Abstract: A method of preparing a crosslinked, collagen-based wound care dressing is provided, comprising: (a) immersing a sample of fibrous and/or non-fibrous collagen in a buffered acidic, aqueous solution comprising an alcohol; (b) contacting the collagen in solution with a catalytic component comprising 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride for a time at least sufficient to effect reaction between amino and carboxyl groups present on the collagen and to yield crosslinked collagen that is resistant to pronase degradation; and (c) drying the crosslinked collagen to yield a porous, crosslinked collagen article wherein the porous, crosslinked collagen article demonstrates a pore size of 10-500 microns. Also provided are bioactive collagen medical scaffolds for hernia repair prosthetics and surgical incision closure members, prepared using the method above.

Abstract: A highly portable advanced adult and pediatric compact ECLS system is based around an integrated pump-oxygenator. The system includes a central a blood inlet and flow path extending along a general longitudinal axis of the system; a pump housing defining a pump inlet in fluid communication with the central blood flow path; an impeller rotationally received within the area of the pump inlet, wherein the impeller is magnetically supported and magnetically driven; an array of hollow fiber membranes configured for gas transfer within the system for oxygenation of blood flowing across the hollow fiber membranes, wherein the membranes include a covalently-bonded heparin-based bioactive surface, and wherein the blood flow path extends from the impeller to a position to flow perpendicular over the array of hollow fiber membranes; and a blood outlet configured to receive blood flowing past the array of hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: A method of preparing a crosslinked, collagen-based wound care dressing is provided, comprising: (a) immersing a sample of fibrous and/or non-fibrous collagen in a buffered acidic, aqueous solution comprising an alcohol; (b) contacting the collagen in solution with a catalytic component comprising 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride for a time at least sufficient to effect reaction between amino and carboxyl groups present on the collagen and to yield crosslinked collagen that is resistant to pronase degradation; and (c) drying the crosslinked collagen to yield a porous, crosslinked collagen article wherein the porous, crosslinked collagen article demonstrates a pore size of 10-500 microns. Also provided are bioactive collagen medical scaffolds for hernia repair prosthetics and surgical incision closure members, prepared using the method above.

Abstract: An apparatus for stimulation of collateral development in ischemic cardiac regions comprises a mechanism for fluid coupling of the left ventricle of the heart to the anterior interventricular vein to stimulate collateral development in ischemic regions. The fluid coupling of the left ventricle of the heart to the anterior interventricular vein includes a control of the diastolic/systolic pressure in the venous system to be within about 20-50 mmHg. The fluid coupling of the left ventricle of the heart to the anterior interventricular vein includes inserting a transmyocardial conduit into the left ventricle and a tri-directional coupler attached to the anterior interventricular vein. An associated method for stimulation of collateral development in ischemic cardiac regions via the fluid coupling of the left ventricle of the heart to the anterior interventricular vein is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating a tubular medical device with a biomolecule comprises the steps of: a) providing a polyolefin tubular substrate forming a tubular medical device; b) cleaning the tubular polyolefin substrate; c) exposing the tubular polyolefin substrate to a reactive gas containing at least one of acrylic acid and siloxane and to plasma energy to yield a plasma-deposited coating on at least one surface of the tubular polyolefin substrate; and d) attaching a biomolecule to the polyolefin substrate following formation of the plasma-deposited coating on at least one surface of the tubular polyolefin substrate, and wherein the biomolecule is at least one of an antibacterial agent, antimicrobial agent, anticoagulant, heparin, antithrombotic agent, platelet agent, anti-inflammatory, enzyme, catalyst, hormone, growth factor, drug, vitamin, antibody, antigen, protein, nucleic acid, dye, a DNA segment, an RNA segment, protein, and peptide.

Abstract: A method of preparing a crosslinked, collagen-based medical scaffold is provided, comprising: (a) immersing a sample of fibrous and/or non-fibrous collagen in a buffered acidic, aqueous solution comprising an alcohol; (b) contacting the collagen in solution with a catalytic component comprising 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride for a time at least sufficient to effect reaction between amino and carboxyl groups present on the collagen and to yield crosslinked collagen that is resistant to pronase degradation; and (c) drying the crosslinked collagen to yield a porous, crosslinked collagen article wherein the porous, crosslinked collagen article demonstrates a pore size of 10-500 microns. Also provided are bioactive collagen medical scaffolds for wound care dressings, hernia repair prosthetics, and surgical incision closure members, prepared using the method above.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrated that soluble fibrin binds to both Mac-1 and ICAM-1-expressing cells and inhibited adherence of these cells and immune cytotoxicity, thus inducing immune suppression in cancer. Additionally, the present invention also demonstrated that soluble fibrin enhanced metastasis in an in vivo model. Furthermore, the present invention demonstrated the utility of specific peptides that block binding of soluble fibrin to these cells as therapeutic agents in cancer progression and metastasis. It is further contemplated that these peptides can also be used to treat other diseases such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis and in many inflammatory responses where there is increased levels of soluble fibrin.

