Abstract: An elongated tissue traction device adhered to target tissue and configured to lift the target tissue away from surrounding tissue. The tissue traction device may lift the target tissue as a surgical procedure is performed, such as resecting or cutting of the target tissue. The tissue traction device may be a bistable spring. The tissue traction device is in a first stable configuration when initially adhered to the target tissue. The tissue traction device may be shifted (e.g., actuated) into the second configuration, such as when the tissue is resected or cut around the target tissue to which the tissue traction device is adhered. In the second stable configuration, the tissue traction device curls and lifts the target tissue from the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A device for draining cysts includes a catheter system configured to deploy an absorbent material, including but not limited to a foam, into a cyst. The absorbent material advantageously absorbs fluid contained within the cyst, for example fluid that may remain following aspiration, reducing the potential for cyst recurrence. In various embodiments, the absorbent material may be bioabsorbable, radiolucent, echogenic, drug eluting, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments the device may further include or be coupled to a vacuum source which applies negative pressure to the cyst during foam delivery, thereby reduce the overall size and/or profile of the cyst.

Abstract: A device for draining cysts includes a catheter system configured to deploy an absorbent material, including but not limited to a foam, into a cyst. The absorbent material advantageously absorbs fluid contained within the cyst, for example fluid that may remain following aspiration, reducing the potential for cyst recurrence. In various embodiments, the absorbent material may be bioabsorbable, radiolucent, echogenic, drug eluting, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments the device may further include or be coupled to a vacuum source which applies negative pressure to the cyst during foam delivery, thereby reduce the overall size and/or profile of the cyst.

Abstract: A tissue traction device including a scaffold structure configured to anchor the tissue traction device in place such that a tissue traction element is anchored upon deployment of the scaffold structure and without further manipulation of the tissue traction device (such as to grasp tissue or otherwise anchor the tissue traction element to tissue). The scaffold structure may be self-supporting/self-standing to be in a deployed expanded configuration to anchor the tissue traction device with respect to the tissue. The tissue traction element may be pivotably coupled to the scaffold structure, such as to a rigid element of the scaffold structure. The tissue traction element, when anchored by the scaffold, exerts a force (e.g., traction force) on a region of target tissue to which the tissue traction element is coupled, such as via a tissue engagement member.

Abstract: An elongated tissue traction device adhered to target tissue and configured to lift the target tissue away from surrounding tissue. The tissue traction device may lift the target tissue as a surgical procedure is performed, such as resecting or cutting of the target tissue. The tissue traction device may be a bistable spring. The tissue traction device is in a first stable configuration when initially adhered to the target tissue. The tissue traction device may be shifted (e.g., actuated) into the second configuration, such as when the tissue is resected or cut around the target tissue to which the tissue traction device is adhered. In the second stable configuration, the tissue traction device curls and lifts the target tissue from the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A tissue traction device including a scaffold structure configured to anchor the tissue traction device in place such that a tissue traction element is anchored upon deployment of the scaffold structure and without further manipulation of the tissue traction device (such as to grasp tissue or otherwise anchor the tissue traction element to tissue). The scaffold structure may be self-supporting/self-standing to be in a deployed expanded configuration to anchor the tissue traction device with respect to the tissue. The tissue traction element may be pivotably coupled to the scaffold structure, such as to a rigid element of the scaffold structure. The tissue traction element, when anchored by the scaffold, exerts a force (e.g., traction force) on a region of target tissue to which the tissue traction element is coupled, such as via a tissue engagement member.

Abstract: A device for draining cysts includes a catheter system configured to deploy an absorbent material, including but not limited to a foam, into a cyst. The absorbent material advantageously absorbs fluid contained within the cyst, for example fluid that may remain following aspiration, reducing the potential for cyst recurrence. In various embodiments, the absorbent material may be bioabsorbable, radiolucent, echogenic, drug eluting, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments the device may further include or be coupled to a vacuum source which applies negative pressure to the cyst during foam delivery, thereby reduce the overall size and/or profile of the cyst.

