Abstract: Fatty acid-based, pre-cure-derived biomaterials, methods of making the biomaterials, and methods of using them as drug delivery carriers are described. The fatty acid-derived biomaterials can be utilized alone or in combination with a medical device for the release and local delivery of one or more therapeutic agents. Methods of forming and tailoring the properties of said biomaterials and methods of using said biomaterials for treating injury in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to materials, gels, coatings and films prepared using a biomaterial (e.g., a fatty acid-based material comprising a network of cross-linked fatty acids) and a fixating material, layer or film (e.g., a fixating material comprising Na-CMC). The materials, gels, coatings and films disclosed herein can be used to facilitate the delivery of one or more therapeutic agents to a targeted tissue and a desired rate of release.

Abstract: A method of making expanded fluoropolymer articles thermally bonds portions of expanded fluoropolymers together, without using an adhesive or crushing force, to produce stronger bonds at the joint between the expanded fluoropolymers than the bonds within the constituent expanded fluoropolymers. The method involves placing the portions of expanded fluoropolymers to be thermally bonded together in intimate contact with each other after wet-stretching the expanded fluoropolymers, and removing the wetting agent used to wet-stretch the expanded fluoropolymers, without subsequent expansion or stretching, to yield an expanded fluoropolymer article exhibiting unexpected and superior properties that can be used in a variety of medical and industrial applications.

Abstract: A stent device is provided. The stent device includes: at least one radially expandable body portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the stent device defining a lumen; and at least one outwardly flarable portion connected to the body portion. The outwardly flarable portion includes at least one radially expandable ring connected to the body portion and at least one flaring connector connected to the at least one ring configured to cause a crown of the at least one ring to automatically flare radially outwardly relative to other portions of the ring upon radial expansion of the body portion so as to form a flared crown. After radial expansion, the outwardly flaring portion may be held in place by a support strut that lessens its ability to collapse. A method of deploying the stent device is also provided.

Abstract: A cured non-polymeric gel including a plurality of non-polymeric cross-links. The non-polymeric cross-links result from curing an oil or oil composition at selected curing conditions to achieve a desired amount of cross-linking to form the non-polymeric gel. The desired amount of cross-linking is selected based on a desired rate of degradation of the gel after the gel is implanted. The oil or oil composition comprises one or more of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Abstract: A material including a plurality of fatty acid chains cross-linked together and a silver fatty acid salt formed with the fatty acid chains within the material. Methods for forming a material are also included. The silver-containing materials can be utilized alone or in combination with a medical device for the release and local delivery of one or more anti-infective agents.

Abstract: A non-setting agent for positioning a surgical mesh prosthesis against a tissue defect during surgical hernia repair enables a surgeon to position the surgical mesh prosthesis at an optimal location against the tissue defect without pre-measuring suture location and pre-suturing. The surgical mesh prosthesis can be repositioned by removing and replacing, or by sliding, the mesh along the tissue defect without traumatizing the tissue. The positioning agent is provided with adhesion and lubricity characteristics providing an adhesion strength required to temporarily maintain the surgical mesh in place, otherwise unsupported, against tissue of a targeted tissue location, and providing a viscosity that permits removal and replacement, or slidable movement, of the surgical mesh along the tissue upon receipt of a non-gravitational external force applied to the surgical mesh so movement of the surgical mesh that is atraumatic to the tissue.

Abstract: A stent device includes generally cylindrical rings aligned along a longitudinal axis, and interconnected by interconnecting members. Each interconnecting member includes a first coupling end, a second coupling end, and an elongate portion therebetween. The first coupling end, the elongate portion, and the second coupling end combine in either a first orientation or a second orientation, which are substantially mirror images. For each interconnecting member, the first coupling end can intersect with a midpoint of a transition region of a substantially repeating curved segment on one of the rings, and the second coupling end can intersect with a midpoint of a curved segment of a different and immediately adjacent ring. The interconnecting members can be arranged in rows extending longitudinally along the device. Along each row, consecutive interconnected members alternate between the first orientation and the second orientation. A cover may be provided over the stent device.

Abstract: Fatty acid-based, pre-cure-derived biomaterials, methods of making the biomaterials, and methods of using them as drug delivery carriers are described. The fatty acid-derived biomaterials can be utilized alone or in combination with a medical device for the release and local delivery of one or more therapeutic agents. Methods of forming and tailoring the properties of said biomaterials and methods of using said biomaterials for treating injury in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making expanded fluoropolymer articles thermally bonds portions of expanded fluoropolymers together, without using an adhesive or crushing force, to produce stronger bonds at the joint between the expanded fluoropolymers than the bonds within the constituent expanded fluoropolymers. The method involves placing the portions of expanded fluoropolymers to be thermally bonded together in intimate contact with each other after wet-stretching the expanded fluoropolymers, and removing the wetting agent used to wet-stretch the expanded fluoropolymers, without subsequent expansion or stretching, to yield an expanded fluoropolymer article exhibiting unexpected and superior properties that can be used in a variety of medical and industrial applications.

