Abstract:
A retrieval apparatus for entrapping and retaining an object located in a body for its extraction therefrom is described. The retrieval apparatus includes a snare and a snare control assembly. The snare has a proximal section and a distal section, and comprises a plurality of filaments extending from a proximal end of the proximal section towards the distal section, and then returning to the proximal end to form a plurality of loops. In the deployed state, the loops are interlaced to each other within the proximal section and are free and not interleaved within the distal section. Segments of the filaments of the distal section are bent with respect to segments of the filaments of the proximal section such that the retrieval snare in the contracted state forms a hollow cavity extending from the distal section towards the proximal section.
Abstract:
A novel method of treating endometriosis is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a female subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of particles comprising an agent capable of inhibiting phagocytic cells of the female subject.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment or management of acute coronary syndromes, particularly, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of a formulation containing one or more therapeutic agents which specifically decreases or inhibits the activity of phagocytic cells and/or eliminates or diminishes the amount of phagocytic cells including, but not limited to, macrophages and monocytes. The formulations are specifically targeted to phagocytic cells. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of formulations containing one or more therapeutic agents of the invention for administration to subjects currently suffering from or having recently suffered an acture coronary syndrome such as unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the prevention, reduction, treatment or management of ischemia-reperfusion injury. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of a therapeutic formulation containing one or more active compounds in a formulation which specifically decreases or inhibits the activity of and/or eliminates or diminishes the amount of phagocytic cells including, but not limited to, macrophages and/or monocytes. In preferred embodiments, the active compound is a bisphosphonate. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of therapeutic formulations for administration to subjects currently suffering from, having recently suffered, or at risk of suffering from an ischemia-reperfusion injury.
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 intracellular 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 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 intracellular 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 cutting balloon assembly (10) and a method for fabrication of the assembly is described. The cutting balloon assembly comprises a delivery catheter (11), an expandable balloon (12) mounted on the catheter distal end, and a scoring mesh (13) disposed around the expandable balloon. The scoring mesh comprises interlacing filaments (131) that extend from a mesh proximal end towards a mesh distal end, form distal filament loops (135) at said mesh distal end, and then return to the mesh proximal end. At least a part of the interlacing filaments forms one or more permanent links with neighboring filaments between the mesh proximal end and the mesh distal end.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the prevention, reduction, treatment or management of ischemia-reperfusion injury. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of a therapeutic formulation containing one or more active compounds in a formulation which specifically decreases or inhibits the activity of and/or eliminates or diminishes the amount of phagocytic cells including, but not limited to, macrophages and/or monocytes. In preferred embodiments, the active compound is a bisphosphonate. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of therapeutic formulations for administration to subjects currently suffering from, having recently suffered, or at risk of suffering from an ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment or management of acute coronary syndromes, particularly, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of a formulation containing one or more therapeutic agents which specifically decreases or inhibits the activity of phagocytic cells and/or eliminates or diminishes the amount of phagocytic cells including, but not limited to, macrophages and monocytes. The formulations are specifically targeted to phagocytic cells. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of formulations containing one or more therapeutic agents of the invention for administration to subjects currently suffering from or having recently suffered an acture coronary syndrome such as unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction.
Abstract:
A method of treating or preventing restenosis by administering to an individual an effective amount of an active compound which depletes and/or inhibits blood monocytes or macrophages thereby treating restenosis. A method of inhibiting the activity or production of cytokines or growth factors associated with vascular restenosis, by administering to an individual an effective amount of an active compound which depletes and/or inhibits blood monocytes or macrophages thereby treating restenosis. The cytokines and growth factors include, but are not limited to interleukin 1-β, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and platelet-derived growth factor β (PDGFβ). The active compound may be administered directly, encapsulated in a carrier particle, or in a particulate dosage form. The compound may be encapsulated, embedded or adsorbed within the particle, dispersed uniformly in the polymer matrix, adsorbed on the particle surface, or in combination of any of these forms. The particles include liposomes or inert polymeric particles, such as microcapsules, nanocapsules, nanoparticles, nanospheres, or microparticles. The particulates include any suspended or dispersed form of the compound which is not encapsulated, entrapped, or adsorbed within a polymeric particle. The particulates include suspended or dispersed colloids, aggregates, flocculates, insoluble salts and insoluble complexes of the active compound. The compound includes any intra-cellular toxin which depletes and/or inhibits blood monocytes or macrophages, such as, for example, a bisphosphonate.