Abstract: Balloon catheters are described, including a balloon catheter that includes an inflatable balloon and a braiding positioned on an exterior surface of the inflatable balloon. The inflatable balloon includes an intermediate portion, a distal waist, and a transition portion between the intermediate portion and the distal waist. At least a portion of the transition portion has a cone angle of at least 40 degrees. The braiding includes a plurality of threads, and a spacing between adjacent threads of the plurality of threads over the distal waist is smaller than a spacing between adjacent threads of the plurality of threads over the intermediate portion. A spacing between adjacent threads of the plurality of threads over the transition portion gradually transitions over the transition portion from the spacing between adjacent threads over the intermediate portion to the spacing between adjacent threads over the distal waist.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a prognostic method for determining whether a subject is at risk of having the CLAD, comprising: measuring the expression level of POU2AF1 or BLK in a biological sample obtained from the subject; comparing the expression level of POU2AF1 or BLK with a predetermined reference value and concluding that the subject is at risk of having CLAD when the expression level of POU2AF1 or BLK is lower than the predetermined reference value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of having the CLAD in a subject by measuring the expression level of TCL1A in a biological sample obtained from said subject. Inventors have used a large-scale gene expression profiling of whole blood cells to identify early biomarkers of BOS. Microarray experiments performed from 80 patients (40 stable (STA) and 40 BOS) identified 47 genes differentially expressed between STA and BOS recipients. An independent set of patients (13 STA, 11 BOS) was then used for external validation by qPCR. T-cell leukemia/lymphoma protein 1A (TCL1A) gene was identified and validated as a predictive marker of BOS more than 6 months before diagnosis with area under curve of 0.77. Accordingly, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of having the chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) and to a method for preventing the risk of having CLAD by administering immunosuppressive drugs.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter. The catheter may include a catheter shaft and a balloon. The balloon may comprise a cone portion, a waist portion, and a body portion. A fiber braid may be disposed along the balloon. An inner surface of the waist portion may be thermally bonded to an outer surface of the catheter shaft and an inner surface of the fiber braid may be adhesively bonded to an outer surface of the waist portion.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a prognostic method for determining whether a subject is at risk of having the CLAD, comprising: measuring the expression level of POU2AF1 or BLK in a biological sample obtained from the subject; comparing the expression level of POU2AF1 or BLK with a predetermined reference value and concluding that the subject is at risk of having CLAD when the expression level of POU2AF1 or BLK is lower than the predetermined reference value.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter. The catheter may include a catheter shaft and a balloon. The balloon may comprise a cone portion, a waist portion, and a body portion. A fiber braid may be disposed along the balloon. An inner surface of the waist portion may be thermally bonded to an outer surface of the catheter shaft and an inner surface of the fiber braid may be adhesively bonded to an outer surface of the waist portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of having the CLAD in a subject by measuring the expression level of TCL1A in a biological sample obtained from said subject. Inventors have used a large-scale gene expression profiling of whole blood cells to identify early biomarkers of BOS. Microarray experiments performed from 80 patients (40 stable (STA) and 40 BOS) identified 47 genes differentially expressed between STA and BOS recipients. An independent set of patients (13 STA, 11 BOS) was then used for external validation by qPCR. T-cell leukemia/lymphoma protein 1A (TCL1A) gene was identified and validated as a predictive marker of BOS more than 6 months before diagnosis with area under curve of 0.77. Accordingly, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of having the chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) and to a method for preventing the risk of having CLAD by administering immunosuppressive drugs.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a prognostic method for determining whether a subject is at risk of having the CLAD, comprising: measuring the expression level of POU2AF1 or BLK in a biological sample obtained from the subject; comparing the expression level of POU2AF1 or BLK with a predetermined reference value and concluding that the subject is at risk of having CLAD when the expression level of POU2AF1 or BLK is lower than the predetermined reference value.

