Abstract: A method and device for coating a medical device, such as a stent, including rolling the stent against a ribbon or gravure roll impregnated with coating material. The ribbon and gravure roll may include a recessed pattern matching a strut pattern of the stent. The stent may also be rolled against a plate or cylinder while coating material is forced onto the stent through a pattern of holes or openings in the plate or cylinder matching a strut pattern of the stent.

Abstract: Endoprostheses (e.g., stents) containing adjustable surfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating assembly and methods that employ the coating assembly to control the thickness of therapeutic or other coatings delivered to a medical device during a coating process. In one embodiment the coating assembly may include a coating plate having a coating transfer surface and a shoulder having a first height, a mandrel moveable over the coating transfer surface, and a coating dispenser positioned in fluid communication with the coating transfer surface. The invention also includes a method of coating a medical device. This method may include placing a medical device on a mandrel, dispensing coating onto a coating transfer surface of a coating plate, moving the mandrel and the medical device over the coating transfer surface of the coating plate so that coating resident on the coating transfer surface transfers to an exposed surface of the medical device, and removing the medical device from the mandrel.

Abstract: An implantable stent comprising a first strut having an abluminal surface, and subluminal surface, and at least one side surface; a first depression formed in the abluminal surface; and a first support element at least partially disposed in the first depression; wherein at least a portion of the first support element extends beyond the abluminal surface of the first strut.

Abstract: Medical devices and related systems and methods.

Abstract: A spray coating apparatus in which gas turbulence is reduced to provide a better controlled spray coating process. The spray coating apparatus comprises a coating chamber, a spray nozzle, and an article holder for holding the article to be coated. Waste gaseous materials generated during the spray coating are extracted through an extraction port on the coating chamber. The amount of extraneous gas flow entering the coating chamber is limited to reduce the amount of gas turbulence in the coating chamber. Also disclosed is a method of spray coating with reduced gas turbulence.

Abstract: A drug-eluting endoprosthesis that includes a bioerodible metal portion and a therapeutic agent. In some aspects, the endoprosthesis includes a plurality of discrete deposits and a plurality of overlying layers each overlying one of the plurality of discrete deposits. Each discrete deposit includes one or more therapeutic agents and each overlying layer includes one or more bioerodible metals. In other aspects, the bioerodible metal portion includes at least two bioerodible metal regions having different electronegativities. The at least two bioerodible metal regions being in electrical contact with each other. The bioerodible metal erodes in a physiological environment to release the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems for aligning and coating a medical device during a single coating cycle. A first section of an applicator may apply a contact force to surfaces of the medical device. The contact force may align and remove surface irregularities from the medical device prior to coating the medical device with coating. The coating may be resident on a second section of the applicator.

Abstract: Provided is a coated medical device (e.g., a stent) comprising one or more surfaces having dispersed thereon a plurality of microparticles comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and a polymer. Specifically, the microparticles are disposed on a device surface in a microparticulate phase coating, i.e., as discrete microparticles in the absence of a continuous phase coating. The medical device effectively adheres one or more APIs to its surface, and allows controlled release of the APIs from the device surface to a desired treatment area by using a minimal amount of polymer. The medical device is suitable for insertion or implantation into a subject, preferably a human. Also provided are methods for preparing and using the coated medical device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for delivering therapeutic agent to a medical device. Under some methods, processes, and systems of the invention, particles including a magnetic material and a therapeutic agent may be directed towards a medical device via magnetic attraction. In another embodiment particles including a magnetic material may force a therapeutic agent/solvent solution into porous matrix by using a magnetic attraction. In still another embodiment, a medical device having at least a portion thereof including a magnetic material is used to attract and adhere particles comprising magnetic material and therapeutic agent to a target surface of the medical device, wherein the particles are fused to the target surface.

Abstract: A method and device for coating a medical device, such as a stent, including rolling the stent against a ribbon or gravure roll impregnated with coating material. The ribbon and gravure roll may include a recessed pattern matching a strut pattern of the stent. The stent may also be rolled against a plate or cylinder while coating material is forced onto the stent through a pattern of holes or openings in the plate or cylinder matching a strut pattern of the stent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating assembly and methods that employ the coating assembly to control the thickness of therapeutic or other coatings delivered to a medical device during a coating process. In one embodiment the coating assembly may include a coating plate having a coating transfer surface and a shoulder having a first height, a mandrel moveable over the coating transfer surface, and a coating dispenser positioned in fluid communication with the coating transfer surface. The invention also includes a method of coating a medical device. This method may include placing a medical device on a mandrel, dispensing coating onto a coating transfer surface of a coating plate, moving the mandrel and the medical device over the coating transfer surface of the coating plate so that coating resident on the coating transfer surface transfers to an exposed surface of the medical device, and removing the medical device from the mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the conditioning of coated medical devices such as stents. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for positioning a medical device within an elution media for a predetermined time period to eliminate a burst release from the coating. Under methods and processes of the invention, a medical device target surface may be identified and coated with therapeutic. The coated surface of the medical device may then be positioned within an elution media for a predetermined period of time to release a predetermined amount of coating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for selectively driving therapeutic into at least a portion of a porous matrix of a medical implant. Under methods and processes of the invention, a medical implant may be provided having at least a portion thereof comprising a porous matrix. An injector in fluid communication with a fluid source deliver therapeutic within the porous matrix. The porous matrix may be configured to control the elution rate.

Abstract: An implantable stent comprising a first strut having an abluminal surface, and subluminal surface, and at least one side surface; a first depression formed in the abluminal surface; and a first support element at least partially disposed in the first depression; wherein at least a portion of the first support element extends beyond the abluminal surface of the first strut.

Abstract: Endoprostheses (e.g., stents) containing adjustable surfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: Medical devices and related systems and methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for coating portions of a workpiece as well as to workpieces that have themselves been coated in accord with the invention. Under these methods and processes of the invention, a workpiece may be rotated to drive coating away from a non-target surface. In some embodiments, surfaces of the workpiece may be pre-treated. Still further, in accord with the embodiments of the present invention, the workpiece may be positioned in a treatment chamber. In still other embodiments, the workpiece may be an implantable medical device and the coating may include a therapeutic.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and processes for coating portions of a workpiece as well as to workpieces that have themselves been coated with one or more of these processes. Under these methods and processes a masking material may be positioned over a portion of a workpiece prior to applying coating to the workpiece. Once the coating is applied this masking may be removed to expose a portion of the workpiece that has not been coated.