Abstract: A method of determining whether a substrate has been subjected to an energy source. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a polymeric surface, providing a light emitting material having a specified emission spectrum that changes upon exposure to an energy source on the surface or embedded in said substrate and applying said energy source to said surface with said light emitting material. This method can be particularly useful for detecting the bond quality in medical devices.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a stent or balloon of a balloon catheter which includes a body portion which has an exterior surface which contacts, at least in part, a vessel wall during treatment. The body portion is expandable from a first position, wherein the body portion is sized for insertion into the vessel lumen, to a second position, wherein at least a portion of the exterior surface is in contact with the lumen wall. The medical device includes a first coating disposed over at least a portion of the exterior surface of the body portion with the first coating including a drug or therapeutic substance which is intended for controlled release from the surface. The medical device further includes a second coating overlying at least a substantial portion of the first coating. The second coating includes a material that is generally impervious to elution of the drug or therapeutic substance therethrough when the body portion is in a first position when inserted into the vessel lumen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device comprising at least one tubular member having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the tubular member is at least occasionally subjected to contact with at least one second surface. The tubular member therefore comprises a hydrophilic lubricious coating disposed on its inner surface to reduce the friction between the inner surface of the tubular member and the second surface which is caused by movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a coated hollow polymeric tubular member useful in medical devices. The method involves a simple, unique method of simultaneously extruding and coating the polymeric tube.

Abstract: A stent delivery system which utilizes a stent delivery catheter to deliver a stent into a body lumen. The stent delivery catheter being equipped with at least one stent retaining sleeve. The at least one stent retaining sleeve having an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface, outside surface, or both, having a coating which is lubricious.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a lubricious material disposed thereon to reduce friction or prevent adherence of adjacent layers, and thus reduce the pressure required for inflation.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a lubricious material disposed thereon to reduce friction or prevent adherence of adjacent layers, and thus reduce the pressure required for inflation.

Abstract: A stent delivery system comprising a catheter wherein the catheter includes an inflatable region. An expandable stent being disposed about at least a portion of the inflatable region. The first end of at least one stent retaining sleeve overlying an end of the stent prior to the stent being expanded for delivery. The second end of the at least one sleeve being engaged to at least a portion of the catheter adjacent to the inflatable region. The at least one stent retaining sleeve constructed and arranged to longitudinally foreshorten from a first predetermined length to a second predetermined length when the stent is expanded for delivery. The second predetermined length being more than 5 percent shorter than the first predetermined length. When the stent is expanded for delivery, the at least one stent retaining sleeve is retracted off of the stent thereby releasing the stent from the catheter.

Abstract: A stent delivery system comprising a catheter. The catheter including a stent mounting region and a stent disposed thereabout. The stent having a distal end and a proximal end, and an unexpanded state and an expanded state. At least one stent retaining sleeve, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end overlays an end of the stent when the stent is in the unexpanded state. The second end engaged to at least a portion of the catheter adjacent to the stent mounting region. The stent retaining sleeve(s) comprising a first material and at least one substantially longitudinally oriented fiber of a second material. The first material having a predetermined tensile modulus and the second material having a predetermined tensile modulus, wherein the predetermined tensile modulus of the second material is greater than that of the first material.

Abstract: A stent having a polymeric coating for controllably releasing an included active agent. The polymeric coating includes a blend of a first polymeric material, which if alone, would release the agent at a first, higher rate, and a second polymeric material, which if alone would release the agent at a second, lower rate over a longer time period. One stent coating utilizes a faster releasing hydrophilic polymeric material and a slower releasing hydrophobic material. One stent coating includes a blend of a faster releasing PLA-PEO copolymer and a slower releasing PLA-PCL copolymer. One active agent is Taxol. One use of the Taxol delivering stent is to inhibit restenosis following angioplasty.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein the device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface. The first surface comprises an improved lubricious coating having a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrophobic top coating which prevents the hydrogel coating from prematurely absorbing too much moisture. The hydrophobic top coating comprises at least one hydrophilic surfactant which acts as a carrier to facilitate removal of the hydrophobic top coating upon entry into an aqueous environment.

