Abstract: Medical articles, such as drug-releasing patches or implantable or insertable medical devices, which are made up of a medical article substrate and a therapeutic-agent-containing region. The therapeutic-agent-containing region is made up of (i) a water-dispersible therapeutic agent and (ii) coalesced polymer particles supplied by an aqueous dispersion. Also described are methods of forming such medical articles, and methods of releasing a therapeutic agent within a patient using such medical articles.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis comprising a stent, a cover fully covering the stent wherein the cover has variable porosity in the radial direction; and an adhesion layer connecting the stent to the cover. Another aspect of the invention is a method of implanting an endoprosthesis which includes a stent, providing a cover with variable porosity in the radial direction, connecting the stent to the cover with an adhesion layer to form a covered stent, and implanting the covered stent within a body lumen of a patient.

Abstract: A medical device, for example, an endoscope or catheter, includes local drug delivery capabilities for selectively delivering at least one drug in vivo. The local drug delivery may occur as the medical device is advanced through tortuous passageways of the patient's body or may occur after the medical device has reached its targeted destination. The medical device includes a drug agent, for example, carried in or on a hydrophilic or hydrogel coating disposed on the outside thereof. When the hydrogel or drug agent receives an appropriate signal, e.g., solution containing a triggering agent or triggering condition, e.g., heat or light, the hydrogel contracts or expands to squeeze out the drug from hydrogel. If electric current is provided as the signal, and the drug agent is charged, the drug agent is released by electrophoretic forces.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to radiation-resistant medical devices which contain polymer regions for release of therapeutic agents. The present invention also relates to radiation-resistant copolymer materials for use in connection with insertable or implantable medical devices. The radiation-sterilized medical device comprises (a) a release region and (b) at least one therapeutic agent and the release region comprises a phenoxy resin block.

Abstract: A hemostatic insert is provided for closing a puncture site in a blood vessel wall. The insert includes an expandable hemostatic member comprising a biocompatible water soluble gel configured to expand from a compressed state when exposed to body fluid and seal the puncture site in the blood vessel wall. A control layer surrounds the hemostatic member and delays expansion of the hemostatic member.

Abstract: Medical devices that are visible by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and optionally, other imaging techniques, are described. In some embodiments, a medical device adapted for insertion into the body includes an elongated shaft and an electrically conductive path extending spirally about a portion of the shaft. The conductive path is capable of being connected to a current source. The medical device can further include one or more contrast agents (such as MRI contrast agents, radiopaque materials, and/or ultrasound visible materials), which can be arranged in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis comprising a stent, a cover fully covering the stent wherein the cover has variable porosity in the radial direction; and an adhesion layer connecting the stent to the cover. Another aspect of the invention is a method of implanting an endoprosthesis which includes a stent, providing a cover with variable porosity in the radial direction, connecting the stent to the cover with an adhesion layer to form a covered stent, and implanting the covered stent within a body lumen of a patient.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis comprising a stent, a cover fully covering the stent wherein the cover has variable porosity in the radial direction; and an adhesion layer connecting the stent to the cover. Another aspect of the invention is a method of implanting an endoprosthesis which includes a stent, providing a cover with variable porosity in the radial direction, connecting the stent to the cover with an adhesion layer to form a covered stent, and implanting the covered stent within a body lumen of a patient.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical articles are provided, which are at least partially biodegradable. The medical articles comprise (a) biodegradable polymers that produce acidic molecules upon degradation; and (b) acid neutralizing cationic species.

Abstract: A low profile emboli capture device is provided for use in angioplasty and other intravascular procedures. A standard guidewire is utilized having a reduced cross-sectional area formed near its distal end. A filter and self-expanding stent are packaged on the reduced cross-sectional area of the guidewire. A movable sleeve extends over the guidewire and holds the self-expanding stent and filter in their retracted positions while the device is being positioned in the artery. The sheath is moved relative to the self-expanding stent and filter, whereupon the self-expanding stent and filter become deployed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable or insertable medical device comprising (a) a substrate and (b) a hydrogel polymer coating at a least a portion of the surface of the substrate, wherein the hydrogel polymer is adapted to render the medical device visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) upon insertion or implantation of the medical device into a patient. Also disclosed is the use of such a hydrogel coated implantable or insertable medical device in a medical procedure, wherein during or after insertion or implantation of the medical device in a patient, the position of the medical device is viewed under MRI. The use of a hydrogel polymer for coating a medical device wherein the hydrogel polymer is adapted to render a medical device coated with the hydrogel polymer visible under MRI and a hydrogel polymer adapted to render a medical device coated therewith visible under MRI are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device, such as, for example, a catheter, includes a tubular member having a first portion having a shape memory polymer.

Abstract: An injectable or insertable dosage form comprising a biodisintegrable binder and an ablation agent in a concentration effective to cause tissue necrosis. The injectable dosage form is a solid or semi-solid dosage form. Due to the solid or semi-solid nature of the dosage form, retention at the site of injection or insertion is improved, thereby improving delivery efficiency of the ablation agents within the dosage form and/or reducing the nonspecific tissue damage associated with the dosage form.

Abstract: A medical device includes a body, a member in the body, and a contrast agent in the member. The device can be visible by magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter shaft, at least a portion of which defines a medical device receiving region, and at least one sleeve. The at least one sleeve comprises a tubular member constructed and arranged to transition between an extended state and a retracted state. The tubular member has a first portion being engaged to a portion of the catheter shaft adjacent to the medical device receiving region. In the extended state a second portion is constructed and arranged to at least partially overlay the medical device receiving region. In the retraced state the second portion is removed from about the medical device receiving region. At least one of the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member are at least partially constructed from a shape memory material.

Abstract: System and method for coating a medical appliance are provided. In accord with one embodiment, a system for applying a coating to a medical appliance having accessible patterned surfaces is provided. The system may include: a processor, an appliance support, and a solenoid type fluid dispensing head having an electromagnetically controlled valve. In the system, the appliance support may be adapted to hold the medical appliance and to provide direct access for a coating to contact the exposed external patterned surfaces of the medical appliance. The solenoid type fluid dispensing head in this system may move with respect to the medical appliance and may be in communication with a source of coating and with the processor. The processor in this system may contain commands that instruct the solenoid type fluid dispensing head to force coating onto the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance in a pattern that correlates with the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance.

Abstract: Medical devices incorporate therein imaging materials having selected MRI detectable nuclei to provide useful magnetic resonance images of the medical devices and proximate body tissue. Also, a method generates MRI images of such a medical device, and involves performing first and second MRI processes on a body portion including at least a portion of the medical device to obtain, respectively, first and second image data. The first MRI process is adapted to detect MRI detectable nuclei present in the proximate body tissue, and the second MRI process is adapted to detect the selected MRI detectable nuclei contained in the device's imaging material. The selected MRI detectable nuclei incorporated in the imaging material is not the same nuclei that the first MRI process is adapted to detect. The second image data are combined with the first image data to produce image data for the medical device and the proximate body tissue.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods and apparatus. A system in accord with the present invention may include an intraluminal patch sized to fit within a lumen and an expandable therapeutic delivery device. The patch in this embodiment may have an adhesive region on an exposed surface and a drug reservoir region in communication with the exposed surface. By comparison, a method employing the present invention may include placing an intraluminal patch over an expandable delivery device, advancing the delivery device and the expandable patch to a target site, expanding the delivery device so that the patch adheres to the target site, and contracting and withdrawing the delivery device. In so doing the patch may remain to emit a drug to the target site over a sustained period of time.

Abstract: An atherectomy burr has an operating diameter that is larger than the diameter of a catheter in which the burr is routed. The burr may include an expandable polymeric balloon having a partially abrasive exterior surface. The maximum expansion of the burr is controlled by an expansion mechanism. Various mechanisms are disclosed for controlling the maximum diameter of the burr thus preventing the burr from over expanding. In addition, the present invention includes systems that are pulled proximally to remove portions of a lesion located in a patient's vasculature. The system includes an ablation burr that has abrasive disposed on the proximal end. The burr may create a seal when expanded to block the ablated particulate so that an aspiration system can remove the particulate from the vasculature. Alternatively, the burr system may include a self expanding seal that is deployed out of the aspiration sheath.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical articles are provided, which are at least partially biodegradable. The medical articles comprise (a) biodegradable polymers that produce acidic molecules upon degradation; and (b) acid neutralizing cationic species.