Abstract: The disclosure provides insertion tools and articles that facilitate entry of a medical device, such as a balloon catheter, into the body. In embodiments the insertion tools have an elongate hollow body (50) that is able to protect a portion of a medical device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, during an insertion procedure. In one embodiment the insertion tool has an elongate hollow body (131), a tapered distal end (135), and a locking mechanism (133) at the proximal end which can secure a portion of a balloon catheter. An opening at the distal end can allow passage of the balloon in a folded uninflated state.

Abstract: The disclosure provides insertion tools and articles that facilitate entry of a medical device, such as a balloon catheter, into the body. In embodiments the insertion tools have an elongate hollow body (50) that is able to protect a portion of a medical device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, during an insertion procedure. In one embodiment the insertion tool has an elongate hollow body (131), a tapered distal end (135), and a locking mechanism (133) at the proximal end which can secure a portion of a balloon catheter. An opening at the distal end can allow passage of the balloon in a folded uninflated state.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include an insertion tool for inserting a medical device into another medical device, such as a hemostasis sealing valve, and related methods. In an embodiment, an insertion tool includes a guide sheath and a protection tube. The guide sheath can include a flared proximal end. The guide sheath can further include a central lumen. The guide sheath can further include a locking notch disposed on the inner surface between the proximal end and the distal end. The protection tube can include a flared proximal end. A portion of the protection tube can be situated within the central lumen of the guide sheath. The flared proximal end of the protection tube can be sized to fit within the locking notch and can have an outer diameter larger than portions of the inner surface immediately adjacent to the locking notch. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The invention includes conductive polymeric coatings, medical device, coating solutions and methods of making the same. A coating solution for forming a conductive polymer layer can include a conductive monomer, at least one photoreactive component comprising an anionic photoreactive cross-linking agent or an anionic photoreactive hydrophilic polymer, and a solvent. A medical device can include an electrode and an electrically conductive coating disposed over the electrode. The electrically conductive coating can include a reaction product of the conductive monomer and the at least one photoreactive component. Other aspects are included herein.

Abstract: The disclosure provides insertion tools and articles that facilitate entry of a medical device, such as a balloon catheter, into the body. In embodiments the insertion tools have an elongate hollow body (50) that is able to protect a portion of a medical device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, during an insertion procedure. In one embodiment the insertion tool has an elongate hollow body (131), a tapered distal end (135), and a locking mechanism (133) at the proximal end which can secure a portion of a balloon catheter. An opening at the distal end can allow passage of the balloon in a folded uninflated state.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include high-pressure balloon catheters and methods for making the same. In an embodiment, a balloon catheter is included. The balloon catheter can include a catheter shaft and a balloon disposed on the catheter shaft. The balloon can include a wall member including an extruded material layer, a fibrous layer disposed to the outside of the extruded material layer, and at least one of a polyurethane composition and an epoxy composition contacting the fibrous layer. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include medical device elements formed from polymers with lubricious properties. In an embodiment, a method of forming a medical device element is included. The method can include mixing a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component to form a polymer mixture. The method can further include forming the polymer mixture into the medical device element. The method can also include treating the polymer mixture with at least one of an acid or a base. In an embodiment, a medical device is included. The medical device can include a lubricious element, the lubricious element comprising a mixture of a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component. The second polymeric component can include a polymer that is treated with at least one of an acid or a base after formation of the element. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include wound packing devices and methods of making and using the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a wound packing device including a plurality of spacing elements capable of absorbing exudate, wherein the surface of the spacing elements resist colonization by microorganisms. The wound packing device can also include a connector connecting the plurality of spacing elements to one another. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A biocompatible polymeric controlled release matrix barrier structure for delivery of one or more bioactive agents from an implantable medical device is described. In an embodiment, a biocompatible polymeric controlled release matrix barrier structure is included. The biocompatible polymeric controlled release matrix can include a body structure formed of a compliant material comprising one or more compliant biocompatible polymers and one or more bioactive agents. The body structure can define a central aperture through which a subcutaneous element of an implantable medical device passes. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: The disclosure provides insertion tools and articles that facilitate entry of a medical device, such as a balloon catheter, into the body. In embodiments the insertion tools have an elongate hollow body (50) that is able to protect a portion of a medical device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, during an insertion procedure. In one embodiment the insertion tool has an elongate hollow body (131), a tapered distal end (135), and a locking mechanism (133) at the proximal end which can secure a portion of a balloon catheter. An opening at the distal end can allow passage of the balloon in a folded uninflated state.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include an insertion tool for inserting a medical device into another medical device, such as a hemostasis sealing valve, and related methods. In an embodiment, an insertion tool includes a guide sheath and a protection tube. The guide sheath can include a flared proximal end. The guide sheath can further include a central lumen. The guide sheath can further include a locking notch disposed on the inner surface between the proximal end and the distal end. The protection tube can include a flared proximal end. A portion of the protection tube can be situated within the central lumen of the guide sheath. The flared proximal end of the protection tube can be sized to fit within the locking notch and can have an outer diameter larger than portions of the inner surface immediately adjacent to the locking notch. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The invention is directed to latent reactive and polymerizable derivatives of fluorescent stilbene-based compounds. The compounds can be used to provide articles with a fluorescence property, such as medical devices (e.g., catheters). The fluorescent compounds can be used in association with polymers, or can be incorporated into polymers, and the polymers used in a coating composition on the article surface. The compounds allow for visual or machine inspection of coating properties such as uniformity of coverage.

