Abstract: Articles such as catheters or balloons that have an ester-linked poly(ester-block-amide) substrate have a lubricious hydrogel coating which suppresses particle development under accelerated aging conditions. A polymerizable coating composition is applied to the substrate without application of an intervening primer layer and cured. The coating composition comprises an uncrosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer that is free of attached photoinitiator groups and at least one polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.

Abstract: Articles such as catheters or balloons that have an ester-linked poly(ester-block-amide) substrate have a lubricious hydrogel coating which suppresses particle development under accelerated aging conditions. A polymerizable coating composition is applied to the substrate without application of an intervening primer layer and cured. The coating composition comprises an uncrosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer that is free of attached photoinitiator groups and at least one polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.

Abstract: A carrier tube assembly for packaging a medical catheter is disclosed. The carrier tube assembly includes an elongate tube, a medical catheter, and a plug. At least a distal portion of the elongate shaft of the medical catheter is positioned in the lumen of the elongate tube such that the proximal end of the elongate tube is hermetically sealed around a portion of the hub assembly of the medical catheter. The plug is inserted into the lumen of the elongate tube at the distal end of the elongate tube, hermetically sealing the distal end of the elongate tube. Thus, a hermetically sealed environment is established within the elongate tube. The plug includes a moisture and/or oxygen absorbing agent to absorb moisture and/or oxygen in the hermetically sealed environment.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.

Abstract: Catheter devices having an expandable balloon for delivering a therapeutic agent to a body site. The balloon has one or more folds which serve as a reservoir for containing the therapeutic agent. The fold may have any of various configurations to hold the therapeutic agent. In some cases, the balloon comprises one or more lobes that forms the fold(s). The therapeutic agent may be provided in various ways. For example, the therapeutic agent may be contained in packets that rupture upon expansion of the balloon, or as a plurality of discrete bulk masses, or sealed within compartments.

Abstract: An atherectomy burr has an operating diameter that is larger than the diameter of a catheter in which the burr is routed. The burr may include an expandable polymeric balloon having a partially abrasive exterior surface. The maximum expansion of the burr is controlled by an expansion mechanism. Various mechanisms are disclosed for controlling the maximum diameter of the burr thus preventing the burr from over expanding. In addition, the present invention includes systems that are pulled proximally to remove portions of a lesion located in a patient's vasculature. The system includes an ablation burr that has abrasive disposed on the proximal end. The burr may create a seal when expanded to block the ablated particulate so that an aspiration system can remove the particulate from the vasculature. Alternatively, the burr system may include a self expanding seal that is deployed out of the aspiration sheath.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.

Abstract: An atherectomy burr has an operating diameter that is larger than the diameter of a catheter in which the burr is routed. The burr may include a polymeric balloon that is coated with an abrasive and that expands when the burr is rotated. When the burr is rotated, the polymeric tube expands by centrifugal force. The maximum expansion of the burr is controlled by an expansion mechanism. Various mechanisms are disclosed for controlling the maximum diameter of the burr thus preventing the burr from over expanding. In addition, the present invention includes a system for preventing the loose ablated particulate from reembolizing in the distal vasculature. The system includes an ablation burr that has abrasive disposed on the proximal end that is pulled back toward the guide catheter to ablate the lesion. The burr creates a seal when expanded to block the ablated particulate so that the aspiration system can remove the particulate from the patient vessel or stent.

Abstract: An atherectomy burr has an operating diameter that is larger than the diameter of a catheter in which the burr is routed. The burr may include a polymeric balloon that is coated with an abrasive and that expands when the burr is rotated. When the burr is rotated, the polymeric tube expands by centrifugal force. The maximum expansion of the burr is controlled by an expansion mechanism. Various mechanisms are disclosed for controlling the maximum diameter of the burr thus preventing the burr from over expanding. In addition, the present invention includes a system for preventing the loose ablated particulate from reembolizing in the distal vasculature. The system includes an ablation burr that has abrasive disposed on the proximal end that is pulled back toward the guide catheter to ablate the lesion. The burr creates a seal when expanded to block the ablated particulate so that the aspiration system can remove the particulate from the patient vessel or stent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein said device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface, the first surface comprising a lubricious hydrophilic coating disposed thereon, said hydrophilic coating further comprising at least one antiblock agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dilatation balloon formed from an extruded tubular preform by blowing, said balloon having a body, at least one cone and at least one waist portion wherein said balloon has a lubricity coating gradient from the body portion which has the lowest coat thickness to the waist portion which has the highest coat thickness said coating applied to said extruded tubular preform prior to forming said balloon by blowing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein said device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface, the first surface comprising a lubricious hydrophilic coating disposed thereon, said hydrophilic coating further comprising at least one antiblock agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dilatation balloon formed from an extruded tubular preform by blowing, said balloon having a body, at least one cone and at least one waist portion wherein said balloon has a lubricity coating gradient from the body portion which has the lowest coat thickness to the waist portion which has the highest coat thickness said coating applied to said extruded tubular preform prior to forming said balloon by blowing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dilatation balloon formed from an extruded tubular preform by blowing, said balloon having a body, at least one cone and at least one waist portion wherein said balloon has a lubricity coating gradient from the body portion which has the lowest coat thickness to the waist portion which has the highest coat thickness said coating applied to said extruded tubular preform prior to forming said balloon by blowing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dilatation balloon formed from an extruded tubular preform by blowing, said balloon having a body, at least one cone and at least one waist portion wherein said balloon has a lubricity coating gradient from the body portion which has the lowest coat thickness to the waist portion which has the highest coat thickness said coating applied to said extruded tubular preform prior to forming said balloon by blowing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dilatation balloon formed from an extruded tubular preform by blowing, said balloon having a body, at least one cone and at least one waist portion wherein said balloon has a lubricity coating gradient from the body portion which has the lowest coat thickness to the waist portion which has the highest coat thickness said coating applied to said extruded tubular preform prior to forming said balloon by blowing.

Abstract: A medical device for partial insertion into a patient and navigating passageways, channels, canals, cavities, and other interior parts of said patient, said medical device comprising an elongate body having an in the body segment which, in normal use, is inserted in the body of a patient. At least a portion of the in-the-body segment is provided with a lubricious coating. The coating displays a gradient of lubricity along the length of thereof.