Abstract: Provided are formulations, methods, and devices for providing a hydrogel. The formulations and resulting hydrogels may be used for treating various disorders, including ocular disorders. In certain embodiments, the hydrogel is formed from formulations comprising (a) a nucleo-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polyalkylene polymer substituted by (i) a plurality of —OH groups, (ii) a plurality of thio-functional groups —R1—SH wherein R1 is an ester-containing linker, and (iii) optionally one or more —OC(O)—(C1-C6 alkyl) groups, such as a thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer; (b) an electro-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polymer containing at least one thiol-reactive group, such as a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer containing alpha-beta unsaturated ester groups; and (c) one or more pharmaceutically active agents. In certain embodiments, the hydrogel is formed at a targeted sited using methods and/or devices for focal administration of the formulations and/or hydrogels described herein.

Abstract: Provided are formulations, methods, and devices for providing a hydrogel. The formulations and resulting hydrogels may be used for treating various disorders, including ocular disorders. In certain embodiments, the hydrogel is formed from formulations comprising (a) a nucleo-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polyalkylene polymer substituted by (i) a plurality of —OH groups, (ii) a plurality of thio-functional groups —R1—SH wherein R1 is an ester-containing linker, and (iii) optionally one or more —OC(O)—(C1-C6 alkyl) groups, such as a thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer; (b) an electro-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polymer containing at least one thiol-reactive group, such as a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer containing alpha-beta unsaturated ester groups; and (c) one or more pharmaceutically active agents. In certain embodiments, the hydrogel is formed at a targeted sited using methods and/or devices for focal administration of the formulations and/or hydrogels described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and polymer-containing formulations for treating retinal detachment and other ocular disorders, where the methods employ polymer compositions that can form a hydrogel in the eye of a subject. The hydrogel is formed by reaction of (a) a nucleo-functional polymer is a biocompatible polyalkylene polymer substituted by (i) a plurality of —OH groups, (ii) a plurality of thio-functional groups —R1—SH wherein R1 is an ester-containing linker, and (iii) optionally one or more —OC(O)—(C1-C6 alkyl) groups, such as a thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer and (ii) an electro-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polymer containing at least one thiol-reactive group, such as a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer containing alpha-beta unsaturated ester groups. Formulations are provided containing a nucleo-functional polymer, a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer, and an aqueous pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use in the therapeutic methods.

Abstract: Provided are methods, polymer-containing formulations, and polymer compositions for treating retinal detachment and other ocular disorders, where the methods employ polymer compositions or polymer-containing formulations that can form a hydrogel in the eye of a subject. In certain embodiments, the hydrogel is formed by reaction of (a) a nucleo-functional polymer is a biocompatible polyalkylene polymer substituted by (i) a plurality of —OH groups, (ii) a plurality of thio-functional groups —R1—SH wherein R1 is an ester-containing linker, and (iii) optionally one or more —OC(O)—(C1-C6 alkyl) groups, such as a thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer and (ii) an electro-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polymer containing at least one thiol-reactive group, such as a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer containing alpha-beta unsaturated ester groups.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and polymer-containing formulations for treating retinal detachment and other ocular disorders, where the methods employ polymer compositions that can form a hydrogel in the eye of a subject. The hydrogel is formed by reaction of (a) a nucleo-functional polymer is a biocompatible polyalkylene polymer substituted by (i) a plurality of —OH groups, (ii) a plurality of thio-functional groups —R1—SH wherein R1 is an ester-containing linker, and (iii) optionally one or more —OC(O)—(C1-C6 alkyl) groups, such as a thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer and (ii) an electro-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polymer containing at least one thiol-reactive group, such as a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer containing alpha-beta unsaturated ester groups. Formulations are provided containing a nucleo-functional polymer, a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer, and an aqueous pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use in the therapeutic methods.

