Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorescent, radio-opaque and magnetic quantum nanoparticles, useful as multifunctional contrast agents or probes for in vivo bioimaging, and methods of their use. The invention provides for multifaceted bioimaging (e.g., intra-arterial pre-operative brain mapping and broad based in vivo diagnostic imaging), including imaging of various cell types, such as stem cells.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to an elastic sheath, device, and methods for disrupting and/or removing occlusive material from lumens, particularly biological lumens, such as the vasculature, ureter, urethra, fallopian tubes, bile duct, intestines, and the like. The subject invention provides for effective disruption and removal of occlusive material, such as a thrombus, from the body lumen with minimal risk of injury to the lumen wall. Advantageously, the invention can be used to achieve a high degree of removal while minimizing the amount of occlusive material that is released into the body lumen. The subject invention further pertains to methods for disrupting and removing occlusive material from a biological lumen. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a device useful as an in vitro model of luminal occlusion and methods for using the device to test the efficacy of devices and methods for treating luminal occlusions.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to an elastic sheath, device, and methods for disrupting and/or removing occlusive material from lumens, particularly biological lumens, such as the vasculature, ureter, urethra, fallopian tubes, bile duct, intestines, and the like. The subject invention provides for effective disruption and removal of occlusive material, such as a thrombus, from the body lumen with minimal risk of injury to the lumen wall. Advantageously, the invention can be used to achieve a high degree of removal while minimizing the amount of occlusive material that is released into the body lumen. The subject invention further pertains to methods for disrupting and removing occlusive material from a biological lumen. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a device useful as an in vitro model of luminal occlusion and methods for using the device to test the efficacy of devices and methods for treating luminal occlusions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns thin, flexible tubings useful as stent coverings; covered stents; methods for applying such coverings to stents; and methods for reinforcing biological lumens, such as the intracranial vasculature, by introducing the covered stent into the biological lumen and positioning the covered stent at a target site, such as the site of a vascular defect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorescent, radio-opaque and magnetic quantum nanoparticles, useful as multifunctional contrast agents or probes for in vivo bioimaging, and methods of their use. The invention provides for multifaceted bioimaging (e.g., intra-arterial pre-operative brain mapping and broad based in vivo diagnostic imaging), including imaging of various cell types, such as stem cells.

Abstract: A flowable, biodegradable endovascular embolic composition effective for embolizing a vascular defect consisting essentially of: (a) a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer or polymeric material forming composition; (b) a biocompatible embolic solvent for the polymer or polymer forming composition capable of diffusion into mammalian tissue; (c) biocompatible magnetic particles responsive to a magnetic field; wherein: the polymer or polymeric forming material and solvent are present in the composition in amounts and relative proportions such that (1) the composition is deliverable to a vascular defect site and (2) upon delivery to the site, solidifies into an embolic mass; and the magnetic particles are present in the composition in an amount sufficient to enable the composition being deliverable to the vascular site by a magnetic field. Also disclosed are methods and articles of manufacture embodying the above-described composition.

Abstract: A coaxial double lumen tube adapted for forming an endovascular graft which comprises an outer tube positioned over an inner tube, both tubes being made of a material acceptable for use in endovascular grafts and having an internal and external diameter and a wall thickness, the outer tube having an internal diameter and the inner tube having an external diameter such that a space is created between the outer tube and inner tube, said space being at least partially filled with an uncured adhesive which, upon curing after endovascular implantation, cures to adhere said inner and outer tubes together to form a self-supportive tube.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to an elastic sheath, device, and methods for disrupting and/or removing occlusive material from lumens, particularly biological lumens, such as the vasculature, ureter, urethra, fallopian tubes, bile duct, intestines, and the like. The subject invention provides for effective disruption and removal of occlusive material, such as a thrombus, from the body lumen with minimal risk of injury to the lumen wall. Advantageously, the invention can be used to achieve a high degree of removal while minimizing the amount of occlusive material that is released into the body lumen. The subject invention further pertains to methods for disrupting and removing occlusive material from a biological lumen. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a device useful as an in vitro model of luminal occlusion and methods for using the device to test the efficacy of devices and methods for treating luminal occlusions.

Abstract: Disclosed are the following strategies for endovascularly mapping the brain with a chemical agent capable of staining the preselected region of the brain to a color visibly contrasting with non-stained portions of the brain and of passing through the blood-brain barrier to the preselected region of the brain: 1) Passive transport: (a) pro-drug, (b) Modification of mapping agent to mimic molecules that readily cross the BBB (e.g., amino acid, glucose, etc.); 2) Active transport; 3) Receptor-mediated transport (e.g., antibody mediated); 4) Blood brain barrier (BBB) manipulation; 5) Emulsification of agent (such as carotene, organic dye, etc.) to stain capillary endothelium; 6) Embolization of brain capillaries; 7) Grafted-nanoparticle systems for brain delivery of mapping agent.

Abstract: A wrap heater is provided. The wrap heater includes a first heating sleeve and a second heating sleeve. The first heating sleeve includes a first electrically conductive heating grid, a first stiffening layer for providing rigidity, a first thermostat, and a first cover for enclosing the components in the first heating sleeve. The second heating sleeve includes a second electrically conductive heating grid, a second stiffening layer, a thermostat, and a cover enclosing the components of the second heating sleeve. An extension is provided for separating the first heating sleeve and the second heating sleeve. The wrap heater is provided for heating at least two surfaces of a food product. A method for heating food product, such as pizza, is provided.

Abstract: A wrap heater is provided. The wrap heater includes a first heating sleeve and a second heating sleeve. The first heating sleeve includes a first electrically conductive heating grid, a first stiffening layer for providing rigidity, a first thermostat, and a first cover for enclosing the components in the first heating sleeve. The second heating sleeve includes a second electrically conductive heating grid, a second stiffening layer, a thermostat, and a cover enclosing the components of the second heating sleeve. An extension is provided for separating the first heating sleeve and the second heating sleeve. The wrap heater is provided for heating at least two surfaces of a food product. A method for heating food product, such as pizza, is provided.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes first and second body members pivotally and detachably connected to each other, each having an elongated jaw to grip tissue therebetween to be stapled together. The instrument further includes a toggle joint pivotally connected on one of said body members and adapted to engage the other body member to lock the body members together. Various latching mechanisms are provided to releasably latch the proximal ends of the body members together prior to locking the jaws about the tissue to be stapled.