Abstract: Methods for making comb-type antithrombotic conjugate wherein substantially all side chains of water soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) are extended by ring-opening polymerization to form a copolymer wherein substantially all terminals are conjugated to an antithrombotic molecule. In addition, a method is provided for applying a coating comprising a comb-type anti-thrombotic conjugate to at least a portion of an implantable device to prevent or reduce the formation of thrombosis on the surface of the device. A first or sub-layer of the coating is prepared by mixing a polymeric material and a biologically active agent with a solvent, thereby forming a homogeneous solution. A second or outer layer comprising a comb-type anti-thrombotic conjugate may be applied over the inner drug-containing layers using, for example, a dip coating or spray coating process.

Abstract: A short-term sustained drug eluting coating for implantable medical devices is disclosed. The coating comprises a biocompatible matrix and at least one pharmacologically or biologically active agent and releases substantially one of all of its payloads within four to six weeks post-implantation. When a combination of pharmacological agents are incorporated in the disclosed sustained drug eluting matrix of a drug/device combination, at least one agent is preferred to substantially release in a short duration. Medical devices benefiting from such a desired sustained drug eluting coating include drug eluting cardiovascular, peripheral, and neurovascular stents, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) prosthesis, anastomosis shunt, arterial/venous (AV) shunts etc. One embodiment of the invention is a sustained release coating or depot on or in a stent that releases substantially all of it payload for ischemic myocardial injury after a heart attack.

Abstract: A conjugate between an anti-thrombotic agent and a bioabsorbable polymer is provided. In addition, a method is provided for applying a coating comprising an anti-thrombotic agent and a bioabsorbable polymer conjugate to at least a portion of an implantable device to prevent or reduce the formation of thrombosis on the surface of the device. A first or sub-layer of the coating is prepared by mixing a polymeric material and a biologically active agent with a solvent, thereby forming a homogeneous solution. A second or outer layer comprises an anti-thrombotic heparin-bioabsorbable polymer conjugate. This coating may be applied over the inner drug-containing layers using, for example, a dip coating or spray coating process. After drying, the anti-thrombotic heparin bioabsorbable polymer conjugate remains in the outer layer of the coating, allowing agent from the inner layer to be eluted there through.

Abstract: An expandable medical device includes a plurality of elongated struts, forming a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. A plurality of different beneficial agents may be loaded into different openings within the struts for delivery to the tissue. For treatment of conditions such as restenosis, different beneficial agents are loaded into different openings in the device to address different biological processes involved in restenosis and are delivered at different release kinetics matched to the biological process treated. The different beneficial agents may also be used to address different diseases, such as restenosis and acute myocardial infarction from the same drug delivery device. In addition, anti-thrombotic agents may be affixed to at least a portion of the surfaces of the medical device for the prevention of sub-acute thrombosis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an organic radiographic contrasting agent containing an aliphatic or alicyclic backbone and multiple halogen-substituted aromatic groups. Each of the halogen-substituted aromatic groups in the radiographic contrasting agent is substituted with at least three halogen atoms and is covalently attached to the aliphatic or alicyclic backbone. The present invention also discloses a radio-opaque polymeric material comprising the radiographic contrasting agent and at least one polymer. The radiographic contrasting agent is physically admixed with the at least one polymer or physically embedded or dispersed in the at least one polymer. The radio-opaque polymeric material provides enhanced contrasting intensity in radiographic imaging. The radio-opaque polymeric material can be applied on at least a portion of one surface of a medical device. The radio-opaque polymeric material can also be used to construct a medical device, a component thereof, or a portion of a component thereof.

Abstract: Medical devices may be utilized for local and regional therapeutic agent delivery. These therapeutic agents or compounds may reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the prevention of thrombosis. The drugs, agents, and/or compounds may also be utilized to treat specific disorders, including restenosis, vulnerable plaque, and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. In regional delivery, liquid formulations may be desirable to increase the efficacy and deliverability of the particular drug. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a high intensity radiopaque contrast agent is disclosed. The agent may be coated on or incorporated within bulk materials, which may then be subsequently utilized to fabricate a radiopaque medical device. Primary effects through chemistry include higher radiopaque concentrations per unit weight of the radiopaque element or agent. Secondary effects include selective placement of the radiopaque elements which may further enhance the radiopacity of the device with reduced requirements of the radiopaque agent. Such a radiopaque contrast agent may be produced in various forms such as a dendrimer and/or incorporated as the end groups of polymeric chain. In addition one can incorporate biological and/or pharmaceutical agents in combination with the present invention.

Abstract: Animal testing, wherein the animals have disease state characteristics substantially equivalent to those found in humans, may be utilized to evaluate the efficacy of medical devices and/or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Methods for preventing, managing and reversing disease caused by inflammation mediated vascular lesions may utilize agents that bind to FKBP 12 and inhibit mTOR cascade.

Abstract: Coatings are provided in which surfaces may be activated by covalently bonding a combination of silane derivatives (A) to the metal surface, covalently bonding a lactone polymer (B) to the silane derivative by in situ ring opening polymerization, and depositing at least one layer of a polyester (C) on the bonded lactone polymer. Biologically active agents or therapeutic compounds may be deposited with any of the polyester layers. Such coated surfaces may be useful in medical devices, in particular stents.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the prevention of thrombosis. The drugs, agents, and/or compounds may also be utilized to treat specific disorders, including vulnerable plaque. Implantable coated medical devices may be processed through annealing to better control the elution characteristics of the therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the formation of blood clots. Also, the devices may be modified to promote endothelialization. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.