Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the local delivery of anti-ischemic agents which reduce myocardial tissue damage due to ischemia or reperfusion, in combination with compounds that sensitize the response of the tissue to the anti-ischemic agent. The therapeutic agents are delivered to the myocardial tissue over an administration period sufficient to achieve reduction in ischemic or reperfusion injury of the tissue.

Abstract: A rapid exchange balloon catheter has a short rapid exchange length for faster catheter exchanges the balloon catheter includes a balloon structure having a balloon leg connected to a catheter shaft. Marker bands may be provided in the balloon leg for facilitating measurement of a dimension of physiological features. A stiffening wire extending longitudinally at least partially into the balloon leg may be provided to supplement and control the flexibility characteristics of the balloon leg.

Abstract: A machine and process useful for processing a delicate workpiece, e.g., an implantable medical device, includes a carrier having a mandrel and wheels. The workpiece is positioned on the mandrel, which is free to roll by gravity on rails which cooperate with the wheels to self-align the travel of the carrier. The carrier can move the workpieces through a series of processing steps by gravity feed and without human intervention. A laterally movable carriage receives the rolling carriers and moves the carrier for processing, and returns the carrier to the rails to again roll by gravity to another processing substation for additional processing. An elevator, which can including processing units itself, is positioned along the rails to receive carriers and raise them so they can continue to roll for further processing.

Abstract: A machine and process useful for processing a delicate workpiece, e.g., an implantable medical device, includes a carrier having a mandrel and wheels. The workpiece is positioned on the mandrel, which is free to roll by gravity on rails which cooperate with the wheels to self-align the travel of the carrier. The carrier can move the workpieces through a series of processing steps by gravity feed and without human intervention. A laterally movable carriage receives the rolling carriers and moves the carrier for processing, and returns the carrier to the rails to again roll by gravity to another processing substation for additional processing. An elevator, which can including processing units itself, is positioned along the rails to receive carriers and raise them so they can continue to roll for further processing.

Abstract: A machine and process useful for processing a delicate workpiece, e.g., an implantable medical device, includes a carrier having a mandrel and wheels. The workpiece is positioned on the mandrel, which is free to roll by gravity on rails which cooperate with the wheels to self-align the travel of the carrier. The carrier can move the workpieces through a series of processing steps by gravity feed and without human intervention. A laterally movable carriage receives the rolling carriers and moves the carrier for processing, and returns the carrier to the rails to again roll by gravity to another processing substation for additional processing. An elevator, which can including processing units itself, is positioned along the rails to receive carriers and raise them so they can continue to roll for further processing.

Abstract: A machine and process useful for processing a delicate workpiece, e.g., an implantable medical device, includes a carrier having a mandrel and wheels. The work piece is positioned on the mandrel, which is free to roll by gravity on rails which cooperate with the wheels to self-align the travel of the carrier. The carrier can move the workpieces through a series of processing steps by gravity feed and without human intervention. A laterally movable carriage receives the rolling carriers and moves the carrier for processing, and returns the carrier to the rails to again roll by gravity to another processing substation for additional processing. An elevator, which can including processing units itself, is positioned along the rails to receive carriers and raise them so they can continue to roll for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for dispensing a beneficial agent into an expandable medical device. The method includes the step of placing an expandable medical device on a mandrel, the medical device forming a cylindrical device having a plurality of openings and dispensing a beneficial agent into the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system includes a balloon dilation catheter including a balloon at a distal part thereof. The catheter is defined at least in part by at least part of a tubular element. The catheter has a proximal part of larger diameter than a reduced diameter part of a distal part of the catheter. The system also includes a sheath, the catheter being disposed in and having a limited range of longitudinal movement relative to the sheath. A method of catheterization is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for reducing the level of restenosis following a stent placement medical intervention involves the continuous administration of a dose of an anti-restenotic agent, such as paclitaxel, from the stent to vascular tissue in need of treatment in a controlled and extended drug release profile for a period of at least 60 days in vivo. The in vivo release profile is determined by in vivo animal experiments involving implanting a series of stents in animals, explanting the stents from the animals at selected time points, and extracting remaining drug from the explanted stents.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system uses a hydrophobic compound as an outer layer or barrier for retarding release of water soluble drugs from the implantable system. The system includes an inner portion of a water soluble drug in a drug matrix material which stabilizes the drug. An outer portion of the drug delivery system separates the inner portion from a surrounding environment. The outer portion retards the release of the water soluble drug from the inner portion. The outer portion includes a hydrophobic non-polymer compound and a binder. The hydrophobic compound can be another drug which can be delivered at an entirely different release kinetic from the water soluble drug and for treatment of the same or a different condition. When the drug delivery system is implanted in a body the outer portion retards the release of the water soluble drug by controlling fluid passing from the body into the inner portion and by controlling passage of the water soluble drug from the inner portion into the body.

