Abstract: The present invention relates generally to radiation-resistant medical devices which contain polymer regions for release of therapeutic agents. The present invention also relates to radiation-resistant copolymer materials for use in connection with insertable or implantable medical devices. The radiation-sterilized medical device comprises (a) a release region and (b) at least one therapeutic agent and the release region comprises a phenoxy resin block.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable or insertable medical device comprising (a) a substrate and (b) a hydrogel polymer coating at a least a portion of the surface of the substrate, wherein the hydrogel polymer is adapted to render the medical device visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) upon insertion or implantation of the medical device into a patient. Also disclosed is the use of such a hydrogel coated implantable or insertable medical device in a medical procedure, wherein during or after insertion or implantation of the medical device in a patient, the position of the medical device is viewed under MRI. The use of a hydrogel polymer for coating a medical device wherein the hydrogel polymer is adapted to render a medical device coated with the hydrogel polymer visible under MRI and a hydrogel polymer adapted to render a medical device coated therewith visible under MRI are also disclosed.

Abstract: An injectable or insertable dosage form comprising a biodisintegrable binder and an ablation agent in a concentration effective to cause tissue necrosis. The injectable dosage form is a solid or semi-solid dosage form. Due to the solid or semi-solid nature of the dosage form, retention at the site of injection or insertion is improved, thereby improving delivery efficiency of the ablation agents within the dosage form and/or reducing the nonspecific tissue damage associated with the dosage form.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable or insertable medical device comprising (a) a substrate and (b) a hydrogel polymer coating at a least a portion of the surface of the substrate, wherein the hydrogel polymer is adapted to render the medical device visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) upon insertion or implantation of the medical device into a patient. Also disclosed is the use of such a hydrogel coated implantable or insertable medical device in a medical procedure, wherein during or after insertion or implantation of the medical device in a patient, the position of the medical device is viewed under MRI. The use of a hydrogel polymer for coating a medical device wherein the hydrogel polymer is adapted to render a medical device coated with the hydrogel polymer visible under MRI and a hydrogel polymer adapted to render a medical device coated therewith visible under MRI are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to radiation-resistant medical devices which contain polymer regions for release of therapeutic agents. The present invention also relates to radiation-resistant copolymer materials for use in connection with insertable or implantable medical devices. The radiation-sterilized medical device comprises (a) a release region and (b) at least one therapeutic agent and the release region comprises a phenoxy resin block.

Abstract: An injectable or insertable dosage form comprising a biodisintegrable binder and an ablation agent in a concentration effective to cause tissue necrosis. The injectable dosage form is a solid or semi-solid dosage form. Due to the solid or semi-solid nature of the dosage form, retention at the site of injection or insertion is improved, thereby improving delivery efficiency of the ablation agents within the dosage form and/or reducing the nonspecific tissue damage associated with the dosage form.

Abstract: Sterile injectable formulations, which comprise the following: (a) a ablation agent in an amount effective to cause necrosis of tissue, and (b) a biodisintegrable viscosity adjusting agent in an amount effective to render the formulation highly viscous, (c) an optional imaging contrast agent, (d) an optional therapeutic agent, and (e) an optional liquid selected from water and an organic solvent. Also described are novel prostatic ablation formulations, which comprise a prostatic ablation agent selected from free-radical generating ablation agents, oxidizing ablation agents and tissue fixing ablation agents. Further aspects of the invention relate to methods of treating a variety of diseases and conditions, including benign prostatic hypertrophy, in which above injectable formulations are injected into the tissue of a subject, optionally with the assistance of a non-invasive imaging technique.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a substrate and a hydrogel coating disposed over at least a portion of the substrate surface. The hydrogel coating contains an MRI contrast agent and includes inner and outer regions. The inner region comprises a first hydrogel polymer, and the outer region comprises a second hydrogel polymer that can be the same as or different from the first hydrogel polymer. The inner region exhibits more absorption upon hydration than does the outer region. Examples of hydrogel polymers include polysaccharide and polypeptide hydrogel polymers such as alginic acid, hyaluronic acid, chitin, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, collagen, and gelatin, as well as salts and copolymers thereof. Upon insertion or implantation of the medical device into a patient, the hydrogel coating is differentiable from the environment surrounding the hydrogel coating under magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable or insertable medical device comprising (a) a substrate and (b) a hydrogel polymer coating at a least a portion of the surface of the substrate, wherein the hydrogel polymer is adapted to render the medical device visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) upon insertion or implantation of the medical device into a patient. Also disclosed is the use of such a hydrogel coated implantable or insertable medical device in a medical procedure, wherein during or after insertion or implantation of the medical device in a patient, the position of the medical device is viewed under MRI. The use of a hydrogel polymer for coating a medical device wherein the hydrogel polymer is adapted to render a medical device coated with the hydrogel polymer visible under MRI and a hydrogel polymer adapted to render a medical device coated therewith visible under MRI are also disclosed.