Abstract: An endovascular platform is provided that includes a periodic tiling-based stent structure having a parallelogram tile associated with a fundamental domain and an intrinsic cell-shape. A lattice vector includes a section of the parallelogram tile where the lattice vector is circumferentially folded to create helical repetition of cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable material comprising a biocompatible matrix and cells which, when provided to a vascular access structure, can promote functionality generally. For example, implantable material of the present invention can enhance maturation of an arteriovenous native fistula as well as prolong the fistula in a mature, functional state suitable for dialysis. Additionally, the present invention can promote formation of a functional arteriovenous graft suitable for dialysis as well as promote formation of a functional peripheral bypass graft. Implantable material can be configured as a flexible planar form or a flowable composition with shape retaining properties suitable for implantation at, adjacent or in the vicinity of an anastomoses or arteriovenous graft. According to the methods disclosed herein, the implantable material is provided to an exterior surface of a blood vessel. Certain embodiments of the flexible planar form define a slot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are materials and methods suitable for treating and managing plaque disease, including vulnerable plaque. An implantable material comprising cells, such as but not limited to endothelial cells, and a biocompatible matrix can reduce progression or deterioration of a plaque-associated lesion situated on the interior lumen of said blood vessel. The implantable material is implanted directly on an exterior surface of a blood vessel at or adjacent or in the vicinity of the site of a lesion on an interior lumen. Alternatively, the implantable material is deposited on an exterior surface at or adjacent or in the vicinity of the site of a lesion on an interior lumen by an intraluminal delivery device which traverses or penetrates the vessel wall or by a percutaneous delivery device which enters the perivascular space. Both modes of administration can be preceded by or coincident with an imaging step.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is based on the discovery that a cell-based therapy can be used to treat, ameliorate, manage and/or reduce the progression of clinical sequelae associated with vascular interventions or cardiovascular diseases, particularly occlusive thrombosis, restenosis, intimal hyperplasia, inflammation and vasodilation. The invention further benefits from the additional discovery that a heretofore undescribed implantable flowable composition is capable of sustaining a confluent population of sufficiently viable cells which can be effectively administered via a minimally-invasive surgical procedure without diminishing the clinical effectiveness or the viability of the cells. The disclosed invention can be used to treat vasculature as well as non-vascular tubular structures such as a fallopian tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable material comprising a biocompatible matrix and cells which, when provided to a vascular access structure, can promote functionality generally. For example, implantable material of the present invention can enhance maturation of an arteriovenous native fistula as well as prolong the fistula in a mature, functional state suitable for dialysis. Additionally, the present invention can promote formation of a functional arteriovenous graft suitable for dialysis as well as promote formation of a functional peripheral bypass graft. Implantable material can be configured as a flexible planar form or a flowable composition with shape-retaining properties suitable for implantation at, adjacent or in the vicinity of an anastomoses or arteriovenous graft. According to the methods disclosed herein, the implantable material is provided to an exterior surface of a blood vessel. Certain embodiments of the flexible planar form define a slot.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable material comprising a biocompatible matrix and cells which, when provided to a vascular access structure, can promote functionality.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivery of a positive inotropic agent to the heart of a patient in need thereof. An epicardial patch includes (i) a backing layer which is impermeable to the positive inotropic agent; and (ii) a drug release layer attached to the backing layer and including the positive inotropic agent and a polymeric membrane material. The polymeric membrane material provides controlled release of the positive inotropic agent to the epicardium to a region of the myocardium and in an amount effective to increase contractility. At least one of the backing layer or the drug release layer includes a tissue coupling portion for affixing the epicardial patch to an area of the epicardial surface. The epicardial patch is dimensioned and compliant to substantially avoid impeding myocardial functionality when affixed to the area of the epicardial surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable material comprising a biocompatible matrix and cells which, when provided to a vascular access structure, can promote functionality generally. For example, implantable material of the present invention can enhance maturation of an arteriovenous native fistula as well as prolong the fistula in a mature, functional state suitable for dialysis. Additionally, the present invention can promote formation of a functional arteriovenous graft suitable for dialysis as well as promote formation of a functional peripheral bypass graft. Implantable material can be configured as a flexible planar form or a flowable composition with shape-retaining properties suitable for implantation at, adjacent or in the vicinity of an anastomoses or arteriovenous graft. According to the methods disclosed herein, the implantable material is provided to an exterior surface of a blood vessel. Certain embodiments of the flexible planar form define a slot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are materials and methods suitable for treating and managing plaque disease, including vulnerable plaque. An implantable material comprising cells, such as but not limited to endothelial cells, and a biocompatible matrix can reduce progression or deterioration of a plaque-associated lesion situated on the interior lumen of said blood vessel. The implantable material is implanted directly on an exterior surface of a blood vessel at or adjacent or in the vicinity of the site of a lesion on an interior lumen. Alternatively, the implantable material is deposited on an exterior surface at or adjacent or in the vicinity of the site of a lesion on an interior lumen by an intraluminal delivery device which traverses or penetrates the vessel wall or by a percutaneous delivery device which enters the perivascular space. Both modes of administration can be preceded by or coincident with an imaging step.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is based on the discovery that a cell-based therapy can be used to treat, ameliorate, manage and/or reduce the progression of clinical sequelae associated with vascular interventions or cardiovascular diseases, particularly occlusive thrombosis, restenosis, intimal hyperplasia, inflammation and vasodilation. The invention further benefits from the additional discovery that a heretofore undescribed implantable flowable composition is capable of sustaining a confluent population of sufficiently viable cells which can be effectively administered via a minimally-invasive surgical procedure without diminishing the clinical effectiveness or the viability of the cells. The disclosed invention can be used to treat vasculature as well as non-vascular tubular structures such as a fallopian tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable material comprising a biocompatible matrix and cells which, when provided to a vascular access structure, can promote functionality generally. For example, implantable material of the present invention can enhance maturation of an arteriovenous native fistula as well as prolong the fistula in a mature, functional state suitable for dialysis. Additionally, the present invention can promote formation of a functional arteriovenous graft suitable for dialysis as well as promote formation of a functional peripheral bypass graft. Implantable material can be configured as a flexible planar form or a flowable composition with shape retaining properties suitable for implantation at, adjacent or in the vicinity of an anastomoses or arteriovenous graft. According to the methods disclosed herein, the implantable material is provided to an exterior surface of a blood vessel. Certain embodiments of the flexible planar form define a slot.

Abstract: A method for embolization 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 form occlusions with high durability, withstanding over 100 mm Hg (13.3 kPa) of pressure.

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 said 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: 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 said 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: The present invention provides novel methods for the localized delivery of inotropic agents to the heart, including specific regions of the heart, such as the ventricles, for example in a subject undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, with the aim of supporting the myocardial contractile function of the heart.

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: 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: 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 said 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: A flow system device used for testing/creating fluid flow. The system comprises at least one fluid filled loop and a rotor stage for maintaining at least one rotor. The loop is positioned on the rotor. The device also includes a driving motor for rotating the rotor stage and a motion controller for controlling the speed and directional motion of the motor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to create a more favorable flow regime in a lumen. An artificial shape in the lumen is created to at least one of eliminate flow disturbances and enhance aspects of fluid flow through a treatment site.