Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering conduction protein genetic material to cardiac cells in localized areas of the heart to improve the conductance therein. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering connexin proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding connexin proteins to a site in the heart which has been determined by mapping procedures to have a conduction disturbance. For cases where conduction is impaired, selected genetic material is delivered to cells around the disturbance area, in order to enhance overall conductivity patterns; in other cases, genetic material is selected to slow conduction in affected areas, so as to prevent, e.g., brady-tachy syndrome.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to methods for electrically stimulating transplanted biological material, such as transplanted cells, to improve the performance of the heart during systole. In particular, the invention is directed to devices and techniques for stimulating biological material transplanted in a myocardium of a heart during an ejection phase of a cardiac cycle. The transplanted biological material may include cells, such as skeletal myoblasts, precursor cells, endothelial cells, differentiated or undifferentiated stem cells, undifferentiated contractile cells, fibroblasts and genetically engineered cells. In general, stimulation of the transplanted biological material during the ejection phase of the cardiac cycle, when the aortic and pulmonary valves are open, provides hemodynamic assistance to the heart.

Abstract: A method and device are described to form a sensor using a cardiomyocyte by advancing a catheter into the tissue of interest, cardiac in the preferred embodiment, and using the catheter to ablate a cone- or a dome-shaped region to form an electrically isolated section of tissue. An electrode is later fixed to the region encompassed by the dome-shaped area of tissue and used to detect the electrophysiological activity of this electrically independent cluster of cells. These cells combined with the electrode and a detection circuitry will form a cell-based sensor to monitor the effects of the anti-arrhythmic drugs in the circulation. The inventive device includes an ablation catheter and a sensing lead. Catheter is a hollow conductor which used to carry RF power from the external generator to the myocardium and to form a cone-shaped ablation zone to electrically isolate a part of myocardium from the rest.

Abstract: An implantable system is provided that includes: a cell repopulation source comprising genetic material, undifferentiated and/or differentiated contractile cells, or a combination thereof capable of forming new contractile tissue in and/or near an infarct zone of a patient's myocardium; and an electrical stimulation device for electrically stimulating the new contractile tissue in and/or near the infarct zone of the patient's myocardium or otherwise damaged or diseased myocardial tissue.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis is constructed from a structure having interconnected, helically oriented channel-porosity to allow oriented ingrowth of connective tissue into a wall of the prosthesis. The prosthesis can have a small internal diameter of 6 mm or less. Several different methods can be used to produce the prosthesis, including a fiber winding and extraction technique, a melt extrusion technique, and a particle and fiber extraction technique using either a layered method or a continuous method. Furthermore, mechanical properties of the prosthesis are matched with mechanical properties of the host vessel, thereby overcoming problems of compliance mismatch.

Abstract: An implantable system is provided that includes: a cell repopulation source comprising genetic material, undifferentiated and/or differentiated contractile cells, or a combination thereof capable of forming new contractile tissue in and/or near an infarct zone of a patient's myocardium; and an electrical stimulation device for electrically stimulating the new contractile tissue in and/or near the infarct zone of the patient's myocardium or otherwise damaged or diseased myocardial tissue.

Abstract: An implantable system that includes a carrier and eukaryotic cells, which produce and release a therapeutic agent, and a stimulating element for stimulating the release of the therapeutic agent. The system can also include a sensing element for monitoring a physiological condition and triggering the stimulating element to stimulate the delivery device to release the therapeutic agent. Alternatively, the patient in which the system is implanted can activate the stimulating element to release the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: An implantable system is provided that includes: a cell repopulation source comprising genetic material, undifferentiated contractile cells, or a combination thereof capable of forming new contractile tissue in and/or near an infarct zone of a patient's myocardium; and an electrical stimulation device for electrically stimulating the new contractile tissue in and/or near the infarct zone of the patient's myocardium.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis is constructed from a well-defined pore structure to allow uninterrupted ingrowth of connective tissue into a wall of the prosthesis. Several different methods can be used to produce the prosthesis, including a vacuum impregnation technique, a paste molding technique, a paste extrusion technique, a dip coating technique, and a melt extrusion technique. Furthermore, mechanical properties of the prosthesis are matched with mechanical properties of the host vessel, thereby overcoming problems of compliance mismatch.

