Abstract: Methods of treating hemorrhage are provided, comprising diagnosing one or more hemorrhaging or potentially hemorrhaging vessels in a patient and administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a vessel closing compound at a concentration between about 0.1% and about 45%. The vessel closing compound may comprise a polymer with hydrophilic properties, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG). The composition may also comprise one or more active agent such as a blood flow modifier with a potential to form ionic bonds with the vessel closing agent.

Abstract: Compositions are provided for preferential distribution of active agents to injury sites. Such compositions may comprise a ligand with hydrophilic properties and one or more active agents, such as compounds comprising hydrophilic metal ions. Because the delivery ligand and the active agent are specifically selected so the interactions between them are mainly of an ionic nature so that binding of the active agent to the delivery ligand and release of the active agent into the target site are not dependent on enzymatic activity. Methods of using such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for treatment of pain or inflammation. In one embodiment, the kit comprises a biomembrane sealing agent, such as PEG, and a bioactive agent, such as a magnesium compound. The biomembrane sealing agent and/or the bioactive agent an intravenous administration, an intramuscular administration, an intrathecal administration, a subcutaneous administration, an epidural administration, a parenteral administration, an intra-articular administration, a direct application onto or adjacent to a site of the pathological condition, and any combinations thereof. Alternatively, the biomembrane sealing agent and/or the bioactive agent may be delivered from a pump or an implant.

Abstract: Ablation devices useful for removing nerve and soft tissue via a minimally invasive procedure to alleviate pain are provided. The device comprises a plurality of probes each comprising an interior surface defining an internal passage and an exterior surface comprising a tip. The internal passage has a filament comprising an opening configured to release a pressurized material into the interior surface of the probe so as to cool the exterior surface of the probe to a selected temperature. A plurality of introducers are provided each comprising an interior surface configured for engagement with the probe where at least one air gap is produced by the introducer and probe engagement and an exterior surface comprising a heat conductive tip where the probe tip is snap fixed with the introducer tip in a configuration for ablating nerve and/or soft tissue. Methods for ablating nerve and/or soft tissue utilizing the ablation devices are also provided.

Abstract: Ablation devices and methods are provided that allow for monitoring and control of temperature, pressure and position of ablating probes to achieve a more precise destruction of the nerve tissue and other soft tissue in a minimally invasive procedure. The ablation devices comprise at least a probe configured to generate pressure and temperature for ablating unwanted soft tissue and/or nerve tissue and at least one monitoring device coupled to the probe for recording and regulating temperature, pressure and position of the probe. The ablation devices can also include at least one imaging device coupled to the probe for identifying the area to be subjected to ablation. The ablation device includes a computer system coupled to the probe and programmed with software adapted to receive real or retrospective time data from the monitoring device and/or at least one imaging device configured to calculate optimal temperature, pressure, and position for the probe.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of immediate release bupivacaine or lidocaine and a sustained release clonidine at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days or longer.

Abstract: In the present invention, the applicants describe methods and compositions of treating damaged cardiovascular elements and cardiovascular conditions including hypotension, atherosclerotic lesions, vulnerable plaque, and acute myocardial infarct. The applicants demonstrate the ability of a biomembrane sealing agent to accumulate on the walls of damaged blood vessels and help improving mean arterial pressure following tissue injury. The applicants describe the use of formulations comprising at least one biomembrane sealing agent and one bioactive agent for prophylactic treatment such as they could be administered concurrently to an invasive therapeutic intervention or after the insult (i.e. post-injury or post-surgery). Alternatively, these methods and compositions could be used to reduce the severity of cardiovascular diseases after onset.

Abstract: In the present invention, the applicants describe methods and compositions of treating damaged cardiovascular elements and cardiovascular conditions including hypotension, atherosclerotic lesions, vulnerable plaque, and acute myocardial infarct. The applicants demonstrate the ability of a biomembrane sealing agent to accumulate on the walls of damaged blood vessels and help improving mean arterial pressure following tissue injury. The applicants describe the use of formulations comprising at least one biomembrane sealing agent and one bioactive agent for prophylactic treatment such as they could be administered concurrently to an invasive therapeutic intervention or after the insult (i.e. post-injury or post-surgery). Alternatively, these methods and compositions could be used to reduce the severity of cardiovascular diseases after onset.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the preservation and storage of living biological tissues, organs, and populations of isolated cells. Also disclosed are compositions and methods to permit biological samples (including e.g., cells, cell cultures, tissues, and organs) to be harvested from suitable donor animals, stored for prolonged periods under refrigerated, cryogenic, or near-freezing, and then transported and implanted into a site within the body of a selected recipient animal, all without significant loss of cellular viability, tissue integrity, and/or biochemical function of the stored biological sample.

