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 composite material having a first phase includes an aluminum oxide proportion of at least 65% by volume and a second phase comprising a zirconium proportion of 10 to 35% by volume. The zirconium is present as zirconium oxide. The aluminum oxide is a ceramic matrix and the zirconium oxide is dispersed therein. From 90 to 99% of the zirconium oxide is present in the tetragonal phase. A chemical stabilizer for stabilizing the tetragonal phase of the zirconium oxide is also present. The total content of chemical stabilizer is <0.2 mol % relative to the zirconium oxide content.

A non-pyrogenic preparation containing nanoparticles synthesized by magnetotactic bacteria for medical or cosmetic applications. The nanoparticles are constituted by a crystallized mineral central part including predominantly an iron oxide, as well as a surrounding coating without material from the magnetotactic bacteria.

Two-dimensional materials, particularly graphene-based materials, having a plurality of apertures thereon can be formed into enclosures for various substances and introduced to an environment, particularly a biological environment (in vivo or in vitro). One or more selected substances can be released into the environment, one or more selected substances from the environment can enter the enclosure, one or more selected substances from the environment can be prevented from entering the enclosure, one or more selected substances can be retained within the enclosure, or combinations thereof. The enclosure can for example allow a sense-response paradigm to be realized. The enclosure can for example provide immunoisolation for materials, such as living cells, retained therein.

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.

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.

A medical guide wire including a core wire having a distal end-side small-diameter portion and a proximal end-side large-diameter portion, and a coil spring installed on an outer periphery of the distal end-side small-diameter portion of the core wire along an axial direction, having a front end-side small-diameter portion, a tapered portion and a rear end-side large-diameter portion, and fixed to the core wire, wherein the front end-side small-diameter portion of the coil spring has a length of 5 to 100 mm, and the outside diameter of a coil thereof is at most 0.012 inch, the front end portion of the coil spring is fixed to the core wire by a gold-containing solder, and a length of a distal end portion stiffened by the gold-containing solder is 0.1 to 0.5 mm.