Abstract: Methods and devices for the provision of a coating on an implantable medical device. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a therapeutic agent component can also be provided. The methods and devices provide a coating having improved uniformity and coverage which in turn allow for greater control of the amount and dosage of the coating.

Abstract: A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to a radially expandable interventional medical device in a collapsed, wrapped, or folded configuration. Properties of the coating material applied to the medical device are adjusted or varied to result in a desired combination of coverage of the surface of the medical device, drug loading, and coating thickness. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device.

Abstract: A method of curing and corresponding resulting non-polymeric cross-linked gel are provided. The cross-linked gel can be combined with a medical device structure. The cross-linked gel can provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing and anti-inflammatory response. The cross-linked gel is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel derived from at least one fatty acid compound. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent. The curing method can vary the application of heat in both temperature and duration to achieve a desired amount of cross-linking forming the gel.

Abstract: A method for the provision of a coating on an implantable medical device results in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a dissolved therapeutic agent component can also be provided. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the dissolved therapeutic agent, to the patient.

Abstract: A method for the provision of a coating on an implantable medical device results in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a dissolved therapeutic agent component can also be provided. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the dissolved therapeutic agent, to the patient.

Abstract: A valve for use in a chest drainage device is disclosed, the chest drainage device is adapted to receive liquid and air from a patient's chest cavity via an inlet and to permit air to escape through an outlet for air to leave the chest drain, the inlet and outlet define a flow path and the valve is disposed along the flow path. The valve has a valve element that separates an upstream chamber from a downstream chamber and has a first and second sealing surface that are opposed so that when the first and second sealing surfaces are in contact, air pressure below a predetermined value will be prevented from moving from the downstream location to the upstream location. The valve element allows air to move from the upstream chamber to the downstream chamber at a low pressure differential.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing a re-usable, recurring, mechanical connection to an organ within a patient is provided. A body fluid cartridge exchange platform device includes a hollow cartridge platform housing with a first end having an opening. The platform housing can additionally have a second end with a second opening. The first opening and the second opening facilitate insertion of an exchange cartridge insert that sealably engages the housing. The first opening and the second opening additionally facilitate removal of the exchange cartridge insert. The exchange cartridge insert can facilitate a flow path between a first leg and a second leg of the platform housing, and can facilitate a flow path between the platform housing and an external location for medical procedure or drug delivery purposes.

Abstract: A barrier layer and corresponding method of making provide anti-inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and anti-adhesion functionality for a medical device implantable in a patient. The barrier layer can be combined with a medical device structure to provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing, non-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory response. The barrier layer is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent.

Abstract: A coated medical device an a method of providing a coating on an implantable medical device result in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a therapeutic agent component can also be provided. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the therapeutic agent, to the patient.

Abstract: A stand-alone film is derived at least in part from fatty acids. The stand-alone film can have anti-adhesive, anti-inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and wound healing properties, and can additionally include one or more therapeutic agents incorporated therein. Corresponding methods of making the stand-alone film include molding, casting, or otherwise applying a liquid or gel to a substrate, and curing or otherwise treating to form the stand-alone film. The resulting stand-alone film is bioabsorbable.

Abstract: A method of UV curing and corresponding resulting non-polymeric cross-linked gel are provided. The cross-linked gel can be combined with a medical device structure. The cross-linked gel can provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing and anti-inflammatory response. The cross-linked gel is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel derived from at least one fatty acid compound. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent. The curing method can vary the application of UV light in both intensity and duration to achieve a desired amount of cross-linking forming the gel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the provision of a coating for application to a medical device results in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a therapeutic agent component and solvent can also be provided. The solvent is removed from the coating before the coating is applied to the medical device. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the therapeutic agent, to the patient.

Abstract: A barrier layer and corresponding method of making provide anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesion functionality for a medical device implantable in a patient. The barrier layer can be combined with a medical device structure to provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing and anti-inflammatory response. The barrier layer is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel derived from at least one fatty acid compound. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing a re-usable, recurring, mechanical connection to an organ within a patient is provided. A body fluid cartridge exchange platform device includes a hollow cartridge platform housing with a first end having an opening. The platform housing can additionally have a second end with a second opening. The first opening and the second opening facilitate insertion of an exchange cartridge insert that sealably engages the housing. The first opening and the second opening additionally facilitate removal of the exchange cartridge insert. The exchange cartridge insert can facilitate a flow path between a first leg and a second leg of the platform housing, and can facilitate a flow path between the platform housing and an external location for medical procedure or drug delivery purposes.

Abstract: A radially expandable fluid delivery device for delivering a fluid to a treatment site within the body is disclosed. The fluid delivery device is constructed of a microporous, biocompatible fluoropolymer material having a microstructure that can provide a controlled, uniform, low-velocity fluid distribution through the walls of the fluid delivery device to effectively deliver fluid to the treatment site without damaging tissue proximate the walls of the device. The fluid delivery device includes a tubular member defined by a wall having a thickness transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member and extending between an inner and an outer surface. The wall is characterized by a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils. The tubular member is deployable from a first, reduced diameter configuration to a second, increased diameter configuration upon the introduction of a pressurized fluid to the lumen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods involving rewetting of expandable polymers with a wettable liquid to allow for enhanced expansion at or below room temperature without breakage, and in some cases, allows one to achieve a greater expansion ratio than that allowed at elevated temperatures using known methods. The wettable liquid can be formed of a drug and/or an agent, such that the resulting polymer contains and emits the drug upon positioning at a target location of a patient body. The expandable polymer can also have the drug or agent added to its structure at a polymer resin preparation stage, through use of an aqueous solution mixed with one or more fluoropolymers, or in a mixing stage. The present invention also allows one to achieve material with unique properties and handling characteristics. These properties included decreased material thickness, increased density, an altered node/fibril morphology, and a more consistent web in the case of flat material.

Abstract: A kit for draining fluids from the body of a patient is provided. The kit eliminates the problem of having to obtain a distinct liquid source and a means for delivering the liquid into a chamber of a chest drain. The kit includes an apparatus configured to receive fluids from the body of the patient. The apparatus defines a chamber to contain a predetermined volume of liquid. The apparatus includes an inlet through which liquid is deliverable to the chamber of the apparatus from an exterior of the apparatus. The kit also includes a container packaged with or attached to the apparatus. The container is prefilled and sealed to contain at least the predetermined volume of liquid. The container includes an outlet configured to deliver at least the predetermined volume of liquid to the chamber of the apparatus through the inlet of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods involving rewetting of expandable polymers with a wettable liquid to allow for enhanced expansion at or below room temperature without breakage, and in some cases, allows one to achieve a greater expansion ratio than that allowed at elevated temperatures using known methods. The wettable liquid can be formed of a drug and/or an agent, such that the resulting polymer contains and emits the drug upon positioning at a target location of a patient body. The present invention also allows one to achieve material with unique properties and handling characteristics. These properties included decreased material thickness, increased density, an altered node/fibril morphology, and a more consistent web in the case of flat material.

Abstract: A radially deployable covered stent that predictably and dependably expands to an increased diameter state at relatively low deployment pressures while concomitantly minimizing the risk of tearing of the stent covering during expansion. The stent covering includes an inner cover and an outer cover that are bonded together through and around the stent structure to cover the stent. The stent cover is constructed from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) having a structure of nodes interconnected by fibrils. The stent covering has a radial thickness of at least about 0.008″ and an average internodal distance (IND) of at least about 100 microns when the stent is in the reduced diameter, unexpanded state. The covered stent deploys at an average deployment pressure of less than or equal to about 10 atm.