Abstract: Medical devices having a barrier layer comprising an inorganic material. The medical device has a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent and the barrier layer is disposed over the reservoir. In one aspect, the barrier layer has one permeability to the therapeutic agent at one portion of the medical device and a different permeability at another portion of the medical device. In another aspect, the dosage amount of the therapeutic agent in the reservoir at one portion of the medical device is different from the dosage amount of the therapeutic agent in the reservoir at another portion of the medical device. In another aspect, a bioresorbable layer is disposed over the barrier layer at one or more portions of the medical device, wherein the bioresorbable layer comprises a bioresorbable material. Also, methods of coating a medical device are disclosed, in which a barrier layer over a medical device is formed using a lithographic etching process where a plurality of particles serve as an etch mask.

Abstract: An expandable medical device having a particle layer disposed over a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent. The particle layer has a first porosity when the medical device is in the unexpanded configuration and a second porosity when the medical device is in the expanded configuration. The particle layer comprises a plurality of micron-sized or nano-sized particles. In certain embodiments, the particles are not connected to each other, and as such, the different porosities are provided by changes in the spacing between the particles as the medical device is expanded/unexpanded. Also disclosed are medical devices having a particle layer, wherein the particle layer comprises a plurality of encapsulated particles, and methods of coating medical devices with particles.

Abstract: In one aspect, a medical device has a first configuration and a second configuration, a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent, and a barrier layer disposed over the reservoir, wherein the barrier layer comprises an inorganic material. In another aspect, a medical device has a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent, a barrier layer disposed over the reservoir, wherein the barrier layer comprises an inorganic material, and a swellable material disposed between the barrier layer and a surface of the medical device, wherein the swellable material is a material that swells upon exposure to an aqueous environment. In yet another aspect, a medical device has a multi-layered coating having alternating reservoir layers and barrier layers, and a plurality of excavated regions penetrating through at least a partial thickness of the multi-layered coating.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes anchoring regions formed of polymer that enhance adherence of a coating, e.g. a drug eluting polymer coating, to a stent surface, e.g. made of ceramic. The anchoring regions can be formed using stamping processes.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for releasing therapeutic agent having a medical device body and a plurality of reservoir-defining structures disposed on a surface of the body. A reservoir can be defined by the reservoir-defining structures and therapeutic agent may be located in the reservoir. A cover may extend over the reservoir so that the therapeutic agent is released from the reservoir when the medical device implanted. Methods for making the medical device may also include providing a medical device body, positioning a plurality of reservoir-defining structures on a surface of the body to form a reservoir, loading therapeutic agent into the reservoir, and covering the reservoir so that the therapeutic agent may release when the medical device is implanted. Alternatively, the reservoir may be covered with a cover and an opening formed in the cover so that the therapeutic agent may release when the medical device is implanted.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes anchoring regions formed of polymer that enhance adherence of a coating, e.g. a drug eluting polymer coating, to a stent surface, e.g. made of ceramic. The anchoring regions can be formed using stamping processes.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes anchoring regions formed of polymer that enhance adherence of a coating, e.g. a drug eluting polymer coating, to a stent surface, e.g. made of ceramic. The anchoring regions can be formed using stamping processes.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes a ceramic, such as IROX, having a select morphology and composition.

Abstract: A stent is adapted to be implanted in a duct of a human body to maintain an open lumen at the implant site, and to allow viewing body tissue and fluids by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) energy applied external to the body. The stent constitutes a metal scaffold. An electrical circuit resonant at the resonance frequency of the MRI energy is fabricated integral with the scaffold structure of the stent to promote viewing body properties within the lumen of the stent.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis such as a coronary stent includes a luminal surface, at least a portion of which is covered with a first coating including a first drug, and an abluminal surface, at least a portion of which is covered with a second coating including a second drug. The first drug has a first eluting profile based on the first coating, and the second drug has a second eluting profile based on the second coating, the first eluting profile being different from the second eluting profile. Methods of making the same are also provided.

Abstract: A stent is adapted to be implanted in a duct of a human body to maintain an open lumen at the implant site, and to allow viewing body tissue and fluids by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) energy applied external to the body. The stent constitutes a metal scaffold. An electrical circuit resonant at the resonance frequency of the MRI energy is fabricated integral with the scaffold structure of the stent to promote viewing body properties within the lumen of the stent.

Abstract: A stent is provided which has a relatively less porous support structure that includes a first set of consolidated particles and at least one relatively more porous reservoir that includes a second set of consolidated particles that differ in composition from the first set of consolidated particles.

