Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imprinting a pattern on a medical device to provide a surface with greater surface area and improved adhesion properties.

Abstract: An implantable device coating system method includes providing the implantable device having an exterior surface, the exterior surface including a plurality of pores in fluidic communication with an ambient environment. The method further includes applying a coating including a therapeutic solution to the exterior surface and the pores, and vibrating the implantable device with a sonic wave for a predetermined time using at least one predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A sleeve is positioned over a radially-expandable rod assembly and a stent is positioned over the sleeve. A mandrel is inserted into the rod assembly to thereby press the sleeve against the inner surface of the stent and expand the stent. A coating (such as a solvent, a polymer and/or a therapeutic substance) is then applied to the outer (abluminal) surfaces of the stent, by spraying, for example. The sleeve advantageously prevents the coating material from being applied to inner (luminal) surfaces of the stent and also allows the coating material to be efficiently applied to the abluminal surfaces.

Abstract: A method to coat a substrate for the formation of coatings having a desired surface morphology is provided, wherein the roughness and the total surface area of the coating can be varied during the coating process. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of generating droplets from a coating composition, transporting the droplets to the substrate and depositing a majority of the droplets on the substrate.

Abstract: A stent structure (30) particularly for use in treating cerebral aneurysms is provided with a fibrous coating (34) which reduces the permeability of the underlying stent (32) to an extent that the flow through the stent structure is sufficiently suppressed to allow for resorbtion of an aneurysm while still providing sufficient flow through the stent structure to allow for flow into the perforator vessels. The fibrous coating may have different permeabilities in different zones of the underlying stent (32). The coating could be applied to other devices such as filters and occluders.

Abstract: A method and system for modifying a drug delivery polymeric substrate for an implantable device, such as a stent, is disclosed.

Abstract: Coating a stent may include continuously rotating the stent in one direction while spraying a first coating layer followed by continuously rotating the stent in another direction while spraying a second coating layer, wherein the first layer is preferentially distributed over a side surface of the stent struts and the second layer is preferentially distributed over an opposite side surface of the stent struts. The overall coating distribution combining both layers may be evenly distributed over the two side surfaces of the stent struts.

Abstract: It is provided that a vascular stent having an amphiphilic polymer coating is loaded with a restenosis inhibiting agent which is sparingly soluble in water, whereby delayed release of the agent takes place after implantation of the stent.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention concerns an implant with a basic body of biocorrodible, metallic implant material with an active coating and/or cavity filling.

Abstract: A method for coating bioactive material and a structured coated with a bioactive material are disclosed. The bioactive material coating method includes: flowing a coating solution, produced as a bioactive material is dissolved in a mixed solvent, inside a structure having a lumen; and coating the bioactive material on at least one of inner and outer surfaces of the structure, with different concentrations. The mixed solvent is mixed with two or more solvents having different features. The occurrence of the strangulation of blood vessels and inflammation can be reduced. An increase in the size of the myofibroblast is not suppressed. The coating solution is produced as a medication is dissolved in a mixed solvent, where the mixed solvent is produced as a polar solvent and a nonpolar solvent are mixed with each other at a certain ratio.

Abstract: A method of derivatizing a fluid-impervious surface with a mixed monolayer to create a surface energy gradient comprising the steps of a) Exposing a base surface to a first solution comprising a plurality of molecules of the formula X1-J1-M1 wherein X1 and M1 represent separate functional groups and J1 represents a spacer moiety that, together, are able to promote formation from solution of a self-assembled monolayer for sufficient time to form a monolayer surface having a substantially uniform surface energy on the base surface. b) Removing a portion of the monolayer formed in (a) such that a portion of the base surface is again fully or partially exposed. c) Exposing the portion of the base surface from (b) to a second solution comprising a plurality of molecules of the formula X2-J2-M2 wherein the functional group M2 has a different surface energy from that of the functional group M1 such that a surface energy gradient is formed.

Abstract: An expandable medical device includes a plurality of elongated struts, forming a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter. A plurality of different beneficial agents may be loaded into different openings within the struts for delivery to the tissue. For treatment of conditions such as restenosis, different agents are loaded into different openings in the device to address different biological processes involved in restenosis and are delivered at different release kinetics matched to the biological process treated. The different agents may also be used to address different diseases from the same drug delivery device. In addition, anti-thrombotic agents may be affixed to at least a portion of the surfaces of the medical device for the prevention of sub-acute thrombosis. To ensure that the different agents remain affixed to the device as well as to each other, primer layers may be utilized.

Abstract: A process for electrostatically coating a stent on a catheter. A conductor which is permanently affixed to the catheter contacts a stent mounted on the catheter. Conductive ink applied to the catheter may be used as the conductor. An electrical charge is applied to the conductor. The stent is then coated using an electrostatic coating process.

