Abstract: A method of treating an acute myocardial infarction by administering to an individual an effective amount of a formulation which inhibits and/or depletes phagocytic cells with high specificity, thereby suppressing the inflammatory response that occurs during and following acute myocardial infarction. The formulation comprises an agent which is an intra-cellular inhibitor that is released within the targeted phagocytic cells, specifically macrophage/monocytes, and inhibits and/or destroys the macrophages and/or monocytes, thereby reducing the final zone of infarct and improving cardiac repair and myocardial remodeling. Since macrophages and monocytes possess the unique ability to phagocytose large bodies, the agent is formulated into a specific size such that it can enter cells primarily via phagocytosis. Thus, the specifically sized formulation selectively targets monocytes/macrophages.

Abstract: An electronic intravascular device is placed in tight contact with vessel walls and is used for electrical stimulation and/or electrical recording of the vessel wall and surrounding target tissue. The electrodes may operate via connectors interfacing them to external hardware or may incorporate electronics to allow wireless power, information transfer, and control. The device includes an internal skeleton, a flexible substrate attached to the exterior of the skeleton, at least one pair of electrodes located on the substrate, and power and control circuitry connected to the electrodes. The power and control circuitry may include connectors for direct powering of the electrodes or circuit elements for wireless powering of the device by RF-based, optical-based, ultrasound-based, piezoelectric, or vibrational energy harvesting methods.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for assessing clot activity in blood under various conditions in vitro. The apparatus includes a plurality of test receptacles that receive the blood, at least one flow generating mechanism in communication with the test receptacles, and a clot detector configured to analyze an amount of clot formation that occurs within the blood in each receptacle. Blood contacting surfaces of a first subset of the test receptacles are coated with a first surface substrate and blood contacting surfaces of a second subset of the test receptacles are coated with a different second surface substrate. The flow generating mechanism is configured to generate a first blood flow rate through a third subset of the test receptacles and to generate a different second blood flow rate through a fourth subset of the test receptacles.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure Provided herein are compositions that include a dendrimer to which a drug and a binding peptide are conjugated. The binding peptide may be configured to bind to a receptor that is overexpressed by a diseased cell, such as a cancer cell. The compositions may include a hydrogel in which the dendrimer-drug conjugate is dispersed. Methods of drug delivery and kits also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment or management of acute coronary syndromes, particularly, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of a formulation containing one or more therapeutic agents which specifically decreases or inhibits the activity of phagocytic cells and/or eliminates or diminishes the amount of phagocytic cells including, but not limited to, macrophages and monocytes. The formulations are specifically targeted to phagocytic cells. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of formulations containing one or more therapeutic agents of the invention for administration to subjects currently suffering from or having recently suffered an acute coronary syndrome such as unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment or management of acute coronary syndromes, particularly, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of a formulation containing one or more therapeutic agents which specifically decreases or inhibits the activity of phagocytic cells and/or eliminates or diminishes the amount of phagocytic cells including, but not limited to, macrophages and monocytes. The formulations are specifically targeted to phagocytic cells. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of formulations containing one or more therapeutic agents of the invention for administration to subjects currently suffering from or having recently suffered an acute coronary syndrome such as unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to systems and methods for treating lumenal valves. Particularly, and in accordance with one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for partial or complete replacement of lumenal valves. An exemplary catheter in accordance with the disclosure includes an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a retractable sheath mounted on the elongate body proximate the distal end. The sheath and elongate body cooperating to define a first annularly-shaped compartment between the body and sheath. The catheter further includes a valve prosthesis mounted in the compartment, the prosthesis having proximal and distal ends connected to a means for deploying the valve prosthesis from the catheter.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, kits, and drug delivery devices are provided for treating, adhering, or sealing biological tissues. The methods include combining a first solution that includes an oligomer/polymer component and a second solution that includes a dendrimer component, and at least one of the oligomer/polymer component and dendrimer component includes at least one substituent that is capable of photoreversible dimerization. The reversible dimerization of the substituent may allow for the reversible dimerization and/or polymerization of one or more components. The substituent that is capable of photoreversible dimerization may be active by the application of light, such as UV light.

