Abstract: Methods for treating gastrointestinal conditions, conditions associated with sympathetic and/or parasympathetic activity in the gastrointestinal organs, and conditions associated with central sympathetic and/or parasympathetic activity in a patient with therapeutic gastrointestinalneuromodulation and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods that at least partially inhibit sympathetic neural activity in nerves proximate a gastrointestinal artery of a gastrointestinal organ of a patient. Sympathetic drive in the patient can thereby be reduced in a manner that treats the patient for the gastrointestinal condition.

Abstract: Devices and methods for therapeutic photodynamic modulation of neural function in a human. One embodiment of a method in accordance with the technology includes administering a photosensitizer to a human, wherein the photosensitizer preferentially accumulates at nerves proximate a blood vessel compared to non-neural tissue of the blood vessel. The method can further include irradiating the photosensitizer using a radiation emitter positioned within the human, wherein the radiation has a wavelength that causes the photosensitizer to react and alter at least a portion of the nerves thereby providing a therapeutic reduction in sympathetic neural activity. Several embodiments of the technology are useful for disrupting renal nerves, such as renal denervation, for treating hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and other indications.

Abstract: Devices and methods for therapeutic photodynamic modulation of neural function in a human. One embodiment of a method in accordance with the technology includes administering a photosensitizer to a human, wherein the photosensitizer preferentially accumulates at nerves proximate a blood vessel compared to non-neural tissue of the blood vessel. The method can further include irradiating the photosensitizer using a radiation emitter positioned within the human, wherein the radiation has a wavelength that causes the photosensitizer to react and alter at least a portion of the nerves thereby providing a therapeutic reduction in sympathetic neural activity. Several embodiments of the technology are useful for disrupting renal nerves, such as renal denervation, for treating hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and other indications.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, devices, compositions, and kits for monitoring neuromodulation efficacy based on changes in the level or activity of one or more target biomarkers.

Abstract: Methods for treating a patient using therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to biomarker sampling in the context of neuromodulation devices, systems, and methods. Some embodiments, for example, are directed to catheters, catheter systems, and methods for sampling biomarkers that change in response to neuromodulation. A system can include, for example, an elongated shaft and a neuromodulation and sampling assembly having a neuromodulation and a sampling element.

Abstract: Methods and intravascular treatment devices for treating atherosclerosis are provided.

Abstract: Methods and intravascular treatment devices for treating atherosclerosis are provided.

Abstract: Described herein are nitric oxide (NO)-donating poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) polymers and polymer surfaces and methods of making and using the same. The NO-donating PTFE polymers can be used to fabricate at least a portion of an implantable medical device, coat at least a portion of an implantable medical device or form at least a portion of an implantable medical device. The NO-donating PTFE polymers provide controlled release of NO once implanted at or within the target site.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for aiding aneurysm repair are provided. Such apparatus is constructed to support or bolster the aneurysmal site and supply a therapeutic agent to aid in healing the surrounding aneurysmal tissue.

Abstract: Described herein are nitric oxide (NO)-donating poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) polymers and polymer surfaces and methods of making and using the same. The NO-donating PTFE polymers can be used to fabricate at least a portion of an implantable medical device, coat at least a portion of an implantable medical device or form at least a portion of an implantable medical device. The NO-donating PTFE polymers provide controlled release of NO once implanted at or within the target site.

Abstract: A system for treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and cardiac valve dysfunction comprises delivering one or more calcium chelating agents locally to a treatment site. One aspect of the invention provides a method including delivering a nano-particulate calcium chelating agent into a vascular wall. Another aspect of the invention provides a method and device for forming a sealed chamber around a cardiac valve, releasing one or more calcium chelating agents into the sealed chamber and decalcifying a cardiac valve in need thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are nitric oxide (NO)-donating poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) polymers and polymer surfaces and methods of making and using the same. The NO-donating PTFE polymers can be used to fabricate at least a portion of an implantable medical device, coat at least a portion of an implantable medical device or form at least a portion of an implantable medical device. The NO-donating PTFE polymers provide controlled release of NO once implanted at or within the target site.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and stent grafts related to the treatment of aneurysms through the local administration of at least one fibrin derived peptide B-beta. The at least one fibrin derived peptide B-beta can be locally administered by one or more of placing them directly onto a stent graft, incorporating them into a coating found on a stent graft, including them in a delivery device that is associated with a stent graft and/or injecting them through delivery and/or injection catheters at or near the time of stent graft deployment.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure, in a broad aspect, provide for treatment of cardiac tissue via localized delivery of PARP inhibitors. These systems include a composition comprising at least one poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor; and at least one delivery device for introducing the composition into the cardiac tissue.

Abstract: An animal model for cardiovascular disease comprising one or more vascular plaque lesions formed at selected sites within a vascular segment of a nonhuman mammal. The vascular plaque lesion is formed by administering a hypercholesterolemic diet to the nonhuman mammal, inflicting an injury to the vascular wall at the selected site after a predetermined exposure to the hypercholesterolemic diet, and applying a hydrogel to the injured vascular wall. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for evaluating a test compound for an effect on atherosclerotic lesion formation comprising administering to a nonhuman mammal a hypercholesterolemic diet, and, after a defined period of time, isolating a segment of a blood vessel using a balloon catheter, inflicting an injury to the vascular wall within the isolated segment, and applying a hydrogel within the vascular segment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices methods for the reverse transport of lipids such as cholesterols for the treatment diseases and conditions caused by vulnerable plaques. The devices can reduce or eliminate vulnerable plaques by transporting the plaques away from their location.

Abstract: Described herein are implantable medical devices useful in treating vascular conditions such as restenosis. In one embodiment, stents are described in which a combination of bioactive agents is described for local delivery in the vasculature. The combination of bioactive agents comprises at least one compound capable of inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and at least one compound capable of mitigating MCP- and/or TF induction. For example, a compound capable of inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation is a mTOR inhibitor and a compound capable of mitigating MCP-1 and/or TF induction is a corticosteroid.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and medical devices used to deliver bioactive agents locally to patients in need of treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular conditions Local delivery of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) antagonists are described herein from implantable medical devices including, but not limited to, stents.

Abstract: Disclosed are medical devices and methods for the local delivery and treatment of vascular conditions. The methods and treatments involve local delivery of at least one apolipoprotein. The vascular conditions described herein include plaque rupture, aneurysm, stenosis, restenosis, atherosclerosis, ischemic myocardial infarct and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are medical devices and methods for the local delivery and treatment of vascular conditions. The methods and treatments involve local delivery of at least one matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor. The vascular conditions described herein include plaque rupture, aneurysm, stenosis, restenosis, atherosclerosis and combinations thereof.