Abstract: A method of rapid visualization of an implantable medical device using technology for viewing inside of a mammalian body. These technologies include ultrasound echocardiography and video imaging such as that used during laparoscopic procedures.

Abstract: A system, nozzle assembly, and method for coating a stent with a solvent and polymer are provided. The polymer can include a therapeutic substance or a drug. The polymer and solvent can be discharged from separate tubes disposed within another tube carrying moving air. The polymer and the solvent mix together when they are discharged and are atomized by the air. The ends of the tubes can be concentric with each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a drug-releasing stent, including: coating a titanium dioxide or nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide thin film on a metal stent; and attaching a drug on the surface of the titanium oxide thin film. More specifically, the method for manufacturing a drug-releasing stent includes: coating a titanium dioxide or nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide thin film on a metal stent, which can be inserted into the blood vessel, by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD); modifying the surface of the titanium oxide thin film with hydroxyl groups by low-temperature plasma; and chemically attaching a drug such as an antithrombotic drug or a neointimal hyperplasia inhibitor, so that the drug may be released in the blood vessel in a sustained manner.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a drug eluting stent, is disclosed. The method includes subjecting an implantable medical device that includes a polymer to a thermal condition. The thermal condition can result in reduction of the rate of release of an active agent from the device subsequent to the implantation of the device and/or improve the mechanical properties of a polymeric coating on the device.

Abstract: With abluminal side of a stent masked, the luminal side of the stent is selectively coated with a substance, such as an anti-coagulant, a platelet inhibitor and/or a pro-healing substance. The stent can be masked by inserting it into a rigid mandrel chamber or by compressing a masking sleeve onto the outer side of the stent. A spray nozzle inserted into the masked stent spray coats the substance onto the luminal side. The sprayed coating can be cured onto the stent such as by inserting an electrical-resistance heater bar into the stent.

Abstract: A solution is provided that includes a non-aqueous organic solvent within which a solute has been dissolved. A thermal-fluid ejection mechanism is provided that has fluid-ejection nozzles and that is capable of thermally ejecting the solution. A device medium is provided that has a three-dimensional surface on which the solution is to be ejected. The fluid-ejection nozzles of the thermal fluid-ejection mechanism are controlled to eject the solution onto the three-dimensional surface of the device medium in accordance with a desired pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a drug-delivery coating for a stent is disclosed. The method comprises covering the outer surface of the stent; applying a first composition to the inner surface of the stent to form a first coating; covering the first coating on the inner surface of the stent; and applying a second composition to the outer surface of the stent to form a second coating.

Abstract: A coating device for coating a medical device with a drug-eluting material uses an in-process drying station between coats to improve a drug release profile. The drying station includes a heat nozzle configured for applying a uniform drying gas.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a drug eluting stent, is disclosed. The method includes subjecting an implantable medical device that includes a polymer to a thermal condition. The thermal condition can result in reduction of the rate of release of an active agent from the device subsequent to the implantation of the device and/or improve the mechanical properties of a polymeric coating on the device.

Abstract: A method for the prophylaxis or treatment of restenosis comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of Annexin A5 or a functional analogue or variant thereof to a patient in need of such treatment. A method for the treatment of stenosis in a patient comprising performing an intervention for the treatment of stenosis in conjunction with administering a therapeutically effective amount of Annexin A5 or a functional analogue or variant thereof. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of Annexin A5 or a functional analogue or variant thereof for the prophylaxis or treatment of restenosis. A drug eluting stent, wherein the drug is Annexin A5 or a functional analogue or variant thereof, and a method of making such a stent.

Abstract: A method of imparting sustained antimicrobial properties throughout a material or substrate using an antimicrobial polymerizable silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt monomer in a solvent to form a quaternary ammonium salt solution; and mixing the silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt solution with at least a second monomer or a polymer or coating a solid polymer. Depending on the nature of the second monomer or polymer and the reaction conditions; a copolymer with the first monomer or a homopolymer will form, such that a polymeric material, substrate or formed plastic product comprising the copolymer or homopolymer or blended with the coated concentrate will have sustained antimicrobial properties. This method can be used to make formed plastic products, thin layer films and other products having sustained antimicrobial properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating stents and a method of using the same is provided. The apparatus includes a first stent support and a second stent support for supporting stents. The first and second stent supports are positioned with respect to one another in an adjacent serial configuration such that one end of the first stent support extends from an end of the adjacent second stent support. A motor can be coupled to the first stent support to rotate the first stent support such that the rotation of the first stent support rotates the second stent support. The apparatus further includes an applicator for applying a coating composition to the stents.

