Abstract: Described herein are particles comprising a first compartment, a second compartment, and a compound of Formula (I), as well as compositions and methods of making and using the same. The particles may comprise a cell capable of expressing a therapeutic agent useful for the treatment of a disease, disorder, or condition described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds, e.g., compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, and compositions thereof. Also provided are implantable elements (e.g., devices and materials) comprising the same, as well as methods of use thereof, e.g., for treating or preventing a disease, disorder, or condition.

Abstract: A medical tubing is disclosed which includes a first material extending between proximal and distal ends of the tubing and which defines a lumen of the tubing. The tubing also includes a second material extending between at least portion of the distance between the proximal and distal ends of the tubing and that is embedded in the first material. The second material is fractured. The first material is flexible and the second material is relatively rigid and brittle and the two materials combined to provide a medical tubing that exhibits strain softening behavior.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter balloon, and balloon catheter incorporating the catheter balloon, useful in medical dilation procedures. The catheter balloon includes at least one microscalpel operatively disposed on an outer surface thereof. The microscalpel may advantageously be operatively disposed relative to a power source so as to be controllably activatable. Also provided are methods of making the inventive balloon and/or catheter as well as methods of using the inventive catheter in a dilation/incising treatment.

Abstract: A medical tubing is disclosed which includes a first material extending between proximal and distal ends of the tubing and which defines a lumen of the tubing. The tubing also includes a second material extending between at least portion of the distance between the proximal and distal ends of the tubing and that is embedded in the first material. The second material is fractured. The first material is flexible and the second material is relatively rigid and brittle and the two materials combined to provide a medical tubing that exhibits strain softening behavior.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter balloon, and balloon catheter incorporating the catheter balloon, useful in medical dilation procedures. The catheter balloon includes at least one microscalpel operatively disposed on an outer surface thereof. The microscalpel may advantageously be operatively disposed relative to a power source so as to be controllably activatable. Also provided are methods of making the inventive balloon and/or catheter as well as methods of using the inventive catheter in a dilation/incising treatment.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon for a dilatation catheter involving the steps of extruding a tubing preform of a polyester resin and then blowing the tubing into an oriented balloon, wherein the tubing preform is dried prior to blowing into the balloon form. The addition of this drying step to the balloon forming method has been observed to cause a reduction in the frequency of balloons which are rejected because of visible defects in the balloon wall, while producing the same or higher average wall strengths in the non-defective balloons obtained.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon for a dilatation catheter may utilize the steps of extruding a tubing preform of a polyester resin and then blowing the tubing into an oriented balloon, wherein the tubing preform is dried prior to blowing into the balloon form. Other process steps by which balloon cone and waist thicknesses may be reduced involve varying the axial tension and blowing pressure at several stages as a mold containing the balloon preform is dipped into a heating medium. Specifically, tubing of a thermoplastic material is placed in a mold and blown by pressurizing and tensioning the tubing and gradually dipping the mold into a heated heat transfer media so as to sequentially blow a first waist, a body and a second waist portion. The tubing is subjected to a relatively lower pressure while the body portion is blown than while the first and second waist portions are blown.