Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis erodes by galvanic erosion that can provide, e.g., improved endothelialization and therapeutic effects.

Abstract: A stent includes a MOF which adjusts pore size upon desorption or adsorption of organic molecules.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides therapeutic-agent-releasing medical devices which comprise at least one region of piezoelectric material. Therapeutic agent release is initiated or increased when the piezoelectric material is subjected to mechanical stress, which leads to the development of a voltage across the piezoelectric material. This voltage is used to initiate or increase therapeutic agent release.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent delivery device and method for eluting a therapeutic agent to a target location are disclosed. The device may comprise a first conductive element, a second conductive element, an electrochemical composition including an electrolyte and a therapeutic agent, and a permeable membrane covering the electrochemical composition. The first conductive element and the second conductive element are adapted to be connected to a voltage source. When the voltage source is connected to the first conductive element and the second conductive element, an electrochemical reaction occurs causing the therapeutic agent to pass through the permeable membrane and thereby to elute to a target location.

Abstract: A system for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body in accordance with one embodiment is provided comprising a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, and a magnetic device for attracting the magnetic particles to a target location. The magnetic particles may be delivered by a catheter into a blood vessel upstream from the target location so that they travel toward the target location. A method for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body in accordance with another embodiment comprises providing a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, placing a magnetic device in a position to attract the magnetic particles to a target location, and allowing the magnetic particles to infuse the target location by the attraction of the magnetic particles to the magnetic device.

Abstract: Implantable or insertable medical devices are described, which include one or more polymeric regions and one or more therapeutic agents. The polymeric regions, which regulate the release of one or more therapeutic agent from the medical device, contain copolymer molecules, each of which includes one or more soft segments and one or more uniform hard segments (e.g., polyamide segments that do not vary in length from molecule to molecule, among others).

Abstract: The invention generally relates to internal (e.g., implantable, insertable, etc.) drug delivery devices which contain the following: (a) one or more sources of one or more therapeutic agents; (b) one or more first electrodes, (c) one or more second electrodes and (d) one or more power sources for applying voltages across the first and second electrodes. The power sources may be adapted, for example, to promote electrically assisted therapeutic agent delivery within a subject, including electroporation and/or iontophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second electrodes are adapted to have tissue of a subject positioned between them upon deployment of the medical device within the subject, such that an electric field may be generated, which is directed into the tissue. Furthermore, the therapeutic agent sources are adapted to introduce the therapeutic agents into the electric field.

Abstract: Radiopaque polymers have a main chain and a plurality of amide groups which have bound to the amide nitrogen atom thereof an organohalide group that is pendant to the polymer main chain, the organo halide group including one or more iodine and/or bromine atoms thereon. The polymer may be a modified polyamide polymer, copolymer or block copolymer or a modified poly(meth)acrylamide or (meth)acrylamide copolymer or block copolymer. The polymers may be employed in medical devices and are useful for instance to track the movement of a catheter through the body or the inflation of a balloon at a site. The polymers may be made by coupling reactions performed on preexisting amide polymers.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, implantable and insertable medical devices are provided which contain one or more particle-containing regions that comprise silicate particles and carbon particles.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, e.g., a stent (e.g., a drug eluting stent), that includes a porous surface and hollow elements integrated with a coating on the surface and a method of making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: Implantable or insertable medical devices are described, which include one or more polymeric regions and one or more therapeutic agents. The polymeric regions, which regulate the release of one or more therapeutic agent from the medical device, contain copolymer molecules, each of which includes one or more soft segments and one or more uniform hard segments (e.g., polyamide segments that do not vary in length from molecule to molecule, among others).

Abstract: A biomimetic electrode material including a fibrous matrix including a conductive polymer and an ion conducting polymeric material is described. The biomimetic electrode material may be used in a number of body-implantable applications including cardiac and neuro-stimulation applications. The biomimetic electrode material can be formed using electrospinning and other related processes. The biomimetic electrode may facilitate efficient charge transport from ionically conductive tissue to the electronically conductive electrode, and may induce surrounding tissue to attach or interface directly to the implanted device, increasing the biocompatibility of the device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a biodegradable, self-powered medical device for preventing or reducing reperfusion injury, comprising a galvanic cell, the galvanic cell comprising: a first biodegradable electrode member; and a second biodegradable electrode member comprising a biodegradable conductive polymer and an electrode-releasable therapeutic agent, wherein the galvanic cell generates an electric force sufficient to cause the electrode-releasable therapeutic agent to be released from the biodegradable conductive polymer and elute to a target location. The device may further include a reservoir material containing a burst-release therapeutic agent.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided which comprise a metallic region and a coating on all or part of the metallic region that comprises a multivalent acid.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the invention relates to medical devices which comprise at least one reservoir, a therapeutic-agent-containing region disposed within the reservoir and an electrode comprising a conductive polymer. The devices of the invention are configured such that a rate of release of the therapeutic agent from the reservoir changes upon a change in the oxidation state of the conductive polymer.

Abstract: A medical implant includes a bioerodible portion that includes a bioerodible polymer and a bioerodible metal. The bioerodible polymer matrix degrades under physiological conditions to form acidic degradation products. The bioerodible metal degrades under physiological conditions to form basic degradation products. The acidic degradation products and the basic degradation products buffer at least a portion of the medical implant. In one aspect, the bioerodible portion includes a bioerodible polymer matrix and a bioerodible metal within the bioerodible polymer matrix. In another aspect, the medical implant can include a body, a plurality of discrete deposits of the bioerodible polymer on the body, and a plurality of discrete deposits of the bioerodible metal on the body.

Abstract: A medical implant includes iridium oxide. The iridium oxide has a plurality of Ir—O ? bonds and a plurality of Ir?O ? bonds. The iridium oxide has a ratio of the Ir—O ? bonds to the Ir?O ? bonds that is greater than 1.3.

Abstract: Medical devices such as endoprostheses (e.g., stents) containing one or more biostable layers (e.g., biostable inorganic layers) and a biodegradable underlying structure are disclosed.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided which include a substrate, at least one porous reservoir containing at least one therapeutic agent disposed over the substrate, at least one nanoporous layer disposed over the at least one porous reservoir, and at least one plugged aperture, which may be located within the substrate, within the nanoporous layer, or both. According to another aspect of the invention, a method of forming a medical device is provided which includes (a) forming a porous reservoir over a substrate, (b) forming a nanoporous layer over the porous reservoir, (c) forming an aperture within the substrate or the nanoporous layer, (d) filling the porous reservoir with therapeutic agent through the aperture, and (d) plugging the aperture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for delivering therapeutic agent to a medical device. Under some methods, processes, and systems of the invention, particles including a magnetic material and a therapeutic agent may be directed towards a medical device via magnetic attraction. In another embodiment particles including a magnetic material may force a therapeutic agent/solvent solution into porous matrix by using a magnetic attraction. In still another embodiment, a medical device having at least a portion thereof including a magnetic material is used to attract and adhere particles comprising magnetic material and therapeutic agent to a target surface of the medical device, wherein the particles are fused to the target surface.