Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, implantable and insertable medical devices are provided which contain one or more particle-containing regions that comprise silicate particles and carbon particles.

Abstract: Endoprosthesis includes coatings of selected porosity formed of particulates of ceramics, metals, drugs and/or polymers.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis such as a coronary stent includes a porous metal reservoir of drug, e.g. directly in the body of the stent. And a method of loading drug into the porous reservoir includes applying an electrical potential to the endoprosthesis.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis such as a stent is composed of a metal or ceramic, such as Irox, embedded in the stent material.

Abstract: A biomimetic electrode material including a fibrous matrix including a conductive polymer and an ion conducting polymeric material is described. The biomimetic electrode material may be used in a number of body-implantable application including cardiac and neuro-stimulation applications. The biomimetic electrode material can be formed using electrospinning and other related processes. The biomimetic electrode may facilitate efficient charge transport from ionically conductive tissue to the electronically conductive electrode and may induce surrounding tissue to attach or interface directly to the implanted device, increasing the biocompatibility of the device.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead and body implantable electrode suitable for a variety of medical applications are disclosed. In general, the electrode includes a composite material having particles of pseudo-capacitive material, such as iridium oxide, dispersed within a polymer matrix including a polyelectrolyte. The polymer matrix can also include a conductive polymer doped with an excess of the polyelectrolyte. The composite may used to form the electrode itself or an electrode coating. The presence of a pseudo-capacitive material within the composite may increase the charge-storage capacity of the electrode and may allow for safe deliveries of charge densities within an electrochemical window suitable for pacing a patient's heart.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain sol-gel derived ceramic regions which have molded submicron surface features.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided that comprise (a) a substrate and (b) a porous layer comprising close packed spherical pores disposed over the substrate. The porous layer may also comprise a therapeutic agent. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of forming implantable or insertable medical devices. These methods comprise forming a predecessor structure that comprises (i) a substrate over which is disposed (ii) an assembly of microspheres. This assembly of microspheres is then used as a template for the formation of a porous layer, which may be subsequently loaded with a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Medical balloons are provided that have enhanced properties, such as thinner walls, enhanced tensile strength, and/or electrical conductivity. Methods are also disclosed.

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: A method of making drug eluting stents comprises forming ceramic surface coatings of two or more levels of porosity on a stent body. The less porous coating is more conducive to endothelial cell growth, while the more porous coating is better suited for storing and releasing drugs. The surface coatings of different porosities can be produced by coating stent body surface of differing roughness with coatings made by sol-gel method. Differing roughness of the stent body surface can be produced by selective etching of the stent body surface.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided which include a substrate, at least one porous reservoir containing at least one therapeutic agent disposed over the substrate, at least one nanoporous layer disposed over the at least one porous reservoir, and at least one plugged aperture, which may be located within the substrate, within the nanoporous layer, or both. According to another aspect of the invention, a method of forming a medical device is provided which includes (a) forming a porous reservoir over a substrate, (b) forming a nanoporous layer over the porous reservoir, (c) forming an aperture within the substrate or the nanoporous layer, (d) filling the porous reservoir with therapeutic agent through the aperture, and (d) plugging the aperture.

Abstract: Medical balloons and/or catheters are disclosed that include a wall that includes a composite material. The composite material includes a polymeric material and particles that include an allotrope of carbon. In some instances, at least some of the particles are covalently bonded to the polymeric material. Methods for making such medical balloons and/or catheters are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implantable medical endoprostheses, as well as related systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Bioerodible endoprostheses and methods of making the endoprostheses are disclosed. In some embodiments, an endoprosthesis includes a member including a bioerodible material, and an antioxidant carried by the member. Examples of antioxidants include phenols.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable blood-contacting devices are provided, which contain one or more release regions that release nitric oxide and one or more anti-restenotic agents. The release region contains one or more polymeric components. The release region also optionally contains one or more inorganic components. Nitric oxide producing groups may be attached to the polymeric component(s), to the optional inorganic component(s), or both. The one or more anti-restenotic agents may be admixed with the polymeric and optional inorganic components, attached to the polymeric component(s), attached to the optional inorganic component(s), or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis erodes by galvanic erosion that can provide, e.g., improved endothelialization and therapeutic effects.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a medical device having a support structure made from alternating layers. One or more layers may be made by direct metal laser sintering. One or more layers may be made by introducing nitrogen into a previously formed layer via excimer laser nitriding.

Abstract: A shaped medical device article prepared from a polymer melt composition comprising a polymer ester, a transesterification catalyst, and a tri- or tetraalkoxy silane, by forming and solidifying said composition, and after solidification, subjecting the composition to reaction conditions to effect hydrolysis at least some alkoxysilyl groups remaining in the composition to form silanol groups and to effect condensation of said silanol groups to form a ceramic network. The polymer ester may be a vinyl ester homopolymer or copolymer, or a polymer having ester groups in the backbone thereof.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are described. In some implementations, a stent has a surface region of magnesium with a protective surface layer of magnesium hydride obtained by hydrogen surface modification through an H-EIR process, offering enhanced corrosion resistance.