Abstract:
A method for medical treatment was developed in which microspheres with novel properties are administered in a mammal. The microspheres are made using a novel process that results in microspheres with new combined properties of high density, low fracture, high swell capacity, rapid swell, and deformability following swell. These microspheres may be administered for void filling, tissue bulking, non-vasculature occlusion, body fluid absorption, and delivery of medications.
Abstract:
A method for medical treatment was developed in which microspheres with novel properties are administered in a mammal. The microspheres are made using a novel process that results in microspheres with new combined properties of high density, low fracture, high swell capacity, rapid swell, and deformability following swell. These microspheres may be administered for void filling, tissue bulking, non-vasculature occlusion, body fluid absorption, and delivery of medications.
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:
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 the 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.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for accurate positioning of a dual balloon catheter. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first balloon provides an anchoring point. In one embodiment, the first balloon has protrusions to help secure its position. In one embodiment, once the first balloon is inflated, it provides a fixed position relative to which a second balloon is accurately positioned in the treatment region. In another embodiment, a second balloon imparts a radial force. In another embodiment, a second balloon imparts an axial force, using the first balloon as an anchor against which the force is applied. The force may be applied in a forward or a backward direction. In yet another embodiment, a second balloon imparts a rotational force, using the first balloon as an anchor against which the force is applied.
Abstract:
A method of treating an acute myocardial infarction by administering to an individual an effective amount of a formulation which inhibits and/or depletes phagocytic cells with high specificity, thereby suppressing the inflammatory response that occurs during and following acute myocardial infarction. The formulation comprises an agent which is an intra-cellular inhibitor that is released within the targeted phagocytic cells, specifically macrophage/monocytes, and inhibits and/or destroys the macrophages and/or monocytes, thereby reducing the final zone of infarct and improving cardiac repair and myocardial remodeling. Since macrophages and monocytes possess the unique ability to phagocytose large bodies, the agent is formulated into a specific size such that it can enter cells primarily via phagocytosis. Thus, the specifically sized formulation selectively targets monocytes/macrophages. The formulation may comprise an encapsulated agent, an embedded agent or a particulate agent, wherein the formulation is of a specific size, such that it can enter cells primarily via phagocytosis. The formulation is preferably in the size range of 0.03-1.0 microns.
Abstract:
A method for imaging the erosion of a biomaterial is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for imaging a labeled biomaterial so that the erosion of the biomaterial is measured in vivo over a period of time. A biomaterial such as, for example, a hydrogel including polyethylene glycol (PEG) is labeled with a fluorescent or bioluminescent marker. The labeled biomaterial is then employed in the construction of an implanted medical device such as, for example, an endovascular stent. Furthermore, the labeled biomaterial may be utilized to form a drug delivery system that releases a controlled amount of a drug into a local region within a patient. The erosion of the biomaterial is monitored through a noninvasive imaging method.
Abstract:
The compositions and methods of the present invention relate to the co-delivery of a molecule and a polypeptide to cells to improve the therapeutic efficacy of the molecules. In one embodiment of the invention, the invention may improve delivery of growth factors by co-delivering these growth factors with their receptors and co-receptors, such as syndecans. Co-delivery of growth factors with syndecans, for example, may protect growth factors from proteolysis, enhance their activity, and target the growth factors to the cell surface to facilitate growth factor signaling. This novel approach to growth factor therapy could be extended to other systems and growth factors enabling the enhancement of multiple signaling pathways to achieve a desired therapeutic outcome.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are materials and methods for modulating an immunologically adverse response to an exogenous or endogenous immunogen, including a cell, tissue, or organ associated immunogen. An implantable material comprising cells, such as but not limited to endothelial cells, anchored or embedded in a biocompatible matrix can modulate an adverse immune or inflammatory reaction to exogenous or endogenous immunogens, including response to non-syngeneic or syngeneic cells, tissues or organs, exogenous immunogens or stimuli, as well as ameliorate an autoimmune condition. The implantable material can be provided prior to, coincident with, or subsequent to occurrence of the immune response or inflammatory reaction. The implantable material can induce immunological acceptance in a transplant patient, reduce graft rejection and reduce donor antigen immunogenicity.
Abstract:
Endothelial implants restore vascular homeostasis after injury without reconstituting vascular architecture. Endothelial cells line the vascular epithelium and underlying vasa vasorum precluding distinction between cellular controls. Unlike blood vessels, the airway epithelium is highly differentiated and distinct from endothelial cells that line the bronchial vasa allowing investigation of the differential control tissue engineered cells may provide in airways and blood vessels. Through airway injury and cell culture models, tissue engineered implants of the bronchial epithelium and endothelium were found to promote synergistic repair of the airway through biochemical regulation of the airway microenvironment. While epithelial cells modulate local tissue composition and reaction, endothelial cells preserve the epithelium; together their relative impact was enhanced suggesting both cell types act synergistically for airway repair.