Stents formed from dissimilar materials configured to control tissue growth. A stent may be formed from a composite wire helically wound into a stent having a tubular configuration. The composite wire includes a first wire and a second wire coupled together, the first and second wires being formed from dissimilar metals such that a potential difference is formed when the dissimilar metals are exposed to bodily fluids. The potential difference is configured to inhibit cell proliferation and thereby control tissue growth around the stent after implantation. A stent may be formed from a hollow composite wire including an inner member that includes first and second longitudinal strips formed from dissimilar metals. A stent may be formed from a composite wire having a plurality of windows along a length of the composite wire. An insert formed from a dissimilar metal is disposed within each window of the plurality of windows.

A stent includes a hollow wire formed into a stent pattern. The hollow wire includes an outer member, a lumen extending longitudinally within the hollow wire, at least one opening extending from an outer surface of the outer member to the lumen, and a surface area component within the hollow wire. The surface area component increases the amount of surface area available for tissue in-growth within the hollow wire. More than one surface area component may be utilized. Each surface area component may be disposed within the lumen or the at least one opening of the hollow wire. A pharmacologically or biologically active agent may be disposed within the lumen.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for manufacturing a stent are disclosed. The stent is a non-metallic stent having a furled small-diameter state and an expanded large-diameter state where the stent, in the furled small-diameter state, includes a plurality of central lobes arranged at spaced-apart intervals and extending longitudinally defining a stent axis, the plurality of central lobes defining a cylindrical plane of the stent. The stent also includes at least one peripheral lobe formed on at least one of the plurality of central lobes, the peripheral lobe oriented along the cylindrical plane.

A stent that includes a stent body and one or more weld joints, wherein the weld joints include a radiopaque material, and a method of making a stent that includes using a radiopaque filler material in a welding process.

The embodiments provide a spinal implant that is configured for midline insertion into a patient's intervertebral disc space. The spinal implant may have a body and the body comprises one or more apertures. The apertures receive fixation elements, such as a screw and the like. The fixation element may comprise one or more anti-backout features, such as a split ring. In addition, at least some of the apertures are designed to permit a predetermined amount of nutation by a fixation element. The apertures that allow nutation enable the fixation element to toggle from one position to another, for example, during subsidence of the implant in situ. Some of the apertures may be configured to rigidly lock with the fixation elements. Moreover, the spinal implant may include features, such as one or more bores, that can accommodate imaging marks to help guide a surgeon.

A system for implanting an inter-body device between adjacent vertebrae comprises an inter-body device having a plurality of cans secured to a flexible bridge and having a relief portion therebetween. An inserter tube and complementary bullnoses are advantageously secured to the vertebrae by an extension arm for securing the assembly precisely in place. A plurality of articulating trial implants are provided to test fit a disc space for the proper sized inter-body device.

An intervertebral implant component of an intervertebral implant includes an outer surface for engaging an adjacent vertebra and an inner surface. A keel extends from the outer surface and is designed to be disposed in a slot provided in the adjacent vertebra. This keel extends in a plane which is non-perpendicular to the outer surface; and preferably there are two of the keels extending from the outer surface which are preferably offset laterally from one another. In another embodiment, an anterior shelf is provided at an anterior end of the outer surface, and this anterior shelf extends vertically away from the inner surface in order to help prevent bone growth from the adjacent vertebra towards the inner surface. Further in accordance with disclosed embodiments, various materials, shapes and forms of construction of the component and/or keel provide various benefits.

A system for implanting an inter-body device between adjacent vertebrae comprises an inter-body device having a plurality of cans secured to a flexible bridge and having a relief portion therebetween. An inserter tube and complementary bullnoses are advantageously secured to the vertebrae by an extension arm for securing the assembly precisely in place. A plurality of articulating trial implants are provided to test fit a disc space for the proper sized inter-body device.

A catheter device having a shaft that extends from a proximal end to a distal end to carry on its distal end a self-expanding implant for intraluminal advance on a guidewire and delivery of the implant to an implant site by proximal withdrawal of a sheath that lies radially outside the implant in the catheter, the catheter including a first shaft element to pull the sheath proximally and a second shaft element to push the implant distally to prevent the implant moving proximally with the sheath when the sheath is pulled proximally, wherein the second shaft element carries a stopper for abutting the implant, the stopper including proximal and distal portions having different radiopacities.

A stent is formed by encasing or encapsulating metallic rings in an inner polymeric layer and an outer polymeric layer. At least one polymer link connects adjacent metallic rings. The stent is drug loaded with one or more therapeutic agent or drug, for example, to reduce the likelihood of the development of restenosis in the coronary arteries. The inner and outer polymeric materials can be of the same polymer or different polymer to achieve different results, such as enhancing flexibility and providing a stent that is visible under MRI, computer tomography and x-ray fluoroscopy.