Abstract: The present disclosure relates to radiopaque PVA polymers where the PVA has a first pendant group and a second pendant group, wherein the first pendant group comprises a first phenyl group bearing 1 to 5 iodine atoms, and the second pendant group comprises either (a) a second phenyl group bearing 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group W and optionally 1 to 4 iodine substituents, the group(s) W and the optional iodines being the sole substituents of the second phenyl group. Each W is selected from —OH, —COOH, —SO3H, —OPO3H2, —O—(C1-4alkyl), —O—(C1-4alkyl)OH, —O—(C1-4alkyl)R2, —O—(C2H5O)qR1 —(C?O)—O— C1-4alkyl and —O—(C?O)C1-4alkyl; wherein R1 is H or C1-4 alkyl; R2 is —COOH, —SO3H, or —OPO3H2; q is an integer from 1 to 4; wherein the group W may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt; or (b) a pyridyl group; which is optionally in the form of a pyridinium ion.

Abstract: A cryoablation tool has a primary fluid circuit for cryogenically cooling or heating tissue surrounding the distal portion of the cryoablation tool. The primary fluid circuit has a primary-primary heat exchanger facilitating recuperative heat exchange between a high pressure stream of a primary fluid and a low pressure stream of the primary fluid. The cryoablation tool has a secondary fluid circuit having a secondary-secondary heat exchanger for permitting recuperative heat exchange between a high pressure stream of a secondary fluid and a low pressure stream of the secondary fluid. The secondary fluid circuit also has a primary-secondary heat exchanger permitting heat exchange between the high pressure stream of the primary fluid and the low pressure stream of the secondary fluid.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention are directed towards apparatuses, systems, and method that may include a tissue ablation system. The tissue ablation system may include an ablation device, an ablation generator, and a controller configured to initiate a pre-ablation procedure in a medium, and during the pre-ablation procedure monitor temperature data and/or power data.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that may include a microwave ablation probe. The microwave ablation probe may include a feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric; and an antenna including a helical arm, the helical arm being electrically connected to the outer conductor of the feedline at a junction point, and a linear arm, the linear arm being electrically connected to the inner conductor of the feedline.

Abstract: This invention concerns imageable, radiopaque embolic beads, which are particularly useful for monitoring embolization procedures. The beads comprise iodine containing compounds which are covalently incorporated into the polymer network of a preformed hydrogel bead. The beads are prepared by activating pre-formed hydrogel beads towards nucleophilic attack and then covalently attaching iodinated compounds into the polymer network. The radiopaque beads may be loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and used in methods of embolizing hyperplastic tissue or solid tumors.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided surgical system is provided that includes one or more surgical tools having components configured to develop reactive effects when exposed to MR signals generated by the MRI system. The system includes a control system that can determine whether the MR system is generating MR signals, and if the control system determines that the MR system is generating MR signals, mitigates the reactive effects of MR signals on components of the surgical tools. The system can include a cryoablation system with a cryoprobe having a probe shaft being made of a metallic material. If the control system determines that the MR system is generating MR signals, the control system can electrically disconnect the cryoprobe and/or ignore electrical signals generated by the electric heater in response to exposure to MR signals, and/or initiate a cooling operation of the probe shaft, whereby the cooling operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composition comprising vesicles and associated with the vesicles, a chemical agent, for use in a method of treatment by therapy wherein the chemical agent is delivered trans- and/or intra-epithelially to a human or animal body, wherein the constructs comprise an amphiphilic block copolymer having a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic block. Methods for forming the composition are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fluid path, a coupling, and a nozzle. The fluid path is to carry a fluid including one or more microparticles. The coupling is located in the fluid path. The nozzle is located in the fluid path to move the fluid through a stagnant region located near the coupling.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fluid path, a coupling, and a nozzle. The fluid path is to carry a fluid including one or more microparticles. The coupling is located in the fluid path. The nozzle is located in the fluid path to move the fluid through a stagnant region located near the coupling. A method includes introducing a fluid including one or more microparticles into a fluid conduit including a coupling, aligning the fluid conduit near the coupling with a force field, and introducing the fluid includes delivering the one or more microparticles to a vasculature.

