Abstract: Polymeric hybrid precursors, mixtures of polymeric hybrid precursors and polymers, and polymer composite matrices prepared from the mixture of the polymeric hybrid precursors and the polymer. The mixture of the polymeric hybrid precursors and the polymer can undergo a process to form the polymer composite matrix having a cross-linked network of a silasesquioxane based polymer formed from the polymeric hybrid precursors that interpenetrates the polymer. The polymeric hybrid precursors include chemical linkage moieties that are capable of forming non-covalent bonds with portions of the polymer. The polymer composite matrices are useful as biomaterials in medical devices.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present invention provides implantable or insertable medical devices that comprise a substrate and a coating over the substrate that comprises at least one type of conductive polymer and at least one type of additional polymer.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes a member having a surface that includes a fractal structure.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, at least one ionic therapeutic agent is delivered from an implantable or insertable medical device that comprises an ion-conductive polymeric region that is disposed on a metallic region. The metallic region is in electrical contact with a dissimilar metallic region, such that a galvanic current is generated by the dissimilar metals when the device is implanted or inserted into a patient. Delivery of the ionic therapeutic agent from the ion-conductive polymeric region may be, for example, either accelerated or retarded by the galvanic current.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical copolymers are provided which comprise (a) a polymer backbone comprising (i) a plurality of —C?C— groups within the polymer backbone, (ii) a plurality of -R9- groups within the polymer backbone, wherein R9 comprises a radical-substituted C2-C10 cyclic or heterocyclic group, or (iii) both a plurality of —C?C— groups and a plurality of -R9- groups within the polymer backbone (b) a plurality of hydrocarbon-based pendant groups along the polymer backbone that comprise a saturated or unsaturated carbon chain of at least four carbons in length, and (c) a plurality of zwitterionic pendant groups along the polymer backbone that comprise a positively charged quaternary ammonium group and a negatively charged phosphate group. Further aspects of the invention, among others, relate to methods of forming such copolymers, medical products that contain such copolymers, and methods of making such medical products.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided which comprise a metallic region and a coating on all or part of the metallic region that comprises a multivalent acid.

Abstract: In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, medical devices are provided which are configured for implantation or insertion into a subject. The medical devices include at least one coating region that comprises (a) a charged polyamino-acid-containing polymer having a first net charge and (b) an additional charged polymer having a second net charge that is opposite in sign to that of the first net charge. The additional charged polymer may or may not be a polyamino-acid-containing polymer.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, e.g., a stent (e.g., a drug eluting stent), includes a surface, a first layer having a polyelectrolyte deposited on the surface, a plurality of polymeric particles deposited on the first layer, and a coating of a porous material deposited on the plurality of polymeric particles. At least one particle of the plurality of polymeric particles includes a polymer matrix and a drug distributed in the polymer matrix. A method of making the endoprosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present invention provides implantable or insertable medical devices that comprise a conductive substrate and an electrodeposited coating over the substrate. The electrodeposited coating includes (a) one or more types of inorganic materials, (b) one or more types of polymeric materials and (c) optionally, one or more types of therapeutic agents. Still other aspects of the invention concern methods of making and using such devices.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes a body defining a flow passage therethrough. The body is capable of maintaining patency in a blood vessel and includes iron or an alloy thereof. The body has a nano-structured surface comprising iron oxide in which the individual nano-structures have a height to thickness aspect ratio of at least 5:1.

Abstract: A biomimetic electrode material including a fibrous matrix including a conductive polymer and an ion conducting polymeric material is described. The biomimetic electrode material may be used in a number of body-implantable application including cardiac and neuro-stimulation applications. The biomimetic electrode material can be formed using electrospinning and other related processes. The biomimetic electrode may facilitate efficient charge transport from ionically conductive tissue to the electronically conductive electrode and may induce surrounding tissue to attach or interface directly to the implanted device, increasing the biocompatibility of the device.

Abstract: Nanoparticle precursor structures, nanoparticle structures, and composite materials that include the nanoparticle structures in a polymer to form a composite material. The nanoparticle structures have chemical linkage moieties capable of forming non-covalent bonds with portions of a polymer for the composite material. Such composite materials are useful as biomaterials in medical devices.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain sol-gel derived ceramic regions which have molded submicron surface features.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided that comprise (a) a substrate and (b) a porous layer comprising close packed spherical pores disposed over the substrate. The porous layer may also comprise a therapeutic agent. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of forming implantable or insertable medical devices. These methods comprise forming a predecessor structure that comprises (i) a substrate over which is disposed (ii) an assembly of microspheres. This assembly of microspheres is then used as a template for the formation of a porous layer, which may be subsequently loaded with a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Nanoparticle precursor structures, nanoparticle structures, and composite materials that include the nanoparticle structures in a polymer to form a composite material. The nanoparticle structures have chemical linkage moieties capable of forming non-covalent bonds with portions of a polymer for the composite material. Such composite materials are useful as biomaterials in medical devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hybrid polymers, methods of making such hybrid polymers, and medical devices that include the hybrid polymers. Such hybrid polymers are suitable for forming biomaterials in a predetermined shape for use in medical devices and medical device components. The hybrid polymers of the present disclosure are formed through a reactive extrusion process prior to being formed into the predetermined shape of the medical device or medical device component.

Abstract: A method of making drug eluting stents comprises forming ceramic surface coatings of two or more levels of porosity on a stent body. The less porous coating is more conducive to endothelial cell growth, while the more porous coating is better suited for storing and releasing drugs. The surface coatings of different porosities can be produced by coating stent body surface of differing roughness with coatings made by sol-gel method. Differing roughness of the stent body surface can be produced by selective etching of the stent body surface.

Abstract: Medical balloons and/or catheters are disclosed that include a wall that includes a composite material. The composite material includes a polymeric material and particles that include an allotrope of carbon. In some instances, at least some of the particles are covalently bonded to the polymeric material. Methods for making such medical balloons and/or catheters are also disclosed.

Abstract: Bioerodible endoprostheses and methods of making the endoprostheses are disclosed. In some embodiments, an endoprosthesis includes a member including a bioerodible material, and an antioxidant carried by the member. Examples of antioxidants include phenols.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable blood-contacting devices are provided, which contain one or more release regions that release nitric oxide and one or more anti-restenotic agents. The release region contains one or more polymeric components. The release region also optionally contains one or more inorganic components. Nitric oxide producing groups may be attached to the polymeric component(s), to the optional inorganic component(s), or both. The one or more anti-restenotic agents may be admixed with the polymeric and optional inorganic components, attached to the polymeric component(s), attached to the optional inorganic component(s), or a combination thereof.