Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enhancing the efficacy and/or safety of a vaccine. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods to increase or potentiate the immune response to a vaccine in a subject in need thereof. The methods of the present invention comprise administering to a subject in need thereof an interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R) antagonist such as an anti-IL-4R antibody in combination with said vaccine. In certain embodiments, the methods of the present invention are used to afford enhanced protection to an infectious disease such as whooping cough.

Abstract: A method of producing a multi-lumen elongate body for a medical device. Unlike known methods requiring a solid core of material inserted into each lumen to maintain patency of the lumens during manufacture, the present method obviates the need for a solid core within one or more minor lumens, which saves cost and production complexity. One or more material overlay and mesh overlay steps may be used to produce the multi-lumen elongate body, but only the main lumen may include a solid core therein during all manufacturing steps. The one or more minor lumens may each be defined by a lumen tube having a sufficient stiffness to withstand external pressure during all manufacturing steps without the need for a solid core within.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing a multi-lumen device that includes extruding a first layer of material to form an elongate body with a first lumen and a second lumen, the elongate body having a length of at least 100 feet, depositing a mesh layer over the first layer of material along the entire length of the elongate body, and extruding a second layer of material over the mesh layer along at least a portion of the length of the elongate body. The length of at least 100 feet may be considered a first length, the method further comprising cutting the elongate body into a plurality of shortened elongate bodies having a usable length, such as between approximately two feet and approximately six feet.

Abstract: A method of dimensionally stabilizing a lumen of a multi-lumen device during manufacture wherein one or more minor lumens may contain a fluid that maintains patency of the one or more minor lumens without the need for a solid core within. The at least one second lumen tube may be in fluid communication with a fluid source during the manufacturing process, such as during extrusion and/or mesh overlay steps. Preventing collapse of the one or more minor lumens during manufacture using a fluid instead of a solid core allows the lumens to have any of a variety of shapes and configurations that would be difficult, cost prohibitive, or impossible for a solid core to be used. Also, obviating the need for a solid core within one or more lumens reduces cost and production complexity. The fluid may be a non-compressible liquid or a pressurized gas.

Abstract: A method of producing a multi-lumen elongate body for a medical device. Unlike known methods requiring a solid core of material inserted into each lumen to maintain patency of the lumens during manufacture, the present method obviates the need for a solid core within one or more minor lumens, which saves cost and production complexity. One or more material overlay and mesh overlay steps may be used to produce the multi-lumen elongate body, but only the main lumen may include a solid core therein during all manufacturing steps. The one or more minor lumens may each be defined by a lumen tube having a sufficient stiffness to withstand external pressure during all manufacturing steps without the need for a solid core within.

Abstract: A method of dimensionally stabilizing a lumen of a multi-lumen device during manufacture wherein one or more minor lumens may contain a fluid that maintains patency of the one or more minor lumens without the need for a solid core within. The at least one second lumen tube may be in fluid communication with a fluid source during the manufacturing process, such as during extrusion and/or mesh overlay steps. Preventing collapse of the one or more minor lumens during manufacture using a fluid instead of a solid core allows the lumens to have any of a variety of shapes and configurations that would be difficult, cost prohibitive, or impossible for a solid core to be used. Also, obviating the need for a solid core within one or more lumens reduces cost and production complexity. The fluid may be a non-compressible liquid or a pressurized gas.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing a multi-lumen device that includes extruding a first layer of material to form an elongate body with a first lumen and a second lumen, the elongate body having a length of at least 100 feet, depositing a mesh layer over the first layer of material along the entire length of the elongate body, and extruding a second layer of material over the mesh layer along at least a portion of the length of the elongate body. The length of at least 100 feet may be considered a first length, the method further comprising cutting the elongate body into a plurality of shortened elongate bodies having a usable length, such as between approximately two feet and approximately six feet.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a mechanism for securely mounting an expandable stent onto a balloon catheter for intraluminal delivery within a patient. The stent is secured to the balloon of the delivery catheter by forming the surface of the balloon to project into the interstices of the stent. To mount the stent it first is slid over an evacuated and wrapped balloon while in its compact delivery diameter. A rigid tube then is placed over the stent and balloon assembly and the balloon is pressurized while a solvent is applied to the balloon. The rigid tube prevents the stent from expanding but allows the balloon to deform so that its surface projects slightly through either or both of the interstices and ends of the stent. The solvent causes the balloon material to take a permanent set into the stent such that once pressure is removed, the stent is interlocked with the surface of the balloon.