Abstract: Vascular embolic filtering devices and systems, as well as methods for using the same, are provided. The embolic filtering device includes a guide wire and an associated embolic filter for capturing emboli created during interventional procedures within a target vessel. Features of the subject devices and system provide for delivering of the guide wire independently of the filter, rotating of the guide wire with respect to the filter and limiting or preventing the proximal translation of the filter with respect to the guide wire. The embolic filter is attached to a sheath having either a shorter-length configuration or an extended-length configuration. The guide wire comprises a proximal stop mechanism engageable with the sheath to limit at least the proximal translation of the embolic filter. The subject embolic filter systems provide such guide wires and embolic filters, as well as and an embolic filter delivery, deployment and removal assembly.

Abstract: A method of concentrating proteins from whole blood comprising exposing whole blood to covalently crosslinked hydrogel to remove water from the blood into the hydrogel to thereby concentrate the proteins in the whole blood. The hydrogel may absorb, for example, 50% or 90% of the water from the blood while excluding proteins with a weight of more than about 15,000 Daltons. In some embodiment, the hydrogels are dry, sterile, and spherical.

Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure relate to a method for crosslinking a biological fluid comprising combining a biological fluid with a crosslinker to covalently crosslink proteins endogenous to the biological fluid to form a crosslinked gel. Examples of a biological fluid are blood, plasma, or serum.

Abstract: Biocompatible crosslinked polymers, and methods for their preparation and use, are disclosed in which the biocompatible crosslinked polymers are formed from water soluble precursors having electrophilic and nucleophilic functional groups capable of reacting and crosslinking in situ. Methods for making the resulting biocompatible crosslinked polymers biodegradable or not are provided, as are methods for controlling the rate of degradation. The crosslinking reactions may be carried out in situ on organs or tissues or outside the body. Applications for such biocompatible crosslinked polymers and their precursors include controlled delivery of drugs, prevention of post-operative adhesions, coating of medical devices such as vascular grafts, wound dressings and surgical sealants. Visualization agents may be included with the crosslinked polymers.

Abstract: A stent includes a first portion including first and second bands of cells that flare outwardly when the stent is expanded from a contracted to a flared condition, and a second portion connected to the first portion by flexible connectors. During use, the stent is introduced into a main vessel in the contracted condition and positioned with the first portion adjacent an ostium and the second portion within a branch vessel extending from the ostium. The first portion is flared, causing first struts of the first set of cells to move from an axial towards a radial and partial circumferential orientation and causing second struts of the second set of cells to move from an axial towards a radial orientation. The stent is expanded further such that the second portion expands within the branch body lumen, and the first and second struts move towards a more circumferential orientation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in filtering emboli from a vessel and/or performing thrombectomy and embolectomy, wherein a vascular device comprises one or more support hoops connected near a distal end of a guide wire, each support hoop having an articulation region, and a blood permeable sac affixed to the support hoop or hoops to form a mouth of the blood permeable sac. The mouth of the sac closes when the apparatus is collapsed for removal to prevent material from escaping from the sac.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided to control the release of relatively low molecular weight therapeutic species through hydrogels by first dispersing or dissolving such therapeutic species within relatively hydrophobic rate modifying agents to form a mixture. The mixture is formed into microparticles that are dispersed within bioabsorbable hydrogels, so as to release the water soluble therapeutic agents in a controlled fashion. Methods of using the compositions of the present invention in therapeutic systems are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in filtering emboli from a vessel and/or performing thrombectomy and embolectomy, wherein a vascular device comprises one or more support hoops connected near a distal end of a guide wire, each support hoop having an articulation region, and a blood permeable sac affixed to the support hoop or hoops to form a mouth of the blood permeable sac. The mouth of the sac closes when the apparatus is collapsed for removal to prevent material from escaping from the sac.

