Abstract: A medical device includes a balloon expanded scaffold crimped to a balloon catheter. The scaffold has a network of rings formed by struts connected at crowns and links connecting adjacent rings. The scaffold has a polymer coating and is crimped to the balloon. The scaffold is rotated, or allowed to rotate during crimping to improve results from crimping, such as reduced damage to the coating.

Abstract: A medical device includes a balloon expanded scaffold crimped to a balloon catheter. The scaffold has a network of rings formed by struts connected at crowns and links connecting adjacent rings. The scaffold has a polymer coating and is crimped to the balloon. The scaffold is rotated, or allowed to rotate during crimping to improve results from crimping, such as reduced damage to the coating.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the moisture content of biodegradable and bioresorbable polymer resin during extrusion above a lower limit that allows for plasticization of the polymer resin melt and below an upper limit to reduce or prevent molecular weight loss are disclosed. Methods are further disclosed involving plasticization of a polymer resin for feeding into an extruder with carbon dioxide and freon.

Abstract: A scaffold is formed by several segments joined or connected to each other by only at least one coupling. The coupling decouples the segments in the axial direction over a finite distance of axial displacement. The scaffold when implanted in a peripheral vessel reduces loading on rings of a segment due to the decoupling of the segments in the axial direction over the finite distance.

Abstract: A scaffold includes a radiopaque marker connected to a strut. The marker is retained within the strut by one or more of a mechanical interference fit, a polymer coating or melt, and/or by friction. The marker can take the form of a bead, rivet or snap-in marker, or a tube deformed when attached to the strut. The strut is made from a tube. The strut has a thickness of about 100 microns.

Abstract: A scaffold is formed by several segments joined or connected to each other by only at least one coupling. The coupling decouples the segments in the axial direction over a finite distance of axial displacement. The scaffold when implanted in a peripheral vessel reduces loading on rings of a segment due to the decoupling of the segments in the axial direction over the finite distance.

Abstract: A scaffold includes a radiopaque marker connected to a strut. The marker is retained within the strut by one or more of a mechanical interference fit, a polymer coating or melt, and/or by friction. The marker can take the form of a bead, rivet or snap-in marker, or a tube deformed when attached to the strut. The strut is made from a tube. The strut has a thickness of about 100 microns.

Abstract: A scaffold strut is shaped to improve hemocompatibility. After laser cutting, the scaffold is placed on a work piece and its struts are shaped by flame polishing or brushing. The abluminal surfaces and luminal surfaces can have corners rounded. The strut can have a sloped surface on its luminal side without reducing strut thickness needed for strength.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis can comprise a strut having a lumen, radiopaque particles within the lumen, and a polymer binder. The polymer binder retains the radiopaque particles within the lumen. The strut may have side holes through which a therapeutic agent may pass and through which the radiopaque particles are incapable of passing. The polymer binder may be absent or optional. The radiopaque particles can have sizes that prevent them from escaping out of the lumen through the side holes. The radiopaque particles placed within the lumen can improve visualization of the prosthesis during an implantation procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for vascular denervation, comprising a catheter configured for delivery into a vessel of a patient. A balloon is mounted on a distal tip of the catheter, the balloon being configured to be inflatable and further configured so that, upon inflation, the balloon adopts a shape that includes a first edge and a second edge that wind around each other in a double helix, the first edge and the second edge being separated from each other by a first crease and a second crease that also wind around each other in a double helix. A first electrode is attached to the balloon and is located to extend along the first edge.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are drug delivery medical devices. A polymer coating for a medical device is provided which comprises a minimum amount of a drug bonded to the polymer in the coating.

Abstract: It is provided herein modified polylactide (PLA) polymers comprising biocompatibile functional group(s) on the polymers and methods of making and using the modified PLA polymers.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent delivery system formed of a specific type of poly(ester amide) (PEA), a therapeutic agent, and a water miscible solvent is described herein. A method of delivering the therapeutic agent delivery system by delivering the therapeutic agent delivery system formed of a PEA polymer, a therapeutic agent, and a water miscible solvent to a physiological environment and separating the phase of the therapeutic agent delivery system to form a membrane from the polymer to contain the therapeutic agent within the physiological environment is also described. Additionally disclosed is a kit including a syringe and a therapeutic agent delivery system within the syringe.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis can comprise a strut having a lumen, radiopaque particles within the lumen, and a polymer binder. The polymer binder retains the radiopaque particles within the lumen. The strut may have side holes through which a therapeutic agent may pass and through which the radiopaque particles are incapable of passing. The polymer binder may be absent or optional. The radiopaque particles can have sizes that prevent them from escaping out of the lumen through the side holes. The radiopaque particles placed within the lumen can improve visualization of the prosthesis during an implantation procedure.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis can comprise a strut having a lumen, radiopaque particles within the lumen, and a polymer binder. The polymer binder retains the radiopaque particles within the lumen. The strut may have side holes through which a therapeutic agent may pass and through which the radiopaque particles are incapable of passing. The polymer binder may be absent or optional. The radiopaque particles can have sizes that prevent them from escaping out of the lumen through the side holes. The radiopaque particles placed within the lumen can improve visualization of the prosthesis during an implantation procedure.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis can comprise a strut having a lumen, radiopaque particles within the lumen, and a polymer binder. The polymer binder retains the radiopaque particles within the lumen. The strut may have side holes through which a therapeutic agent may pass and through which the radiopaque particles are incapable of passing. The polymer binder may be absent or optional. The radiopaque particles can have sizes that prevent them from escaping out of the lumen through the side holes. The radiopaque particles placed within the lumen can improve visualization of the prosthesis during an implantation procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are drug delivery medical devices. A polymer coating for a medical device is provided which comprises a minimum amount of a drug bonded to the polymer in the coating.

Abstract: A scaffold includes a radiopaque marker connected to a strut. The marker is retained within the strut by one or more of a mechanical interference fit, a polymer coating or melt, and/or by friction. The marker can take the form of a bead, rivet or snap-in marker, or a tube deformed when attached to the strut. The strut is made from a tube. The strut has a thickness of about 100 microns.

Abstract: A scaffold strut is shaped to improve hemocompatibility. After laser cutting, the scaffold is placed on a work piece and its struts are shaped by flame polishing or brushing. The abluminal surfaces and luminal surfaces can have corners rounded. The strut can have a sloped surface on its luminal side without reducing strut thickness needed for strength.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods for coating stents are described herein. Applying a composition including polymer component and solvent to a stent substrate followed by exposing the polymer component to a temperature equal to or greater than a Tg of the polymer component is disclosed. Repeating the applying and exposing one or more times to form a coating with the result that the solvent content of the coating after the final exposing step is at a level suitable for a finished stent is further disclosed.