Abstract: The invention includes conductive polymeric coatings, medical device, coating solutions and methods of making the same. A coating solution for forming a conductive polymer layer can include a conductive monomer, at least one photoreactive component comprising an anionic photoreactive cross-linking agent or an anionic photoreactive hydrophilic polymer, and a solvent. A medical device can include an electrode and an electrically conductive coating disposed over the electrode. The electrically conductive coating can include a reaction product of the conductive monomer and the at least one photoreactive component. Other aspects are included herein.

Abstract: Bioerodable poly(etheresteramides) and matrices formed therefrom, such as medical device coatings, are described. The matrices show desirable erosion properties desirable for therapeutic use. The matrices can include a bioactive agent which can be used to treat medical conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include medical device elements formed from polymers with lubricious properties. In an embodiment, a method of forming a medical device element is included. The method can include mixing a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component to form a polymer mixture. The method can further include forming the polymer mixture into the medical device element. The method can also include treating the polymer mixture with at least one of an acid or a base. In an embodiment, a medical device is included. The medical device can include a lubricious element, the lubricious element comprising a mixture of a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component. The second polymeric component can include a polymer that is treated with at least one of an acid or a base after formation of the element. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include wound packing devices and methods of making and using the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a wound packing device including a plurality of spacing elements capable of absorbing exudate, wherein the surface of the spacing elements resist colonization by microorganisms. The wound packing device can also include a connector connecting the plurality of spacing elements to one another. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A biocompatible polymeric controlled release matrix barrier structure for delivery of one or more bioactive agents from an implantable medical device is described. In an embodiment, a biocompatible polymeric controlled release matrix barrier structure is included. The biocompatible polymeric controlled release matrix can include a body structure formed of a compliant material comprising one or more compliant biocompatible polymers and one or more bioactive agents. The body structure can define a central aperture through which a subcutaneous element of an implantable medical device passes. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: The invention is directed to medical device coatings, such as coated guidewires and catheters, containing a visualization moiety providing color to the coating in ambient or applied light. The coating allows for visual or machine inspection of coating properties such as uniformity of coverage. In some embodiments the coatings include the visualization moiety and an activated UV photogroup, which is used to provide covalent bonding in the coating. The visualization moiety can be in particulate form and entrained in the coating, or can be covalently bonded to the hydrophilic polymer backbone. In other embodiments the visualization moiety includes a stilbene chemical group. Exemplary coatings include a hydrophilic vinyl pyrrolidone polymer, which can provide lubricity to the device surface, along with the colored properties.

Abstract: Silane-functionalized hydrophobic ?(1?4)glucopyranose polymers and polymeric matrices are described. Biodegradable matrices can be formed from hydrophobic ?(1?4)glucopyranose polymers with reactive pendent silyl ether groups. Reaction of the silyl ether groups provides improved matrix formation through bonding to a device surface of a device, polymer-polymer crosslinking, or both. Biodegradable matrices can be used for the preparation of implantable and injectable medical devices, including those that release a bioactive agent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are activatable conductive compositions and methods of making and using activatable conductive compositions. In particular, activatable conductive monomers polymers are described and electrically conductive coatings that include activatable conductive polymers.