Abstract: Implantable medical devices may be utilized to locally delivery one or more drugs or therapeutic agents to treat a wide variety of conditions, including the treatment of the biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the implantable medical device. These therapeutic agents may be released under controlled and directional conditions from a stent having reservoirs so that the one or more therapeutic agents reach the correct target area, for example, the surrounding tissue. Features may be incorporated into the walls and bases of these reservoirs to improve securement of the drug construct.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices may be utilized to locally delivery one or more drugs or therapeutic agents to treat a wide variety of conditions, including the treatment of the biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the implantable medical device. These therapeutic agents may be released under controlled and directional conditions from a stent having reservoirs so that the one or more therapeutic agents reach the correct target area, for example, the surrounding tissue. Features may be incorporated into the walls and bases of these reservoirs to improve securement of the drug construct.

Abstract: A bridging element is utilized to hold and secure a device passing between the ribs of a patient and into the lung. The bridging element may comprise a hole or other fitting to secure the device positioned in the lung.

Abstract: A method for appending advertisements to paging messages may be utilized to reduce or substantially eliminate the fees for paging services paid by paging service customers while allowing companies to easily get their advertisements directly to a specific market or market segment. Alpha-numeric pagers may be programmed/reprogrammed to accept advertisements either prior to or after receiving a page. The alpha-numeric pagers may be programmed with an identification code which indicates to the paging service provider that advertisements are acceptable. Accordingly, if an alpha-numeric pager is programmed to accept advertisements, the paging service provider transmits the advertisements with the page.

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. 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 packaging cutter for the safe and effective perforation of packaging materials on packages or other containers comprises a body and a cutting mechanism housed within the body. The body comprises two side walls and a top wall defining an interior volume in which the packaged container is positioned during the cutting process. The cutting mechanism is mounted in or to the top wall. The packaging cutter also comprises a depth setting mechanism to prevent cutting of the package or container itself.

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. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.