Abstract: This invention relates to photodynamic therapy (PDT) of vulnerable plaque using two pluralities of nanoparticles, one plurality comprising a PDT agent that is sensitive to blue-green light wherein the nanoparticles are capable of penetrating only into the fibrous cap of the vulnerable plaque and one plurality comprising a PDT agent that is sensitive to red light wherein the nanoparticles are capable of penetrating into the core of the vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: Formulations and methods are disclosed which provide controlled, sustained release of a biologic therapeutic to a space within the body. More specifically, formulations comprising a plurality of hydrophilic polymer strands, and methods of forming and administering such formulations, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the formulations exhibit a burst release, an initial release, a triphasic release, and release over thirty to ninety days of the biologic therapeutic. In some embodiments, the formulations exhibit reversible precipitation of the biologic therapeutic into precipitates having a diameter of about 50 nm to about 10 ?m.

Abstract: A polymeric stent can be implanted for treatment of the Eustachian tube. The stent can be designed to have length-dependent radial strength to allow it to stay within the Eustachian tube and to allow normal closing and opening of the Eustachian tube. A balloon can be used to implant the stent, and the balloon can be coated with a therapeutic agent. A coated balloon can also be used to transfer therapeutic agents to the sinus cavity during a balloon sinus dilation procedure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent is disclosed. The stent includes a minimum crimped diameter such that in the minimum crimped diameter, a pair of stent rings, between which marker support structures reside, do not make contact with the marker support structures. The crimped profile of the stent of the present invention can be as small as the crimped profile of a same stent but without the marker support structures.

Abstract: A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold has a structure that produces a low late lumen loss when implanted within a peripheral vessel and also exhibits a high axial fatigue life. In a preferred embodiment the scaffold forms ring structures interconnected by links, where a ring has 12 crowns and at most two links connecting adjacent rings.

Abstract: A polymeric stent can be implanted for treatment of the Eustachian tube. The stent can be designed to have length-dependent radial strength to allow it to stay within the Eustachian tube and to allow normal closing and opening of the Eustachian tube. A balloon can be used to implant the stent, and the balloon can be coated with a therapeutic agent. A coated balloon can also be used to transfer therapeutic agents to the sinus cavity during a balloon sinus dilation procedure.

Abstract: A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold has a structure that produces a low late lumen loss when implanted within a peripheral vessel and also exhibits a high axial fatigue life. In a preferred embodiment the scaffold forms ring structures interconnected by links, where a ring has 12 crowns and at most two links connecting adjacent rings.

Abstract: Formulations and methods are disclosed which provide controlled, sustained release of a biologic therapeutic to a space within the body. More specifically, formulations comprising a plurality of hydrophilic polymer strands, and methods of forming and administering such formulations, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the formulations exhibit a burst release, an initial release, a triphasic release, and release over thirty to ninety days of the biologic therapeutic. In some embodiments, the formulations exhibit reversible precipitation of the biologic therapeutic into precipitates having a diameter of about 50 nm to about 10 ?m.

Abstract: Various medical implants and methods of using the implants are disclosed. In an embodiment, the implants include piezoelectric polymers for treating unwanted medical conditions of a patient. The medical implants may be delivered to an organ of the patient to treat conditions of those organs.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus for treatment of a human patient is described, the catheter apparatus having a central axis and comprising a shaping structure moveable between a delivery state having a first helical shape, and a deployed state having a second helical shape. The shaping structure is configured to have a reverse taper with a structural diameter that varies over the length of the shaping structure such that the structural diameter of the shaping structure at the proximal end is smaller than the structural diameter of the shaping structure at the distal end.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus for treatment of a human patient is described, the catheter apparatus having a central axis and comprising a shaping structure moveable between a delivery state having a first helical shape, and a deployed state having a second helical shape. The shaping structure is configured to have a reverse taper with a structural diameter that varies over the length of the shaping structure such that the structural diameter of the shaping structure at the proximal end is smaller than the structural diameter of the shaping structure at the distal end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems for and corresponding methods of delivering a therapeutic agent to a vessel wall of a body lumen by providing a compound capable of being crosslinked after intraluminal release onto a vessel wall so that the therapeutic agent is temporarily retained at the site of delivery by the crosslinked compound.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable polymeric stent with time dependent structure and properties and methods of treating a diseased blood vessel with the bioabsorable polymeric stent are disclosed. The structure and properties of the stent change with time and allow the vessel to be restored to a natural unstented state. The bioabsorbable stent loses mechanical integrity in a controlled manner due to modification of selected structural elements.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent is disclosed. The stent includes a minimum crimped diameter such that in the minimum crimped diameter, a pair of stent rings, between which marker support structures reside, do not make contact with the marker support structures. The crimped profile of the stent of the present invention can be as small as the crimped profile of a same stent but without the marker support structures.

Abstract: Pro-healing agent formulation compositions, methods and treatments for enhancing vascular healing are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a pro-healing agent is encapsulated, suspended, disposed within or loaded into a biodegradable carrier for sustained-release delivery to a denuded or damaged endothelium treatment area in a blood vessel. In some applications, the pro-healing agent can accelerate re-endothelialization of a denuded vascular region. In some applications, the pro-healing agent can assist in the regaining of endothelium functionality. The formulation can be delivered by a delivery assembly such as an infusion catheter, a porous balloon catheter, a needle injection catheter, a double balloon catheter or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems for and corresponding methods of delivering a therapeutic agent to a vessel wall of a body lumen by providing a compound capable of being crosslinked after intraluminal release onto a vessel wall so that the therapeutic agent is temporarily retained at the site of delivery by the crosslinked compound.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent is disclosed. The stent includes a minimum crimped diameter such that in the minimum crimped diameter, a pair of stent rings, between which marker support structures reside, do not make contact with the marker support structures. The crimped profile of the stent of the present invention can be as small as the crimped profile of a same stent but without the marker support structures.

Abstract: Methods of treating a diseased blood vessel exhibiting stenosis with a bioabsorbable stent are disclosed. The implanted stent supports the section of the vessel at an increased diameter for a period of time to allow the vessel to heal. The stent loses radial strength sufficient to support the section of the vessel in less than 6 months after implantation, loses mechanical integrity, and then erodes away from the section. The biodegradable stent results in changes in properties of plaque with time as the stent degrades. The time-dependent properties include the luminal area of the plaque and plaque geometric morphology parameters.

Abstract: A polymeric stent can be implanted for treatment of the Eustachian tube. The stent can be designed to have length-dependent radial strength to allow it to stay within the Eustachian tube and to allow normal closing and opening of the Eustachian tube. A balloon can be used to implant the stent, and the balloon can be coated with a therapeutic agent. A coated balloon can also be used to transfer therapeutic agents to the sinus cavity during a balloon sinus dilation procedure.

Abstract: A bodily lumen, such as a blood vessel, can be treated by forming a structural support in situ within the bodily lumen. This can be done by ejecting a formulation that includes a polymer that solidifies over a period of time, such as due to DMSO exchange or photocrosslinking. This can also be done by cooling a formulation until it freezes in situ. The structural support can also be made from a plaque which is already present in the bodily lumen. The plaque can be compressed by a balloon catheter and cooled so that it hardens and thereby forms the structural support. The bodily lumen can also be treated using a preformed structural support made of ice, for example frozen isotonic saline, or a fast degrading polymer, such as PEG. The preformed support is created outside of the bodily lumen, and then transported on a catheter to the treatment zone.