Abstract: A medical device with a therapeutic agent-releasing polymer coating. The medical device is provided by a method that comprises: (a) attaching at least one reactive species to a medical device surface, which reactive species leads to chain growth polymerization in the presence of monomer; (b) contacting the reactive species with at least one monomer species, thereby forming a polymer coating on the surface of the medical device; and (c) providing at least one therapeutic agent within the polymer coating. The therapeutic agent may be incorporated during formation of the polymer coating or after formation of the polymer coating. The at least one reactive species can comprise, for example, a free radical species, a carbanion species, a carbocation species, a Ziegler-Natta polymerization complex, a metallocene complex, and/or an atom transfer radical polymerization initiator.

Abstract: Provided herein are sutures to be used in a procedure applied to tissue, and methods for forming such sutures. A suture can include an elongated suture body and a plurality of heat-contact mediated retainers extending from and along the elongated suture body. The heat-contact mediated retainers can be formed by temporarily contacting the elongated suture body with one or more heated element.

Abstract: A method and device to elevate retainers on a suture thread to a desired angle such that the retainers can retain the desired elevation. The retainers can be elevated using an apparatus having at least one roller and at least one bending bar, wherein the bending bar contacts the retainers adjacent to the at least one roller to apply a force to the retainers. The retainers can also be elevated using a tube-shaped apparatus which allows the retainers on a suture thread to be bent by the inner surface of the tube-shaped apparatus. In various embodiments of the invention, a suture can be made up of an inner core and a coating that upon a stimuli increases the protrusion of the retainers away from the suture core thereby ensuring that the suture is held securely in place, preventing wound separation and dehiscence.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and methods for the local, differential delivery of nitric oxide within the body. The devices include devices having at least two differing nitric oxide donor compounds, such as nitric oxide donor compounds having differing half-lives and nitric oxide donor compounds having different release mechanisms. The devices also include devices having at least two chemically distinct compositions to which nitric oxide donor compounds are adsorbed or attached or within which the donor compounds are disposed. The devices are typically used to increase local nitric oxide concentration in the body upon placement of the medical article at a delivery position on or within a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drug delivery compositions, drug delivery units, drug delivery devices and methods of making the same using nanofabrication processes. The nanofabrication processes are used to make pores in a matrix. Exemplary nanofabrication processes include nanoimprinting, reverse imprinting, nanolithography, and photolithography.

Abstract: Packaging and dispenser embodiments for sutures including bi-directional sutures are used to reduce catching and tangling of the sutures.

Abstract: Novel nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules are provided which comprise a lipid molecule selected from (a) phosphoglycerides, (b) lipids having a sphingosine base as a backbone, (c) monoacylglyerols, (d) diacylglycerols, (e) glycosylacylglycerols, and (f) sterol compounds of the formula: where R is a branched aliphatic chain of eight or more carbon atoms, wherein the lipid molecule is provided with a nitric-oxide containing group which comprises (a) a —S—N?O moiety, (b) a —O—N?O moiety, or (c) a a moiety. Also provided are methods of forming such nitric oxide releasing lipid molecules. Various pharmaceutical compositions, topical liquids and drug delivery systems comprising the nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules are also described.

Abstract: Novel nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules are provided which comprise a lipid molecule selected from (a) phosphoglycerides, (b) lipids having a sphingosine base as a backbone, (c) monoacylglyerols, (d) diacylglycerols, (e) glycosylacylglycerols, and (f) sterol compounds of the formula: where R is a branched aliphatic chain of eight or more carbon atoms, wherein the lipid molecule is provided with a nitric-oxide containing group which comprises (a) a —S—N?O moiety, (b) a —O—N?O moiety, or (c) a moiety. Also provided are methods of forming such nitric oxide releasing lipid molecules. Various pharmaceutical compositions, topical liquids and drug delivery systems comprising the nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules are also described.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided which contain the following: (a) substrate having one or more depressions that contain at least one therapeutic agent and (b) a porous membrane disposed over the substrate and the one or more depressions, which regulate transport of chemical species between the therapeutic-agent-containing depressions and the exterior of the device. The substrate and the porous membrane are formed of different materials each with a different thermal expansion coefficient. Moreover, one of the substrate and the porous membrane at least partially surrounds the other. Other aspects of the present invention are directed to methods of making such medical devices, and methods of treatment using such medical devices.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for releasing therapeutic agent having a medical device body and a plurality of reservoir-defining structures disposed on a surface of the body. A reservoir can be defined by the reservoir-defining structures and therapeutic agent may be located in the reservoir. A cover may extend over the reservoir so that the therapeutic agent is released from the reservoir when the medical device implanted. Methods for making the medical device may also include providing a medical device body, positioning a plurality of reservoir-defining structures on a surface of the body to form a reservoir, loading therapeutic agent into the reservoir, and covering the reservoir so that the therapeutic agent may release when the medical device is implanted. Alternatively, the reservoir may be covered with a cover and an opening formed in the cover so that the therapeutic agent may release when the medical device is implanted.