Abstract: One method of the invention is for welding and includes obtaining first and second members each including an extrusion having a through hole and includes obtaining first and second electrodes each having an electrode portion. The second member is positioned to have the second extrusion nest in the first through hole against the first extrusion. The first electrode is positioned to have the first-electrode portion nest in the second through hole against the inside of the second extrusion. The second electrode is positioned to have the second-electrode portion contact the outside of the first extrusion. Another method of the invention is for welding and includes obtaining a tube having an end form and a member having first and second portions. The tube and the member are positioned with the end form contacting the first portion while leaving a recess between the end form and the second portion.

Abstract: Welding apparatus includes a first electrode having an electrode surface adapted to contact an outward end fold of a heat-exchanger tube which is positioned in an orifice of a tubesheet with the fold contacting an outward-facing side of the tubesheet. A second electrode has an electrode surface adapted to contact the outward-facing side of the tubesheet. Another welding apparatus includes a first electrode having an electrode surface adapted to contact an end of a heat exchanger tube positioned in an orifice of a tubesheet. The first electrode is movable to create an outward end fold in the tube and deform the fold against the outward-facing side of the tubesheet. Another welding apparatus includes a second electrode having an electrode surface adapted to contact the outward-facing side of a tubesheet and having cutouts which surround each of a plurality of heat-exchanger tubes and which are adapted to receive a first electrode.

Abstract: One method for welding includes obtaining a heat-exchanger tube having an outward fold. The tube is inserted at least partially through the orifice of a tubesheet with the fold contacting one of the outward and inward facing sides of the tubesheet. A first electrode is positioned in contact with the outward fold and a second electrode in contact with the one side of the tubesheet. Another method for welding includes obtaining a heat-exchanger tube having a tube end. The tube is inserted at least partially through the orifice of a tubesheet. A first electrode is positioned in contact with the first tube end and a second electrode is positioned in contact with one of the outward and inward facing sides of the tubesheet. The first electrode is moved against the first tube end to create an outward fold with the outward fold contacting the one side of the tubesheet.

Abstract: A transparent polyurethane-hydrogel composition includes a reaction product in aqueous solvent of a prepolymer and a water-soluble crosslinker in the substantial absence of organic solvent, and such a composition can be prepared by admixing a prepolymer and a water-soluble crosslinker in aqueous solvent and in the substantial absence of organic solvent. A prepolymer is present in an amount of no greater than about 5 weight percent based on total weight of all hydrogel components. The prepolymer is generally prepared from at least one water-soluble polyol and an isocyanate. A water-soluble crosslinker generally has a crosslinker functionality of at least 2 and is selected to provide a site ratio of initial isocyanate to crosslinker (i.e., moles NCO×functionality/moles crosslinker×functionality) of at least about 1.5 and no greater than about 2.6. In one embodiment, a crosslinker is effective to react with and solubilize residual isocyanate concurrently with the reaction between prepolymer and crosslinker.

Abstract: A biologic can be immobilized in a transparent polyurethane-hydrogel composition. Such a polyurethane-hydrogel composition can be prepared from forming a polyurethane-hydrogel mixture and immobilizing a biologic in the mixture. The mixture can be formed by admixing a prepolymer and a water-soluble crosslinker in aqueous solvent and in the substantial absence of organic solvent. A suitable prepolymer generally includes at least one water-soluble polyol and at least one isocyanate and can be added to the mixture in an amount of no greater than about 5 weight percent based on total weight of all components. A suitable crosslinker generally has a crosslinker functionality of at least 2. A biologic includes cells, peptides, nucleics, peptide nucleic acids, saccharides, lipopolysaccharides, glycolipids, and combinations of these. A polyurethane-hydrogel composition having an immobilized biologic can be particularly useful for biomedical applications.

Abstract: A transparent polyurethane-hydrogel composition includes a reaction product in aqueous solvent of a prepolymer and a water-soluble crosslinker in the substantial absence of organic solvent, and such a composition can be prepared by admixing a prepolymer and a water-soluble crosslinker in aqueous solvent and in the substantial absence of organic solvent. A prepolymer is present in an amount of no greater than about 5 weight percent based on total weight of all hydrogel components. The prepolymer is generally prepared from at least one water-soluble polyol and an isocyanate. A water-soluble crosslinker generally has a crosslinker functionality of at least 2 and is selected to provide a site ratio of initial isocyanate to crosslinker (i.e., moles NCO×functionality/moles crosslinker×functionality) of at least about 1.5 and no greater than about 2.6.