A method of a forming a hollow, drug-eluting nitinol stent includes shaping a composite wire into a stent pattern, wherein the composite wire includes an inner member, a nitinol intermediate member, and an outer member. After the composite wire is shaped into the stent pattern, the composite wire is heat treated to set the nitinol intermediate member in the stent pattern. After heat treatment, the composite wire is processed to remove the outer member and the inner member without adversely affecting the intermediate member. Openings may be provided through the intermediate member and the lumen of the intermediate member may be filled with a substance to be eluted through the openings.

An absorbable iron-based instrument is provided having an iron-based substrate, a zinc-containing protector in contact with the iron-based substrate, and a degradable polyester in contact with the iron-based substrate and/or the zinc-containing protector. The range of the ratio of the mass of the zinc-containing protector to the mass of the iron-based substrate is 1:200 to 1:2. In the degradable polyester, the mass fraction of a low-molecular-weight part with a molecular weight of less than 10,000 is less than or equal to 5%; alternatively, in the degradable polyester, the mass fraction of a residual monomer is less than or equal to 2%.

An hydrogel comprising chitosan and two weak bases having different pKb values. In some embodiments, one of the weak bases if sodium hydrogen carbonate (SHC). Also, use of the hydrogel in medical and cosmetic treatments.

Devices and methods for balloon delivery of rapamycin and other hydrophobic compounds to the wall of blood vessels. Balloon catheters, such as those used for stent deployment, are modified with the addition of a reservoir of dry micelles. The micelle preparation is reconstituted and the micelles are mobilized when the aqueous solution used to inflate the balloons is injected into the catheter. The micelles are infused into tissue surrounding the balloon when pressurized fluid within the balloon leaks through the wall of the balloon.

A medical device may include a catheter, an expandable member, a cover, and an actuator. The catheter may include a longitudinal axis, proximal and distal ends, and a cover lumen extending from the proximal to the distal end. The expandable member may include proximal and distal ends and may be disposed on a distal section of the catheter. The cover may include a first region that may be disposed along the expandable member, and a second region that may extend along a length of the catheter beyond the proximal end of the expandable member towards the proximal end of the catheter. A first end of the cover may invert into the cover lumen. The actuator may be coupled to the first end of the cover and configured to move the first end of the cover towards the proximal end of the catheter along the longitudinal axis of the catheter.

The invention provides articles of manufacture comprising biocompatible nanostructures comprising nanotubes and nanopores for, e.g., organ, tissue and/or cell growth, e.g., for bone, kidney or liver growth, and uses thereof, e.g., for in vitro testing, in vivo implants, including their use in making and using artificial organs, and related therapeutics. The invention provides lock-in nanostructures comprising a plurality of nanopores or nanotubes, wherein the nanopore or nanotube entrance has a smaller diameter or size than the rest (the interior) of the nanopore or nanotube. The invention also provides dual structured biomaterial comprising micro- or macro-pores and nanopores. The invention provides biomaterials having a surface comprising a plurality of enlarged diameter nanopores and/or nanotubes.

Devices, systems, and methods are provided including a structure having one or more surfaces configured for internal use within a patient's body and one or more therapeutic compositions comprising one or more active substances including a direct factor Xa inhibitor, and a direct factor IIa inhibitor disposed in or on the structure. The structure is configured to be positioned adjacent an injury site in the patient's body. The one or more active substances optionally include an anti-proliferative agent. The therapeutic composition is formulated to release the one or more active substances to the injury site to provide one or more of inhibit clot formation, promote clot dissolution, inhibit or dissolute inflammation, inhibit vessel injury, increase time before clotting, and/or inhibit cell proliferation.

The invention relates to a coated balloon catheter with a catheter substrate and a coating on the catheter substrate. The coating comprises a pharmaceutically active ingredient embedded in a binder matrix. The binder matrix consists of a polyethylene glycol-polyvinyl alcohol copolymer (PEG-PVA copolymer) and optionally shellac or a shellac derivative and additional pharmaceutically acceptable additives. A composition for coating the balloon catheter comprises the pharmaceutically active ingredient and a binder consisting of a PEG-PVA copolymer and optionally shellac or a shellac derivative. The active ingredient and the binder are dissolved in a solvent consisting of water, DMSO and at least one additional organic solvent indefinitely miscible with water.

A method of preparing an implantable biomaterial includes combining a polymer with a neuro-regenerative agent or immunosuppressive agent selected from a group comprising at least one of: rapamycin, cyclosporine A, or analogs thereof, melting the polymer, and extruding the polymer and the neuro-regenerative agent or immunosuppressive agent to form the implantable biomaterial.

A method of preparing an implantable biomaterial includes combining a polymer comprising polydioxanone with a neuro-regenerative agent or an immunosuppressive agent comprising at least one immunophilin ligand, and melting the polymer. The method further includes extruding the combined polymer and the neuro-regenerative agent or immunosuppressive agent to form the implantable biomaterial.