Abstract: A variety of medical devices including staples sutures and dental floss with surface treatment on at least one tissue-facing surface to improve biologic function such as to control tissue adhesion are disclosed including heparin surface treatment which provides heparin present in an amount to yield heparin bioactivity of at least one of i) an ATIII binding of at least 2 pmol/cm2, and ii) a thrombin deactivation of at least 0.2 IU/cm2; an acrylic surface treatment for coupling thereto of a heparin surface treatment, a collagen surface treatment or both; and an amino-functional polysiloxane surface treatment for coupling thereto of a heparin surface treatment.

Abstract: A method for stimulation of collateral development in ischemic cardiac regions comprises the fluid coupling of the left ventricle of the heart to the anterior interventricular vein to stimulate collateral development in ischemic regions. The fluid coupling of the left ventricle of the heart to the anterior interventricular vein includes a control of the diastolic/systolic pressure in the venous system to be within about 20-50 mmHg. The fluid coupling of the left ventricle of the heart to the anterior interventricular vein includes inserting a transmyocardial conduit into the left ventricle and a tri-directional coupler attached to the anterior interventricular vein. An associated apparatus for stimulation of collateral development in ischemic cardiac regions via the fluid coupling of the left ventricle of the heart to the anterior interventricular vein is disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated blood pump oxygenator comprises an impeller housing supporting an impeller with an annular hydrogel impeller packing material adjacent the bearings and around the shaft of the impeller. The oxygenator including a rollover outlet in the form of an annular chamber extending around a center pump housing member; and further including an annular chamber within an annular array of hollow fiber membranes in fluid communication with the annular chamber extending from the impeller around the center pump housing; wherein the annular chamber provides substantially perpendicular radial outward cross flow across the membranes.

Abstract: A variety of medical devices including staples sutures and dental floss with surface treatment on at least one tissue-facing surface to improve biologic function such as to control tissue adhesion are disclosed including heparin surface treatment which provides heparin present in an amount to yield heparin bioactivity of at least one of i) an ATIII binding of at least 2 pmol/cm2, and ii) a thrombin deactivation of at least 0.2 IU/cm2; an acrylic surface treatment for coupling thereto of a heparin surface treatment, a collagen surface treatment or both; and an amino-functional polysiloxane surface treatment for coupling thereto of a heparin surface treatment.

Abstract: A variety of polymeric synthetic hernia mesh prosthesis with surface treatment on at least one tissue-facing surface to control tissue adhesion are disclosed including heparin surface treatment which provides heparin present in an amount to yield heparin bioactivity of at least one of i) an ATIII binding of at least 2 pmol/cm2, and ii) a thrombin deactivation of at least 0.2 IU/cm2; an acrylic surface treatment for coupling thereto of a heparin surface treatment, a collagen surface treatment or both; and an amino-functional polysiloxane surface treatment for coupling thereto of a heparin surface treatment. The synthetic hernia mesh may be formed of monofilament or multifilament polypropylene or polyester, and may be formed as a multi-layer prosthesis with an outer layer formed of a polymeric synthetic hernia mesh with surface treatment to control tissue adhesion coupled to one or more polymeric synthetic hernia meshes without such surface treatments.

Abstract: A method of treating the surface of a medical device with a biomolecule comprising the steps of: providing a polyolefin substrate forming a medical device; cleaning the polyolefin substrate; exposing the polyolefin substrate to a reactive gas containing acrylic acid and to plasma energy to yield a plasma-deposited polyacrylic acid coating on the polyolefin substrate; and attaching a biomolecule, such as heparin, to the polyolefin substrate following formation of the plasma-deposited polyacrylic acid coating on the polyolefin substrate.

