Abstract: A method including introducing into a blood stream a delipidated high density lipoprotein (HDL) and a bioactive agent. A composition including a delipidated high density lipoprotein (HDL) and an auxiliary agent in a form suitable for delivery into a blood vessel. A composition including Apo A1 comprising a hydrophobic ligand suitable to interact with cell surface binding sites. A composition including Apo A1 and an agent selected to one of increase the ATP-binding cassette protein 1 (ABCA1) transporter expression in macrophages and protect ABCA1 from thiol-mediated degradation.

Abstract: A method including introducing into a blood stream a delipidated high density lipoprotein (HDL) and a bioactive agent. A composition including a delipidated high density lipoprotein (HDL) and an auxiliary agent in a form suitable for delivery into a blood vessel. A composition including Apo A1 comprising a hydrophobic ligand suitable to interact with cell surface binding sites. A composition including Apo A1 and an agent selected to one of increase the ATP-binding cassette protein 1 (ABCA1) transporter expression in macrophages and protect ABCA1 from thiol-mediated degradation.

Abstract: A method including introducing into a blood stream a delipidated high density lipoprotein (HDL) and a bioactive agent. A composition including a delipidated high density lipoprotein (HDL) and an auxiliary agent in a form suitable for delivery into a blood vessel. A composition including Apo A1 comprising a hydrophobic ligand suitable to interact with cell surface binding sites. A composition including Apo A1 and an agent selected to one of increase the ATP-binding cassette protein 1 (ABCA1) transporter expression in macrophages and protect ABCA1 from thiol-mediated degradation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to treat vulnerable plaque. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a medical device to treat an occlusive plaque, and is also adapted to release a biologically active agent to treat vulnerable plaque located downstream from the occlusive plaque. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus has an expandable tube attached to the inner surface of a stent, and a layer of endothelial cells seeded on the inner surface of the expandable tube. The expandable tube shields a vulnerable plaque from a body lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to treat vulnerable plaque. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a medical device to treat an occlusive plaque, and is also adapted to release a biologically active agent to treat vulnerable plaque located downstream from the occlusive plaque. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus has an expandable tube attached to the inner surface of a stent, and a layer of endothelial cells seeded on the inner surface of the expandable tube. The expandable tube shields a vulnerable plaque from a body lumen.

Abstract: Drug-delivery stents capable of providing release of two or more drugs such as everolimus and estradiol are provided. The stents can be used for treating a disease such as restenosis and vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to perform therapeutic treatment and diagnosis of a patient's vasculature through the use of an intravascular device having an optical fiber disposed therein. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an intravascular device to perform a therapeutic treatment and at least one optical fiber disposed through the intravascular device. The optical fiber is configured to provide diagnostic information before, during, and after the therapeutic treatment. In an embodiment, diagnostic information includes vessel and blood characteristics such as hemodynamic characteristics, hematological parameters related to blood and blood components, and thermal parameters of the vasculature.

Abstract: An intravascular stent assembly for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, is designed to treat a lesion with vulnerable plaque by reducing the fibrous cap stresses. A polymeric sleeve having first and second ends interconnects a first metallic stent and a second metallic stent. The first end is bonded to a distal end region of the first stent and the second end to a proximal end region of the second stent. The polymeric sleeve can be loaded with a therapeutic drug or agent to further control local thrombosis and/or induce healing if the plaque fibrous cap ruptures during or after implantation. Methods of making an intravascular stent assembly for the treatment of vulnerable plaque are also provided.

