Abstract: A method for fabricating an embodiment of a medical device comprising the steps of: preparing a biodegradable polymeric structure; coating the biodegradable polymeric structure with a polymeric coat including a pharmacological or biological agent; cutting the structure into patterns configured to allow for crimping of the cut structure and expansion of the cut structure after crimping into a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A biodegradable and biocompatible nontoxic polymeric composition is provided which includes a base material such as a crystallizable polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer, and a copolymer or terpolymer additive. Medical devices manufactured from the composition are also provided.

Abstract: In embodiments there is described a cardiovascular tube-shaped lockable and expandable bioabsorbable scaffold having a low immunogenicity manufactured from a crystallizable bioabsorbable polymer composition or blend.

Abstract: A biodegradable, bioabsorbable medical device with a coating for capturing progenitor endothelial cells in vivo and delivering a therapeutic agent at the site of implantation. The coating on the medical device is provided with a biabsorbable polymer composition such as a bioabsorbable polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer, and a copolymer or terpolymer additive for controlling the rate of delivery of the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: In embodiments there is described a cardiovascular tube-shaped lockable and expandable bioabsorbable scaffold having a low immunogenicity manufactured from a crystallizable bioabsorbable polymer composition or blend.

Abstract: In embodiments there is described a cardiovascular tube-shaped lockable and expandable bioabsorbable scaffold having a low immunogenicity manufactured from a crystallizable bioabsorbable polymer composition or blend.

Abstract: In embodiments there is described a cardiovascular tube-shaped lockable and expandable bioabsorbable scaffold having a low immunogenicity manufactured from a crystallizable bioabsorbable polymer composition or blend.

Abstract: In embodiments there is described a cardiovascular tube-shaped lockable and expandable bioabsorbable scaffold having a low immunogenicity manufactured from a crystallizable bioabsorbable polymer composition or blend.

Abstract: An expandable stent comprised of a plurality of helical segments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stent is generally cylindrical in shape having a cylindrical axis, and comprises a first and second set of helical segments. The helical segments in the first set are substantially parallel and have a first pitch forming a first helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. The helical segments in the second set are also generally parallel to each other and form a second pitch that differs from the first pitch, thereby forming a second helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. In an alternative embodiment, the stent comprises one set of helical segments and a plurality of circumferential elements that are joined together by the helical segments to form a plurality of cylindrical elements which are joined together to form a stent body. The stent may also have endzones.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for producing a medical device such as a stent, a stent graft, a synthetic vascular graft, heart valves, coated with a biocompatible matrix which incorporates antibodies, antibody fragments, or small molecules, which recognize, bind to and/or interact with a progenitor cell surface antigen to immobilize the cells at the surface of the device. The coating on the device can also contain a compound or growth factor for promoting the progenitor endothelial cell to accelerate adherence, growth and differentiation of the bound cells into mature and functional endothelial cells on the surface of the device to prevent intimal hyperplasia. Methods for preparing such medical devices, compositions, and methods for treating a mammal with vascular disease such as restenosis, artherosclerosis or other types of vessel obstructions are disclosed.

Abstract: Therapeutic and drug delivery systems are provided in the form of medical devices with coatings for capturing and immobilizing target cells such as circulating progenitor or genetically-altered mammalian cells in vivo. The genetically-altered cells are transfected with genetic material for expressing a marker gene and at least one therapeutic gene in a constitutively or controlled manner. The marker gene is a cell membrane antigen not found in circulating cells in the blood stream and therapeutic gene encodes a peptide for the treatment of disease, such as, vascular disease and cancer. The coating on the medical device may be a biocompatible matrix comprising at least one type of ligand, such as antibodies, antibody fragments, other peptides and small molecules, which recognize and bind the target cells.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for producing a medical device coated with a matrix and an antibody which reacts with an endothelial cell antigen. The matrix coating the medical device may be composed of synthetic material, such as polyurethane, poly-L-lactic acid, cellulose ester or polyethylene glycol. In another embodiment, the matrix is composed of naturally occurring materials, such as collagen, fibrin, elastin, amorphous carbon. In a third embodiment, the matrix may be composed of fillerenes. The fullerenes range from about C60 to about C100. The medical device may be a stent or a synthetic graft. The antibodies promote adherence of eadothelial cells on the medical device. The antibodies may be mixed with the matrix or covalently tethered through a linker molecule to the matrix. Following adherence to the medical device, the endothelial cells differentiate and proliferate on the medical device. The antibodies may be different types of monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: A medical device for implantation into vessels or luminal structures within the body is provided, which stimulates positive blood vessel remodeling. The medical device, such as a stent and a synthetic graft, is provided with a coating with a pharmaceutical composition containing a controlled-release matrix and one or more pharmaceutical substances for direct delivery of drugs to surrounding tissues. The coating on the medical device further comprises one or more barrier layers, and a ligand such as a peptide, an antibody or a small molecule for capturing progenitor endothelial cells in the blood contacting surface of the device for restoring an endothelium at the site of injury. In particular, the drug-coated stents are for use, for example, in balloon angioplasty procedures for preventing or inhibiting restenosis.

