Abstract: A self-expanding stent for implantation into a body lumen, such as an artery, includes a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by a plurality of interconnecting members placed on the stent in a collinear arrangement such as to create at least one continuous spine which extends along the length of the stent. The stent has cylindrical elements at each end of the stent which includes a plurality of double curved portions.

Abstract: This invention provides an antithrombogenic annuloplasty rings, and methods for making the same, wherein the annuloplasty rings have a desired degree of initial rigidity to facilitate ease of handling during implantation but which becomes flexible some time after implantation. The annuloplasty ring contains a relatively rigid insert enclosed by a fabric sheath, the insert being at least partly comprised of a biodegradable material. Following surgical implantation of the annuloplasty ring, the rigid insert component of the ring, upon exposure to blood and/or other physiological fluids, undergoes a controlled biodegradation which decreases its rigidity, thereby increasing the flexibility of the implanted annuloplasty ring. Furthermore, at least some portion of the annuloplasty ring has incorporated into or onto its structure one or more antithrombogenic agents or materials in a manner which reduces the likelihood of thrombosis following implantation.

Abstract: The medical device is coated with a thin coherent bond coat of acrylics, epoxies, acetals, ethylene copolymers, vinyl polymers containing hydroxyl, amine, carboxyl, amide or other reactive groups, and copolymers thereof. Outer layers may be applied and remain adherent to the substrate in water for an extended period. The bond coat may comprise cross linkers such as urea resins, melamines, isocyanates, and phenolics. Preferred polymers include vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate, styrene acrylic polymer, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, carboxyl function acrylic polymer, hydroxyl function acrylic polymer, and acrylic dispersion polymer. The coatings may be applied to inert metal or plastic surfaces of medical devices such as needles, guide wires, catheters, surgical instruments, equipment for endoscopy, wires, stents, angioplasty balloons, wound drains, arteriovenous shunts, gastroenteric tubes, urethral inserts, laparoscopic equipment, pellets, and implants. Methods of coating and coating liquids are provided.

Abstract: A core for forming a bone cement plug for deployment in a bone canal, the core including a base portion defining a bore having internal teeth therein and extending axially and distally from a proximal end of the base portion. A first leg portion depends from and extends distally from the base portion, the first leg portion having a first protrusion at a distal end thereof extending outwardly from an outside wall of the first leg portion through a first arc, and a second leg portion depends from and extends distally from the base portion, the second leg portion having a second protrusion at a distal end thereof extending outwardly from an outside wall of the second leg portion through a second arc and oppositely to the first arc. The toothed bore of the base portion is adapted to receive an expander member to wedge apart the first and second leg portions to expand the core widthwise to secure the core in the bone canal.

Abstract: A radially self-expanding implantable intraluminal device formed from a hollow tubular braid. The intraluminal device may be used in a variety of medical procedures which require a passageway to be maintained in an open position or which require reinforcement, support or a bypass conduit such as in blood vessels weakened by disease. The intraluminal device is longitudinally expanded or radially collapsed for ease of insertion into a lumen and upon alignment within the lumen, the intraluminal device radially self-expands to come into intimate contact with the inner surface of the lumen.

Abstract: An implantable, bioresorbable vessel wall support, in particular a coronary stent, comprises a combination of metal materials which dissolves in the human body without any harmful effects on the person that wears the implant. The combination of metal materials can be an alloy or a local galvanic element.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid leakage from an incision following tumescent liposuction and other surgical procedures where large amounts of fluid are introduced into the body includes placing a highly absorbent pad composed of a softened polyvinyl acetate sponge over the incision and holding the pad in place using a flexible backing with adhesive on one side. The softened polyvinyl acetate sponge material can be placed over the incision in either an unexpanded dry state or an expanded dry state. In one embodiment, a liquid impermeable layer is formed on one side of the pad and positioned on the adhesive side of the backing to prevent the absorbed fluids from infiltrating the backing.

Abstract: A stent for placement in a body lumen is fabricated by forming a tube having an un-deployed diameter sized for the tube to be placed on a deployment balloon and advanced through a body lumen to a deployment site. The tube is expandable upon inflation of the balloon to an enlarged diameter sized for the tube to be retained within the lumen at the site upon deflation and withdrawal of the balloon. The tube has a stent axis extending between first and second axial ends of the tube. The tube has an exterior surface and an interior surface. The tube is polished to polish the exterior surface to a smooth surface finish and with at least a portion of the interior surface having a rough surface finish rougher than the surface finish of the exterior surface.

