Abstract: Biocompatible materials may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. The biocompatible material may comprise metallic and non-metallic materials in hybrid structures. In one such structure, a device may be fabricated with one or more elements having an inner metallic frame that is not degradable with an outer shell formed from a polymeric material that is biodegradable by extrusion blow molding. Additionally, therapeutic agents may be incorporated into the microstructure or the bulk material.

Abstract: Vessel wound closure systems and method for sealing a puncture wound in a target vessel, such as those puncture wounds that occur from prior interventional procedures. A sealing member is deployed intravascularly into the target vessel, and an anchor member is deployed extravacularly of the target vessel. The sealing member and the anchor member are connected by a suture that may be drawn to tighten the sealing member and the anchor member relative to one another in order to effect the seal of the puncture wound. After tightening, the suture is secured to maintain the sealing member and the anchor member relative to one another in order to maintain the seal. Preferably, the anchor member, the suture and the sealing member are comprised of biocompatible, bioresorbable materials that are absorbed into the body after the sealing of the puncture wound has been achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue communicating with a blood vessel includes a bioabsorbable plug member coupled to the distal end of a carrier member. The plug member includes a lumen extending therethrough that communicates with a lumen extending through the carrier member. A sealing member is disposed in the plug member lumen for sealing the lumen. A guide member is slidable into the lumen such that edges of a groove extending between proximal and distal portions of the guide member engage a wall of the lumen to define a bleed back lumen. The guide member is inserted into the passage until the distal portion enters the vessel. The plug member is advanced over the guide member until the plug member enters the vessel, whereupon blood enters the bleed back lumen to identify the location of the vessel relative to the plug member.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a bioabsorbable body disposed on a distal end of a handle device. The plug member includes a helical thread on its outer surface and the plug member and handle device include cooperating lumens communicating with a distal port. A sealing member is disposed within the plug member lumen. An obturator is inserted through the lumens until its distal tip extends beyond the plug member, the distal tip including a bleed back port. The plug member is threaded into a passage towards a blood vessel until the bleed back indicator identifies the location of the vessel with respect to the plug member. The plug member is released from the handle device, the handle device and obturator are withdrawn, and the sealing member seals the lumen. The plug member is left within the passage to seal the passage until the tissue heals.

Abstract: A biocompatible metallic material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices, including intraluminal stents. The biocompatible metallic material may comprise a magnesium alloy. The magnesium alloy implantable medical device may be designed to degrade over a given period of time. In order to control the degradation time, the device may be coated or otherwise have affixed thereto one or more coatings, one of which comprises a material for controlling the degradation time and maintain a pH neutral environment proximate the device. Additionally, therapeutic agents may be incorporated into one or more of the coatings on the implantable medical device.

Abstract: Vessel wound closure systems and method for sealing a puncture wound in a target vessel, such as those puncture wounds that occur from interventional procedures. The vessel wound closure system comprises at least a biocompatible, viscoelastic, self-sealing septum material injected onto the adventitia of the target vessel prior to performance of an interventional procedure. The prior injected septum material remains and seals the puncture wound of the target vessel even after various components associated with accessing the target vessel and the performance of the interventional procedure are removed from the target vessel and the puncture wound.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the formation of blood clots. The drugs, agents, and/or compounds may also be utilized to treat specific diseases, including vulnerable plaque. Therapeutic agents may also be delivered to the region of a disease site.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for re-entering the true lumen of a vessel. The re-entry catheters employ deflectable struts to stabilize and support the distal tip in a subintimal location while a passageway back into the true lumen is formed. Re-entry to the true lumen can be effected with a cutting element or with a conventional guidewire.

Abstract: A biocompatible material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. Polymeric materials may be utilized to fabricate any of these devices, including stents. The stents may be balloon expandable or self-expanding. The polymeric materials may include additives such as drugs or other bioactive agents as well as radiopaque agents. By preferential mechanical deformation of the polymer, the polymer chains may be oriented to achieve certain desirable performance characteristics. The stent has a plurality of hoop components interconnected by a plurality of flexible connectors. The hoop components are formed as a continuous series of substantially longitudinally or axially oriented radial strut members and alternating substantially circumferentially oriented radial arc members. The geometry of the struts and arcs is such that when the stent is expanded, it has very high strains within a relatively small region.

Abstract: Coatings are provided in which surfaces may be activated by covalently bonding a combination of silane derivatives (A) to the metal surface, covalently bonding a lactone polymer (B) to the silane derivative by in situ ring opening polymerization, and depositing at least one layer of a polyester (C) on the bonded lactone polymer. Biologically active agents or therapeutic compounds may be deposited with any of the polyester layers. Such coated surfaces may be useful in medical devices, in particular stents.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices may be utilized to locally delivery one or more drugs or therapeutic agents to treat a wide variety of conditions, including the treatment of the biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the implantable medical device. These therapeutic agents may be released under controlled and directional conditions from a stent so that the one or more therapeutic agents reach the correct target area, for example, the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A biocompatible material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. Polymeric materials may be utilized to fabricate any of these devices, including stents. The stents may be balloon expandable or self-expanding. The polymeric materials may include additives such as drugs or other bioactive agents as well as radiopaque agents. By preferential mechanical deformation of the polymer, the polymer chains may be oriented to achieve certain desirable performance characteristics. The stent has a plurality of hoop components interconnected by at least one flexible connector. The hoop components are formed as a continuous series of alternating substantially longitudinally oriented strut members and connector junction struts, whereas the longitudinal strut is connected to the connector junction strut by alternating substantially circumferentially oriented arc members.

Abstract: A biocompatible metallic material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices, including intraluminal stents. The biocompatible metallic material may comprise a magnesium alloy. The magnesium alloy implantable medical device may be designed to degrade over a given period of time. In order to control the degradation time, the device may be coated or otherwise have affixed thereto one or more coatings, one of which comprises a material for controlling the degradation time and maintain a pH neutral environment proximate the device. Additionally, therapeutic agents may be incorporated into one or more of the coatings on the implantable medical device.