Abstract: This invention concerns imageable, radiopaque embolic beads, which are particularly useful for monitoring embolization procedures. The beads comprise iodine containing compounds which are covalently incorporated into the polymer network of a preformed hydrogel bead. The beads are prepared by activating pre-formed hydrogel beads towards nucleophilic attack and then covalently attaching iodinated compounds into the polymer network. The radiopaque beads may be loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and used in methods of embolizing hyperplastic tissue or solid tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides emulsion compositions comprising an continuous oil phase, a discontinuous aqueous phase and a plurality of microparticles. The composition may comprise a pharmaceutical active ingredient located in the oil phase, the particulate phase or the aqueous phase. The emulsion compositions have improved stability and coherence and are useful in the treatment of tumours by embolotherapy.

Abstract: New cationic polymers are provided that are suitable for the preparation of microspheres. The microspheres are capable of loading and eluting anionic species such as drugs and find use in i.a.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical product comprising lyophilized polymer matrix including a biologically active compound, of particular utility for embolization, having improved rehydration properties is packaged in an airtight package under vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing leakage resistance in a closed, pressurized system. The method involves providing a closed system including a container sealed with a septum having a top surface with an exposed section, which is maintained under a positive pressure of at least about 5 psig. A contact surface of a hard component is fixedly placed adjacent to or in contact with at least a portion of a border section or a central section of the exposed section of the septum, or both, to reduce the size of any bulge or deformation formed in the exposed section of the septum. The present invention also relates to a kit for increasing leakage resistance in a closed, pressurized system, which includes the hard component.

Abstract: A composition for chemoembolotherapy of solid tumours comprises particles of a water-insoluble water-swellable synthetic anionic polymer and, absorbed therein an anthracycline. Suitably the polymer is a poly(vinyl alcohol) based polymer and the drug is doxorubicin.

Abstract: A composition for chemoembolotherapy of solid tumors comprises particles of a water-insoluble water-swellable synthetic anionic polymer and, absorbed therein an anthracycline. Suitably the polymer is a poly(vinyl alcohol) based polymer and the drug is doxorubicin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogels comprising 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol groups acetalized with a radiopaque species of one or more covalently bound radiopaque halogens which are imageable during embolization therapy. The invention further relates to methods of making radiopaque polymers and radiopaque hydrogel microspheres to provide an imageable drug delivery system.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprises an amphiphilic block copolymer, having a hydrophilic block comprising pendant zwitterionic groups and a hydrophobic block, and a biologically active compound associated with the polymer. The polymer is preferably in the form of micelles, and preferably the biological active is a hydrophobic drug. The hydrophilic block is preferably formed from acrylic monomer including phosphorylcholine groups. The hydrophobic group is suitably formed from monomer which has groups which can be ionised at useful pH's, especially tertiary amine groups. Micelles may be formed by dissolving the block copolymer in aqueous solvent at a pH at which the amine groups are protonated then raising the pH to a value at which the amine groups are substantially deprotonated, whereupon micelles spontaneously form. The preformed micelles are then contacted with active, under conditions such that solubilisation of the active occurs. The active may be for tumour treatment.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composition comprising vesicles and encapsulated within the vesicles, an antibody, wherein the vesicles comprise an amphiphilic block copolymer having a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic block. Methods of delivering the above compositions into cells are also described.

Abstract: Embolic compositions comprising macromers having a backbone comprising a polymeric backbone comprising units with a 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol structure, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers. When crosslinked, the macromers form hydrogels having many properties advantageous for use as embolic agents to block and fill lumens and spaces. The embolic compositions can be used as liquid embolic agents and crosslinked in situ or as preformed embolic articles, such as microspheres.