Abstract: A device and a method of manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a stent, are described herein. The device includes a metallic region composed of a bioerodable metal and a polymer region composed of a biodegradable polymer contacting the metallic region. The metallic region may erode at a different rate when exposed to bodily fluids than the polymer region when exposed to bodily fluids. In certain embodiments, the polymer region is an outer layer and the metallic region is an inner layer of the device. A further aspect of the invention includes device and a method of manufacturing the device that includes a mixture of a biodegradable polymer and bioerodable metallic particles. The mixture may be used to fabricate an implantable medical device or to coat an implantable medical device. In some embodiments, the metallic particles are metallic nanoparticles.

Abstract: A porous prosthesis for delivering a medication to the site of implantation. The prosthesis, such as a stent, includes a first porous region and a second porous region and is at least partially formed from a molybdenum-rhenium alloy. The porous regions can have different porosity. A stent includes first, second and third porous region, the first porous region being between the second and third porous regions, and a therapeutic agent is disposed in the first porous region. A stent can also include a solid core and inner and outer porous layers surrounding the core.

Abstract: A porous prosthesis for delivering a medication to the site of implantation, and a method of making the same, is disclosed.

Abstract: A porous prosthesis for delivering a medication to the site of implantation, and a method of making the same, is disclosed.

Abstract: A porous prosthesis for delivering a medication to the site of implantation, and a method of making the same, is disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable stent is coated with a material that attracts heparin and with which heparin forms a bond. The stent is exposed to a heparin containing solution just prior to implantation or is first implanted and then exposed to heparinized blood. As heparin becomes detached from the stent, the implantation site is exposed to heparin to restore an effective level and thereby prevent thrombosis.

Abstract: An implantable stent is coated with a material that attracts heparin and with which heparin forms a bond. The stent is exposed to a heparin containing solution just prior to implantation or is first implanted and then exposed to heparinized blood. As heparin becomes detached from the stent, the implantation site is exposed to heparin to restore an effective level and thereby prevent thrombosis.

Abstract: A porous prosthesis for delivering a medication to the site of implantation, and a method of making the same, is disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable stent is coated with a material that attracts heparin and with which heparin forms a bond. The stent is exposed to a heparin containing solution just prior to implantation or is first implanted and then exposed to heparinized blood. As heparin becomes detached from the stent, the implantation site is exposed to heparin to restore an effective level and thereby prevent thrombosis.

Abstract: A porous prosthesis for delivering a medication to the site of implantation is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for delivering heparin, wherein an implantable stent is coated with a material that attracts heparin and with which heparin forms a bond. The stent is exposed to a heparin containing solution just prior to implantation or is first implanted and then exposed to heparinized blood. As heparin becomes detached from the stent, the implantation site is exposed to heparin to restore an effective level and thereby prevent thrombosis.

Abstract: A porous prosthesis for delivering a medication to the site of implantation is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medicated prosthesis such as a stent. The method includes forming a stent out of porous metal and loading a therapeutic agent into the pores of the metal. In one embodiment the stent is formed from a sintered metal wire, sheet, or tube and can include adding a coating to the stent. When the stent is implanted into the vasculature of a patient, the therapeutic agent in the stent dissipates into the tissue of the vasculature proximate the stent.

Abstract: A delivery catheter, with or without an inflation balloon, and coated with a heat activated adhesive to secure a stent thereon is disclosed. The adhesive has a phase transformation temperature just above the temperature of human blood, so that below the transformation temperature the adhesive is tacky, and above the transformation temperature the adhesive is non-tacky. In a stenting procedure, when the stent is mounted to the balloon catheter and the catheter is introduced into a body lumen, the adhesive is below the transformation temperature and remains tacky to hold the stent to the catheter. Once the stent-catheter assembly is positioned at the deployment site, a warm saline or dye solution is injected to heat the adhesive to above the transformation temperature. The adhesive becomes non-tacky and releases the bond between the catheter and deployed stent allowing the former to be withdrawn.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medicated prosthesis such as a stent. The method includes forming a stent out of porous metal and loading a therapeutic agent into the pores of the metal. In one embodiment the stent is formed from a sintered metal wire, sheet, or tube and can include adding a coating to the stent. When the stent is implanted into the vasculature of a patient, the therapeutic agent in the stent dissipates into the tissue of the vasculature proximate the stent.

Abstract: The invention relates to coated stents and the method of making them. A stent that is substantially radiolucent is at least partially coated with a radiopaque layer that makes the stent visible under X-ray or fluoroscopy. A protective layer is coated on the stent and the radiopaque layer to protect both from scratches, flaking, and galvanic corrosion, and to improve both blood and bio-compatability.

Abstract: A delivery catheter, with or without an inflation balloon, and coated with a heat activated adhesive to secure a stent thereon is disclosed. The adhesive has a phase transformation temperature just above the temperature of human blood, so that below the transformation temperature the adhesive is tacky, and above the transformation temperature the adhesive is non-tacky. In a stenting procedure, when the stent is mounted to the balloon catheter and the catheter is introduced into a body lumen, the adhesive is below the transformation temperature and remains tacky to hold the stent to the catheter. Once the stent-catheter assembly is positioned at the deployment site, a warm saline or dye solution is injected to heat the adhesive to above the transformation temperature. The adhesive becomes non-tacky and releases the bond between the catheter and deployed stent allowing the former to be withdrawn.

Abstract: A system for loading a stent onto a catheter is disclosed. The system includes a housing having an internal chamber with a flexible tube extending therethrough. A stent is positioned at about a mid portion of the flexible tube, and the balloon portion of the catheter is inserted into the flexible tube and positioned within the stent. Pressurized fluid is injected into the internal chamber thereby circumferentially compressing the flexible tube and in turn compressing the stent and crimping it onto the balloon portion of the catheter. A balloon folding attachment can be mounted onto an end of the housing. The inner lumen of the attachment has progressively varying cross-sectional shapes that fold the flattened balloon portion of the catheter as it is advanced into the attachment. The folded balloon portion is continually advanced into the attachment into the flexible tube until it is aligned within the stent.

Abstract: A medicated prosthesis, such as a stent, is deployed in a human vessel. A metallic stent has a plurality of pores in the metal which are loaded with medication. When the stent is implanted into the vasculature of a patient, the medication in the stent dissipates into the tissue of the vasculature proximate the stent. The stent may be formed from a porous metal in the form of a wire, tube, or metal sheet. The present invention also includes a method of treating vasculature disease by delivering medication to the site of the vascular disease including the step of deploying a metal stent having a plurality of pores in the stent and further having medication in the pores and delivering the stent to the site of vasculature disease.