Abstract: The invention provides kits developed to analyze ex vivo, a sample retrieved from the area of the pathological condition for diagnosis and monitoring the pain generator(s) of axial pain with or without radiculopathy and methods for screening therapeutic compounds potentially useful for treating axial pain with or without radiculopathy. Alternatively, degenerated discs can be monitored and treated before occurrence of a pathological pain condition. Pain markers and markers of degenerating disc include markers of neuronal, vascular, immune and matrix elements.

Abstract: Methods are provided that better describe, and localize the pain generator or suspected pain generator in and around spinal discs in relation to neck, back or leg pain so as to improve the diagnosis of degenerative disc disease. In some embodiments, there are methods for diagnosing a pain generator or a suspected pain generator in a patient suffering from back pain, the methods comprise causing painful stimuli at or near the pain generator or suspected pain generator in the patient suffering from back pain; labeling an inflammatory, vascular, neuronal, and/or metabolic pain marker at a location inside of or adjacent to an intervertebral disc in the patient suffering from back pain to increase an image of the pain marker with an imaging procedure; and imaging the labeled inflammatory, vascular, neuronal, and/or metabolic pain marker in a manner sufficient to diagnose the pain generator or suspected pain generator.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of immediate release clonidine and a sustained release clonidine at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days or longer.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine and a steroid at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine and a gamma-aminobutyric acid compound at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of immediate release bupivacaine or lidocaine and a sustained release clonidine at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days or longer.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits to be used as a lubricant and for treatment of a cavity pathology including joint pathology are provided. The composition comprises therapeutically effective amounts of at least one bioactive agent, such as magnesium compound, at least one lubricating agent, such as hyaluronic acid, and at least one cell membrane repairing agent, such as polyethylene glycol. The components of these compositions may be administered by a direct application, an application through a cannula, an intra-articular injection, as a flush fluid during an arthroscopy of the affected area, as a post-arthroscopy injection, or as part of a lavage of the area affected by the intra-articular pathology. In addition, the composition of the present invention may be administered to the patient from a pump or a depot.

Abstract: Methods are provided that better describe, and localize the pain generator or suspected pain generator in and around spinal discs in relation to neck or back pain so as to improve the diagnosis of degenerative disc disease. In some embodiments, there are methods for diagnosing a pain generator or a suspected pain generator in a patient suffering from back pain, the methods comprise labeling an inflammatory, vascular, neuronal, and/or metabolic pain marker at a location inside of or adjacent to an intervertebral disc in the patient suffering from back pain to increase an image of the pain marker with an imaging procedure; and imaging the labeled inflammatory, vascular, neuronal, and/or metabolic pain marker in a manner sufficient to diagnose the pain generator or suspected pain generator.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the preservation and storage of living biological tissues, organs, and populations of isolated cells. Also disclosed are compositions and methods to permit biological samples (including e.g., cells, cell cultures, tissues, and organs) to be harvested from suitable donor animals, stored for prolonged periods under refrigerated, cryogenic, or near-freezing, and then transported and implanted into a site within the body of a selected recipient animal, all without significant loss of cellular viability, tissue integrity, and/or biochemical function of the stored biological sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the preservation and storage of living biological tissues, organs, and populations of isolated cells. Also disclosed are compositions and methods to permit biological samples (including e.g., cells, cell cultures, tissues, and organs) to be harvested from suitable donor animals, stored for prolonged periods under refrigerated, cryogenic, or near-freezing, and then transported and implanted into a site within the body of a selected recipient animal, all without significant loss of cellular viability, tissue integrity, and/or biochemical function of the stored biological sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for the preservation, storage, and transport of living biological tissues, organs, and populations of isolated cells. In particular, the disclosed compositions and processes permit mammalian cells, tissues, and organs to be harvested from suitable donor animals, stored for prolonged periods, and transported to the site of recipient implantation, all without significant loss of cell viability, biological activity, and/or tissue integrity.