MEDICAL DEVICES
Medical devices, such as stents, stent-grafts, grafts, guidewires, and filters, having enhanced radiopacity are disclosed.
1 .- 20 . (canceled)
21 . A medical device, comprising:
a structure comprising
a first portion comprising a mixture including a radiopaque composition and a second composition, the mixture having a yield strength less than a yield strength of the substantially pure radiopaque composition, and
a second portion comprising a third composition less radiopaque than the mixture.
22 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the second composition is selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, calcium, potassium, bismuth, and oxygen.
23 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the first portion has a yield strength less than about 80 ksi.
24 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the second portion encapsulates the first portion.
25 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the third composition comprises a shape memory material.
26 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the third composition has superelastic characteristics.
27 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the third composition comprises a nickel-titanium alloy.
28 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the third composition comprises stainless steel.
29 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the third composition comprises a shape memory polymer.
30 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the first composition has a density greater than about 9.9 g/cc.
31 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the first composition comprises a material selected from the group consisting of gold, tantalum, palladium, and platinum.
32 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the first composition is in the form of a powder.
33 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the first composition is in the form of fibers.
34 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the structure further comprises a third portion comprising the third composition, and the first portion is between the second and third portions.
35 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the structure is in the form of a wire.
36 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the structure is a tubular member.
37 . The device of claim 21 , in the form of a self-expandable stent.
38 . The device of claim 21 , in the form of a balloon-expandable stent.
39 . The device of claim 21 , in the form of a stent-graft.
40 . The device of claim 39 , wherein the stent-graft comprises a therapeutic agent.
41 . The device of claim 21 , in the form of an intravascular filter.
42 .- 55 . (canceled)