Abstract: A stent having a polymeric coating for controllably releasing an included active agent. The polymeric coating includes a blend of a first polymeric material, which if alone, would release the agent at a first, higher rate, and a second polymeric material, which if alone would release the agent at a second, lower rate over a longer time period. One stent coating utilizes a faster releasing hydrophilic polymeric material and a slower releasing hydrophobic material. One stent coating includes a blend of a faster releasing PLA-PEO copolymer and a slower releasing PLA-PCL copolymer. One active agent is Taxol. One use of the Taxol delivering stent is to inhibit restenosis following angioplasty.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein the device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface. The first surface comprises an improved lubricious coating having a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrophobic top coating which prevents the hydrogel coating from prematurely absorbing too much moisture. The hydrophobic top coating comprises at least one hydrophilic surfactant which acts as a carrier to facilitate removal of the hydrophobic top coating upon entry into an aqueous environment.

Abstract: A stent delivery system comprising a catheter including a stent mounting region. A stent is disposed about the stent mounting region of the catheter, the stent having a distal end and a proximal end. The stent further having an unexpanded state and an expanded state, and at least one stent retaining sleeve having a first end and a second end. The first end overlying an end of the stent when the stent is in the unexpanded state, the second end engaged to at least a portion of the catheter adjacent to the stent mounting region. The at least one stent retaining sleeve being at least partially composed of at least one hydrophilic elastomeric material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent delivery system in which a catheter carries on its distal end portion a stent which is held in place around the catheter prior to and during percutaneous delivery by means of one, and preferably two, end sleeves. The sleeves are positioned around the catheter with one end portion of each sleeve associated thereto. The other end of each sleeve overlaps an end portion of the stent to hold it in place on the catheter in a contracted condition. The present invention provides an improvement with respect to lubrication of the sleeve prior to its assembly with the catheter. A preferred way of lubricating the sleeve is by incorporating a lubricant additive within the sleeve composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein the device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface. The first surface comprises an improved lubricious coating having a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrophobic top coating which prevents the hydrogel coating from prematurely absorbing too much moisture. The hydrophobic top coating comprises at least one hydrophilic surfactant which acts as a carrier to facilitate removal of the hydrophobic top coating upon entry into an aqueous environment.

Abstract: A method is provided for eliminating surface imperfections on a medical device having a drug release coating including a therapeutic substance in a polymeric carrier disposed on at least a portion of the medical device. The medical device is preferably a stent including wire-like members interconnected to form struts with open interstices therebetween. A therapeutic substance incorporate into a polymeric carrier is disposed on the surface of the stent through which process imperfections including polymeric fibers, polymeric particles or other polymeric surface aberrations or imperfections are formed. This imperfections are eliminated by contacting the polymeric coating with a vaporized solvent for a specified period of time.

Abstract: A multilayer device comprised of at least one layer of material which is capable of absorbing liquid to thereby increase the volume of the layer, i.e., liquid swellable, and when bound to at least one non-absorbing or lesser absorbing layer of material causes deformation of the device upon liquid absorption.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting restenosis including local application of an oxidizing agent to blood vessel walls. Preferred oxidizing agents include peroxides, most preferably hydrogen peroxide. Oxidizing agents can be delivered utilizing drug delivery balloon catheters. Preferred delivery catheters include an inflatable balloon having a perfusion lumen therethrough to allow for longer application periods. Oxidizing agents can be delivered either alone or in conjunction with radiation or stent delivery. One method includes local delivery of 0.1% hydrogen peroxide to a dilated stenosis wall for a period of 10 minutes at a rate of 0.5 cc per minute.

Abstract: A plug for repairing a defect in the retina. The plug can be made from a biodegradable, non-biodegradable, natural or synthetic material. The plug is dimensioned to fit the defect during a vitrectomy procedure to prevent ingress of vitreous fluid into the subretinal space and prevent the migration of pigmented retinal cells. The plug can be formed from a solution that gels at body temperature to form a plug.