Abstract: Hyaluronic acid (HA) conjugates or crosslinked HAs compositions for coating an implantable device are provided. The implantable device can be used for treating a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, high cholesterol, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Bioscaffoldings formed of hydrogels that are crosslinked in situ in an infarcted region of the heart (myocardium) by a Michael's addition reaction or by a disulfide bond formed by an oxidative process are described. Each of the bioscaffoldings described includes hyaluronan as one of the hydrogel components and the other component is selected from collagen, collagen-laminin, poly-1-lysine, and fibrin. The bioscaffolding may further include an alginate component. The bioscaffoldings may have biofunctional groups such as angiogenic factors and stem cell homing factors bound to the collagen, collagen-laminin, poly-1-lysine, or fibrinogen hydrogel component. In particular, the biofunctional groups may be PR11, PR39, VEGF, bFGF, a polyarginine/DNA plasmid complex, or a DNA/polyethyleneimine (PEI) complex. Additionally, the hydrogel components may be injected into the infarct region along with stem cells and microspheres containing stem cell homing factors.

Abstract: A method of forming a surface layer that includes a hydroxyl polymer on a substrate coating on a medical device is provided.

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 invention generally encompasses a medical article, such as a medical device or coating comprising an agent or combination of agents, wherein the agent is distributed throughout a polymeric matrix. The polymeric matrix comprises an agent and a poly(ester amide) having a design that was preselected to provide a predetermined release rate of the combination of agents from the medical article.

Abstract: Methods of treating the polymeric surfaces of a stent with a fluid including a solvent for the surface polymer are disclosed.

Abstract: Implantable devices formed of or coated with a material that includes an amorphous poly(D,L-lactide) formed of a starting material such as meso-D,L-lactide are provided. The implantable device can be used for the treatment, mitigation, prevention, or inhibition of a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, patent foramen ovale, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A medical assembly is disclosed comprises a stent and a catheter having a balloon, wherein the coefficient of friction and/or the adhesion at the stent/balloon interface are reduced.

Abstract: A copolymer comprising a block of an elastin pentapeptide and method of making and using the copolymer are provided.

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 provides a method for fabricating an implantable medical device to increase biocompatibility of the device, the method comprising: heat setting a polymer construct, wherein the polymer construct is at a temperature range of from about Tg to about 0.6(Tm?Tg)+Tg such that the set polymer construct comprises a crystalline structure having crystals at a size less than about 2 microns; and fabricating an implantable medical device from the heat set polymer construct.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an implantable medical device that includes deforming and heating setting a polymer construct, for use in fabricating the device, in a temperature range in which the crystal nucleation rate is greater than the crystal growth rate is disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein.

Abstract: Methods of coating an implantable device, such as a stent, are provided.

Abstract: Polymeric composite stents reinforced with fibers for implantation into a bodily lumen are disclosed.

Abstract: Hyaluronic acid (HA) conjugates or crosslinked HAs compositions for coating an implantable device are provided. The implantable device can be used for treating a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, high cholesterol, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A biocompatible carrier for delivery of a therapeutic substance or an active agent is disclosed. The carrier contains a bioadhesive material allowing for increased residence time of the active agent at the treatment site.

Abstract: A polymeric tube is positioned on a polymeric mandrel and then laser cut to form an implantable medical device, such as a stent. The assembly and method reduces contamination of the inner surface of the stent, which would be caused if conventional glass or metal mandrels are used, while simultaneously reducing damage to the inner surface of the stent due to the shielding effect of the polymeric mandrel.

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. Methods of inducing circumferential molecular orientation by inducing circumferential flow in a molten polymer are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for controlling the morphology and the release-rate of active agent from a coating layer for medical devices comprising a polymer matrix and one or more active agents. The methods comprise exposing a wet or dry coating to a freeze-thaw cycle. The coating layer can be used for controlled delivery of an active agent or a combination of active agents.