Abstract: A polymer coating for implantable medical devices based on polyorthoesters and methods for fabricating the coating are disclosed. The implantable medical devices made of polyorthoesters and methods for fabricating thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device including applying a composition to an implantable medical device, the composition including a polymer, an active agent and a solvent; allowing the solvent to evaporate to form a dry coating, the dry coating comprising less than about 2% residual fluid content (w/w); applying a fluid to the dry coating, the fluid being substantially free from any polymer; and allowing the fluid to evaporate from the coating.

Abstract: A coating for implantable medical devices and a method for fabricating thereof are disclosed. The coating includes a mixture of a hydrophobic polymer and a polymeric hydrophilic additive, wherein the hydrophobic polymer and the hydrophilic additive form a physically entangled or interpenetrating system.

Abstract: An intravascular stent assembly for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, is designed to treat a lesion with vulnerable plaque by reducing the fibrous cap stresses. The stent includes distal, proximal, and center sections where the center section is configured to treat the vulnerable plaque. The stent consists of radially expandable cylindrical rings generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and either directly connected or interconnected by one or more interconnecting links placed so that the stent is flexible in the longitudinal direction while providing high degrees of radial strength and vessel scaffolding.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering a treatment agent through a percutaneous delivery apparatus are herein disclosed. In some embodiments, an apparatus can include an expandable body with at least one delivery cannula having a lumen therethrough coupled to an exterior portion of the expandable body. The expandable body can be coupled to a delivery assembly with a hub. The delivery cannula can house at least one needle with a protuberance on a distal end. A portion of the hub can house at least one needle with a protuberance on a proximal end. In some embodiments, the protuberance (proximal or distal) can direct the orientation of the needle during an application of treatment agent. In some embodiments, the delivery cannula can include at least one stop for controlling the movement of the needle during an application of treatment agent. In some embodiments, a sheath can be disposed around the delivery cannula.

Abstract: A balloon catheter, and preferably to a rapid exchange type balloon catheter, having a proximal shaft section, and a distal shaft section with an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member, the outer tubular member having a section which is bonded as by fusing or otherwise bonding. The bonded section extends along a thickened wall portion of the outer tubular member at the rapid exchange junction. A reinforcing member or tube extends within at least a section of the bonded section of the outer tubular member. In one embodiment, the reinforcing tube extends within at least a section of the thickened wall portion of the outer tubular member. The configuration provides a rapid exchange junction with improved kink resistance and flexibility for excellent trackability, and with a minimal decrease in the size of the inflation lumen at the rapid exchange junction for an improved shortened balloon inflation/deflation time.

Abstract: An expandable stent is implanted in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen for treating an area of vulnerable plaque. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen. A central section is positioned between distal and proximal sections and is aligned with the area of vulnerable plaque to enhance growth of endothelial cells over the fibrous cap of the vulnerable plaque to reinforce the area and reduce the likelihood of rupture.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a balloon with a porous polymer layer and one or more filamentary members which are on or in the porous polymer layer and which form ridges protruding outwardly from a surface of the balloon in the inflated configuration. In a presently preferred embodiment, the balloon has a wingless noninflated configuration.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongated shaft and a balloon on a distal shaft section, the elongated shaft comprising an outer tubular member, and an inner tubular member which has a bonded portion along which an outer surface of the inner tubular member is bonded to an inner surface of the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member has a proximal portion proximal to the bonded portion, and a distal portion distal to the bonded portion with higher axial compression stiffness and column strength than the proximal portion thereof. The catheter has improved traceability, axial collapse resistance, pushability, and crossability, for improved ability to position the balloon at a desired location in a patient's body lumen.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a multilayered shaft with variable flexibility along the length of the shaft. In a presently preferred embodiment, the multilayered shaft has a multilayered outer tubular member and an inner tubular member, both the inner and outer tubular members having sections along which the flexibility and/or diameter of the tubular members decrease. These diameter and flexibility transition sections along the outer tubular member are preferably aligned with transitions along the inner tubular member, to provide improved catheter performance.

Abstract: A block copolymer comprising a fluorinated block and a non-fluorinated block and method of making the block copolymer are provided. Also provided herein are a coating on an implantable device comprising the block copolymer and method of using the implantable device.

Abstract: A stent mounting device and a method of coating a stent using the device are provided.

Abstract: A stent for implantation in a body lumen for protecting from rupture a fibrous cap in order to treat vulnerable plaque. One embodiment of the stent achieves staged expansion through stronger and weaker circumferential regions, and includes optional anchors positioned at the circumferential transition between the stronger and weaker regions. During the first stage expansion, the weaker region expands moving the anchors laterally apart. The anchors straddle the fibrous cap and embed into the vessel wall. The second stage expansion of the stent exerts gentler stresses by the weaker region against the fibrous cap while the stronger region exerts greater stresses on the remainder of the vessel wall to open the vessel.

Abstract: A method for coating an implantable medical device that has the steps of applying a polymer composition onto the device, the polymer composition including a solution of a polymer in a solvent, and drying the polymer composition for a period of time at a drying temperature higher than the room temperature in an environment having relative humidity between about 20% and about 100%.

Abstract: A coating and drying apparatus for the application of a coating substance to a stent and drying the stent is provided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed having a coating. The coating includes a poly(butylene terephthalate-co-ethylene glycol)polymer. The coating can also include a drug.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a needle to contact and penetrate tissue. The apparatus also includes a device coupled to the needle, wherein the device detects the needle contacting the tissue, and measures depth of tissue penetration.

Abstract: An expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen includes cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen. The distal and proximal end ring have peaks that extend longitudinally when the stent is radially expanded. The end ring extensions reduce the likelihood of the development of peri-stent restenosis.

Abstract: A coating for a medical device, particularly for a drug eluting stent, is described. The coating can include a polyacrylate, a blend of polyacrylates, or a blend of the polyacrylate with other polymers, for example, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol).

Abstract: A coating and drying apparatus for the application of a coating substance to a stent and drying the stent is provided.