Abstract:
A target indicator for radiological treatment is disclosed. A target indicator for radiological treatment is provided that contains metal particles and radiopaque polymer and indicates the location of an affected part in a body during radiological treatment.
Abstract:
Described herein are apparatus, compositions, systems and associated methods to occlude structures and malformations with radiopaque hydrogel filaments with delayed controlled rates of expansion permitting the repositioning of the device once inside the structure or malformation. Further described is a device for implantation in an animal comprising a difunctional, low molecular weight ethylenically unsaturated shapeable macromer; an ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and a radiopaque element, wherein said device contains no support members. Methods of forming such devices are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Alkyl cyanoacrylate compositions and methods for making those compositions, utilizing high purity monomeric starting materials, formed into more viscous oligomers, and combined with a plasticizer and inhibitor to provide a single-container, storage stable medical cyanoacrylate.
Abstract:
Hydrogel compositions prepared from amine components and glycidyl ether components are provided which are biocompatible and suitable for use in vivo due, in part, to their excellent stability.
Abstract:
Methods, devices, kits and compositions to treat a myocardial infarction. In one embodiment, the method includes the prevention of remodeling of the infarct zone of the ventricle. In other embodiments, the method includes the introduction of structurally reinforcing agents. In other embodiments, agents are introduced into a ventricle to increase compliance of the ventricle. In an alternative embodiment, the prevention of remodeling includes the prevention of thinning of the ventricular infarct zone. In another embodiment, the prevention of remodeling and thinning of the infarct zone involves the cross-linking of collagen and prevention of collagen slipping. In other embodiments, the structurally reinforcing agent may be accompanied by other therapeutic agents. These agents may include but are not limited to pro-fibroblastic and angiogenic agents.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an improved method to detect and monitor a subject having cystic fibrosis (CF) by employing at least one anti-granulocyte/neutrophil antibody or a fragment thereof and a diagnostic agent via various imaging methods, wherein said anti-granulocyte antibody is not a murine MN-3 antibody Fab' fragment that is radiolabeled with Tc. Pretargeting methods for improved imaging of granulocytes accumulated in CF are also described. It is further directed to a simple, noninvasive, and effective test that can assess neutrophil delivery to the lower airways of patients with CF and effective test that can assess neutrophil delivery to the lower airways of patients with other neutrophil-mediated lung diseases.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a viscosity-standardized combination of solutions and a method of using the solutions for the diagnosis of dysphagia and for radiographic imaging of the oropharynx. This invention is directed to a standardized combination of edible solutions for evaluating human subjects for the presence of dyshagia. Because the solutions have a standard and known viscosity, they promote the systematic study and treatment of swallowing disorders. The combination comprises three solutions: the first a "thin" composition, the second a "nectar thick" composition and the third a "honey thick" composition. The utilities of the subject compositions and methods are several-fold. A primary utility is that by using standardized compositions, consistency in treating dysphagia is promoted. Rather than supplying patients an arbitrarily thickened food or X-ray imaging product, the patient is supplied a composition of known viscosity. The patient's ability to swallow the composition properly i studies (one using the nectar-thick composition, the other using the honey-thick composition) to be compared and contrasted. Moreover, it allows the results from different patients to be compared directly, without variations in viscosity of the imaging agent introducing uncontrolled variables into the comparison.
Abstract:
Disclosed are compositions suitable for use in embolizing blood vessels which compositions comprise an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, a biocompatible solvent and a water insoluble contrasting agent selected from the group consisting of tantalum, tantalum oxide and barium sulfate. Also disclosed are methods for embolizing a blood vessel using the compositions described herein.
Abstract:
A method of inducing a temporary substantial paralysis of an area of interest in a patient undergoing a medical procedure is provided. The method involves administering a therapeutically effective amount of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a patient undergoing an endoscopy or other medical procedure.