Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to create medical devices and medical devices including bioactive composite structures. The methods include using template-assisted electro- or electroless deposition or codeposition methods for providing implantable medical devices coated with bioactive composite structures and also include layering deposited or codeposited metal layers with layers of bioactive materials. In one use, the implantable medical devices of the present invention include stents with bioactive composite structure coatings.

Abstract: A stent is provided with modified ends (782, 786) and enhanced drug delivery. The stent assembly also provides for enhanced overlapping between adjacent stents.

Abstract: A metallic composite coating, and methods for forming same, for an implantable medical device is disclosed. The composite coating comprises at least one metal or metallic tie layer formed on the surface of the device, followed by an electroless electrochemical cladding of one or more additional layers over the tie layer. One or more therapeutic or biologically active agents are co-deposited with at least one of the electroless electrochemical claddings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to create medical devices and medical devices including bioactive composite structures with enhanced adhesion characteristics. The bioactive composite structures are prepared using anchors that are electrochemically codeposited into a metallic layer that is formed on the surface of implantable medical device followed by the adhesion of a bioactive material-containing coating to the substrate and anchors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various open/closed stent designs and methods for creating the same that can be individually adopted depending on particular treatment objectives. Specifically, the stents of the present invention are manufactured to include different open/closed configurations along their length by varying the number of crossovers, connectors or weld points between sections of the stent. Open portions contain less crossovers, connectors or weld points and are more flexible than closed portions which contain more crossovers, connectors or weld points.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are stents manufactured to include increased surface area for bioactive material deposition or enhanced radiopacity at various locations along the length of the stent. The stents of the present invention also can also be manufactured to create a less abrupt transition between stented and unstented portions of a vessel. A less abrupt transition is created by providing increased surface area for bioactive material deposition at the ends of the stent and/or providing end sections (and sections adjacent thereto) of the stents that are more flexible than more centrally located sections of the stent.

Abstract: A stent and stent deployment system and related methods are disclosed wherein the stent has at least one end segment comprised of a self-expanding material attached to a body portion comprised of a biocompatible material. The stent deployment system comprises a balloon catheter having a stent disposed over the balloon. In one embodiment a stent's end segments extend beyond the proximal and distal ends of the balloon such that they are able to stent a portion of a vessel not expanded or damaged by balloon expansion. This stenting beyond area expanded or damaged by balloon expansion provides for a less abrupt transition between stented and unstented portions of a vessel.

Abstract: At least one bioactive agent is locally delivered to a location where a stent is implanted within a lumen in a patient's body. The bioactive agent includes a: DNA minor groove binder (such as CC-1065 or Duocarmycin); apocynin; RGD peptide (such as RGDfV); stilbene compound (such as resveratrol); camptothecin; des-aspartate angiotensin I; or ADF; or an analog or derivative thereof; or a combination or blend thereof with at least one other bioactive agent. The bioactive agent is generally locally delivered, such as by elution from the stent. The compounds and methods are of particular benefit for treating or preventing atherosclerosis, stenosis, restenosis, smooth muscle cell proliferation, occlusive disease, or other abnormal lumenal cellular proliferation condition.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising providing an electrochemical solution comprising metal ions and a bioactive material such as bioactive molecules, and then contacting the electrochemical solution and a substrate. A bioactive composite structure is formed on the substrate using an electrochemical process, where the bioactive composite structure includes a metal matrix and the bioactive material within the metal matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to create medical devices and implantable medical devices with an electrochemically engineered porous surface that contains one or more bioactive materials to form bioactive composite structures. The bioactive composite structures are prepared using electrochemical codeposition methods to create metallic layers with pores that can be loaded with bioactive materials. In one use, the implantable medical devices of the present invention include stents with bioactive composite structure coatings.

Abstract: A stent is provided in combination with a growth factor, specifically pleiotrophin or an analog or derivative thereof, which promotes endothelialization of the stent and re-endothelialization of the stented region of an injured site in a body lumen. In particular applications, the stent is an endolumenal stent and the growth factor promotes healing via endothelialization and substantially prevents restenosis. The growth factor is delivered from the stent formulated as a protein or peptide, or as a gene transfer vector. Methods for the treatment of vascular injury using pleiotrophin are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to create medical devices and medical devices including bioactive composite structures. The methods include using template-assisted electro- or electroless deposition or codeposition methods for providing implantable medical devices coated with bioactive composite structures and also include layering deposited or codeposited metal layers with layers of bioactive materials. In one use, the implantable medical devices of the present invention include stents with bioactive composite structure coatings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to create medical devices and medical devices including bioactive composite structures. The methods include using electroless and electrophoretic deposition and codeposition methods for providing implantable medical devices coated with bioactive composite structures. In one use, the implantable medical devices of the present invention include stents with bioactive composite structures.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising providing an electrochemical solution comprising metal ions and a bioactive material such as bioactive molecules, and then contacting the electrochemical solution and a substrate. A bioactive composite structure is formed on the substrate using an electrochemical process, where the bioactive composite structure includes a metal matrix and the bioactive material within the metal matrix.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a porous surface with a composite material located within the pores that includes a bioerodable material in combination with a bioactive agent. The composite material is adapted to erode upon exposure to the body of a patient, thus releasing the bioactive agent into the patient, whereas the porous surface remains on the device. In one embodiment, the composite material includes micro- or nano-particles that are deposited within the pores. In a further embodiment, the porous surface is an electrolessly electrochemically deposited material. Certain tie layer and other surface modification aspects are described to enhance various aspects of the bioactive composite surface. The bioactive composite surface is of particular benefit when provided on an endolumenal stent assembly in a manner adapted to elute anti-restenosis or anti-thrombosis agents or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A metallic composite coating, and methods for forming same, for an implantable medical device is disclosed. The composite coating comprises at least one metal or metallic tie layer formed on the surface of the device, followed by an electroless electrochemical cladding of one or more additional layers over the tie layer. One or more therapeutic or biologically active agents are co-deposited with at least one of the electroless electrochemical claddings.