Methods have been discovered that make it possible to continuously extrude tubes of P4HB and copolymers thereof. These methods allow tubes of P4HB and copolymers thereof to be produced without radial deformation of the tubes despite the slow crystallization of the polymer and copolymers. The methods can produce tubes of P4HB and copolymers thereof with tightly defined outside and inside diameters which are required for medical application. These tubes are produced by radial expansion at temperatures above the melting temperature of P4HB and copolymers thereof, and using low tube cooling temperatures and prolonged cooling times. The tubes made from P4HB and copolymers thereof are flexible, and can be prepared with high elongation to break values.

The sealing device (2) comprises a tubular sleeve (3) that can be radially deformed between a rest configuration and an inflated configuration; a fluid inlet fluidly fluidically connected to an inner chamber delimited by the tubular sleeve (3); an inner reinforcement casing (8) arranged around the tubular sleeve (3) and comprising a first inner reinforcement layer (9) consisting of reinforcement wires (10) wound helically around the tubular sleeve (3) in a first winding direction, and a second inner reinforcement layer (11) consisting of reinforcement wires (12) wound helically around the first inner reinforcement layer (9) in a second winding direction; and an outer reinforcement casing (21) arranged around the inner reinforcement casing (8), the outer reinforcement casing (21) comprising at least one outer reinforcement layer (22) consisting of reinforcement wires (23) extending parallel to the axis of extension (A) of the tubular sleeve (3).

The sealing device (2) comprises a tubular sleeve (3) that can be radially deformed between a rest configuration and an inflated configuration; a fluid inlet fluidly fluidically connected to an inner chamber delimited by the tubular sleeve (3); an inner reinforcement casing (8) arranged around the tubular sleeve (3) and comprising a first inner reinforcement layer (9) consisting of reinforcement wires (10) wound helically around the tubular sleeve (3) in a first winding direction, and a second inner reinforcement layer (11) consisting of reinforcement wires (12) wound helically around the first inner reinforcement layer (9) in a second winding direction; and an outer reinforcement casing (21) arranged around the inner reinforcement casing (8), the outer reinforcement casing (21) comprising at least one outer reinforcement layer (22) consisting of reinforcement wires (23) extending parallel to the axis of extension (A) of the tubular sleeve (3).

Systems and methods for uniformly expanding and heat setting medical devices. One method can include expanding a medical device by advancing the medical device over a preheated expander, the medical device being uniformly expanded as the medical device is advanced over the preheated expander; and heat setting the expanded medical device while the medical device is positioned over the expander, the preheated expander being maintained at a predetermined heat-setting temperature. The preheated expander can be positioned within a thermal chamber that maintains the preheated expander at the predetermined heat-setting temperature. The medical device can be physically separated from the preheated expander when the medical device is positioned over the expander and can be comprised of a shape-memory material. The preheated expander can remain heated during the expansion and heat setting of a plurality of medical devices.

Systems and methods for uniformly expanding and heat setting medical devices. One method can include expanding a medical device by advancing the medical device over a preheated expander, the medical device being uniformly expanded as the medical device is advanced over the preheated expander; and heat setting the expanded medical device while the medical device is positioned over the expander, the preheated expander being maintained at a predetermined heat-setting temperature. The preheated expander can be positioned within a thermal chamber that maintains the preheated expander at the predetermined heat-setting temperature. The medical device can be physically separated from the preheated expander when the medical device is positioned over the expander and can be comprised of a shape-memory material. The preheated expander can remain heated during the expansion and heat setting of a plurality of medical devices.

A medical device-includes a scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes inflating the delivery balloon during a diameter reduction to improve scaffold retention and maintaining an inflated balloon during the diameter reduction and prior and subsequent dwell periods.

The invention refers to a flexible conduit element (1) for the joint between an exhaust gas system and a combustion engine of a vehicle, comprising a bellows member (2) which defines a guiding channel (10) for guiding the exhaust gas of the combustion engine to an exhaust gas system, wherein at least a portion of a side surface of the bellows member (2) is coated with a high polymer layer (80), and an exhaust gas system for a vehicle having such a flexible conduit element.

A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold has a structure that produces a low late lumen loss when implanted within a peripheral vessel and also exhibits a high axial fatigue life. In a preferred embodiment the scaffold forms ring structures interconnected by links, where a ring has 12 crowns and at most two links connecting adjacent rings.

A tapered implantable device includes an ePTFE tubular member having a tapered length portion. The tapered length portion provides rapid recovery properties. The tapered length portion can feature a microstructure that includes a multiplicity of bent fibrils.

A tapered implantable device includes an ePTFE tubular member having a tapered length portion. The tapered length portion provides rapid recovery properties. The tapered length portion can feature a microstructure that includes a multiplicity of bent fibrils.