Abstract: A comprehensive multi-functional device platform that can be variably configured by clinician operators for patient-specific anatomies and clinical situations for treating complex and total occlusions is provided. This device platform enables physicians of any skill level to effectively treat the most challenging and complex lesions/occlusions more conveniently in less time. The Functionally Integratable Catheter System (“FICS System”) represents a system of “functional units” that can be configured together to operate synergistically, and comprises at least five main “functional units,” including: (a) FICS Support Catheter; (b) FICS Dilator; (c) FICS PTA Catheter; (d) FICS Lock-Grip Handle; and (e) FICS Steering Hub. Each “functional unit” can be provided in a pre-assembled form by the manufacturer, intended to be configured into variable combinations by clinician operators.

Abstract: The current document is directed to length-adjustable catheters and methods that employ length-adjustable catheters to treat malformations, constrictions, obstructions, lesions, and blockages within patients' blood vessels. The length of the shaft of a length-adjustable catheter, to which the current application is directed, can be adjusted over a range of lengths prior to and during medical procedures. In many implementations, length adjustment is accompanied by indications, to the medical provider, of the extent of a length adjustment. The indications may include one or more of visual markings, haptic feedback, radio-opaque markings, and/or other types of indications. In many implementations, the variable-length mechanism of the length-adjustable catheter is mechanically lockable following length adjustment.

Abstract: Particles are provided for use in therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy) phosphazene] and/or a derivatives thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles can also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Barium sulfate may also be provided to the core of the particles as a coating or absorbed within the core of the particles. The particles can be used to minimize blood flow to mammalian tissues by occluding at least a portion of a blood vessel of the mammal, or to deliver an active agent to a localized area within a body of a mammal by contacting a localized area with at least one of the particles. Further, the particles are useful in sustained release formulations including active agent(s) for oral administration, as tracer particles for injection into the bloodstream of a mammal or for use in enhanced ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: Particles are provided for use in therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] and/or a derivatives thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles can also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Such particles may be provided to a user in specific selected sizes to allow for selective embolization of certain sized blood vessels or localized treatment with an active component agent in specific clinical uses. Microspheres of the present invention may further be provided with physical and/or chemical enhancements within the particles' cores to enhance visualization of the embolized tissue using a variety of medical imaging modalities, including conventional radiography, fluoroscopy, tomography, computerized tomography, ultrasound, scintillation, magnetic resonance, or other imaging technologies.

Abstract: Particles are provided for use in therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] and/or a derivatives thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles can also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Barium sulfate may also be provided to the core of the particles as a coating or absorbed within the core of the particles. The particles can be used to minimize blood flow to mammalian tissues by occluding at least a portion of a blood vessel of the mammal, or to deliver an active agent to a localized area within a body of a mammal by contacting a localized area with at least one of the particles. Further, the particles are useful in sustained release formulations including active agent(s) for oral administration, as tracer particles for injection into the bloodstream of a mammal or for use in enhanced ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: Particles are provided for use in therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] and/or a derivatives thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles can also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Such particles may be provided to a user in specific selected sizes to allow for selective embolization of certain sized blood vessels or localized treatment with an active component agent in specific clinical uses. Microspheres of the present invention may further be provided with physical and/or chemical enhancements within the particles' cores to enhance visualization of the embolized tissue using a variety of medical imaging modalities, including conventional radiography, fluoroscopy, tomography, computerized tomography, ultrasound, scintillation, magnetic resonance, or other imaging technologies.

Abstract: Polymeric particles are provided for use in therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene and/or a derivative thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles may also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Such particles may be provided to a user in specific selected sizes to allow for selective embolization of certain sized blood vessels or localized treatment with an active component agent in specific clinical uses. Particles of the present invention may further be provided as color-coded microspheres or nanospheres to allow ready identification of the sized particles in use. Such color-coded microspheres or nanospheres may further be provided in like color-coded delivery or containment devices to enhance user identification and provide visual confirmation of the use of a specifically desired size of microspheres or nanospheres.

Abstract: Particles are provided for use in therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] and/or a derivatives thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles can also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Such particles may be provided to a user in specific selected sizes to allow for selective embolization of certain sized blood vessels or localized treatment with an active component agent in specific clinical uses. Microspheres of the present invention may further be provided with physical and/or chemical enhancements within the particles' cores to enhance visualization of the embolized tissue using a variety of medical imaging modalities, including conventional radiography, fluoroscopy, tomography, computerized tomography, ultrasound, scintillation, magnetic resonance, or other imaging technologies.

