Abstract:
The stent placement dilation balloon assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end, a distal end portion, and a proximal end, a balloon mounted to, about, and around the distal end portion of the catheter. The assembly further includes an elastic sheath positioned about and around the balloon. The outer surface of the sheath includes a profile which encourages stent securement. A stent is mounted on the sleeve for placement in a vessel in a human body.
Abstract:
In accordance with one aspect, the invention relates to medical devices which comprise at least one reservoir, a therapeutic-agent-containing region disposed within the reservoir and an electrode comprising a conductive polymer. The devices of the invention are configured such that a rate of release of the therapeutic agent from the reservoir changes upon a change in the oxidation state of the conductive polymer.
Abstract:
An apparatus for depositing coating onto a substrate including a housing having a nozzle including a nozzle orifice, a fluid source configured to deliver coating fluid to the nozzle, and a solvent vapor emitter. The solvent vapor emitter can be located proximate to the nozzle, for example, such as behind the nozzle orifice and/or in a direction substantially parallel to a central axis of the housing. During coating, coating fluid may exit the nozzle and is deposited onto the substrate while the solvent vapor emitter emits solvent vapor proximate to the nozzle orifice.
Abstract:
Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are described. In some embodiments, a medical device includes a body of interconnected bands and connectors forming an elongated tubular structure having an inner luminal wall surface and an outer abluminal wall surface and defining a central lumen or passageway. The inner luminal wall surface and side wall surface of the bands and connectors forming transverse passageways through the elongated tubular structure can bear a coating of hydrophilic material and the outer abluminal wall surface of the tubular structure can bear a coating of hydrophobic material.
Abstract:
A medical implant includes a bioerodible portion that includes a bioerodible polymer and a bioerodible metal. The bioerodible polymer matrix degrades under physiological conditions to form acidic degradation products. The bioerodible metal degrades under physiological conditions to form basic degradation products. The acidic degradation products and the basic degradation products buffer at least a portion of the medical implant. In one aspect, the bioerodible portion includes a bioerodible polymer matrix and a bioerodible metal within the bioerodible polymer matrix. In another aspect, the medical implant can include a body, a plurality of discrete deposits of the bioerodible polymer on the body, and a plurality of discrete deposits of the bioerodible metal on the body.
Abstract:
Among other things, a bio-erodible implantable endoprosthesis comprises a member that includes (a) a core having a surface, and (b) a bio-erodible metal on a least a portion of the surface of the core, wherein the bio-erodible metal erodes more slowly than the core and includes openings through which physiological fluids can access the core upon implantation.
Abstract:
A stent formed from a bioabsorbable polymer matrix including at least one bioabsorbable polymer and at least one therapeutic agent dispersed therein, and methods of making the same.
Abstract:
A drug-eluting endoprosthesis that includes a bioerodible metal portion and a therapeutic agent. In some aspects, the endoprosthesis includes a plurality of discrete deposits and a plurality of overlying layers each overlying one of the plurality of discrete deposits. Each discrete deposit includes one or more therapeutic agents and each overlying layer includes one or more bioerodible metals. In other aspects, the bioerodible metal portion includes at least two bioerodible metal regions having different electronegativities. The at least two bioerodible metal regions being in electrical contact with each other. The bioerodible metal erodes in a physiological environment to release the therapeutic agent.
Abstract:
According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided which comprise a metallic region and a coating on all or part of the metallic region that comprises a multivalent acid.