Abstract: A controlled volume inflation-deflation device to inflate a balloon to occlude a blood vessel by dialing a knob that locks at rotational positions to locate a plunger at equally spaced locations within a syringe of the inflation-deflation device. The inflation-deflation device includes a releasable latch to lock the proximal and distal housings together to hold the plunger forward for occlusion, and to separate and hold the proximal and distal housings to retract the plunger for perfusion. When the inflation-deflation device is returned to the latched position, the balloon is re-inflated to its previous occlusive diameter. Also, an extension tube made of a lower modulus outer material co-extruded over and miscible with a higher modulus inner material may be used to produce a suitably low compliance extension tube for the inflation-deflation device.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and apparatus to prevent reperfusion injury. In one embodiment, blood flow proximal to a lesion is occluded. An infusion catheter is advanced to a region distal to the lesion and an anti-reperfusion injury drug is delivered. The lesion may then be treated with a dilating device to reintroduce blood flow to the region distal to the lesion.

Abstract: A method including advancing a delivery device through a lumen of a blood vessel to a particular region in the blood vessel; and introducing a synthetic apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A-I) mimetic peptide into a wall of the blood vessel at the particular region, wherein the peptide has a property that renders the peptide effective in reverse cholesterol transport. A composition including a synthetic apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) mimetic peptide, or combination of an Apo A-I synthetic peptide and an Acyl CoA cholesterol: acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor in a form suitable for delivery into a blood vessel, the peptide including an amino acid sequence in an order reverse to an order of an endogenous Apo A-I related peptide. A composition including an apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A-I) synthetic peptide in a form suitable for delivery into a blood vessel, the peptide including an amino acid backbone that has less amino acid residues relative to endogenous Apo A-I and a chimera of helix 1 and helix 9 of Apo A-I.

Abstract: A stent has first and second members. The stent is supported by a mandrel in a first position such that the mandrel is in contact with the first member and the second member is spaced from the mandrel. A method for coating the stent includes spraying or drying the stent, placing the stent in a second position such that the first member is spaced from the mandrel and the second member is placed in contact with the mandrel, and spraying or drying the stent while the stent is supported by the mandrel in the second position.

Abstract: Methods of incorporating an antioxidant into a medical device including a polymer are described, and methods of packaging medical devices.

Abstract: Methods of incorporating an antioxidant into a medical device including a polymer are described, and methods of packaging medical devices.

Abstract: A pattern is used to form a stent scaffold from a polymeric precursor tube having a particular outer diameter. A new pattern can be derived from a base pattern, wherein the new pattern can be used to form a stent scaffold from a precursor tube having an outer diameter ODPR smaller than that needed for the base pattern. The new pattern can be derived by determining the shape of a stent scaffold, having the base pattern, after having been radially compressed to ODPR. The radially compressed shape is used to design the new pattern, which is applied to a precursor tube having an outer diameter ODPR. The new pattern can have a plurality of W-shaped closed cells, each W-shape closed cell bounded by struts oriented in such a way to form interior angles from about 80 degrees to about 95 degrees between every two adjacent struts.

Abstract: A method for removing excess coating from a stent involves simultaneously applying a coating substance to the stent, rotating the stent about a first axis of rotation, and rotating the stent about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation. An apparatus for removing excess coating from a stent includes a first system configured to rotate the stent about an axis of rotation, a fixture configured to support the stent such that a longitudinal axis of the stent is generally parallel to the axis of rotation, and a second system configured to rotate the stent about the longitudinal axis of the stent while the stent is supported by the fixture.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device with improved fracture toughness through annealing, nucleating agents, or both are disclosed herein. A polymeric construct that is completely amorphous or that has a very low crystallinity is annealed with no or substantially no crystal growth to increase nucleation density. Alternatively, the polymer construct includes nucleating agent. The crystallinity of the polymer construct is increased with a high nucleation density through an increase in temperature, deformation, or both. An implantable medical device, such as a stent, can be fabricated from the polymer construct after the increase in crystallinity.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a soft distal tip member having a non-tacky inner (liner) layer material and a soft flexible outer layer material, with both materials being readily thermally bondable to the catheter balloon.

Abstract: Method of delivering a therapeutic agent includes delivering at least a portion of a medical device within a vasculature. The medical device includes a tubular member having a proximal end and distal end defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, an expandable member proximate the distal end of the tubular member, a tissue engaging member proximate the expandable member, a sheath disposed over the tissue engaging member, and a therapeutic agent disposed on at least the expandable member or the tissue engaging member. The method further includes deploying the tissue engaging member at a select location by displacement of the sheath relative the tissue engaging member, inflating the expandable member to engage the therapeutic agent with a vessel wall, deflating the expandable member, and withdrawing the medical device from the vasculature.

Abstract: Methods relating to polymer-bioceramic composite implantable medical devices are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for forming a “coating gradient” on medical devices, such as a balloon catheter or guidewire are disclosed. The balloon portion of the catheter could have a protective covering initially placed over it to prevent the balloon from receiving a first hydrophilic coating. After a first hydrophilic coating is applied to the catheter, the protective covering can be removed exposing the uncoated surface of the balloon. Next, after the protective covering has been removed, a second hydrophilic coating could be applied to the catheter. A guidewire having less lubricity at the distal end portion of the guidewire than the shaft portion which extends proximally away from the distal end section can be created. The method includes the application of a first hydrophilic coating on the elongated shaft and distal shaft section of the guidewire. This first hydrophilic coating is then allowed to cure. Next, the first hydrophilic coating is removed from a portion of the distal shaft section of the guidewire.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices including a coating having a bioactive agent and a poly(ester amide) polymer. Methods of forming these coatings are also described.

Abstract: A composition that includes nanoparticles with binding affinity for platelets, and methods for using this composition to treat vascular disease are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods of treating solid tumor cancers, particularly refractory cancers by administration of a drug capable of inhibiting mTOR and/or inhibiting an efflux pump and/or inhibiting HIF-1? and VEGF, the drug in particular being selected from the group consisting of sirolimus, everolimus, zotarolimus, tacrolimus, iolimus A9, deforolimus, AP23572, tacrolimus, temsirolimus, pimecrolimus, novolimus, 40-O-(3-hydroxypropyl), 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin and 40-O-tetrazolylrapamycin, the drug being administered along with a chemotherapeutic agent and/or radiation therapy.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a guidewire having a distal section with multiple distally tapered core segments with at least two contiguous distally tapering core segments in which the most distal tapered core segment preferably has a greater degree of taper than the proximally contiguous tapered core segment. The invention is also directed to an elongated intracorporeal device, preferably a guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal section of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that preferably is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal section of the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the regional delivery of therapeutic agents for the treatment of vascular diseases wherein regional delivery refers to delivery of a therapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic agent to an area of the vessel that includes not only afflicted tissue but non-afflicted tissue at the periphery of the afflicted tissue as well.

Abstract: A medical device having a lubricious coating on at least a section of the medical device, and a method of coating a medical device, the lubricious coating being a network of short chain and long chain hydrophilic compounds cross-linked to one another and interlocked with a network of a cross-linked polymerized multifunctional monomer or polymer. The coating can include one or more agents which provide enhanced adhesion of the coating on the device, or which provide faster hydration of the coating and/or improved lubricity. Additionally, the lubricious coating can be provided with one or more therapeutic or diagnostic agents, and in one embodiment the agent elutes relatively quickly in a concentrated release from the lubricious coating upon hydration of the coating.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by links. The links between adjacent rings provide axial strength when subjected to longitudinal compressive forces.