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: An embodiment is a medical prosthesis for blocking or reducing tear flow through a punctum or canaliculus of a human eye and delivering a drug to the eye that comprises a dehydrated covalently crosslinked synthetic hydrophilic polymer hydrogel with dimensions to pass through a puncta lacrimali, with the dehydrated hydrogel absorbing physiological water to swell to at least 1 mm in cross-sectional width and conformably fit a canaliculus, with the hydrogel comprising a therapeutic agent dispersed through the hydrogel for release to an eye, with the hydrogel having a water content of at least about 50% by weight or volume when allowed to fully hydrate in vitro in physiological saline.

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: Apparatus and methods for retrieving a vascular filter from a vessel are provided wherein a retrieval adapter is delivered to a treatment site concurrently along with an interventional device to reduce the number of steps required to remove the vascular filter. The retrieval adapter also reduces the possibility of entangling the vascular filter with a stent disposed within the vessel during removal of the vascular filter. A separate retrieval catheter is also described for use in conjunction with the retrieval adapter.

Abstract: An embodiment is a medical prosthesis for blocking or reducing tear flow through a punctum or canaliculus of a human eye and delivering a drug to the eye that comprises a dehydrated covalently crosslinked synthetic hydrophilic polymer hydrogel with dimensions to pass through a puncta lacrimali, with the dehydrated hydrogel absorbing physiological water to swell to at least 1 mm in cross-sectional width and conformably fit a canaliculus, with the hydrogel comprising a therapeutic agent dispersed through the hydrogel for release to an eye, with the hydrogel having a water content of at least about 50% by weight or volume when allowed to fully hydrate in vitro in physiological saline.

Abstract: A pharmaceutically acceptable implant system comprising a collection of pharmaceutically acceptable, covalently-crosslinked hydrogel particles having a radioopaque agent covalently attached to a plurality of the particles in the collection, with the radioopaque agent being present in the collection at a concentration of at least about 0.1% w/w. The implantable materials may be used, for instance, in an iatrogenic site and for fiducial marking.

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: Vascular embolic filtering systems, as well as methods for using the same, are provided. In general, the subject invention includes a system comprised of a delivery and retrieval sheath adapted for delivering and retrieving multiple embolic filters, wherein the embolic filters are each operatively coupled to a distal region of a filter wire segment and are deployable within a target vessel.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a method of improvising radiological outcomes by introducing a filler to between a first tissue location and a second tissue location to increase a distance between the first tissue location and the second tissue location, and administering a dose of radioactivity to at least the first tissue location or the second tissue location. Collagen and hyaluronic acid are examples of fillers. Certain embodiments include a medical device having a biocompatible, biodegradable filler material, wherein the device comprises at least a portion that has a shape that substantially conforms to Denovillier's space between the rectum and prostate. Certain embodiments include a kit, the kit comprising a filler and instructions for placing the filler between a first tissue location and a second tissue location to increase a distance between the first tissue location and the second tissue location.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for aspirating emboli from a vascular filter or stent within a patient's circulatory system are provided. A filter sac of the vascular filter permits blood flow and captures emboli from the flow. The aspiration device removes emboli from within or proximal to the vascular filter or stent to reduce the risk to the ischemia during retrieval of the vascular filter and during a treatment procedure. Retrieval of the vascular filter may be accomplished using either the aspiration catheter or a separate retrieval catheter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in filtering emboli from a vessel such as the ascending aorta, wherein a vascular device comprises a support hoop having an articulation region connected near a distal end of an elongated member, a blood permeable sac affixed to the support hoop so that the support hoop forms a mouth of the blood permeable sac, a guide wire, and a delivery sheath. The articulation region comprises a reduced thickness region of the support hoop that prevents kinks from forming in the support hoop when the apparatus is contracted to its delivery state, and curved regions that close the mouth of the sac to prevent material escaping from the sac when the apparatus is collapsed for removal.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically acceptable hydrogel polymers of natural, recombinant or synthetic origin, or hybrids thereof, are introduced in a dry, less hydrated, or substantially deswollen state and rehydrate in a physiological environment to undergo a volumetric expansion and to affect sealing, plugging, or augmentation of tissue, defects in tissue, or of organs. The hydrogel polymers may deliver therapeutic entities by controlled release at the site. Methods to form useful devices from such polymers, and to implant the devices are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for delivering a stent into an ostium. The apparatus includes a catheter including a proximal end, a distal end, and proximal and distal balloons disposed adjacent one another on the distal end. The balloons are expandable independently of one another, and a stent is provided surrounding the balloons. During use, the distal end of the catheter is introduced into a main lumen, and the proximal balloon is inflated to flare a proximal portion of the stent. The distal end is then advanced into the ostium until the flared proximal portion contacts a wall of the main lumen surrounding the ostium. The distal balloon is inflated to expand a distal portion of the stent, e.g., to dilate a lesion within the branch and/or ostium. Thereafter, the balloons are collapsed, and the apparatus is withdrawn, leaving the stent within the ostium.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for retrieving a vascular filter from a vessel are provided wherein a retrieval adapter is delivered to a treatment site concurrently along with an interventional device to reduce the number of steps required to remove the vascular filter. The retrieval adapter also reduces the possibility of entangling the vascular filter with a stent disposed within the vessel during removal of the vascular filter. A separate retrieval catheter is also described for use in conjunction with the retrieval adapter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in filtering emboli from a vessel such as the ascending aorta, wherein a vascular device comprises a support hoop having an articulation region connected near a distal end of an elongated member, a blood permeable sac affixed to the support hoop so that the support hoop forms a mouth of the blood permeable sac, a guide wire, and a delivery sheath. The articulation region comprises a reduced thickness region of the support hoop that prevents kinks from forming in the support hoop when the apparatus is contracted to its delivery state, and curved regions that close the mouth of the sac to prevent material escaping from the sac when the apparatus is collapsed for removal.

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: Certain embodiments of the invention include forming a material in situ by introducing into a space within a patient a water soluble polymer precursor of at least about 10,000 molecular weight solubilized in a flowable aqueous solution. Functional groups on the polymer precursor undergo covalent bonding in situ to form a solid and nonbiodegradable material having a swellability less than about 20% v/v and a Young's modulus of at least about 100 kPa within about 30 seconds to about 30 minutes of initiating a chemical reaction of the functional groups to form the solid material.

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 a delivery and retrieval sheath adapted for delivering and retrieving multiple embolic filters, wherein the embolic filters are each operatively coupled to a distal region of a filter wire segment and are deployable within a target vessel.

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: 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.