Abstract: A method for local delivery of a drug is provided. The method comprises acts of: (a) implanting a medical device including a drug-containing coating in a patient for the delivery of the drug, wherein the coating comprises a drug and a polymer; and (b) applying an electric current for an interval of time to the topcoat to cause the polymer to transform from a crystalline structure to an amorphous structure so as to increase the rate of release of the drug during the time interval, wherein after the electric current is terminated, the crystallinity of the polymer returns back to essentially the same degree of crystallinity or a more crystalline structure than that of when the polymer was exposed to the current.

Abstract: An apparatus including a tether, and an aptation device coupled to the tether at a position corresponding to a location to contact cusps of an atrioventricular valve during systole, wherein the tether and aptation device are suitable for percutaneous delivery to a patient. An apparatus including a support annulus comprising a length corresponding to a circumference of one of an interior portion of an atrium and an atrioventricular valve annulus; and an aptation device coupled to the support annulus corresponding to a location to contact cusps of an atrioventricular valve during at least one of systole when the support annulus is seated in one of an atrium and an atrioventricular valve annulus, wherein the support annulus and aptation device are suitable for percutaneous delivery to a patient. Also, a method of introducing an aptation device to contact cusps or leaflets of an atrioventricular valve.

Abstract: Stents and methods of manufacturing a stents with enhanced fracture toughness are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for local delivery of a drug is provided. The method comprises the acts of (a) implanting a medical device carrying a drug-containing coating in a patient for the sustained local delivery of the drug, wherein at least a portion of the coating is transformed from crystalline structure to amorphous structure; and (b) applying an electric current for an interval of time to the device for increasing the rate of release of the drug, wherein the coating is further transformed from crystalline structure to amorphous structure; and (c) terminating the current after an interval of time, wherein at least a portion of the amorphous structure in the coating is at least partially restored to crystalline structure.

Abstract: Stents fabricated from hydrolytically degradable polymers with accelerated degradation rates and methods of fabricating stents with accelerated degradation rates are disclosed.

Abstract: A device (2) for capturing and removing one or more particles (58) from a body canal or vessel includes a sack (12) having a mouth (14) and a closed bottom (16) opposite mouth (14). A guide wire (4) is received through mouth (14) of sack (12) and is connected to closed bottom (16) of sack (12). A collapsible frame (8) is connected between guide wire (4) and mouth (14) of sack (12), with collapsible frame (8) biasing mouth (14) of sack (12) opened around guide wire (4). A containment collar (32) slidably receives guide wire (4), collapsible frame (8), and at least part of sack (12) therein. A pull wire (34) is connected to containment collar (32). In response to relative movement between guide wire (4) and pull wire (34), collapsible frame (8) moves from inside containment collar (32) where mouth (14) of sack (12) is closed and outside containment collar (32) where mouth (14) of sack (12) is biased open by collapsible frame (8).

Abstract: A system for enabling the insertion and removal of an embolic protection device, for capturing and retaining embolic debris which may be created during the performance of a therapeutic interventional procedure in a stenosed or occluded region of a blood vessel. The system, in an embodiment thereof, enables the device to be compressed for insertion thereof through a patient's vasculature so as to cross the stenosis in a low profile, and to enable release of compression thereof for expansion and deployment of the device at a location distal to the interventional procedure site.

Abstract: A porous prosthesis for delivering a medication to the site of implantation, and a method of making the same, is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus including a tether, and an aptation device coupled to the tether at a position corresponding to a location to contact cusps of an atrioventricular valve during systole, wherein the tether and aptation device are suitable for percutaneous delivery to a patient. An apparatus including a support annulus comprising a length corresponding to a circumference of one of an interior portion of an atrium and an atrioventricular valve annulus; and an aptation device coupled to the support annulus corresponding to a location to contact cusps of an atrioventricular valve during at least one of systole when the support annulus is seated in one of an atrium and an atrioventricular valve annulus, wherein the support annulus and aptation device are suitable for percutaneous delivery to a patient. Also, a method of introducing an aptation device to contact cusps or leaflets of an atrioventricular valve.

