Abstract: Apparatus, method and system for cutting a polymeric stent including the use of a polymeric mandrel as a laser shielding device. The polymeric mandrel is allowed to roll freely within a polymeric tube that is cut into a polymeric stent.

Abstract: Acceleration of the endothelialization process on implantable medical devices having at least one blood-contacting surface is achieved by a microscale pattern of sub-sections of EC-inductive coatings or EC-conductive coatings and nano/macro textured surfaces. The EC-inductive coating and EC-conductive coating can be applied either on the entire surface of the blood-contacting surface or selective placed on the blood-contacting surface, for example, in particular patterns. In this regard, the EC-conductive and EC-inductive coatings can be selectively placed relative to the textured surface to achieve a desired pattern of texture surface to coatings.

Abstract: An intravascular stent is provided to be implanted in coronary arteries and other body lumens. The transverse cross-section of at least some of the stent struts have a ratio of polar and bending moments of inertia, which results in optimal resistance to stent twisting. This resistance to twisting ratio for the stent struts minimizes out of plane twisting of the struts or projecting edges of the struts when the stent is expanded from a compressed diameter to an expanded diameter in a coronary artery.

Abstract: Polymeric stents having fracture toughness and resistance to recoil after deployment are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such stents. Improvements to mechanical characteristics and other improvements may be achieved by having polymer chains within individual stent struts oriented in a direction that is closer to or in line with the axis of the individual stent struts. The struts are connected to each other by hinge elements that are configured to bend during crimping and deployment of the stent. Ring struts form ring structures. A ring structure can have an overall curvilinear length from about 12 mm to about 15 mm.

Abstract: A method for medical device sterilization comprises staggering a stack of packages so that a back surface of each package partially overlaps a front surface of another of the packages. Each package contains a medical device. The stack of packages are positioned so that the front surfaces of the packages face toward a radiation source. The packages are then exposed to radiation.

Abstract: An implantable device including a conjugate formed of an acrylamide-based copolymer and a bioactive agent is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making cytocompatible alginate gels and their use in the treatment of cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a polymeric stent with improved fracture toughness including radial expansion of a polymer tube and fabricating a stent from the expanded tube are disclosed. The polymer tube is disposed within a mold and may be heated with radiation. The heated tube radially expands within the mold.

Abstract: Medical articles with porous polymeric structures and methods of forming thereof are disclosed. The porous structure can have pores sizes that are nanoporous or greater than nanoporous. The porous structure can be a coating or layer of a medical device such as a stent, stent graft, catheter, or lead for pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Additionally, the body of the medical device can be a porous polymeric structure. The porous structure can be made from bioabsorbable polymers. The porous structures can be formed by contacting a polymer with a supercritical fluid.

Abstract: Medical articles with porous polymeric structures and methods of forming thereof are disclosed. The porous structure can have pores sizes that are nanoporous or greater than nanoporous. The porous structure can be a coating or layer of a medical device such as a stent, stent graft, catheter, or lead for pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Additionally, the body of the medical device can be a porous polymeric structure. The porous structure can be made from bioabsorbable polymers. The porous structures can be formed by contacting a polymer with a supercritical fluid.