Abstract: An implantable medical device for releasing therapeutic agent having a medical device body and a plurality of reservoir-defining structures disposed on a surface of the body. A reservoir can be defined by the reservoir-defining structures and therapeutic agent may be located in the reservoir. A cover may extend over the reservoir so that the therapeutic agent is released from the reservoir when the medical device implanted. Methods for making the medical device may also include providing a medical device body, positioning a plurality of reservoir-defining structures on a surface of the body to form a reservoir, loading therapeutic agent into the reservoir, and covering the reservoir so that the therapeutic agent may release when the medical device is implanted. Alternatively, the reservoir may be covered with a cover and an opening formed in the cover so that the therapeutic agent may release when the medical device is implanted.

Abstract: A balloon carries a drug in drug-carrying regions, wherein the drug-carrying regions protect the drug during delivery through a patient's vasculature. Once at a target site, the balloon expands, causing the drug-carrying regions to expose the drug to the target site. One drug eluting balloon device includes a longitudinal sheath that defines an interior space having a balloon disposed therein. When the balloon expands, at least one push element at least partially inverts at least one pocket formed on an outer surface of the sheath. This inversion causes a drug contained within the at least one pocket to be released to the target site. In another embodiment, a plurality of bands is provided, each band made of material having a different resistance to elongation. Upon expansion, the bands invert to expose a drug provided on a surface of the bands.

Abstract: A medical device for reducing the volume of a left atrial appendage (LAA) may include an elongate shaft having a distal portion, and a volume-reducing means expandable from a collapsed to an expanded state, the volume-reducing means being releasably attached to the distal portion. The volume-reducing means may include an actuatable frame and an impermeable covering disposed over the frame. The volume-reducing means may be sized to fit within the LAA in the expanded state while maintaining an open fluid flow path from a distal region through the ostium of the LAA. A medical device may include a second volume-reducing means to be placed within and substantially occlude a distalmost region of the LAA. A method may include inserting a volume-reducing means into the LAA, expanding the volume-reducing means, and positioning the volume-reducing means such that an open fluid flow path is maintained through an entire cycle of the heart.

Abstract: A medical device may include an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis and a distal end. The medical device may include a distal tip having at least one electromagnetic coil disposed adjacent the distal end and a plurality of bulbous elements disposed about the longitudinal axis. The plurality of bulbous elements may be operatively associated with the at least one electromagnetic coil such that the plurality of bulbous elements may translate relative to the longitudinal axis in response to activation of the at least one electromagnetic coil. A method of crossing an obstruction may include approaching the obstruction with a medical device, supplying alternating current to at least one electromagnetic coil, and advancing the medical device into engagement with the obstruction.

Abstract: A medical device having a catheter shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion, a medical balloon co-axially mounted on the distal portion of the catheter shaft and a tubular mesh wrapped around the balloon, wherein the mesh strengthens and reinforced the balloon and may be manipulation to dictate the shape of the balloon and to squeeze the balloon down onto the catheter shaft during deflation of the balloon.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for locally monitoring nerve activity that may be incorporated into a nerve ablation catheter. Such a catheter is equipped with magnetic sensing for both identifying nerves and assessing the success of the ablation. The catheter is also equipped with an ablation instrument for both stimulating and destroying nerve tissue.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes an expandable tubular body defined by a plurality of struts. In some embodiments, the expandable tubular body includes a bioerodible metal that has at least a first surface region and a second surface region. The first and second surface regions can have different surface oxide compositions. In some embodiments, the first portion has a thermally altered microstructure and the second portion has a wrought microstructure. The thermally altered microstructure can be a cast microstructure comprising dendritic grains. The first portion forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the expandable tubular body. In some embodiments, the expandable tubular body includes iron or a bioerodible iron alloy and at least one surface of the expandable tubular body includes a substantially uniform coating of iron(III) oxide.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a plurality of capsules, and a method of administering therapeutic agent to a patient using the same. The capsules further comprise a therapeutic agent and a multilayer polyelectrolyte shell. The medical device is adapted to apply a pressure to the capsules that is greater than or equal to the critical pressure of at least a portion of the capsules, such that therapeutic agent is released from the capsules.

