A method for treating an intestine with an expandable scaffolding expanded within the intestine. After placing the expandable scaffolding at a target location, such as across a fistula, the first and second end portions of the expandable scaffolding are radially expanded such that the first and second end portions contact an inner surface of the intestine on opposing sides of the fistula, anchoring the first and second end portions to the intestine. Radially expanding the first and second end portions foreshortens the medial portion along the longitudinal axis such that the first and second end portions are drawn closer together along the longitudinal axis as the medial portion foreshortens to close the fistula.

An implantable artificial bronchus including a body having a proximal upper opening and a distal lower opening. The distal lower opening being in fluid communication with the proximal upper opening, and the body at least partially tapering along a length toward the distal lower opening. The body having a plurality of side openings configured to allow air to enter into and exit the implantable artificial bronchus through the body. A length of the body is greater than 4 times the size of a largest diameter of the body, and the diameter of the proximal upper opening is larger than a diameter of the distal lower opening.

A medical device and methods for altering lung volume are disclosed. The medical device includes a coil formed of a biodegradable material including a first bioabsorbable material that is configured to deactivate a portion of a lung as the coil degrades. The method includes positioning a first coil adjacent a first target within a patient and permitting the first coil to degenerate such that a first bioabsorbable material deactivates a first portion of a lung. The first coil is formed of a biodegradable material and includes the first bioabsorbable material.

An implantable artificial bronchus (IAB) is provided that is used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as pulmonary emphysema. The implantable artificial bronchus can be made with silicone or nitinol, and has a tapered cylindrical shape. Additional embodiments of this apparatus may be further associated with a one-way valve on the nozzle of the IAB.

A stent includes a tubular body formed of one or more interwoven wires, the tubular body having first and second opposing open ends and a lumen extending therebetween. The stent further includes a first anchor member disposed adjacent the first open end and a second anchor member disposed adjacent the second open end, the first and second anchor members each extending radially outward from the tubular body, the first and second anchor members each having an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tubular body disposed between the first and second anchor members. A plurality of spacer members are disposed around the first open end and extending longitudinally beyond the first open end, wherein when a pulling force is applied to the spacer members, the outer diameter of the tubular body is not reduced.

A method of using a self-adjusting stent assembly includes estimating body lumen diameter(s) associated with a portion of a body lumen in which a stent assembly will be placed; determining, based on the estimated diameter(s), target expanded stent diameter(s) of the stent assembly which is to be placed in the portion of the body lumen; selecting the stent assembly for stenting the portion of the body lumen, wherein the stent assembly is configured to: expand from an initial to expanded diameters within a range of expanded diameters; wherein the range of expanded diameters is from about 9 mm to about 5.5 mm; and wherein the target expanded stent diameter(s) is/are within the range of expanded diameters; and apply a chronic radial force to a wall that forms the portion of the lumen, wherein the radial force is less than about 0.33 N/mm.

Devices, systems, and methods for improving airflow within an airway. One example embodiment includes a method for treating a subject. The method includes (1) placing an expandable object into one or more airways of the bronchial tree of the subject, (2) expanding the expandable object within at least one of the one or more airways such that at least a portion of a wall of the one or more airways is expanded, and (3) placing a stent in the airway such that a portion of the stent is adjacent to the portion of the wall of the one or more expanded airways.

Devices, systems, and methods for improving airflow within an airway. One example embodiment includes a method for treating a subject. The method includes (1) placing an expandable object into one or more airways of the bronchial tree of the subject, (2) expanding the expandable object within at least one of the one or more airways such that at least a portion of a wall of the one or more airways is expanded, and (3) placing a stent in the airway such that a portion of the stent is adjacent to the portion of the wall of the one or more expanded airways.

In a method for producing an implant from a biocompatible silicone, a 3D mathematical model of an implant to be produced is used to create a 3D model of a casting mold for the implant as a negative. The casting mold is produced from a polymeric material through an additive manufacturing process and coated through vapor deposition of a coating material from the parylene family at least in a region that comes into contact with the biocompatible silicone to be cast. A platinum-catalyzed 2-component thermosetting silicone as the biocompatible silicone for the implant is introduced into a mold cavity of the coated casting mold, with a residence time of the implant in a patient's body of more than 29 days. The casting mold is heated to vulcanize the biocompatible silicone, and after cooling down the vulcanized implant is demolded from the casting mold.

A stent assembly for insertion into an airway of a patient includes a stent defining an interior pathway along a length of the stent. The stent assembly includes a removal instrument for removal of the stent from the airway of the patient. The removal instrument is configured to cause a helical motion of the stent to remove the stent from the airway of the patient.