Abstract: A drug-loaded microparticle is applied to a medical device for subsequent application to biological tissues. A method of formulating a drug-loaded microparticle and applying it to the surface of a medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The drug-loaded microparticle is formulated by combining a drug with various chemical solutions. Specified sizes of the microparticles and amounts of drug(s) contained within the microparticles may be varied by altering the proportions of the chemicals/solutions. In addition to various drugs, therapeutic substances and radioactive isotopes may also be loaded into the microparticles. The drug-loaded microparticle are suspended in a polymer solution forming a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix may be applied to the entire surface or only selected portions of the medical device via dipping, spraying or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A drug-loaded microparticle is applied to a medical device for subsequent application to biological tissues. A method of formulating a drug-loaded microparticle and applying it to the surface of a medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The drug-loaded microparticle is formulated by combining a drug with various chemical solutions. Specified sizes of the microparticles and amounts of drug(s) contained within the microparticles may be varied by altering the proportions of the chemicals/solutions. In addition to various drugs, therapeutic substances and radioactive isotopes may also be loaded into the microparticles. The drug-loaded microparticle are suspended in a polymer solution forming a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix may be applied to the entire surface or only selected portions of the medical device via dipping, spraying or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as a stent or graft, having asperities on a designated region of its outer surface is disclosed. The asperities can serve to improve retention of one or more layers of a coating on the device and to increase the amount of coating that can be carried by the device. The asperities can be formed by using a stream of pressurized grit to roughen the surface. The asperities can also be formed by removing material from the outer surface, for example, by chemical etching with or without a patterned mask. Alternatively, the asperities can be formed by adding material to the outer surface, for example, by welding powder particles to the outer surface or sputtering.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for delivering a therapeutic substance to a vascular lumen, using an implantable prosthesis, such as a stent, which has grooves or trenches formed thereon. The grooves are formed on specific regions of the stent struts to increase the flexibility of the stent. The grooves also provide a therapeutic material carrying capability for treating intravascular ailments, such as instent restenosis and thrombosis. The therapeutic material loading of the grooves can be accomplished in several ways. For example, a pure therapeutic material or a pre-mixed material with a polymer solution, which enhances the adhesion properties of the material, may be deposited directly in to the grooves using conventional spray or modified dip techniques. In another example, a microextruded monofilament therapeutic material can be wound about the stent, such that the monofilament becomes embedded in the grooves.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as a stent or graft, having asperities on a designated region of its outer surface is disclosed. The asperities can serve to improve retention of one or more layers of a coating on the device and to increase the amount of coating that can be carried by the device. The asperities can be formed by using a stream of pressurized grit to roughen the surface. The asperities can also be formed by removing material from the outer surface, for example, by chemical etching with or without a patterned mask. Alternatively, the asperities can be formed by adding material to the outer surface, for example, by welding powder particles to the outer surface or sputtering.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as a stent or graft, having asperities on a designated region of its outer surface is disclosed. The asperities can serve to improve retention of one or more layers of a coating on the device and to increase the amount of coating that can be carried by the device. The asperities can be formed by using a stream of pressurized grit to roughen the surface. The asperities can also be formed by removing material from the outer surface, for example, by chemical etching with or without a patterned mask. Alternatively, the asperities can be formed by adding material to the outer surface, for example, by welding powder particles to the outer surface or sputtering.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as a stent or graft, having asperities on a designated region of its outer surface is disclosed. The asperities can serve to improve retention of one or more layers of a coating on the device and to increase the amount of coating that can be carried by the device. The asperities can be formed by using a stream of pressurized grit to roughen the surface. The asperities can also be formed by removing material from the outer surface, for example, by chemical etching with or without a patterned mask. Alternatively, the asperities can be formed by adding material to the outer surface, for example, by welding powder particles to the outer surface or sputtering.

Abstract: A coating for a prosthesis, for example a stent, and a composition for forming the coating is disclosed. The coating can serve as a primer, allowing substances, such as polymers, to be effectively secured by the prosthesis. Alternatively, the coating can serve as a reservoir, allowing for the local and sustained release of a therapeutic substance to biological tissues. The composition can be formed from an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and a dimethylsulfoxide solvent, with or without a therapeutic substance. Alternatively, the composition can be formed from an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, a dimethylsulfoxide solvent, and a wetting fluid, with or without a therapeutic substance. The composition is applied to a surface of the prosthesis and essentially all of the dimethylsulfoxide solvent or dimethylsulfoxide solvent/wetting fluid is removed or allowed to evaporate to form the coating.

