Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.

Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to mechanisms and methods that reduce the delamination of a therapeutic agent from a stent. The mechanisms include holes (channels, wells, and other hole configurations), protrusions, sintered metal cores, clamps/staples, pins, and stainless steel shields.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided which comprise: (a) a substrate and (b) bioerodable polymeric layer over the substrate that contains (i) one or more biodegradable polymers, (ii) one or more therapeutic agents, and (iii) one or more plasticizers.

Abstract: A protector for a medical device including a tubular member, the tubular member including a polymer matrix material and a scavenger for moisture, oxygen or a combination thereof dispersed in the polymer matrix material.

Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: A mold for a medical device balloon has a cavity adapted to receive a hollow parison expandable therein to form the balloon. The cavity has a cone region and a body region. The cone region is heated to a higher temperature, or the mold wall is formed to deliver applied heat more efficiently to the cone region, relative to the body region of the mold.

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: Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are described. In some implementations, the endoprostheses is a stent having a tubular body with an outer wall surface, and an inner wall surface defining a stent central lumen. One or more regions of the outer wall surface and the inner wall surfaces is formed by a porous, sintered metal layer. One or more regions of the porous, sintered metal layer provides a porous reservoir or media for drug material. The porous, sintered metal layer in one or more regions of the inner wall surface provides relatively decreased friction, increased hardness and lower tack, as compared to excipient polymeric coating material for stents, and are positioned to facilitate improved, relatively lower resistance withdrawal of a delivery balloon from the stent central lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method related to a drug eluting stent with improved adhesion between a drug excipient coating and a stent substrate is described. In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a stent substrate formed of a metal and/or a polymer and having a surface modified by exposure to ultraviolet light and an atomic oxygen molecule. A polymeric material is coupled with the surface of the stent substrate. In another embodiment, a method includes providing a stent with an adhesive property that is associated with the surface of the stent. The adhesive property of the stent is modified by exposing the surface to ultraviolet light and an atomic oxygen molecule.

Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: A tubular parison for forming a medical device balloon. The parison is formed of a polymeric material, for instance a thermoplastic elastomer. The parison has an elongation at break which is not more than 80% of the elongation of the bulk polymeric material. The elongation of the parison is controlled by altering extrusion conditions. Balloons prepared from the parisons provide higher wall strength and/or higher inflation durability than balloons prepared from conventional parisons of the same material.

Abstract: Medical devices such as catheters and balloons are formed from a thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a melt mixture product of at least one terminally reactive polymer and a chain extender.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a radiation curable adhesive composition comprising at least one vinyl modified block copolymer having a first polyvinyl aromatic block and a second polydiene block having vinyl functionality, and at least one tackifier. Optionally, the composition may comprises at least one second block copolymer that has not been vinyl modified, at least one platicizer, and at least one wax. The invention is also directed to a double-faced label formed from the composition and the method of producing said label.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a radiation curable adhesive composition comprising at least one vinyl modified block copolymer having a first polyvinyl aromatic block and a second polydiene block having vinyl functionality, and at least one tackifier. Optionally, the composition may comprises at least one second block copolymer that has not been vinyl modified, at least one platicizer, and at least one wax. The invention is also directed to a double-faced label formed from the composition and the method of producing said label.

Abstract: A tubular parison for forming a medical device balloon. The parison is formed of a polymeric material, for instance a thermoplastic elastomer. The parison has an elongation at break which is not more than 80% of the elongation of the bulk polymeric material. The elongation of the parison is controlled by altering extrusion conditions. Balloons prepared from the parisons provide higher wall strength and/or higher inflation durability than balloons prepared from conventional parisons of the same material.

Abstract: Medical devices such as catheters and balloons are formed from a thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a melt mixture product of at least one terminally reactive polymer and a chain extender.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition comprising a) from about 5 wt-% to about 50 wt-% of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer characterized as having a density from 0.850 to 0.965 g/cm3; b) from about 1 wt-% to about 40 wt-% of at least one block copolymer; and c) from about 10 wt-% to about 75 wt-% of at least one tackifying resin wherein said adhesive does not fail cohesively.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a radiation curable adhesive composition comprising at least one vinyl modified block copolymer having a first polyvinyl aromatic block and a second polydiene block having vinyl functionality, and at least one tackifier. Optionally, the composition may comprises at least one second block copolymer that has not been vinyl modified, at least one platicizer, and at least one wax. The invention is also directed to a double-faced label formed from the composition and the method of producing said label.