Abstract: An apparatus for providing electrostatic discharge protection includes a plurality of conductive circumferential extensions defined by overlapping circular voids between a first conductor surface and a second conductor surface.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention a method is provided which a porous medical article is contacted with a solution that contains a therapeutic agent and a solvent in order to load the pores of the medical article, after which the solvent is sublimated.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided which comprise a substrate, a porous carbon layer disposed on at least a portion of the substrate surface, and a polymeric layer disposed on at least a portion of the porous carbon layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems for aligning and coating a medical device during a single coating cycle. A first section of an applicator may apply a contact force to surfaces of the medical device. The contact force may align and remove surface irregularities from the medical device prior to coating the medical device with coating. The coating may be resident on a second section of the applicator.

Abstract: Provided is a coated medical device (e.g., a stent) comprising one or more surfaces having dispersed thereon a plurality of microparticles comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and a polymer. Specifically, the microparticles are disposed on a device surface in a microparticulate phase coating, i.e., as discrete microparticles in the absence of a continuous phase coating. The medical device effectively adheres one or more APIs to its surface, and allows controlled release of the APIs from the device surface to a desired treatment area by using a minimal amount of polymer. The medical device is suitable for insertion or implantation into a subject, preferably a human. Also provided are methods for preparing and using the coated medical device.

Abstract: A spring operated button assembly for use with telescoping thick-walled tubes or adjacent planar surfaces wherein the entire spring assembly may be contained within a pocket to allow movement of surfaces past the spring button assembly without interference.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to implantable medical devices for delivering therapeutic agents to the body tissue of a patient and methods for making such medical devices. In particular, the present invention is directed to implantable medical devices, such as intravascular stents, having a surface that includes a plurality of cavities and a plurality of pores and a composition disposed in the pores and/or cavities, as well as, implantable medical devices, such as intravascular stents, having a surface that has a coating composition disposed on the surface, wherein the coating composition includes a plurality of cavities and a plurality of pores and another coating composition disposed in the pores and/or cavities.

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 stent, such as an intravascular stent, having a coating comprising an inorganic or ceramic oxide, metal or inert carbon and a plurality of reservoirs in such material that contain a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for delivering therapeutic agent to a medical device. Under some methods, processes, and systems of the invention, particles including a magnetic material and a therapeutic agent may be directed towards a medical device via magnetic attraction. In another embodiment particles including a magnetic material may force a therapeutic agent/solvent solution into porous matrix by using a magnetic attraction. In still another embodiment, a medical device having at least a portion thereof including a magnetic material is used to attract and adhere particles comprising magnetic material and therapeutic agent to a target surface of the medical device, wherein the particles are fused to the target surface.

Abstract: A method and device for coating a medical device, such as a stent, including rolling the stent against a ribbon or gravure roll impregnated with coating material. The ribbon and gravure roll may include a recessed pattern matching a strut pattern of the stent. The stent may also be rolled against a plate or cylinder while coating material is forced onto the stent through a pattern of holes or openings in the plate or cylinder matching a strut pattern of the stent.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing electrostatic discharge protection includes a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace. The first conductive trace defines a first conductive periphery and is deposited on a first surface. The second conductive trace defines a second conductive periphery and is deposited on a second surface. The second surface is spaced apart from the first surface by a gap distance and in parallel relation so that a spark gap is defined by the gap distance between the first conductive periphery and the second conductive periphery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating assembly and methods that employ the coating assembly to control the thickness of therapeutic or other coatings delivered to a medical device during a coating process. In one embodiment the coating assembly may include a coating plate having a coating transfer surface and a shoulder having a first height, a mandrel moveable over the coating transfer surface, and a coating dispenser positioned in fluid communication with the coating transfer surface. The invention also includes a method of coating a medical device. This method may include placing a medical device on a mandrel, dispensing coating onto a coating transfer surface of a coating plate, moving the mandrel and the medical device over the coating transfer surface of the coating plate so that coating resident on the coating transfer surface transfers to an exposed surface of the medical device, and removing the medical device from the mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the conditioning of coated medical devices such as stents. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for positioning a medical device within an elution media for a predetermined time period to eliminate a burst release from the coating. Under methods and processes of the invention, a medical device target surface may be identified and coated with therapeutic. The coated surface of the medical device may then be positioned within an elution media for a predetermined period of time to release a predetermined amount of coating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for selectively driving therapeutic into at least a portion of a porous matrix of a medical implant. Under methods and processes of the invention, a medical implant may be provided having at least a portion thereof comprising a porous matrix. An injector in fluid communication with a fluid source deliver therapeutic within the porous matrix. The porous matrix may be configured to control the elution rate.

Abstract: An implantable stent comprising a first strut having an abluminal surface, and subluminal surface, and at least one side surface; a first depression formed in the abluminal surface; and a first support element at least partially disposed in the first depression; wherein at least a portion of the first support element extends beyond the abluminal surface of the first strut.

Abstract: Endoprostheses (e.g., stents) containing adjustable surfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for the electrostatic spray application of a coating material onto a medical device. The coating material is electrically charged and an atomizer is used to atomize the coating material, creating electrically charged droplets which coat the medical device. In alternate embodiments, a swirl atomizer, a pressure atomizer, an ultrasound atomizer, a rotary atomizer, and an effervescent atomizer are used to atomize the coating material.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling friction between a mouse and the surface upon which it is placed. Reduction of friction can be accomplished in several ways, including: making the feet of the mouse from various different materials, creating layers of air between the mouse and the surface, creating beveled edges for the feet of mouse, etc. In one embodiment, the feet of the mouse are made of a piezo-electric layer bonded to another layer made of a different material. Exciting the piezo-electric layer at certain frequencies makes the two layers shrink and expand differently, thus creating oscillations of the feet. In yet another embodiment, portions of the mouse feet are made of different materials with different coefficients of friction. These different portions of the feet can be pressed down onto the surface with varying amounts of pressure, thus altering the friction.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing electrostatic discharge protection includes a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace. The first conductive trace defines a first conductive periphery and is deposited on a first surface. The second conductive trace defines a second conductive periphery and is deposited on a second surface. The second surface is spaced apart from the first surface by a gap distance and in parallel relation so that a spark gap is defined by the gap distance between the first conductive periphery and the second conductive periphery.