Abstract: A medical device for regulating fluid flow within one or more lungs of a patient is disclosed. The medical device includes an elongate tubular member, a first extension, a second extension, and a valve member. The elongate tubular member includes a first plurality of channels extending between a proximal and distal ends. The first and second extensions defines a second and third plurality of channels, respectively, each extending from the distal end of the elongate tubular member and configured for placement in a first and second passageway of a lung. The valve member operably couples to the elongate tubular member and is configured to transition between a first position and a second position. The valve member prevents fluid flow to first set of the first plurality of channels in the first position and prevents fluid flow to second set of the first plurality of channels in the second position.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end, a lumen and at least one lead wire extending through the lumen. The lead wire has an outer surface and a polymeric coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the lead wire. The coating includes a first structure having a first end proximate the outer surface of the lead wire and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is movable relative to the first end and relative to the lead wire.

Abstract: A medical device includes a tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end, a lumen extending through the tubular body from the distal end to the proximal end, a wire extending through the lumen from the distal end to the proximal end, and a polymeric coating. The wire has an outer surface. The polymeric coating is on at least a portion of the outer surface of the wire. The coating comprises a bulk material and a plurality of flexible microstructures disposed on the bulk material. The microstructures extend outwardly from a surface of the polymeric coating.

Abstract: Medical devices having a barrier layer comprising an inorganic material. The medical device has a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent and the barrier layer is disposed over the reservoir. In one aspect, the barrier layer has one permeability to the therapeutic agent at one portion of the medical device and a different permeability at another portion of the medical device. In another aspect, the dosage amount of the therapeutic agent in the reservoir at one portion of the medical device is different from the dosage amount of the therapeutic agent in the reservoir at another portion of the medical device. In another aspect, a bioresorbable layer is disposed over the barrier layer at one or more portions of the medical device, wherein the bioresorbable layer comprises a bioresorbable material. Also, methods of coating a medical device are disclosed, in which a barrier layer over a medical device is formed using a lithographic etching process where a plurality of particles serve as an etch mask.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end, a lumen and at least one lead wire extending through the lumen. The lead wire has an outer surface and a polymeric coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the lead wire. The coating includes a first structure having a first end proximate the outer surface of the lead wire and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is movable relative to the first end and relative to the lead wire.

Abstract: A medical device lead includes a thin profile conductor assembly. A proximal connector includes a proximal end that is configured to couple the lead to a pulse generator. An insulative lead body extends distally from the proximal connector. The conductor assembly extends distally from the proximal end within the lead body and includes a non-conductive tubular core member that defines a lumen, an outer insulative layer, and a multilayer conductor between the tubular core member and the outer insulative layer. The multilayer conductor is electrically connected to the proximal connector and includes a first conductive layer adjacent to the tubular core member and a second conductive layer adjacent to the first conductive layer opposite the tubular core member. A conductivity of the second conductive layer is greater than a conductivity of the first conductive layer.

Abstract: A medical device for regulating fluid flow within one or more lungs of a patient is disclosed. The medical device includes an elongate tubular member, a first extension, a second extension, and a valve member. The elongate tubular member includes a first plurality of channels extending between a proximal and distal ends. The first and second extensions defines a second and third plurality of channels, respectively, each extending from the distal end of the elongate tubular member and configured for placement in a first and second passageway of a lung. The valve member operably couples to the elongate tubular member and is configured to transition between a first position and a second position. The valve member prevents fluid flow to first set of the first plurality of channels in the first position and prevents fluid flow to second set of the first plurality of channels in the second position.

Abstract: An expandable medical device having a particle layer disposed over a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent. The particle layer has a first porosity when the medical device is in the unexpanded configuration and a second porosity when the medical device is in the expanded configuration. The particle layer comprises a plurality of micron-sized or nano-sized particles. In certain embodiments, the particles are not connected to each other, and as such, the different porosities are provided by changes in the spacing between the particles as the medical device is expanded/unexpanded. Also disclosed are medical devices having a particle layer, wherein the particle layer comprises a plurality of encapsulated particles, and methods of coating medical devices with particles.

Abstract: In one aspect, a medical device has a first configuration and a second configuration, a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent, and a barrier layer disposed over the reservoir, wherein the barrier layer comprises an inorganic material. In another aspect, a medical device has a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent, a barrier layer disposed over the reservoir, wherein the barrier layer comprises an inorganic material, and a swellable material disposed between the barrier layer and a surface of the medical device, wherein the swellable material is a material that swells upon exposure to an aqueous environment. In yet another aspect, a medical device has a multi-layered coating having alternating reservoir layers and barrier layers, and a plurality of excavated regions penetrating through at least a partial thickness of the multi-layered coating.