Abstract: An expandable medical device has a plurality of elongated struts joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially through a thickness of said strut. A beneficial agent is loaded into the opening within the strut in layers to achieve desired temporal release kinetics of the agent. Alternatively, the beneficial agent is loaded in a shape which is configured to achieve the desired agent delivery profile. A wide variety of delivery profiles can be achieved including zero order, pulsatile, increasing, decrease, sinusoidal, and other delivery profiles.

Abstract: Dipyridamole is an antithrombotic agent which also promotes the growth of endothelial cells. An endothelial cell lining within a stent is necessary for complete healing on the interior of the stent. A dual drug dipyridamole stent includes a first drug formulation of dipyridamole and polymer arranged in a first set of holes in the stent for primarily luminal delivery and a second drug formulation of an antirestenotic agent and polymer arranged in a second set of holes in the stent for primarily mural delivery. The delivery of dipyridamole luminally into the blood stream can involve a two phase release with the first phase being a burst to prevent initial clotting or thrombus formation followed by a second phase with a much slower and more sustained release to reduce thrombogenicity and promote the growth of the endothelial cell lining.

Abstract: An expandable medical device has a plurality of elongated struts joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially through a thickness of said strut. A beneficial agent is loaded into the opening within the strut in layers to achieve desired temporal release kinetics of the agent. Alternatively, the beneficial agent is loaded in a shape which is configured to achieve the desired agent delivery profile. A wide variety of delivery profiles can be achieved including zero order, pulsatile, increasing, decrease, sinusoidal, and other delivery profiles.

Abstract: An expandable medical device has a plurality of elongated struts joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially through a thickness of the strut. A beneficial agent is loaded into the opening within the strut in layers to achieve desired temporal release kinetics of the agent. Alternatively, the beneficial agent is loaded in a shape which is configured to achieve the desired agent delivery profile. A wide variety of delivery profiles can be achieved including zero order, pulsatile, increasing, decrease, sinusoidal, and other delivery profiles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to implantable medical devices for delivery of therapeutic agents, such as drugs, to a patient. More particularly, the invention relates to a device having therapeutic agents protected by a protective layer that prevents or retards processes that deactivate or degrade the active agents.

Abstract: A rapid exchange balloon catheter includes a short rapid exchange portion which reduces friction between the guidewire and the catheter. The catheter shaft includes one or more sections of hypotubing and overjacketing of diminishing distal flexibility by, e.g., forming cuts in the hypotubing and/or varying the jacketing material and/or thickness. A polymer jacket overlies the hypotubing, and an inner sleeve is provided adjacent to the proximal guidewire port to further strengthen the catheter shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for dispensing a beneficial agent into an expandable medical device. The method includes the step of placing an expandable medical device on a mandrel, the medical device forming a cylindrical device having a plurality of openings and dispensing a beneficial agent into the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A method is provided for the semi-synthesis of taxane intermediates useful in the preparation of paclitaxel and docetaxel from 9-dihydro-13-acetylbaccatin III. The preparation of a suitably protected baccatin III backbone from 9-dihydro-13-acetylbaccatin III, and the insertion of the phenylisoserine side chain onto the protected baccatin III from 9-dihydro-13-acetylbaccatin III to form the taxane derivatives, paclitaxel and docetaxel is disclosed.

Abstract: A rapid exchange balloon catheter has a short rapid exchange length for faster catheter exchanges the balloon catheter includes a balloon structure having a balloon leg connected to a catheter shaft. Marker bands may be provided in the balloon leg for facilitating measurement of a dimension of physiological features. A stiffening wire extending longitudinally at least partially into the balloon leg may be provided to supplement and control the flexibility characteristics of the balloon leg.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the prevention of atherosclerosis, its genesis, progression and restenosis in human patients undergoing treatments for arterial lesions such as PTA or atherectomy, and which may be accompanied by stent implantation. Further, the treatment method disclosed has applicability in all stages of atherosclerosis in which monocytes play a role. The compound utilized in the present method as the active agent is a 2-halo-2?-deoxyadenosine such as 2-chloro-deoxyadenosine (2-CdA). The treatment method of the present invention includes the administration of 14 doses of 2-CdA in the amount of 0.12 mg/kg. One dose is given intravenously before the coronary intervention, another is given intravenously after the intervention and the remaining twelve doses are given subcutaneously at weekly intervals over a subsequent three month period.