Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices and materials for the in situ formation of a nerve cap and/or a nerve wrap to inhibit neuroma formation following planned or traumatic nerve injury. The method includes the steps of identifying a severed end of a nerve, and positioning the severed end into a cavity defined by a form. A transformable media is introduced into the form cavity to surround the severed end. The media is permitted to undergo a transformation from a first, relatively flowable state to a second, relatively non flowable state to form a protective barrier surrounding the severed end. The media may be a hydrogel, and the transformation may produce a synthetic crosslinked hydrogel protective barrier. The media may include at least one anti-regeneration agent to inhibit nerve regrowth.

Abstract: Drug delivery using bio-affecting drugs, particularly with shape changing drug delivery devices. Embodiments are included for depots for delivery of a therapeutic agent that change from an elongated state ex vivo to a coil in vivo where the agent is released.

Abstract: Flared stents are disclosed, and apparatus and methods for delivering such stents into a bifurcation between a main vessel and a branch vessel. The stent includes a first tubular portion a second flaring portion that may be flared radially outwardly to contact the ostium. The stent may include variable mechanical properties along its length. The stent may be delivered using a catheter including proximal and distal ends, the stent overlying first and second balloons on the distal end. During use, the catheter is advanced through an ostium into the branch to place the stent within the branch. The first balloon is expanded to flare the stent to contact a wall of the ostium, thereby causing the stent to migrate partially into the ostium. The second balloon is expanded to fully expand the stent within the ostium and branch.

Abstract: Disclosed are coating compositions, processes, and designs for endowing vascular devices with thromboresistant and endothelializing properties. Also disclosed are designs of vascular devices used as aneurysm treating devices for assisting in the delivery, packing, and maintenance of embolization coils within an aneurysm, particularly a neurovascular aneurysm.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices and materials for the in situ formation of a nerve cap to inhibit neuroma formation following planned or traumatic nerve injury. The method includes the steps of identifying a severed end of a nerve, and positioning the severed end into a cavity defined by a form. A transformable media is introduced into the form cavity to surround the severed end. The media is permitted to undergo a transformation from a first, relatively flowable state to a second, relatively non flowable state to form a protective barrier surrounding the severed end. The media may be a hydrogel, and the transformation may produce a synthetic crosslinked hydrogel protective barrier. The media may include at least one anti-regeneration agent to inhibit nerve regrowth.

Abstract: Serial-solvent biomaterials are described. Embodiments include materials made in an organic solvent that are stripped of the solvent and used in a patient, where they imbibe water and form a hydrogel. These materials are useful for, among other things, delivering therapeutic agents, tissue augmentation, and radiological marking.

Abstract: An aspiration catheter is provided including a proximal section and a distal section extendable through the proximal section. A vacuum transfer tool may be coupled to a proximal end of the proximal section. The vacuum transfer tool may include a proximal transfer tube and a distal transfer tube, each having an aspiration port in communication with a vacuum source. The proximal transfer tube may be removably received within a proximal end of the distal transfer tube. The distal section of the catheter may be inserted into the proximal section through the proximal transfer tube. The proximal transfer tube may maintain a vacuum around a proximal end of the distal section of the catheter such that when the distal section is removed by decoupling the proximal and distal transfer tubes, the vacuum within the distal transfer tube and proximal section of the catheter is maintained, preventing an escape of any clots.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treating neurovascular venous outflow obstructions, with or without implantation of a prosthetic valve. The valve may be carried by a support, such as a stent, which may be self-expandable or balloon expandable. Both transvascular and direct surgical access is contemplated.

Abstract: Implantable materials may be used as spacers for separating tissues to reduce a dose of radioactivity received by one of the tissues. Applications include introducing a hydrogel spacer to a position between a first tissue location and a second tissue location to increase a distance between the first tissue location and the second tissue location, Further, there may be a step of administering a dose of radioactivity to at least the first tissue location or the second tissue location and/or a step of visualizing margins of the hydrogel spacer. A hydrogel spacer may comprise a polysaccharide and a radioopaque agent and may be used for fiducial marking.

Abstract: A catheter is provided comprising localized regions of modified flexibility. The regions of modified flexibility may comprise a softened inner liner, for example softened via stretching the inner liner or disposing a plurality of holes in the inner liner, to modify the bending stiffness and/or tensile stiffness of the catheter. The catheter may further include an axially extending filament that at least partially overlaps the softened portion of the inner liner. The axially extending filament may include an anchoring section to anchor the at least one axially extending filament in a section of the catheter that includes the helical coil.

