Abstract: Provided are rapidly cross-linkable silicone compositions, systems, kits, and methods for filling implanted medical devices in situ, the implanted medical devices, including for example, body implants and tissue expanders, the compositions including a platinum divinyl disiloxane complex; a low viscosity vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane; a low viscosity hydride terminated polydimethylsiloxane; and a silicone cross-linker, where the rapidly cross-linkable silicone composition has a viscosity of ?150 cPs for ?1 min. post-preparation and ?300 cPs?5 min. post-preparation, at ambient temperature.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating metabolic disorders by modulating bile acid levels. Generally, the methods and compositions can modulate bile acid levels, such as serum bile acid levels, to treat a metabolic disorder. In one embodiment, a method of modulating a bile acid level includes measuring a bile acid level and delivering a composition effective to modulate the bile acid level. A method for modulating a bile acid profile includes comparing a bile acid profile to a target profile and delivering a bile acid cocktail to increase bile acid levels. In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition for increasing bile acid levels includes a bile acid cocktail effective to increase bile acid levels. The composition is further useful as part of an implantable system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for expression of a hemostatic powder having an elongated reservoir with a manual air pump, such as a bellows, at a proximal end and an expression port at a distal end. A porous filter is slidably disposed within the reservoir between the bellows, a plunger and the expression port, and a spring is disposed within the reservoir between the air pump and the plunger. The powder is disposed within the reservoir between the porous filter and the expression port, and the pump is in a fluid communication with the expression port through the porous filter and through the powder.

Abstract: Novel surgical sutures and novel medical devices made from novel semi-crystalline, glycolide-rich A-B-A triblock copolymers of glycolide and lactide, wherein said B-segment is a fully amorphous random copolymer of glycolide and lactide, for long term medical applications are disclosed. The novel polymer compositions are useful for long term absorbable surgical sutures, meshes and other medical devices, especially for patients with compromised healing. The novel sutures have improved properties and improved breaking strength retention, while still substantially absorbing within about a 120-day period post-implantation.

Abstract: Minimizing image sensor input/output pads in a pulsed laser mapping imaging system is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a plurality of bidirectional pads comprising an output state for issuing data and an input state for receiving data. The system includes a controller configured to synchronize timing of the emitter and the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of pulmonary conditions, including a device having an end effector sized and shaped to contact a nerve component on the exterior of a bronchial segment and apply energy to that nerve component.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel processes for the lamination of semi-crystalline, high-melting point, low glass transition polymeric films, which are extruded and subsequently laminated on various thermally sensitive substrates to form laminated medical device constructs in a specific time interval to allow low processing temperatures to avoid polymer film and/or substrate degradation or heat-related distortions. Also disclosed are laminated medical device constructs made from such processes.

Abstract: A novel process is disclosed for extruding an absorbable glycolide/lactide block copolymer into multifilament suture fibers. The block copolymer preferably consists of about 50/50 mole % of Glycolide/Lactide in the center segment and the overall composition of the copolymer is about 90/10 mole % Glycolide/Lactide. The novel extrusion process comprises the steps of maintaining the temperatures of at least two, preferably three or more, of the extrusion zones in the range of about 5-50° C. below the polymer melting point. The multifilament suture made with the invention process from the segmented, glycolide-rich, poly(glycolide-co-lactide) copolymers of A-B-A type, where the B-segment is an amorphous prepolymer of glycolide and lactide in the molar ratio of about 50/50 glycolide/lactide, exhibit exceptionally high breaking strength retention (BSR) at 42 days post-implantation.

Abstract: A method of making a barbed microcatheter having fluid egress openings includes obtaining a barbed microcatheter blank having a hollow tube with a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated lumen that extends between the proximal and distal ends of the hollow tube, and first and second flattened regions that extend along opposite sides of the hollow tube. The method includes removing material from the first and second flattened regions of the barbed microcatheter blank to form barbs projecting outwardly from the opposite sides of the hollow tube, and using cutting elements for forming fluid egress openings in a wall of the hollow tube that are in fluid communication with the elongated lumen of the hollow tube. The method includes forming a tissue anchor that is connected with the proximal end of the hollow tube, and securing a surgical needle with the distal end of the hollow tube.