Abstract: An expandable medical balloon, the expandable medical balloon comprising a first balloon wall, the first balloon wall comprising a first balloon layer of polyethylene terephthalate having a first intrinsic viscosity, the first layer is outer to a second layer of polyethylene terephthalate, the second balloon layer of polyethylene terephthalate having a second intrinsic viscosity, the second layer is an inner layer, wherein the intrinsic viscosity of the first balloon layer is higher than the intrinsic viscosity of the second balloon layer by about 0.05 dl/g or more.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a prognostic method for determining whether a subject is at risk of having the CLAD, comprising: measuring the expression level of POU2AF1 or BLK in a biological sample obtained from the subject; comparing the expression level of POU2AF1 or BLK with a predetermined reference value and concluding that the subject is at risk of having CLAD when the expression level of POU2AF1 or BLK is lower than the predetermined reference value.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter. The catheter may include a catheter shaft and a balloon. The balloon may comprise a cone portion, a waist portion, and a body portion. A fiber braid may be disposed along the balloon. An inner surface of the waist portion may be thermally bonded to an outer surface of the catheter shaft and an inner surface of the fiber braid may be adhesively bonded to an outer surface of the waist portion.

Abstract: An expandable medical balloon for transmitting radiofrequency energy, the medical balloon comprising at least one polymeric electrically-insulating layer and at least one polymeric electrically-conductive layer, wherein at least portions of the polymeric electrically-insulating layer are moveable relative to the polymeric electrically-conductive in said at least one pressurizable expanded state.

Abstract: An expandable medical balloon, the expandable medical balloon comprising a first balloon wall, the first balloon wall comprising a first balloon layer of polyethylene terephthalate having a first intrinsic viscosity, the first layer is outer to a second layer of polyethylene terephthalate, the second balloon layer of polyethylene terephthalate having a second intrinsic viscosity, the second layer is an inner layer, wherein the intrinsic viscosity of the first balloon layer is higher than the intrinsic viscosity of the second balloon layer by about 0.05 dl/g or more.

Abstract: A multilayer shaft with integral balloon and a total length of at least 70 cm.

Abstract: An expandable medical balloon for transmitting radiofrequency energy, the medical balloon comprising at least one polymeric electrically-insulating layer and at least one polymeric electrically-conductive layer, wherein at least portions of the polymeric electrically-insulating layer are moveable relative to the polymeric electrically-conductive in said at least one pressurizable expanded state.

Abstract: Polymeric materials having a plurality of cells formed therein are described. The polymeric materials include a foamed layer comprising a plurality of uniform microcells, nanocells or combinations thereof in a closed cell network, a transition layer positioned adjacent to the foamed layer, and at least one unfoamed outer layer positioned adjacent to the transition layer. The foamed layer may be present in a volume ranging from about 80 to about 99 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material, the transition layer may present in a volume ranging from about 0 to about 10 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material, and the at least one outer layer may be present in a volume ranging from about 0.01 to about 10 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material. Methods of making such polymeric materials are also described, as are apparatus for providing foamed polymeric materials.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cementitious articles that are reinforced with a fabric made at least partially of high modulus polyolefin monofilament fibers. Preferably, the polypropylene monofilament yarns have a 3% secant modulus of elasticity of at least 100 g/denier. The high modulus polypropylene fabric has an intrinsic resistance to the alkaline conditions present in a cementitious composite, as well as a low elongation at break. The high modulus polypropylene may contain a nucleating agent to facilitate the process of obtaining desired draw ratio.

Abstract: A cement panel that is reinforced with a fabric made of nucleated polypropylene fibers. The cement panel includes a core layer that is made of a lightweight cement composition. This core layer is covered with a layer of reinforcing nucleated polypropylene fabric on the top and on the bottom, each bonded to the core with a coating of cementitious material on the top and on the bottom of the core layer. On the edges of the cement panels, the fabric layers may be overlapped so as to augment the strength of these edges.

Abstract: A method for continuously separating polymer from a high pressure fluid stream comprises subjecting the high pressure fluid stream comprising polymer particles to a filter, wherein the filter segregates the high pressure fluid stream from the polymer particles; subjecting the polymer particles to a rotating device which transports the polymer particles away from the filter, wherein the polymer particles are exposed to thermal conditions sufficient to melt the polymer particles and form a seal surrounding at least a portion of the rotating device; and separating the molten polymer from the rotating device. The method is carried out such that the separation of polymer from the high pressure fluid stream occurs under steady-state.

Abstract: Methods of carrying out a reactive extrusion processes are described that include combining at least one polymer, oligomer, or combination thereof, a carbon dioxide containing fluid, and at least one reactant in an extruder to form a mixture such that the carbon dioxide containing fluid comes into intimate contact with the at least one polymer, oligomer, or combination thereof and assists in a reaction between the at least one polymer, oligomer, or combination thereof and the at least one reactant, and wherein the at least one polymer, oligomer, or combination thereof is modified upon reaction with the at least one reactant.