Abstract: Methods of treating an eye for an ocular condition such as placing a composite depot comprising a xerogel with embedded degradable particles into an anterior chamber of an eye to deliver a therapeutic agent. The xerogel is a hydrogel after exposure to intraocular fluid and is degradable. The degradable particles comprise the therapeutic agent and hydrolytically degrade in the anterior chamber to provide a controlled release of the therapeutic agent into the eye. Materials and processes for making depots are provided as well as alternative methods of their use.

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: 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: 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: 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: Implantable materials may be used in an iatrogenic site. Applications include radioopaque materials for fiducial marking.

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.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices and materials for the in situ formation of an implant for treating a nerve. A treatment site on a nerve is positioned within a cavity defined by a form. A transformable media is introduced into the form cavity to surround the treatment site. 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 treatment site. The implant may be a growth inhibiting nerve cap to inhibit neuroma formation following planned or traumatic nerve injury, a growth permissive conduit for facilitating reconnection of a severed nerve, or an anchor for stabilizing a pain management electrode with respect to a nerve. Access to the nerve treatment site may be open surgical or percutaneous.

Abstract: Implantable materials visible under ultrasound may be delivered to a selected placement site and biodegrade after a certain period of time. Ultrasound visible implantable materials may be delivered through an applicator and may include ultrasound contrast agents and/or radiopaque agents. Applications include monitoring the delivery of an implant of the implantable materials to the placement site with ultrasound and delivery of therapeutic agents to a tissue at the placement site for treating a patient.

Abstract: Implantable materials visible under ultrasound may be delivered to a selected placement site and biodegrade after a certain period of time. Ultrasound visible implantable materials may be delivered through an applicator and may include ultrasound contrast agents and/or radiopaque agents. Applications include monitoring the delivery of an implant of the implantable materials to the placement site with ultrasound and delivery of therapeutic agents to a tissue at the placement site for treating a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices and materials for the in situ formation of an implant for treating a nerve. A treatment site on a nerve is positioned within a cavity defined by a form. A transformable media is introduced into the form cavity to surround the treatment site. 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 treatment site. A hydrophilic characteristic of the media cooperates with a hydrophobic characteristic of the surface of the cavity to facilitate a rapid release of the implant from the cavity following the transformation. The implant may be a growth inhibiting nerve cap to inhibit neuroma formation following planned or traumatic nerve injury, a growth permissive conduit for facilitating reconnection of a severed nerve, or an anchor for stabilizing a pain management electrode with respect to a nerve.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making freeze dried hydrogel and structures therefrom that may be introduced into a patient's body for medical applications. Precursor components are combined to initiate crosslinking. The combined precursor components are placed in a chilled tray, and allowed to crosslink to a desired level of complete crosslinking before and/or after being placed onto the tray. The partially crosslinked hydrogel is frozen and freeze dried. After freeze drying, the hydrogel is conditioned to substantially complete crosslinking, and formed into one or more structures, e.g., plugs, hemostatic, or other medical devices. For example, the hydrogel may be cut, machined, rolled, folded, compressed, and/or cored into that may be loaded into delivery devices that may be introduced into a body to implant or otherwise deliver the structures into the body, e.g., to seal a puncture or other passage through tissue.

Abstract: Implantable materials visible under ultrasound may delivered to a selected placement site and biodegrade after a certain period of time. Ultrasound visible implantable materials may be delivered through an applicator and may include ultrasound contrast agents and/or radiopaque agents. Applications include monitoring the delivery of an implant of the implantable materials to the placement site with ultrasound and delivery of therapeutic agents to a tissue at the placement site for treating a patient.

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.

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: 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 prosthesis comprising a water-dissolvable coating. A prosthesis for a lacrimal canaliculus comprising a swellable punctal plug with a proximal end and a distal end, with the plug comprising a water-dissolvable biocompatible coating on the distal and/or the proximal end. Materials and methods for making and using the same. A prosthesis for placement in or across natural or prosthetic lumens, ostia, ducts, sinus, or sphincters, the prosthesis comprising a coating. The prosthesis can further provide a depot for sustained drug delivery to tissue.