Abstract:
Embodiments include coatings for adherence of biomaterials to a tissue. Systems and methods for adapting such coated materials to vascular access closure are further proved.
Abstract:
Some aspects of this disclosure relate to a method for crosslinking a biological fluid comprising combining a biological fluid with a crosslinker to covalently crosslink proteins endogenous to the biological fluid to form a crosslinked gel. Examples of a biological fluid are blood, plasma, or serum.
Abstract:
An embodiment is a medical prosthesis for blocking or reducing tear flow through a punctum or canaliculus of a human eye and delivering a drug to the eye that comprises a dehydrated covalently crosslinked synthetic hydrophilic polymer hydrogel with dimensions to pass through a puncta lacrimali, with the dehydrated hydrogel absorbing physiological water to swell to at least 1 mm in cross-sectional width and conformably fit a canaliculus, with the hydrogel comprising a therapeutic agent dispersed through the hydrogel for release to an eye, with the hydrogel having a water content of at least about 50% by weight or volume when allowed to fully hydrate in vitro in physiological saline.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for sealing a puncture through tissue or otherwise treating a body lumen of a patient. The carrier includes at least one, but not all, of the adherent layer components required to form a tacky or sticky adherent layer on the carrier. The remaining adherent layer precursor(s) are delivered to the carrier in situ to form a sticky and/or tacky adherent layer on the carrier that enhances the attachment and retention of the carrier to tissue surrounding a target treatment location in which the carrier is delivered. The carrier may include hydrogel and/or other porous material, e.g., for releasing one or more agents carried by the carrier at the treatment location.
Abstract:
An impoved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, tissue is stained with a photoinitiator, then the polymer solution or gel having added thereto a defined amount of the same or a different photoinitiator is applied to the tissue. On exposure to light, the resulting system polymerizes at the surface, giving excellent adherence, and also forms a gel in the rest of the applied volume. Thus a gel barrier of arbitrary thickness can be applied to a surface while maintaining high adherence at the interface. This process is referred to herein as "priming". The polymerizable barrier materials are highly useful for sealing tissue surfaces and junctions against leaks of fluids. In another embodiment, "priming" can be used to reliably adhere preformed barriers to tissue or other surfaces, or to adhere tissue surfaces to each other. A first surface and a barrier, or another surface, are prestained with initiator, and a thin layer of gelable monomer containing initiator is placed between them. Strong adhesion is obtained between the two surfaces on gelation of the monomer. In a similar fashion, tissue surfaces can be adhered to each other in repair of wounds and formation of anastomoses. Methods for use of non-photochemical systems and combined chemical/photochemical systems are described.
Abstract:
Drug delivery using bio-affecting drugs, particularly with shape changing drug delivery devices. Embodiments are included for depots for delivery of a therapeutic agent that change from an elongated state ex vivo to a coil in vivo where the agent is released.
Abstract:
Methods and devices for treating a luminal pathology affecting an anatomical lumen of a patient comprising forming, in situ, a continuous cohesive layer of covalently-crosslinked hydrogel in a luminal wall of the anatomical lumen.