Abstract: One example embodiment of the present invention relates to an implant, particularly an intraluminal endoprosthesis, having a body that contains metallic material, preferably iron. The implant body has a first layer with at least one ionic compound that contains ions of at least one halogen, particularly chloride ions and/or bromide ions, on at least part of its surface. Furthermore, a method for the production of such an implant is described.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods for coating stents are described herein. Applying a composition including polymer component and solvent to a stent substrate followed by exposing the polymer component to a temperature equal to or greater than a Tg of the polymer component is disclosed. Repeating the applying and exposing one or more times to form a coating with the result that the solvent content of the coating after the final exposing step is at a level suitable for a finished stent is further disclosed.

Abstract: Thermal spray processing and cold spray processing are utilized to manufacture porous starting materials (such as tube stock, wire and substrate sheets) from biocompatible metals, metal alloys, ceramics and polymers that may be further processed into porous medical devices, such as stents. The spray processes are also used to form porous coatings on consolidated biocompatible medical devices. The porous substrates and coatings may be used as a reservoir to hold a drug or therapeutic agent for elution in the body. The spray-formed porous substrates and coatings may be functionally graded to allow direct control of drug elution without an additional polymer topcoat. The spray processes are also used to apply the drug or agent to the porous substrate or coating when drug or agent is robust enough to withstand the temperatures and velocities of the spray process with minimal degradation.

Abstract: A machine and process useful for processing a delicate workpiece, e.g., an implantable medical device, includes a carrier having a mandrel and wheels. The work piece is positioned on the mandrel, which is free to roll by gravity on rails which cooperate with the wheels to self-align the travel of the carrier. The carrier can move the workpieces through a series of processing steps by gravity feed and without human intervention. A laterally movable carriage receives the rolling carriers and moves the carrier for processing, and returns the carrier to the rails to again roll by gravity to another processing substation for additional processing. An elevator, which can including processing units itself, is positioned along the rails to receive carriers and raise them so they can continue to roll for further processing.

Abstract: A novel enhanced process for laser trimming of grafts includes to heat polish the ends. Both heat polish and vapor polish are known processes in plastic processing. When PTFE is used as a graft or covering material, a problem occurs, time and temperature required will distort the ptfe material in the covering of stent graft, A simple solution is the “wetting” of the ends with and aqueous solution of FEP or PFA. A temperature lower than the melt point of PTFE would be used leaving the graft or covering in tact and unharmed. An aqueous solution of PTFE could also work provided conduction or ironing occurred.

Abstract: An intravascular stent and method for inhibiting restenosis, following vascular injury, is disclosed. The stent has an expandable, linked-filament body and a drug-release coating formed on the stent-body filaments, for contacting the vessel injury site when the stent is placed in-situ in an expanded condition. The coating releases, for a period of at least 4 weeks, a restenosis-inhibiting amount of a monocyclic triene immunosuppressive compound having an alkyl group substituent at carbon position 40 in the compound. The stent, when used to treat a vascular injury, gives good protection against clinical restenosis, even when the extent of vascular injury involves vessel overstretching by more than 30% diameter. Also disclosed is a stent having a drug-release coating composed of (i) 10 and 60 weight percent poly-dl-lactide polymer substrate and (ii) 40-90 weight percent of an anti-restenosis compound, and a polymer undercoat having a thickness of between 1-5 microns.

Abstract: An expandable medical device includes a plurality of elongated struts, forming a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter. A plurality of different beneficial agents may be loaded into different openings within the struts for delivery to the tissue. For treatment of conditions such as restenosis, different agents are loaded into different openings in the device to address different biological processes involved in restenosis and are delivered at different release kinetics matched to the biological process treated. The different agents may also be used to address different diseases from the same drug delivery device. In addition, anti-thrombotic agents may be affixed to at least a portion of the surfaces of the medical device for the prevention of sub-acute thrombosis. To ensure that the different agents remain affixed to the device as well as to each other, masking and de-masking processes may be utilized.

Abstract: A stent includes a magnesium layer, a ceramic layer formed over the magnesium layer, and a magnesium compound layer interposed between the magnesium layer and the ceramic layer. The initial corrosion of the stent can be delayed, and the stent has excellent biocompatibility and thus can reduce side effects during cell proliferation and differentiation.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an outer shaft comprising a first section of electroactive polymer. The first section of electroactive polymer affecting either the flexibility of the catheter or the steerability of the catheter.

Abstract: A stent mandrel fixture for supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is provided.

Abstract: A modified medical device substrate surface designed to improve adhesion of biomimetic surfactants to the medical device surface, thus reducing the risk of thrombosis is described. The surface modification is accomplished through either an application of a tie layer of a hydrophobic material on the substrate surface intermediate the biomimetic coating or through incorporation of a hydrophobic dopant in the polymeric substrate prior to extrusion or molding. Either method creates a hydrophobically modified surface that enhances the biomimetic surfactant bonding strength.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coating abluminal surface of a stent is described. A method for coating a stent can include stent mounting, stent movement, and droplet excitation. A method can include applying a coating to a stent, the applying including generating waves in a coating solution to eject droplets of the coating solution from a surface of the coating solution toward the stent, the generating performed by transducers submerged in the coating solution.

