Abstract:
The present invention provides block copolymers, e.g ., thermoplastic elastomers, having at least one monomer that is covalently bonded to a sulfonate moiety. The present invention also provides block copolymers, e.g ., thermoplastic elastomers, having at least one monomer that is covalently bonded to a peptide. The present invention also provides methods for making and using ( e.g ., in articles of manufacture such as medical devices) the copolymers of the present invention.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for coating portions of a workpiece as well as to workpieces that have themselves been coated in accord with the invention. Under these methods and processes of the invention, a means to repel may be positioned on a mandrel prior to applying a coating to the workpiece. The means to repel may prevent the coating of a target surface of the workpiece.
Abstract:
Therapeutic-agent-releasing medical devices are provided herein, which contain a rate controlling release region that includes a biodisintegrable agent and a biostable low glass transition temperature polymer. Upon contact (e.g., implantation or insertion) of the medical device with a subject, at least the surface of the release region becomes depleted of the biodisintegrable agent, and the low glass transition temperature polymer migrates to occupy at least a portion of the volume that is created by the departure of the biodisintegrable agent, thereby forming a barrier layer for therapeutic agent remaining within the device.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for coating surface of medical devices using coating heads are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention includes a coating method using a coating head, wherein the coating head comprises at least one outlet orifice from which flows a coating material, to deposit at least one layer of coating material dispelled through the outlet orifice onto the surface of the medical device. In another embodiment, a slide coating head is used to deposit multiple layers of superposed coating materials. These methods are used to apply one or more coating materials, simultaneously or in sequence. In certain embodiments of the invention, the coating materials include therapeutic agents, polymers, sugars, waxes, or fats.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for coating portions of a workpiece as well as to workpieces that have themselves been coated in accord with the invention. Under these methods and processes of the invention, a means to repel may be positioned on a mandrel prior to applying a coating to the workpiece. The means to repel may prevent the coating of a target surface of the workpiece.
Abstract:
According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions, which in turn contain at least one block copolymer. The block copolymer includes (a) at least one high T g (glass transition temperature) polymer block that contains at least one high T g vinyl ether monomer and (b) at least one low T g polymer block that contains at least one low T g vinyl ether monomer.
Abstract:
According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. These polymeric regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers, at least one of which is a copolymer that includes the following: (a) one or more unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer species and (b) one or more heteroatom-containing monomer species.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to phase separated polymeric regions and to their use in conjunction with implantable or insertable medical devices. In some aspects of the invention, phase separated polymeric regions are provided that include (a) at least one biostable polymeric phase and (b) at least one biodisintegrable polymeric phase, which is of nanoscale dimensions and which undergoes biodisintegration such that the phase separated polymeric region becomes a nanoporous polymeric region in vivo. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods of making implantable or insertable medical devices having at least one nanoporous polymeric region. These methods include (a) providing a phase separated polymeric region comprising a stable polymeric phase and a disintegrate polymeric phase of nanoscale dimensions, (b) selectively removing the disintegrable polymeric phase thereby producing the nanoporous polymeric region. In still other aspects, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided which have phase separated polymeric regions that include (a) at least one block copolymer having at least one biostable polymer block and at least one biodisintegrable polymer block and (b) at least one therapeutic agent which is released in vivo upon implantation or insertion of the medical device.
Abstract:
Medical articles, such as drug-releasing patches or implantable or insertable medical devices, which comprise a medical article substrate and a therapeutic-agent-containing region. The therapeutic-agent-containing region further comprises (i) a water-dispersible therapeutic agent therapeutic agent and (ii) coalesced polymer particles supplied by an aqueous dispersion. Also described are methods of forming such medical articles, and methods of releasing a therapeutic agent within a patient using such medical articles.
Abstract:
The present invention provides block copolymers, e.g., thermoplastic elastomers, having at least one monomer that is covalently bonded to a sulfonate moiety. The present invention also provides block copolymers, e.g., thermoplastic elastomers, having at least one monomer that is covalently bonded to a peptide. The present invention also provides methods for making and using (e.g., in articles of manufacture such as medical devices) the copolymers of the present invention.