Abstract: Methods for treating, adhering, or sealing biological tissue are provided. The methods include combining solutions containing a polymer component and a dendrimer component capable of reacting with each other, and at least one of the components includes a substituent capable of photoreversible dimerization that can be reversibly dimerized. Drug delivery compositions and kits containing these two components also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment or management of acute coronary syndromes, particularly, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of a formulation containing one or more therapeutic agents which specifically decreases or inhibits the activity of phagocytic cells and/or eliminates or diminishes the amount of phagocytic cells including, but not limited to, macrophages and monocytes. The formulations are specifically targeted to phagocytic cells. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of formulations containing one or more therapeutic agents of the invention for administration to subjects currently suffering from or having recently suffered an acute coronary syndrome such as unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract: Methods for treating, adhering, or sealing biological tissue are provided. The methods include combining solutions containing a polymer component and a dendrimer component capable of reacting with each other, and at least one of the components includes a substituent capable of photoreversible dimerization that can be reversibly dimerized. Drug delivery compositions and kits containing these two components also are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward drug coated balloons, and in particular to drug coated balloons having a microcrystalline structure and techniques for increasing vascular permeability for drug application and retention. Particular aspects may be directed to a medical device including a balloon having an outer surface, and a drug coating layer on the outer surface of the balloon. The drug coating layer includes microcrystals in a haystack orientation having random and a substantial absence of uniformity in placement and/or angle on the outer surface of the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment or management of acute coronary syndromes, particularly, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of a formulation containing one or more therapeutic agents which specifically decreases or inhibits the activity of phagocytic cells and/or eliminates or diminishes the amount of phagocytic cells including, but not limited to, macrophages and monocytes. The formulations are specifically targeted to phagocytic cells. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of formulations containing one or more therapeutic agents of the invention for administration to subjects currently suffering from or having recently suffered an acute coronary syndrome such as unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract: Biocompatible adhesive materials, such as for use with biological tissues and/or medical implants, are provided, as well as methods and kits for making and using the biocompatible adhesive materials. The biocompatible adhesive materials include a dendrimer component and a polymer component, and may be tailored for specific tissue types and conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment or management of acute coronary syndromes, particularly, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of a formulation containing one or more therapeutic agents which specifically decreases or inhibits the activity of phagocytic cells and/or eliminates or diminishes the amount of phagocytic cells including, but not limited to, macrophages and monocytes. The formulations are specifically targeted to phagocytic cells. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of formulations containing one or more therapeutic agents of the invention for administration to subjects currently suffering from or having recently suffered an acute coronary syndrome such as unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to create a more favorable flow regime in a lumen. An artificial shape in the lumen is created to at least one of eliminate flow disturbances and enhance aspects of fluid flow through a treatment site.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to create a more favorable flow regime in a lumen. An artificial shape in the lumen is created to at least one of eliminate flow disturbances and enhance aspects of fluid flow through a treatment site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions designed for the treatment or management of acute coronary syndromes, particularly, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of a formulation containing one or more therapeutic agents which specifically decreases or inhibits the activity of phagocytic cells and/or eliminates or diminishes the amount of phagocytic cells including, but not limited to, macrophages and monocytes. The formulations are specifically targeted to phagocytic cells. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of formulations containing one or more therapeutic agents of the invention for administration to subjects currently suffering from or having recently suffered an acute coronary syndrome such as unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to create a more favorable flow regime in a lumen. An artificial shape in the lumen is created to at least one of eliminate flow disturbances and enhance aspects of fluid flow through a treatment site.

Abstract: A method for imaging the erosion of a biomaterial is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for imaging a labeled biomaterial so that the erosion of the biomaterial is measured in vivo over a period of time. A biomaterial such as, for example, a hydrogel including polyethylene glycol (PEG) is labeled with a fluorescent or bioluminescent marker. The labeled biomaterial is then employed in the construction of an implanted medical device such as, for example, an endovascular stent. Furthermore, the labeled biomaterial may be utilized to form a drug delivery system that releases a controlled amount of a drug into a local region within a patient. The erosion of the biomaterial is monitored through a noninvasive imaging method.