Patents by Inventor Ralph Chappa

Ralph Chappa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080114451
    Abstract: A coating composition, in both its uncrosslinked and crosslinked forms, for use in increasing the static friction of a surface of a delivery system comprising a medical device having a surface in contact with the surface of a delivery component, the static friction of the surface being increased in an amount sufficient to substantially maintain the position of the medical device on the delivery component against forces asserted on the delivery system as it navigates through a vessel of the body. The delivery system may comprise a balloon catheter as the delivery component and a stent as the medical device. A composition includes a polyether monomer, such as an alkoxy poly(alkylene glycol), a carboxylic acid-containing monomer, such as (meth)acrylic acid, optionally a photoderivatized monomer, and a hydrophilic monomer such as (meth)acrylamide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Sean Stucke, Kimberly Lindsoe, Ralph Chappa, Dale Swan
  • Publication number: 20080020045
    Abstract: The present invention relates to relates to combination degradable and non-degradable matrices and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes an active agent delivery matrix including a degradable polymer network, a non-degradable polymer network, the non-degradable polymer network interspersed within the degradable polymer network, and an active agent. In an embodiment, the invention includes an active agent elution control matrix including a degradable polymer; and a non-degradable polymer interspersed with the degradable polymer. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of making an active agent delivery matrix including mixing a degradable polymer with a first solvent to form a degradable polymer solution; mixing a non-degradable polymer with a second solvent to form a non-degradable polymer solution; and simultaneously depositing the degradable polymer solution and the non-degradable polymer solution onto a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Ralph Chappa, Robert Hergenrother, Paula Bushendorf, Joram Slager
  • Publication number: 20070292596
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: SURMODICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Chappa, Sean Stucke, Richard Amos, Terrence Everson, Stephen Chudzik, Dale Swan, Peter Duquette
  • Publication number: 20070128343
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for forming coatings that can elute active agents and coating produced by the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for applying a coating to a medical device including a first spray nozzle, a first coating composition supply conduit, a second spray nozzle, and a second coating composition supply conduit. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of applying a coating to a medical device including forming a first spray stream, forming a second spray stream, and directing the spray streams toward the medical device so that the first spray stream intersects the second spray stream before hitting the medical device. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for applying a coating to a medical device including a spray nozzle, a first coating composition supply conduit and a second coating composition supply conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventor: Ralph CHAPPA
  • Publication number: 20070101933
    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 bidirectional rotation member. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method with a bidirectional 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: SurModics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Chappa
  • Publication number: 20060216324
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Sean Stucke, Ralph Chappa, Joseph Chinn, Aron Anderson
  • Publication number: 20060210701
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Ralph Chappa, Steven Porter
  • Publication number: 20060165872
    Abstract: A method for coating a rollable device including a device rotator having a pair of rollers and spray nozzle is described. The spray nozzle produces a spray of coating material that is directed towards a gap that is between the rollers of the pair. The majority of any spray not deposited on the rollable device during a coating process passes through the gap between the rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Ralph Chappa, Mark Carlson
  • Publication number: 20060134168
    Abstract: The present invention relates to coatings with crystallized active agent(s) and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for coating a medical device including 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. In an embodiment, the invention includes an elution control coating disposed on a medical device, the elution control coating including a polymer, and an active agent, wherein the active agent is at least about 80% crystallized within one week of being disposed on the medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Ralph Chappa, Kimberly Lindsoe
  • Publication number: 20060088653
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventor: Ralph Chappa
  • Publication number: 20060067968
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Stephen Chudzik, Aron Anderson, Ralph Chappa, Timothy Kloke
  • Publication number: 20060057277
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventor: Ralph Chappa
  • Publication number: 20060029721
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventor: Ralph Chappa
  • Publication number: 20060024350
    Abstract: The invention provides implantable medical devices that are fabricated of biodegradable materials for delivery of bioactive agent to limited access regions of a patient's body, such as the eye. The invention further provides methods of treatment utilizing the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Signe Varner, Patrick Guire, Kristin Taton, Jie Wen, Nathan Beeley, Laurie Lawin, Robert Hergenrother, Ralph Chappa, Aron Anderson
  • Publication number: 20060013835
    Abstract: The invention provides a controlled release bioactive agent delivery device for treatment of an eye that includes a body member having a direction of extension, a longitudinal axis along the direction of extension, and a proximal end and a distal end, wherein at least a portion of the body member deviates from the direction of extension, and a polymeric coated composition in contact with a surface of the body member, the polymeric coated composition including a first polymer, a second polymer, and a bioactive agent. The first polymer and the second polymer are hydrophobic, and the body member has a length such that, upon placement of the device at an implantation site within a posterior segment of an eye, the device does not enter a central visual field of the eye. The invention also provides methods method of delivering bioactive agent to a posterior region of an eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Aron Anderson, Laurie Lawin, Byron Shen, Eugene de Juan, Signe Varner, Ralph Chappa
  • Publication number: 20050287188
    Abstract: The invention provides retrievable devices for sustained delivery of bioactive agent to a site within a patient, the devices including a body member having a direction of extension, a longitudinal axis along the direction of extension, and a proximal end and a distal end, wherein at least a portion of the body member deviates from the direction of extension; a cap at the proximal end of the body member; and a polymeric coated composition in contact with a surface of the body member, the polymeric coated composition including a first polymer, a second polymer, and a bioactive agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Aron Anderson, Laurie Lawin, Byron Shen, Eugene de Juan, Signe Varner, Ralph Chappa
  • Publication number: 20050281857
    Abstract: Polymeric coatings that include coupled biomolecules are formed on the surface of articles, such as medical devices. A coated layer that includes a synthetic polymer including a reactive group is formed on a surface and then a biomolecule is attached to the reactive group. The synthetic polymer can be an acrylate polymer or an amine-containing polymer having pendent photoreactive groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Toni Heyer, Dale Swan, Stephen Chudzik, Joseph Chinn, Ralph Chappa
  • Publication number: 20050281863
    Abstract: The invention provides controlled release bioactive agent delivery devices that include a body member having a direction of extension, a longitudinal axis along the direction of extension, and a proximal end and a distal end, wherein at least a portion of the body member deviates from the direction of extension, and a polymeric coated composition in contact with the body member, the polymeric coated composition including a first polymer, a second polymer, and a bioactive agent, wherein the first polymer and the second polymer are hydrophobic. The invention also provides methods of delivering a bioactive agent to a patient in a controlled release manner, as well as methods of making controlled release bioactive agent delivery devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Aron Anderson, Laurie Lawin, Byron Shen, Eugene de Juan, Signe Varner, Ralph Chappa
  • Publication number: 20050281858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-layer coatings and device, articles, and methods regarding the same, for controlled active agent release. Embodiments of the present invention include devices, articles, coatings, and methods relating to an composition including an active agent, a first layer disposed on the composition, and a second layer disposed on the first layer, wherein the second layer is configured to provide controlled release of the active agent through the second layer and the second layer has release characteristics that are distinct from the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Tim Kloke, Ralph Chappa
  • Publication number: 20050276837
    Abstract: The invention provides a controlled release bioactive agent delivery device that includes a body member having a direction of extension, a longitudinal axis along the direction of extension, and a proximal end and a distal end, wherein at least a portion of the body member deviates from the direction of extension, and a polymeric coated composition in contact with the body member, the polymeric coated composition including a first polymer, a second polymer, and a bioactive agent. The invention also provides methods of delivering a bioactive agent to a patient in a controlled release manner, as well as methods of making a controlled release bioactive agent delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Aron Anderson, Laurie Lawin, Byron Shen, Eugene de Juan, Signe Varner, Ralph Chappa