Abstract: Provided is a method for producing C4 to C14 fatty acids. The method entails providing genetically modified cells that express a heterologous animal TE-II and either a heterologous animal wild type FAS or a ?TE-I-FAS. The TE-II and the heterologous wild-type or ?TE-I-FAS are expressed as distinct molecules. The cells are cultured for a period of time, and the fatty acids are extracted either as free fatty acids or as glycerides from the cells and/or from the media in which the cells are cultured.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating body tissue by use of thermal treatment material. The thermal treatment material to be injected into target tissue of a body includes: a carrier substrate; a plurality of first particles operative to generate thermal energy in response to an alternating electromagnetic field applied external to the body; and a plurality of second particles, each of the second particles having a core and a coating surrounding the core. The coating is dissolved at a preset temperature by the thermal energy so that the visibility of the core in an external imaging system is affected as the coating is dissolved to expose the core. The variation of the visibility can be used as an indicator to determine if the material has reached the preset temperature.

Abstract: Electrophysiological electrodes including an at least substantially planar distal end and/or surface discontinuities at or adjacent to the distal end are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering energy to tissue, comprising an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an first electrode operably connected to the elongate flexible shaft; and an second electrode operably connected to the elongate flexible shaft and electrically independent from the first electrode, said second electrode at least partially surrounding and spaced apart from the first electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering energy to tissue, comprising an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a sheath disposed over at least a portion of the flexible shaft; a resilient housing near the distal end of the flexible shaft, the housing adapted to deflect so as to appose the tissue; and at least one electrode mounted to the distal housing; an elongated pusher coupled with one of the housing and the at least one electrode and adapted to deflect the at least one electrode into apposition with the tissue.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft having a distal end, an expandable member secured to the distal end, and an anchoring device slidably positioned distal to the expandable member. The anchoring device having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. By way of one example, the anchoring device may comprise a shaped (e.g., helical) wire, the anchoring device having a cross-sectional dimension that allows it to secure itself inside a pulmonary vein when in its deployed configuration.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft having a distal end, an expandable member secured to the distal end, and an anchoring device positioned distal to the expandable member. The anchoring device having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. By way of one example, the anchoring device may comprise a shaped (e.g., helical) wire, the anchoring device having a cross-sectional dimension that allows it to secure itself inside a pulmonary vein when in its deployed configuration.

Abstract: A transseptal needle and other structures and methods may include an outer conduit, for example one that may be subject to skiving, and a needle or other sharp structure within the outer conduit. A material no softer than the needle is positioned between the needle and the outer conduit so that the needle does not skive the inside surface of the outer conduit when the needle and outer conduit move relative to each other.

Abstract: A composite structure comprising a body having a surface and cladding covering at least a part of said surface of the body and being in intimate contact with the surface. The body and cladding are formed of different materials.

Abstract: The invention involves using a glow discharge plasma to functionalize a surface of medical devices such as catheters, particularly intracardial catheters, with covalently bound thermochemically reactive groups. The surface is further contacted with a bioactive agent, particularly antithrombogenic coatings, which is thermochemically covalently coupled to the reactive group to form a therapeutically effective coating. The selected bioactive agent is then covalently bound to the surface by thermochemical reaction with the surface reactive groups. In another embodiment, the functionalizing step comprises contacting the surface with a Langmuir-Blodgett film comprising an amphipathic compound and a bioactive agent and using a plasma to covalently crosslink the Langmuir-Blodgett film to the medical device surface and to the bioactive agent. Medical devices prepared by the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: A medical device for implantation in the tissue of a human body having a biocompatible coating thereon including a foreign body formed of a material which is substantially biocompatible with the tissue of the human body. The foreign body has a surface adapted to come in contact with the tissue of the human body and is capable of being oxidized. An organic linker is carried on the surface and forms an oxidative coupling with the surface. A bioactive agent is bonded to the organic linker by a chemical reaction or photochemical function.

Abstract: The invention provides novel organic polymer hydrogels comprising oligo(polyhydroxylalkyl)silylmethacrylate, particularly tetraethylene glycol .alpha.-.omega. bis(dimethoxysilylpropylmethacrylate), crosslinkers for use in constructing organic polymers, especially polyacrylates, particularly polyacrylamides. A preferred class of polymers are particularly suited to coating biomedical electrodes and sensors. Generally, these polymers are formed from a solution of 2-50% (w/v) monomer and 0.1-20% (w/v) crosslinker and 20-98% (w/v) an electrically conductive solution of a salt in water or a water-miscible solvent. These usually acrylic polymers generally have bulk resistivity of less than 1000 Ohms at 1 kHz, tack of between 20 and 150 g, hardness between 100 g and 500 g, 10 to 70% stress relaxation, thermal stability over a -40.degree. to 70.degree. C. range, structural stability to saturating salt concentrations, and are capable of between 150 and 1500% elongation.

