Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for imaging and treating various diseases and disorders, including cancers. The composition of the invention can include a plurality of biodegradable micro-beads, each embedding a plurality of nano-beads, further including a polymer, a radionuclide, a radionuclide chelator, a radioligand, a chemotherapeutic agent, and a cell-penetrating peptide. Upon injection into a blood vessel supplying a cancer tumor, the micro-beads lodge into the tumor and degrade, releasing the nano-beads with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. The compositions and methods of the invention provide a more homogeneous and deeper distribution of radiation or chemotherapeutic agents throughout the target tumor. The micro-beads provide a local, sustained, and controlled delivery nano-beads including therapeutic or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for imaging and treating various diseases and disorders, including cancers. The composition of the invention can include a plurality of biodegradable micro-beads, each embedding a plurality of nano-beads, further including a polymer, a radionuclide, a radionuclide chelator, a radioligand, a chemotherapeutic agent, and a cell-penetrating peptide. Upon injection into a blood vessel supplying a cancer tumor, the micro-beads lodge into the tumor and degrade, releasing the nano-beads with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. The compositions and methods of the invention provide a more homogeneous and deeper distribution of radiation or chemotherapeutic agents throughout the target tumor. The micro-beads provide a local, sustained, and controlled delivery nano-beads including therapeutic or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for imaging and treating various diseases and disorders, including cancers. The composition of the invention can include a plurality of biodegradable micro-beads, each embedding a plurality of nano-beads, further including a polymer, a radionuclide, a radionuclide chelator, a radioligand, a chemotherapeutic agent, and a cell-penetrating peptide. Upon injection into a blood vessel supplying a cancer tumor, the micro-beads lodge into the tumor and degrade, releasing the nano-beads with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. The compositions and methods of the invention provide a more homogeneous and deeper distribution of radiation or chemotherapeutic agents throughout the target tumor. The micro-beads provide a local, sustained, and controlled delivery nano-beads including therapeutic or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: A flexible heart valve prosthetic device includes a flexible frame having multiple struts disposed radially around a central axis, each strut joined at a proximal end and a distal end, a mesh band attached to each strut between their proximal ends and their distal ends, a deployable anchoring assembly having a deployable hook positioned on each strut within the mesh band, a retrieval hook positioned at the distal and/or proximal ends of the struts, and leaflets radially disposed within the mesh band. A method of releasably anchoring a flexible heart valve prosthetic within the annulus of the heart of a subject is also disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable vascular sheath utilizes a set of expandable members such as shape memory alloy wires for expanding its distal end. The wires are slidable along a portion of the sheath's elongate shaft. In certain embodiments, the distal end of the shaft is manufactured with a more pliable and elastic polymer relative to more proximal portions of the elongate shaft, so that as the wires advance into distal portions of the shaft, they expand, causing the distal end opening of the shaft to expand. A method for retrieving a foreign object from a vasculature utilizes a retrieval tool that can be advanced through the expandable vascular sheath.

Abstract: An expandable vascular sheath utilizes a set of expandable members such as shape memory alloy wires for expanding its distal end. The wires are slidable along a portion of the sheath's elongate shaft. In certain embodiments, the distal end of the shaft is manufactured with a more pliable and elastic polymer relative to more proximal portions of the elongate shaft, so that as the wires advance into distal portions of the shaft, they expand, causing the distal end opening of the shaft to expand. A method for retrieving a foreign object from a vasculature utilizes a retrieval tool that can be advanced through the expandable vascular sheath.