Abstract:
A coating for a medical device, particularly for a stent, is described. The coating comprises a polymer and a biologically responsive compound. The coating can also contain a drug to provide enhanced therapeutic effect.
Abstract:
Polymers that can form the substrate of an implantable medical device and form coatings for implantable medical devices and methods for their fabrication are disclosed, the coatings comprising polymers that are hydrolyzed at a substantially constant rate or that have been prepared so that they degrade at a rate closer to constant.
Abstract:
Polymers containing poly(ester amides) and agents for use with medical articles and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. The medical article generally comprises an implantable substrate having a coating, and the coating contains a polymer comprising a polymeric product of a reaction comprising a polyol, a polycarboxylic acid, an amino acid and an agent.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a drug eluting stent, is disclosed. The method includes subjecting an implantable medical device that includes a polymer to a thermal condition. The thermal condition can result in reduction of the rate of release of an active agent from the device subsequent to the implantation of the device and/or improve the mechanical properties of a polymeric coating on the device.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for forming a coating on implantable medical devices including an interpenetrating polymer network that serves as a rate limiting barrier.
Abstract:
A hybrid stent is formed which exhibits both high flexibility and high radial strength. The expandable hybrid stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, consists of radially expandable cylindrical rings generally aligned on a common longitudinal axis and interconnected by one or more links. In one embodiment, a dip-coated covered stent is formed by encapsulating cylindrical rings within a polymer material. In other embodiments, at least some of the rings and links are formed of a polymer material which provides longitudinal and flexural flexibility to the stent. These polymer rings and links are alternated with metallic rings and links in various configurations to attain sufficient column strength along with the requisite flexibility in holding open the target site within the body lumen. Alternatively, a laminated, linkless hybrid stent is formed by encapsulating cylindrical rings within a polymer tube.
Abstract:
A hybrid stent is formed which exhibits both high flexibility and high radial strength. The expandable hybrid stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, consists of radially expandable cylindrical rings generally aligned on a common longitudinal axis and interconnected by one or more links. In one embodiment, a dip-coated covered stent is formed by encapsulating cylindrical rings within a polymer material. In other embodiments, at least some of the rings and links are formed of a polymer material which provides longitudinal and flexural flexibility to the stent. These polymer rings and links are alternated with metallic rings and links in various configurations to attain sufficient column strength along with the requisite flexibility in holding open the target site within the body lumen. Alternatively, a laminated, linkless hybrid stent is formed by encapsulating cylindrical rings within a polymer tube.
Abstract:
An implantable medical device, such as a stent or graft, having asperities on a designated region of its outer surface is disclosed. The asperities can serve to improve retention of one or more layers of a coating on the device and to increase the amount of coating that can be carried by the device. The asperities can be formed by using a stream of pressurized grit to roughen the surface. The asperities can also be formed by removing material from the outer surface, for example, by chemical etching with or without a patterned mask. Alternatively, the asperities can be formed by adding material to the outer surface, for example, by welding powder particles to the outer surface or sputtering.
Abstract:
Coatings for an implantable medical device and a method of fabricating thereof are disclosed, the coatings comprising a biologically degradable, biologically erodable, and/or biologically resorbable ABA or AB block copolymer. A biologically active agent can be conjugated to the block copolymer.
Abstract:
A stent of variable surface area as determined by stent struts. The stent can have a variable surface area per unit length which accommodates a therapeutic agent. A patterned distribution of therapeutic agent can be provided throughout the stent. The stent can have an increased level of therapeutic agent near an end of the stent. A decreased level of therapeutic agent can be provided near an end of one embodiment of a stent. Indentations can be provided at the surface of the stent with therapeutic agent disposed therein. The stent can be cut with struts of variable thickness to provide the variable stent surface area.