Abstract: Automated microfluidic systems and methods are described for purifying, extracting, and optionally analyzing magnetic target entities such as cells, e.g., bound to one or more magnetic beads.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to a drug-release composition that contains drug-linker-drug compound that is combined with another therapeutic agent that can be an antirestenotic agent. The therapeutic agent can be partially bound to the drug-linker-drug compound, miscible with the drug-linker-drug compound, combined with the drug-linker-drug compound at various ratios, and tuned to control the release of drugs to a tissue in need thereof.

Abstract: A stent designed for catheter delivery to a target neurovascular site via a tortuous path, in a contracted state, and deployment at the target site, in an expanded state, is disclosed. The stent includes a plurality of expandable tubular members, where member is composed of a continuous wire element forming a plurality of wave segments, and segment contains a pair of opposite looped peaks having a wave shape such that the distance between adjacent sides of a wave, on proceeding from a peak toward opposite peaks, increases monotonically with an inflection point therebetween. The expandable tubular members are joined through adjacent peaks by axial connectors. Radial expansion of the stent from a contracted to expanded state is accommodated by movement of adjacent wave-segment peaks away from one another, without significant change in the axial dimension of the stent. Also disclosed are a system incorporating the stent, and a method of treating a neurovascular abnormality.

Abstract: A stent designed for catheter delivery to a target neurovascular site via a tortuous path, in a contracted state, and deployment at the target site, in an expanded state, is disclosed. The stent includes a plurality of expandable tubular members, where member is composed of a continuous wire element forming a plurality of wave segments, and segment contains a pair of opposite looped peaks having a wave shape such that the distance between adjacent sides of a wave, on proceeding from a peak toward opposite peaks, increases monotonically with an inflection point therebetween. The expandable tubular members are joined through adjacent peaks by axial connectors. Radial expansion of the stent from a contracted to expanded state is accommodated by movement of adjacent wave-segment peaks away from one another, without significant change in the axial dimension of the stent. Also disclosed are a system incorporating the stent, and a method of treating a neurovascular abnormality.

Abstract: A biocompatible, bioerodable polyanhydride polymer having a Young's modulus between about 1.5 and 3 and a selected rate of surface degradation, and methods of forming and using the polymer, are disclosed. The polymer is formed of a polyester prepolymer having a preferred molecular weight of greater than 5 and less than 7.5 Kdaltons, and a selected number of anhydride linkages between 5 and about 30.

Abstract: A biocompatible, bioerodable polyanhydride polymer having a Young's modulus between about 1.5 and 3 and a selected rate of surface degradation, and methods of forming and using the polymer, are disclosed. The polymer is formed of a polyester prepolymer having a preferred molecular weight of greater than 5 and less than 7.5 Kdaltons, and a selected number of anhydride linkages between 5 and about 30.

Abstract: A graftless prosthetic stent for treatment of vascular lesions such as aneurysms and arterio-venous fistulas, especially in neurovascular vessels, comprises a continuous helical ribbon formed of a shape-retaining metal having a transition temperature at which the stent expands from its contracted condition to a radially expanded condition, the stent remaining substantially cylindrical in its contracted and expanded conditions. The helical windings have variable width, thickness, number or size of openings, or combinations of these features, which affect the stiffness, rate of expansion at the transition temperature, and the area of vessel wall covered by the stent. A catheter device which includes the stent, and a method of treatment using the stent are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to a biodegradable polymer composition comprising a drug-containing polymer component having a backbone containing one or more therapeutic drugs that are linked together by anhydride linkages, such that molecules of the drug are released upon biodegradation of the component. The biodegradable polymer composition also comprises a polyester-based polymer component.

Abstract: A device and method for permitting multi-modal treatment of vascular lesions are disclosed. The device includes an outer delivery catheter, an inner delivery catheter, and a guidewire. The catheter is designed to pass through the inner lumen of the outer delivery catheter, and the guidewire is designed to pass through the inner lumen of the inner delivery catheter. A stent may be loaded inside the outer delivery catheter, with the distal tip of the inner delivery catheter abutting against the proximal end of the self-expanding stent, for pushing the stent distally through the outer delivery catheter.

Abstract: A biocompatible, bioerodable polyanhydride polymer having a Young's modulus between about 1.5 and 3 and a selected rate of surface degradation, and methods of forming and using the polymer, are disclosed. The polymer is formed of a polyester prepolymer having a preferred molecular weight of greater than 5 and less than 7.5 Kdaltons, and a selected number of anhydride linkages between 5 and about 30.

Abstract: A stent designed for catheter delivery to a target neurovascular site via a tortuous path, in a contracted state, and deployment at the target site, in an expanded state, is disclosed. The stent includes a plurality of expandable tubular members, where member is composed of a continuous wire element forming a plurality of wave segments, and segment contains a pair of opposite looped peaks having a wave shape such that the distance between adjacent sides of a wave, on proceeding from a peak toward opposite peaks, increases monotonically with an inflection point therebetween. The expandable tubular members are joined through adjacent peaks by axial connectors. Radial expansion of the stent from a contracted to expanded state is accommodated by movement of adjacent wave-segment peaks away from one another, without significant change in the axial dimension of the stent. Also disclosed are a system incorporating the stent, and a method of treating a neurovascular abnormality.

