Medtronic Vascular, Inc.

University of Virginia Patent Foundation

Kareen Looi

Whye-Kei Lye

Michael L Reed

Gary Owens

Brian R Wamhoff

Joshua Spradlin

Matthew Hudson

The present invention relates generally to medical devices containing nanoporous surfaces and methods for making same. More specifically, the invention relates to implantable vascular stents or other biomedical devices having at least one dealloyed nanoporous layer that promotes improved cellular adhesion properties that promote healing and long term biocompatibility. In the case of stents, the nanoporous layer promotes re-endothelialization at sites of stent implantation vasculature, improves overall healing, and reduces inflammation and intimal disease progression. The nanoporous layer may be optionally loaded with one or more therapeutic agent to further improve the function of the implanted stent and further augment clinical efficacy.

Nanoporous stents with enhanced cellular adhesion and reduced neointimal formation

Devices, systems and methods for treating medical conditions using cell therapy via body lumens. Localized delivery is achieved with the use of a stent-like expandable body seeded with cells. The expandable body is expanded to contact at least a portion of the inner walls of the body lumen and the cells, cellular products and/or other therapeutic agents are delivered to the surrounding tissue. The therapeutic benefit provided is dependent on the type of cells used and the features of the expandable body.

Cell seeded expandable body

Implantable medical devices having at least one porous layer, and methods for making such devices, and loading such devices with therapeutic agents are described. A mixture or alloy is placed on the surface of a medical device, then one component of the mixture or alloy is generally removed without generally removing the other components of the mixture or alloy to create the pores of the porous layer. The porous layer may be adapted for bonding non-metallic coating, including drug eluting polymeric coatings. A porous layer may have a random pore structure or an oriented or directional grain porous structure. The medical device may be a vascular stent having at least one porous layer adapted to resist stenosis or cellular proliferation.

Methods for using a stent having nanoporous layers

The present invention relates generally to medical devices with therapy eluting components and methods for making same. More specifically, the invention relates to implantable medical devices having at least one porous layer, and methods for making such devices, and loading such devices with therapeutic agents. A mixture or alloy is placed on the surface of a medical device, then one component of the mixture or alloy is generally removed without generally removing the other components of the mixture or alloy. In some embodiments, a porous layer is adapted for bonding non-metallic coating, including drug eluting polymeric coatings. A porous layer may have a random pore structure or an oriented or directional grain porous structure. One embodiment of the invention relates to medical devices, including vascular stents, having at least one porous layer adapted to resist stenosis or cellular proliferation without requiring elution of therapeutic agents. The invention also includes methods, devices, and specifications for loading of drugs and other therapeutic agents into nanoporous coatings.

Method for loading nanoporous layers with therapeutic agent

Apparatuses, systems and methods for treating a patient by positioning an expandable body () having one or more microstructures () within a body lumen and penetrating the lumen wall with the microstructures (). The microstructures are formed in or attached to the lumen through a cacheter or other suitable device. Each microstructure () has an end () which is attached to the expandable body and a free end (). Once the apparatus is positioned within the body lumen in a desired location one or more of the microstructures are deployed wherein the free ends project radially outwardly. The free ends of the deployed microstructures penetrate the lumen wall by continued expansion of the body. Additionally, a therapeutic agent may be delivered to the lumen wall by the penetrated microstructures.

Expandable body having deployable microstructures and related methods

Methods for fabricating a medical device having at least one porous layer include providing a medical device having at least one alloy and removing at least one component of the alloy to form the porous layer. Although methods may be used to make stent devices with porous layers, any other suitable medical device may be made having one or more porous layers. An alloy may include any suitable combination of metals and sometimes a combination of metal and non-metal. In some embodiments, one or more of the most electrochemically active component(s) of an alloy are removed by the dissolving (or 'dealloying') process, to leave a porous matrix behind. The porous matrix layer may then be infused with one or more therapeutic agents for enhancing treatment of a patient.

Growing community of inventors

Charlottesville, VA, United States of America

Kareen Looi