Abstract: A multilayer ingrowth matrix is constructed within well-defined porosity of a prosthetic material. The matrix consists of either proteinaceous or synthetic layers or gradients, or a combination of proteinaceous and synthetic layers or gradients. Each layer within the matrix is designed to achieve a specific function, such as facilitation of ingrowth of a particular cell type or release of a particular growth factor. The well-defined porosity is in the form of either helically oriented, interconnected transmural ingrowth channels, or a porous wall structure containing uniformly shaped pores (i.e. voids) in a very narrow size range, or a combination of channels and pores. This invention allows for uninterrupted ingrowth of connective tissue into walls of a synthetic graft prosthesis made from the prosthetic material. Furthermore, this invention can produce small diameter prostheses having an internal diameter of 6 mm or less.

Abstract: Delivery systems for and methods of delivering ion channel protein genetic material to cardiac cells in areas adjacent to where an electrode is to be positioned in a patient's heart to improve or correct the signal to noise ratio of cardiac signals, such as the P-wave, is described herein. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering sodium ion channel proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding sodium ion channel proteins to a site in the heart adjacent to an electrode to increase the expression of the same, thereby enhancing the cardiac signal amplitude and enabling improved sensing of cardiac signals by an implanted pacemaker.

Abstract: An elongate elastomeric structure having controlled surface texture. Plasma deposition is used to create controlled features, such as ridges, on the external surface of an elongate elastomeric surface, such as the external surface of silicone tubing. The invention has particular applicability in the medical device field, such as the fabrication of implantable leads, catheters, and medical devices incorporating them.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis is constructed from a structure having interconnected, helically oriented channel-porosity to allow oriented ingrowth of connective tissue into a wall of the prosthesis. The prosthesis can have a small internal diameter of 6 mm or less. Several different methods can be used to produce the prosthesis, including a fiber winding and extraction technique, a melt extrusion technique, and a particle and fiber extraction technique using either a layered method or a continuous method. Furthermore, mechanical properties of the prosthesis are matched with mechanical properties of the host vessel, thereby overcoming problems of compliance mismatch.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a biomaterial formed from a polymer comprising urethane groups, urea groups, or combinations thereof, and sacrificial moieties that preferentially oxidize relative to other moieties in the polymer.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a biomaterial formed from a polymer comprising urethane groups, urea groups, or combinations thereof, and sacrificial moieties that preferentially oxidize relative to other moieties in the polymer.

Abstract: Novel carbamoyloxylabdanes, intermediates and processes for the preparation thereof, and methods for reducing intraocular pressure and treating cardiac failure utilizing compounds and compositions thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel carbamoyloxylabdanes, intermediates and processes for the preparation thereof, and methods for reducing intraocular pressure and treating cardiac failure utilizing compounds and compositions thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Herein is described an ocular composition comprising an ocular decongestant such as phenylephrine and certain labdane derivatives which are intraocular pressure lowering agents. The composition not only markedly reduces the ocular reddening otherwise produced by such labdane compounds, but also unexpectedly prolongs and frequently potentiates their intraocular pressure lowering effect. Both of these effects are very beneficial to the use of such labdanes for the treatment of glaucoma.Also described herein is an ocular composition comprising para-aminoclonidine (an .alpha..sub.2 -adrenoreceptor agonist) and certain labdane derivatives mentioned above. The composition reduces the ocular reddening and lacrimation, and also potentiates the intraocular pressure lowering effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted piperazine derivatives (herein referred to as compounds or compounds of formula (1)) or stereoisomers, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and their use as tachykinin receptor antagonists. Such antagonists are useful in the treatment of tachykinin-mediated diseases and conditions disclosed herein including: asthma, cough, and bronchitis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula 1, ##STR1## including all of its stereoisomers, compositions, and processes for preparation of the same. The compounds of the present invention are also useful in their pharmacological activities as they directly act as inhibitors of prolyl endopeptidase and thereby provide a methods for memory enhancement, preventing or slowing the affects of amnesia or memory deficits.