Abstract: The invention relates to biodegradable endovascular devices, and methods for their preparation and use as medical implant devices. The invention includes flexible, drug-eluting, biodegradable endovascular devices that provide optimum treatment of peripheral arterial disease in small arteries and across joints. According to the invention, the biodegradable endovascular medical implant devices include a thermoformed tube or cylinder constructed of a flexible polymeric material, positioned in a vascular region of a patient, wherein the thermoformed tube or cylinder conforms to the geometry or anatomy of the vascular region to treat peripheral arterial disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a functionalized microbubble designed for treating and/or preventing vascular obstructions, including microvascular obstructions. The functionalized microbubble embodiments comprise a microbubble that can be activated upon exposure to ultrasound and further that has a lipid-based shell that is attached to an exteriorly-attached therapeutically active agent, such as a thrombolytic agent. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method for making and using the functionalized microbubble embodiments.

Abstract: Provided herein are microbubble compositions comprising nitro-fatty acids and/or esters thereof, such as amphiphilic esters or allyl esters thereof. Also provided are methods of reducing local inflammation at a site in a patient comprising delivering the microbubbles to a site of inflammation in the patient and applying ultrasound to the microbubbles. The methods may be used to treat fibrosis or cancer.

Abstract: After the claims, please insert a page containing the Abstract of the Disclosure which is attached hereto as a separately typed page.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a functionalized microbubble designed for treating and/or preventing vascular obstructions, including microvascular obstructions. The functionalized microbubble embodiments comprise a microbubble that can be activated upon exposure to ultrasound and further that has a lipid-based shell that is attached to an exteriorly-attached therapeutically active agent, such as a thrombolytic agent. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method for making and using the functionalized microbubble embodiments.

Abstract: Various methods of performing ultrasound contrast assisted therapy are provided. One such method includes delivering a plurality of microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents to a target area and disrupting the microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents by delivering tone bursts of ultrasound to the target area. The oscillation of the microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents can be achieved by delivering ultrasound tone bursts of greater than 5 acoustic cycles with a pulse repetition frequency of between 0.01 and 20 Hz, with pressure greater than 0.3 MPa.

Abstract: Various methods of performing ultrasound contrast assisted therapy are provided. One such method includes delivering a plurality of microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents to a target area and disrupting the microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents by delivering tone bursts of ultrasound to the target area. The oscillation of the microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents can be achieved by delivering ultrasound tone bursts of greater than 5 acoustic cycles with a pulse repetition frequency of between 0.01 and 20 Hz, with pressure greater than 0.3 MPa.

Abstract: A pumping system for blood for a patient includes a sensorless pump having no sensors disposed in the pump itself for moving the blood, a motor and a blood transport port through which blood is received from the patient and is pumped into the patient. The system also includes a controller connected to the pump for controlling the pump so a desired flow rate of blood can be maintained by the pump.

Abstract: A blood pump device comprises a blood pump having blood transport ports, cannulae connected to the ports, and a coating material covering the junction between the inner surfaces of the ports and cannulae. This forms a smooth transition so blood can flow unimpeded therefrom and collection cavities for the blood are eliminated. Also included is a method for producing a smooth coating. The blood pump device comprises a second portion including a stator mechanism, a rotor mechanism, an impeller, a journal, and a seat member. The second portion is constructed to pump blood through the cannulae when power is provided. The blood pump device is also equipped with a safety occluder device, a sensor for detecting back emf in the stator mechanism, and a controller having the capability of indicating stator current and rotor speed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a circulatory system, such as a circulatory assist system for a patient. The system comprises a blood pump having tubing fluidically communicating with a person's blood vessel. The blood pump can be, for instance, a centrifugal blood pump but is not limited thereto. The system also comprises an occluder device for controlling flow of the blood pump. The occluder device is in contact with the tubing of the blood pump. The occluder device can be incorporated into an anti-kink sheath over the outlet graft tubing of the blood pump. Preferably, the system comprises control means for actuating the occluder device when the blood pump malfunctions. In this manner, potentially fatal retrograde blood due to pump failure is automatically prevented. In a preferred embodiment, the occluder device comprises a cylindrical tube and a bladder mechanism connected to the inside surface of the tube. Type bladder mechanism preferably comprises a bladder and means for inflating the bladder.

Abstract: A blood pump device which includes a blood pump having blood transport ports and cannulae connected to the ports. The blood pump device also includes a coating material covering the junction between the inner surfaces of the ports and cannulae. A method of producing a smooth coating. A blood pump device including a second portion having a stator mechanism and a rotor mechanism disposed adjacent to and driven by the stator mechanism. The second portion has a journal disposed about the rotor mechanism to provide support therewith. The second portion has an impeller disposed in the chamber and a seal member for sealing about a shaft of the impeller. The seal member is fixedly attached to the journal so that the seal member is supported by the journal. A mechanism for providing power to the blood pump so that blood can be pumped through a cannula.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a circulatory system, such as a circulatory assist system for a patient. The system comprises a blood pump having tubing fluidically communicating with a person's blood vessel. The blood pump can be, for instance, a centrifugal blood pump but is not limited thereto. The system also comprises an occluder device for controlling flow of the blood pump. The occluder device is in contact with the tubing of the blood pump. The occluder device can be incorporated into an anti-kink sheath over the outlet graft tubing of the blood pump. Preferably, the system comprises control means for actuating the occluder device when the blood pump malfunctions. In this manner, potentially fatal retrograde blood due to pump failure is automatically prevented. In a preferred embodiment, the occluder device comprises a cylindrical tube and a bladder mechanism connected to the inside surface of the tube. The bladder mechanism preferably comprises a bladder and means for inflating the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a blood pump device which comprises a blood pump having blood transport ports and cannulae connected to the ports. The blood pump device also comprises a coating material covering the junction between the inner surfaces of the ports and cannulae. This forms a smooth transition so blood can flow unimpeded therefrom and collection cavities for the blood are eliminated. The invention is also related to a method of producing a smooth coating. The present invention is a blood pump device comprising a second portion having a stator mechanism and a rotor mechanism disposed adjacent to and driven by the stator mechanism. The second portion has a journal disposed about the rotor mechanism to provide support therewith. The second portion has an impeller disposed in the chamber and a one-piece seal member for sealing about a shaft of the impeller. The seal member is fixedly attached to the journal so that the seal member is supported by the journal.