Abstract: Polymeric particles are provided for use in therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] and/or a derivatives thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles may also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Such particles may be provided to a user in specific selected sizes to allow for selective embolization of certain sized blood vessels or localized treatment with an active component agent in specific clinical uses. Particles of the present invention may further be provided as color-coded microspheres or nanospheres to allow ready identification of the sized particles in use. Such color-coded microspheres or nanospheres may further be provided in like color-coded delivery or containment devices to enhance user identification and provide visual confirmation of the use of a specifically desired size of microspheres or nanospheres.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to substrates containing at least one polyphosphazene with a forming surface as matrices for producing biological materials that can be implanted in a mammal. The disclosure also relates to a method for producing such substrates and substrates containing polyphosphazene with a micro-structured surface.

Abstract: Particles are provided for use in therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] and/or a derivatives thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles can also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Barium sulfate may also be provided to the core of the particles as a coating or absorbed within the core of the particles. The particles can be used to minimize blood flow to mammalian tissues by occluding at least a portion of a blood vessel of the mammal, or to deliver an active agent to a localized area within a body of a mammal by contacting a localized area with at least one of the particles. Further, the particles are useful in sustained release formulations including active agent(s) for oral administration, as tracer particles for injection into the bloodstream of a mammal or for use in enhanced ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: Particles are provided for use in therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy) phosphazene] and/or a derivatives thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles can also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Barium sulfate may also be provided to the core of the particles as a coating or absorbed within the core of the particles. The particles can be used to minimize blood flow to mammalian tissues by occluding at least a portion of a blood vessel of the mammal, or to deliver an active agent to a localized area within a body of a mammal by contacting a localized area with at least one of the particles. Further, the particles are useful in sustained release formulations including active agent(s) for oral administration, as tracer particles for injection into the bloodstream of a mammal or for use in enhanced ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to implants with a biocompatible coating having antithrombogenic properties and which also contains a pharmacologically active agent, as well as a process for their production.

Abstract: This disclosure encompasses a bioprosthetic heart valve having a polyphosphazene polymer such as poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene], which exhibits improved antithrombogenic, biocompatibility, and hemocompatibility properties. A method of manufacturing a bioprosthetic heart valve having a polyphosphazene polymer is also described.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to multi-functional wound-care dressing matrices that can protect and promote new tissue growth at a wound site. The multi-functional wound care matrix can incorporate polyphosphazenes of formula I, as a component that can be configured into various forms, including as fibrous mats, porous membranes, nonporous films, particulate formulations, and equivalents. The multi-functional wound-care dressing matrix of the present disclosure exhibit high-performance properties conferred by polyphosphazenes of formula I. Exceptional biocompatible properties of polyphosphazenes of formula I provide an ideal tissue-contacting surface for the multi-functional wound-care dressing matrix of interest.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to color-coded and size-calibrated polymeric particles comprising an acrylate-based hydrogel core incorporating one or more chromophores of interest, and an outer shell comprising polyphosphazenes of formula I, useful for various therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. In various embodiments, the color-coded and size-calibrated polymeric particles can be employed in any particle-mediated procedure, including as embolic agents, dermal fillers, and various implantable devices for a broad range of clinical and cosmetic applications. The incorporation of a particular chromophore formulation that correlates with a pre-determined size specificity for implantable and loadable polymeric particles (“color-coded and size-calibrated”) enables the visual detection and identification of particles exhibiting a particular size of interest, and minimizes the probability of user-introduced or procedural errors.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to substrates containing at least one polyphosphazene with a forming surface as matrices for producing biological materials that can be implanted in a mammal. The disclosure also relates to a method for producing such substrates and substrates containing polyphosphazene with a micro-structured surface.

Abstract: Particles are provided for use in therapeutic cosmetic and/or reconstructive procedures to augment defects in tissue to restore contours and/or function. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] and/or a derivatives thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles may also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Such particles may be provided to a user in various colors or with customized coloration to match desired tissues. Moreover, such particles may be loaded to provide localized treatment with an active component agent in specific clinical uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of certain microspheres, nanospheres, and other structures to provide a method of marking or masking identifying marks in individual biological hosts. Biological hosts for the present invention may include humans, other animals, or plants. Such methods may be used to sense, signal, track, mark, or identify individual biological hosts. Microspheres, nanospheres, and other structures of the present invention may be implanted, injected, ingested, or attached to individual biological hosts. Microspheres, nanospheres, and other structures of the present invention comprise poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] and/or a derivative thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The microspheres, nanospheres, and other structures may also comprise a core having a hydrogel which may further comprise one or more dyes or other chromophoric agents covalently bound permanently to the hydrogel core material.

Abstract: Particles are provided for use in restorative procedures to treat and/or retard alopecia The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] and/or a derivatives thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles may also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Such particles may be provided to a user in various colors or with customized coloration to match desired scalp colors. Moreover, such particles may be loaded to provide localized treatment with an active component agent directed at restoration of normal function and hair production within the hair follicle.