Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a method for the treatment of lithiasis, which mitigates the risk of damage to surrounding body tissue when removing a calculi (e.g., biological concretions, such as urinary, biliary, and pancreatic stones) that obstructs or may otherwise be present within a body's anatomical lumen. In one embodiment, the instant invention provides a method of using a polymer plug to occlude a lumen distal to a calculi, whereby calculi fragments resulting from lithotripsy are prevented from traveling up the lumen. In certain embodiments, a dual lumen catheter is utilized to inject two solutions proximal to the calculi, the mixing of said solutions causing a polymer plug to form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to injectable compositions comprising biocompatible, swellable, substantially hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical polymeric material carriers which are capable of efficiently delivering bioactive therapeutic factor(s) for use in embolization drug therapy. The present invention further relates to methods of embolization gene therapy, particularly for the treatment of angiogenic and non-angiogenic-dependent diseases, using the injectable compositions.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using peristalsis to force a polymer plug through a mammalian lumen, thereby removing any calculi and/or calculi fragments present in the lumen. In one embodiment, the method is used as an alternative to conventional lithotripsy. In another embodiment, the method is used in conjunction with lithotripsy, thereby removing the small calculi fragments that result from such procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods and kits to control bleeding through the use of an internal occluder based on polymeric solutions, including use of reverse thermosensitive polymers in nephron-sparing surgeries, which produces a completely bloodless surgical field, allowing speedy resection. In certain embodiments, after a certain amount of time, the flow gradually resumes, with no apparent adverse consequences to the kidney. In certain embodiments, return of blood flow may be accelerated by cooling the kidney. The compositions, methods and kits for perfusive organ hemostasis can also be used to simplify or to enable other organ surgeries or interventional procedures, including liver surgery, prostate surgery, brain surgery, surgery of the uterus, spleen surgery and any surgery on any highly vascularized organs.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using peristalsis to force a polymer plug through a mammalian lumen, thereby removing any calculi and/or calculi fragments present in the lumen. In one embodiment, the method is used as an alternative to conventional lithotripsy. In another embodiment, the method is used in conjunction with lithotripsy, thereby removing the small calculi fragments that result from such procedures.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a method for the treatment of lithiasis, which mitigates the risk of damage to surrounding body tissue when removing a calculi (e.g., biological concretions, such as urinary, biliary, and pancreatic stones) that obstructs or may otherwise be present within a body's anatomical lumen. In one embodiment, the instant invention provides a method of using a polymer plug to occlude a lumen distal to a calculi, whereby calculi fragments resulting from lithotripsy are prevented from traveling up the lumen. In certain embodiments, a dual lumen catheter is utilized to inject two solutions proximal to the calculi, the mixing of said solutions causing a polymer plug to form.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods and kits to control bleeding through the use of an internal occluder based on polymeric solutions, including use of reverse thermosensitive polymers in nephron-sparing surgeries, which produces a completely bloodless surgical field, allowing speedy resection. In certain embodiments, after a certain amount of time, the flow gradually resumes, with no apparent adverse consequences to the kidney. In certain embodiments, return of blood flow may be accelerated by cooling the kidney. The compositions, methods and kits for perfusive organ hemostasis can also be used to simplify or to enable other organ surgeries or interventional procedures, including liver surgery, prostate surgery, brain surgery, surgery of the uterus, spleen surgery and any surgery on any highly vascularized organs.

