Abstract: Methods and devices for protecting and/or coating medical devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes surrounding a medical device with a cage, the medical device having a surface. The method further includes attaching the medical device to the cage with at least one securement, suspending the medical device in an air stream, the air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles, and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material.

Abstract: A composition for delivery of a therapeutic agent is provided. The composition comprises: (a) a biocompatible block copolymer comprising one or more elastomeric blocks and one or more thermoplastic blocks and (b) a therapeutic agent, wherein the block copolymer is loaded with the therapeutic agent. The block copolymer is preferably of the formula X—(AB)n, where A is an elastomeric block, B is a thermoplastic block, n is a positive whole number and X is a seed molecule. The elastomeric blocks are preferably polyolefin blocks, and the thermoplastic blocks are preferably selected from vinyl aromatic blocks and methacrylate blocks. According to another aspect of the invention, a medical device is provided, at least a portion of which is insertable or implantable into the body of a patient. The medical device comprises (a) the above biocompatible block copolymer and (b) a therapeutic agent, wherein the block copolymer is loaded with the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A composition for delivery of a therapeutic agent is provided. The composition comprises: (a) a biocompatible block copolymer comprising one or more elastomeric blocks and one or more thermoplastic blocks and (b) a therapeutic agent, wherein the block copolymer is loaded with the therapeutic agent. The block copolymer is preferably of the formula X-(AB) n, where A is an elastomeric block, B is a thermoplastic block, n is a positive whole number and X is a seed molecule. The elastomeric blocks are preferably polyolefin blocks, and the thermoplastic blocks are preferably selected from vinyl aromatic blocks and methacrylate blocks. According to another aspect of the invention, a medical device is provided, at least a portion of which is insertable or implantable into the body of a patient. The medical device comprises (a) the above biocompatible block copolymer and (b) a therapeutic agent, wherein the block copolymer is loaded with the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for coating medical devices and the devices thereby produced are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention includes a method comprising the steps of suspending the medical device in an air stream and introducing a coating material into the air stream such that the coating material is dispersed therein and coats at least a portion of the medical device. In another embodiment, the medical devices are suspended in an air stream and a coating apparatus coats at least a portion of the medical device with a coating material. The coating apparatus may include a device that utilizes any number of alternative coating techniques for coating the medical devices. This process is used to apply one or more coating materials, simultaneously or in sequence. In certain embodiments of the invention, the coating materials include therapeutic agents, polymers, sugars, waxes, or fats.

Abstract: Methods and devices for protecting and/or coating medical devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes surrounding a medical device with a cage, the medical device having a surface. The method further includes attaching the medical device to the cage with at least one securement, suspending the medical device in an air stream, the air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles, and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material.