Abstract: A composite structure comprising a body having a surface and cladding covering at least a part of said surface of the body and being in intimate contact with the surface. The body and cladding are formed of different materials.

Abstract: The invention involves using a glow discharge plasma to functionalize a surface of medical devices such as catheters, particularly intracardial catheters, with covalently bound thermochemically reactive groups. The surface is further contacted with a bioactive agent, particularly antithrombogenic coatings, which is thermochemically covalently coupled to the reactive group to form a therapeutically effective coating. The selected bioactive agent is then covalently bound to the surface by thermochemical reaction with the surface reactive groups. In another embodiment, the functionalizing step comprises contacting the surface with a Langmuir-Blodgett film comprising an amphipathic compound and a bioactive agent and using a plasma to covalently crosslink the Langmuir-Blodgett film to the medical device surface and to the bioactive agent. Medical devices prepared by the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: Method and device for sealing puncture wounds in a vascular walls wherein a cylinder of compliant material with a coating of hydrophilic material is placed with one end of the cylinder against the side wall of a vessel. Axial pressure is then applied to the other end of the cylinder to deform the cylinder and flatten it into a disk which increases in lateral dimension and becomes embedded in tissue over the wound. The hydrophilic material expands on the disk to seal the wound. A clot promoter in the coating reverses the effects of heparin and accelerates clot formation.

Abstract: A medical device for implantation in the tissue of a human body having a biocompatible coating thereon including a foreign body formed of a material which is substantially biocompatible with the tissue of the human body. The foreign body has a surface adapted to come in contact with the tissue of the human body and is capable of being oxidized. An organic linker is carried on the surface and forms an oxidative coupling with the surface. A bioactive agent is bonded to the organic linker by a chemical reaction or photochemical function.

Abstract: A stent including a cylindrical member having an outside diameter, a length and having proximal and distal extremities. The stent is formed of a metal and has a wall defining a central bore having a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. The cylindrical member has at least two longitudinally spaced-apart struts extending in the wall and permit radial expansion of the cylindrical member from a contracted condition to an expanded condition. Ribs extending in the wall prevent shrinkage in length of the cylindrical member as it is expanded from a contracted position to an expanded position.

Abstract: A compound stent is disclosed, which includes a cylindrical member having first and second extremities and having a wall defining a central bore having a longitudinal axis and extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity, the cylindrical member having first and second end segments and an intermediate segment adjoining the first and second end segments, the first and second end segments being formed of slotted metal and being movable between contracted and expanded conditions, the intermediate segment being formed of a braided material to impart greater flexibility to the stent along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A composite structure comprising a body having a surface. Cladding covers at least a part of the surface. The body and the cladding are formed of different materials, at least one of which is a shape memory alloy having a recoverable strain in excess of 1.0%.

Abstract: The invention involves using a plasma to functionalize a surface of medical devices such as catheters, particularly intracardial catheters, with covalently bound thermochemically reactive groups. The surface is further contacted with a bioactive agent, particularly antithrombogenic coatings, which is thermochemically covalently coupled to the reactive group to form a therapeutically effective coating. The selected bioactive agent is then covalently bound to the surface by thermochemical reaction with the surface reactive groups. In another embodiment, the functionalizing step comprises contacting the surface with a Langmuir-Blodgett film comprising an amphipathic compound and a bioactive agent and using a plasma to covalently crosslink the Langmuir-Blodgett film to the medical device surface and to the bioactive agent. Medical devices prepared by the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: A composite structure comprising a body having a surface. Cladding covers at least a part of the surface. The body and the cladding are formed of different materials, at least one of which is a shape memory alloy having a recoverable strain in excess of 1.0%.