Abstract: The present disclosure relates to medical devices, and methods for producing and using the devices. In embodiments, the medical device may be a buttress including a porous substrate possessing a therapeutic layer of a chemotherapeutic agent and optional excipient(s) thereon. By varying the form of chemotherapeutic agents and excipients, the medical devices may be used to treat both the area to which the medical device is attached as well as tissue at a distance therefrom.

Abstract: A medical device includes an inflatable balloon defining an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a coating including a therapeutic agent disposed on the exterior surface of the inflatable balloon. The coating has a release transition temperature within a range from about 25° C. to about 50° C. When the temperature of the coating is below the release transition temperature, the coating retains at least a portion of the therapeutic agent on the exterior of the inflatable balloon. When the temperature of the coating is above the release transition temperature, the coating releases at least a portion of the therapeutic agent from the exterior of the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to medical devices, and methods for producing and using the devices. In embodiments, the medical device may be a buttress including a porous substrate possessing a therapeutic layer of a chemotherapeutic agent and optional excipient(s) thereon. By varying the form of chemotherapeutic agents and excipients, the medical devices may be used to treat both the area to which the medical device is attached as well as tissue at a distance therefrom.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to medical devices, and methods for producing and using the devices. In embodiments, the medical device may be a buttress including a porous substrate possessing a therapeutic layer of a chemotherapeutic agent and optional excipient(s) thereon. By varying the form of chemotherapeutic agents and excipients, the medical devices may be used to treat both the area to which the medical device is attached as well as tissue at a distance therefrom.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to medical devices, and methods for producing and using the devices. In embodiments, the medical device may be a buttress including a porous substrate possessing a therapeutic layer of a chemotherapeutic agent and optional excipient(s) thereon. By varying the form of chemotherapeutic agents and excipients, the medical devices may be used to treat both the area to which the medical device is attached as well as tissue at a distance therefrom.

Abstract: A medical device includes an inflatable balloon defining an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a coating including a therapeutic agent disposed on the exterior surface of the inflatable balloon. The coating has a release transition temperature within a range from about 25° C. to about 50° C. When the temperature of the coating is below the release transition temperature, the coating retains at least a portion of the therapeutic agent on the exterior of the inflatable balloon. When the temperature of the coating is above the release transition temperature, the coating releases at least a portion of the therapeutic agent from the exterior of the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening drugs for use in treating hypertension using the tubular renin-angiotensinogen system identified by the present invention. The invention further relates to a method to diagnose sodium status and sensitivity in an individual by measuring urinary angiotensinogen or angiotensin-I.

Abstract: A gearbox actuator comprising a selector shaft 2 which is arranged in a housing and is driven by a drive. A shift finger 3 and disengaging shaped elements 4 used to actuate gearshift rails are arranged on the selector shaft, and jibs for 12-15 supporting and guiding the gearshift rails are arranged on the housing. The gearbox actuator 1 comprises the central selector shaft 2 mounted in bearing elements 19 and comprises a shift finger 3 and two disengaging shaped elements 4 arranged in the center thereof, at a distance corresponding to the width of a channel. Preferably, the selector shaft 2 is driven by a brushless motor 5 by means of a double planetary stage 6 and a toothed segment 7 which engages a toothed wheel 16 that is preferably positioned in a housing element 17. A preferably second brushless motor 8 drives a sliding element 37 by means of spindle 9, the sliding element displacing the shift finger 3 and the disengaging shaped elements 4 on the selector shaft 2.

Abstract: A gearbox actuator comprising a selector shaft 2 which is arranged in a housing and is driven by a drive. A shift finger 3 and disengaging shaped elements 4 used to actuate gearshift rails are arranged on the selector shaft, and jibs for 12-15 supporting and guiding the gearshift rails are arranged on the housing. The gearbox actuator 1 comprises the central selector shaft 2 mounted in bearing elements 19 and comprises a shift finger 3 and two disengaging shaped elements 4 arranged in the center thereof, at a distance corresponding to the width of a channel. Preferably, the selector shaft 2 is driven by a brushless motor 5 by means of a double planetary stage 6 and a toothed segment 7 which engages a toothed wheel 16 that is preferably positioned in a housing element 17. A preferably second brushless motor 8 drives a sliding element 37 by means of spindle 9, the sliding element displacing the shift finger 3 and the disengaging shaped elements 4 on the selector shaft 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening drugs for use in treating hypertension using the tubular renin-angiotensinogen system identified by the present invention. The invention further relates to a method to diagnose sodium status and sensitivity in an individual by measuring urinary angiotensinogen or angiotensin-I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening drugs for use in treating hypertension using the tubular renin-angiotensinogen system identified by the present invention. The invention further relates to a method to diagnose sodium status and sensitivity in an individual by measuring urinary angiotensinogen or angiotensin-I.

Abstract: A tool for slicing the gel filled buffer tube of a loose tube optical fiber construction including a set of blocks having a passage therein through which the buffer tube may be pulled, and a blade extending into the passage which lies within a plane containing the central axis of the passage. The tool may have a second blade oppositely directed from the first blade but spaced apart from the first blade in the longitudinal direction. Both blades may form an acute angle with respect to the passage exit.