Abstract: A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature. The stretch resistant member may be formed from a therapeutic and/or bioactive non-metallic material to enhance the therapeutic properties of the vasoocclusive coil.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery device loaded with a beneficial agent is provided, wherein the beneficial agent is in two different forms, a first form having a higher solubility and a second form having a lower solubility, and wherein the two different forms are present in a proportion which is selected to achieve a desired release rate.

Abstract: A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature. The stretch resistant member may be formed from a therapeutic and/or bioactive non-metallic material to enhance the therapeutic properties of the vasoocclusive coil.

Abstract: A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature. The stretch resistant member may be formed from a therapeutic and/or bioactive non-metallic material to enhance the therapeutic properties of the vasoocclusive coil.

Abstract: A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature. The stretch resistant member may be formed from a therapeutic and/or bioactive non-metallic material to enhance the therapeutic properties of the vasoocclusive coil.

Abstract: A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature. The stretch resistant member may be formed from a therapeutic and/or bioactive non-metallic material to enhance the therapeutic properties of the vasoocclusive coil.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery device loaded with a beneficial agent is provided, wherein the beneficial agent is in two different forms, a first form having a higher solubility and a second form having a lower solubility, and wherein the two different forms are present in a proportion which is selected to achieve a desired release rate.

Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides a infusion catheter that is flexible, has such a smooth traction and a low profile to minimize break up of the obstruction when crossing it, can access distal vasculature quickly, is easy to use and readily to be implemented in the conventional PCI. Another object is to provide a method that can be performed within a short period of time and employs the catheter described herein to infuse a therapeutic agent distally to the obstruction before it is removed as a means of reducing reperfusion injury, protecting distal vasculature and microcirculation, preserving myocytes, reducing infarct size and ischemic damages in the heart, brain, lung, liver, kidney and limb. Another object is to provide complementary feature options to the infusion catheter and the aspiration catheter to improve the speed and quality of the vessel clearance.

Abstract: A multi-step method of forming a coating on a substrate, such as a stent or graft, is disclosed. The steps of the method include treating the surface with a plasma formed at or near atmospheric pressure to form one or more active species on the surface until a desired surface density of the active species is formed, and exposing the treated surface to a selected gas or liquid under conditions effective to convert the active species to a stable functional group. The exposed surface may be contacted with a surface-modifying group under conditions effective to covalently attach the surface-modifying group to the functional group. Also disclosed is a substrate having a bioactive/biocompatible coating and/or a drug-releasable coating prepared by the method.

Abstract: A composite expandable stent for delivery into a vessel carrying blood comprising an expandable support frame having first and second end portions. A porous imprevious polymer sleeve having inner and outer surfaces extending over the support frame. A coating is disposed on at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the polymer sleeve for enhancing endothelial cell growth on the device and polymer sleeve. The stent can be cylindrical or tapered.

Abstract: A composite expandable device for delivery into a vessel carrying blood comprising an expandable support frame having first and second end portions. An impervious polymer sleeve having inner and outer surfaces extending over the support frame. A coating is disposed on at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the polymer sleeve for enhancing endothelial cell growth on the device and polymer sleeve.

Abstract: A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature. The stretch resistant member may be formed from a therapeutic and/or bioactive non-metallic material to enhance the therapeutic properties of the vasoocclusive coil.

Abstract: The invention disclosed in this patent document relates to transmembrane receptors, more particularly to a human G protein-coupled receptor for which the endogenous ligand is unknown, and to mutated (non-endogenous) versions of the human GPCRs for evidence of constitutive activity.

Abstract: The invention disclosed in this patent document relates to transmembrane receptors, more particularly to endogenous, human orphan G protein-coupled receptors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying whether a candidate compound is a modulator of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). In preferred embodiments, the GPCR is human. In other preferred embodiments, the GPCR is coupled to Gi and lowers the level of intracellular cAMP. In other preferred embodiments, the GPCR is expressed endogenously by adipocytes. In further preferred embodiments, the GPCR inhibits intracellular lipolysis. In other further preferred embodiments, the GPCR is a nicotinic acid receptor. The present invention also relates to methods of using a modulator of said GPCR. Preferred modulator is agonist. Agonists of the invention are useful as therapeutic agents for the prevention or treatment of metabolic-related disorders, including dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: The invention disclosed in this patent document relates to transmembrane receptors, more particularly to a human G protein-coupled receptor for which the endogenous ligand is unknown (“orphan GPCR receptors”), and most particularly to mutated (non-endogenous) versions of the human GPCRs for evidence of constitutive activity.

Abstract: The invention disclosed in this patent document relates to transmembrane receptors, more particularly to a human G protein-coupled receptor for which the endogenous ligand is unknown, and to mutated (non-endogenous) versions of the human GPCRs for evidence of constitutive activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying whether a candidate compound is a modulator of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). In preferred embodiments, the GPCR is human. In other preferred embodiments, the GPCR is coupled to Gi and lowers the level of intracellular cAMP. In other preferred embodiments, the GPCR is expressed endogenously by adipocytes. In further preferred embodiments, the GPCR inhibits intracellular lipolysis. In other further preferred embodiments, the GPCR is a nicotinic acid receptor. The present invention also relates to methods of using a modulator of said GPCR. Preferred modulator is agonist. Agonists of the invention are useful as therapeutic agents for the prevention or treatment of metabolic-related disorders, including dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying whether a candidate compound is a modulator of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). In preferred embodiments, the GPCR is human. In other preferred embodiments, the GPCR is coupled to Gi and lowers the level of intracellular cAMP. In other preferred embodiments, the GPCR is expressed endogenously by adipocytes. In further preferred embodiments, the GPCR inhibits intracellular lipolysis. In other further preferred embodiments, the GPCR is a nicotinic acid receptor. The present invention also relates to methods of using a modulator of said GPCR. Preferred modulator is agonist. Agonists of the invention are useful as therapeutic agents for the prevention or treatment of metabolic-related disorders, including dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: A multi-step method of forming a coating on a substrate, such as a stent or graft, is disclosed. The steps of the method include treating the surface with a plasma formed at or near atmospheric pressure to form one or more active species on the surface until a desired surface density of the active species is formed, and exposing the treated surface to a selected gas or liquid under conditions effective to convert the active species to a stable functional group. The exposed surface surface may be contacted with a surface-modifying group under conditions effective to covalently attach the surface-modifying group to the functional group. Also disclosed is a substrate having a to bioactive/biocompatible coating and/or a drug-releasable coating prepared by the method.