Abstract: The present invention generally encompasses methods of coating which control of the release rate of agents from a polymeric matrix. This control over the release rate of agents provides for control over, inter alia, the therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic, and ameliorative effects that are realized by a patient in need of such treatment. In addition, the control of the release rate of agents also has an effect upon the mechanical integrity of the polymeric matrix, as well as a relationship to a subject's absorption rate of the absorbable polymers.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed comprising: a structural element, wherein the structural element includes: a continuous phase comprising a first polymer of LPLG; a discrete phase within the continuous phase, wherein the discrete phase comprises a second polymer including rapidly eroding elastic discrete phase segments. The second polymer further includes anchor segments that have the same or substantially the same chemical make up as the first polymer of the continuous phase, and at least some of the anchor segments have partially or completely phase-separated from the discrete phase into the continuous phase.

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

Abstract: A filtering device has a directional member and filtering member disposable in a vessel (e.g. blood artery) at a position past a lesion in the direction of fluid flow. The filtering member is made from a resilient material having properties of passing the fluid while blocking the passage of emboli in the fluid. This material may be selected from a group consisting of blood filter material and a braided/woven biocompatible material with the properties specified above. The inner end of the filtering member is attached to a shaft which provides for the disposition of the members in the vessel at the position past the lesion and the withdrawal of the members from the vessel. The directional member has a length extending at least to the vessel wall. The directional member is made from a pliable and elongatable material with properties of blocking fluid and emboli passage.

Abstract: Polymer coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The polymers can include at least one unit derived from ethylene and at least one vinyl unit or acrylic unit. The coatings can have a biologically compatible compound conjugated to, or blended with, the polymer.

Abstract: With abluminal side of a stent masked, the luminal side of the stent is selectively coated with a substance, such as an anti-coagulant, a platelet inhibitor and/or a pro-healing substance. The stent can be masked by inserting it into a rigid mandrel chamber or by compressing a masking sleeve onto the outer side of the stent. A spray nozzle inserted into the masked stent spray coats the substance onto the luminal side. The sprayed coating can be cured onto the stent such as by inserting an electrical-resistance heater bar into the stent.

Abstract: A stent fixture for supporting a stent during formation of a coating is provided.

Abstract: The end cap is preferably formed of a relatively high durometer material with an inner surface on an outer surface of the shaft and on an outer surface of the balloon skirt section, and contacts a compression member on the balloon outer surface. The configuration prevents or inhibits failure at the balloon seals which otherwise results from the compression member moving or the balloon pulling off the shaft and out from under the compression member during inflation of the balloon. As a result, the balloon catheter of the invention has an improved consistent burst pressure and/or failure mode.

Abstract: A medical device for treating a defective heart valve. The medical device comprises a delivery sheath and an implantable device moveably disposed within the delivery sheath. The implantable device further comprises a distal expandable basket, a proximal expandable basket, and a connecting member coupling at a first end to the distal expandable basket and at a second end to the proximal expandable basket. Each of the distal expandable basket and proximal expandable basket is in a collapsed state during delivery and an expanded state after deployment. An actuator is releasably coupled to the implantable device. When coupled to the implantable device, the actuator can move the implantable device in a way to allow for positioning of the distal and proximal expandable baskets.

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: High radiopacity is achieved in a polymeric marker by combining a polymeric resin, a powdered radiopaque agent having uniformly shaped particles of a specific particle size distribution and a wetting agent. The method to produce the marker calls for the blending and pelletization of these materials followed by extrusion onto support beading. The resulting supported tubing is subsequently cut to length with the beading still in place. After ejection of the beading remnant the marker is slipped into place on the device to be marked and attached by melt bonding. Marking of a guidewire allows lesions to be measured while the marking of balloon catheters allow the balloon to be properly positioned relative to a lesion.