Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the invention provides a drug delivery device for delivery of a drug to the body. The device is provided with at least one layer that comprises drug-containing particles.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided that comprise a substrate, at least one therapeutic agent disposed over or in the substrate, and at least one inorganic layer disposed over the therapeutic agent and the substrate, wherein the inorganic layer is either a porous inorganic layer or is a non-porous layer that becomes a porous inorganic layer in vivo. Other aspects of the invention comprise methods for forming medical devices.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present invention relates to implantable or insertable medical devices which release therapeutic agent into the body of a patient.

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: 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: 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: In a process of fabricating a stent composed primarily of niobium alloyed with a trace amount of zirconium, tantalum, or titanium for hardening, the stent is annealed under vacuum in a substantially oxygen-free environment. The vacuum is preferably maintained at pressure less than 10?4 millibars, oxygen-content less than about 80 parts per million, and the annealing temperature exceeds 400° C. for at least one hour, and is preferably kept in a range from about 1100-1200° C. for several hours. This may be followed by applying a surface layer of oxide, such as iridium oxide, with a thickness of 299-300 nm to the stent.

Abstract: Catheter devices having an expandable balloon for delivering a therapeutic agent to a body site. The balloon has one or more folds which serve as a reservoir for containing the therapeutic agent. The fold may have any of various configurations to hold the therapeutic agent. In some cases, the balloon comprises one or more lobes that forms the fold(s). The therapeutic agent may be provided in various ways. For example, the therapeutic agent may be contained in packets that rupture upon expansion of the balloon, or as a plurality of discrete bulk masses, or sealed within compartments.

Abstract: In a process for producing a biocompatible stent, a tubular substrate of the stent adapted for diametric expansion has a layer of a noble metal oxide formed over at least the outer surface of greater diameter of the substrate, the substrate being composed of a metal or an alloy thereof that is non-noble or less-noble than the layer's noble metal. An interface region adapted to prevent corrosion and to provide a firm bond between the surface of the substrate and the noble metal oxide layer is established, at least in part, by forming the noble metal oxide layer with a progressively varying concentration of noble metal-to-oxide with depth of the layer such that a surface of pure noble metal and negligible oxide of the layer is in closest proximity to the surface of the substrate. In one embodiment of the process, the interface region is established by forming the surface of pure noble metal and negligible oxide thereof in direct contact with the metal or alloy of the substrate surface.

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: An endoprosthesis such as a coronary stent includes a porous reservoir of drug, e.g., a porous layer formed of a ceramic and an overlayer formed of ceramic or metal for controlling elution of drug from the reservoir.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis such as a coronary stent includes a porous reservoir of drug, e.g.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis erodes to a desirable geometry that can provide, e.g., improved mechanical properties or degradation characteristics.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes a ceramic, such as IROX, having a select morphology and composition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a resonator with an adjustable capacitance for a medical device. In one embodiment, a resonator system includes a resonator device with an LC resonator circuit that has an adjustable capacitance, an inductor coil in series with the adjustable capacitance, and an adjustable capacitance control that can control the adjustable capacitance to obtain different particular capacitance values. This embodiment also includes a medical device, positioned with the resonator device, so that at least a portion of the inductor coil surrounds a space that is surrounded by at least a portion of the medical device.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes a ceramic, such as IROX, having a select morphology and composition and a polymer coating, both of which are deposited by pulsed laser deposition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a resonator with an adjustable capacitance for a medical device. In one embodiment, a resonator system includes a resonator device with an LC resonator circuit that has an adjustable capacitance, an inductor coil in series with the adjustable capacitance, and an adjustable capacitance control that can control the adjustable capacitance to obtain different particular capacitance values. This embodiment also includes a medical device, positioned with the resonator device, so that at least a portion of the inductor coil surrounds a space that is surrounded by at least a portion of the medical device.

Abstract: In a process for producing a biocompatible stent, a tubular substrate of the stent adapted for diametric expansion has a layer of a noble metal oxide formed over at least the outer surface of greater diameter of the substrate, the substrate being composed of a metal or an alloy thereof that is non-noble or less-noble than the layer's noble metal. An interface region adapted to prevent corrosion and to provide a firm bond between the surface of the substrate and the noble metal oxide layer is established, at least in part, by forming the noble metal oxide layer with a progressively varying concentration of noble metal-to-oxide with depth of the layer such that a surface of pure noble metal and negligible oxide of the layer is in closest proximity to the surface of the substrate. In one embodiment of the process, the interface region is established by forming the surface of pure noble metal and negligible oxide thereof in direct contact with the metal or alloy of the substrate surface.

Abstract: In a process for producing a biocompatible stent, a tubular substrate of the stent adapted for diametric expansion has a layer of a noble metal oxide formed over at least the outer surface of greater diameter of the substrate, the substrate being composed of a metal or an alloy thereof that is non-noble or less-noble than the layer's noble metal. An interface region adapted to prevent corrosion and to provide a firm bond between the surface of the substrate and the noble metal oxide layer is established, at least in part, by forming the noble metal oxide layer with a progressively varying concentration of noble metal-to-oxide with depth of the layer such that a surface of pure noble metal and negligible oxide of the layer is in closest proximity to the surface of the substrate. In one embodiment of the process, the interface region is established by forming the surface of pure noble metal and negligible oxide thereof in direct contact with the metal or alloy of the substrate surface.