Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to catheters that can be placed in or around bodily conduits to occlude or widen a biological lumen without imparting significant trauma to the lumen. In certain embodiments, the invention particularly relates to the use of a polymer composition which can be made to gel upon insertion into said balloon or skirt. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at mammalian physiological temperature. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition comprises an optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using peristalsis to force a polymer plug through a mammalian lumen, thereby removing any calculi and/or calculi fragments present in the lumen. In one embodiment, the method is used as an alternative to conventional lithotripsy. In another embodiment, the method is used in conjunction with lithotripsy, thereby removing the small calculi fragments that result from such procedures.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to methods and kits for treating wounds, comprising the step of introducing into said wound a composition comprising at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer forms a gel in said wound, thereby temporarily occluding said wound. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method wherein a wound to a blood vessel or a segment of the GI tract is occluded, thereby preventing exsanguination and/or septicemia. In other embodiments, the inventive methods and kits described herein may be used to ameliorate (e.g., fill) temporarily a defect in a biological lumen, thereby strengthening said defect, preventing rupture of, or maintaining, improving or optimizing fluid flow through said lumen.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using peristalsis to force a polymer plug through a mammalian lumen, thereby removing any calculi and/or calculi fragments present in the lumen. In one embodiment, the method is used as an alternative to conventional lithotripsy. In another embodiment, the method is used in conjunction with lithotripsy, thereby removing the small calculi fragments that result from such procedures.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to methods and kits for treating wounds, comprising the step of introducing into said wound a composition comprising at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer forms a gel in said wound, thereby temporarily occluding said wound. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method wherein a wound to a blood vessel or a segment of the GI tract is occluded, thereby preventing exsanguination and/or septicemia. In other embodiments, the inventive methods and kits described herein may be used to ameliorate (e.g., fill) temporarily a defect in a biological lumen, thereby strengthening said defect, preventing rupture of, or maintaining, improving or optimizing fluid flow through said lumen.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of ultrasonography, utilizing a gel comprising a reverse phase polymer which facilitates the transmission of high-frequency sound waves. Further, the inherent properties of the reverse phase polymer result in increased adhesion at higher temperatures, thereby helping to maintain the desired position of the ultrasound probe until the user intends to adjust the probe's position. In certain embodiments, the method is utilized in a medical procedure in which stability of an ultrasound probe or transducer in an intended desired position can improve the outcome or increase the efficiency of the procedure. In certain embodiments, the gel further comprises an additive to increase the ultimate adhesion of the gel. In still other embodiments, the gel can be used on the skin, on a protective sheath encasing an ultrasound probe, or between the sheath and the probe, or any or all of them.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of ultrasonography, utilizing a gel comprising a reverse phase polymer which facilitates the transmission of high-frequency sound waves. Further, the inherent properties of the reverse phase polymer result in increased adhesion at higher temperatures, thereby helping to maintain the desired position of the ultrasound probe until the user intends to adjust the probe's position. In certain embodiments, the method is utilized in a medical procedure in which stability of an ultrasound probe or transducer in an intended desired position can improve the outcome or increase the efficiency of the procedure. In certain embodiments, the gel further comprises an additive to increase the ultimate adhesion of the gel. In still other embodiments, the gel can be used on the skin, on a protective sheath encasing an ultrasound probe, or between the sheath and the probe, or any or all of them.

Abstract: Precision in thermotherapy is obtained by providing a reverse gelling polymer composition which gels when its temperature is raised above body temperature. The composition is injected into the blood supply of the tissue being treated, at the beginning of thermotherapy. The temperature increase caused by the heating gels the composition, which temporarily blocks the flow of blood in the region being treated. This improves the predictability and stability of treatment. On cessation of heating, the composition liquefies, removing the temporary embolization. The use of local heating can also expedite removal of tumors and the like from soft organs, even when the heating itself has no therapeutic effect.

Abstract: Precision in thermotherapy is obtained by providing a reverse gelling polymer composition which gels when its temperature is raised towards body temperature. The composition is injected into the blood supply of the tissue being treated, at the beginning of thermotherapy. The temperature increase caused by the heating rapidly gels the composition, which temporarily blocks the flow of blood in the region being treated. This improves the predictability and stability of treatment. On cessation of heating, the composition gradually dissolves, removing the temporary embolization. The use of local heating can also expedite removal of tumors and the like from soft organs, even when the heating itself has no therapeutic effect.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to methods of embolizing a vascular site in a mammal comprising introducing into the vasculature of a mammal a composition comprising an inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said inverse thermosensitive polymer gels in said vasculature, which composition may be injected through a small catheter, and which compositions gel at or below body temperature. In certain embodiments of the methods of embolization, said composition further comprises a marker molecule, such as a dye, radiopaque, or an MRI-visible compound.

