Abstract: Engraftment of therapeutic cells and agents to a target site in an organism is enhanced by mechanical, chemical and biological methods and systems.

Abstract: Dynamers for use in therapeutic agent delivery systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the sustained release of treatment agents to treat an occluded blood vessel and affected tissue and/or organs are disclosed. Porous or non-porous bioabsorbable glass, metal or ceramic bead, rod or fiber particles can be loaded with a treatment agent, and optionally an image-enhancing agent, and coated with a sustained-release coating for delivery to an occluded blood vessel and affected tissue and/or organs by a delivery device. Implantable medical devices manufactured with coatings including the particles or embedded within the medical device are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: The current invention relates to physically crosslinked block copolymers, in particular triblock copolymers in which the end blocks are capable of physical crosslinking.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices fabricated from branched polymers are disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed having a helical construct including a set of spiral coils for local in vivo application of a therapeutic substance in a biological lumen. The helical construct is configured to apply less than 0.75 Bar of pressure to the biological lumen wall. The helical construct can have at least two sets of spiral coils having opposing helical directions. The device can be used for the treatment of vascular disorders such as restenosis and vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the sustained release of treatment agents to treat an occluded blood vessel and affected tissue and/or organs are disclosed. Porous or non-porous bioabsorbable glass, metal or ceramic bead, rod or fiber particles can be loaded with a treatment agent, and optionally an image-enhancing agent, and coated with a sustained-release coating for delivery to an occluded blood vessel and affected tissue and/or organs by a delivery device.

Abstract: The invention provides for a stent for implanting in a bodily lumen comprising a degradable structural element including: an abluminal layer comprising an active agent; and a luminal layer, wherein the abluminal layer has a faster degradation rate than the luminal layer.

Abstract: A catheter configured for delivering an agent to a patient's vessel wall, having self-expanding frame, and a method of delivering an agent to a patient's vessel wall. A first catheter has an elongated shaft with an agent delivery lumen and self-expanding frame on a distal shaft section formed of plurality of hollow tubes having joined first ends and free second ends, the free end of each hollow tube having an agent delivery port in fluid communication with the shaft agent delivery lumen and having a hooked tip configured for penetrating the vessel wall in the expanded configuration. Another catheter has a frame around the outer surface of a lining member such as a balloon or a tubular sleeve, such that the frame expanded against the vessel wall and the lining member together define a plurality of pockets between the vessel wall and the outer surface of the lining member.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inducing apoptosis of cells, such as macrophages, at a lesioned site of a body vessel are disclosed herein. Nitric oxide can be directly or indirectly delivered to a treatment site to increase macrophage apoptosis. Delivery can include site specific delivery of nitric oxide gas, nitric oxide in aqueous solution or a substance(s) which releases nitric oxide or causes nitric oxide to be generated from an endogenous source. Delivery can be achieved by a delivery system such as a catheter assembly, stent or other suitable device.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprising a matrix or shell material and a bioactive agent and medical devices containing the nanoparticles are provided.

Abstract: A bifurcated catheter having a branched distal shaft section and one or more porous or nonporous balloons, and combinations thereof, which is configured for delivery of an agent to a patient's bifurcated body lumen. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of delivering an agent to a patient's body lumen which facilitates maximizing the efficiency of drug uptake into the tissue at the desired site within the patient's body lumen.

Abstract: Provided herein are medical device having a coating substantially free from effects of drying kinetics and methods of forming the coating.

Abstract: A method including delivering to a treatment site within a lumen of a blood vessel (1) a cellular component including at least one of endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells and/or (2) a conjugate having a first site having affinity to or capable of conjugating with the blood vessel and a second site having affinity to a cellular component or capable of conjugating with a cellular component. A method including coating a treatment site within a lumen of a blood vessel with a polymeric biomaterial including (1) molecular moieties with affinity to cells or a treatment agent and (2) a treatment agent. A composition including a cellular component including endothelial cells or endothelial progenitor cells and modified to increase the potential for retention at a treatment site. A composition including a polymeric biomaterial including (1) molecular moieties with affinity to cells or a treatment agent or (2) a treatment agent.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices for treating bodily disorders local and distally to a region of implantation are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided to facilitate the natural formation of a connection between tissue structures within the body. Certain of the subject methods provide for the formation on an anastomotic site between a graft vessel and a native vessel, such as vessels of the cardiovasculature, peripheral vasculature and neurovasculature, angiogenic, by means of facilitating angiogenic and/or arteriogenic processes at one or more selected points of contact or close proximity between the vessels. The subject devices include a mechanism for positioning or situating one vessel adjacent to another vessel, in situ, wherein a selected portion of each vessel is in contact or in close proximity with the other vessel such that a natural bond is formed between the outer tissue surfaces of the vessels at the point of contact or close proximity followed by the naturally occurring angiogenic and/or arteriogenic processes of the body.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for recruiting cells circulating in the blood stream of a subject to a blood contacting surface, and in particular, devices and methods for recruiting endothelial cells to a blood contacting surface of a prosthesis as well as engineering a self-endothelializing graft in vivo by recruitment of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to form a neo-endothelium on a prosthetic structure.