Abstract:
The invention provides an implantable medical device comprising: a structural element, wherein the structural element includes: a continuous phase comprising a first polymer; a discrete phase within the continuous phase, wherein the discrete phase has a second polymer including discrete phase segments; and anchor segments that have substantially the same chemical make up as the first polymer of the continuous phase; wherein at least some of the anchor segments have partially or completely phase-separated from the discrete phase into the continuous phase.
Abstract:
A method of making a therapeutic composition, as well as the therapeutic composition so made, is disclosed. The method comprises mixing a hydrophobic drug with an aqueous buffer solution and adding a surfactant to the aqueous buffer solution to form the therapeutic composition. A implantable medical device with the therapeutic composition and a method of making a coating for an implantable medical device containing the therapeutic composition is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An intravascular stent includes an eluting sheath fabricated from a mesh for controlled release of therapeutic drugs and for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel. The eluting sheath is attached to at least a portion of an outside surface area of the stent structure and is fabricated from a mesh designed to neck down in response to a radially outward directed force resulting in the uniform expansion of the stent. The eluting sheath can be loaded with at least one therapeutic drug for the release thereof at a treatment site to facilitate repair of a damaged vessel. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.
Abstract:
The present invention generally encompasses the control of the release rate of agents from a polymeric matrix. This control over the release rate of agents provides for control over, inter alia, the therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic, and ameliorative effects that are realized by a patient in need of such treatment. In addition, the control of the release rate of agents also has an effect upon the mechanical integrity of the polymeric matrix, as well as a relationship to a subject's absorption rate of the absorbable polymers.
Abstract:
An intravascular stent includes an eluting sheath fabricated from a mesh for controlled release of therapeutic drugs and for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel. The eluting sheath is attached to at least a portion of an outside surface area of the stent structure and is fabricated from a mesh designed to neck down in response to a radially outward directed force resulting in the uniform expansion of the stent. The eluting sheath can be loaded with at least one therapeutic drug for the release thereof at a treatment site to facilitate repair of a damaged vessel. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.
Abstract:
Polymers containing poly(hydroxyalkanoates) 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 poly(hydroxyalkanoate).
Abstract:
Embodiments of coatings for implantable medical devices, such as stents, are disclosed. The devices may include at least one structural element having an abluminal side, luminal side, and sidewalls between the abluminal and luminal sides. The coating may include at least two continuous coating layers. In some embodiments, the luminal side, and all or a majority of the sidewalls are free of at least two of the coating layers.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method to treat vulnerable plaque. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an elongated catheter body adapted for insertion in a body lumen, with a drug delivery device attached near a distal portion of the elongated body. The drug delivery device is configured to deliver a biologically active agent to stabilize a vulnerable plaque.