Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to a system for forming a radiopaque product that comprises an iodinated compound comprising one or more diene containing moieties and a multi-arm polymer comprising a plurality of dienophile containing moieties, wherein the diene containing moieties of the iodinated compound couple with the dienophile containing moieties of the multi-arm polymer through a Diels-Alder reaction. Other aspects of the disclosure pertain to crosslinked networks that are formed by combining such an iodinated compound with such a multi-arm polymer, whereupon the diene containing moieties couple with the dienophile containing moieties through a Diels-Alder reaction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for generating, sending, and receiving messages in a networked environment using autonomous (or semi-autonomous) agents. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method of controlling message flow in a computer network comprising a plurality of agents, agent data consumers, and an agent message bridge configured to send messages by receiving a set of messages, at least some of the messages including a message type, queuing the set of messages in a spooler that includes an indication of the respective message type for each of the messages, receive an indication that sending some of the messages queued in the spooler should be delayed for one or more indicated message types, and sending at least one of the messages to a selected one or more of the agent data consumers, the sent messages not being of the indicated message types.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to systems for forming a hydrogel that comprise (a) an iodinated polyamino compound and (b) a reactive multi-arm polymer that comprises a plurality of hydrophilic polymer arms having unsaturated end groups that are reactive with amino groups of the iodinated polyamino compound. Other aspects of the present disclosure pertain to medical hydrogels that are formed by crosslinking the iodinated polyamino compound and the reactive multi-arm polymer of such systems. Further aspects of the present disclosure pertain to medical procedures that can be performed using such systems.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to reactive multi-arm polymers having a cage-like silicon-oxygen core and a plurality of polyoxazoline-containing arms extending from the core, in which the polyoxazoline-containing arms comprise a first end that is covalently attached to the cage-like silicon-oxygen core and a second end comprising a moiety that comprises a reactive end group. In other aspects, the present disclosure pertains to systems that comprise such reactive multi-arm polymers and multifunctional compounds that comprise functional groups that are reactive with the reactive end groups of the reactive multi-arm polymers. Other aspects pertain to medical hydrogels formed by crosslinking such reactive multi-arm polymers with such multifunctional compounds and methods of treatment that comprise administering to a subject a mixture that comprises and such reactive multi-arm polymers with such multifunctional compounds.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to systems for forming hydrogels that comprise an iodinated polyamino compound and a reactive multi-arm polymer that comprises a plurality of hydrophilic polymer arms having reactive end groups that are reactive with amino groups of the iodinated polyamino compound. Other aspects of the present disclosure pertain to medical hydrogels that are formed by crosslinking the iodinated polyamino compound and the reactive multi-arm polymer of such systems. Further aspects of the present disclosure pertain to medical procedures that can be performed using such systems. Still other aspects of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making iodinated polyamino compounds.

Abstract: A medical device include a polyurethane layer and a hydro-specific layer that is covalently bonded to the polyurethane layer. The polyurethane layer may include a plurality of monomer residues, at least some of which include pendent alkene groups. The hydro-specific layer may be a hydrophilic layer or a hydrophobic layer depending on the specific molecules used to form the hydro-specific layer. As an example, the hydro-specific layer may be covalently bonded to the polyurethane layer via a thiol-ene or alkene hydrothiolation reaction between the plurality of pendent alkene groups and a plurality of thiol-terminated hydro-specific molecules forming the hydro-specific layer.

