Abstract: A medical device having a lubricious coating on at least a section of the medical device, and a method of coating a medical device, the lubricious coating being a network of a hydrophilic compound cross-linked to itself and interlocked with a network of a cross-linked polymerized multifunctional monomer or polymer. The coating can include one or more agents which provide enhanced adhesion of the coating on the device, or which provide faster hydration of the coating and/or improved lubricity. Additionally, the lubricious coating can be provided with one or more therapeutic or diagnostic agents, and in one embodiment the agent elutes relatively quickly in a concentrated release from the lubricious coating upon hydration of the coating.

Abstract: A guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal portion of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal portion of the device. An embodiment has a plurality of radiopaque elements that may be intermittent, continuous or in the form of a helical ribbon for scaled measurement of intracorporeal structure under flouroscopic imaging. Another embodiment has at least one layer of polymer over the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polymer blend where at least one of the polymer materials is a water insoluble polymer and one of the materials is a hydrophilic water-soluble polymer. The invention includes a method of forming the hydrophilic polymer blend by melt mixing the hydrophilic polymer and the insoluble polymer into a finely dispersed polymer blend, forming strands of the hydrophilic polymer blend, and then pelletizing the strands.

Abstract: An intraluminal device having an adhesive primer coat formed of a carbonaceous material and a lubricious top coat of a hydrophilic polymeric material. The invention also comprises the methods of making such intraluminal devices. The primer coat of the invention may comprise pure carbon, or a carbon based material such as a polymer. Preferably, the primer coat has a thickness of about 0.1 to about 2 ?m. In a presently preferred embodiment, the primer coat is applied using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), but in certain embodiments, physical vapor deposition (PVD) may be suitable. The deposited primer coat forms an effective substrate for adhesion of the hydrophilic polymer top coat.

Abstract: An improved intracorporeal device such as a guide wire or other guiding member for use within a patient's body that is at least in part visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but is not detrimentally affected by the imaging is disclosed. The intracorporeal device has a non-conductive proximal core section, an essentially non-magnetic metallic distal core section that is preferably more flexible than the proximal core section, and that has an MRI visible member or coil in the distal section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a polymer coating on an elongated substrate, preferably an elongate intracorporeal device in the form of a guidewire. An extrudable polymer cartridge is moved by a cartridge advancement mechanism into a guide chamber which is heated at an end with a die or orifice through which a desired portion of a guidewire may pass and be coated. Parameters such as guide chamber temperature, pull speed and force exerted by the cartridge advancement mechanism may be controlled with a computer program in order to achieve repeatable results. The guide chamber, extrudable polymer cartridge, die, and push tube may all be made from polymer components which can be reused or disposed of after a single use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a polymer coating on an elongated substrate, preferably an elongate intracorporeal device in the form of a guidewire. An extrudable polymer cartridge is moved by a cartridge advancement mechanism into a guide chamber which is heated at an end with a die or orifice through which a desired portion of a guidewire may pass and be coated. Parameters such as guide chamber temperature, pull speed and force exerted by the cartridge advancement mechanism may be controlled with a computer program in order to achieve repeatable results. The guide chamber, extrudable polymer cartridge, die, and push tube may all be made from polymer components which can be reused or disposed of after a single use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a polymer coating on an elongated substrate, preferably an elongate intracorporeal device in the form of a guidewire. An extrudable polymer cartridge is moved by a cartridge advancement mechanism into a guide chamber which is heated at an end with a die or orifice through which a desired portion of a guidewire may pass and be coated. Parameters such as guide chamber temperature, pull speed and force exerted by the cartridge advancement mechanism may be controlled with a computer program in order to achieve repeatable results. The guide chamber, extrudable polymer cartridge, die, and push tube may all be made from polymer components which can be reused or disposed of after a single use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a polymer coating on an elongated substrate, preferably an elongate intracorporeal device in the form of a guidewire. An extrudable polymer cartridge is moved by a cartridge advancement mechanism into a guide chamber which is heated at an end with a die or orifice through which a desired portion of a guidewire may pass and be coated. Parameters such as guide chamber temperature, pull speed and force exerted by the cartridge advancement mechanism may be controlled with a computer program in order to achieve repeatable results. The guide chamber, extrudable polymer cartridge, die, and push tube may all be made from polymer components which can be reused or disposed of after a single use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a polymer coating on an elongated substrate, preferably an elongate intracorporeal device in the form of a guidewire. An extrudable polymer cartridge is moved by a cartridge advancement mechanism into a guide chamber which is heated at an end with a die or orifice through which a desired portion of a guidewire may pass and be coated. Parameters such as guide chamber temperature, pull speed and force exerted by the cartridge advancement mechanism may be controlled with a computer program in order to achieve repeatable results. The guide chamber, extrudable polymer cartridge, die, and push tube may all be made from polymer components which can be reused or disposed of after a single use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a polymer coating on an elongated substrate, preferably an elongate intracorporeal device in the form of a guidewire. An extrudable polymer cartridge is moved by a cartridge advancement mechanism into a guide chamber which is heated at an end with a die or orifice through which a desired portion of a guidewire may pass and be coated. Parameters such as guide chamber temperature, pull speed and force exerted by the cartridge advancement mechanism may be controlled with a computer program in order to achieve repeatable results. The guide chamber, extrudable polymer cartridge, die, and push tube may all be made from polymer components which can be reused or disposed of after a single use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a polymer coating on an elongated substrate, preferably an elongate intracorporeal device in the form of a guidewire. An extrudable polymer cartridge is moved by a cartridge advancement mechanism into a guide chamber which is heated at an end with a die or orifice through which a desired portion of a guidewire may pass and be coated. Parameters such as guide chamber temperature, pull speed and force exerted by the cartridge advancement mechanism may be controlled with a computer program in order to achieve repeatable results. The guide chamber, extrudable polymer cartridge, die, and push tube may all be made from polymer components which can be reused or disposed of after a single use.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for providing a readily insertable guide wire that is also accurately steerable. One embodiment of the present invention comprises one or more thin diameter, liquid filled, polymer balloons enclosed by the guide wire coils and connected through a hypotube lumen to a pressure transducer. The pressure transducer exerts pressure via a fluid medium to the balloon(s), which then expand and exert pressure onto the inner surface of the coils, thereby stiffening the distal section of the guide wire. In operation, the guide wire will typically be inserted with the balloons deflated, hence the distal tip is very flexible. Once the distal tip reaches its destination, the balloons are inflated and expanded to stiffen and/or reorient the distal tip to allow it to perform as required, typically by aiding in the positioning of a catheter or stent in the desired location.