Abstract: Artificial chordae having a strand member and a first and second pair of sutures at either longitudinal end of the strand member. The artificial chordae is preferably a unitary unit, formed from inelastic flexible material. In one embodiment, the artificial chordae comprises multiple strand members joined together at a joined end. Different sized artificial chordae are provided sized to fit the patient's heart. The appropriately sized artificial chordae is chosen by using a chordae sizing gauge having a shaft and a transverse member, to measure the space within the patient's heart where the artificial chordae is attached.

Abstract: A process has been developed to reduce or relieve prostatic obstruction. The steps involved in the TUVOR Process include: 1. Transurethral Incision; 2. De-bulking and Intra-Prostatic Volume Reduction; 3. Intra-prostatic void exclusion and space filling with adhesive and/or therapeutic polymeric materials, alone or in combination with bioactive agents and/or mechanical means for closure; 4. Endourethral compression and prostatic mass remolding; 5. Endourethral Polymer Liner Layer. This liner formed from structurally supportive, yet eventually biodegradable, polymers further bolsters and supports the urethra and peri-urethral tissue during healing, eliminating the need for post-procedure catheter drainage. This step may be optional in specific clinical circumstances. The process is designed to allow outpatient treatment under local anesthesia for BPH.

Abstract: Methods, devices and materials for the treatment or repair, replacement, transplantation or augmentation of tissues in endomural zones specifically by open surgical, minimally invasive or percutaneous transmural or trans parenchymal application of polymeric material alone or in combination with bioactive agents or cells, have been developed. These methods and systems are useful to repair, alter function, replace function or augment function of the central or endomural aspects of solid organs or tubular body structures.

Abstract: A novel process for paving or sealing the interior surface of a tissue lumen by entering the interior of the tissue lumen and applying a polymer to the interior surface of the tissue lumen. This is accomplished using a catheter which delivers the polymer to the tissue lumen and causes it to conform to the interior surface of lumen. The polymer can be delivered to the lumen as a monomer or prepolymer solution, or as an at least partially preformed layer on an expansible member.

Abstract: A novel process for paving or sealing the interior surface of a tissue lumen by entering the interior of the tissue lumen and applying a polymer to the interior surface of the tissue lumen. This is accomplished using a catheter which delivers the polymer to the tissue lumen and causes it to conform to the interior surface of the lumen. The polymer can be delivered to the lumen as a monomer or prepolymer solution, or as an at least partially preformed layer on an expansile member.

Abstract: A process has been developed to reduce or relieve prostatic obstruction. The steps involved in the TUVOR Process include: 1. Transurethral Incision; 2. De-bulking and Intra-Prostatic Volume Reduction; 3. Intra-prostatic void exclusion and space filling with adhesive and/or therapeutic polymeric materials, alone or in combination with bioactive agents and/or mechanical means for closure; 4. Endourethral compression and prostatic mass remolding; 5. Endourethral Polymer Liner Layer. This liner formed from structurally supportive, yet eventually biodegradable, polymers further bolsters and supports the urethra and peri-urethral tissue during healing, eliminating the need for post-procedure catheter drainage. This step may be optional in specific clinical circumstances. The process is designed to allow outpatient treatment under local anesthesia for BPH.

Abstract: A method for providing a synthetic barrier made of biocompatible polymeric materials in vivo which involves application of a material to a tissue or cellular surface such as the interior surface of a blood vessel, tissue lumen or other hollow space, is disclosed herein. The material may also be applied to tissue contacting surfaces of implantable medical devices. The polymeric materials are characterized by a fluent state which allows application to and, preferably adhesion to, tissue lumen surfaces, which can be increased or altered to a second less fluent state in situ; controlled permeability and degradability; and, in the preferred embodiments, incorporation of bioactive materials for release in vivo, either to the tissue lumen surface or to the interior of the lumen, which alter cell to cell interactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for treating diseased portions of tissue lumens by the focal introduction of at least one therapeutic agent at the diseased region. A catheter is positioned in a lumen such that first and second expansile members surround the diseased portion of tissue. The expansile members are expanded to occlude the diseased region and a therapeutic agent is introduced to the occluded diseased region via the catheter. The catheter is allowed to remain in place for a therapeutically effective period of time to allow the therapeutic agent to contact the diseased portion for such a period of time. The catheter arrangement also can be used to occlude a diseased region, remove physiological fluid from the occluded region and subsequently to disrupt the diseased region and/or apply the therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent can be selected to suppress cell proliferation in the diseased region, and the occluded region can be treated with a medicament to promote vessel healing.

