Abstract: An ethylene vinyl alcohol coating for an implantable device or prosthesis, such as a stent, is provided. Compositions are also provided for coating the implantable device. The compositions can include an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer added to an iso-propyl alcohol (IPA)/water solvent. Active agents, such as actinomycin D, can be included in the composition to be carried by the copolymer matrix.

Abstract: Coatings for implantable devices or endoluminal prosthesis, such as stents, are provided, including a method of forming the coatings. The coatings can be used for the delivery of an active ingredient or a combination of active ingredients.

Abstract: A catheter for injecting medication to a specific point within a patient comprises a drug delivery lumen extending from a proximal end of the catheter to an injection port. The catheter comprises a mechanism for angularly pushing the injection port outwardly away from the body of the catheter into an artery wall so that medication can be injected directly into the artery wall.

Abstract: Using a variable stiffness guidewire to cross a stenosed region of a patient's vasculature by advancing the distal end of the guidewire to the stenosed region, reducing the flexibility of the distal end of the guidewire, and further advancing the distal end through and past the stenosed region of the lumen. The variable stiffness guidewire has a longitudinally movable core member with a proximal end and a shapable distal end, a compressible body is slidably mounted on the core member, with one end of the compressible body secured to the end of the core member, and a tubular support member is disposed about the core member with a distal end that abuts the proximal end of the compressible body. The guidewire further comprises a tensioning means at the proximal end to move the core member longitudinally with respect to the tubular support member so as to compress and reduce the flexibility of the compressible body.

Abstract: Using a variable stiffness guidewire to cross a stenosed region of a patient's vasculature by advancing the distal end of the guidewire to the stenosed region, reducing the flexibility of the distal end of the guidewire, and further advancing the distal end through and past the stenosed region of the lumen. The variable stiffness guidewire has a longitudinally movable core member with a proximal end and a shapable distal end, a compressible body is slidably mounted on the core member, with one end of the compressible body secured to the end of the core member, and a tubular support member is disposed about the core member with a distal end that abuts the proximal end of the compressible body. The guidewire further comprises a tensioning means at the proximal end to move the core member longitudinally with respect to the tubular support member so as to compress and reduce the flexibility of the compressible body.