Abstract: A system for forming a drug-polymer coated stent includes means for applying a polymeric coating onto at least a portion of a stent framework, means for drying the applied polymeric coating on the stent framework and means for directing a jet of heated gas towards excess coating portions of the dried polymeric coating that extend into apertures of the stent framework. The system also includes means for reflowing the polymeric coating with the directed jet of heated gas to remove the excess coating portions from the apertures of the stent framework.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of delivering a therapeutic agent to the adventitia of a vessel using a catheter-based microsyringe. A therapeutic agent is formed into microparticles, which are dispersed throughout an appropriate liquid carrier to form a therapeutic mixture. A catheter is provided that includes a microsyringe operably attached to an actuator. The microsyringe includes a hollow needle in fluid communication with a therapeutic agent delivery conduit. The catheter is introduced into a target area of a vessel. The actuator is operated to thrust the needle into a wall of the vessel. The therapeutic mixture is supplied to the therapeutic agent delivery conduit and delivered through the conduit to the needle and thereby into the adventitia of the vessel. The actuator is again operated to withdraw the needle from the wall of the vessel and to enclose it within the actuator. The catheter is then removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A system for forming a drug-polymer coated stent includes means for applying a polymeric coating onto at least a portion of a stent framework, means for drying the applied polymeric coating on the stent framework and means for directing a jet of heated gas towards excess coating portions of the dried polymeric coating that extend into apertures of the stent framework. The system also includes means for reflowing the polymeric coating with the directed jet of heated gas to remove the excess coating portions from the apertures of the stent framework.

Abstract: The invention provides a stent delivery system and a stent device. The stent delivery system includes a catheter, a balloon operably attached to the catheter, and a stent disposed on the balloon. The stent includes at least one coating applied by dipping a portion of the stent into a coating liquid while simultaneously rotating the stent. The stent device includes a body and at least one coating rotationally applied to a portion of the body, while the body is at least partially immersed in a coating liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, including a catheter, a stent coupled to the catheter, a drug-polymer coating on the stent including a polymeric blend of a phenoxy polymer and a styrenic block copolymer, and a bioactive drug dispersed within the drug-polymer coating.

Abstract: A method of coating a stent includes immersing a portion of the stent into a coating liquid, and withdrawing the immersed portion of the stent from the coating liquid. The stent is simultaneously rotated with respect to the coating liquid while the stent is being immersed and withdrawn.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, which includes a catheter; a stent coupled to the catheter, the stent including a stent framework; a phenoxy primer coating operably disposed on the stent framework; and a drug-polymer coating disposed on the phenoxy primer coating. The present invention also provides a drug-coated stent and a method of manufacturing a drug-coated stent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a drug-polymer coated stent. A polymeric coating is applied onto at least a portion of a stent framework and dried. A jet of heated gas is directed towards excess coating portions of the dried polymeric coating. The excess coating portions, which extend into apertures of the stent framework, are removed from the apertures of the stent framework by reflowing the polymeric coating with the directed jet of heated gas. A drug-polymer coated stent with a reflowed drug-polymer coating and a system for treating a vascular condition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a drug-polymer coated stent. A polymeric coating is applied onto at least a portion of a stent framework and dried. A jet of heated gas is directed towards excess coating portions of the dried polymeric coating. The excess coating portions, which extend into apertures of the stent framework, are removed from the apertures of the stent framework by reflowing the polymeric coating with the directed jet of heated gas. A drug-polymer coated stent with a reflowed drug-polymer coating and a system for treating a vascular condition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, including a catheter, a stent coupled to the catheter, a drug-polymer coating on the stent including a grafted styrenic block copolymer, and at least one bioactive drug dispersed within the drug-polymer coating.

Abstract: The stent with detachable ends of the present invention avoids problems from pooling or bridging between a stent and a fixture supporting the stent when a coating is applied. A preliminary stent can be held by at least one retainer to allow coating to be applied to the preliminary stent. The preliminary stent comprises a detachable portion made of detachable segments and a permanent portion made of permanent segments. After the coating has been applied, the detachable portion can be removed from the permanent portion to form the final stent. Removing the detachable portion removes any detachable segments where the liquid coating may have pooled at contact points between the retainer and the detachable segments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a drug-polymer coated stent. A polymeric coating is applied onto at least a portion of a stent framework and dried. A jet of heated gas is directed towards excess coating portions of the dried polymeric coating. The excess coating portions, which extend into apertures of the stent framework, are removed from the apertures of the stent framework by reflowing the polymeric coating with the directed jet of heated gas. A drug-polymer coated stent with a reflowed drug-polymer coating and a system for treating a vascular condition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The stent with improved surface adhesion of the present invention increases adhesion between a stent and a coating by including a silane layer between the stent and the coating. The silane layer improves the wettability of the stent for application of a liquid coating and increases the coating adhesion. A coated stent can be manufactured by applying a silane solution to a stent by spraying or dipping the stent to form a silane layer on the stent surface, curing the resulting silane layer in an inert atmosphere, and applying a coating to the silane layer. In one embodiment, an amino silane can be used with a stainless steel stent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, including a catheter; a stent with a stent framework that is coupled to the catheter; a polymeric coating of a blended matrix of a polysulfone and a styrenic block copolymer that is disposed on the stent framework, and a therapeutic agent in contact with the matrix. A drug-polymer coated stent, a method of manufacturing a drug-polymer coated stent, and method for treating a vascular condition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, which includes a catheter; a stent coupled to the catheter, the stent including a stent framework; a phenoxy primer coating operably disposed on the stent framework; and a drug-polymer coating disposed on the phenoxy primer coating. The present invention also provides a drug-coated stent and a method of manufacturing a drug-coated stent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, comprising a catheter; a stent coupled to the catheter, the stent including a stent framework; an epoxy primer coating disposed on the stent framework; and a drug-polymer coating disposed on the epoxy primer coating. The present invention also provides an epoxy-coated stent, a drug-coated stent with an epoxy primer coating, and a method of manufacturing the coated stents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, including a catheter, a stent coupled to the catheter, a drug-polymer coating on the stent including a polymeric blend of a phenoxy polymer and a styrenic block copolymer, and a bioactive drug dispersed within the drug-polymer coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, including a catheter, a stent coupled to the catheter, a drug-polymer coating on the stent including a grafted styrenic block copolymer, and at least one bioactive drug dispersed within the drug-polymer coating.

Abstract: The invention provides a stent delivery system, a stent device, and a method for coating a stent. The stent delivery system includes a catheter, a balloon operably attached to the catheter, and a stent disposed on the balloon. The stent includes at least one coating applied by dipping a portion of the stent into a coating liquid while simultaneously rotating the stent. The stent device includes a body and at least one coating rotationally applied to a portion of the body, while the body is at least partially immersed in a coating liquid. The stent coating method includes immersing a portion of the stent into a coating liquid, and withdrawing the immersed portion of the stent from the coating liquid. The stent is simultaneously rotated with respect to the coating liquid while the stent is being immersed and withdrawn.

Abstract: The invention provides a stent delivery system, a stent device, and a method for coating a stent. The stent delivery system includes a catheter, a balloon operably attached to the catheter, and a stent disposed on the balloon. The stent includes at least one coating applied by dipping a portion of the stent into a coating liquid while simultaneously rotating the stent. The stent device includes a body and at least one coating rotationally applied to a portion of the body, while the body is at least partially immersed in a coating liquid. The stent coating method includes immersing a portion of the stent into a coating liquid, and withdrawing the immersed portion of the stent from the coating liquid. The stent is simultaneously rotated with respect to the coating liquid while the stent is being immersed and withdrawn.