With a monolayer honeycomb-lattice of sp-hybridized carbon atoms, graphene has demonstrated exceptional electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. One of its promising applications is to create graphene-polymer nanocomposites with tailored mechanical and physical properties. In general, the mechanical properties of graphene nanofiller as well as graphene-polymer interface govern the overall...

OBJECTIVE The aim of the current study was to evaluate the early experience of the application of transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the balloon-expandable system in China. The transcatheter aortic valve implantation technology has been widely used for patients with inoperable severe aortic stenosis in the developed world. The application of transcatheter aortic valve implantation is ...

A glutaraldehyde preserved valved bovine jugular xenograft mounted in a nitinol 'Z' stent, expandable from 7 to 28 mm of internal diameter, was evaluated in vitro (column of water developing a pressure of 45 mmHg and a mock loop including a pulsatile pump) and in vivo in five adult pigs with intra-vascular ultrasound to measure the inferior vena cava diameter via a retroperitoneal access. Throu...

The primary goal in the treatment of malignant obstruction is the relief of jaundice. Although operative biliary bypass is a reliable method of palliation, nonoperative palliation may be desirable in selected patients. We report our experience with forty-eight self expandable metallic biliary endoprostheses (Wallstent) percutaneously placed in 35 patients with irresectable malignant biliary obs...

STUDY OBJECTIVE To report the first series of patients with severe airway manifestations of relapsing polychondritis (RP) that were managed successfully with self-expandable metallic stents, and to review the literature. DESIGN Retrospective review of medical records, and current clinical follow-up. SETTING Tertiary care referral hospital. PATIENTS All patients with airway manifestations ...

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Membrane-covered self-expandable metal stents are effective in preventing tumor ingrowth and stent obstruction in patients with inoperable esophageal cancer, but migration of stents continues to be a major problem. We therefore constructed a modified covered self-expandable esophageal metal stent capable of being fixed using a silk thread. The stent was studied prospec...

OBJECTIVES We sought to determine the basis for restenosis within superficial femoral arteries (SFAs) and hemodialysis conduits treated with balloon-expandable stents. BACKGROUND Use of stents within coronary and peripheral vessels continues to increase exponentially. The mechanism of restenosis within stents placed at various vascular sites is not well understood. In particular, the implicat...

BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer is the seventh-most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths and it is usually diagnosed at an inoperable stage. In palliative treatment, endoscopic and non-endoscopic methods are applied to reduce dysphagia in patients with neoplastic esophageal obstruction. Because of severe complications, non-endoscopic treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, brachytherapy and chemother...

Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of death from cancer worldwide [1]. Due to the esophagus distensible characteristics, patients may not recognize any symptoms until 50% of the luminal diameter is compromised explaining why cancer of the esophagus is generally associated with late presentation and poor prognosis [2]. Esophageal stents are devices used to maintain or restore the lumen...