Abstract: A stent is provided in combination with delivery of a tocopherol agent, and in particular a des-methyl tocopherol agent, and further beneficially a gamma-tocopherol agent, so as to reduce restenosis along the vessel or other lumenal wall where the stent is implanted. In particular applications, the stent is an endolumenal stent, and more specific beneficial applications is an endovascular stent, and the gamma-tocopherol elutes from a coating or carrier coupled with the stent. Certain combinations are provided with the des-methyl-tocopherol or phytyl substituted chromanol, e.g. gamma-tocopherol, combined with an additional agent such as an anti-restenosis agent, e.g. sirolimus, tacrolimus, everolimus, or paclitaxel, in order to provide synergistic benefit to tissues along the stented or recanalized regions. Other forms of tocopherol or tocotrienol, or other phytyl substituted chromanols, and other compounds such as palm oil, are also contemplated, for use to treat restenosis.

Abstract: An external aneurysm support scaffold is implanted around an exterior surface of an aneurysm and prevents substantial dilation or progression of the AAA. Minimally invasive delivery is used via port-access, i.e. for aortic aneurysms along the back, abdomen, or thorax, to a location externally adjacent the aneurysm, such as via laparascopic delivery. The scaffold is unwound or unfolded in-situ to extend partially (e.g. about 270 degrees) or completely circumferentially around the aneurysm. Unique delivery devices allow for deployment around the aneurysm. Gaps between an array of transverse fingers of the scaffold may accommodate branch vessels extending from the aneurismal vessel, such as aortic perforators. An agent is injected to treat an aneurysm, such as by providing support, cell retention or recruitment, and/or angiogenesis. Living cells are delivered to treat an aneurysm. An adjustable graft polymerizes in-situ to support an aneurysm conformed therewith.

Abstract: A system and method provides active propulsion of endoscopes along body lumens. The propulsion system can be attached to a commercially available endoscope, or be provide affixed together, and moves the endoscope in a lumen by pulling it forward. A rotatable toroidal wall, e.g. annular invaginated balloon, provides the propulsion. A drive assembly rotates the toroid while maintaining the toroid's position along the endoscope. The toroid is radially extended or inflated within the lumen to engage its outer surface to the lumen. The toroidal rotation tracks the lumen wall for propulsion. Stops maintain the rotating toroid's position on the endoscope. A helical screw within the toroid engages patterned protrusions around the toroid; screw rotation advances the protrusions to rotate the toroid wall. A fitted belt coupled to a groove in the toroid provides alternative actuation. Colonoscopy is substantially improved, reducing anesthesia and other requirements and costs, and improving safety.

Abstract: An embolic filter system is provided that has a bioactive surface, such as locally on the surface itself or via elution into surrounding environs, and such as to debulk its filtered contents or prevent thrombosis or thromboemboli. An engineered wall provides for enhanced porosity for improved combination of blood flow through the filter and size of particulate that may be captured. Manufacturing methods are provided for improved filter assemblies, and a tether system is provided for improved in-situ deployment. A proximal filter assembly is used to debulk contents of a distal embolic filter assembly before it is removed from the patient.

Abstract: A stent-graft system includes a graft member and separate coupling stent that are adapted to be delivered separately to a location within a patient's body where they are coupled to form a stent-graft composite in-situ. The system thus allows for serial introduction of the graft member and coupling stent through an introducer sheath providing access to the location, instead of being delivered as the composite assembly together, thus allowing substantially reduced size of the introducer sheath. Particular embodiments provide highly beneficial improvements for treating AAAs, allowing for Seldinger puncture access techniques versus the conventional highly invasive “cut down” access procedures required by conventional pre-formed AAA stent-graft composite systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of enhancing an immune response in a mammal and, in particular, to a method of enhancing an immune response to a vaccine comprising suppressing the number and/or function of regulatory T cells. The invention further relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such a method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to create medical devices and implantable medical devices with an electrochemically engineered porous surface that contains one or more bioactive materials to form bioactive composite structures. The bioactive composite structures are prepared using electrochemical codeposition methods to create metallic layers with pores that can be loaded with bioactive materials. In one use, the implantable medical devices of the present invention include stents with bioactive composite structure coatings.

Abstract: A stent is provided with modified ends (782, 786) and enhanced drug delivery. The stent assembly also provides for enhanced overlapping between adjacent stents.

