Abstract:
A method of regulating repair in a physiological system following injury to the lumen of a tubular structure in that system, and of testing the effectiveness of regulatory agent, is presented. The method includes administering a modulator of cell or tissue growth to an extraluminal site adjacent the injured tissue.
Abstract:
A system for stabilizing fibroblast-derived growth factors, maintaining their bioactivity over a prolonged period of time and controllably releasing them for use is disclosed. The system uses growth factors bound to biocompatible substrates via heparin or heparin derived compounds to maintain the bioactivity of the growth factors. A growth factor bound to a heparin coated substrate can be used independently as a controlled release device, or can be incorporated into a reservoir or matrix type controlled release devices to further enhance the controlled release properties. The stabilized growth factors can be implanted into a patient, thereby providing a means for producing an in vivo controlled release of a growth factor to the patient.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus to create a more favorable flow regime in a lumen. An artificial shape in the lumen is created to at least one of eliminate flow disturbances and enhance aspects of fluid flow through a treatment site.
Abstract:
Biocompatible adhesive materials, such as for use with biological tissues and/or medical implants, are provided, as well as methods and kits for making and using the biocompatible adhesive materials. The biocompatible adhesive materials include a dendrimer component and a polymer component, and may be tailored for specific tissue types and conditions.
Abstract:
A fixture facilitates using a linear force of a uni-axial test machine to subject a test sample to bending forces. The test machine includes a frame and a crosshead. To generate the linear force, the crosshead translates with reference to the frame in a plane of motion. The fixture includes an upper connecting link, a lower connecting link, and two transverse arms. The upper connecting link is configured to attach to the crosshead for receiving the linear force, and the lower connecting link is configured to attach to the frame. The two transverse arms are pivotably carried between the upper and lower links. Each transverse arm has an inner end configured to attach to the test sample, the test sample being suspended between the arms. The transverse arms pivot in opposite directions in response to the linear force applied to the upper connecting link, exposing the sample to bending forces.
Abstract:
An expandable medical device having a plurality of elongated struts, the plurality of elongated struts being joined together by ductile hinges to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. The plurality of struts and ductile hinges are arranged to improve the spatial distribution of the struts which is particularly important when delivering beneficial agents with the struts. The improved strut arrangement expands to a substantially parallelogram shape for improved beneficial agent distribution to the surrounding tissue. A beneficial agent may be loaded into openings within the struts or coated onto the struts for delivery to the tissue.
Abstract:
A drug delivering medical system intended for placement into a blood vessel is provided. The drug delivering medical system includes a stent device having a plurality of interconnected distinct strut elements comprising distinct strut element surfaces. At least some of the distinct strut surfaces are neither in contact with the lumen wall nor in contact with wall-contacting flow recirculation zones. The stent device releases at least one biologically active compound intended for distal delivery and provides sufficient surface area for delivering the required drug dose to a distal tissue.
Abstract:
A stent alignment system includes an implantable stent and catheter that allows the ability to precisely control translational and rotational position in a vessel of the implantable stent and catheter.
Abstract:
Endovascular devices are provided. The endovascular devices include a conformable scaffold with one or more outpocketings. The outpocketing in the endovascular device creates a corresponding outpocketing of a vessel wall, thereby altering local fluid dynamics.
Abstract:
An expandable medical device has a plurality of elongated struts joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially through a thickness of said strut. A beneficial agent is loaded into the opening within the strut in layers to achieve desired temporal release kinetics of the agent. Alternatively, the beneficial agent is loaded in a shape which is configured to achieve the desired agent delivery profile. A wide variety of delivery profiles can be achieved including zero order, pulsatile, increasing, decrease, sinusoidal, and other delivery profiles.