Medical devices

1. A manufactured cardiovascular or orthopedic medical device for use or implantation in a mammal, comprising an anti-connexin 43 compound releasable upon insertion of the medical device to or within a subject.

2. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 compound decreases connexin 43 protein expression.

3. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the anti-connexin 43 compound is an antisense oligonucleotide.

4. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the anti-connexin 43 compound is an siRNA or RNAi oligonucleotide.

5. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the anti-connexin 43 compound is a peptide compound.

6. The medical device of claim 5 wherein the peptide compound is a peptidomimetic.

7. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 compound is an anti-connexin 43 antibody, F(v) fragment, Fab, fragment, Fab′ fragment or F(ab′) 2 fragment.

8. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 agent binds to connexin 43 mRNA.

9. The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is chimeric or humanized antibody.

10. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin agent binds to a connexin 43 hemichannel.

11. The medical device of claim 10 , wherein the anti-connexin agent binds to a hemichannel extracellular loop.

12. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin agent is in a polynucleotide having a sequence selected for SEQ.ID.NOS.1 or 2 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

13. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin agent is a peptide having a sequence selected from SEQ.ID.NOS. 15 to 38 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

14. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin agent is a peptide of SEQ.ID.NOS. 18 or 19.

15. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin agent is a peptide of SEQ.ID.NO.19.

16. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin agent is a polynucleotide having a sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ.ID.NOS.1 to 12.

17. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the medical device comprises an anti-connexin agent.

18. The medical device of claim 17 , wherein the anti-connexin agent is present at a weight percentage of about 0.0001% to about 30%.

19. The medical device of claim 17 , wherein the surface of the medical device contacts a target tissue within the subject upon use.

20. The medical device of claim 19 , wherein the target tissue is heart tissue or vascular tissue.

21. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the release rate of the anti-connexin agent is controlled.

22. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device provides for surface contact release of the anti-connexin agent.

23. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device provides for the sustained release of the anti-connexin agent.

24. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device provides for the slow release of the anti-connexin agent.

25. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a coating containing an anti-connexin agent.

26. The medical device of claim 25 , wherein the coating comprises a polymer.

27. The medical device of claim 25 , wherein the coating comprises a plurality of layers of a polymer/anti-connexin agent mixture.

28. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device is for implantation in a human.

29. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a stent.

30. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a suture.

31. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a balloon, a prosthetic heart valve, an annuloplasty ring, a pulse generator, a cardiac defibrillator, an arteriovenous shunt, an anastomosis device, a hemostatic barrier or a pacemaker.

32. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises an orbital implant, a lens, a lens implant, or a corneal implant.

33. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises an orthopedic plate, a bone pin, a bone substitute, an anchor, a joint, a screw, or a vertebral disk.

34. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a graft, a shunt, a vascular implant, a tissue scaffold, an intraluminal device or a vascular support.

35. The medical device of any of claim 29 - 33 or 34 , wherein the medical device is for implantation in a human.

36. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises at least one channel formed in an outer surface thereof, and wherein the anti-connexin agent is included on and/or within at least one channel.

37. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the medical device is formed, in whole or in part, of a substance that includes the anti-connexin agent.

38. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises one or more therapeutic agents.

39. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the subject is a mammal.

40. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the mammal is a human.

41. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the mammal is selected from the group consisting of domestic and pet animals, sports animals, farm animals, and zoo animals.

42. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the mammal is a horse, a dog, or a cat.