Abstract: Provided are pharmaceutical foam compositions comprising a peptone, a peptide hydrolysate or an enzymatically-hydrolyzed protein prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of a full-length protein; methods of preparation and uses thereof.

Abstract: Novel absorbable foams, lyophilizing solutions, and lyophilizing and annealing processes are disclosed. The foams are made from copolymers of glycolide and epsilon-caprolactone. The foams are useful in or as implantable medical devices.

Abstract: A suture needle container includes a receptacle having a proximal end with an opening and a closed distal end. A hollow mandrel is disposed inside the receptacle. The mandrel projects from the closed distal end toward the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle. The mandrel includes a tubular wall having a proximal end aligned with the proximal end of the receptacle and a distal end connected with the closed distal end of the receptacle. An elongated slot is formed in the tubular wall. A suture needle is disposed within the elongated slot. A suture is secured to the proximal end of the suture needle and wrapped around the hollow mandrel. A cover closes the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle for sealing the suture needle and the suture inside the receptacle for maintaining a sterile environment inside the receptacle.

Abstract: Combination cellulose materials and methods of making and using these materials. The combination material includes a first cellulosic material and a second cellulosic material.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for preventing binding between components of a drive assembly of a surgical device. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical device is provided having a ball-and-socket joint that allows bending of various drive shafts relative to the handle without causing movement of a drive rack disposed within the handle. Since the drive rack does not move in response to bending of the shaft, the drive gear and rack will remain aligned thus preventing jamming of the device.

Abstract: Novel surgical sutures and novel medical devices made from novel semi-crystalline, glycolide-rich A-B-A triblock copolymers of glycolide and lactide, wherein said B-segment is a fully amorphous random copolymer of glycolide and lactide, for long term medical applications are disclosed. The novel polymer compositions are useful for long term absorbable surgical sutures, meshes and other medical devices, especially for patients with compromised healing. The novel sutures have improved properties and improved breaking strength retention, while still substantially absorbing within about a 120-day period post-implantation.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can include a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, and an implantable layer. The implantable layer can include a piece of lyophilized foam and a plurality of fibers at least partially embedded in the piece of lyophilized foam. The implantable layer can further include a plurality of pores defined in piece of lyophilized foam, and a plurality of pockets, wherein a pocket at least partially surrounds a fiber. A method of forming an implantable layer for use with a surgical staple is also disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining a mold comprising a cavity, placing a plurality of fibers in the cavity of the mold, dispensing a solution into the cavity around the fibers, and lyophilizing the solution in the cavity.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for promoting wound healing. In general, surgical staplers and staple components are provided having an effective amount of at least matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor being effective to prevent MMP-mediated extracellular matrix degeneration during wound healing in tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument for use during a surgical procedure includes a body, a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and an actuation assembly. The body is configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer for selectively generating a first or a second predetermined oscillation. The shaft assembly projects from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide connected to the ultrasonic blade. The actuation assembly includes an activator ring and an activation mechanism. The activator ring is selectively movable along the body such that the activator ring is accessible to be gripped by an operator around an entirety of an outer circumferential surface of the activator ring. The activation mechanism is connected to the activator ring such that the activation mechanism selectively moves along the body in conjunction with the activator ring. At least a portion of the activation mechanism is configured to selectively direct the ultrasonic transducer to oscillate the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A system for testing substrates includes a first elongated member including an outer end, an inner end, an outer surface that extends between the outer and inner ends, and a concave surface at the inner end, and a second elongated member including an outer end, an inner end, an outer surface that extends between the outer and inner ends of the second elongated member, and a convex surface at the inner end of the second elongated member that opposes the concave surface at the inner end of the first elongated member. A joint interconnects the first and second elongated members for guiding sliding movement of the concave surface of the first elongated member over the convex surface of the second elongated member between extended and flexed positions. A first clamping assembly is coupled with the first elongated member and at least one first clamping assembly spring normally urges the first clamping assembly away from the inner end of the first elongated member.