Abstract: Medical devices that are visible by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and optionally, other imaging techniques, are described. In some embodiments, a medical device adapted for insertion into the body includes an elongated shaft and an electrically conductive path extending spirally about a portion of the shaft. The conductive path is capable of being connected to a current source. The medical device can further include one or more contrast agents (such as MRI contrast agents, radiopaque materials, and/or ultrasound visible materials), which can be arranged in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A medical device is provided for dilatation of a vessel and delivery of a therapeutic agent to a wall of the vessel. The medical device comprises a catheter, a balloon located at a distal end of the catheter, and a drug delivery extension. The drug delivery extension is configured to extend beyond an outer surface of the balloon when the balloon is in an expanded configuration in order to deliver the therapeutic agent to an area beyond the outer surface of the balloon. The drug delivery extension may be one or more tubes, elongate members and/or expandable structures. The drug delivery extension may include a sheath for drug delivery.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, embolic particles are provided that comprise a biodegradable polymer and a therapeutic agent, wherein the particles are configured such that, upon administration to a body lumen of a subject, the therapeutic agent is released from the time of administration up until a first point in time that ranges anywhere from about 1 week after administration to about 4 weeks after administration, at which point in time the therapeutic agent release ceases. The particles are also configured such that particles remain present in the body lumen from the first point in time at which therapeutic agent release ceases up to a second point in time that ranges anywhere from about 2 weeks to about 12 months after the first point in time, at which point the particles are completely degraded. Other aspects pertain to methods of making such particles. Still other aspects pertain to injectable compositions that comprise such particles and to methods of treatment that employ such injectable compositions.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided, which include a nanoparticle-derived inorganic layer disposed over a least a portion of structure that includes a substrate, and optionally, a therapeutic-agent-containing layer disposed over at least a portion of the substrate. In some embodiments, the inorganic layer is a nanoporous inorganic layer. Other aspects of the invention comprise methods for forming such medical device.

Abstract: A medical implant includes a polymer material and a ceramic material. In one embodiment, the medical implant includes a nanolaminate comprising at least one ceramic layer and at least one polymer layer. Each ceramic layer is less than or equal to about 30 nanometers thick.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple guidewires comprises a guiderail, which has a housing that defines a first guidewire lumen and a second guidewire lumen. The guidewire lumens extend through the entire length of the guiderail. The guiderail housing further defines a first longitudinal opening that extends from the first guidewire lumen to the exterior of the guiderail, and a second longitudinal opening that extends from the second guidewire lumen to the exterior of the guiderail.

Abstract: Medical devices have material that that has a laser induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS) pattern on at least a portion thereof. The LIPSS pattern is provided by exposing a material surface to a pulsed polarized laser energy fluence below the ablation threshold. The LIPSS pattern is useful for purposes such as reducing contact areas on sliding surfaces, increasing total surface area for adhesions, providing anisotropic reinforcement of a material layer or layers, and to provide multiple channels for directing cell growth.

Abstract: A medical device includes an outer shell defining a cavity, wherein the shell is movable between a deformed and unstressed state, a magnet disposed within the cavity, and a filler material carried within the cavity conforming to the interior shape of the shell in the unstressed state and being capable of holding its shape in the deformed state. The filler material converts from the deformed state to the unstressed state at a temperature not greater than human body temperature.

Abstract: In embodiments, medical devices, such as balloon catheters, can deliver a biologically active material to body tissue of a patient. The medical device includes a sponge delivery layer which can deliver multiple doses of one or more therapeutic agents to the body tissue. The medical device can further include a drug reservoir, which can supply the delivery layer with one or more therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to internal (e.g., implantable, insertable, etc.) drug delivery devices which contain the following: (a) one or more sources of one or more therapeutic agents; (b) one or more first electrodes, (c) one or more second electrodes and (d) one or more power sources for applying voltages across the first and second electrodes. The power sources may be adapted, for example, to promote electrically assisted therapeutic agent delivery within a subject, including electroporation and/or iontophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second electrodes are adapted to have tissue of a subject positioned between them upon deployment of the medical device within the subject, such that an electric field may be generated, which is directed into the tissue. Furthermore, the therapeutic agent sources are adapted to introduce the therapeutic agents into the electric field.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, medical devices are provided which comprise an electroactive polymer material and therapeutic-agent containing particles. The device is configured such that the particles are delivered from the device upon actuation of the electroactive polymer material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for shaping an article may comprise a plurality of movable dies arranged to form a chamber whose size may be varied by moving the dies. Each of the dies may have a contacting surface for contacting the article to be shaped. The chamber may have a first portion having a first cross-section and a second portion having a second cross-section. Either portion may include a taper. The first portion may have a differently shaped cross-section than the second portion. The first portion may have a cross-section of greater area than the second portion. The longitudinal axis of the first portion may be offset from the longitudinal axis of the second portion.