Abstract: A guidewire having a spreader or at least one centering device which may be used to open occluded vessels or other biological passages, especially chronic total occlusions. The guidewire may be used to either open the lumen or to center a boring device within the lumen, so that the chronic total occlusion can be crossed, and an interventional procedure can then be performed.

Abstract: A stent-graft fabricated from a thin-walled, high strength material provides for a more durable and lower profile endoprosthesis. The stent-graft comprises one or more stent segments covered with a fabric formed by the weaving, knitting or braiding of a biocompatible, high tensile strength, abrasion resistant, highly durable yarn such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The one or more stent segments may be balloon expandable or self-expanding. The fabric may be attached to the stent segments utilizing any number of known materials and techniques. The fabric may be attached to the stent segments utilizing an attachment device that secures the fabric to a strut of the stent segment by sandwiching the fabric between itself and the stent strut.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. In each of these instances, antioxidants are utilized to prolong product integrity.

Abstract: Liquid formulations, including solutions and suspensions of the various drugs, agents and/or compounds, may be locally or regionally delivered for the treatment of vascular disease. In each of these instances, antioxidants are utilized to prolong product integrity.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the formation of blood clots. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the formation of blood clots. Therapeutic agents may also be delivered to the region of a disease site. In regional delivery, liquid formulations may be desirable to increase the efficacy and deliverability of the particular drug. Also, the devices may be modified to promote endothelialization.

Abstract: A biocompatible material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. Polymeric materials may be utilized to fabricate any of these devices, including stents. The stents may be balloon expandable or self-expanding. By preferential mechanical deformation of the polymer, the polymer chains may be oriented to achieve certain desirable performance characteristics.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the formation of blood clots. Also, the devices may be modified to promote endothelialization. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: A rapamycin analog with an antioxidant moiety or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is an immunomodulatory agent and is useful in the treatment of restenosis and immune and autoimmune diseases. Also disclosed are cancer-, fungal growth-, restenosis-, post-transplant tissue rejection- and immune- and autoimmune disease- inhibiting compositions and a method of inhibiting cancer, fungal growth, restenosois, post-transplant tissue rejection, and immune and autoimmune disease in a mammal. One particular preferred application of such antioxidant moiety containing rapamycin analog is in medicated devices wherein the stability and resistance to oxidative processes are essential to the success of rapamycin containing combination devices.

Abstract: An aneurysmal repair system that utilizes a modified apex and delivery device is designed for accurate endoprosthesis delivery and deployment. The modified apex utilizes segments that overlap and hold one another down as well as the fixation barbs attached thereto. The delivery device holds or secures at least one section of the apex and may be easily released by retraction of a hold down member.

Abstract: Processes for coating implantable medical devices that improve the stability of therapeutic agents contained within the coating.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, including self-expanding stents, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The devices utilized to deliver the implantable medical devices may be modified to reduce the potential for damaging the implantable medical device during deployment.

Abstract: A stent graft having graft material attached to a stent structure while providing a low profile to the stent graft in its crimped state. The graft material may be attached to an internal surface, an external surface, or both the internal surface and the external surface of the stent. The graft material may cover all or part of such surfaces. The stent graft is expandable upon delivery to the intended treatment site. The expandable nature of the stent graft may be accomplished by self-expanding materials, or through other methods, such as balloon expansion, as generally practiced in the art. The stent graft material is comprised of durable biocompatible materials as generally practiced in the art. The stent graft in its crimped state comprises a low profile fluid flow conduit that is preferably percutaneously delivered, but that may be surgically emplaced to the intended treatment site.

Abstract: An improved process for coating implantable medical devices utilizes a number of techniques for improving the stability of therapeutic agents contained within the coating. The stability of the therapeutic agents may be improved by creating substantially solvent-free, amorphous forms of the therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A system for loading self-expanding stents into a stent delivery system that comprises a lubricious coating on one or more components to substantially reduce the frictional forces associated with loading stents. The stents may be bare or coated stents. The lubricious coating comprises glycerol.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the formation of blood clots. Also, the devices may be modified to promote endothelialization. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: A stent or other intraluminal medical device may be constructed utilizing a series of anvil bridges interposed between a series of fixed bridges to reduce the likelihood of deformation during stent loading and stent deployment without sacrificing overall stent flexibility. The stent comprises a plurality of hoops interconnected by a plurality of fixed bridges. The stent also comprises a plurality of anvil bridges, which transmit forces only when the stent is subjected to compressive axial loading. The stent may also comprise markers formed from housings integral with the stent and marker inserts having a higher radiopacity than the stent. This design provides for more precise placement and post-procedural visualization in a vessel, by increasing the radiopacity of the stent under X-ray fluoroscopy. The housings are formed integral to the stent and the marker inserts are made from a material close in the galvanic series to the stent material and sized to substantially minimize the effect of galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: Local drug delivery medical devices are utilized to deliver therapeutic dosages of drugs, agents or compounds directly to the site where needed. The local drug delivery medical devices utilize various materials and coating methodologies to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: A pulmonary decompression device may be utilized to remove trapped air in the lung or lungs, thereby reducing the volume of diseased lung tissue. A lung reduction device may passively decompress the lung or lungs. In order for the system to be effective, an airtight seal between the parietal and visceral pleurae is required. Chemical pleurodesis is utilized for creating the seal.

Abstract: The invention is a system, apparatus, and method for treating or repairing, an aneurysm in a large vessel, such as a thoracic aneurysm. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention include a first prosthesis for anchoring a proximal end of the system in the blood vessel, a second prosthesis for anchoring a distal end of the system, and at least one third second prosthesis for bypassing the aneurysm, the first prosthesis optionally further comprising a seat or the like adapted and configured to receive the third prosthesis.