ambient for a period of time after radiation sterilization and/or after crimping and before sterilization. As a result, the polymeric stent properties, particularly radial strength and number-average molecular weight of the polymer of the polymeric stent, fall within a narrower range. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114394 | Biodegradable stent with enhanced fracture toughness - Stents and methods of manufacturing a stents with enhanced fracture toughness are disclosed. | 04-24-2014 |
20140128959 | Biodegradable stent with enhanced fracture toughness - Stents and methods of manufacturing a stents with enhanced fracture toughness are disclosed. | 05-08-2014 |
20140157567 | Sheaths Reducing Recoil and Loss of Retention for Polymer Scaffolds Crimped to Balloons - A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. A single piece sheath is placed over the scaffold immediately following crimping of the scaffold to the balloon. The single piece sheath is replaced by a two-piece sheath, which is removed prior to performing a medical procedure using the medical device. | 06-12-2014 |
20140230227 | METHODS FOR CRIMPING A POLYMERIC SCAFFOLD TO A DELIVERY BALLOON AND ACHIEVING STABLE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES IN THE SCAFFOLD AFTER CRIMPING - A medical device-includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes inflating the delivery balloon during a diameter reduction to improve scaffold retention. A crimping temperature is maintained at about the onset of glass transition of the polymer material to facilitate more rapid stabilization of mechanical properties in the scaffold following crimping. | 08-21-2014 |
20140239558 | SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING A POLYMER ENDOPROSTHESIS BY INJECTION MOLDING AND BLOW MOLDING - A polymer endoprosthesis is fabricated by a combination of injection molding and blow molding which form a tubular substrate of polymer material, followed by laser cutting, crimping and sterilization. After the injection and blow molding processes, a subtractive process is performed on the tubular substrate to transform it into a stent having a network of stent struts. The tubular substrate can be made in an injection mold and blow mold which are attached to each other. The transition from injection molding and blow molding can be performed while the injection molded substrate remains at a temperature at or above Tg of the polymer material. | 08-28-2014 |
20140250667 | METHODS FOR CRIMPING A POLYMERIC STENT SCAFFOLD ONTO A DELIVERY BALLOON - A medical device includes a polymer stent scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. A process for forming the medical device includes placing the scaffold on a support supported by an alignment carriage, and deionizing the scaffold to remove any static charge buildup on the scaffold before placing the scaffold within a crimper to reduce the scaffold's diameter. The polymer scaffold is heated to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve scaffold retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the scaffold when deployed to support a body lumen. | 09-11-2014 |
20140277398 | DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE FOR PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE - A medical device implantable within a peripheral vessel of the body composed of a bioresorbable polymer is disclosed. The device has a high resistance to fracture, is very flexible, and has a high crush recovery when subjected to crushing, axial, or torsional forces. | 09-18-2014 |
20140288628 | METHOD TO MINIMIZE CHAIN SCISSION AND MONOMER GENERATION IN PROCESSING OF POLY(L-LACTIDE) STENT - Methods of fabricating an implantable medical devices such as stents made from biodegradable polymers are disclosed that reduce or minimize chain scission and monomer generation during processing steps. The method includes processing a poly(L-lactide) resin having an number average molecular weight between 150 to 200 kD in an extruder in a molten state. A poly(L-lactide) tube is formed from the processed resin and a stent is fabricated from the tube. The number average molecular weight of the poly(L-lactide) of the stent after sterilization is 70 to 100 kD. | 09-25-2014 |
20140298675 | CONTROLLING MOISTURE IN AND PLASTICIZATION OF BIORESORBABLE POLYMER FOR MELT PROCESSING - Methods and systems for controlling the moisture content of biodegradable and bioresorbable polymer resin during extrusion above a lower limit that allows for plasticization of the polymer resin melt and below an upper limit to reduce or prevent molecular weight loss are disclosed. Methods are further disclosed involving plasticization of a polymer resin for feeding into an extruder with carbon dioxide and freon. | 10-09-2014 |
20140319724 | BIOABSORBABLE SCAFFOLD WITH PARTICLES PROVIDING DELAYED ACCELERATION OF DEGRADATION - Methods of controlling the degradation profile of a biodegradable stent scaffolding are disclosed. A bioabsorbable scaffold having a plurality of particles incorporated into the scaffolding that accelerate the absorption of the scaffolding after an induction time during degradation is disclosed. | 10-30-2014 |
20140336747 | BIORESORBABLE IMPLANTS FOR TRANSMYOCARDIAL REVASCULARIZATION - Implants for treating insufficient blood flow to a heart muscle with transmyocardial revascularization are disclosed. Methods of treating insufficient blood flow to a heart muscle with the implant are also disclosed. The implant can have a body with an inner lumen that supports a channel in the heart muscle to allow for increased blood flow through the lumen upon implantation. The implant can include active agents to prevent or inhibit thrombotic closure of the channel, to promote vascularization, or both. | 11-13-2014 |
20140352131 | METHODS FOR CRIMPING A POLYMERIC STENT ONTO A DELIVERY BALLOON - A medical device-includes a polymer stent crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The stent is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes heating the stent to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve stent retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the stent when later deployed to support a body lumen. | 12-04-2014 |
20140353877 | CONTROL OF DEGRADATION PROFILE OF BIOABSORBABLE POLY(L-LACTIDE) SCAFFOLD - Methods of controlling the degradation profile of a biodegradable stent scaffolding are disclosed. Disclosed methods include controlling features of the degradation profile including the time to loss of radial strength and the degradation time of the stent. | 12-04-2014 |
20140364575 | POLYESTER IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH CONTROLLED IN VIVO BIODEGRADABILITY - This invention relates to blends of high, optionally medium, and low molecular weight polyesters where at least the low molecular weight polyester is substituted with an acidic moiety, the biodegradation of the blends being controllable by selection of the mean molecular weigh of each fraction, the quantity of each fraction in the blend and the amount and pKa of the acidic moiety(ies). | 12-11-2014 |
20140374963 | TUBE EXPANSION PROCESSES FOR SEMICRYSTALLINE POLYMERS TO MAXIMIZE FRACTURE TOUGHNESS - Methods for fabricating a polymeric stent with improved fracture toughness including radial expansion of a polymer tube and fabricating a stent from the expanded tube are disclosed. The polymer tube is disposed within a mold and may be heated with radiation. The heated tube radially expands within the mold. | 12-25-2014 |
20150054202 | METHOD TO MINIMIZE MOLECULAR WEIGHT DROP OF POLY(L-LACTIDE) STENT DURING PROCESSING - A method to reduce or minimize the reduction in molecular weight of a stent during processing is disclosed. The stent has a scaffolding including a polymer formulation comprising PLLA and polymandelide. The polymandelide reduces the molecular weight drop during processing, particularly during sterilization. The stent scaffolding can further include one or more additional stabilizing agents that additionally reduce the molecular weight drop during processing. | 02-26-2015 |
20150057744 | POLY(L-LACTIDE) STENT WITH TUNABLE DEGRADATION RATE - Methods of making a biodegradable polymeric stent made from poly(L-lactide) and a low concentration of L-lactide monomer is disclosed. The concentration of L-lactide is adjusted to provide a degradation behavior that is suitable for different treatment applications including coronary, peripheral, and nasal. Methods include making a poly(L-lactide) material for a stent with uniformly distributed L-lactide monomer through control of polymerization conditions during PLLA synthesis, control of post-processing conditions, or both. | 02-26-2015 |