Abstract: An exogenous stimulus is applied to tissues or cells which are at risk in a subsequent surgical procedure or other intervention which induces a response by the cells that minimizes reaction to the subsequent procedure. Stimuli can be chemical, physiological or physical. Examples include those stimuli known to induce expression of stress response proteins or heat shock proteins, especially heat shock protein 70 (hsp 70) and hsp 90, for example, exposure to heat or dilute hydrogen peroxide, or direct administration of exogenous heat shock proteins, or those stimuli which act to inhibit or reduce heat shock protein expression, for example, treatment with flavonoids.

Abstract: A novel process for paving or sealing the interior surface of a tissue lumen by entering the interior of the tissue lumen and applying a polymer to the interior surface of the tissue lumen. This is accomplished using a catheter which delivers the polymer to the tissue lumen and causes it to conform to the interior surface of lumen. The polymer can be delivered to the lumen as a monomer or prepolymer solution, or as an at least partially preformed layer on an expansile member.

Abstract: An exogenous stimulus is applied to tissues or cells which are at risk in a subsequent surgical procedure or other intervention which induces a response by the cells that minimizes reaction to the subsequent procedure. Stimuli can be chemical, physiological or physical. Examples include those stimuli known to induce expression of stress response proteins or heat shock proteins, especially heat shock protein 70 (hsp 70) and hsp 90, for example, exposure to heat or dilute hydrogen peroxide, or direct administration of exogenous heat shock proteins, or those stimuli which act to inhibit or reduce heat shock protein expression, for example, treatment with flavonoids.

Abstract: A novel process for paving or sealing the interior surface of a tissue lumen by entering the interior of the tissue lumen and applying a polymer to the interior surface of the tissue lumen. This is accomplished using a catheter which delivers the polymer to the tissue lumen and causes it to conform to the interior surface of lumen. The polymer can be delivered to the lumen as a monomer or prepolymer solution, or as an at least partially preformed layer on an expansile member.

Abstract: A method for applying a paving material to a tissue surface is described. The method involves positioning a non-fluent polymeric material at the surface to be paved, rendering the material fluent, contacting the fluent polymer with the tissue surface, and allowing the polymer to return to its non-fluent condition.

Abstract: A novel process for paving or sealing the interior surface of a tissue lumen by entering the interior of the tissue lumen and applying a polymer to the interior surface of the tissue lumen. This is accomplished using a catheter which delivers the polymer to the tissue lumen and causes it to conform to the interior surface of lumen. The polymer can be delivered to the lumen as a monomer or prepolymer solution, or as an at least partially preformed layer on an expansile member.

Abstract: A process for paving or sealing the interior surface of a tissue lumen by entering the interior tissue lument and applying a polymer to the interior surface of the tissue lumen. This is accomplished using a catheter which delivers the polymer to the tissue lument and causes it to conform to the interior surface of the lumen. The polymer can be delivered to the lumen as a monomer or prepolymer solution, or as an at least partially preformed layer on an expansible member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for treating diseased portions of tissue lumens by the focal introduction of at least one therapeutic agent at the diseased region. A catheter is positioned in a lumen such that first and second expansile members surround the diseased portion of tissue. The expansile members are expanded to occlude the diseased region and a therapeutic agent is introduced to the occluded diseased region via the catheter. The catheter is allowed to remain in place for a therapeutically effective period of time to allow the therapeutic agent to contact the diseased portion for such a period of time. The catheter arrangement also can be used to occlude a diseased region, remove physiological fluid from the occluded region and subsequently to disrupt the diseased region and/or apply the therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent can be selected to suppress cell proliferation in the diseased region, and the occluded region can be treated with a medicament to promote vessel healing.

Abstract: A method for applying a paving material to a tissue surface is described. The method involves positioning a non-fluent polymeric material at the surface to be paved, rendering the material fluent, contacting the fluent polymer with the tissue surface, and allowing the polymer to return to its non-fluent condition.

Abstract: Diseased portions of tissue lumens can be advantageously treated by the focal introduction of at least one therapeutic agent to the lumen at the diseased point. This can be accomplished by(a) introducing a catheter into the tissue lumen, said catheter comprising first and second expansile members and means for supplying therapeutic agent into a space between said first and second expansile members, and said catheter being positioned such that said first and second expansile members are disposed on opposite sides of the diseased region;(b) expanding the expansile members to occlude the diseased region of the tissue lumen;(c) introducing therapeutic agent to the occluded diseased region via said means for supplying therapeutic agent;(d) allowing the catheter to remain in place for a therapeutically effective period of time;(e) contracting the expansile members; and(f) removing the catheter.

Abstract: A novel process for paving or stabilizing sealing the interior surface of a body vessel or organ by entering the interior of the vessel or organ and applying a polymer to the interior surface of the vessel or organ.