Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are therefore provided to enable virtual planning and selection of devices. In this regard, the method, apparatus, and computer program product may receive an image, where the image includes a set of image scale values. The image scale values may map the image size to real world units of measure. The image scale values may be used to scale the size of a model of a device, such that the model of the device may be superimposed on the image. The model of the device may be manipulated to view the relationship of the device model to the image to assist with selection of the proper device for a procedure. In this manner, a practitioner may visualize the device in the same scale as the image, so that the practitioner may be assured that the size and scale of the device is accurate.

Abstract: A method for vascular assessment is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a plurality of 2D angiographic images of a portion of a vasculature of a subject, and processing the images to produce a stenotic model over the vasculature, the stenotic model having measurements of the vasculature at one or more locations along vessels of the vasculature. The method further comprises obtaining a flow characteristic of the stenotic model, and calculating an index indicative of vascular function, based, at least in part, on the flow characteristic in the stenotic model.

Abstract: An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a microcatheter comprising a deployment element disposed about around at least a portion of an exterior of a distal end of the microcatheter, the deployment element configured for repeatedly expanding and collapsing, the distal end arranged to allow forward or reverse axial displacement while the deployment element maintains a position, the deployment element arranged for positioning the microcatheter distal end approximately in the middle of a vessel. A method of traversing tortuous vessels using the microcatheter, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, is also described.

Abstract: Described is a method of stabilizing blood vessel wall abnormality. The method includes ultrasonically heating at least a portion of the blood vessel wall having the abnormality; monitoring a parameter related to a property of at least a portion of the heated portion of the blood vessel wall; and stopping the heating when the monitored parameter changes by a predetermined factor or after the monitored parameter changes in a slow enough rate. The slow enough rate may be, for instance, a predetermined fraction of a maximal rate change observed during heating.

Abstract: A peptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 is provided. The peptide being at least 6 and no more than 50 amino acid residues in length. Also provided are therapeutic applications using such peptides.

Abstract: A peptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 is provided. The peptide being at least 6 and no more than 50 amino acid residues in length. Also provided are therapeutic applications using such peptides.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) is provided for compressing at least one ventricle of a heart (40). The apparatus includes a plurality of inflatable elements (64) and a pump (24) in fluid communication with the inflatable elements. At least one band (68) is in mechanical communication with the inflatable elements. A portion of the band is adapted to be placed around at least a portion of the heart in mechanical communication with the portion of the heart. The inflatable elements are arranged such that when the inflatable elements are inflated by the pump, the inflatable elements apply more force to the heart via shortening of the portion of the band than via expansion of the inflatable elements against the heart.

Abstract: A peptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 is provided. The peptide being at least 6 and no more than 50 amino acid residues in length. Also provided are therapeutic applications using such peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for use in revascularization of damaged areas of myocardium through application of one or more radiation type treatment modalities.

Abstract: A method of treating cardiac or myocardial conditions comprises the administration of an effective amount of autologous bone marrow. The bone marrow may optionally be stimulated and/or administered in combination with a pharmaceutical drug, protein, gene or other factor or therapy that may enhance bone marrow production of angiogenic growth factors and/or promote endothelial cell proliferation or migration or blood vessel formation.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are compositions and methods for therapy and/or prevention of restenosis and/or atherosclerosis. The compositions can include an agent for inhibiting VEGF and an agent for including vessel maturation; for instance, the soluble VEGF receptor and ang-1. Embodiments can include kits.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition is provided that comprises a cell-free conditioned medium containing mixed secretion products of isolated angiogenic progenitor cells obtained from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or adipose tissue. The composition may additionally contain angiogenesis-promoting proteins obtained by transfecting the progenitors cells in culture with an angiogenesis promoting transgene. The composition is useful to promote angiogenesis when introduced into or adjacent to an ischemic site in a patient, such as in myocardium or peripheral limb. Methods are also provided for utilizing such cell-free conditioned medium to deliver angiogenesis-promoting proteins to a patient. The cell-free conditioned medium can also be injected into the blood stream for delivery to the ischemic tissue. The cells can derive from either an autologous or allogenic source and can be lyophilized or frozen for storage.

