Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided that contain at least one polymeric region which contains (a) at least one block copolymer that contains at least at least three polymer blocks that differ from one another and (b) at least one therapeutic agent.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the invention, implantable and insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. In one aspect, the polymeric regions comprise (a) a block copolymer that comprises a polyaromatic block and a polyalkene block admixed with (b) a sulfonated high Tg polymer. In another aspect, the polymeric regions comprise a block copolymer that comprises (a) a sulfonated polymer block and (b) fluorinated polymer block.

Abstract: A medical device with a therapeutic agent-releasing polymer coating. The medical device is provided by a method that comprises: (a) attaching at least one reactive species to a medical device surface, which reactive species leads to chain growth polymerization in the presence of monomer; (b) contacting the reactive species with at least one monomer species, thereby forming a polymer coating on the surface of the medical device; and (c) providing at least one therapeutic agent within the polymer coating. The therapeutic agent may be incorporated during formation of the polymer coating or after formation of the polymer coating. The at least one reactive species can comprise, for example, a free radical species, a carbanion species, a carbocation species, a Ziegler-Natta polymerization complex, a metallocene complex, and/or an atom transfer radical polymerization initiator.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the invention, implantable and insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. In one aspect, the polymeric regions comprise (a) a block copolymer that comprises a polyaromatic block and a polyalkene block admixed with (b) a sulfonated high Tg polymer. In another aspect, the polymeric regions comprise a block copolymer that comprises (a) a sulfonated polymer block and (b) fluorinated polymer block.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided that contain at least one polymeric region which contains (a) at least one block copolymer that contains at least at least three polymer blocks that differ from one another and (b) at least one therapeutic agent.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided that contain at least one covalently crosslinked polymeric region, which contains at least one block copolymer comprising at least one low Tg block and at least one high Tg block.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided that contain at least one covalently crosslinked polymeric region, which contains at least one block copolymer comprising at least one low Tg block and at least one high Tg block.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. These polymeric regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers, at least one of which is a copolymer that includes a styrene monomer and an isobutylene monomer. Moreover, the styrene monomer content of the copolymer typically ranges from 25 to 50 mol %.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present invention is directed to implantable neurostimulation leads and methods for their formation. In various additional aspects, the present invention is directed to medical devices having silicone-containing regions with overlying polymeric layers and to methods of forming the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device comprising a release region and a therapeutic agent disposed within or beneath the release region, and the release region includes a copolymer comprising a low Tg block and at least one graft copolymer endblock having a main chain and a plurality of side chains.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to copolymers having one or more polyisobutylene segments and one or more biodegradable polymer segments, to methods of making such copolymers, to medical articles that contain such copolymers, and to methods of making such medical articles. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise a plurality of polyisobutylene segments and a plurality of biodegradable polymer segments. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise urethane linkages, urea linkages, amide linkages, ester linkages, anhydride linkages, carbonate linkages, linkages commonly described as “click” chemistry linkages, and combinations of two or more types of such linkages.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided that contain at least one multi-component polymeric fiber. The multi-component polymeric fiber further contains at least two components of differing composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to radiation-resistant medical devices which contain polymer regions for release of therapeutic agents. The present invention also relates to radiation-resistant block copolymer materials for use in connection with insertable or implantable medical devices. The radiation-sterilized medical device comprise (a) a release region and (b) at least one therapeutic agent and the release region comprises a radiation resistant copolymer that includes (i) a low Tg hydrocarbon polymer block and (ii) one or more high Tg polymer blocks.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers, to methods of making such copolymers and to medical devices that contain such polymers. According to certain aspects of the invention, polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers are provided, which comprise a polyisobutylene segment, an additional polymeric segment that is not a polyisobutylene segment, and a segment comprising a residue of a diisocyanate. According to other aspects of the invention, polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers are provided, which comprise a polyisobutylene segment and end groups that comprise alkyl-, alkenyl- or alkynyl-chain-containing end groups.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers, to methods of making such copolymers and to medical devices that contain such polymers. According to certain aspects of the invention, polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers are provided, which comprise a polyisobutylene segment, an additional polymeric segment that is not a polyisobutylene segment, and a segment comprising a residue of a diisocyanate. According to other aspects of the invention, polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers are provided, which comprise a polyisobutylene segment and end groups that comprise alkyl-, alkenyl- or alkynyl-chain-containing end groups.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided that contain at least one covalently crosslinked polymeric region, which contains at least one block copolymer comprising at least one low Tg block and at least one high Tg block.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the invention, methods of forming medical articles are provided, which comprise (a) preparing a melt phase that comprises a molten polymer and a supercritical fluid, (b) forming a polymeric region from the melt phase, and (c) cooling the polymeric region. In certain embodiments, the supercritical fluid is formed from chemical species (e.g., CO2, propane, etc.) that are gases at room temperature (25° C.) and atmospheric pressure (1 atm). According to another aspect of the present invention, medical articles are provided which comprise melt-processed polymeric materials. The polymeric materials have a composition that cannot be melt processed without the use of melt-viscosity reducing additives due to thermal degradation, and yet the polymeric material does not contain such additives.

Abstract: A medical device comprising: (a) a substrate having first and second surfaces, (b) a therapeutic-agent-eluting polymeric layer disposed over the first substrate surface and (c) a textured polymeric layer that is textured to promote cell attachment, cell growth, or both, disposed over the second surface.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the invention, implantable and insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. In one aspect, the polymeric regions comprise (a) a block copolymer that comprises a polyaromatic block and a polyalkene block admixed with (b) a sulfonated high Tg polymer. In another aspect, the polymeric regions comprise a block copolymer that comprises (a) a sulfonated polymer block and (b) fluorinated polymer block.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, long term medical articles are provided which include the following: (a) first and second body contacting (e.g., tissue and/or body-fluid contacting) porous polymeric layers; (b) a polymeric barrier layer disposed between the first and second porous polymer layers; and (c) a reinforcement element. According to another aspect of the present invention, tubular medical articles for long term implantation are provided, which comprise: (a) a reinforcement element; (b) a blood contacting porous polymeric layer having a surface energy ranging between 20 and 30 dynes/cm disposed over an inner surface of the reinforcement element; and (c) an additional porous polymeric layer formed over an outer surface of the reinforcement element.