Abstract: A composition for bioactive agent release in vivo. The composition includes the bioactive agent in combination with a mixture of a first polymer component such as poly(butyl methacrylate) and a second polymer component such as poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate).

Abstract: A grafting reagent and related method of using the reagent to form a polymeric layer on a support surface, and particularly a porous support surface, in a manner that provides and/or preserves desired properties (such as porosity) of the surface. The reagent and method can be used to provide a thin, conformable, uniform, uncrosslinked coating having desired properties onto the surface of a preformed, and particularly a porous, polymeric substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices, and coatings, wherein active agent release is determined by deposition rate of a coating or material. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for coating a medical device, including identifying active agent elution rates for a coating composition applied to substrates at a plurality of coating deposition rates, selecting one of the coating deposition rates, and applying the coating composition to the medical device at the selected deposition rate. In an embodiment, the invention includes a combination including a medical device and a composition for coating the surface of a medical device with an active agent in a manner that permits the coated surface to release the active agent over time when implanted in vivo.

Abstract: Coatings with crystallized active agent(s) and related methods are disclosed. One method includes selecting a solvent and a polymer, selecting a concentration of an active agent of at least a certain amount of saturation, forming a coating composition having the selected concentration of the active agent, and applying the coating composition to the medical device. Also disclosed is an elution control coating which includes active agent that is at least about 80% crystallized within one week of being disposed on a medical device. One method enhances the formation of active agent crystals within a coating layer by adjusting the concentration of the active agent in the coating solution to reach some percentage of the active agent saturation point. Another method includes increasing the rate of active agent nucleation within the coating.

Abstract: Method and reagent composition for covalent attachment of target molecules, such as nucleic acids, onto the surface of a substrate. The reagent composition includes groups capable of covalently binding to the target molecule. Optionally, the composition can contain photoreactive groups for use in attaching the reagent composition to the surface. The reagent composition can be used to provide activated slides for use in preparing microarrays of nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses that reduce problems encountered during coating of a device, such as a medical device having a cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus including a bi-directional rotation member. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method with a bi-directional indexing movement. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating solution supply member having a major axis oriented parallel to a gap between rollers on a coating apparatus. In an embodiment, the invention includes a device retaining member. In an embodiment, the invention includes an air nozzle or an air knife. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method including removing a static charge from a small diameter medical device.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating the balloon portion of a balloon catheter is described. The coating apparatus includes a rotatable member in which the catheter portion of the balloon catheter is mounted and fixed, and which causes rotation of the balloon catheter. The apparatus also includes a support member in which the distal tip of the catheter is inserted and free to rotate; and a spray nozzle directing sprayed material on the balloon surface. The inventive configuration of the coating apparatus allows the balloon catheter to be rotated along its axis with insubstantial or no wobble, which significantly improves the quality of the coating applied to the surface of the balloon.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for filling a medical device with an active agent composition. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for filling a medical device with an active agent composition. The method can include applying the active agent composition to the outside surface of the medical device, the medical device comprising a housing defining a lumen and a plurality of apertures. The method can also include contacting a surface of a press member against the outside surface of the medical device thereby pushing the active agent composition through the apertures and into the lumen of the medical device. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Described are coating systems for the controlled delivery of hydrophilic bioactive agents, for example, from implantable medical devices. The coating systems of the invention comprise (a) a polymeric basecoat layer containing one or more hydrophilic bioactive agents; and (b) an elution-controlling topcoat layer that comprises a poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) copolymer. The elution rate of the hydrophilic bioactive agent can be controlled by varying the vinyl acetate concentration in the elution-controlling topcoat layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for applying coatings to devices. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating apparatus including a mandrel having a lengthwise axis and an exterior surface, the exterior surface of the mandrel defining a plurality of channels disposed parallel to the lengthwise axis, the mandrel configured to rotate around the lengthwise axis; and a spray head configured to direct a stream of material at the mandrel. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of applying a coating to a medical device. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to porous drug delivery devices and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes an active agent delivery system including a reservoir body defining a plurality of interconnected pores, an active agent disposed within the interconnected pores, and a first polymeric layer disposed over the reservoir body. In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable medical device including a porous substrate defining a plurality of interconnected pores, an active agent disposed within the interconnected pores, and a first polymeric layer disposed over the reservoir body. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of making an active agent delivery system including forming a porous reservoir body, inserting an active agent within the porous reservoir body, and applying a polymeric layer over the porous reservoir body. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for vapor depositing a polymeric coating onto a substrate. In an embodiment, the invention is a method for applying a polymer coating to a substrate comprising performing a bake-out cycle with a chemical vapor deposition system and performing a deposition cycle with the chemical vapor deposition system.

Abstract: A method for coating a device, such as an industrially or medically applicable device, with a polymer layer is provided. The method includes contacting the device with a grafting initiator comprising at least one photoinitiator group, exposing the device to radiation, contacting the device with a polymerizable monomer, and again exposing the device to radiation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for providing biocompatible surfaces to medical articles. In particular the invention provides biocompatible coatings with heparin activity that are able to release a bioactive agent, wherein the coatings are formed using biostable or biodegradable polymeric material and photoreactive groups.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for providing biocompatible surfaces to medical articles. In particular the invention provides biocompatible coatings with heparin activity. In some aspects, the biocompatible coatings of the invention are able to release a bioactive agent. The coatings can be formed using biostable or biodegradable polymeric material and photoreactive groups. The invention also provides methods for improving the quality of bioactive agent-containing coatings by performing pre-irradiation of biocompatible coating compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for coating a device comprising a coating chamber and a device rotator having at least one device mount wherein the apparatus allows insertion and retraction of the device on the device mount into and out of the coating chamber. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of applying a substantially uniform coating on a device comprising the steps of providing an apparatus for coating a device, mounting the device onto the device mount, purging the coating chamber to reduce humidity in the coating chamber, maintaining a reduced humidity content in the coating chamber, inserting the device into the coating chamber, disposing a coating material on the device and rotating the device mounts about the device axis.

Abstract: A coating composition for use in coating implantable medical devices to improve their ability to release bioactive agents in vivo. The coating composition is particularly adapted for use with devices that undergo significant flexion and/or expansion in the course of their delivery and/or use, such as stents and catheters. The composition includes the bioactive agent in combination with a mixture of a first polymer component such as poly(butyl methacrylate) and a second polymer component such as poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and components for increasing adhesion of an elution control matrix to a polymeric substrate, and medical devices including such components. In an embodiment, the invention includes a medical device including a substrate having a surface, the substrate comprising a polysiloxane, a parylene layer contacting the surface of the substrate, and an elution control matrix contacting the parylene layer, the elution control matrix comprising a polymeric matrix and an active agent dispersed within the polymeric matrix. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and additives for increasing active agent elution rates from elution control coatings and elution control coatings including the same. In an embodiment the invention includes an elution control coating comprising a polymeric matrix and at least about 0.1 wt. % of an additive dispersed within the polymeric matrix. The additive can include polyvinylpyrrolidone or a copolymer thereof. An active agent can be dispersed within the polymeric matrix, the active agent having limited solubility in water. Embodiments of the invention also include a method of forming an elution control coating with accelerated release kinetics. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses that reduce problems encountered during coating of a device, such as a medical device having a cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus including a bi-directional rotation member. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method with a bi-directional indexing movement. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating solution supply member having a major axis oriented parallel to a gap between rollers on a coating apparatus. In an embodiment, the invention includes a device retaining member. In an embodiment, the invention includes an air nozzle or an air knife. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method including removing a static charge from a small diameter medical device.