Abstract: A stent designed for catheter delivery to a target neurovascular site via a tortuous path, in a contracted state, and deployment at the target site, in an expanded state, is disclosed. The stent includes a plurality of expandable tubular members, where member is composed of a continuous wire element forming a plurality of wave segments, and segment contains a pair of opposite looped peaks having a wave shape such that the distance between adjacent sides of a wave, on proceeding from a peak toward opposite peaks, increases monotonically with an inflection point therebetween. The expandable tubular members are joined through adjacent peaks by axial connectors Radial expansion of the stent from a contracted to expanded state is accommodated by movement of adjacent wave-segment peaks away from one another, without significant change in the axial dimension of the stent. Also disclosed are a system incorporating the stent, and a method of treating a neurovascular abnormality.

Abstract: A graftless prosthetic stent for treatment of vascular lesions such as aneurysms and arterio-venous fistulas, especially in neurovascular vessels, comprises a continuous helical ribbon formed of a shape-retaining metal having a transition temperature at which the stent expands from its contracted condition to a radially expanded condition, the stent remaining substantially cylindrical in its contracted and expanded conditions. The helical windings have variable width, thickness, number or size of openings, or combinations of these features, which affect the stiffness, rate of expansion at the transition temperature, and the area of vessel wall covered by the stent. A catheter device which includes the stent, and a method of treatment using the stent are also provided.

Abstract: A graftless prosthetic stent for treatment of vascular lesions such as aneurysms and arterio-venous fistulas, especially in neurovascular vessels, comprises a continuous helical ribbon formed of a shape-retaining metal having a transition temperature at which the stent expands from its contracted condition to a radially expanded condition, the stent remaining substantially cylindrical in its contracted and expanded conditions. The helical windings have variable width, thickness, number or size of openings, or combinations of these features, which affect the stiffness, rate of expansion at the transition temperature, and the area of vessel wall covered by the stent. A catheter device which includes the stent, and a method of treatment using the stent are also provided.

Abstract: A graftless prosthetic stent for treatment of vascular lesions such as aneurysms and arterio-venous fistulas, especially in neurovascular vessels, comprises a continuous helical ribbon formed of a shape-retaining metal having a transition temperature at which the stent expands from its contracted condition to a radially expanded condition, the stent remaining substantially cylindrical in its contracted and expanded conditions. The helical windings have variable width, thickness, number or size of openings, or combinations of these features, which affect the stiffness, rate of expansion at the transition temperature, and the area of vessel wall covered by the stent. A catheter device which includes the stent, and a method of treatment using the stent are also provided.

Abstract: A graftless prosthetic stent for treatment of vascular lesions such as aneurysms and arterio-venous fistulas, especially in neurovascular vessels, comprises a continuous helical ribbon formed of a shape-retaining metal having a transition temperature at which the stent expands from its contracted condition to a radially expanded condition, the stent remaining substantially cylindrical in its contracted and expanded conditions. The helical windings have variable width, thickness, number or size of openings, or combinations of these features, which affect the stiffness, rate of expansion at the transition temperature, and the area of vessel wall covered by the stent. A catheter device which includes the stent, and a method of treatment using the stent are also provided.

Abstract: A graftless prosthetic stent for treatment of vascular lesions such as aneurysms and arterio-venous fistulas, especially in neurovascular vessels, comprises a continuous helical ribbon formed of a shape-retaining metal having a transition temperature at which the stent expands from its contracted condition to a radially expanded condition, the stent remaining substantially cylindrical in its contracted and expanded conditions. The helical windings have variable width, thickness, number or size of openings, or combinations of these features, which affect the stiffness, rate of expansion at the transition temperature, and the area of vessel wall covered by the stent. A catheter device which includes the stent, and a method of treatment using the stent are also provided.

Abstract: The invention includes an insulated, fatigue-resistant conductor formed of a conductive wire, a polymeric insulative sleeve having inner and outer layers, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) element disposed between the two layers. The SMA has a preferred thickness between 2 and 50 microns, an undeformed austentitic state, an Af between about −10° C. and 35C., a pseudoelasticity character above its Af, and demonstrates a stress/strain recovery greater than 3% above its Af. Also disclosed is a method of forming the conductor, and a pacemaker which uses conductor as leads.

Abstract: A device and method for permitting multi-modal treatment of vascular lesions are disclosed. The device includes an outer delivery catheter, an inner delivery catheter, and a guidewire. The catheter is designed to pass through the inner lumen of the outer delivery catheter, and the guidewire is designed to pass through the inner lumen of the inner delivery catheter. A stent may be loaded inside the outer delivery catheter, with the distal tip of the inner delivery catheter abutting against the proximal end of the self-expanding stent, for pushing the stent distally through the outer delivery catheter.

Abstract: The invention includes an insulated, fatigue-resistant conductor formed of a conductive wire, a polymeric insulative sleeve having inner and outer layers, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) element disposed between the two layers. The SMA has a preferred thickness between 2 and 50 microns, an undeformed austentitic state, an Af between about −10° C. and 35 C., a pseudoelasticity character above its Af, and demonstrates a stress/strain recovery greater than 3% above its Af. Also disclosed is a method of forming the conductor, and a pacemaker which uses conductor as leads.