Abstract: Provided are devices, systems and methods of selectively controlling air flow into one or more section of a patient's lungs. In particular, the devices may be valve devices having an inner lumen configured to transition between a first diameter and a second diameter smaller than the first diameter to control the airflow through the valve.

Abstract: Among other things, a bio-erodible implantable endoprosthesis comprises a member that includes (a) a core having a surface, and (b) a bio-erodible metal on a least a portion of the surface of the core, wherein the bio-erodible metal erodes more slowly than the core and includes openings through which physiological fluids can access the core upon implantation.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end, a lumen and at least one lead wire extending through the lumen. The lead wire has an outer surface and a polymeric coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the lead wire. The coating includes a first structure having a first end proximate the outer surface of the lead wire and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is movable relative to the first end and relative to the lead wire.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns and second-phase precipitates in grain boundaries between the equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains. The beta-phase precipitates have an average longest dimension of 0.5 micron or less. The microstructure can be produced by one or more equal-channel high-strain processes.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for releasing therapeutic agent having a medical device body and a plurality of reservoir-defining structures disposed on a surface of the body. A reservoir can be defined by the reservoir-defining structures and therapeutic agent may be located in the reservoir. A cover may extend over the reservoir so that the therapeutic agent is released from the reservoir when the medical device implanted. Methods for making the medical device may also include providing a medical device body, positioning a plurality of reservoir-defining structures on a surface of the body to form a reservoir, loading therapeutic agent into the reservoir, and covering the reservoir so that the therapeutic agent may release when the medical device is implanted. Alternatively, the reservoir may be covered with a cover and an opening formed in the cover so that the therapeutic agent may release when the medical device is implanted.

Abstract: A medical device for reducing the volume of a left atrial appendage (LAA) may include an elongate shaft having a distal portion, and a volume-reducing means expandable from a collapsed to an expanded state, the volume-reducing means being releasably attached to the distal portion. The volume-reducing means may include an actuatable frame and an impermeable covering disposed over the frame. The volume-reducing means may be sized to fit within the LAA in the expanded state while maintaining an open fluid flow path from a distal region through the ostium of the LAA. A medical device may include a second volume-reducing means to be placed within and substantially occlude a distalmost region of the LAA. A method may include inserting a volume-reducing means into the LAA, expanding the volume-reducing means, and positioning the volume-reducing means such that an open fluid flow path is maintained through an entire cycle of the heart.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for locally monitoring nerve activity that may be incorporated into a nerve ablation catheter. Such a catheter is equipped with magnetic sensing for both identifying nerves and assessing the success of the ablation. The catheter is also equipped with an ablation instrument for both stimulating and destroying nerve tissue.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes an expandable tubular body defined by a plurality of struts. In some embodiments, the expandable tubular body includes a bioerodible metal that has at least a first surface region and a second surface region. The first and second surface regions can have different surface oxide compositions. In some embodiments, the first portion has a thermally altered microstructure and the second portion has a wrought microstructure. The thermally altered microstructure can be a cast microstructure comprising dendritic grains. The first portion forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the expandable tubular body. In some embodiments, the expandable tubular body includes iron or a bioerodible iron alloy and at least one surface of the expandable tubular body includes a substantially uniform coating of iron(III) oxide.

Abstract: Apparatuses for identifying nerve tissue and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example apparatus may include an elongate shaft having a distal region configured to be percutaneously deployed within a patient. An active imaging structure may be disposed on the distal region. The active imaging structure may be configured to remotely image nerve tissue by exciting a signal in nerve tissue from a percutaneous location and receiving the signal from a percutaneous location. The active imaging structure may include one or more probes.

Abstract: Medical devices having a plurality of nanoparticles disposed over a surface of the medical device. The nanoparticles have a core comprising a therapeutic agent and a shell surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises a metal. A barrier layer is disposed over the nanoparticles. The barrier layer is water-permeable and comprises a metal that may be different from the metal used in the nanoparticle shells. In certain embodiments, the metal in the barrier layer undergoes galvanic corrosion. Also disclosed are medical device having a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent, with nanoparticles and a barrier layer being disposed over the reservoir; and medical devices having multiple barrier layers and multiple reservoirs containing therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to an electrode having a porous coating including a fiber mesh, a multi-layer coating, and an outer coating, and a method of making the same. The various electrode coating embodiments include pores in the coating that prevent access by protein or cells while allowing for ion and/or liquid access.