Abstract: Medical devices and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent to a heart valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the direct delivery of therapeutic to a target tissue. In one embodiment a method for direct injection of plug forming material into a body tissue is provided. The method may comprise providing a catheter including an injection tube having a first channel, a second channel and a piercing tip. The first and second channels can be in fluid communication with a pressure source and a plug forming material. The injection tube may be slidably positioned in a pressure apron and moved from a first position to a second position so that the piercing tip extends beyond the tissue-mating surface in the second position to deliver the plug forming material.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent to a heart valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the direct delivery of therapeutic to a target tissue. In one embodiment a method for direct injection of plug forming material into a body tissue is provided. The method may comprise providing a catheter including a injection tube having a first channel, a second channel and a piercing tip. The first and second channels can be in fluid communication with a pressure source and a plug forming material. The injection tube may be slidably positioned in a pressure apron and moved from a first position to a second position so that the piercing tip extends beyond the tissue-mating surface in the second position to deliver the plug forming material.

Abstract: A pressure apron for insitu plug formation is provided. In one embodiment an injection tube having a first channel and a piercing tip is provided, the first channel in fluid communication with a pressure source. In this embodiment, the injection catheter may also include a pressure apron with a tissue-mating surface. In another embodiment a medical kit for delivering a therapeutic is provided. This medical kit may include a catheter having a channel and a piercing tip, the piercing tip in fluid communication with a pressure source and slidably placed in the channel. The catheter in this embodiment may include a pressure apron with a tissue-mating source while a therapeutic may be included with the kit.

Abstract: Injection devices are provided, which reduce potential outflow of therapeutic agents from an injection site. Devices are provided having at least a first lumen containing one or more therapeutic agents and a second lumen containing a second material for injection into tissue. Other devices are provided having an inner lumen with an injection needle to inject a therapeutic agent and an outer lumen that provides a vacuum seal between the injection needle and the needle track. Further provided are methods of delivering a therapeutic agent to tissue.

Abstract: Injection devices are provided, which reduce potential outflow of therapeutic agents from an injection site. Devices are provided having at least a first lumen containing one or more therapeutic agents and a second lumen containing a second material for injection into tissue. Other devices are provided having an inner lumen with an injection needle to inject a therapeutic agent and an outer lumen that provides a vacuum seal between the injection needle and the needle track. Further provided are methods of delivering a therapeutic agent to tissue.

Abstract: An improved method for high-volume production of coated stents with highly uniform stent coatings using a roll coating technique is provided. In a first embodiment, uncoated stents are placed onto rotating stent holders with automated stent handling equipment. The holders are mounted on an endless conveyer belt which advances the stents toward a stent coater. As the stents advance through the coater, the holders rotate, thereby rolling the stents about their longitudinal axes as coating material is sprayed toward them, ensuring the stents are uniformly coated on their exterior and interior surfaces. After the conveyer turns to carry the coated stents back toward the loading area, the rotating stents pass again through the coating spray, downstream of the initial coating location, thereby increasing the efficient utilization of the coating material. The conveyer then advances the coated stents to an unloading area for removal before the holders return to the stent loading area to receive new stents.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for high-volume production of coated stents with highly uniform stent coatings using a roll coating technique is provided. In a first embodiment, uncoated stents are placed onto rotating stent holders with automated stent handling equipment. The holders are mounted on an endless conveyer belt which advances the stents toward a stent coater. As the stents advance through the coater, the holders rotate, thereby rolling the stents about their longitudinal axes as coating material is sprayed toward them, ensuring the stents are uniformly coated on their exterior and interior surfaces. After the conveyer turns to carry the coated stents back toward the loading area, the rotating stents pass again through the coating spray, downstream of the initial coating location, thereby increasing the efficient utilization of the coating material.

Abstract: An improved method for high-volume production of coated stents with highly uniform stent coatings using a roll coating technique is provided. In a first embodiment, uncoated stents are placed onto rotating stent holders with automated stent handling equipment. The holders are mounted on an endless conveyer belt which advances the stents toward a stent coater. As the stents advance through the coater, the holders rotate, thereby rolling the stents about their longitudinal axes as coating material is sprayed toward them, ensuring the stents are uniformly coated on their exterior and interior surfaces. After the conveyer turns to carry the coated stents back toward the loading area, the rotating stents pass again through the coating spray, downstream of the initial coating location, thereby increasing the efficient utilization of the coating material. The conveyer then advances the coated stents to an unloading area for removal before the holders return to the stent loading area to receive new stents.

Abstract: Injection devices are provided, which reduce potential outflow of therapeutic agents from an injection site. Devices are provided having at least a first lumen containing one or more therapeutic agents and a second lumen containing a second material for injection into tissue. Other devices are provided having an inner lumen with an injection needle to inject a therapeutic agent and an outer lumen that provides a vacuum seal between the injection needle and the needle track. Further provided are methods of delivering a therapeutic agent to tissue.

Abstract: A pressure apron for insitu plug formation is provided. In one embodiment an injection tube having a first channel and a piercing tip is provided, the first channel in fluid communication with a pressure source. In this embodiment, the injection catheter may also include a pressure apron with a tissue-mating surface. In another embodiment a medical kit for delivering a therapeutic is provided. This medical kit may include a catheter having a channel and a piercing tip, the piercing tip in fluid communication with a pressure source and slidably placed in the channel. The catheter in this embodiment may include a pressure apron with a tissue-mating source while a therapeutic may be included with the kit.