A composition, article, and method for increasing the hydrolytic stability of a polymer; wherein a composition includes: a polymer comprising functional groups having hydrolyzable bonds; a carbodiimide compound; and a weak base (or hindered amine); wherein the carbodiimide compound and weak base (or hindered amine) are used in amounts effective to decrease the rate and/or extent of hydrolyic degradation of the polymer relative to either used alone in the same amount with the polymer.

A composition, article, and method for increasing the hydrolytic stability of a polymer; wherein a composition includes: a polymer comprising functional groups having hydrolyzable bonds; a carbodiimide compound; and a weak base (or hindered amine); wherein the carbodiimide compound and weak base (or hindered amine) are used in amounts effective to decrease the rate and/or extent of hydrolyic degradation of the polymer relative to either used alone in the same amount with the polymer.

A catheter assembly includes an inner liner made of flexible material and an outer layer having a steering mechanism. A catheter assembly is provided that includes an inner liner made of flexible material, and an outer layer having a steering mechanism that includes at least one wire and a corresponding lumen for each of the at least one wire through which the respective wire may travel. The outer layer includes a braided wire assembly that includes at least two wires braided into a wire mesh, and further includes a see-through portion positioned proximate a pull wire extraction location to facilitate extraction.

A catheter assembly includes an inner liner made of flexible material and an outer layer having a steering mechanism. A catheter assembly is provided that includes an inner liner made of flexible material, and an outer layer having a steering mechanism that includes at least one wire and a corresponding lumen for each of the at least one wire through which the respective wire may travel. The outer layer includes a braided wire assembly that includes at least two wires braided into a wire mesh, and further includes a see-through portion positioned proximate a pull wire extraction location to facilitate extraction.

Drug delivery compositions are provided having proteins and biodegradable polymers that may be used for controlled and long term release of proteins into a biological environment. According to some embodiments, the drug delivery composition may be provided with at least a protein and a biodegradable polymer possessing at least two different functional groups selected from the group of chosen among carboxyl, ester, amine, amide, thiol, thioester or hydroxyl groups pendant to the main polymer chain whereby the composition absorbs between 5-10% w/w water when exposed to physiological conditions for at least 20 days. A drug delivery system for controlled protein release which includes the drug delivery composition is also provided whereby the drug delivery system may be in the form of microparticles, films, coatings, fibers, pellets, cylinders, discs, implants, microcapsules, microspheres, nanospheres, wafers, micelles, liposomes or woven or non-woven fabrics.

Drug delivery compositions are provided having proteins and biodegradable polymers that may be used for controlled and long term release of proteins into a biological environment. According to some embodiments, the drug delivery composition may be provided with at least a protein and a biodegradable polymer possessing at least two different functional groups selected from the group of chosen among carboxyl, ester, amine, amide, thiol, thioester or hydroxyl groups pendant to the main polymer chain whereby the composition absorbs between 5-10% w/w water when exposed to physiological conditions for at least 20 days. A drug delivery system for controlled protein release which includes the drug delivery composition is also provided whereby the drug delivery system may be in the form of microparticles, films, coatings, fibers, pellets, cylinders, discs, implants, microcapsules, microspheres, nanospheres, wafers, micelles, liposomes or woven or non-woven fabrics.

Drug delivery compositions are provided having proteins and biodegradable polymers that may be used for controlled and long term release of proteins into a biological environment. According to some embodiments, the drug delivery composition may be provided with at least a protein and a biodegradable polymer possessing at least two different functional groups selected from the group of chosen among carboxyl, ester, amine, amide, thiol, thioester or hydroxyl groups pendant to the main polymer chain whereby the composition absorbs between 5-10% w/w water when exposed to physiological conditions for at least 20 days. A drug delivery system for controlled protein release which includes the drug delivery composition is also provided whereby the drug delivery system may be in the form of microparticles, films, coatings, fibers, pellets, cylinders, discs, implants, microcapsules, microspheres, nanospheres, wafers, micelles, liposomes or woven or non-woven fabrics.

A medical device such as a catheter may have an elongate shaft that includes a hypotube having a cut formed therein. The elongate shaft may define a lumen that extends within the elongate shaft. A polymer may be disposed over at least a portion of the hypotube. A medical device may include a cut hypotube having a constant pitch and may be configured to reversibly and temporarily alter the pitch of at least a portion of the cut hypotube. In some cases, the medical device may be configured to reversibly and/or temporarily alter a compressive strength of at least a portion of the cut hypotube.

A medical device such as a catheter may have an elongate shaft that includes a hypotube having a cut formed therein. The elongate shaft may define a lumen that extends within the elongate shaft. A polymer may be disposed over at least a portion of the hypotube. A medical device may include a cut hypotube having a constant pitch and may be configured to reversibly and temporarily alter the pitch of at least a portion of the cut hypotube. In some cases, the medical device may be configured to reversibly and/or temporarily alter a compressive strength of at least a portion of the cut hypotube.

The present application discloses interlayers comprising novel polyesteramides comprising diols with tunable properties based on the monomers and monomer ratios used to prepare the polyesteramides and varying the reaction conditions. The interlayers have improved properties and can be used in many different applications.