Abstract: A medical device for implantation into vessels or luminal structures within the body is provided, which stimulates positive blood vessel remodeling. The medical device, such as a stent and a synthetic graft, is coated with a pharmaceutical composition consisting of a controlled-release matrix and one or more pharmaceutical substances for direct delivery of drugs to surrounding tissues. The coating on the medical device further comprises a ligand such as a peptide, an antibody or a small molecule for capturing progenitor endothelial cells in the blood contacting surface of the device for restoring an endothelium at the site of injury. In particular, the drug-coated stents are for use, for example, in balloon angioplasty procedures for preventing or inhibiting restenosis.

Abstract: A medical device for implantation into vessels or luminal structures within the body is provided, which stimulates positive blood vessel remodeling. The medical device, such as a stent and a synthetic graft, is coated with a pharmaceutical composition consisting of a controlled-release matrix and one or more pharmaceutical substances for direct delivery of drugs to surrounding tissues. The coating on the medical device further comprises a ligand such as a peptide, an antibody or a small molecule for capturing progenitor endothelial cells in the blood contacting surface of the device for restoring an endothelium at the site of injury. In particular, the drug-coated stents are for use, for example, in balloon angioplasty procedures for preventing or inhibiting restenosis.

Abstract: A medical device for implantation into vessels or luminal structures within the body is provided, which stimulates positive blood vessel remodeling. The medical device, such as a stent and a synthetic graft, is provided with a coating with a pharmaceutical composition containing a controlled-release matrix and one or more pharmaceutical substances for direct delivery of drugs to surrounding tissues. The coating on the medical device further comprises one or more barrier layers, and a ligand such as a peptide, an antibody or a small molecule for capturing progenitor endothelial cells in the blood contacting surface of the device for restoring an endothelium at the site of injury. In particular, the drug-coated stents are for use, for example, in balloon angioplasty procedures for preventing or inhibiting restenosis.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a shaft including a tubular having a relatively rigid proximal shaft section and a distal shaft section, each section connected to one another through a flexible transition member, and an inflatable balloon extending at a distal portion of the distal shaft section. The proximal and distal shaft sections define an inflation lumen extending therein which is in fluid communication with an interior of the balloon to allow inflation pressure to the balloon. The distal shaft further comprises a guide wire lumen to receive a guide wire. The guide wire lumen has a guide wire inlet, located between the end portion of the proximal shaft section and the balloon, and a guide wire outlet, located distally to the balloon and leading to an exterior of the catheter. The balloon catheter can be used for coronary angioplasty.

Abstract: The stent of this invention is a self-expanding stent created by a scaffolding lattice. The stent may be made from a nickel-titanium alloy. The lattice is formed from two different types of helices that proceed circumferentially in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis of the stent. The helices have no free ends. The first type of helix is formed by a series of undulations and the second type of helix is formed from a series of connection elements. The undulations may be in a zigzag or sinusoidal pattern. The connection elements connect the junction points lying on adjacent turns of the first type of helix. The junction points are formed by the ascending and descending arms of the undulations or zigzags. The ends of the stent may be formed by a closed circumferential element which is linked by connection elements to a transition zone. The transition zone is formed by a closed loop that connects directly to the first helix.