Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a substrate based essentially on nitinol and, arranged thereon at least partially, a covering or a coating based on at least one polyphosphazene derivative having the general formula (I), a process for its production, and the use of the device as an artificial implant, vascular or nonvascular stent, catheter, thrombolectomy or embolectomy catheter, fragmentation spindle or catheter, filter, vascular connector, hernia patch, oral, dental or throat implant or urether.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices employing a sol-gel composition coatings that functions as a bioactive material reservoir, and the use of sol-gel composition coatings for improved adhesion of organic and inorganic substrates are disclosed.

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: A method for releasing an aortic prosthesis includes positioning an introducer in femoral arteries of a patient. Guiding balloon catheters are positioned through the introducers to locate balloons thereof in terminal parts of common iliac arteries. The proximal aorta is clamped, balloons of the guiding catheters are inflated, and the aorta is opened for outside access. Distal ends of releasing balloon catheters are threaded through the guiding catheters and are recovered outside the patient through the introducers. Distal ends of the releasing catheters are connected to distal portions of the prosthesis, which is moved by the catheters until distal portions thereof contact the guiding catheters. The proximal part of the prosthesis is sutured to the aorta. The balloons of the releasing catheters are inflated to fix the distal portions of the prosthesis. Balloons are deflated, catheters are removed, the aorta is sutured, and the introducers are removed.

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 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.

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: 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 for placement within defects in bone within the body of a mammal to augment structural support and facilitate osteogenesis without causing adverse reactions therein. The hydrogel core may further be used as a delivery vehicle for therapeutic agents to treat or retard pathologic processes within the bone defect during healing.

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: 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: Particles are provided for use in restorative procedures to treat erectile dysfunction. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] and/or 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 loaded to provide localized treatment with an active agent directed at restoration of normal penile erectile function and the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Moreover, such particles may be provided to a user with customized coloration or in various coded colors to indicate differing doses of active agent contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to expandable semi-compliant devices that may be used for the treatment of diseased or injured bone tissues, and methods of using the same. The semi-compliant device of the present invention is inserted into an interior space of a cancellous bone tissue, and is filled with a suitable material to provide internal structural support to the bone. The semi-compliant device may further comprise a polymer or a polymer surface coating of a biocompatible polyphosphazene polymer such as poly[bis-(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] or derivatives thereof. Such semi-compliant devices or surface coatings may also act as carriers for medicinal, radiological, or thermal treatments of diseased bone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to luminal stent devices including vascular devices that comprise a specific polyphosphazene and the capability of releasing nitric oxide or other smooth muscle relaxant compounds in vivo or into stored or transient flowing blood to achieve vascular dilatation, reduce adverse reactions, reduce thrombosis, and/or to maintain the patency of a desired anatomic lumen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to medical devices in which flow is channeled of blood and blood products for the purpose of effecting a chemical exchange to remove desired chemicals from the blood or blood products, and to impart nitric oxide, other smooth muscle relaxant compounds, or other desired chemicals to the blood or blood products to achieve vascular dilatation, reduce adverse reactions, reduce thrombosis, reduce red blood cell injuries, and improve blood handling capabilities. In the present invention, such chemical exchanges occur over semipermeable membranes associated with channeled flow of blood and blood products.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to medical devices including blood storage and handling products that comprise a specific polyphosphazene and the capability of releasing nitric oxide or other smooth muscle relaxant compounds in vivo or into stored or transient flowing blood to achieve vascular dilatation, reduced adverse reactions, reduced thrombosis, reduced incidence of post-transfusion acute myocardial infarctions, and/or to improve blood storage capabilities.

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: 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: The present invention relates to compositions and medical devices comprising both polyorganosiloxane and polyphosphazene compounds. When incorporated into or onto medical devices, these compositions reduce cell encrustation on the device and reduce the severity of thrombosis when the devices are in contact with body fluids, and impart anti-rejection properties to the device.