Abstract: A composite structure comprising a body having a surface. Cladding covers at least a part of the surface. The body and the cladding are formed of different materials, at least one of which is a shape memory alloy having a recoverable strain in excess of 1.0%.

Abstract: The invention involves using a plasma to functionalize a surface of medical devices such as catheters, particularly intracardial catheters, with covalently bound thermochemically reactive groups. The surface is further contacted with a bioactive agent, particularly antithrombogenic coatings, which is thermochemically covalently coupled to the reactive group to form a therapeutically effective coating. The selected bioactive agent is then covalently bound to the surface by thermochemical reaction with the surface reactive groups. In another embodiment, the functionalizing step comprises contacting the surface with a Langmuir-Blodgett film comprising an amphipathic compound and a bioactive agent and using a plasma to covalently crosslink the Langmuir-Blodgett film to the medical device surface and to the bioactive agent. Medical devices prepared by the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: A composite structure comprising a body having a surface. Cladding covers at least a part of the surface. The body and the cladding are formed of different materials, at least one of which is a shape memory alloy having a recoverable strain in excess of 1.0%.

Abstract: The invention provides novel organic polymer hydrogels comprising oligo(polyhydroxylalkyl)silylmethacrylate, particularly tetraethylene glycol .alpha.-.omega. bis(dimethoxysilylpropylmethacrylate), crosslinkers for use in constructing organic polymers, especially polyacrylates, particularly polyacrylamides. A preferred class of polymers are particularly suited to coating biomedical electrodes and sensors. Generally, these polymers are formed from a solution of 2-50% (w/v) monomer and 0.1-20% (w/v) crosslinker and 20-98% (w/v) an electrically conductive solution of a salt in water or a water-miscible solvent. These usually acrylic polymers generally have bulk resistivity of less than 1000 Ohms at 1 kHz, tack of between 20 and 150 g, hardness between 100 g and 500 g, 10 to 70% stress relaxation, thermal stability over a -40.degree. to 70.degree. C. range, structural stability to saturating salt concentrations, and are capable of between 150 and 1500% elongation.

Abstract: A medical electrode for use with a power supply for providing a more uniform current distribution for contacting an exposed surface of skin of a living body comprising a flexible carrier layer formed of an insulating material. A layer of conductive material is carried by the carrier layer. The layer of conductive material is separated into at least two segments with a space therebetween so that the two segments are electrically isolated from each other. A continuous layer of hydrogel material overlies the segments and is disposed in said space. The hydrogel material has a resistivity greater than the resistivity of the skin of the patient. A connector is adapted to be connected to the source of power whereby substantially equal current flow can be achieved from each segment through the skin of the patient without sharp transitions in current flow between the segments and the space between the segments.

Abstract: A solution of amphiphilic molecules and water is atomized to form a mist of droplets which are deposited on a substrate surface to completely cover same with a coating of the solution. The amphiphilic molecules in the coating self-assemble on the surface into a continuous thin film that is less than 500 nanometers thick. The water is evaporated from the coating to leave only the film chemically bonded to the surface.

Abstract: A film forming composition including a film forming substance having amphiphilic molecules and being dispersed in a gel-like carrier having a non-liquid state below about 20.degree. C. wherein the carrier stabilizes the film forming substance, and inhibits diffusion of moisture and oxygen into the composition which minimizes deterioration of the film forming substance, and also minimizes undesirable formation of agglomerations of such substance and when the composition is applied to a surface, an ultra thin substantially continuous film of substantially uniform thickness forms spontaneously and attaches to the surface after which the excess composition is then washed away.

Abstract: A film forming composition including a film forming substance having amphiphilic molecules and being dispersed in a gel-like carrier having a non-liquid state below about 20.degree. C. The carrier stabilizes the film forming substance, and inhibits diffusion of moisture and oxygen into the composition. This minimizes deterioration of the film forming substance, and also minimizes undesirable formation of agglomerations of such substance. When the composition is applied to a surface, an ultra thin substantially continuous film of substantially uniform thickness forms spontaneously and attaches to the surface. The excess composition is then washed away.