Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling the flaking of coating fragments from medical implants and improving the delivery of therapeutic agents from such coatings are described.

Abstract: A stent is fabricated utilizing a polymer that is selected for its tendency to degrade from the surface inwardly rather than undergo bulk erosion so as to substantially reduce the risk of large particles becoming detached and being swept downstream. Such polymer is hydrophobic yet has water-labile linkages interconnecting the monomers. Ester or imide bonds are incorporated in the polymer to render the surface degrading materials suitable for use in stent applications. The stent may be coated with such polymer or may be wholly formed therefrom.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer stent with radiopacity and a method of making and using a stent with enhanced mechanical strength and/or controlled degradation for use in a bodily lumen is described.

Abstract: Provided herein are microfluidic devices and methods useful for sensitive detection of analytes. The methods and devices described herein are also useful for detecting direct or indirect binding of enzymes or catalysts to a surface, for example a surface having analytes bound thereon. Methods disclosed herein include embodiments utilizing a pre-concentration scheme to improve signal levels of corresponding reporter moieties.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer stent with radiopacity and a method of making and using a stent with enhanced mechanical strength and/or controlled degradation for use in a bodily lumen is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent fabricated of or coated with a composition comprising a biodegradable hydrophobic polymer containing water-labile bonds such that a device fabricated of the composition or the surface of a device coated with the requisite mechanical characteristics required of a stent and the polymer erodes from its outer surface inward.

Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed which has a significantly reduced internal resistance and which can be miniaturized. Two substrates are prepared, on with microchannels running along its facing surface and the other with nanochannels running along its facing surface. A silica-based binder is used to bind the substrates together with the microchannels running orthogonal to the nanochannels. The binder is removed from the microchannels and a fuel is introduced into at least one of the microchannels and an oxidant is introduced into at least one other of the microchannels.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling the flaking of coating fragments from medical implants and improving the delivery of therapeutic agents from such coatings are described.

Abstract: A stent is fabricated utilizing a polymer that is selected for its tendency to degrade from the surface inwardly rather than undergo bulk erosion so as to substantially reduce the risk of large particles becoming detached and being swept downstream. Such polymer is hydrophobic yet has water-labile linkages interconnecting the monomers. Ester or imide bonds are incorporated in the polymer to render the surface degrading materials suitable for use in stent applications. The stent may be coated with such polymer or may be wholly formed therefrom.

Abstract: A stent is fabricated utilizing a polymer that is selected for its tendency to degrade from the surface inwardly rather than undergo bulk erosion so as to substantially reduce the risk of large particles becoming detached and being swept downstream. Such polymer is hydrophobic yet has water-labile linkages interconnecting the monomers. Ester or imide bonds are incorporated in the polymer to render the surface degrading materials suitable for use in stent applications. The stent may be coated with such polymer or may be wholly formed therefrom.

Abstract: A stent is fabricated utilizing a polymer that is selected for its tendency to degrade from the surface inwardly rather than undergo bulk erosion so as to substantially reduce the risk of large particles becoming detached and being swept downstream. Such polymer is hydrophobic yet has water-labile linkages interconnecting the monomers. Ester or imide bonds are incorporated in the polymer to render the surface degrading materials suitable for use in stent applications. The stent may be coated with such polymer or may be wholly formed therefrom.

Abstract: A stent is fabricated utilizing a polymer that is selected for its tendency to degrade from the surface inwardly rather than undergo bulk erosion so as to substantially reduce the risk of large particles becoming detached and being swept downstream. Such polymer is hydrophobic yet has water-labile linkages interconnecting the monomers. Ester or imide bonds are incorporated in the polymer to render the surface degrading materials suitable for use in stent applications. The stent may be coated with such polymer or may be wholly formed therefrom.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer stent with radiopacity and a method of making and using a stent with enhanced mechanical strength and/or controlled degradation for use in a bodily lumen is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent fabricated of or coated with a composition comprising a biodegradable hydrophobic polymer containing water-labile bonds such that a device fabricated of the composition or the surface of a device coated with the requisite mechanical characteristics required of a stent and the polymer erodes from its outer surface inward.

Abstract: An embolic protection device for use in a blood vessel when an interventional procedure is being performed in a stenosed or occluded region to capture any embolic material which may be created and released into the bloodstream during the procedure. The device includes a filtering assembly having a self-expanding strut assembly and a filter element attached thereto. In one embodiment, the filtering assembly is attached to the distal end of a guide wire and is deployed within the patient's vasculature as the guide wire is manipulated into the area of treatment. A restraining sheath placed over the filtering assembly in a coaxial arrangement maintains the filtering assembly in its collapsed position until it is ready to be deployed by the physician. Thereafter, the sheath can be retracted to expose the filtering assembly which will then self-expand within the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: Porous vascular grafts and stent covers are formed of open-celled microcellular polymeric foams having a porosity that can be modified to be adapted for carrying and delivering different types of therapeutic drugs. A stent cover is formed of a tubular member including at least one layer of a porous, microcellular foam formed from a polymeric material capable of absorbing and releasing therapeutic drugs at predictable rates for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel. A composite metal and polymer vascular graft is formed of an interior structural stent member, and an outer layer or coating of the porous, microcellular foam.

Abstract: An embolic protection device for use in a blood vessel when an interventional procedure is being performed in a stenosed or occluded region to capture any embolic material which may be created and released into the bloodstream during the procedure. The device includes a filtering assembly having a self-expanding strut assembly and a filter element attached thereto. In one embodiment, the filtering assembly is attached to the distal end of a guide wire and is deployed within the patient's vasculature as the guide wire is manipulated into the area of treatment. A restraining sheath placed over the filtering assembly in a coaxial arrangement maintains the filtering assembly in its collapsed position until it is ready to be deployed by the physician. Thereafter, the sheath can be retracted to expose the filtering assembly which will then self-expand within the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: An expandable filtering material expands within a body vessel (e.g. artery) when fluid flows through the vessel. Expandable pockets in the filtering material trap emboli released in the fluid. The filtering material is inserted into the vessel at a particular position distal to a lesion in the direction of the fluid flow. A protective sleeve covers the filtering material. An interventional device is disposed in the vessel at the lesion position to treat the lesion. The sleeve is removed from the expandable filtering material thereby expanding the filtering material within the vessel. The interventional device treats the lesion and opens up the vessel at the lesion position. The interventional device is thereafter removed. Retaining pockets in the expandable filtering material trap emboli released in the fluid of the body vessel.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system for properly implanting a stent in a body lumen generally comprising a catheter having an elongated shaft with an inflatable balloon formed of compliant material and a stent mounted on the working length of the balloon. The balloon material is compliant within the working range of the balloon to provide substantial radial expansion. The wingless radially expansive balloon expands in a uniform manner, thereby producing uniform expansion and implantation of the stent. Another embodiment is directed to a balloon catheter having a semi-compliant balloon formed at least in part of a block copolymer.

Abstract: A device and a method using the same, for the treatment of stenosed areas during or prior to dilation, comprising at least one region along an expandable member which is configured to deliver a concentrated force to the diseased tissue site.