Abstract: A drug-loaded microparticle is applied to a medical device for subsequent application to biological tissues. A method of formulating a drug-loaded microparticle and applying it to the surface of a medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The drug-loaded microparticle is formulated by combining a drug with various chemical solutions. Specified sizes of the microparticles and amounts of drug(s) contained within the microparticles may be varied by altering the proportions of the chemicals/solutions. In addition to various drugs, therapeutic substances and radioactive isotopes may also be loaded into the microparticles. The drug-loaded microparticle are suspended in a polymer solution forming a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix may be applied to the entire surface or only selected portions of the medical device via dipping, spraying or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A drug-loaded microparticle is applied to a medical device for subsequent application to biological tissues. A method of formulating a drug-loaded microparticle and applying it to the surface of a medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The drug-loaded microparticle is formulated by combining a drug with various chemical solutions. Specified sizes of the microparticles and amounts of drug(s) contained within the microparticles may be varied by altering the proportions of the chemicals/solutions. In addition to various drugs, therapeutic substances and radioactive isotopes may also be loaded into the microparticles. The drug-loaded microparticle are suspended in a polymer solution forming a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix may be applied to the entire surface or only selected portions of the medical device via dipping, spraying or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A drug-loaded microparticle is applied to a medical device for subsequent application to biological tissues. A method of formulating a drug-loaded microparticle and applying it to the surface of a medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The drug-loaded microparticle is formulated by combining a drug with various chemical solutions. Specified sizes of the microparticles and amounts of drug(s) contained within the microparticles may be varied by altering the proportions of the chemicals/solutions. In addition to various drugs, therapeutic substances and radioactive isotopes may also be loaded into the microparticles. The drug-loaded microparticle are suspended in a polymer solution forming a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix may be applied to the entire surface or only selected portions of the medical device via dipping, spraying or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods of forming a coating onto an implantable device or endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent, are provided. The coating may be used for the delivery of an active ingredient. The coating may have a selected pattern of interstices for allowing a fluid to seep through the coating in the direction of the pattern created.

Abstract: An implantable device or endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent, having a sheath and a method of forming the sheath are provided. The sheath may be used for the delivery of an active ingredient. The sheath may have a selected pattern of interstices for allowing a fluid to seep through the sheath in the direction of the pattern created.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of coating an implantable device, such as a stent or a graft, having a plurality of depots formed in a surface thereof. An exemplary method includes applying a composition including a polymer and a solvent to the implantable device proximate to the depots. Such application of the composition is performed at a first gas pressure. The method also includes applying a second gas pressure, which is greater than the first gas pressure, to the composition-coated device so that air pockets in the depots are eliminated, or at least reduced in size. The method also includes the act of removing the solvent from the composition to form a coating. An implantable device coated in accordance with the method is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of forming a coating onto an implantable device or endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent, are provided. The coating may be used for the delivery of an active ingredient. The coating may have a selected pattern of interstices for allowing a fluid to seep through the coating in the direction of the pattern created.

Abstract: A coating for a prosthesis, for example a stent, and a composition for forming the coating is disclosed. The coating can serve as a primer, allowing substances, such as polymers, to be effectively secured by the prosthesis. Alternatively, the coating can serve as a reservoir, allowing for the local and sustained release of a therapeutic substance to biological tissues. The composition can be formed from an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and a dimethylsulfoxide solvent, with or without a therapeutic substance. Alternatively, the composition can be formed from an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, a dimethylsulfoxide solvent, and a wetting fluid, with or without a therapeutic substance. The composition is applied to a surface of the prosthesis and essentially all of the dimethylsulfoxide solvent or dimethylsulfoxide solvent/wetting fluid is removed or allowed to evaporate to form the coating.

Abstract: An implantable device or endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent, having a sheath and a method of forming the sheath are provided. The sheath may be used for the delivery of an active ingredient. The sheath may have a selected pattern of interstices for allowing a fluid to seep through the sheath in the direction of the pattern created.

Abstract: Methods of forming a coating onto an implantable device or endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent, are provided. The coating may be used for the delivery of an active ingredient. The coating may have a selected pattern of interstices for allowing a fluid to seep through the coating in the direction of the pattern created.

Abstract: A method for forming an implantable medical device, such as a stent, covered stent, or synthetic stent graft, is provided. Protruding structures are formed on a surface of the device. The protruding structures have a central depression region surrounded by a lip. The protruding structures can have a variety of shapes, including circular and ovular shapes, or the protruding structure can form a groove. The protruding structures can be used to engage a cover. Glue can be added to the protruding structures to help secure the cover. The protruding structures can also contain a therapeutic substance or substances for release in situ. The protruding structures can be formed using a laser discharge to create a hole in the stent surface followed by directing a pressurized stream of grit at the surface.