Abstract: Catheters and a method of preparation thereof, the catheter comprising a catheter body, a juncture hub, extension lines and connectors, the catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface, a tip region having a length of 10 cm measured from the distal end of the catheter body, and at least two lumen, each of the catheter body lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, a Lumen Aspect Ratio of at least 3:1, and an intraluminal surface, the distal ends of the at least two catheter body lumen being (i) non-coterminus or (ii) laser-cut, the exterior surface of the catheter body in the tip region or the intraluminal surface of the two catheter body lumen comprising a hydrophilic polymer layer having an Average Dry Thickness of at least about 50 nanometers.

Abstract: Processes are described herein for preparing medical devices and other articles having a low-fouling surface on a substrate comprising a polymeric surface. The polymeric surface material may possess a range of polymeric backbones and substituents while providing the articles with a highly efficient, biocompatible, and non-fouling surface. The processes involve treating the substrate to reduce the concentration of chemical species on the surface of or in the substrate without altering the bulk physical properties of the device or article, and thereafter forming a grafted polymer layer on the treated substrate surface.

Abstract: Processes are described herein for preparing medical devices and other articles having a low-fouling surface on a substrate comprising a polymeric surface. The polymeric surface material may possess a range of polymeric backbones and substituents while providing the articles with a highly efficient, biocompatible, and non-fouling surface. The processes involve treating the substrate to reduce the concentration of chemical species on the surface of or in the substrate without altering the bulk physical properties of the device or article, and thereafter forming a grafted polymer layer on the treated substrate surface.

Abstract: Processes are described herein for preparing medical devices and other articles having a low-fouling surface on a substrate comprising a polymeric surface. The polymeric surface material may possess a range of polymeric backbones and substituents while providing the articles with a highly efficient, biocompatible, and non-fouling surface. The processes involve treating the substrate to reduce the concentration of chemical species on the surface of or in the substrate without altering the bulk physical properties of the device or article, and thereafter forming a grafted polymer layer on the treated substrate surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that identify date elements for a client, determine whether the identified date elements are excluded based on client profile information, determine whether the identified date elements are excluded based on respective profile information of two or more of the members of the client, and provide to the client one or more of the identified date elements that are consistent with the client profile information or the profile information of the two or more of the members.

Abstract: Processes are described herein for preparing medical devices and other articles having a low-fouling surface on a substrate comprising a polymeric surface. The polymeric surface material may possess a range of polymeric backbones and substituents while providing the articles with a highly efficient, biocompatible, and non-fouling surface. The processes involve treating the substrate to reduce the concentration of chemical species on the surface of or in the substrate without altering the bulk physical properties of the device or article, and thereafter forming a grafted polymer layer on the treated substrate surface.

Abstract: A device for treating a heart may comprise a myocardial section configured to be positioned in a heart wall between a coronary vessel and a chamber of the heart and a vessel section configured to be positioned in the coronary vessel. The vessel section may be connected to the myocardial section and be configured to articulate relative to the myocardial section. The myocardial section and the vessel section may form an integral, single piece structure.

Abstract: Delivery of bioactive molecules such as nucleic acid molecules encoding a protein can be significantly enhanced by immobilization of the bioactive molecule in a polymeric material adjacent to the cells where delivery is desired, where the bioactive molecule is encapsulated in a vehicle such as liposomes which facilitates transfer of the bioactive molecules into the targeted tissue. Targeting of the bioactive molecules can also be achieved by selection of an encapsulating medium of an appropriate size whereby the medium serves to deliver the molecules to a particular target. For example, encapsulation of nucleic acid molecules or biologically active proteins within biodegradable, biocompatible polymeric microparticles which are appropriate sized to infiltrate, but remain trapped within, the capillary beds and alveoli of the lungs can be used for targeted delivery to these regions of the body following administration to a patient by infusion or injection.