Abstract: The integrated medical apparatus includes an operator handle end and a multi-prong grasping member positioned within and movable relative to a grasper lumen that extends from the handle end, wherein the grasping prongs are moved between an open and closed position by relative axial movement between the prongs of the grasping member and the grasper lumen. The medical apparatus includes a contractible snare and a plurality of axially moveable snare pushing arms. At least two of the snare pushing arms include a snare holding and release mechanism, wherein the snare pushing arms are configured to advance the snare in an open, encircling position to a final deployed position where the snare can be released through the activation of the holding and release mechanism of the pushing arms, and finally tightened in a conventional fashion, such as pulling on an end of the snare at the handle end.

Abstract: A method of treating the surface of a medical device with a biomolecule comprising the steps of: providing a polyolefin substrate forming a medical device; cleaning the polyolefin substrate; exposing the polyolefin substrate to a reactive gas containing acrylic acid and to plasma energy to yield a plasma-deposited polyacrylic acid coating on the polyolefin substrate; and attaching a biomolecule, such as heparin, to the polyolefin substrate following formation of the plasma-deposited polyacrylic acid coating on the polyolefin substrate.

Abstract: The integrated medical apparatus includes an operator handle end and a multi-prong grasping member positioned within and movable relative to a grasper lumen that extends from the handle end, wherein the grasping prongs are moved between an open and closed position by relative axial movement between the prongs of the grasping member and the grasper lumen. The medical apparatus includes a contractible snare and a plurality of axially moveable snare pushing arms. At least two of the snare pushing arms include a snare holding and release mechanism, wherein the snare pushing arms are configured to advance the snare in an open, encircling position to a final deployed position where the snare can be released through the activation of the holding and release mechanism of the pushing arms, and finally tightened in a conventional fashion, such as pulling on an end of the snare at the handle end.

Abstract: Processes are provided for preparing a substrate coated with a biomolecule, comprising: a) providing a substrate; b) coating the substrate with a polysiloxane, typically by exposing the substrate to a reactive gas containing siloxane functional groups and to plasma energy to yield a plasma-deposited polysiloxane surface on the substrate; c) rendering the polysiloxane surface amino functional; and d) contacting the amino-functional polysiloxane surface with a biomolecule under conditions effective to attach the biomolecule to the substrate. The coated substrate may be a medical device that demonstrates an ability to maintain gas permeability when in contact with blood or blood components, compared to a substantially identical medical device that has not been coated with a biomolecule using this process.

Abstract: A noninvasive trans-catheter method and apparatus for remote suture placement can be used in a variety of inner cardiac applications. For example, a method of non-invasive transcatheter atrial septal defect repair comprises the steps of: advancing a positioning member along a catheter into the Atrial Septal Defect, wherein at least one suture deploying lumen is coupled to the positioning member with a piercing member within the suture deploying lumen; deploying the positioning member within the Atrial Septal Defect to align each suture deploying lumen with tissue adjacent the Atrial Septal Defect; and piercing the tissue adjacent the Atrial Septal Defect with the piercing member to secure a suture line through the tissue. A repair patch may be advanced along suture lines to repair the defect and secured into place with the suture lines. The apparatus is also applicable for left atrial appendage closure, mitral valve repair and pacemaker electrode placement.

Abstract: A method for endothelial keratoplasty donor tissue transport and delivery to a recipient's eye, such as in DLEK, DSEK and DSAEK procedures, comprises the steps of: attaching endothelial keratoplasty donor tissue to a tissue holder, wherein the attachment between the tissue holder and the donor tissue is not on the endothelial layer of the endothelial keratoplasty donor tissue; placing the tissue holder and the attached donor tissue within a surrounding insertion tip; transporting the insertion tip to a position adjacent an access opening in the recipient's eye; inserting the tissue holder with the attached donor tissue through the opening and extending the tissue holder from within the insertion tip to position the donor tissue within the recipient's eye; and separating the attached donor tissue from the tissue holder with the tissue holder within the recipient's eye. An associated apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: Processes are provided for preparing a substrate coated with a biomolecule, comprising: a) providing a substrate; b) coating the substrate with a polysiloxane, typically by exposing the substrate to a reactive gas containing siloxane functional groups and to plasma energy to yield a plasma-deposited polysiloxane surface on the substrate; c) rendering the polysiloxane surface amino functional; and d) contacting the amino-functional polysiloxane surface with a biomolecule under conditions effective to attach the biomolecule to the substrate. The coated substrate may be a medical device that demonstrates an ability to maintain gas permeability when in contact with blood or blood components, compared to a substantially identical medical device that has not been coated with a biomolecule using this process.