Abstract: A method and apparatus for the provision of a coating for application to a medical device results in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a therapeutic agent component and solvent can also be provided. The solvent is removed from the coating before the coating is applied to the medical device. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the therapeutic agent, to the patient.

Abstract: A coated medical device an a method of providing a coating on an implantable medical device result in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a therapeutic agent component can also be provided. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the therapeutic agent, to the patient.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent-eluting stylet treats a catheter by at least temporarily locating the stylet in a lumen of an indwelling catheter placed into a patient. The therapeutic agent-carrying stylet provides a localized therapeutic effect to the catheter and patient by eluting one or more therapeutic agents directly into the lumen of the catheter, into the fluid within the catheter, into the fluid and tissue in contact with the catheter, and onto the surface of the catheter. By removal and replacement of the temporary stylet from the catheter, renewable therapeutic agent doses can be provided to a component, such as the lumen, of the catheter while the catheter remains within in a patient. One or more therapeutically effective doses of medicated agents can be tailored along the length of the stylet and controlled by the length of time by which the stylet remains installed in the catheter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods involving rewetting of expandable polymers with a wettable liquid to allow for enhanced expansion at or below room temperature without breakage, and in some cases, allows one to achieve a greater expansion ratio than that allowed at elevated temperatures using known methods. The wettable liquid can be formed of a drug and/or an agent, such that the resulting polymer contains and emits the drug upon positioning at a target location of a patient body. The expandable polymer can also have the drug or agent added to its structure at a polymer resin preparation stage, through use of an aqueous solution mixed with one or more fluoropolymers, or in a mixing stage. The present invention also allows one to achieve material with unique properties and handling characteristics. These properties included decreased material thickness, increased density, an altered node/fibril morphology, and a more consistent web in the case of flat material.

Abstract: A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to porous radially expandable interventional medical devices provides uniform drug distribution and permeation of the coating and any therapeutic agents mixed therewith into a targeted treatment area within the body. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device. Thus, atraumatic local tissue transference delivery is achieved for uniform therapeutic agent distribution and controlled bio-absorption into the tissue after placement within a patient's body with a non-inflammatory coating.

Abstract: A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to radially expandable interventional medical devices provides uniform drug distribution and permeation of the coating and any therapeutic agents mixed therewith into a targeted treatment area within the body. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device. Thus, atraumatic local tissue transference delivery is achieved for uniform therapeutic agent distribution and controlled bio-absorption into the tissue after placement within a patient's body with a non-inflammatory coating.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods involving rewetting of expandable polymers with a wettable liquid to allow for enhanced expansion at or below room temperature without breakage, and in some cases, allows one to achieve a greater expansion ratio than that allowed at elevated temperatures using known methods. The wettable liquid can be formed of a drug and/or an agent, such that the resulting polymer contains and emits the drug upon positioning at a target location of a patient body. The present invention also allows one to achieve material with unique properties and handling characteristics. These properties included decreased material thickness, increased density, an altered node/fibril morphology, and a more consistent web in the case of flat material.

Abstract: A medical device is loaded with a number of therapeutic agents using a corresponding method to apply a medicated ink mark. The resulting medical device can include surface activation of an immobilizing medication, controlled medication release, and the ability to use dyes or pigments to delineate different active ingredients by location and dosage. The active medicinal compounds can be placed on selective areas of the medical device. The medical device having the medicated ink mark can provide a detectable and dosemetric controllable delivery to a specific targeted and localized location to provide the maximum therapeutic benefit. The medicated ink may be applied to the medical device by a number of different methods, by a manufacturer or by the user at the time of medical device use. Dimensions of the markings printed onto the medical device can further serve to control and identify to the user the dosage amount of the medical agent available on the marked medical device.

Abstract: A medical ink is loaded with a number of therapeutic agents. The ink is then applied directly to the tissue of a patient, either internally or externally, resulting in a therapeutic ink marking. The therapeutic ink marking can include surface activation of an immobilizing medication, controlled medication release, and/or the ability to use dyes or pigments to delineate different active ingredients by location and dosage. The active medicinal compounds can be placed on selective areas of the tissue as applied in the marking. The marking can provide a detectable and dosemetric controllable delivery to a specific targeted and localized location to provide the maximum therapeutic benefit. The medicated ink may be applied to a number of different methods. Dimensions of the markings can further serve to control and identify to the user the dosage amount of the medical agent applied to the tissue. Multiple types of medical agents with multiple application methods can be used.

Abstract: A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a targeted location within a patient efficiently delivers the agent with a reduced systemic effect. The method includes providing a non-perforated delivery device having at least one wall through which a fluid at first fluid pressure can pass through. The non-perforated delivery device is positioned to provide a radial fluid force against the targeted location. The fluid, including at least one therapeutic agent, is supplied to the therapeutic agent delivery device at the first fluid pressure. The fluid passes through the at least one wall of the delivery device to create a semi-confined space external to the delivery device at a second fluid pressure. The delivery device applies the radial fluid force against the semi-confined space and the fluid disposed therein while simultaneously facilitating the fluid passing through the delivery device to maintain the second fluid pressure in the semi-confined space at the targeted location.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods involving rewetting of expandable polymers with a wettable liquid to allow for enhanced expansion at or below room temperature without breakage, and in some cases, allows one to achieve a greater expansion ratio than that allowed at elevated temperatures using known methods. The wettable liquid can be formed of a drug and/or an agent, such that the resulting polymer contains and emits the drug upon positioning at a target location of a patient body. The expandable polymer can also have the drug or agent added to its structure at a polymer resin preparation stage, through use of an aqueous solution mixed with one or more fluoropolymers, or in a mixing stage. The present invention also allows one to achieve material with unique properties and handling characteristics. These properties included decreased material thickness, increased density, an altered node/fibril morphology, and a more consistent web in the case of flat material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods involving rewetting of expandable polymers with a wettable liquid to allow for enhanced expansion at or below room temperature without breakage, and in some cases, allows one to achieve a greater expansion ratio than that allowed at elevated temperatures using known methods. The wettable liquid can be formed of a drug and/or an agent, such that the resulting polymer contains and emits the drug upon positioning at a target location of a patient body. The present invention also allows one to achieve material with unique properties and handling characteristics. These properties included decreased material thickness, increased density, an altered node/fibril morphology, and a more consistent web in the case of flat material.