Abstract: An intravascular stent assembly for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, is designed to treat a lesion with vulnerable plaque by reducing the fibrous cap stresses. A polymeric sleeve having first and second ends interconnects a first metallic stent and a second metallic stent. The first end is bonded to a distal end region of the first stent and the second end to a proximal end region of the second stent. The polymeric sleeve can be loaded with a therapeutic drug or agent to further control local thrombosis and/or induce healing if the plaque fibrous cap ruptures during or after implantation. Methods of making an intravascular stent assembly for the treatment of vulnerable plaque are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to perform therapeutic treatment and diagnosis of a patient's vasculature through the use of an intravascular device having an optical fiber disposed therein. In an embodiment of this invention, the apparatus includes a therapeutic guidewire and at least one optical fiber disposed through the therapeutic guidewire, the optical fiber capable of providing diagnostic information before, during, and after the therapeutic treatment. In an embodiment, diagnostic information includes vessel and blood characteristics such as hemodynamic characteristics, hematological parameters related to blood and blood components, and thermal parameters of the vasculature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to perform therapeutic treatment and diagnosis of a patient's vasculature through the use of an intravascular device having an optical fiber disposed therein. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an intravascular device to perform a therapeutic treatment and at least one optical fiber disposed through the intravascular device. The optical fiber is configured to provide diagnostic information before, during, and after the therapeutic treatment. In an embodiment, diagnostic information includes vessel and blood characteristics such as hemodynamic characteristics, hematological parameters related to blood and blood components, and thermal parameters of the vasculature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to treat vulnerable plaque. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a medical device to treat an occlusive plaque, and is also adapted to release a biologically active agent to treat vulnerable plaque located downstream from the occlusive plaque. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus has an expandable tube attached to the inner surface of a stent, and a layer of endothelial cells seeded on the inner surface of the expandable tube. The expandable tube shields a vulnerable plaque from a body lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to perform therapeutic treatment and diagnosis of a patient's vasculature through the use of an intravascular device having an optical fiber disposed therein. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an intravascular device to perform a therapeutic treatment and at least one optical fiber disposed through the intravascular device. The optical fiber is configured to provide diagnostic information before, during, and after the therapeutic treatment. In an embodiment, diagnostic information includes vessel and blood characteristics such as hemodynamic characteristics, hematological parameters related to blood and blood components, and thermal parameters of the vasculature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to treat vulnerable plaque. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a medical device to treat an occlusive plaque, and is also adapted to release a biologically active agent to treat vulnerable plaque located downstream from the occlusive plaque. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus has an expandable tube attached to the inner surface of a stent, and a layer of endothelial cells seeded on the inner surface of the expandable tube. The expandable tube shields a vulnerable plaque from a body lumen.

Abstract: Drug-delivery stents capable of providing release of two or more drugs such as everolimus and estradiol are provided. The stents can be used for treating a disease such as restenosis and vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: A method including introducing into a blood stream a delipidated high density lipoprotein (HDL) and a bioactive agent. A composition including a delipidated high density lipoprotein (HDL) and an auxiliary agent in a form suitable for delivery into a blood vessel. A composition including Apo A1 comprising a hydrophobic ligand suitable to interact with cell surface binding sites. A composition including Apo A1 and an agent selected to one of increase the ATP-binding cassette protein 1 (ABCA1) transporter expression in macrophages and protect ABCA1 from thiol-mediated degradation.

Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods are described to treat vulnerable plaque with the use of combination drug therapy. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an elongated catheter body adapted for insertion in a body lumen, with a drug delivery device attached near a distal portion of the elongated body. The drug delivery device is configured to deliver a therapeutic or biologically active agent to stabilize a vulnerable plaque. In another embodiment, a drug eluting stent is delivered and deployed in conjunction with a second apparatus that delivers drug in pressurized retrograde perfusion. Still another embodiment uses a uniquely shaped balloon to deploy a stent while utilizing a drug infusion needle to inject drug into the vessel wall through a hollow guide wire.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to treat vulnerable plaque. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an elongated catheter body adapted for insertion in a body lumen, with a drug delivery device attached near a distal portion of the elongated body. The drug delivery device is configured to deliver a biologically active agent to stabilize a vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: A guidewire with a sensor which can detect NO and/or superoxide levels is disclosed. This invention can be useful for in vivo analysis of vascular health.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to treat vulnerable plaque. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an elongated catheter body adapted for insertion in a body lumen, with a drug delivery device attached near a distal portion of the elongated body. The drug delivery device is configured to deliver a biologically active agent to stabilize a vulnerable plaque.