Abstract: A method of producing an intravascular stent has a coat comprising a crosslinked amphiphilic polymer and a sparingly water soluble matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPI). Preferably the polymer is formed from 2-methacryloyloxy-2?-ethyltrimethylammonium phosphate inner salt, C4-18 alkyl methacrylate and reactive and/or crosslinking monomer and the MMPI is a hydroxamic acid, more preferably batimastat. Preclinical and clinical results are reported, showing good luminal areas and reduced intimal thickening.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antithrombotic neurovascular device useful for the treatment of brain aneurysms and/or acute ischemic stroke. The device comprises a mechanical structure, which may be a stent, stent-like structure, or flow diverter, and a drug-eluting coating. This device is designed for local delivery of antiplatelet medication to the site of device implantation in order to improve outcomes for the population of brain aneurysm and/or acute ischemic stroke patients currently being treated with stents, and for use with patients presenting with ruptured aneurysms, in whom systemic dual antiplatelet therapy is contraindicated. The coating comprises an antiplatelet drug, preferably, a GPIIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor, more preferably, abcixmab, and optionally comprises a polymeric binder that functions as a drug modulating polymer. Also disclosed are methods for producing the antithrombotic neurovascular device, and using the device for the treatment of brain aneurysms and/or acute ischemic stroke.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as stents, including a fibrous layer including particles are disclosed. Methods of forming such medical devices using electrospinning are disclosed.

Abstract: A coating having a smooth orange peel morphology is formed on an adluminal surface of a stent, concurrently with the formation of a coating having a rough rice grain morphology on an abluminal surface of the stent. During the formation of the two coatings, a mandrel is placed adjacent to the adluminal surface of the stent but does not generally contact the adluminal surface.

Abstract: Coatings for stents that include a polymer and a drug are provided. A method of forming the coatings is also provided.

Abstract: Implantable devices formed of or coated with a material that includes a polymer having a non-fouling acrylate or methacrylate polymer are provided. The implantable device can be used for treating or preventing a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, patent foramen ovale, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system for treating a vascular condition including a catheter and a splittable elastomeric drug delivery device. The splittable elastomeric drug delivery device includes a balloon disposed on the catheter. The balloon includes a first elastic layer and a second elastic layer. A therapeutic agent layer is disposed on at least a portion of the first elastic layer, and the second elastic layer is disposed on the first elastic layer and the therapeutic agent layer. The first elastic layer has a first elongation-at-break percentage and the second elastic layer has a second elongation-at-break percentage.

Abstract: A catheter and method of making a catheter are disclosed in which the catheter is highly flexible and yet resistant to crushing and kinking. The catheter is made by applying rings of hard polymer material along the tubular shaft as the catheter is manufactured. The catheter thus has a plurality of hard polymer rings formed at spaced locations along its length, and soft segments between the hard polymer rings that allow the catheter to remain very flexible. The hard polymer rings improve the radial strength of the catheter and make the catheter resistant to crushing and kinking.

Abstract: A stent includes a stent framework and a coating disposed on the stent framework. The coating includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The coating has a circumferential therapeutic concentration zone near the inner surface and a circumferential washed zone near the outer surface.

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for coating medical devices such as an intravascular stent, are disclosed in the method, a 2-D image of a stent is processed to determine (1) paths along the stent skeletal elements by which a stent secured to a rotating support element can be traversed by a dispenser head whose relative motion with respect to the support element is along the support-element axis, such that some or all of the stent skeletal elements will be traversed (2) the relative speeds of the dispenser head and support element as the dispenser head travels along the paths, and (3), and positions of the dispenser head with respect to a centerline of the stent elements as the dispenser head travels along such paths The rotational speed of the support and relative linear speed of the dispenser are controlled to achieve the desired coating thickness and coating coverage on the upper surfaces, and optionally, the side surfaces, of the stent elements

Abstract: A coated implantable medical device 10 includes a structure 12 adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract; at least one coating layer 16 posited on one surface of the structure; and at least one layer 18 of a bioactive material posited on at least a portion of the coating layer 16, wherein the coating layer 16 provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material from the coating layer. In addition, at least one porous layer 20 can be posited over the bioactive material layer 18, wherein the porous layer includes a polymer and provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material therethrough. Preferably, the structure 12 is a coronary stent. The porous layer 20 includes a polymer applied preferably by vapor or plasma deposition and provides for a controlled release of the bioactive material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methodologies and compositions for coating materials, which can be used in a variety of biological applications.