Abstract: Engraftment of therapeutic cells and agents to a target site in an organism is enhanced by mechanical, chemical and biological methods and systems.

Abstract: Engraftment of therapeutic cells and agents to a target site in an organism is enhanced by mechanical, chemical and biological methods and systems.

Abstract: A stent mandrel fixture for supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is provided. A method supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is also provided.

Abstract: A coating for implantable devices, such as stents, and a method of making the same is disclosed. Moreover, an apparatus for depositing the coating is disclosed.

Abstract: A mask for masking a stent during a coating procedure may include a mask body that has a negative pattern or an approximate negative pattern of a stent pattern being masked by the mask body. An apparatus for selectively coating a predetermined portion of a medical article may include a dispenser of a coating composition, a mask, a device for creating a relative movement between the mask and the medical article.

Abstract: A medical article comprising an implantable substrate having a coating is disclosed, the coating comprising a biologically erodable polymer having the glass transition temperature below about ?50° C. The biologically erodable polymer can be blended with a polymeric additive which either has the glass transition temperature of about ?50° C. or higher, or a degree of crystallinity greater than that of the first polymer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a stent, from a tube with desirable mechanical properties, such as improved circumferential strength and rigidity, are described herein. Improved circumferential strength and rigidity may be obtained by inducing molecular orientation in materials for use in manufacturing an implantable medical device. Some embodiments may include inducing molecular orientation by expansion of a molten annular polymer film. Other embodiments may include inducing circumferential molecular orientation by inducing circumferential flow in a molten polymer. In certain embodiments, circumferential orientation may be induced by expansion of a polymer tube. Further embodiments may include manufacturing an implantable medical device from a biaxially oriented planar polymer film.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of forming medical device that includes RGD attached to the device via a spacer compound. The method comprises providing a spacer compound comprising a hydrophobic moiety and a hydrophilic moiety, grafting or embedding the spacer compound to the surface layer of the polymer to cause the hydrophobic moiety to be grafted to or embedded within the surface layer of polymer, and attaching a chemo-attractant to the hydrophilic moiety.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating post-myocardial infarction damage are herein disclosed. In some embodiments, a carrier with a treatment agent may be fabricated. The carrier can be formulated from a bioerodable, sustained-release substance. The resultant loaded carrier may then be suspended in at least one component of a two-component matrix system for simultaneous delivery to a post-myocardial infarction treatment area.

Abstract: A medical device that can be used for treating a defective heart valve. One aspect of the invention pertains to a longitudinally adjustable medical device that comprises a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a cord member. The distal portion comprises a distal anchoring member, a distal telescope, and a distal backbone. The proximal portion comprises a proximal anchoring member, a proximal telescope, and a proximal backbone. The distal backbone and the proximal backbone are configured to provide a structural support to the device while providing flexibility to the device. The cord member is disposed within the device and used to facilitate longitudinal adjustment for the device.

Abstract: A support assembly for a stent and a method of using the same to coat a stent are provided. The support assembly provides for minimum contact between the stent and the support assembly so as to reduce or eliminate coating defects.

Abstract: A delivery catheter that includes a flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having an outer diameter less than about 13 mm; a delivery lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, the delivery lumen within the flexible shaft, the delivery lumen having at least an outlet port or at least one side hole at the distal end of the delivery lumen, the delivery lumen having a cross-sectional area at least about 5 mm2; a pressure monitoring lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, the pressure monitoring lumen within the flexible shaft; a pressure port adjacent to and connected to the distal end of the pressure monitoring lumen; a balloon inflation lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, the balloon inflation lumen within the flexible shaft; a soft tip at the distal end of the flexible shaft; a balloon at the distal end of the flexible shaft, the balloon connected to the distal end of the balloon inflation lumen, the balloon includes at least one of the following materials, po

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining tissue contact and penetration depth are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a needle and a pressure measurement assembly. The needle, in one exemplary embodiment, includes a first end and a second end with at least one aperture located a predetermined distance from the first end. The pressure measurement assembly is connected with a portion of the needle to measure pressure of fluid flowing through the needle. The pressure measurement assembly measures a first pressure when the needle contacts tissue and a second difference in pressure when the needle penetrates the tissue and the aperture becomes occluded.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a medical article that include radial deformation of a polymer tube are disclosed. A medical article, such as an implantable medical device or an inflatable member, may be fabricated from a deformed tube.

Abstract: The invention presents is a fluid isolation system and method for confining fluid is a biological mass having at least one upstream channel and downstream channel. The system includes a delivery conduit for administering fluid to the biological mass and a collection conduit having and external seal and for retrieving the fluid. In the use of the system, the delivery conduit is positioned adjacent to or into the upstream channel and the collection conduit is inserted adjacent to or into the downstream channel. In one manner to confine the fluid, the seal on the collection catheter is activated to occlude outside fluid flow and divert the fluid into the lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A method and coating for reducing the release rate of an active agent from an implantable device, such as a stent, is disclosed.

Abstract: A device and a method of manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a stent, are described herein. The device includes a metallic region composed of a bioerodable metal and a polymer region composed of a biodegradable polymer contacting the metallic region. The metallic region may erode at a different rate when exposed to bodily fluids than the polymer region when exposed to bodily fluids. In certain embodiments, the polymer region is an outer layer and the metallic region is an inner layer of the device. A further aspect of the invention includes device and a method of manufacturing the device that includes a mixture of a biodegradable polymer and bioerodable metallic particles. The mixture may be used to fabricate an implantable medical device or to coat an implantable medical device. In some embodiments, the metallic particles are metallic nanoparticles.

Abstract: A stent with at least one severable supporting device and methods of coating using the same are disclosed. The severable supporting device can be an end tube or a tab attached to some portion of the stent by at least one “gate” or attachment. The end tube or tab may be part of the design of the stent when it is originally manufactured, or it may be attached to the stent in a secondary process by a biocompatible glue or solder. The end tube or tab can be used to support a stent during a coating process eliminating the need for a mandrel which would otherwise contact the stent during the coating process.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a device adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery including a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be fed through a blood vessel, a pump associated with the distal end of the catheter, and a tool associated with the distal end of the catheter. The tool is adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery. Examples of the tools include a tool for excising natural tissue, a tool for excising a natural valve, and anthretomy device, a prosthetic valve delivery system, a balloon catheter, a knife, a stapler, and a screwdriver. The pump is used for maintaining blood flow around the site of the heart surgery while the surgery is taking place without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract: A guide catheter and a needle catheter are disclosed. The guide catheter construction provides for maximum articulation of the deflectable tip and maximum torque response during rotation. The needle catheter may include a release mechanism that imparts a sudden force to the needle in order to facilitate tissue penetration.