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: 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: 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: In one aspect, the present invention provides composite coatings for implantable or insertable medical devices. These composite coatings comprise (a) an inorganic portion and (b) a polymeric portion that comprises a poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) block.

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: Endoprostheses such as stents are disclosed that are, or that include portions that are, bioerodible.

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: Embodiments of the invention are related to biosorbable batteries, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes a biosorbable battery assembly including an anode, a cathode, and a biosorbable separation element. The anode can include an anode material, wherein electrochemical oxidation of the anode material results in the formation of reaction products that are substantially non-toxic. The cathode can include a cathode material, wherein electrochemical reduction of the cathode material results in the formation of reaction products that are substantially non-toxic, the cathode material having a larger standard reduction potential than the material of the anode. The biosorbable separation element can be disposed between the anode and the cathode and can be configured to provide electrical insulation between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present invention provides implantable or insertable medical devices that comprise a substrate and a coating over the substrate that comprises at least one type of conductive polymer and at least one type of additional polymer.

Abstract: A drug-eluting endoprosthesis that includes a bioerodible metal portion and a therapeutic agent. In some aspects, the endoprosthesis includes a plurality of discrete deposits and a plurality of overlying layers each overlying one of the plurality of discrete deposits. Each discrete deposit includes one or more therapeutic agents and each overlying layer includes one or more bioerodible metals. In other aspects, the bioerodible metal portion includes at least two bioerodible metal regions having different electronegativities. The at least two bioerodible metal regions being in electrical contact with each other. The bioerodible metal erodes in a physiological environment to release the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes a member having a surface that includes a fractal structure.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, at least one ionic therapeutic agent is delivered from an implantable or insertable medical device that comprises an ion-conductive polymeric region that is disposed on a metallic region. The metallic region is in electrical contact with a dissimilar metallic region, such that a galvanic current is generated by the dissimilar metals when the device is implanted or inserted into a patient. Delivery of the ionic therapeutic agent from the ion-conductive polymeric region may be, for example, either accelerated or retarded by the galvanic current.

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 certain aspects of the present invention, medical devices are provided which are configured for implantation or insertion into a subject. The medical devices include at least one coating region that comprises (a) a charged polyamino-acid-containing polymer having a first net charge and (b) an additional charged polymer having a second net charge that is opposite in sign to that of the first net charge. The additional charged polymer may or may not be a polyamino-acid-containing polymer.

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: 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: According to one aspect, the present invention provides implantable or insertable medical devices that comprise a conductive substrate and an electrodeposited coating over the substrate. The electrodeposited coating includes (a) one or more types of inorganic materials, (b) one or more types of polymeric materials and (c) optionally, one or more types of therapeutic agents. Still other aspects of the invention concern methods of making and using such devices.

Abstract: A medical device including a coating disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the medical device, the coating including at least one polymer material having reversible wettability.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes a body defining a flow passage therethrough. The body is capable of maintaining patency in a blood vessel and includes iron or an alloy thereof. The body has a nano-structured surface comprising iron oxide in which the individual nano-structures have a height to thickness aspect ratio of at least 5:1.

Abstract: Methods and devices for triggering drug release from the outer expandable portion of a balloon catheter are provided. Drug is released from a drug coated balloon catheter via a triggering condition. The triggering condition can be a change in solubility or volume or hydrolysis.