Abstract: A biodegradable triblock copolymer comprising: an A-B-A? structure wherein the A and A? blocks each include polylactide, the B block includes from about 55 to about 100 mole percent of polytrimethylene carbonate and 0 to about 45 mole percent polylactide, and the biodegradable triblock copolymer overall includes from about 15 to about 25 mole percent of the polytrimethylene carbonate and from about 75 to about 85 mole percent of the polylactide. Also provided are compositions and implantable medical devices made therefrom.

Abstract: Damaged, diseased, abnormal, obstructive, cancerous or undesired neural tissue treated by delivering specialized pulsed electric field (PEF) energy to target tissue areas. In some instances, the target tissue includes a tumor, a benign tumor, a malignant tumor, a cyst, or an area of diseased tissue. Most brain and spinal cord tumors develop from glial cells. These tumors are sometimes referred to as a group called gliomas. They arise from the supporting cells of the brain, called the glia. These cells are subdivided into astrocytes, ependymal cells and oligodendroglial cells (or oligos). One difficulty in the treatment of gliomas is that they are behind the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-tumor barrier (BTB) which leads to poor delivery of anti-cancer drugs or immune agents to the tumor-infiltrated brain.

Abstract: A biodegradable triblock copolymer comprising: an A-B-A? structure wherein the A and A? blocks each include polylactide, the B block includes from about 55 to about 100 mole percent of polytrimethylene carbonate and 0 to about 45 mole percent polylactide, and the biodegradable triblock copolymer overall includes from about 15 to about 25 mole percent of the polytrimethylene carbonate and from about 75 to about 85 mole percent of the polylactide. Also provided are compositions and implantable medical devices made therefrom.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for treating conditions of the reproductive tract. A number of conditions can afflict the lining and cell layers deeper within the anatomical structures. For example, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), also known as cervical dysplasia, is a condition involving abnormal growth of cells on the surface of the cervix that could potentially lead to cervical cancer in situ (CIS). Other conditions include human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervical disease, various endometrial diseases, acute and chronic cervicitis, and various infections (e.g. trichomoniasis) to name a few. In some embodiments, treatments eliminate diseased, damaged, abnormal or otherwise undesired cells leaving the tissue framework intact. This allows the tissue to regenerate in a normal fashion, avoiding the formation of scar tissue.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided to treat damaged, diseased, abnormal, obstructive, cancerous or undesired tissue (e.g. a tumor, a benign tumor, a malignant tumor, a cyst, or an area of diseased tissue, etc) by delivering specialized pulsed electric field (PEF) energy to target tissue areas. The energy is delivered in a manner so as to be non-thermal (i.e. below a threshold for causing thermal ablation). Consequently, when extracellular matrices present, the extracellular matrices are preserved, and the targeted tissue maintains its structural architecture including blood vessels and lymphatics. Thus, sensitive structures, such as biological lumens, blood vessels, nerves, etc, are preserved which are critical to maintaining the integrity and functionality of the tissue. The energy is delivered with the use of systems and devices advantageously designed for superior access to target tissue throughout the body, particularly in locations previously considered inaccessible to percutaneous approaches.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an endoscope, a computing device, a vacuum source, and a laser source. The endoscope defines an elongate body having an ultrasound sensor disposed on a distal portion thereof, a first channel defined through the elongate body defining a first aperture extending through the distal portion, a second channel defined through the elongate body defining a second aperture extending through the distal portion and having an optical waveguide disposed therein. The computing device includes a display screen and a processor having a memory storing a software application, which when executed, processes image data captured by the ultrasound sensor and displays a representation of the patient's anatomy on the display screen. The vacuum source is in fluid communication with the first channel to cause a stone to be retained against the distal portion of the endoscope. The laser source is in electromagnetic communication with the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A biodegradable triblock copolymer comprising: an A-B-A? structure wherein the A and A? blocks each include polylactide, the B block includes from about 55 to about 100 mole percent of polytrimethylene carbonate and 0 to about 45 mole percent polylactide, and the biodegradable triblock copolymer overall includes from about 15 to about 25 mole percent of the polytrimethylene carbonate and from about 75 to about 85 mole percent of the polylactide. Also provided are compositions and implantable medical devices made therefrom.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a jaw assembly including a pair of jaw members and a surgical buttress positioned adjacent a tissue contacting surface of at least one of the pair of jaw members. The surgical buttress includes a hemostatic agent and is configured to release the hemostatic agent therefrom upon actuation of the surgical stapling apparatus to approximate the pair of jaw members and exert a pressure on the surgical buttress.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a jaw assembly including a pair of jaw members and a surgical buttress positioned adjacent a tissue contacting surface of at least one of the pair of jaw members. The surgical buttress includes a hemostatic agent and is configured to release the hemostatic agent therefrom upon actuation of the surgical stapling apparatus to approximate the pair of jaw members and exert a pressure on the surgical buttress.

Abstract: Spherical and polyhedral particles of boron nitride and method of preparing them. Spherical and polyhedral particles of boron nitride are produced from precursor particles of hexagonal phase boron nitride suspended in an aerosol gas. The aerosol is directed to a microwave plasma torch. The torch generates plasma at atmospheric pressure that includes nitrogen atoms. The presence of nitrogen atoms is critical in allowing boron nitride to melt at atmospheric pressure while avoiding or at least minimizing decomposition. The plasma includes a plasma hot zone, which is a portion of the plasma that has a temperature sufficiently high to melt hexagonal phase boron nitride. In the hot zone, the precursor particles melt to form molten particles that acquire spherical and polyhedral shapes. These molten particles exit the hot zone, cool, and solidify to form solid particles of boron nitride with spherical and polyhedral shapes.

Abstract: Spherical and polyhedral particles of boron nitride and method of preparing them. Spherical and polyhedral particles of boron nitride are produced from precursor particles of hexagonal phase boron nitride suspended in an aerosol gas. The aerosol is directed to a microwave plasma torch. The torch generates plasma at atmospheric pressure that includes nitrogen atoms. The presence of nitrogen atoms is critical in allowing boron nitride to melt at atmospheric pressure while avoiding or at least minimizing decomposition. The plasma includes a plasma hot zone, which is a portion of the plasma that has a temperature sufficiently high to melt hexagonal phase boron nitride. In the hot zone, the precursor particles melt to form molten particles that acquire spherical and polyhedral shapes. These molten particles exit the hot zone, cool, and solidify to form solid particles of boron nitride with spherical and polyhedral shapes.

Abstract: A method for generating spherical and irregularly shaped dense particles of ceramic oxides having a controlled particle size and particle size distribution. An aerosol containing precursor particles of oxide ceramics is directed into a plasma. As the particles flow through the hot zone of the plasma, they melt, collide, and join to form larger particles. If these larger particles remain in the hot zone, they continue melting and acquire a spherical shape that is retained after they exit the hot zone, cool down, and solidify. If they exit the hot zone before melting completely, their irregular shape persists and agglomerates are produced. The size and size distribution of the dense product particles can be controlled by adjusting several parameters, the most important in the case of powder precursors appears to be the density of powder in the aerosol stream that enters the plasma hot zone.