Abstract: A coccidiosis-relieving agent comprising cashew nut shell oil and/or anacardic acids as an active ingredient and a feed for relieving coccidiosis comprising cashew nut shell oil and/or anacardic acids. Cecal lesions of livestock and poultry, in particular poultry such as fowl, can be relieved by adding cashew nut shell oil and/or anacardic acids to a feed. The coccidiosis-relieving agent according to the present invention does not completely inactivate Coccidium protozoa, but induces slight infection to immunize an animal, thus achieving a so-called "passive immunological effect". The coccidiosis-relieving agent is efficacious in allowing Coccidium protozoa to grow and imparting sufficient immunological stimuli while relieving lesions to thereby lessen damage to poultry such as fowls.

Abstract: The invention provides a pasta product consisting essentially of low gluten or gluten-free flour, the flour being selected from the group consisting of uncooked grain, legume, tuber or vegetable flours, in combination with water and stabilizers.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of relaxin or another compound capable of specific binding of a relaxin receptor in the heart in the cardiovascular therapy, and specifically in the treatment of acute and chronic heart failure or of a condition characterized by pathologically low heart rate. The invention further concerns the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases using relaxin or other compounds capable of selectively binding a relaxin receptor in the brain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of nucleoproteins, more especially DNA, and their use in therapeutic compositions suitable for the treatment of neoplasms, pathological conditions, infections, osteoarticular disorders and the like, which comprise said nucleoproteins as active agent.Similarly, the invention comprises compositions which protect against the harmful effects of radiation and poisons in general, which also comprise said nucleoproteins as active agent.Finally, the present invention relates to a method for treating patients suffering from neoplasms and the like, whereby therapeutically effective quantities of said compositions are administered to the patient.

Abstract: Inflammation in mammals is treated by administering anti-inflammatory agent complexed with corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) that is produced by recombinant DNA-based techniques.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating and inhibiting hypotension related to both endotoxin and cytokine-induced shock are provided. A therapeutic regimen useful in the present invention includes an arginine-free parenteral formulation administered with or followed by the administration of an anti-endotoxin antibody, an interleukin-1 or interleukin-2 receptor antagonist, an anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody or a combination thereof. Most preferably, the administration of an arginine-free parenteral formulation augments the anti-hypotensive effect of the various antibodies and antagonist described so as to provide an effective treatment for various forms of hypotension. The therapeutic regimens of the invention are proposed to provide for a decrease in nitric oxide synthase, and thereby an increase in blood pressure in vivo, particularly in animals with cytokine- and/or endotoxin-induced hypotension.

Abstract: Methods for treatment of diabetes and other insulin-requiring conditions by administering insulin and a calcitonin with or without amylin, and methods for treatment of hypoglycemic conditions by administering a calcitonin alone or in combination with glucagon and/or an amylin, and related compositions.

Abstract: A method is provided for potentiating the efflux of cholesterol from the macrophage, the method including the steps of increasing the affinity of high-density lipoprotein for macrophages by the administration of a serum amyloid A/high-density lipoprotein complex, exposing the macrophage to the complex, and potentiating macrophage cholesterol efflux.

Abstract: An enteral nutritional product for a person having a neurological injury is very low in carbohydrate, but high in fat. The fat is supplied by a lipid blend having a ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids in the range of 1 to 6. Preferably the nutritional product contains nutrients having antioxidant properties, for example beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, taurine, molybdenum and selenium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing endotoxin-associated shock in a subject which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a BPI protein effective to bind to endotoxin so as to prevent endotoxin associated shock in the subject. This invention further provides a method for treating a subject suffering from endotoxin-associated shock which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a BPI protein effective to bind endotoxin so as to treat the subject suffering from endotoxin-associated shock.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of an animal for deleterious physiological effects such as systemic hypotension caused by nitric oxide production induced by a biological response modifier. Examples of such biological response modifiers include but are not limited to a cytokine and an endotoxin. The invention is also directed to a method for the treatment of septic shock.

Abstract: An intraocular anticoagulant including antithrombin III is applicable as an injection into the ocular chamber of the eye at the time of cataract surgery, intraocular lens implant surgery, and other ocular surgeries. The anticoagulant prevents fibrin deposits from forming on the intraocular lens surface after surgery and avoids postoperative viscoelastic material inducing transient elevation in intraocular pressure.