Abstract: Therapeutic polymers are described, which contain at least one polymeric portion and at least one therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent and the polymeric portion are covalently linked via one or more linkages which hydrolyze in an aqueous environment, for example, one or more linkages selected from an Si—N linkage, an Si—O linkage, and a combination of the same. Other aspects the invention are directed to methods of making the above therapeutic polymers.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to medical devices, and more specifically to medical devices that are at least partially insertable or implantable into the body of a patient. The medical devices generally include (a) a therapeutic agent, more typically, a high-molecular-weight therapeutic agent, and (b) at least one polymeric layer, which typically acts to control the release of the therapeutic agent from the medical device. Also disclosed herein are methods of making such medical devices.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. These polymeric regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers, at least one of which is a copolymer that includes the following: (a) one or more unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer species and (b) one or more heteroatom-containing monomer species.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided, which contain (a) a substrate and (b) a polymeric region disposed over the substrate which contains at least one block copolymer. The block copolymer, in turn, contains at least two polymer blocks which phase separate into two or more immiscible phase domains within the polymeric region. Moreover, a bioactive species is covalently attached to at least one of the polymer blocks. By attaching the bioactive species selectively to at least one polymer block, self-assembled clusters of the bioactive species are created as the blocks phase separate into immiscible phase domains.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. These polymeric regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers, at least one of which is a copolymer that includes the following: (a) one or more unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer species and (b) one or more heteroatom-containing monomer species.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain polymeric release regions that control the release of one or more therapeutic agents. The polymeric release regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers that contain one or more rigid, nonplanar polycyclic molecular structures. The therapeutic agent is disposed beneath or within the polymeric release region.

Abstract: The invention comprises a foam insulating panel having an outer surface and a reinforcing member adhered to at least a portion of the outer surface of the foam insulating panel. An insulated concrete form and a method of using the insulated concrete form are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the formation of a medical device that comprises a therapeutic agent and a release region, which regulates the rate at which the therapeutic agent is released from the medical device. The method comprises providing a precursor region that comprises a polymer composition comprising two or more microphase separated polymer domains that are immiscible with one another, and forming said release region by a process that comprises applying an orienting field comprising an electric field, a magnetic field, a mechanical shear field, or a solvent gradient field, or a combination of two or more fields to said precursor region, wherein said field or combination of fields changes the spatial orientation of the microphase separated polymer domains within the release region. The electric, magnetic, mechanical shear or solvent gradient field is of sufficient strength to change the spatial orientation of the microphase separated domains.

Abstract: A method is provided for modulating the rate of release of a therapeutic agent from a release region, which constitutes at least a portion of an implantable or insertable medical device and which controls the rate at which the therapeutic is released from the medical device. The method comprises: (a) providing a release region that comprises (i) a therapeutic agent and (ii) polymer composition comprising two or more immiscible phases; and (b) modulating the rate of release of the therapeutic agent by changing the volume that is occupied by at least one of the immiscible polymer phases relative to the total volume of the release region that is formed. The release region can be, for example, a carrier layer, which comprises the therapeutic agent, or a barrier layer, which is disposed over a region that contains the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: According to one aspect, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain polymeric release regions that release one or more therapeutic agents. The polymeric release regions, in turn, contain the following: (i) a first bonding polymer having a first polymer block and a first bonding group and (ii) a second bonding polymer having a second polymer block and a second bonding group. A therapeutic agent is disposed beneath or within the polymeric release region. The first and second polymer blocks can be the same as or different from one another, as can the first and second bonding groups. The first and second bonding groups are bound to one another via non-covalent bonding, for example, via electrostatic interaction, coordinative bonds, ?-? stacking, or hydrogen bonding.

Abstract: An implantable or insertable medical device which comprises (a) a therapeutic agent and (b) a polymeric release region comprising a polymer. The polymeric release region is treated with a radiation dose that is effective to substantially increase the cumulative release of the therapeutic agent subsequent to administration to a patient. The polymeric release region can be, for example, (a) a carrier region that comprises the therapeutic agent or (b) a barrier region that is disposed over a therapeutic-agent-containing region that comprises the therapeutic agent. The present invention is further directed to methods of forming such medical devices, methods of releasing a therapeutic agent within a patient using such medical devices, and methods of modulating the release of a therapeutic agent from such medical devices.

Abstract: Articles and methods that include a particle having a maximum dimension of at most 5,000 microns, and an embolic coil capable of binding to the particle, are disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible membrane is attached to an internal wall of the fairing of a flight vehicle. The membrane is inflated with gas to achieve a shape that couples with and thereby attenuates the first acoustic resonance occurring within the volume enclosed by the fairing. A sensor senses the varying ambient atmospheric pressure during flight. A pressure regulating system includes an inflation valve and pressure relief valve. Based on the sensed ambient atmospheric pressure, this system adjusts the membrane's gauge pressure throughout the flight trajectory to maintain the desired coupling gauge pressure. Acoustic blankets can also be attached to the internal walls of the fairing to abate resonances having frequencies greater than 500 Hz. Inflating the membrane with helium enhances the attenuation otherwise obtained. Multiple membranes can be individually tuned to respectively attenuate multiple acoustic resonances.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present invention is directed to implantable neurostimulation leads and methods for their formation. In various additional aspects, the present invention is directed to medical devices having silicone-containing regions with overlying polymeric layers and to methods of forming the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device comprising a release region and a therapeutic agent disposed within or beneath the release region, and the release region includes a copolymer comprising a low Tg block and at least one graft copolymer endblock having a main chain and a plurality of side chains.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions, which in turn contain at least one block copolymer. The block copolymer includes (a) at least one high Tg (glass transition temperature) polymer block that contains at least one high Tg vinyl ether monomer and (b) at least one low Tg polymer block that contains at least one low Tg vinyl ether monomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to radiation-resistant medical devices which contain polymer regions for release of therapeutic agents. The present invention also relates to radiation-resistant block copolymer materials for use in connection with insertable or implantable medical devices. The radiation-sterilized medical device comprise (a) a release region and (b) at least one therapeutic agent and the release region comprises a radiation resistant copolymer that includes (i) a low Tg hydrocarbon polymer block and (ii) one or more high Tg polymer blocks.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, injectable particles are provided which comprise (a) a first group of injectable particles comprising first polymeric particles loaded with a first therapeutic agent and (b) a second group of injectable particles comprising second polymeric particles loaded with a second therapeutic agent. The first and second polymeric particles may be the same or different, and the first and second therapeutic agents may be the same or different. Other aspects of the invention pertain to methods of making such particles, to kits that comprise such particles, and to methods of treatment that employ such injectable particles.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, injectable particles are provided which comprise (a) a vinyl formal polymer, (b) a glucosamine polymer, and (c) an ionically or covalently bound agent selected from therapeutic agents, cell surface binding agents, and combinations thereof. Other aspects of the invention pertain to methods of making and using such particles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods that include providing a first particle having pores, the first particle having a first compression test value, and partially cross-linking the first particle to form a second particle having pores, the second particle having a second compression test value that is larger than the first compression test value by 25% or more, where a maximum dimension of the first particle is 5,000 microns or less, and a maximum dimension of the second particle is 5,000 microns or less.