Medical devices and methods for delivering fluid. The medical devices include one or more needles for delivering fluid. The methods may include expanding an expandable member such as an inflatable member to expand an expandable scaffold outward toward a lumen wall.

A biodegradable in vivo supporting device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a coated stent device includes a biodegradable metal alloy scaffold made from a magnesium alloy, iron alloy, zinc alloy, or combination thereof, and the metal scaffold comprises a plurality of metal struts. The metal struts are at least partially covered with a biodegradable polymer coating. A method for making and a method for using a biodegradable in vivo supporting device are also disclosed.

A lumen stent preform is provided using a plasma nitriding technology, a preparation method thereof, a method for preparing a lumen stent by using the preform, and a lumen stent obtained according to the method. The preform is manufactured by using pure iron or an iron alloy containing no strong nitrogen compound, has a hardness of 160-250HV0.05/10, and has a microstructure that is a deformed structure having a grain size scale greater than or equal to 9 or a deformed structure after cold machining. Alternatively, the preform is an iron alloy containing a strong nitrogen compound, and has a microstructure that is a deformed structure having a grain size scale greater than or equal to 9 or a deformed structure after cold machining. The lumen stent preform meets the requirements of a conventional stent for radial strength and plasticity, so that plasma nitriding is applicable to commercial preparation of a lumen stent.

A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a plurality of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The staples comprise staple legs which extend from a staple base portion. The staple legs comprise staple tips configured to pierce tissue and contact a corresponding forming pocket of an anvil of surgical stapling instrument. The staples further comprise zones having different hardnesses.

A X-ray detectable bioabsorbable bone screw comprises a light-emitting element, a light-sensing element, a transparent inner encapsulant body, an outer covering body, and two conductive frames on which. An optically reflective surface is in contact and formed between the dome enclosing portion of the transparent inner encapsulant body and the outer encapsulant body. A portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting element is reflected to the light-sensing element through the optically reflective surface, and the other portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is directly emitting to the light-sensing element through the transparent inner encapsulant body. The present invention applies the optically reflective surface to minimize the overlapping area between the two conductive frames, and reduces the capacitance value, and increases the CMRR in a manner that the photo coupler of the present invention is able to meet the standard of electrical characteristics as required.

Medical devices utilizing shape memory alloys and associated methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward a treatment element configured to be positioned within a body lumen and coupled to an energy source. At least a portion of the treatment element may be made of a shape memory alloy, and wherein application of thermal energy to the treatment element from the energy source transforms the treatment element from the martensitic state to the austenitic state in which the treatment element is configured to cut, ablate, resect, and/or cauterize tissue.

Disclosed are adsorbent materials that comprise a porous material having a continuous silica phase coated with a carbon layer, and a water-insoluble precipitate comprising a metal cation and an anion disposed substantially evenly throughout the adsorbent material. In some examples, the plurality of pores can have an average characteristic dimension of from 0.1 Å to 100 Å. The water-insoluble precipitate can be formed in the plurality of pores of the porous material by contacting the porous material with a first aqueous solution comprising a metal cation; and contacting the porous material with a second aqueous solution comprising an anion; wherein the metal cation and the anion combine to form the water-insoluble precipitate in the plurality of pores of the porous material, thereby forming the adsorbent material.

A drug eluting stent is provided that includes a Ni-free Ti-17Nb-6Ta stent, and Ti-17Nb-6Ta oxides nanotubes grown on an inner wall of the Ti-17Nb-6Ta stent, where the Ti-17Nb-6Ta oxides nanotubes are configured for holding and releasing drugs to enable enhanced endothelialization for better healing.

A geared continuously variable transmission (GCVT) is provided. The GCVT includes a first set of solar gears having a first solar gear and first plurality of connection components. Power enters the GCVT through the first set of solar gears. The GCVT includes a second set of solar gears having a second solar gear and second plurality of connection components. Power exits the GCVT through the second set of solar gears. Power is transmitted from the first set of solar gears to the second set of solar gears via the first plurality of connection components and the second plurality of connection components. The GCVT includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor connecting first component from the first plurality of connection components to second component from the second plurality of connection components and providing constant rotation ratio between the first component and the second component.

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to compositions and methods for enhancing attachment of soft tissues to a metal prosthetic device. In one embodiment a construct is provided comprising a metal implant having a porous metal region, wherein said porous region exhibits a nano-textured surface.