Abstract: The present invention improves significantly the success rate of lithotripsy and reduces the risk of tissue damage, by injecting a temporary plug in front, and optionally behind a concretion (for extracorporeal lithotripsy) or behind a concretion (for intracorporeal lithotripsy).

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of occluding a vascular site in a mammal, comprising the step of introducing into the vasculature of a mammal at or proximal to a surgical site, a composition comprising at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said inverse thermosensitive polymer gels in said vasculature, thereby temporarily occluding a vascular site of said mammal, wherein said temporarily occluded vasculature site is kept in a substantially cylindrical shape.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of occluding a vascular site in a mammal, comprising the step of introducing into the vasculature of a mammal at or proximal to a surgical site, a composition comprising at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said inverse thermosensitive polymer gels in said vasculature, thereby temporarily occluding a vascular site of said mammal, wherein said temporarily occluded vasculature site is kept in a substantially cylindrical shape.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of ultrasonography, utilizing a gel comprising a reverse phase polymer which facilitates the transmission of high-frequency sound waves. Further, the inherent properties of the reverse phase polymer result in increased adhesion at higher temperatures, thereby helping to maintain the desired position of the ultrasound probe until the user intends to adjust the probe's position. In certain embodiments, the method is utilized in a medical procedure in which stability of an ultrasound probe or transducer in an intended desired position can improve the outcome or increase the efficiency of the procedure. In certain embodiments, the gel further comprises an additive to increase the ultimate adhesion of the gel. In still other embodiments, the gel can be used on the skin, on a protective sheath encasing an ultrasound probe, or between the sheath and the probe, or any or all of them.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to catheters that can be placed in or around bodily conduits to occlude or widen a biological lumen without imparting significant trauma to the lumen. In certain embodiments, the invention particularly relates to the use of a polymer composition which can be made to gel upon insertion into said balloon or skirt. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at mammalian physiological temperature. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition comprises an optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method to control biological fluid flow at a site in a mammal by use of an in situ formed polymer plug. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method to control bleeding following a catheterization procedure, a method to control leakage of cerebral spinal fluid following a lumbar puncture, a method to seal a fistula, or a method to control the flow of serous fluid after a lymphadenectomy. In certain embodiments, the polymer plug is generated in situ by temperature changes, pH changes or ionic interactions. In certain embodiments, the polymer plug comprises at least one optionally purified reverse thermosensitive polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods and kits to control bleeding through the use of an internal occluder based on polymeric solutions, including use of reverse thermosensitive polymers in nephron-sparing surgeries, which produces a completely bloodless surgical field, allowing speedy resection. In certain embodiments, after a certain amount of time, the flow gradually resumes, with no apparent adverse consequences to the kidney. In certain embodiments, return of blood flow may be accelerated by cooling the kidney. The compositions, methods and kits for perfusive organ hemostasis can also be used to simplify or to enable other organ surgeries or interventional procedures, including liver surgery, prostate surgery, brain surgery, surgery of the uterus, spleen surgery and any surgery on any highly vascularized organs.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a method for the treatment of lithiasis, which mitigates the risk of damage to surrounding body tissue when removing a calculi (e.g., biological concretions, such as urinary, biliary, and pancreatic stones) that obstructs or may otherwise be present within a body's anatomical lumen. In one embodiment, the instant invention provides a method of using a polymer plug to occlude a lumen distal to a calculi, whereby calculi fragments resulting from lithotripsy are prevented from traveling up the lumen. In certain embodiments, a dual lumen catheter is utilized to inject two solutions proximal to the calculi, the mixing of said solutions causing a polymer plug to form.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to methods and kits for treating wounds, comprising the step of introducing into said wound a composition comprising at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer forms a gel in said wound, thereby temporarily occluding said wound. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method wherein a wound to a blood vessel or a segment of the GI tract is occluded, thereby preventing exsanguination and/or septicemia. In other embodiments, the inventive methods and kits described herein may be used to ameliorate (e.g., fill) temporarily a defect in a biological lumen, thereby strengthening said defect, preventing rupture of, or maintaining, improving or optimizing fluid flow through said lumen.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using peristalsis to force a polymer plug through a mammalian lumen, thereby removing any calculi and/or calculi fragments present in the lumen. In one embodiment, the method is used as an alternative to conventional lithotripsy. In another embodiment, the method is used in conjunction with lithotripsy, thereby removing the small calculi fragments that result from such procedures.