Abstract: Biocompatible crosslinked polymers, and methods for their preparation and use with minimally invasive surgery applicators are disclosed. The disclosure includes compositions and methods for in situ formation of hydrogels using minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in filtering emboli from a vessel and/or performing thrombectomy and embolectomy, wherein a vascular device disposed on a guidewire comprises a support hoop disposed from a suspension strut. Alternately, a support hoop having an articulation region may be directly connected to a region proximate the distal end of the guidewire. A blood permeable sac is affixed to the support hoop to form a mouth of the blood permeable sac. The support hoop is disposed obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the guidewire and is capable of being properly used in a wide range of vessel diameters. The vascular device collapses during removal to prevent material from escaping from the sac. A delivery sheath and introducer sheath for use with the vascular device of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: Biocompatible crosslinked polymers, and methods for their preparation and use, are disclosed in which the biocompatible crosslinked polymers are formed from water soluble precursors having electrophilic and nucleophilic functional groups capable of reacting and crosslinking in situ. Methods for making the resulting biocompatible crosslinked polymers biodegradable or not are provided, as are methods for controlling the rate of degradation. The crosslinking reactions may be carried out in situ on organs or tissues or outside the body. Applications for such biocompatible crosslinked polymers and their precursors include controlled delivery of drugs, prevention of post-operative adhesions, coating of medical devices such as vascular grafts, wound dressings and surgical sealants. Visualization agents may be included with the crosslinked polymers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in filtering emboli from a vessel and/or performing thrombectomy and embolectomy, wherein a vascular device disposed on a guidewire comprises a support hoop disposed from a suspension strut. Alternately, a support hoop having an articulation region may be directly connected to a region proximate the distal end of the guidewire. A blood permeable sac is affixed to the support hoop to form a mouth of the blood permeable sac. The support hoop is disposed obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the guidewire and is capable of being properly used in a wide range of vessel diameters. The vascular device collapses during removal to prevent material from escaping from the sac. A delivery sheath and introducer sheath for use with the vascular device of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of forming hydrogel systems in situ are provided using a delivery system configured to deliver two or more fluent prepolymer solutions without premature crosslinking. The delivery system comprises separate first and second lumens coupling first and second inlet ports and first and second outlet ports, respectively, and may include a balloon, flexible distal region, mixing chamber or steerable distal end. Multi-component hydrogel systems suitable for use with the inventive methods and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: Proteinaceous gels having visualization agents and methods of use thereof are disclosed herein. Further, polymeric crosslinking agents are disclosed that have an inert water soluble polymeric component, biodegradable components, functional components reactive with chemical groups on a protein, for example, amine or thiol groups. The inert polymeric component may be flanked at each end with a biodegradable component which is flanked at each end with a protein reactive functional component. A polymeric crosslinking agent is disclosed having a biodegradable component, polyalkylene oxide, and at least three reactive functional groups that are each capable of forming a covalent bond in water with at least one functional group such as an amine, thiol, or carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Materials, methods, and compositions for making crosslinked albumin hydrogels are included in the application. Embodiments include a biocompatible material of albumin crosslinked with an n-functional crosslinking agent wherein n is at least 3. Other embodiments include a cross-linking agent having a polyalkylene oxide member. Other embodiments include a system for administering an albumin material, the system having albumin and a crosslinking agent that reacts with the albumin to form a crosslinked material made of crosslinked albumin. Another embodiment is a method of making a biocompatible material that includes a step of mixing albumin with an n-functional crosslinking agent wherein n is at least 3.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming hydrogel barriers in situ that adhere to tissue and prevent the formation of post-surgical adhesions or deliver drugs or other therapeutic agents to a body cavity. The hydrogels are crosslinked, resorb or degrade over a period of time, and may be formed by free radical polymerization initiated by a redox system or thermal initiation, or electrophilic-neutrophilic mechanism, wherein two components of an initiating system are simultaneously or sequentially poured into a body cavity to obtain widespread dispersal and coating of all or most visceral organs within that cavity prior to gelation and polymerization of the regional barrier. The hydrogel materials are selected to have a low stress at break in tension or torsion, and so as to have a close to equilibrium hydration level when formed.

Abstract: Biocompatible crosslinked polymers, and methods for their preparation and use, are disclosed in which the biocompatible crosslinked polymers are formed from water soluble precursors having electrophilic and nucleophilic functional groups capable of reacting and crosslinking in situ. Methods for making the resulting biocompatible crosslinked polymers biodegradable or not are provided, as are methods for controlling the rate of degradation. The crosslinking reactions may be carried out in situ on organs or tissues or outside the body. Applications for such biocompatible crosslinked polymers and their precursors include controlled delivery of drugs, prevention of post-operative adhesions, coating of medical devices such as vascular grafts, wound dressings and surgical sealants. Visualization agents may be included with the crosslinked polymers.

Abstract: Vascular embolic filtering systems, as well as methods for using the same, are provided. In general, the subject invention includes a system comprised of an embolic filter assembly and a multiple lumen delivery and retrieval sheath, where the embolic filter assembly includes a guide wire with an embolic filter operatively coupled to the distal end of the guide wire for capturing emboli created during interventional procedures within a target vessel. Features of the subject invention provide for the rapid exchange and deployment of embolic filters in a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: Polymeric crosslinking agents are disclosed that have an inert water soluble polymeric component, biodegradable components, functional components reactive with chemical groups on a protein, for example, amine or thiol groups. The inert polymeric component may be flanked at each end with a biodegradable component which is flanked at each end with a protein reactive functional component. A polymeric crosslinking agent is disclosed having a biodegradable component, polyalkylene oxide, and at least three reactive functional groups that are each capable of forming a covalent bond in water with at least one functional group such as an amine, thiol, or carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for forming hydrogels in situ through a combination of physical and chemical crosslinking processes are provided in which physical crosslinking is mediated by one or more natural or synthetic components that stabilize the a hydrogel-forming precursor solutions at a deposition site for a period of time sufficient for more resilient chemical crosslinks to form. Methods of using such hydrogels as tissue coatings to prevent postsurgical adhesion formation, as tissue augmentation or luminal occlusion aids, as matrices for carrying cells, drugs or other bioactive species, as tissue sealants or adhesives, and as medical device coatings also are provided.