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: The invention provides bioactive compositions and methods of delivery for ameliorating a vascular diseased state, particularly for the management of stenosis or restenosis following a vascular trauma or disease.

Abstract: A method of standardizing provided services by categorizing the provided services into one or more functional disciplines; establishing a plurality of service maturity levels for each functional discipline; establishing a plurality of service maturity criteria for each serve maturity level; assessing the service maturity level for each functional discipline according to the associated service maturity criteria; advancing to the next service maturity level when the assessment achieves a predetermined level of success.

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 composition for coating an implantable prosthesis, such as a stent is disclosed. A method of forming the composition is also disclosed.

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: Coatings for implantable devices or endoluminal prosthesis, such as stents, are provided, including a method of forming the coatings. The coatings can be used for the delivery of an active ingredient or a combination of active ingredients.

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 composition for coating an implantable prosthesis, such as a stent is disclosed. A method of forming the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: Coatings for implantable devices or endoluminal prosthesis, such as stents, are provided, including a method of forming the coatings. The coatings can be used for the delivery of an active ingredient or a combination of active ingredients.

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: The present invention provides a method of forming a coating onto a surface of an implantable prosthesis, such as an expandable stent, a synthetic vascular graft, or some other implantable device. A composition comprising a therapeutic substance and a fluid in which the therapeutic substance has limited solubility, such that the therapeutic substance is suspended as particles in the composition, is applied to a surface of the prosthesis. The fluid is removed from the prosthesis to form a coating. A coating for a prosthesis produced in accordance with the method is also provided.

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: 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: 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: The invention provides bioactive compositions and methods of delivery for ameliorating a vascular diseased state, particularly for the management of stenosis or restenosis following a vascular trauma or disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a coating onto a surface of an implantable prosthesis, such as an expandable stent, a synthetic vascular graft, or some other implantable device. A composition comprising a therapeutic substance and a fluid in which the therapeutic substance has limited solubility, such that the therapeutic substance is suspended as particles in the composition, is applied to a surface of the prosthesis. The fluid is removed from the prosthesis to form a coating. A coating for a prosthesis produced in accordance with the method is also provided.