Abstract:
A system for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body in accordance with one embodiment is provided comprising a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, and a magnetic device for attracting the magnetic particles to a target location. The magnetic particles may be delivered by a catheter into a blood vessel upstream from the target location so that they travel toward the target location. A method for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body in accordance with another embodiment comprises providing a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, placing a magnetic device in a position to attract the magnetic particles to a target location, and allowing the magnetic particles to infuse the target location by the attraction of the magnetic particles to the magnetic device. The therapeutic agent may comprises a therapeutic agent for preventing or treating reperfusion injury, and the step of providing the plurality of magnetic particles may comprise delivering the plurality of magnetic particles through a blood vessel.
Abstract:
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for electrically conductive pathways in medical devices. One embodiment of a medical device can include an elongate polymeric body (102) having a proximal end and a distal end. Discrete particles of an electrically conductive material in the elongate polymeric body can form an electrically conductive pathway (108) that extends at least partially between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongate polymeric body.
Abstract:
Methods, apparatus, and systems for occluding a multiplicity of parallel membranes, such as found in a patent foramen ovale (PFO) . Methods, apparatus, and systems include the use of a positioning device (222,422) that can be seated on the limbus(114) of the septum secundum (SS). The positioning device includes a piercing member (27-0) that can pierce the SS and septum premium (SP). The positioning device also includes a fastening member (272) that can engage the SS and SP to fasten the tissues and thereby occlude a PFO.
Abstract:
A medical device has a structure deployable from its distal end to cool a target tissue region inside the body, such as tissue within a chamber of the heart. Also, a method of cooling a target tissue region inside a body includes introducing a distal portion of a catheter having a deployable structure at a distal end into the body. The method also includes positioning the distal catheter portion near a target tissue region, deploying the deployable structure, and placing the deployed structure in contact with the target tissue region to cool the target tissue region.
Abstract:
A medical device has a structure deployable from its distal end to cool a target tissue region inside the body, such as tissue within a chamber of the heart. Also, a method of cooling a target tissue region inside a body includes introducing a distal portion of a catheter having a deployable structure at a distal end into the body. The method also includes positioning the distal catheter portion near a target tissue region, deploying the deployable structure, and placing the deployed structure in contact with the target tissue region to cool the target tissue region.
Abstract:
A system for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body in accordance with one embodiment is provided comprising a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, and a magnetic device for attracting the magnetic particles to a target location. The magnetic particles may be delivered by a catheter into a blood vessel upstream from the target location so that they travel toward the target location. A method for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body in accordance with another embodiment comprises providing a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, placing a magnetic device in a position to attract the magnetic particles to a target location, and allowing the magnetic particles to infuse the target location by the attraction of the magnetic particles to the magnetic device. The therapeutic agent may comprises a therapeutic agent for preventing or treating reperfusion injury, and the step of providing the plurality of magnetic particles may comprise delivering the plurality of magnetic particles through a blood vessel.
Abstract:
Methods, apparatus, and systems for locating a patent foramen ovale (PFO) with a positioning device (222, 422) that can be configured to occlude the PFO. Methods, apparatus, and systems include the use of a positioning device that can be seated on the limbus of a septum secundum (SS). The positioning device includes a piercing member that can pierce (270) the SS and a septum primum.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a biodegradable, self-powered medical device for preventing or reducing reperfusion injury, comprising a galvanic cell, the galvanic cell comprising: a first biodegradable electrode member; and a second biodegradable electrode member comprising a biodegradable conductive polymer and an electrode-releasable therapeutic agent, wherein the galvanic cell generates an electric force sufficient to cause the electrode-releasable therapeutic agent to be released from the biodegradable conductive polymer and elute to a target location. The device may further include a reservoir material containing a burst-release therapeutic agent.
Abstract:
A device for occluding a target body lumen, comprises a wire structure (108) defining a wire structure lumen (116) extending therethrough and movable between a reduced diameter insertion configuration and an expanded diameter deployed configuration and a basket structure (104) extending across the wire structure lumen and including therein a cell growth promoting agent (106) to promote cell growth across the wire structure lumen to occlude the target body lumen.
Abstract:
An activation circuit (90) for selectively providing an electrical current to one or more electroactive polymers (74) (EAPs) in a medical device is disclosed. The activation circuit may include a sensor (92) for sensing a measure related to a parameter of an elongated member (11) and/or a balloon (14) of the medical device. The electrical current may be provided to the one or more EAPs according to the sensed parameter of the elongated member and/or the balloon of the medical device. In some cases, the activation circuit may include a comparator (96) for comparing the sensed measure to a threshold to determine when the electrical current is applied to the EAPs. The parameter may be a pressure, a fluid flow, a temperature, and/or other suitable parameter.