Abstract: An embolization system and methods for controlling solidification of embolic compositions comprising a first and a second embolic component that react with each other in vivo at a target site to form an embolic material, with the embolic components being dilutable in physiological fluids so that they do not form an embolic composition at a site that is not desired.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing material within a body lumen are disclosed. The apparatus includes a core wire extending from a proximal end to a distal tip, an actuator member defining a lumen for receiving at least a portion of the core wire, and a distal basket having a distal enclosed end fixed relative to the core wire and one or more elements extending from a proximal open end to a collar slidable on the core wire. The collar is slidable on the core wire within an interior of the distal basket such that, when the collar contacts the actuator member, the collar applies an inward force to direct the proximal open end of the distal basket radially inwardly.

Abstract: A catheter is provided which includes an outer catheter and an extendable inner catheter. A sealing feature is positioned between the inner catheter and the outer catheter to seal the annular gap between the two while allowing axial translation. The seal may be a compliant protrusion surrounding the inner catheter and may have a chevron-shape for facilitating axial translation. The seal may be a one-way valve configured to allow antegrade flushing but prevent retrograde flow. The seal may be squeegee-like flange on the distal tip of the outer catheter. The seal may be an expandable bulge, which may be mechanically expandable or inflatable or which may be a photosensitive or electrosensitive hydrogel. The seal may include a spring that is radially compressed upon translation or rotation of the inner catheter to transiently break the seal. Also provided is a seal for sealing between the catheter and the vasculature.

Abstract: An aspiration catheter is provided including a proximal section and a distal section extendable through the proximal section. A vacuum transfer tool may be coupled to a proximal end of the proximal section. The vacuum transfer tool may include a proximal transfer tube and a distal transfer tube, each having an aspiration port in communication with a vacuum source. The proximal transfer tube may be removably received within a proximal end of the distal transfer tube. The proximal transfer tube may maintain a vacuum around the proximal end of the distal section of the catheter such that when the distal section is removed by decoupling the proximal and distal transfer tubes, the vacuum within the distal transfer tube and proximal section of the catheter is maintained, preventing the escape of any clots.

Abstract: Drug delivery using bio-affecting drugs, particularly with shape changing drug delivery devices. Embodiments are included for depots for delivery of a therapeutic agent that change from an elongated state ex vivo to a coil in vivo where the agent is released.

Abstract: A neurovascular catheter having an atraumatic navigational tip is disclosed. The catheter includes an elongate flexible tubular body, a distal zone of the tubular body comprising: a tubular inner liner; a helical coil surrounding the inner liner and having a distal end, a tubular jacket surrounding the helical coil, and extending distally beyond the helical coil distal end to terminate in a catheter distal face, and a tubular radiopaque marker embedded in the tubular jacket. The catheter distal face comprises a first section that resides on a first plane which crosses a longitudinal axis of the tubular body at a first angle within the range of from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees, and a second section that resides on a second plane which crosses the longitudinal axis of the tubular body at a second angle within the range from about 55 degrees to about 90 degrees.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating a luminal pathology affecting an anatomical lumen of a patient comprising forming, in situ, a continuous cohesive layer of covalently-crosslinked hydrogel in a luminal wall of the anatomical lumen.

Abstract: Drug delivery involving hydrogels as used for various medical conditions, and includes hydrogels formed in an eye with extended drug release times. An embodiment of the invention is a method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a tissue comprising forming a hydrogel in situ in an eye with a therapeutic agent dispersed in the hydrogel, the agent having a low solubility in water. The agent may be essentially insoluble in water. The hydrogel may be made so that 50% to 100% w/w of the agent is released when the hydrogel is from 100% to 50% persistent, with the persistence being a measure of the dry weight of the hydrogel relative to an initial dry weight of the hydrogel.

Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure relate to a method of treating an ophthalmic disease affecting an eye of a patient comprising forming a covalently-crosslinked hydrogel for controlled release of a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A neurovascular catheter having an angled distal tip has an elongate flexible tubular body with a proximal end, a distal end and a side wall defining a central lumen. The side wall has a helical coil. A tubular jacket surrounds the helical coil, and extending distally beyond the helical coil distal end to terminate in a catheter distal face. A tubular radiopaque marker is embedded in the tubular jacket in between the distal end of the coil and the distal face. The distal face resides on a plane which crosses a longitudinal axis of the tubular body at an angle within the range of from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees. The marker has a proximal face that is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a distal face that resides on a plane which crosses the longitudinal axis at an angle within the range of from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees.