Abstract: An endoprosthesis, e.g., a stent (e.g., a drug eluting stent), that includes a porous surface and hollow elements integrated with a coating on the surface and a method of making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an embolic filter, a support structure therefor, and methods for maintaining said filter in a compact state prior to deploying the filter.

Abstract: A filtering device includes a filter that captures embolic material, a plurality of biased support struts that expand outwardly to deploy the filter, and a restraining mechanism. The restraining mechanism applies a restraining force that prevents the plurality of biased support struts from expanding outwardly to deploy the filter. An actuating member cooperates with a portion of the restraining mechanism to release the restraining force and allow the filter to deploy.

Abstract: Medical copolymers are provided which comprise (a) a polymer backbone comprising (i) a plurality of —C?C— groups within the polymer backbone, (ii) a plurality of —R9— groups within the polymer backbone, wherein R9 comprises a radical-substituted C2-C10 cyclic or heterocyclic group, or (iii) both a plurality of —C?C— groups and a plurality of —R9— groups within the polymer backbone, (b) a plurality of hydrocarbon-based pendant groups along the polymer backbone that comprise a saturated or unsaturated carbon chain of at least four carbons in length, and (c) a plurality of zwitterionic pendant groups along the polymer backbone that comprise a positively charged quaternary ammonium group and a negatively charged phosphate group. Methods of forming such copolymers, medical products that contain such copolymers, and methods of making such medical products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods of making the devices are described. In some embodiments, the methods include a method of manufacturing a device including a first layer and a second layer, the method including the steps of selecting a material for the second layer, the material having a viscosity value at a shear rate of about 1 s?1 or less and at a selected temperature; selecting a nanocomposite material for the first layer that has a viscosity within about 20% to about 125% of the viscosity value of the material for the second layer; and co-extruding the first and second layers.

Abstract: Particulate materials useful as fillers, reinforcing agents, radioopacifiers, or impact modifiers. The particulate material has an average particle size range of about 10,000 nm or less and comprises an organic-inorganic hybrid material that has a ceramic material network having organic polymer segments distributed throughout the ceramic network. The ceramic network may be prepared by a sol-gel technique. The particulate material may be compounded in thermoplastic polymer compositions useful in a variety of applications such as preparation of medical device components.

Abstract: A filtering device includes a filter that captures embolic material, a plurality of biased support struts that expand outwardly to deploy the filter, and a restraining mechanism. The restraining mechanism applies a restraining force that prevents the plurality of biased support struts from expanding outwardly to deploy the filter. An actuating member cooperates with a portion of the restraining mechanism to release the restraining force and allow the filter to deploy.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an embolic filter, a support structure therefor, and methods for maintaining said filter in a compact state prior to deploying the filter.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, articles are provided which comprise a substrate and a ceramic coating which covers at least a portion of the substrate surface. The ceramic coating includes raised ceramic shells connected by a ceramic layer that is conformal with the substrate. According to another aspect of the present invention, carbon nanotubes are provided, which comprise a ceramic coating covering at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical copolymers are provided which comprise (a) a polymer backbone comprising (i) a plurality of —C?C— groups within the polymer backbone, (ii) a plurality of -R9- groups within the polymer backbone, wherein R9 comprises a radical-substituted C2-C10 cyclic or heterocyclic group, or (iii) both a plurality of —C?C— groups and a plurality of -R9- groups within the polymer backbone (b) a plurality of hydrocarbon-based pendant groups along the polymer backbone that comprise a saturated or unsaturated carbon chain of at least four carbons in length, and (c) a plurality of zwitterionic pendant groups along the polymer backbone that comprise a positively charged quaternary ammonium group and a negatively charged phosphate group. Further aspects of the invention, among others, relate to methods of forming such copolymers, medical products that contain such copolymers, and methods of making such medical products.

Abstract: In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, medical devices are provided which are configured for implantation or insertion into a subject. The medical devices include at least one coating region that comprises (a) a charged polyamino-acid-containing polymer having a first net charge and (b) an additional charged polymer having a second net charge that is opposite in sign to that of the first net charge. The additional charged polymer may or may not be a polyamino-acid-containing polymer.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, e.g., a stent (e.g., a drug eluting stent), that includes a porous surface and hollow elements integrated with a coating on the surface and a method of making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device such as a catheter, stent or balloon, or a component thereof is formed by depositing an inorganic-organic hybrid composite material on an eliminatable shape form and removing the shape form, leaving the medical device or component thereof formed of the inorganic-organic hybrid composite material. Multiple layers of the inorganic-organic hybrid composite material can be used in the formation. A particular structure is an expandable balloon member for a catheter assembly.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, e.g., a stent (e.g., a drug eluting stent), includes a surface, a first layer having a polyelectrolyte deposited on the surface, a plurality of polymeric particles deposited on the first layer, and a coating of a porous material deposited on the plurality of polymeric particles. At least one particle of the plurality of polymeric particles includes a polymer matrix and a drug distributed in the polymer matrix. A method of making the endoprosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present invention provides implantable or insertable medical devices that comprise a conductive substrate and an electrodeposited coating over the substrate. The electrodeposited coating includes (a) one or more types of inorganic materials, (b) one or more types of polymeric materials and (c) optionally, one or more types of therapeutic agents. Still other aspects of the invention concern methods of making and using such devices.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods of making the devices are described. In some embodiments, the devices include multiple layers, and one or more layers can include a nanocomposite material.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, articles are provided which comprise a substrate and a ceramic coating which covers at least a portion of the substrate surface. The ceramic coating includes raised ceramic shells connected by a ceramic layer that is conformal with the substrate. According to another aspect of the present invention, carbon nanotubes are provided, which comprise a ceramic coating covering at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes.

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: 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 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.