Abstract:
Implants, including sensors responsive to pressure, fluid flow, concentration of analytes, pH and other variables, including a feedback loop and means for modifying the implant after placement in a patient in response to measurements made using the sensors, have been developed. Feedback from the sensor(s) signal changes that may be required, such as expansion of the implant in the case where the vessel diameter changes over time or the implant becomes unstable or migrates. In another embodiment, the implant contains a bioactive, prophylactic, diagnostic or pH modifying agent wherein the implant is formed of a temperature or pH responsive material so that the agent is released when the temperature or pH is altered. These systems can also be used to connect a patient to a remote data storage system, such as the internet or a computer accessible through devices such as PDA (Palm Pilot systems), phone system devices, that the physician can use to interact remotely with the implant.
Abstract:
Implants, including sensors responsive to pressure, fluid flow, concentration of analytes, pH and other variables, including a feedback loop and means for modifying the implant after placement in a patient in response to measurements made using the sensors, have been developed. Feedback from the sensor(s) signal changes that may be required, such as expansion of the implant in the case where the vessel diameter changes over time or the implant becomes unstable or migrates. In another embodiment, the implant contains a bioactive, prophylactic, diagnostic or pH modifying agent wherein the implant is formed of a temperature or pH responsive material so that the agent is released when the temperature or pH is altered. These systems can also be used to connect a patient to a remote data storage system, such as the internet or a computer accessible through devices such as PDA (Palm Pilot systems), phone system devices, that the physician can use to interact remotely with the implant.
Abstract:
Diseases, aging, trauma, environmental exposure, infection and other events or agents can alter tissue function. In one embodiment, treatment is provided by therapeutically altering tissue function. This may be by continuing normal tissue function, suppressing tissue function, or enhancing tissue function. In a preferred embodiment, this treatment is effectuated by penetrating an organ, organ component or tissue structure and placing a supplemental material in a newly created space. This space is generally referred to herein as a "privileged space", i.e. a space not otherwise present in native tissue. Supplemental materials can be deposited and secured within the zone. Supplemental materials include materials forming barriers, supports, and/or materials that deliver agents having a pharmacologic, biochemical, or physiologic effect in vivo. Suitable supplemental materials include polymeric and non-polymeric materials, pharmacologic agents, cells, tissue fragments, microorganisms, viral agents, or other reagents modifying tissue function. The supplemental material is typically in the form of a reservoir/depot, or continuous or discontinuous layer. In one embodiment, supplemental materials, and methods of use thereof, are provided for the continuous or discontinuous therapy of defined regions of an organ, organ component or tissue structure. The supplemental materials may be delivered directly to any one or more of the three zones, endoluminal (or ectomural, for solid organs), endomural, or ectoluminal, of organs, organ components, or tissue structures. The supplemental materials can include natural or synthetic polymeric materials that are biodegradable or non-biodegradable. The supplemental materials can also contain bioactive agents to effectuate a change in an organ or organ component in need thereof. For example, agents that result in a reduced/hyponormal response or an amplified/hypernormal response may be included in the supplemental materials.
Abstract:
Methods, devices and materials for the treatment or repair, replacement, transplantation or augmentation of tissues in endomural zones specifically by open surgical, minimally invasive or percutaneous transmural or trans parenchymal application of polymeric material alone or in combination with bioactive agents or cells, have been developed. These methods and systems are useful to repair, after function, replace function or augment function of the central or endomural aspects of solid organs or tubular body structures.
Abstract:
A method for providing a synthetic barrier made of biocompatible polymeric materials in vivo which involves application of a material to a tissue or cellular surface such as the interior surface of a blood vessel, tissue lumen or other hollow space, is disclosed herein. The material may also be applied to tissue contacting surfaces of implantable medical devices. The polymeric materials are characterized by a fluent state which allows application to and, preferably adhesion to, tissue lumen surfaces, which can be increased or altered to a second less fluent state in situ; controlled permeability and degradability; and, in the preferred embodiments, incorporation of bioactive materials for release in vivo, either to the tissue lumen surface or to the interior of the lumen, which alter cell-to-cell interactions. It has also been discovered that tenascin is a mediator of smooth muscle cell migration through interaction with specific integrin components of the cells.
Abstract:
A method for providing a synthetic barrier made of biocompatible polymeric materials in vivo which involves application of a material to a tissue or cellular surface such as the interior surface of a blood vessel, tissue lumen or other hollow space, is disclosed herein. The material may also be applied to tissue contacting surfaces of implantable medical devices. The polymeric materials are characterized by a fluent state which allows application to and, preferably adhesion to, tissue lumen surfaces, which can be increased or altered to a second less fluent state in situ; controlled permeability and degradability; and, in the preferred embodiments, incorporation of bioactive materials for release in vivo , either to the tissue lumen surface or to the interior of the lumen, which alter cell-to-cell interactions. It has also been discovered that tenascin is a mediator of smooth muscle cell migration through interaction with specific integrin components of the cells.
Abstract:
Implants, including sensors responsive to pressure, fluid flow, concentration of analytes, pH and other variables, including a feedback loop and means for modifying the implant after placement in a patient in response to measurements made using the sensors, have been developed. Feedback from the sensor(s) signal changes that may be required, such as expansion of the implant in the case where the vessel diameter changes over time or the implant becomes unstable or migrates. In another embodiment, the implant contains a bioactive, prophylactic, diagnostic or pH modifying agent wherein the implant is formed of a temperature or pH responsive material so that the agent is released when the temperature or pH is altered. These systems can also be used to connect a patient to a remote data storage system, such as the internet or a computer accessible through devices such as PDA (Palm Pilot systems), phone system devices, that the physician can use to interact remotely with the implant.
Abstract:
An exogenous stimulus is applied to tissues or cells which are at risk in a subsequent surgical procedure or other intervention which induces a response by the cells that minimizes reaction to the subsequent procedure. Stimuli can be chemical, physiological or physical. Examples include those stimuli known to induce expression of stress response proteins or heat shock proteins, especially heat shock protein 70 (hsp 70) and hsp 90, for example, exposure to heat or dilute hydrogen peroxide, or direct administration of exogenous heat shock proteins, or those stimuli which act to inhibit or reduce heat shock protein expression, for example, treatment with flavonoids. An amount effective to modulate levels of stress response proteins or reduce the endogenous response is administered, based on in vitro assays which are used to determine levels of heat shock proteins or which are experimentally determined to reduce cell proliferation, thrombus formation, and matrix deposition following subsequent exposure to a procedure. Procedures can be surgery, angioplasty, or abrasion. The method and compositions are also useful in mediating some disease processes, where the process involves undesirable migration.