Abstract: A barrier layer and corresponding method of making provide anti-inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and anti-adhesion functionality for a medical device implantable in a patient. The barrier layer can be combined with a medical device structure to provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing, non-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory response. The barrier layer is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent.

Abstract: Fatty acid-derived biomaterials, methods of making the biomaterials, and methods of using them as drug delivery carriers are described. The fatty acid-derived biomaterials can be utilized alone or in combination with a medical device for the release and local delivery of one or more therapeutic agents. Methods of forming and tailoring the properties of said biomaterials and methods of using said biomaterials for treating injury in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: Fatty acid-derived biomaterials, methods of making the biomaterials, and methods of using them as drug delivery carriers are described. The fatty acid-derived biomaterials can be utilized alone or in combination with a medical device for the release and local delivery of one or more therapeutic agents. Methods of forming and tailoring the properties of said biomaterials and methods of using said biomaterials for treating injury in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to materials, gels, coatings and films prepared using a biomaterial (e.g., a fatty acid-based material comprising a network of cross-linked fatty acids) and a fixating material, layer or film (e.g., a fixating material comprising Na-CMC). The materials, gels, coatings and films disclosed herein can be used to facilitate the delivery of one or more therapeutic agents to a targeted tissue and a desired rate of release.

Abstract: A hernia patch supporting tissue in-growth conforms to a tissue wall upon surgical installation and fixation within a patient. The hernia patch can include a base and positioning straps. The base is formed of two layers that are affixed to each other around the perimeter of the patch, for example by stitching. A stabilizing washer is provided between the two layers, and the stitch is provided peripherally around the stabilizing washer, keeping the washer free-floating between the layers. The base, positioning straps, and stabilizing washer are formed of a structure that does not separate the layers of the implant or form a space in the form of a pocket, and promotes more uniform and confluent tissue incorporation or in-growth after implantation. The hernia patch may further include a hydrolysable bioabsorbable cross-linked coating of a fatty acid based material, such as an omega-3 fatty acid based material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid delivery enables navigation through tortuous, spatially restricted body anatomy to access narrow diameter body lumens for the continuous delivery of fluids, including therapeutic fluids, to the lumen in an atraumatic manner that avoids damage to the body lumen. The fluid delivery device can have a flexible conduit having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending along an interior of the flexible conduit providing a fluid flow path between the proximal and distal ends, where the lumen transitions into a micro-lumen exiting through a port through which a high concentration of fluid injected into the lumen exits laterally out along an image viewable zone at the distal end of the flexible conduit. The flexible conduit has a maximum outer diameter sized sufficient to navigate narrow diameter body lumens.

Abstract: A stent device includes generally cylindrical rings aligned along a longitudinal axis, and interconnected by interconnecting members. Each interconnecting member includes a first coupling end, a second coupling end, and an elongate portion therebetween. The first coupling end, the elongate portion, and the second coupling end combine in either a first orientation or a second orientation, which are substantially mirror images. For each interconnecting member, the first coupling end can intersect with a midpoint of a transition region of a substantially repeating curved segment on one of the rings, and the second coupling end can intersect with a midpoint of a curved segment of a different and immediately adjacent ring. The interconnecting members can be arranged in rows extending longitudinally along the device. Along each row, consecutive interconnected members alternate between the first orientation and the second orientation. A cover may be provided over the stent device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid delivery enables navigation through tortuous, spatially restricted body anatomy to access narrow diameter body lumens for the continuous delivery of fluids, including therapeutic fluids, to the lumen in an atraumatic manner that avoids damage to the body lumen. The fluid delivery device can have a flexible conduit having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending along an interior of the flexible conduit providing a fluid flow path between the proximal and distal ends, where the lumen transitions into a micro-lumen exiting through a port through which a high concentration of fluid injected into the lumen exits laterally out along an image viewable zone at the distal end of the flexible conduit. The flexible conduit has a maximum outer diameter sized sufficient to navigate narrow diameter body lumens.

Abstract: A vascular graft suitable for implantation, and more particular to a vascular graft having an expandable outflow region for restoring patency of the graft after implantation into a body lumen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the correlation of chemical properties of oils with the physical properties of a resulting cured oil composition. Also disclosed are biocompatible materials and coatings for medical devices prepared using enriched oils and methods for enhancing or modifying the physical and chemical characteristics of cured oils by enriching such oils with fatty acid alkyl esters. Methods of tailoring the properties of biocompatible materials and coatings to deliver one or more therapeutic agents are also provided.