The invention concerns a medical device for at least periodical contact with diseased vessels such as a stent or a balloon catheter, for example, as well as a method for coating it with a defined solution.

In accordance with the invention, a restenosis inhibitor is disposed on an outer surface in an active substance concentration of more than 4 μg/mm.sup.2.

Described herein is a bifunctional peptide, compositions comprising the same, and methods useful for treatment of peri-implant disease.

The growth factor profile, connective tissue matrix constituents, and immunoprivileged status of urodele extracellular matrix (ECM) and accompanying cutaneous tissue, plus the presence of antimicrobial peptides there, render urodele-derived tissue an ideal source for biological scaffolds for xenotransplantation. In particular, a biological scaffold biomaterial can be obtained by a process that entails (A) obtaining a tissue sample from a urodele, where the tissue comprises ECM, inclusive of the basement membrane, and (B) subjecting the tissue sample to a decellularization process that maintains the structural and functional integrity of the extracellular matrix, by virtue of retaining its fibrous and on-fibrous proteins, glycoaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans, while removing sufficient cellular components of the sample to reduce or eliminate antigenicity and immunogenicity for xenograft purposes. The resultant urodele-derived biomaterial can be used to enhance restoration of skin homeostasis, to reduce the severity, durations and associated damage caused by post-surgical inflammation, and to promote progression of natural healing and regeneration processes. In addition, the biomaterial promotes the formation of remodeled tissue that is comparable in quality, function, and compliance to undamaged human tissue.

An implantable medical device includes a polymer substrate and at least one nanofiber. The polymer substrate includes a surface portion extending into the polymer substrate from a surface of the substrate. The at least one nanofiber includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is interpenetrated with the surface portion of the substrate, and mechanically fixed to the substrate. The second portion projects from the surface of the substrate.

A drug coating layer that prevents breakage of elongated drug crystals on a balloon surface while maintaining the drug crystals in an appropriate shape to act on the living body includes plural elongated bodies which are crystals of a water-insoluble drug each extending from the surface of the balloon at various lengths and angles, and a water-soluble additive layer provided in a space between an outer surface of an aggregate of the elongated bodies and the balloon surface to fill a space between the elongated bodies. The outer surface of the additive layer being located outside the aggregate, being uneven connecting a plurality of tip ends and side surfaces of the elongated bodies to each other. The tip ends of the elongated bodies slightly protrude from the additive layer, and the side surfaces and/or tip surfaces of the elongated body are exposed on the surface of the additive layer.

Novel, lubricious antimicrobial coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The coatings provide improved lubricity and durability and are readily applied in coating processes at low temperatures that do not deform the device and preserves the antimicrobial effectiveness of the antimicrobial agent. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such coatings. The catalyst provides for rapid curing, while inhibiting cross-linking at ambient temperatures, thereby improving the production pot life of the coatings.

Composite nerve guides for nerve regeneration are provided, wherein the composite guide comprise a nerve graft and a nerve conduit continuing an active agent that promote axon regeneration. The devices can provide structural supports to guide nerve regeneration and locally deliver an active agent (e.g., glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and/or glial growth factor 2 (GGF2) to injured nervous system tissue upon implantation in a subject. Methods of treatment using such devices are also provided.

Disclosed herein are novel peptides that can comprise antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal or antitumor activity when administered to a subject.

Systems and methods for localized drug delivery via undulating drug coated balloons (DCB), in particular using functionalized nanoparticles as a drug delivery medium in combination with an undulating balloon, are disclosed. In various disclosed embodiments, a nanoparticle matrix is adhered to in an external substrate-surface, such as the balloon surface, and is activated for release once at the treatment site. Activation for release may be enhanced through the use of an undulating balloon system including methodologies for precise control of timing, waveform and extent of undulations.

A crystallized bioabsorbable polymer scaffold comprises a polymer composition of poly (L-lactide-co-tri-methylene-carbonate) or poly (D-lactide-co-tri-methylene-carbonate) or poly (L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) or poly (D-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) in the form of block copolymers of blocky copolymers, wherein the scaffold is cold-bendable.