Abstract: System and method for coating a medical appliance is provided. In accord with on embodiment, a system for applying a coating to a medical appliance having accessible patterned surfaces is provided. This system may include: a processor, a support, and a bubble jet printing head having individual printing nozzles. In this system the support may be adapted to hold the medical appliance and to provide direct access for a coating to contact the exposed external patterned surfaces of the medical appliance. The bubble jet printing head in this system may move with respect to the medical appliance and may be in communication with a source of coating and with the processor. The processor in this system may contain commands that instruct the bubble jet printing head to force coating onto the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance in a pattern that correlates with the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance.

Abstract: Stabilizing an object in the body of a patient involves the injection of a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) material in a flowable form into the body of the patient so that the material contacts the object. The LCST material then forms a gel in the body due to a temperature inside the body such that the object is contained at least partially within the gel and thereby stabilized by the gel such that the object can then be easily fragmented within the body and/or retrieved from the body.

Abstract: A low profile emboli capture device is provided for use in angioplasty and other intravascular procedures. A standard guidewire is utilized having a reduced cross-sectional area formed near its distal end. A filter and self-expanding stent are packaged on the reduced cross-sectional area of the guidewire. A movable sleeve extends over the guidewire and holds the self-expanding stent and filter in their retracted positions while the device is being positioned in the artery. The sheath is moved relative to the self-expanding stent and filter, whereupon the self-expanding stent and filter become deployed.

Abstract: The invention provides a means of boosting the mechanical performance of shaped shaped medical devices comprising polymer hydrogels, such as stents, so that they may be more easily inserted into or removed from the body. In one aspect, the invention provides shaped medical devices having increased mechanical strength and comprising both ionic and covalent crosslinks. In another aspect, the invention provides a shaped medical device having a heterogeneous polymer composition and a variable dissolution or degradation rate along its length. The shaped medical devices according to the present invention retain their shape and stiffness during insertion into the body and can swell and soften inside the body to enhance patient comfort.

Abstract: Devices and methods for applying a polymeric coating to a medical device. The steps of the coating process including applying a liquid polymeric material to the surface of the medical device, then directing a stream of gas to impinge on the surface of the medical device. Excess liquid polymeric material is removed from the surface of the medical device. The devices used in the coating process and the coated medical device are also part of this invention.

Abstract: A device such as a stent is provided with a hybrid coating including a time released, restenosis inhibiting coating and a non-thrombogenic coating to prevent clotting on the device. One first coat or layer includes a polymer, a crosslinking agent, and pacitaxel, analogues, or derivatives thereof. The first coat preferably includes a polymer having Taxol admixed therein so as to be releasable over time. The first coat preferably includes a polyfunctional aziridine as the crosslinking agent. The second coat preferably includes heparin to inhibit clot formation on the device. The crosslinking agent can covalently bond to both the first coat polymer and the second coat heparin. A stent can be provided with a first coat including an aqueous dispersion or emulsion of a polymer and an excess of crosslinking agent. The first coating can be dried, leaving a water insoluble polymer coating.

Abstract: A medical device is described which has on a surface thereof a bio-compatible coating. This bio-compatible coating is formed from a composition which includes an aqueous emulsion or dispersion of a polycarbonate-polyurethane composition containing one or more internal emulsifying agents.

Abstract: Disclosed are hybrid coatings for implantable medical devices. Such coatings include a first layer of an aqueous dispersion or emulsion of an organic acid functional group containing polymer, a crosslinker and a therapeutic agent dispersed therein. The coating also includes a second layer of an aqueous solution or dispersion of an organic acid functional group-containing bio-active agent. The hybrid coatings are especially suited for preventing restenosis of endoprostheses by the combined action of the therapeutic agent and the bio-active agent. Methods of making and using devices coated with such compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods for applying a polymeric coating to a medical device. The steps of the coating process including applying a liquid polymeric material to the surface of the medical device, then directing a stream of gas to impinge on the surface of the medical device. Excess liquid polymeric material is removed from the surface of the medical device. The devices used in the coating process and the coated medical device are also part of this invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of enhancing the biocompatibility of a substrate by providing the substrate with a continuous bio-active surface coating. This method includes applying to the substrate a first coating which includes an aqueous dispersion or emulsion of a polymer containing an organic acid functional group and an excess of a polyfunctional cross-linking agent which is reactive with the organic acid groups of the polymer. A continuous bio-active surface coating is then formed over the dried first coating by applying thereover a bio-active agent containing an organic acid functional group or metal salt thereof. The first and second coatings are then dried to covalently bond the organic acid functional groups of the bio-active agent to the polymer through the excess unreacted polyfunctional cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A substrate such as a catheter or a guide wire is provided with a lubricous, hydrophilic abrasion-resistant coating by:a) coating said substrate with a first aqueous coating composition comprising an aqueous dispersion or emulsion of a polymer having organic acid functional groups and a polyfunctional crosslinking agent having functional groups being capable of reacting with organic acid groups, and drying the coating to obtain a substantially water-insoluble coating layer still including functional groups being reactive with organic acid groups, andb) contacting the dried coating layer obtained in a) with a second aqueous coating composition comprising an aqueous solution or dispersion of a hydrophilic polymer having organic acid functional groups, and drying the combined coating, the hydrophilic polymer thereby becoming bonded to the polymer of the first coating composition through the crosslinking agent.The drying can be carried out at ambient (room) temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of enhancing the biocompatibility of a substrate by providing the substrate with a continuous bio-active surface coating. This method includes applying to the substrate a first coating which includes an aqueous dispersion or emulsion of a polymer containing an organic acid functional group and an excess of a polyfunctional cross-linking agent which is reactive with the organic acid groups of the polymer. A continuous bio-active surface coating is then formed over the dried first coating by applying thereover a bio-active agent containing an organic acid functional group or metal salt thereof. The first and second coatings are then dried to covalently bond the organic acid functional groups of the bio-active agent to the polymer through the excess unreacted polyfunctional cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A substrate such as a catheter or a guide wire is provided with a lubricous, hydrophilic abrasion-resistant coating by:a) coating said substrate with a first aqueous coating composition comprising an aqueous dispersion or emulsion of a polymer having organic acid functional groups and a polyfunctional crosslinking agent having functional groups capable of reacting with organic acid groups, and drying the coating to obtain a substantially water-insoluble coating layer having excess polyfunctional including functional groups being reactive with organic acid groups remaining, andb) contacting the dried coating layer obtained in a) with a second aqueous coating composition comprising an aqueous solution or dispersion of a hydrophilic polymer having organic acid functional groups, and drying the combined coating, the hydrophilic polymer thereby becoming bonded to the polymer of the first coating composition through the excess crosslinking agent.The drying can be carried out at ambient (room) temperature.