Abstract: A method for treating a tumor at least partially within an organ in a subject's body. The method comprises volumetrically compressing the tumor to increase a pressure within the tumor above a threshold level to cause ischemia of the tumor; and maintaining the pressure above the threshold level for a period sufficient to cause necrosis in the tumor. The method may include passing a tension member within the organ around a predetermined volumetric region encompassing at least a portion of the tumor. The method may include tightening the tension member to cause compression of the volumetric region, thereby directly increasing a pressure within the tumor. The method may include maintaining the increased pressure such that most or all tissues of the tumor undergo ischemia and/or necrosis resulting directly from the compression caused by the tightened tension member.

Abstract: A percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) catheter may be configured to perform vein expansion and occlusion. A infusion port (132) located proximal to the occlusion feature (162) can be used to inject contract enhancement agent as well as other substances. The catheter can be used especially advantageously in vascular regions associated with hemodialysis access.

Abstract: Injectable embolization particulates (e.g., particles, microstructures, beads) employed in embolization procedures, for facilitating blood vessel occlusion. Exemplary embolization particulates for occluding a blood vessel include a plurality of embolization beads, each bead having a plurality of outwardly protruding portions, wherein, upon a first one and a second one of the beads accumulating against a boundary of the blood vessel, protruding portions of the first bead are configured to intermesh with protruding portions of the second bead, so as to occlude the blood vessel. Also disclosed are compositions of embolization particulates including a plurality of shaped embolization beads, and methods for embolizing or occluding a blood vessel using embolization particulates or compositions thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for documenting subjects using hash chains. The method includes receiving a subject data write request including one or more subject attribute values, generating a fingerprint from a current last block of a hash chain, and generating a payload from the subject data, the payload including the one or more subject attribute values and one or more keys identifying the one or more subject attribute values. The method further includes appending a block to the hash chain. The appended block includes the payload and the fingerprint.

Abstract: Microcatheter for delivering a substance (e.g., infusion agent including embolization material and/or contrast enhancing material) in a small blood vessel towards a target bodily part. Includes a single lumen surrounded by tubular wall having outer diameter and opened at both ends; tubular wall proximal portion is connectable to a pressure source and reservoir containing infusion agent, and tubular wall distal portion ends with a tip; the tubular wall distal portion includes an infusion agent flow disruption section configured to disrupt passage therethrough of incoming retrograded flow of infusion agent, during continuous delivery of infusion suspension from the reservoir to the tip. Disclosed are methods using the microcatheter for performing local embolization in a small blood vessel feeding a (for example, cancerous) target bodily part, and for delivering infusion agent in a small blood vessel towards such target bodily part. Also disclosed are devices and methods for filtering non-target infusion agent.

Abstract: Injectable embolization particulates (e.g., particles, microstructures, beads) employed in embolization procedures, for facilitating blood vessel occlusion. Exemplary embolization particulates for occluding a blood vessel include a plurality of embolization beads, each bead having a plurality of outwardly protruding portions, wherein, upon a first one and a second one of the beads accumulating against a boundary of the blood vessel, protruding portions of the first bead are configured to intermesh with protruding portions of the second bead, so as to occlude the blood vessel. Also disclosed are compositions of embolization particulates including a plurality of shaped embolization beads, and methods for embolizing or occluding a blood vessel using embolization particulates or compositions thereof.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices, for stimulating one or more esophageal muscle contractions are provided. The system, methods, and devices may be designed to evoke motion and/or restore function in one or more organs that are located distal to the lower esophageal sphincter. A controller and a generator may be used to transmit signals to one or more electrodes in a tube placed in a patient's GI tract. In some aspect, the generator is configures to generate a series of pulses for one or more periods of time. In some aspects, a preliminary pulse is transmitted to narrow and esophageal portion such that an esophageal wall is in contact with at least one electrode thus lowering the nominal stimulation threshold.

Abstract: Microcatheter for delivering a substance (e.g., infusion agent including embolization material and/or contrast enhancing material) in a small blood vessel towards a target bodily part. Includes a single lumen surrounded by tubular wall having outer diameter and opened at both ends; tubular wall proximal portion is connectable to a pressure source and reservoir containing infusion agent, and tubular wall distal portion ends with a tip; the tubular wall distal portion includes an infusion agent flow disruption section configured to disrupt passage therethrough of incoming retrograded flow of infusion agent, during continuous delivery of infusion suspension from the reservoir to the tip. Disclosed are methods using the microcatheter for performing local embolization in a small blood vessel feeding a (for example, cancerous) target bodily part, and for delivering infusion agent in a small blood vessel towards such target bodily part. Also disclosed are devices and methods for filtering non-target infusion agent.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices, for stimulating one or more esophageal muscle contractions are provided. The system, methods, and devices may be designed to evoke motion and/or restore function in one or more organs that are located distal to the lower esophageal sphincter. A controller and a generator may be used to transmit signals to one or more electrodes in a tube placed in a patient's GI tract. In some aspect, the generator is configures to generate a series of pulses for one or more periods of time. In some aspects, a preliminary pulse is transmitted to narrow and esophageal portion such that an esophageal wall is in contact with at least one electrode thus lowering the nominal stimulation threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a PTA (percutaneous transluminal angioplasty) balloon catheter, preferably high pressure type, optionally introducible as an over the wire catheter. The catheter possess the attribute of injecting fluid to the treated site through a dedicated opening proximal to the balloon member, for introduction of fluids such as contrast enhancing material and/or medication. In some embodiments, a single lumen is used, at least in part, both for fluids transfer and dispersion (“infusion”) as well as for guide wire passage. In some such embodiments, a valve mechanism is used to sustain selective operability of the lumen so that fluids will disperse mostly or solely through the proximal dispersion opening rather than the guide wire distal exit opening.