Abstract: A stent is provided in combination with a growth factor, specifically pleiotrophin or an analog or derivative thereof, which promotes endothelialization of the stent and re-endothelialization of the stented region of an injured site in a body lumen. In particular applications, the stent is an endolumenal stent and the growth factor promotes healing via endothelialization and substantially prevents restenosis. The growth factor is delivered from the stent formulated as a protein or peptide, or as a gene transfer vector. Methods for the treatment of vascular injury using pleiotrophin are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is related to a tissue ablation system and method that treats atrial arrhythmia by ablating a circumferential region of tissue at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium. The system includes a circumferential ablation member with an ablation element and also includes a delivery assembly for delivering the ablation member to the location. The circumferential ablation member is generally adjustable between different configurations to allow both the delivery through a delivery sheath into the atrium and the ablative coupling between the ablation element and the circumferential region of tissue.

Abstract: An embolic filter system includes a filter device that is adapted to be positioned over a guidewire and locked onto the guidewire at the position. The filter device may be locked over the guidewire outside of the patient, and then the locked assembly is advanced within a delivery sheath to the desired filtering location where the filter is adjusted to an expanded configuration to filter emboli there. Or, the filter device in a radially collapsed configuration may be advanced over an indwelling guidewire by back-loading the guidewire into a guidewire lumen associated with the filter device. Once delivered to the desired filtering location along the guidewire, the filter is locked onto the guidewire and then expanded to the radially expanded configuration for filtering the emboli.

Abstract: This is a universally locking device that both immobilizes the vehicle from “push of” theft and also prevents thefts of tires and wheels. With small adaptations this device could also be used on motorcycles and small trailers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described providing therapeutic preparations of tachykinins, and more specifically sialokinins, for treating various types of abnormal cellular proliferation conditions in regions of tissue associated with the body of a patient. The sialokinins may be isolated and purified from natural or bioengineered sources, or may be synthesized, and may be combined into, with, or on an implant for local elution or otherwise as a powder mixed in a carrier vehicle for injection delivery. Tumors, warts, and restenosis are abnormal cellular proliferation conditions treated by therapeutic doses of sialokinin. Size of the tissue structure to be treated is used to determine the therapeutic dose of sialokinin. The sialokinins are either locally or systemically delivered at therapeutic doses for the desired effect. Implants such as stents are coated with sialokinins for local elution at the site of injury or tissue otherwise vulnerable to harmful conditions treated by the sialokinin.

Abstract: This invention is related to a tissue ablation system and method that treats atrial arrhythmia by ablating a circumferential region of tissue at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium. The system includes a circumferential ablation member with an ablation element and also includes a delivery assembly for delivering the ablation member to the location. The circumferential ablation member is generally adjustable between different configurations to allow both the delivery through a delivery sheath into the atrium and the ablative coupling between the ablation element and the circumferential region of tissue.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a porous surface with a composite material located within the pores that includes a bioerodable material in combination with a bioactive agent. The composite material is adapted to erode upon exposure to the body of a patient, thus releasing the bioactive agent into the patient, whereas the porous surface remains on the device. In one embodiment, the composite material includes micro- or nano-particles that are deposited within the pores. In a further embodiment, the porous surface is an electrolessly electrochemically deposited material. Certain tie layer and other surface modification aspects are described to enhance various aspects of the bioactive composite surface. The bioactive composite surface is of particular benefit when provided on an endolumenal stent assembly in a manner adapted to elute anti-restenosis or anti-thrombosis agents or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A genetic construct for use in production of transgenic plants with reduced susceptibility or increased resistance to pests or diseases comprises an isolated nucleotide sequence encoding the glucose oxidase enzyme of Talaromyces flavus, the nucleotide sequence being operably linked to a promoter capable of expression in a plant, plant cell or group of plant cells, and further comprises a nucleic acid segment having a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence which directs secretion of the functional glucose oxidase enzyme of T. flavus from plant cells.

Abstract: A DNA fragment is provided which is a plant enhancer element capable of activating or enhancing the transcription level of a plant-expressible gene consisting essentially of a consensus sequence selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## and its reverse sequence. Said DNA fragment may also contain a second sequence 5' -ACGTAAGCGCTTACGT-3'. These sequences bind with ocs transcription factor.

Abstract: A DNA fragment is provided which is a plant enhancer element capable of activating or enhancing the transcription level of a plant-expressible gene consisting essentially of a consensus sequence selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## and its reverse sequence. Said DNA fragment may also contain a second sequence 5'-ACGTAAGCGCTTACGT-3'. These sequences bind with ocs transcription factor.

Abstract: A DNA fragment is provided which is a plant enhancer element capable of activating or enhancing the transcription level of a plant-expressible gene consisting essentially of a consensus sequence selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## and its reverse sequence. Said DNA fragment may also contain a second sequence 5'-ACGTAAGCGCTTACGT-3'. These sequences bind with ocs transcription factor.