Abstract: A method for producing a S-nitrosylated species is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing a deoxygenated, alkaline aqueous solution comprising a thiol and a nitrite-bearing species; (b) acidifying the solution by adding acid to the solution while concurrently mixing the solution (e.g., by vigorously stirring the solution) to produce the S-nitrosylated species; and (c) isolating the S-nitrosylated species. The nitrite-bearing species can be, for example, an inorganic nitrite, such as an alkali metal nitrite, or an organic nitrite, such as an alkyl nitrite (e.g., ethyl nitrite, amyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite or t-butyl nitrite). The thiol is preferably a thiol-containing polysaccharide, a thiol-containing lipoprotein, a thiol-containing amino acid or a thiol-containing protein, and more preferably a thiol-containing polysaccharide such as thiolated cyclodextrin. In many preferred embodiments, the S-nitrosylated species is insoluble in the acidified solution, precipitating upon formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to self-retaining systems for surgical procedures, methods of manufacturing self-retaining systems for surgical procedures, and their uses.

Abstract: A medical device with a therapeutic agent-releasing polymer coating. The medical device is provided by a method that comprises: (a) attaching at least one reactive species to a medical device surface, which reactive species leads to chain growth polymerization in the presence of monomer; (b) contacting the reactive species with at least one monomer species, thereby forming a polymer coating on the surface of the medical device; and (c) providing at least one therapeutic agent within the polymer coating. The therapeutic agent may be incorporated during formation of the polymer coating or after formation of the polymer coating. The at least one reactive species can comprise, for example, a free radical species, a carbanion species. a carbocation species, a Ziegler-Natta polymerization complex, a metallocene complex, and/or an atom transfer radical polymerization initiator.

Abstract: This invention comprises an apparatus for treating an atherosclerotic plaque in a coronary artery of a mammal by placing at or proximate to an entrance to the coronary artery and upstream of the vulnerable plaque, and an effective amount of a therapeutic agent for the treatment of the plaque. This invention comprises delivering a deposition of a therapeutic drug high in the coronary arterial tree for treatment of downstream vulnerable plaques. The invention also comprises slow release formulation and delivery of an apparatus that is totally degradable or removed and/or replaced.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of asthma are provided, which comprise: (a) providing an implantable or insertable medical device that comprises an asthma treatment agent; and (b) inserting or implanting the medical device within the lungs (e.g., the trachea or the bronchial tree) of a patient, whereupon the therapeutic agent is delivered to the patient in an amount effective to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of asthma. Also disclosed herein are medical devices and kits for carrying out such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for delivery of a patch, graft, implant, therapeutic agent, or other device onto tissue using a rolled delivery mechanism. In one embodiment, a rolled delivery mechanism is provided for delivering a patch to tissue when the rolled delivery mechanism is unrolled. In another embodiment, a rolled delivery mechanism is provided for delivering therapeutic agent to a target tissue.

Abstract: A medical device comprising halofuginone is provided. The medical device is adapted for implantation or insertion into a blood vessel and it provides a cumulative, in vivo, 14 day release that lies between 0.02 ?g and 0.2 ?g of halofuginone per mm2 of stent surface area.

Abstract: A composite wall structure for use in a building, such as a geodesic dome, or the outer hull of a pressurized vehicle, such as an airship or submarine, is formed by interconnecting a plurality of three dimensional triangular shaped cells into a shape of desired contour, such as planar or curved, with each individual cell having a sealed chamber that is pressurized, and securing a fluid impervious closure skin to the connected array of cells. Each cell is formed by connecting planar rectangular sidewalls into a triangular frame having opposite sides and attaching a planar triangular panel to each side of the frame in a manner to form a pressure sealed chamber. The hull structure of predetermined shape is capable of captivating a volume of air and/or resisting buckling or failure resulting from fluid pressure on the hull during operation in air or water environments.

Abstract: An implantable or insertable medical device is provided which comprises (a) a superoxide dismutase mimic and (b) a polymeric release region. Upon administration to a patient, the polymeric release region controls the release of the superoxide dismutase mimic, which is beneficially selected from a metal-chelate superoxide dismutase mimic and a nitroxide superoxide dismutase mimic. Also provided is a method of making an implantable or insertable medical device.

Abstract: A medical device is provided which is adapted for implantation or insertion into the vasculature. The medical device comprises the following: (a) a medical device substrate; (b) a lower polymeric layer, provided over the substrate, which comprises a nitric oxide donor and a polymer; and (c) an upper polymeric layer, provided over the lower polymer layer, which comprises a polymer and an anti-restenotic agent.