Abstract: Medical devices having a coating comprising an ionic polymer for electromagnetically-controlled release of a therapeutic agent. Release of the therapeutic agent from the coating is facilitated or modulated by the application of an electromagnetic field to the medical device. Exposure to the electromagnetic field may cause the release of the therapeutic agent in various ways, including electrochemical changes in the ionic polymer, structural changes in the coating and/or ionic polymers, changes in the permeability of the coating, changes in the orientation of the ionic polymers, or motion of the ionic polymers. Also disclosed are methods for delivering a therapeutic agent using electromagnetic fields.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present invention relates to implantable or insertable medical devices which release therapeutic agent into the body of a patient.

Abstract: Medical devices having a barrier layer comprising an inorganic material. The medical device has a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent and the barrier layer is disposed over the reservoir. In one aspect, the barrier layer has one permeability to the therapeutic agent at one portion of the medical device and a different permeability at another portion of the medical device. In another aspect, the dosage amount of the therapeutic agent in the reservoir at one portion of the medical device is different from the dosage amount of the therapeutic agent in the reservoir at another portion of the medical device. In another aspect, a bioresorbable layer is disposed over the barrier layer at one or more portions of the medical device, wherein the bioresorbable layer comprises a bioresorbable material. Also, methods of coating a medical device are disclosed, in which a barrier layer over a medical device is formed using a lithographic etching process where a plurality of particles serve as an etch mask.

Abstract: A drug-eluting endoprosthesis that includes a bioerodible metal portion and a therapeutic agent. In some aspects, the endoprosthesis includes a plurality of discrete deposits and a plurality of overlying layers each overlying one of the plurality of discrete deposits. Each discrete deposit includes one or more therapeutic agents and each overlying layer includes one or more bioerodible metals. In other aspects, the bioerodible metal portion includes at least two bioerodible metal regions having different electronegativities. The at least two bioerodible metal regions being in electrical contact with each other. The bioerodible metal erodes in a physiological environment to release the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Drug-loaded medical devices such as stents and methods for manufacturing them are provided. In certain embodiments, the therapeutic agent is loaded only in or on areas of the medical device that do not undergo substantial deformation during expansion. The medical device may be provided with reservoirs in or on the first portions of the medical device that do not undergo substantial deformation during expansion, and the therapeutic agent may be loaded in these reservoirs. The reservoirs may be covered with a porous coating which may be a non-polymeric coating. In other embodiments, a non-polymeric coating is provided in a discontinuous manner in or on the medical device.

Abstract: An expandable medical device having a particle layer disposed over a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent. The particle layer has a first porosity when the medical device is in the unexpanded configuration and a second porosity when the medical device is in the expanded configuration. The particle layer comprises a plurality of micron-sized or nano-sized particles. In certain embodiments, the particles are not connected to each other, and as such, the different porosities are provided by changes in the spacing between the particles as the medical device is expanded/unexpanded. Also disclosed are medical devices having a particle layer, wherein the particle layer comprises a plurality of encapsulated particles, and methods of coating medical devices with particles.

Abstract: In one aspect, a medical device has a first configuration and a second configuration, a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent, and a barrier layer disposed over the reservoir, wherein the barrier layer comprises an inorganic material. In another aspect, a medical device has a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent, a barrier layer disposed over the reservoir, wherein the barrier layer comprises an inorganic material, and a swellable material disposed between the barrier layer and a surface of the medical device, wherein the swellable material is a material that swells upon exposure to an aqueous environment. In yet another aspect, a medical device has a multi-layered coating having alternating reservoir layers and barrier layers, and a plurality of excavated regions penetrating through at least a partial thickness of the multi-layered coating.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for releasing therapeutic agent having a medical device body and a plurality of reservoir-defining structures disposed on a surface of the body. A reservoir can be defined by the reservoir-defining structures and therapeutic agent may be located in the reservoir. A cover may extend over the reservoir so that the therapeutic agent is released from the reservoir when the medical device implanted. Methods for making the medical device may also include providing a medical device body, positioning a plurality of reservoir-defining structures on a surface of the body to form a reservoir, loading therapeutic agent into the reservoir, and covering the reservoir so that the therapeutic agent may release when the medical device is implanted. Alternatively, the reservoir may be covered with a cover and an opening formed in the cover so that the therapeutic agent may release when the medical device is implanted.