Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, injectable particles are provided that include (a) porous polymeric particles that contain at least one type of particle-forming polymer and (b) a pore-filling composition that includes at least one therapeutic agent and at least one pore-filling polymer. The pore-filling composition at least partially fills the pores of the injectable porous polymeric particles. Other aspects of the invention pertain to methods of making such particles. Still other aspects of the invention pertain to injectable compositions that comprise such particles and to methods of treatment that employ such injectable compositions.

Abstract: A vaso-occlusive device comprises a flexible tubular structure configured by creating slots on a tubular structure. The slots are configured such that connecting elements are produced between resulting adjacent segments of the slotted tubular structure. The connecting elements are preferably parallel to the opening within the vaso-occlusive tubular structure. The slotted tubular structure design provides flexibility as well as specific tie points for attachment of thrombogenic fibers.

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 comprise (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: A medical article comprising: (a) a therapeutic agent; and (b) a release region comprising (i) a polymer and (ii) a filler comprising inorganic platelet particles. Upon placement of such a medical article at a position on or within a patient, the release region regulates the rate of release of the therapeutic agent from the medical article to the patient. An example of a filler is one comprising inorganic platelet particles. Examples of medical articles include, for instance, drug delivery patches, and implantable or insertable medical devices. Also described are methods of releasing a therapeutic agent to a patient using such medical articles, and methods of making such medical articles.

Abstract: A system and method for treating a target site (e.g., vascular aneurysm), the system including an occlusive member (e.g., a coil) configured to be positioned within the target site, the occlusive member comprising a first reactant disposed thereon. The system further includes a second reactant that is introduced within the target site in close proximity to the occlusive member (e.g., using a same delivery device used to deliver the occlusive member to the target site), wherein a polymer filling may be formed by reacting the first reactant with the second reactant, the polymer filling helping to anchor the occlusive member within the target site. In one embodiment, the first reactant includes a prepolymer while the second reactant includes an activator.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, implantable medical devices are provided which include polymeric compositions that comprise at least one type of biodegradable ionic polymer. The at least one type of biodegradable ionic polymer comprises a biodegradable polymer core and one or more ionic end groups.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, polymeric release regions are provided, which contain one or more partially biodegradable progenitor polymers and which control the release of one or more therapeutic agents disposed beneath or within the same. The progenitor polymers within the release regions are composed of a plurality of biostable polymer portions (which may be the same or different from one another) linked via one or more biodegradable linkages. Upon implantation or insertion into the body, the linkages degrade, cleaving the progenitor polymers into two or more biostable polymers of reduced molecular weight (relative to the molecular weight of the progenitor polymers). As a consequence of this reduction in molecular weight, the release characteristics of the release regions change over time.

Abstract: Cross-linked polymer particles, as well as related compositions and methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, novel compositions containing injectable particles are provided in which the injectable particles contain at least two polymeric components that differ in composition from one another (e.g., because at least one polymeric component contains a polymer that is not present in another polymeric component).

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, injectable polymeric particles are provided which contain branched poly(vinyl alcohol). Other aspects of the invention pertain to methods of making such particles. Still other aspects of the invention pertain to injectable compositions that comprise such particles and to methods of treatment that employ such injectable compositions.

Abstract: Methods of making polymer particles, as well as related particles, compositions, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, injectable compositions are provided, which contain temperature-sensitive hydrogel particles. The hydrogel particles may be provided in dry form, or they may be provided in hydrated form in an aqueous fluid. The temperature-sensitive hydrogel particles may have an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) below normal body temperature, they may have a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) above normal body temperature, or they may have a LCST that changes from below normal body temperature to above normal body temperature after injection into a subject.

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: Methods of making polymer particles, as well as related particles, compositions, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A powered maneuverable and retractable trailer jack adapted for attachment to a tongue of a trailer has an external sleeve, a gear rack on an exterior of the external sleeve, a housing containing at least one gear engaged with the gear rack and operative to move the external sleeve relative to the housing, the housing including a mount configured for attachment to the tongue of a trailer whereby the external sleeve is laterally offset relative to the tongue of a trailer, an internal rod within the external sleeve, the internal rod extending through a wheel fork at a lower distal end of the internal rod and the external sleeve and attached to a drive gear which is engaged with a shaft gear upon a drive shaft rotationally mounted in the wheel fork, and a drive sprocket attached to the drive shaft, a wheel mounted upon an axle rotationally mounted within the wheel fork, and a wheel sprocket attached to the axle proximate to the wheel, and a chain which extends continuously from the wheel sprocket to the drive sp

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 comprise (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: The present invention is directed to novel implantable or insertable medical devices that provide release of a therapeutic agent. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a therapeutic-agent-releasing medical device is provided, which comprises: (a) an implantable or insertable medical device; (b) a release layer disposed over at least a portion of the implantable or insertable medical device, and (c) a therapeutic agent. The release layer regulates the rate of release of the therapeutic agent from the medical device upon implantation or insertion of the device into a patient. The release layer comprises (i) a first polymer comprising one or more polymer chains that form one or more polymer phase domains when the first polymer is in a pure solid-state form; and (ii) a second polymer comprising two or more polymer chains that form two or more phase domains when the second polymer is in a pure solid-state form.

Abstract: Biodegradable cross-linked particles, as well as related compositions and methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of providing takeoff runway information. The method includes determining an aircraft's position on an airfield by a global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver in the aircraft and retrieving takeoff runway data from a database based on the aircraft's position as determined by the GPS receiver. Apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain at least one region of polymeric material. The at least one region of polymeric material contains at least one polymer selected from the following (a) at least one polymer that contains a polyol chain having charged groups along its length, (b) at least one polymer that contains a polyol chain having biodegradable polymer side chains along its length and (c) a combination thereof.