A method, system and device for securing conductive material on catheter elements for tissue sensing and cryogenic ablation. This may be used to deposit or embed conductive material onto or within polymeric materials. The method of manufacturing a balloon with conductive material may include extruding a polymeric material where the polymeric material includes embedded electrically conductive material. At least a portion of the polymeric material may be removed to expose at least a portion of the embedded electrically conductive material. The benefits may include allowing local bipolar recordings, contact assessment and ice thickness, and compatibility with 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping systems.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of treating a stricture in a nonvascular body lumen such as urethral strictures, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) strictures, ureteral strictures, esophageal strictures, sinus strictures, and biliary tract strictures. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for treating at least one of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The method can include delivering, for example, via drug coated balloon catheters, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative drugs (e.g., rapamycin, paclitaxel, and their analogues) and one or more additives.

A system and method for coating an expandable member of a medical device comprising a support structure to support the expandable member and a dispenser positioned with at least one outlet proximate a surface of an expandable member. A drive assembly establishes relative movement between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member to apply fluid on the surface of the expandable member along a coating path. A guide maintains a substantially fixed distance between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member during relative movement therebetween by displacing the expandable member relative to the at least one outlet.

A parison for being blow molded into a medical balloon for a catheter includes a first tubular layer having a functional modification and a second tubular layer adapted for bonding with the first tubular layer to form the blow molded balloon. Related methods are disclosed.

A catheter (10) for introduction into a body vessel includes a shaft, a balloon (12) positioned at the distal end of the shaft, and at least one scoring wire (30) to score a vascular lesion. A distal end portion of the scoring wire is detachably connected to the catheter, such as by way of magnetic coupling (30a), thereby allowing for selective use of the catheter in a scoring or non-scoring configuration. The balloon expands when fluid is delivered to the balloon through an inflation lumen. This expansion pushes the scoring wire against the vascular lesion.

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.

An expandable medical balloon, comprising a balloon, the balloon comprising a cone portion, a waist portion and a body portion and a fiber braid disposed along the cone portion, the waist portion and the body portion of the balloon, the fiber braid comprising a first fiber and a second fiber that is different than the first fiber, the first fiber comprising a polymer material having a first melting temperature and the second fiber is a non-melting fiber.

Described here are systems and methods for delivering an active agent to target tissues of the ear, nose, or throat using an expandable member having drug crystals layered thereon, and methods for manufacturing such systems. The expandable member can be delivered to the target tissues in a low-profile configuration and expanded to contact and/or dilate surrounding tissue. Expansion of the expandable member transfers the drug crystals to the target tissues, which then act as an in situ depot that enables maintenance of a therapeutic level of an active agent for a desired time period after removal of the expandable member. Multiple expansions of a single expandable member can be employed during treatment. For example, the systems and methods can be useful when it is desired to treat multiple paranasal sinuses with a single expandable member.

A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a woven fabric layer composed of at least two woven fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and methods for coating drug eluting medical devices. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating apparatus including a coating application unit comprising a movement restriction structure; a fluid applicator; and an air nozzle. The apparatus can further include a rotation mechanism and an axial motion mechanism, the axial motion mechanism configured to cause movement of at least one of the coating application unit and the rotation mechanism with respect to one another. Other embodiments are also included herein.