Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a water-swellable polymer material and a complex of a carrier and a therapeutic agent chemically bonded to the carrier. The complex is embedded in the polymer material. Methods for preparing the drug-loaded microbead compositions and embolization compositions include loading a therapeutic agent into a water-swellable polymer material to form microbeads, then removing water from the microbeads. Additional drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a biodegradable material, vesicular agents, a first therapeutic agent associated with the vesicular agents, and a second therapeutic agent different from the first therapeutic agent. The vesicular agents include a lipid bilayer surrounding a vesicular core. The second therapeutic agent is contained within the microbeads or associated with the microbeads through ionic or non-covalent interaction and may or may not be associated with the vesicular agents.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a drug-loaded microbead compositions and embolization compositions include loading a therapeutic agent into a water-swellable polymer material to form microbeads, then removing water from the microbeads. The drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a water-swellable polymer material and a complex of a carrier and a therapeutic agent chemically bonded to the carrier. The complex is embedded in the polymer material. The therapeutic agent is not chemically bonded to the water-swellable polymer material. The drug-loaded microbead composition has a water content of less than 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the drug-loaded microbead composition. The drug-loaded microbead composition may be rehydrated to form an embolization composition for use in in embolization therapy.

Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a water-swellable polymer material and a complex of a carrier and a therapeutic agent chemically bonded to the carrier. The complex is embedded in the polymer material. The therapeutic agent is not chemically bonded to the water-swellable polymer material. The drug-loaded microbead composition has a water content of less than 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the drug-loaded microbead composition. The drug-loaded microbead composition may be rehydrated to form an embolization composition for use in in embolization therapy. Methods for preparing the drug-loaded microbead compositions and the embolization compositions include loading a therapeutic agent into a water-swellable polymer material to form microbeads, then removing water from the microbeads.

Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a biodegradable material and vesicular agents located within or associated with the biodegradable material of the microbeads. The vesicular agents include a lipid bilayer and comprise liposomes or ethosomes. The drug-loaded microbeads include a first therapeutic agent associated with the vesicular agents, and a second therapeutic agent different from the first therapeutic agent. The vesicular agents include a lipid bilayer surrounding a vesicular core. The second therapeutic agent is contained within the microbeads or associated with the microbeads through ionic or non-covalent interaction and may or may not be associated with the vesicular agents. Drug-loaded biodegradable microbead compositions include microbeads of biodegradable material and a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are aimed to improve arteriovenous fistula maturation rate by treating the fistula with a crosslink agent solution (fixative solution). The fixative solution will crosslink proteins and biomolecules, allowing formation of crosslinks that stabilize or stable tissue structure. The method and apparatus will address factors that contribute to arteriovenous fistula maturation failure by stopping the neointimal hyperplasia growth after vascular injury and stabilizing the venous wall to prevent the lumen from narrowing.

Abstract: A hemostatic biopsy tract article includes a bioresorbable body having a microporous structure. The bioresorbable body is formed by a mixture that includes a bioabsorbable hemostatic powder, a hydrolyzed starch, hyaluronic acid, and carboxymethylcellulose. Optionally, a marker element may be coupled to the bioresorbable body, wherein the marker element is formed from a material that is imageable under at least one imaging modality.

Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a water-swellable polymer material and a complex of a carrier and a therapeutic agent chemically bonded to the carrier. The complex is embedded in the polymer material. Methods for preparing the drug-loaded microbead compositions and embolization compositions include loading a therapeutic agent into a water-swellable polymer material to form microbeads, then removing water from the microbeads. Additional drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a biodegradable material, vesicular agents, a first therapeutic agent associated with the vesicular agents, and a second therapeutic agent different from the first therapeutic agent. The vesicular agents include a lipid bilayer surrounding a vesicular core. The second therapeutic agent is contained within the microbeads or associated with the microbeads through ionic or non-covalent interaction and may or may not be associated with the vesicular agents.

Abstract: A medical balloon is provided for which the working surface may be identified during an interventional procedure with enhanced precision. Related methods of manufacturing such a balloon are also disclosed.

Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a water-swellable polymer material and a complex of a carrier and a therapeutic agent chemically bonded to the carrier. The complex is embedded in the polymer material. The therapeutic agent is not chemically bonded to the water-swellable polymer material. The drug-loaded microbead composition has a water content of less than 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the drug-loaded microbead composition. The drug-loaded microbead composition may be rehydrated to form an embolization composition for use in in embolization therapy. Methods for preparing the drug-loaded microbead compositions and the embolization compositions include loading a therapeutic agent into a water-swellable polymer material to form microbeads, then removing water from the microbeads.

Abstract: A medical balloon is provided for which the working surface may be identified during an inverventional procedure with enhanced precision. Related methods of manufacturing such a balloon are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are aimed to improve arteriovenous fistula maturation rate by treating the fistula with a crosslink agent solution (fixative solution). The fixative solution will crosslink proteins and biomolecules, allowing formation of crosslinks that stabilize or stable tissue structure. The method and apparatus will address factors that contribute to arteriovenous fistula maturation failure by stopping the neointimal hyperplasia growth after vascular injury and stabilizing the venous wall to prevent the lumen from narrowing.

Abstract: A medical balloon is provided for which the working surface may be identified during an interventional procedure with enhanced precision. Related methods of manufacturing such a balloon are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device includes a base material and chlorhexidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof disposed in the base material sufficient to reduce microbial growth. The base material includes a polymer having a silicone monomer and a urethane monomer. To make the medical device having an antimicrobial agent, a silicone-urethane-carbonate polymer is dissolved in Dimethylformamide/Tetrahydrofuran (DMF/THF) to generate a coating solution, a chlorhexidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is mixed into the coating solution, a base material is coated with the coating solution, and the coating solution is dried to remove the solvent. The chlorhexidine is present in concentration sufficient to reduce microbial growth.

Abstract: A medical device includes a base material and chlorhexidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof disposed in the base material sufficient to reduce microbial growth. The base material includes a polymer having a silicone monomer and a urethane monomer.

Abstract: Vaso-occlusive devices are provided that have a polymer foam disposed about them. The polymer is treated with a plasma to facilitate thrombogenicity. A method for making and using such devices also is provided. The preferred polymer is a copolymer of a halogenated vinylidene and a halogenated alkene.

Abstract: Transcutaneous devices are disclosed that self-provide cues for exact location of transcutaneous insertion sites, exit sites, and/or the track of the device between the sites, as are methods and kits for using the transcutaenous devices to mark the sites and track of the device and for removing location cues.

Abstract: In a medical device having an antimicrobial agent, the medical device includes a base material and an amount of chlorhexidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof disposed in the base material sufficient to reduce microbial growth. The base material is melt processed together with the chlorhexidine to generate the medical device which is substantially free of destabilized chlorhexidine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of using a multilayered fabric comprising a first absorbable nonwoven fabric and a second absorbable woven or knitted fabric in tissue repair and regeneration.

Abstract: A medical device includes a first region having a biguanide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a second region having a Lewis acid.

Abstract: In a medical device, an antimicrobial agent is combined with an elastomeric polymer material. The antimicrobial agent includes at least one chlorhexidine/fatty acid salt which is a neutralization product of chlorhexidine base and a fatty acid having between 12 and 18 carbon atoms.