Abstract: A direct visualization catheter includes an elongate shaft defining a lumen and having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and a transparent balloon attached to the distal end portion of the shaft. The balloon includes a first layer comprising a thermoset polymer and a plurality of polymeric fibers at least partially embedded in the thermoset polymer and a second layer disposed on the first layer and comprising a hydrogel.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to systems for forming hydrogels that comprise (a) a first composition that comprises a polyiodinated polyamino compound that comprises a polyamino moiety linked to a polyiodinated aromatic moiety by an amide group or ester group and (b) a second composition that comprises a reactive multi-arm polymer that comprises a plurality of hydrophilic polymer arms having reactive end groups that are reactive with amino groups of the polyiodinated polyamino compound. Other aspects of the present disclosure pertain to medical hydrogels and methods of making medical hydrogels that are based on such compositions. Further aspects of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making polyiodinated polyamino compounds.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a body and a polymer matrix over the body. The polymer matrix includes a plurality of fibers defining a plurality of pores to permit tissue growth therethrough. The medical device includes a bio-adhesive coating at least partially covering the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A chemotherapy agent comprising a chemotherapy group and a ligand secured to the chemotherapy group is disclosed, the ligand comprising a reactive group capable of bonding to a capture substrate. A method of removing chemotherapy agents from a patient is disclosed, the method comprising providing a chemotherapy agent containing a reactive group; providing a capture substrate in contact with a patient's bloodstream; administering the chemotherapy agent to the patient; and sequestering the chemotherapy agent on the capture substrate. A system for removing chemotherapy agents is also disclosed.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to multi-arm polymers that comprise a core, a plurality of polymer segments having a first end that is covalently attached to the core and a second end comprising a moiety that comprises a reactive group, wherein the polymer segments comprise one or more free-radical-polymerizable monomers. In some aspects, systems are provided that comprise a first composition comprising such a multi-arm polymer and a second composition comprising a multifunctional compound that comprises functional groups that are reactive with the reactive groups of the multi-arm polymer. In some aspects, systems are provided that comprise crosslinked reaction products of such a multi-arm polymer and such a multifunctional compound.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve leaflet includes a plurality of electrospun fibers at least partially embedded in a polymer matrix. The plurality of fibers includes a first polyisobutylene urethane copolymer having a first predetermined weight average percentage of hard segment portions and the polymer matrix includes a second polyisobutylene urethane copolymer having a second predetermined weight average percentage of the hard segment portions, wherein the first predetermined weight average percentage of the hard segment portions is greater than the second predetermined weight average percentage of the hard segment portions.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite tread is described, wherein the method includes the steps of selecting a first tread compound having a first desired tread property, and selecting a second tread compound having a second desired property, forming a tread by winding a dual layer strip having a first layer formed of the first tread compound and a second layer formed of the second compound, wherein the tread has a first and second zone, wherein each zone is formed by spirally winding the dual layer strip, wherein the first zone is formed of a dual layer strip having a strip ratio of the volumetric proportion of the first compound to the second compound used to form the dual layer strip, wherein the second zone has a different strip ratio than the first zone by varying the volumetric proportion of the first compound to the second compound.

Abstract: A tire having a tread, wherein the tread has an outer shoulder region and an inner shoulder region, wherein each shoulder region is formed from a dual layer strip having a first layer formed of a first compound, and a second layer formed of a second compound, wherein the dual layer strip has a strip ratio of % first compound/% second compound, wherein the outer shoulder region has a strip ratio in the range of 70-95% of the first compound/5-30% of the second compound.

Abstract: A functional gadolinium contrast agent comprising a gadolinium cation and a ligand secured to the gadolinium cation is disclosed, the ligand comprising a reactive group capable of bonding to a capture substrate. A method of removing gadolinium contrast agents from a patient is disclosed, the method comprising providing a gadolinium contrast agent containing a reactive group; providing a capture substrate for insertion into a patient's bloodstream; administering the gadolinium contrast agent to the patient; conducting a magnetic resonance imaging procedure; and sequestering the gadolinium contrast agent on the capture substrate. A system for removing gadolinium contrast agents is also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging contrast composition comprising an iodinated contrast agent and a ligand secured to the iodinated contrast agent is disclosed, the ligand comprising a reactive group capable of bonding to a capture substrate. A method of removing iodinated radiocontrast agents from a patient is disclosed, the method comprising providing an iodinated radiocontrast agent containing a reactive group; providing a capture substrate for insertion into a patient's bloodstream; administering the iodinated radiocontrast agent to the patient; conducting procedure CT scan or procedure using fluoroscopy; and sequestering the iodinated radiocontrast agent on the capture substrate.

Abstract: Aspects herein relate to biocompatible polyisobutylene-fiber composite materials and related methods. In one aspect a biocompatible composite material is included. The biocompatible composite material can include a network of fibers comprising one or more polymers to form a substrate and a continuous polyisobutylene matrix that is non-porous and completely surrounds the electrospun fibers. Other aspects are included herein.

Abstract: Aspects herein relate to biocompatible polyisobutylene-fiber composite materials and related methods. In one aspect a biocompatible composite material is included. The biocompatible composite material can include a network of fibers comprising one or more polymers to form a substrate and a continuous, interpenetrating polyisobutylene matrix that is non-porous and completely surrounds the electrospun fibers. Other aspects are included herein.

Abstract: A crosslinked embolic hydrogel is disclosed, the crosslinked embolic hydrogel comprising a hydrophilic polymer functionalized with first reactive groups and a crosslinking agent functionalized with second reactive groups; wherein the first and second reacting groups comprise a biorthogonally reactive pair that react to form the crosslinked embolic hydrogel. Methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A direct visualization catheter includes an elongate shaft defining a lumen and having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and a transparent balloon attached to the distal end portion of the shaft. The balloon includes a first layer comprising a thermoset polymer and a plurality of polymeric fibers at least partially embedded in the thermoset polymer and a second layer disposed on the first layer and comprising a hydrogel.