Abstract: A dual tip dialysis catheter has a proximal portion with connected lumens and a distal portion with diverging lumens. The lumens may separate at a split junction and diverge in a scissors like manner to reduce or eliminate a crack or gap adjacent to the split junction, thereby reducing clotting. A dual tip dialysis catheter may have forward openings configured to direct flow in opposite directions.

Abstract: A third-party server exposes a first set of data from a content based website. Access to a second set of data requires that a token be assigned to a specific web browser and corresponding to a specific subset of protected data, the token containing no information that can be used to gain access to other protected data.

Abstract: An embolization microcatheter having an elongated microcatheter body configured for passing therein a suspension of particles suspended in a suspension fluid; and a microcatheter head connected to a distal end of said microcatheter body and comprising a proximal head section and a distal head section, wherein the proximal head section includes a proximal wall forming a proximal section lumen, the proximal wall having a plurality of through-holes, wherein the distal head section includes a distal wall forming a distal section lumen, and a suspension delivery opening at a distal end of the distal end section; wherein the distal section is devoid of through-holes, and wherein each of the plurality of through-holes are shaped and/or sized to allow passage therethrough of the suspension fluid while blocking passage of the particles suspended therein.

Abstract: Provided are adhesive compositions comprising copolymers having biomimetic cross-linkable monomers derived from mussel adhesive proteins. Also provided are methods of curing the adhesive compositions, methods of manufacturing the adhesive compositions, and devices comprising the adhesive compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are cleaning compositions and methods for cleaning fabrics to which stains are adhered. The cleaning composition contains a surfactant system comprising one or more anionic surfactants, a cleaning enzyme, and an organic acidulant having a calculated stability constant for Ca2+ ions of less than about 1.5 at a pH of about 4. The cleaning composition has a neat pH of from about 2 to about 6.

Abstract: A dual tip dialysis catheter has a proximal portion with connected lumens and a distal portion with diverging lumens. The lumens may separate at a split junction and diverge in a scissors like manner to reduce or eliminate a crack or gap adjacent to the split junction, thereby reducing clotting. A dual tip dialysis catheter may have forward openings configured to direct flow in opposite directions.

Abstract: Disclosed are cleaning compositions and methods for cleaning fabrics to which stains are adhered. The cleaning composition contains a surfactant system comprising one or more anionic surfactants, a cleaning enzyme, and an organic acidulant having a calculated stability constant for Ca2+ ions of less than about 1.5 at a pH of about 4. The cleaning composition has a neat pH of from about 2 to about 6.

Abstract: Method for sealing a stent graft in an endovascular aneurysm repair. Includes following steps/procedures. Positioning the stent graft to extend across an aneurysm in aneurysmatic host vessel. Introducing and placing a balloon catheter in the host vessel at a location distal to the graft distal end. Inflating balloon to pressure configured for unconstrained balloon expansion with maximal balloon diameter equal to or greater than smallest inner diameter of host vessel, thereby occluding normal blood flowing thereacross. Infusing contrast enhancing material through balloon catheter for allowing radiographic visualization of endoleakage between stent graft and a host vessel wall. Deflating and repositioning balloon to another location within stent graft. Pressurizing balloon to another pressure configured for plastically expanding selected section of stent graft from a smaller diameter to a fixed enlarged diameter.

Abstract: Removable catheter cap, and applications thereof, for delivering medical tubes in bodily passages. Removable catheter cap covers flexible medical tube (e.g., catheter) distal tip during delivery in a body lumen. Catheter cap includes: cap body removably connectable to, for capping, catheter distal tip, and transformable into a predefined constituent part freely passable through catheter lumen; and cap releasing member extending through catheter proximal end when catheter cap is connected to the catheter, and manipulatable for transforming cap body into constituent part or/and for withdrawing constituent part from catheter distal tip through catheter lumen.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds, including, without limitation, pressure ulcers and diabetic ulcers, by transdermal delivery of an agent that increases activity of HIF-1? in the wound.