Abstract: Methods, and related devices, for treating a heart by allowing retrograde blood flow in a coronary vein may include flowing blood through a passageway between a blood-containing anatomical structure and a coronary vein so as to cause retrograde blood flow in the coronary vein. The methods, and related devices, may further include measuring an internal pressure of the coronary vein to determine a measured internal pressure and at least partially obstructing the coronary vein at a location upstream of the passageway relative to a direction of the retrograde blood flow based on the measured internal pressure.

Abstract: A device for treating a heart includes an implant and a collar. The implant may be configured to be positioned in a heart wall between a coronary vessel and a chamber of the heart. The collar may be configured to be disposed externally on a portion of the implant such that the collar extends from the implant so as to contact the heart wall for anchoring the implant in position in the heart wall.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions for delivering bone growth inducing material (e.g., to viable bone and/or other skeletal tissues to repair defects and the like). More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention relate to delivery mechanisms for an osteotherapeutic material (e.g., osteoinductive and/or osteoconductive materials), including (but not limited to) demineralized bone matrix (“DBM”) and cortical-cancellous bone chips (“CCC”). Certain compositions according to various embodiments of the present invention may comprise mixtures of a physiologically acceptable biodegradable carrier, an osteoinductive material, and/or an osteoconductive material (e.g., DBM and CCC). The compositions may thus be applied (for example, to defective bone tissue and/or other viable tissue) to induce formation of new bone. Other embodiments of the present invention relate to the preparation of compositions and methods of using such compositions.

Abstract: A method for inducing vascular remodeling and related methods for treating patients having diseased vasculature. The method of inducing remodeling of the vascular system includes altering the blood flow dynamics in portions of the vascular system via mechanical mechanisms. Remodeling of certain coronary vasculature may be induced by creating a passage in a heart wall between a heart chamber and a blood vessel so as to permit blood flow communication, for example, direct blood flow communication, between the chamber and the vessel. A method of inducing vascular remodeling may include providing a blood flow passage between a heart chamber and the coronary vessel, or other flow dynamics altering structure, such that enlargement of at least a portion of the coronary vessel occurs.

Abstract: The method and apparatus described and illustrated herein generally relate to a bypass method to provide blood flow directly from a heart chamber, such as the left ventricle, and coronary vasculature, such as a coronary artery, and a conduit especially suited for placement in the myocardium to provide such flow. The conduit is particularly useful when a blockage partially or completely obstructs the coronary artery, in which case the conduit is positioned distal to the blockage. Aspects of the present invention relate to conduits in the form of stents that have particular configurations exhibiting properties suited to placement in the myocardium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding polymeric structures in vivo is disclosed. The structures comprise polymers that may be heated to their molding temperature by absorption of visible or near-visible wavelengths of light. By providing a light source that produces radiation of the wavelength absorbed by the polymeric material, the material may be selectively heated and shaped in vivo without a corresponding heating of adjacent tissues or fluids to unacceptable levels. The apparatus comprises a catheter having a shaping element positioned near its distal end. An emitter provided with light from at least one optical fiber is positioned within the shaping element. The emitter serves to provide a moldable polymeric article positioned on the shaping element with a substantially uniform light field, thereby allowing the article to be heated and molded at a desired treatment site in a body lumen.

Abstract: Delivery of bioactive molecules such as nucleic acid molecules encoding a protein can be significantly enhanced by immobilization of the bioactive molecule in a polymeric material adjacent to the cells where delivery is desired, where the bioactive molecule is encapsulated in a vehicle such as liposomes which facilitates transfer of the bioactive molecules into the targeted tissue. Targeting of the bioactive molecules can also be achieved by selection of an encapsulating medium of an appropriate size whereby the medium serves to deliver the molecules to a particular target. For example, encapsulation of nucleic acid molecules or biologically active proteins within biodegradable, biocompatible polymeric microparticles which are appropriate sized to infiltrate, but remain trapped within, the capillary beds and alveoli of the lungs can be used for targeted delivery to these regions of the body following administration to a patient by infusion or injection.