Abstract: A medical device such as a stent having selected regions with different material properties than other regions is disclosed. Selection and modification of the regions may be based on facilitating a desired mechanical behavior and/or therapeutic prophylactic property of the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches methods of controlling the release rate of agents from a polymeric matrix that include designing and creating a predetermined initial morphology (IM) profile in a polymeric matrix. The teachings indicate, inter alia, that control over the release rate of agents can provide for an improved control over the administration of agents as well as have an effect upon the mechanical integrity and absorption rate of the polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A drug-loaded microparticle is applied to a medical device for subsequent application to biological tissues. A method of formulating a drug-loaded microparticle and applying it to the surface of a medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The drug-loaded microparticle is formulated by combining a drug with various chemical solutions. Specified sizes of the microparticles and amounts of drug(s) contained within the microparticles may be varied by altering the proportions of the chemicals/solutions. In addition to various drugs, therapeutic substances and radioactive isotopes may also be loaded into the microparticles. The drug-loaded microparticle are suspended in a polymer solution forming a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix may be applied to the entire surface or only selected portions of the medical device via dipping, spraying or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Nano-constructs comprising nanoshells and methods of using the nano-constructs for treating or ameliorating a medical condition are provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a drug eluting stent, is disclosed. The method includes subjecting an implantable medical device that includes a polymer to a thermal condition. The thermal condition can result in reduction of the rate of release of an active agent from the device subsequent to the implantation of the device and/or improve the mechanical properties of a polymeric coating on the device.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for controlling the morphology and the release-rate of active agent from coating layers for medical devices comprising a polymer matrix and one or more active agents. The methods comprise fixing the morphology or phase distribution of the active agent prior to removing solvent from the coating composition. The coating layers can be used for controlled the delivery of an active agent or a combination of active agents.

Abstract: The present application teaches a coating having a biologically compatible compound conjugated to, or blended with, a polymer, wherein the polymer includes at least one olefin-derived unit and at least one unit derived from a vinyl alcohol, an allyl alcohol, or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A composition comprising a structural component comprising linear acrylic homopolymers or linear acrylic copolymers and a biobeneficial component comprising copolymers having an acrylate moiety and a biobeneficial moiety is disclosed. A medical article comprising the composition in the coating thereof and a method of fabricating the medical article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition comprising a structural component comprising linear acrylic homopolymers or linear acrylic copolymers and a biobeneficial component comprising copolymers having an acrylate moiety and a biobeneficial moiety is disclosed. A medical article comprising the composition in the coating thereof and a method of fabricating the medical article are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods of treating, preventing, and/or ameliorating a vascular disease and/or disorder in a diabetic or pre-diabetic patient. The methods include implanting a stent in a vascular region in a diabetic or pre-diabetic patient, and prior to and/or during the implantation procedure, delivering a lubricant formulation to the vascular region. The stent may be a bare metal stent, or a drug eluting stent, such as a metal stent with a coating including a drug, such as everolimus or sirolimus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating a vascular disease and/or disorder in a diabetic or pre-diabetic patient. The methods include implanting a stent in a vascular region in a diabetic patient, and during the implantation procedure, delivering a drug formulation from a source other than the stent to the vascular region. The stent may be a bare metal stent, or a drug eluting stent, such as a metal stent having a coating including a drug. The drug may be everolimus, sirolimus, or a combination thereof. The drug formulation may include dexamethasone, paclitaxel, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of vascular disease and/or disorder in diabetic patients. The methods include implantation of a stent including a drug, and the use of a drug coated balloon. The DES may be a DES having a metal body and a coating including the drug, or a bioabsorbable stent with drug in the body of the stent, in a coating on the stent, or both in the body of the stent and in a coating on the stent.

Abstract: A stent with a coating including a composition that releases a therapeutic substance in response to an enzyme is disclosed. The composition includes a polymer or polypeptide that includes an amino acid sequence which is recognized and cleaved by at least one of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP).

Abstract: A bioabsorbable polymeric stent with time dependent structure and properties and methods of treating a diseased blood vessel with the bioabsorable polymeric stent are disclosed. The structure and properties of the stent change with time and allow the vessel to be restored to a natural unstented state. The bioabsorbable stent loses mechanical integrity in a controlled manner due to modification of selected structural elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of vascular disease in diabetic patients. The methods include both implantation of a stent including a first drug. Some embodiments include additional therapy, such as the co-administration of another drug. Some embodiments involve different stent selection for a diabetic patient compared to a non-diabetic patient.

Abstract: A drug-delivery system is provided including at least 100 ?g of everolimus and clobetasol, such that the ratio of everolimus to clobetasol is at least 10:1 (w/w) or the amount of everolimus by weight is at least 10 times more than clobetasol. The system can be a stent. Also provided a method of treating restenosis or vulnerable plaque of a blood vessel, the method includes locally administering to a patient a first drug selected from a group consisting of rapamycin (sirolimus), Biolimus A9, deforolimus, AP23572, tacrolimus, temsirolimus, pimecrolimus, zotarolimus (ABT-578), 40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethylrapamycin (everolimus), 40-O-(3-hydroxy)propylrapamycin, 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethylrapamycin, 40-O-tetrazolylrapamycin and 40-epi-(N1-tetrazolyl)rapamycin, and locally administering to a patient a second drug consisting of clobetasol, wherein the minimum amount of the first drug that is locally administered is 100 ?g, and wherein the ratio of the first drug to the second drug is, for example, 10:1 to 100:1 (w/w).

Abstract: A bioabsorbable polymeric stent with time dependent structure and properties and methods of treating a diseased blood vessel with the bioabsorable polymeric stent are disclosed. The structure and properties of the stent change with time and allow the vessel to be restored to a natural unstented state. The bioabsorbable stent loses mechanical integrity in a controlled manner due to modification of selected structural elements.

Abstract: Coatings for implantable devices or endoluminal prosthesis, such as stents, are provided, including a method of forming the coatings. The coatings can be used for the delivery of an active ingredient or a combination of active ingredients.

Abstract: A medical device and methods of making the medical device such as a stent having selected regions with different material properties than other regions are disclosed. Selection and modification of the regions may be based on facilitating a desired mechanical behavior and/or therapeutic prophylactic property of the device.

Abstract: A drug-loaded microparticle is applied to a medical device for subsequent application to biological tissues. A method of formulating a drug-loaded microparticle and applying it to the surface of a medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The drug-loaded microparticle is formulated by combining a drug with various chemical solutions. Specified sizes of the microparticles and amounts of drug(s) contained within the microparticles may be varied by altering the proportions of the chemicals/solutions. In addition to various drugs, therapeutic substances and radioactive isotopes may also be loaded into the microparticles. The drug-loaded microparticle are suspended in a polymer solution forming a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix may be applied to the entire surface or only selected portions of the medical device via dipping, spraying or combinations thereof.