Abstract: A method of coating a stent using a pressure mandrel is provided.

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

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

Abstract: This disclosure provides a description of medical devices with polymeric cobwebbing disposed near the surfaces of the medical device. This cobwebbing can contain drug(s) and can enhance the mechanical and chemical function of intraluminal stents. Methods of using these devices and methods of preparing the devices are disclosed, as well.

Abstract: An improved catheter assembly and method are provided for treating bifurcated vessels. The catheter assembly of the present invention includes a tubular sheath for restraining dual balloons normally biased apart. Withdrawal of the sheath allows the balloons to separate and deploy intravascular stents in a bifurcated vessel. The catheter assembly also includes the feature of containing two guide wire lumens in a single catheter designed to track over a single wire prior to arrival at the bifurcation, thus preventing wire wrapping and crossing of the wires.

Abstract: A method of delivering an arteriogenic factor. The factor is delivered in a medically effective manner to structurally enlarge an existing blood vessel. A distal portion of a catheter can be advanced to an existing blood vessel to deliver the arteriogenic factor.

Abstract: Patterns for polymeric radially expandable implantable medical devices such as stents for implantation into a bodily lumen are disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a substrate having a plasma polymerized functionality bonded to at least a portion of the substrate. A superoxide dismutase mimic agent having a complimentary functional group to the plasma polymerized functionality is bonded to the portion of the substrate by bonding to the plasma polymerized functionality. The functionalities can be carboxylate, amine, or sulfate groups and/or polyethylene glycol and can optionally include crosslinking groups.

Abstract: A stent is fabricated utilizing a polymer that is selected for its tendency to degrade from the surface inwardly rather than undergo bulk erosion so as to substantially reduce the risk of large particles becoming detached and being swept downstream. Such polymer is hydrophobic yet has water-labile linkages interconnecting the monomers. Ester or imide bonds are incorporated in the polymer to render the surface degrading materials suitable for use in stent applications. The stent may be coated with such polymer or may be wholly formed therefrom.

Abstract: A method and system for modifying a drug delivery polymeric substrate for an implantable device, such as a stent, is disclosed.

Abstract: A stent pattern includes an improved portal region for repairing a main vessel and a side branch vessel forming a bifurcation. More particularly, the stent has rings aligned along a common longitudinal axis that are connected by links, where the stent has a proximal section, a distal section, and a central section (portal region). The number of rings and the expanded diameter of the sections are varied to create a “trap door” capable of expanding to a slightly larger diameter than the proximal section and the distal section of the stent. The configuration of the stent pattern of the portal region prevents the occurrence of portal overlap of immediately adjacent rings into the portal region during stent deployment. The stent is implanted at a bifurcation so that the proximal section and the distal section are in the main vessel, and the central section contacts at least a portion of the opening to the side branch vessel.

Abstract: An elongated balloon catheter having a distal tip member on the distal end of the catheter and having a sleeve surrounding and secured at least to the proximal end of the distal tip member.

Abstract: A polymer coating for medical devices based on polyorthoesters and methods for fabricating the coating are disclosed.

Abstract: A patterned coating on a prosthesis, for example a stent, and a method for forming the coating are disclosed Additionally, an apparatus for forming the patterned coating is disclosed.

Abstract: A guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal portion of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal portion of the device. An embodiment has a plurality of radiopaque elements that may be intermittent, continuous or in the form of a helical ribbon for scaled measurement of intracorporeal structure under flouroscopic imaging. Another embodiment has at least one layer of polymer over the distal end of the device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an expandable polymer link hybrid stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery along with a method of making the stent. The stent generally includes a series of metallic cylindrical rings longitudinally aligned on a common axis of the stent and interconnected by a series of polymeric links. The polymer links are formed by applying polymer layers between the rings and laser ablating the excess material. The polymeric material forming the polymeric links, provides longitudinal and flexural flexibility to the stent while maintaining sufficient column strength to space the cylindrical rings along the longitudinal axis. The metallic material forming the rings provides the necessary radial stiffness.

Abstract: A method for electrostatic loading of drugs on an implantable medical device is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a polymeric tubular layer of an expandable medical device or component, in which the polymeric tubular layer is longitudinally compressed by longitudinally stretching a tube over the polymeric tubular layer and releasing the tube from the stretched configuration so that the length of the tube decreases and thereby decreases the length of the polymeric tubular layer. The resulting compressed polymeric tubular layer can be used in a variety of expandable medical devices and in one presently preferred embodiment it forms a catheter balloon having at least one layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for plasma polymerize coating of medical devices, such as stents, is disclosed. A method for forming plasma-polymerized coating for implantable medical devices is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting restenosis is described. The method comprises implanting a stent in a patient's vasculature and simultaneously delivering a restenosis-inhibiting medicine to the treatment site by adjuvant therapy.