A catheter system includes a catheter. The catheter includes a catheter tip and an ultrasound assembly at least partially positioned within the catheter tip. The ultrasound assembly includes a first optical fiber coupled to an optical-to-ultrasound transducer and a second optical fiber coupled to an ultrasound-to-optical transducer. The optical-to-ultrasound transducer is configured to generate an ultrasound signal in response to a pulsed optical signal. The ultrasound-to-optical transducer is configured to generate an optical signal in response to a received ultrasound signal.

A catheter system includes a catheter. The catheter includes a catheter tip and an ultrasound assembly at least partially positioned within the catheter tip. The ultrasound assembly includes a first optical fiber coupled to an optical-to-ultrasound transducer and a second optical fiber coupled to an ultrasound-to-optical transducer. The optical-to-ultrasound transducer is configured to generate an ultrasound signal in response to a pulsed optical signal. The ultrasound-to-optical transducer is configured to generate an optical signal in response to a received ultrasound signal.

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.

Antimicrobial metal ion coatings. In particular, described herein are coatings including an anodic metal (e.g., silver and/or zinc and/or copper) that is co-deposited with a cathodic metal (e.g., palladium, platinum, gold, molybdenum, titanium, iridium, osmium, niobium or rhenium) on a substrate (including, but not limited to absorbable/resorbable substrates) so that the anodic metal is galvanically released as antimicrobial ions when the apparatus is exposed to a bodily fluid. The anodic metal may be at least about 25 percent by volume of the coating, resulting in a network of anodic metal with less than 20% of the anodic metal in the coating fully encapsulated by cathodic metal.

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.

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 implant for the cardiovascular system is provided, the implant is insertable into an organ and includes a body structure configured to be disposed inside an organ; and an electret coating disposed on the body structure; wherein the electret coating includes a negative charge such that a negative electrostatic field is formed in proximity of the body structure, the charge is such that the negative electrostatic field corresponds to a positive electrostatic field formed by a damaged tissue of the organ.

A biodegradable stent that is degraded in a living body includes a stent body that is made of a biodegradable material and is deformed to have an expanded diameter in the living body; and a biodegradable drug-coating portion formed on the stent body. The drug-coating portion is degraded, in an expansion retention period during which an expansion retention force (radial force) of the deformed diameter-expanded stent body that acts on an inner wall of a lumen thereof is maintained, and before 60% of a degradation period from indwelling of the stent body in the living body to complete degradation thereof elapses.

A biodegradable stent that is degraded in a living body includes a stent body that is made of a biodegradable material and is deformed to have an expanded diameter in the living body; and a biodegradable drug-coating portion formed on the stent body. The drug-coating portion is degraded, in an expansion retention period during which an expansion retention force (radial force) of the deformed diameter-expanded stent body that acts on an inner wall of a lumen thereof is maintained, and before 60% of a degradation period from indwelling of the stent body in the living body to complete degradation thereof elapses.

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.