Abstract: Methods of reducing device drag on implantable articles are disclosed herein. The methods include coating the contact surfaces of implantable articles with bioabsorbable lubricating coatings.

Abstract: Methods of reducing device drag on implantable articles are disclosed herein. The methods include coating the contact surfaces of implantable articles with bioabsorbable lubricating coatings.

Abstract: Methods of reducing device drag on implantable articles are disclosed herein. The methods include coating the contact surfaces of implantable articles with bioabsorbable lubricating coatings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method of forming the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical device having a tubular membrane structure over a radially expandable structural frame, and to a method of forming the tubular membrane on the radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electro-statically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer.

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. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: Methods of reducing device drag on implantable articles are disclosed herein. The methods include coating the contact surfaces of implantable articles with bioabsorbable lubricating coatings.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable coatings for bioabsorbable implantable medical devices having dragging or engagement surfaces. The coatings on a surface of the devices reduce device drag.

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. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned. In particular, disclosed herein is a drug delivery device comprising a balloon-expandable intraluminal stent, and a pharmaceutical agent-containing coating, wherein the coating comprises a biocompatible polyfluoro copolymer that comprises about eighty-five weight percent vinylidinefluoride copolymerized with about fifteen weight percent hexafluoropropylene and a pharmaceutical agent intermixed with said polyfluoro copolymer.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable coatings for bioabsorbable implantable medical devices having dragging or engagement surfaces. The coatings on a surface of the devices reduce device drag.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable coatings for bioabsorbable implantable medical devices having dragging or engagement surfaces. The coatings on a surface of the devices reduce device drag.

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. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed. The device is fabricated at least in part from a biocompatible, biodegradable composition. The composition is composed of a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer and a biocompatible, biodegradable wax. The concentration of the wax at the surface of the device is greater than the concentration of the wax in the body of the implantable device. The increased concentration of wax at the device surface may be attained when the device is heated to a temperature greater than the melting point of the wax and the glass transition temperature of the polymer, but lower than melting point of the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, and more particularly to a method of forming a tubular membrane on a radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electrostatically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer. In addition, the membrane or membranes may go through some post processing to achieve desired characteristics or configurations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method of forming the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical device having a tubular membrane structure over a radially expandable structural frame, and to a method of forming the tubular membrane on the radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electro-statically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer.

Abstract: The present patent describes a biocompatible composite made of a first fibrous layer attached to a three-dimensional inter-connected open cell porous foams that have a gradient in composition and/or microstructure through one or more directions. These composites can be made from blends of absorbable and biocompatible polymers. These biocompatible composites are particularly well suited to tissue engineering applications and can be designed to mimic tissue transition or interface zones.

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. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reinforced, biocompatible, biodegradable compositions suitable for use in implantable medical devices and medical devices made at least in part from such compositions, where the compositions include a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer; a biocompatible, biodegradable wax; and greater than about 30 weight percent of an inorganic filler material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reinforced, biocompatible, biodegradable compositions suitable for use in implantable medical devices and medical devices made at least in part from such compositions, where the compositions include a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer; a biocompatible, biodegradable wax; and greater than about 30 weight percent of an inorganic filler material.

Abstract: The present invention includes biocompatible coatings and films for use on implantable medical devices and medical devices containing such coatings and films applied to a surface thereof, which coatings/films are present on the device in an amount effective to provide an inert surface to be in contact with body tissue of a mammal upon implantation of the device in the mammal, and contain a film-forming polyfluoro copolymer containing the polymerized residue of a moiety selected from the group consisting of vinylidenefluoride and tetrafluoroethylene copolymerized with a second moiety other than the first moiety, wherein the relative amounts of the polymerized residue of the first and second moieties are effective to provide the coating and films with properties effective for use in coating implantable med devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable medical device, the device contraining a body and a first lubricated surface for contacting tissue, or a second surface of the device, or a surface of a second medical device, the implantable device fabricated at least in part from a biocompatible, biodegradable composition, the composition containing a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer and a biocompatible, biodegradable wax, wherein the concentration of the wax at the first lubricated surface of the implantable device is greater than the concentration of the wax in the body of the implantable device, and to methods of making the device wherein the device is heated to a temperature greater than the melting point of the wax, greater than the glass transition temperature of the polymer, and lower than melting point of the polymer, thereby providing the lubricated surface.