Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.

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: Catheters, balloons, and methods of manufacturing balloons for balloon catheters using lasers are disclosed. A catheter with a shaft sized for use with a 0.014 inch guide wire includes a polymeric balloon having a body portion with an inflated outer diameter of more than 6 millimeters. An inflatable balloon includes an inflated outer diameter to inner waist diameter ratio of 12.5 to 1. An inflatable polymeric balloon that has a body portion with two regions that have different molecular orientations is also provided. A method of processing an elongate polymeric material includes heating a portion of the polymeric material with a laser while longitudinally stretching the portion of the polymeric material. A method of manufacturing a balloon includes heating and longitudinally stretching a first and second portion of an elongate polymeric tube to form first and second end portion. The remaining body portion is radially expanded to form the balloon.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.

Abstract: A medical device such as a catheter, stent or balloon, or a component thereof is formed by depositing an inorganic-organic hybrid composite material on an eliminatable shape form and removing the shape form, leaving the medical device or component thereof formed of the inorganic-organic hybrid composite material. Multiple layers of the inorganic-organic hybrid composite material can be used in the formation. A particular structure is an expandable balloon member for a catheter assembly.

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: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of intravascular medical devices, and more specifically to the field of balloon catheters and other similar diagnostic or therapeutic catheters within the body for treatment and diagnosis of diseases. In particular, the present invention relates to reinforced balloon catheters and drug-eluting balloon catheters and corresponding methods for producing same.

Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon. In accordance with one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form a medical device. A polymer extrusion apparatus is disclosed utilizing a microwave energy for heating polymer feedstock material within the extruder tip and die unit just prior to formation of the extrudate product.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to internal (e.g., implantable, insertable, etc.) drug delivery devices which contain the following: (a) one or more sources of one or more therapeutic agents; (b) one or more first electrodes, (c) one or more second electrodes and (d) one or more power sources for applying voltages across the first and second electrodes. The power sources may be adapted, for example, to promote electrically assisted therapeutic agent delivery within a subject, including electroporation and/or iontophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second electrodes are adapted to have tissue of a subject positioned between them upon deployment of the medical device within the subject, such that an electric field may be generated, which is directed into the tissue. Furthermore, the therapeutic agent sources are adapted to introduce the therapeutic agents into the electric field.

Abstract: A mold for a medical device balloon has a cavity adapted to receive a hollow parison expandable therein to form the balloon. The cavity has a cone region and a body region. The cone region is heated to a higher temperature, or the mold wall is formed to deliver applied heat more efficiently to the cone region, relative to the body region of the mold.

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.

Abstract: Medical devices such as endoprostheses (e.g., stents) containing one or more biostable layers (e.g., biostable inorganic layers) and a biodegradable underlying structure are disclosed.

Abstract: Radiopaque polymers have a main chain and a plurality of amide groups which have bound to the amide nitrogen atom thereof an organohalide group that is pendant to the polymer main chain, the organo halide group including one or more iodine and/or bromine atoms thereon. The polymer may be a modified polyamide polymer, copolymer or block copolymer or a modified poly(meth)acrylamide or (meth)acrylamide copolymer or block copolymer. The polymers may be employed in medical devices and are useful for instance to track the movement of a catheter through the body or the inflation of a balloon at a site. The polymers may be made by coupling reactions performed on preexisting amide polymers.

Abstract: Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.

Abstract: Molds and related methods and articles are disclosed. In certain embodiments, an exposed surface of the mold has regions with different coefficients of friction.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to an implantable medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent to the body tissue of a patient, and a method for making such a medical device. In particular, the invention pertains to an implantable medical device, such as an intravascular stent, having a coating comprising an inorganic or ceramic oxide, such as titanium oxide, and a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Described herein are medical balloons which contain one or more material regions that are configured to cause the balloons to preferentially fold into predetermined orientations upon deflation.