Abstract:
A method including positioning a catheter at a location in a blood vessel; imaging a thickness of a portion of a wall of the blood vessel at the location; identifying a treatment site; advancing a needle a distance into the wall of the blood vessel to the treatment site; and introducing a treatment agent through the needle to the treatment site. A composition including an inflammation-inducing agent and a carrier in the form of microspheres having a particle size suitable for transvascular delivery. A composition including a therapeutic angiogenesis promoter in a carrier and an opsonin-inhibitor coupled to the carrier. An apparatus for delivery of a therapeutic angiogenesis promoter.
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.
Abstract:
A drug delivery balloon is provided, the a balloon having an outer surface, and a tunable coating disposed on at least a length of the balloon surface. The tunable coating includes a first therapeutic agent and a first excipient, and can include a second therapeutic agent and a second excipient. The first and second therapeutic agents have different dissolution rates during balloon inflation and therefore provide a coating that is tunable.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a drug-delivery coating for a stent is disclosed. The method comprises covering the outer surface of the stent; applying a first composition to the inner surface of the stent to form a first coating; covering the first coating on the inner surface of the stent; and applying a second composition to the outer surface of the stent to form a second coating.
Abstract:
This invention relates to photodynamic therapy (PDT), more specifically PDT for atherosclerotic plaque via delivering PDT-loaded nanoparticles such as liposomes, polymersomes, micelles and polymeric nanoparticles into the diseased vascular tissue. This invention provides method and formulations for delivering multiple drugs and delivering drugs to specific targeted site.
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.
Abstract:
A system for coating implantable medical devices, such as stents, and a method of coating stents using the system is also disclosed. The system includes a barrier or barriers for isolating an area of the stent on which a composition for coating a stent is applied. Two coating compositions can be applied simultaneously to a stent by separate nozzles on different sides of a barrier. Cross-contamination of the compositions is prevented by the barrier.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of polishing an implantable medical device. The method may include positioning an implantable medical device on a support. At least a portion of a surface of the implantable medical device may include a polymer. A fluid may be contacted with at least a portion of the surface of the positioned implantable medical device. In an embodiment, the fluid may be capable of dissolving at least a portion of the polymer at or near the surface of the implantable medical device. The method may further include allowing the fluid to modify at least a portion of the surface of the positioned medical device. A majority of the contacted fluid may be removed from the surface of the implantable medical device. In certain embodiments, the modified portion of the surface may be substantially less thrombogenetic and substantially more mechanically stable than an unmodified surface.
Abstract:
Drug-delivery stents capable of providing release of two or more drugs such as everolimus and estradiol are provided. The stents can be used for treating a disease such as restenosis and vulnerable plaque.