Abstract: Methods are provided for promoting formation of collateral blood supply at an ischemic site in tissue by culturing early attaching cells derived from growth of bone marrow aspirate in vitro, collecting early attaching cells produced by the bone marrow culture and injecting conditioned medium produced by culture of the early attaching cells into an ischemic site in heart or limb. The preferred early attaching cells for use in the invention methods are marrow-derived stromal cells. Any donor's bone marrow can be used in preparation of the conditioned medium. Optionally, the early attaching cells can be transfected with an angiogenesis promoting transgene encoding hypoxia inducing factor 1 alpha, a fibroblast growth factor and/or a nitric oxide synthase. Conditioned media containing angiogenic cytokines produced such cells are also provided for injection into tissue, such as heart or peripheral limb muscle, requiring formation of collateral blood supply.

Abstract: A flexible tissue injection catheter is used to accomplish injections at a precisely controlled depth of precisely controlled volumes of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into an interior body cavity, such as the epicardium or myocardium of the heart. In one embodiment, the invention method includes repeated injections at spaced intervals along the myocardium or epicardium of sterile fluid containing autologous bone marrow aspirate to promote angiogenesis. For myocardial injection, depth penetration is controlled by using a catheter that allows the operator to control depth penetration by means of an adjustable needle stop attached to the catheter handle. In another embodiment depth penetration during epicardial injections is controlled by use of an injection catheter having an operator-controlled adjustable needle stop that produces a sensible signal, such as a visible or audible signal, marking each increment of needle tip exposed by operation of the adjustable needle stop.

Abstract: Methods are provided for enhancing capacity of impaired bone marrow cells to promote angiogenesis when introduced into an ischemic site in a patient by transfecting early attaching cells derived from bone marrow in culture with an angiogenesis promoting transgene. Methods are also provided for utilizing such early attaching cells derived from autologous bone marrow, or media derived from these cells while the cells are grown in culture (which need not be from autologous cells) to deliver angiogenesis-promoting transgenes or proteins to a patient. The transfected early attaching cells, or media derived from these cells while the cells are grown in culture, are introduced into an ischemic tissue, such as the heart, to enhance formation of collateral blood vessels.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are compositions and methods for therapy and/or prevention of restenosis and/or atherosclerosis. The compositions can include an agent for inhibiting VEGF and an agent for inducing vessel maturation; for instance, the soluble VEGF receptor and ang-1. Embodiments can include kits.

Abstract: Methods for aspiration and filtering of a bodily fluid containing undesired components are provided and for treatment of the bodily fluids in a sterile environment in preparation for reinjection of treated aspirate into a donor subject. The invention methods are particularly designed to facilitate transfection of aspirated cells with angiogenesis promoting molecules without danger to the technician or the donor prior to reinjection of the treated cells, either percutaneously or via a surgical opening via a catheter or injection needle. A pressure actuator attached to the sterile container is used to express treated fluids in precisely controlled volumes. The invention methods include delivery of treated fluids using a hand-held device with audible cues that correspond to an operator-selected injection volume and/or audible cues that correspond to needle penetration depth selected by the operator.

Abstract: A flexible tissue injection catheter is used to accomplish injections at a precisely controlled depth of precisely controlled volumes of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into an interior body cavity, such as the epicardium or myocardium of the heart. In one embodiment, the invention method includes repeated injections at spaced intervals along the myocardium or epicardium of sterile fluid containing autologous bone marrow aspirate to promote angiogenesis. For myocardial injection, depth penetration is controlled by using a catheter that allows the operator to control depth penetration by means of an adjustable needle stop attached to the catheter handle. In another embodiment depth penetration during epicardial injections is controlled by use of an injection catheter having an operator-controlled adjustable needle stop that produces a sensible signal, such as a visible or audible signal, marking each increment of needle tip exposed by operation of the adjustable needle stop.