Abstract: Precision in thermotherapy is obtained by providing a reverse gelling polymer composition which gels when its temperature is raised towards body temperature. The composition is injected into the blood supply of the tissue being treated, at the beginning of thermotherapy. The temperature increase caused by the heating rapidly gels the composition, which temporarily blocks the flow of blood in the region being treated. This improves the predictability and stability of treatment. On cessation of heating, the composition gradually dissolves, removing the temporary embolization. The use of local heating can also expedite removal of tumors and the like from soft organs, even when the heating itself has no therapeutic effect.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to methods and kits for treating wounds, comprising the step of introducing into said wound a composition comprising at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer forms a gel in said wound, thereby temporarily occluding said wound. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method wherein a wound to a blood vessel or a segment of the GI tract is occluded, thereby preventing exsanguination and/or septicemia. In other embodiments, the inventive methods and kits described herein may be used to ameliorate (e.g., fill) temporarily a defect in a biological lumen, thereby strengthening said defect, preventing rupture of, or maintaining, improving or optimizing fluid flow through said lumen.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to catheters that can be placed in or around bodily conduits to occlude or widen a biological lumen without imparting significant trauma to the lumen. In certain embodiments, the invention particularly relates to the use of a polymer composition which can be made to gel upon insertion into said balloon or skirt. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at mammalian physiological temperature. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition comprises an optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to use of a composition comprising a purified inverse thermosensitive polymer in an endoscopic procedure for gastrointestinal mucosal resectioning in a mammal. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of 5gastrointestinal mucosal resectioning, comprising administering submucosally to a region of a gastrointestinal mucosa in a mammal an effective amount of a composition comprising a purified inverse thermosensitive polymer; and surgically resecting said region of gastrointestinal mucosa. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a kit for use in gastrointestinal endoscopic mucosal resectioning in a mammal, comprising a composition 10comprising a purified inverse thermosensitive polymer; a syringe; and instructions for use thereof.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using peristalsis to force a polymer plug through a mammalian lumen, thereby removing any calculi and/or calculi fragments present in the lumen. In one embodiment, the method is used as an alternative to conventional lithotripsy. In another embodiment, the method is used in conjunction with lithotripsy, thereby removing the small calculi fragments that result from such procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to injectable compositions comprising biocompatible, swellable, substantially hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical polymeric material carriers which are capable of efficiently delivering bioactive therapeutic factor(s) for use in embolization drug therapy. The present invention further relates to methods of embolization gene therapy, particularly for the treatment of angiogenic and non-angiogenic-dependent diseases, using the injectable compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to elastic, hydrophilic and substantially spherical microspheres useful for dermal augmentation and tissue bulking. The invention provides injectable compositions comprising the microspheres and a biocompatible carrier for use in dermal augmentation. The present invention further provides methods of dermal augmentation and tissue bulking, particularly for the treatment of skin contour deficiencies, Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, urinary incontinence, and urinary reflux disease, using the injectable compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to elastic, hydrophilic and substantially spherical microspheres useful for dermal augmentation and tissue bulking. The invention provides injectable compositions comprising the microspheres and a biocompatible carrier for use in dermal augmentation. The present invention further provides methods of dermal augmentation and tissue bulking, particularly for the treatment of skin contour deficiencies, Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, urinary incontinence, and urinary reflux disease, using the injectable compositions.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using peristalsis to force a polymer plug through a mammalian lumen, thereby removing any calculi and/or calculi fragments present in the lumen. In one embodiment, the method is used as an alternative to conventional lithotripsy. In another embodiment, the method is used in conjunction with lithotripsy, thereby removing the small calculi fragments that result from such procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to injectable compositions comprising biocompatible, swellable, hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical microspheres useful for tissue bulking. The invention also relates to methods of tissue bulking, particularly for the treatment of Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, urinary incontinence, or urinary reflux disease, using the injectable compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to injectable compositions comprising biocompatible, swellable, hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical microspheres useful for tissue bulking. The invention also relates to methods of tissue bulking, particularly for the treatment of Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, urinary incontinence, or urinary reflux disease, using the injectable compositions.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using peristalsis to force a polymer plug through a mammalian lumen, thereby removing any calculi and/or calculi fragments present in the lumen. In one embodiment, the method is used as an alternative to conventional lithotripsy. In another embodiment, the method is used in conjunction with lithotripsy, thereby removing the small calculi fragments that result from such procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods and kits to control bleeding through the use of an internal occluder based on polymeric solutions, including use of reverse thermosensitive polymers in nephron-sparing surgeries, which produces a completely bloodless surgical field, allowing speedy resection. In certain embodiments, after a certain amount of time, the flow gradually resumes, with no apparent adverse consequences to the kidney. In certain embodiments, return of blood flow may be accelerated by cooling the kidney. The compositions, methods and kits for perfusive organ hemostasis can also be used to simplify or to enable other organ surgeries or interventional procedures, including liver surgery, prostate surgery, brain surgery, surgery of the uterus, spleen surgery and any surgery on any highly vascularized organs.