Abstract: A biocompatible carrier for delivery of a therapeutic substance or an active agent is disclosed. The carrier contains a bioadhesive material allowing for increased residence time of the active agent at the treatment site.

Abstract: Devices and methods for percutaneously treating and removing aneurysms or other anomalous tissue associated with vascular, intestinal, or other body tissue.

Abstract: A method of preparing a stable chitosan hemostatic implant including preparing a lyophilizable solution of chitosan polymers and freezing the solution to obtain a frozen chitosan composition. The method further includes placing the frozen chitosan composition under vacuum so as to substantially dry the chitosan composition and curing the dried chitosan composition by first exposing it to a relative humidity and then curing the dried chitosan composition under heat so as to crosslink the chitosan polymers.

Abstract: Suturing systems and needle removal devices for more efficiently removing needles from suturing systems are provide. In some embodiments, a suturing system guide body includes one or more needle lumens that transfer corresponding needles circumferentially around the guide body. Thus, when the needles exit the needle lumens at the proximal end of the guide body, the needles are in closer proximity to one another for removal. Other embodiments include various needle capture devices tools used for removing needles from a suturing system. Needle capture devices and tools can include needle receptacles positioned and configured to generally correspond to the needle lumens of the suturing system. The needle receptacles may be further configured to selectively receive and grasp onto one or more needles extending proximally from the needle lumens of the suturing system.

Abstract: A needle removal device is provided for removing needles from suturing systems. In an embodiment, the needle removal device may include a base member configured to be selectively positioned substantially adjacent a proximal portion of a suturing system. The proximal portion of the suturing system may include a plurality of needle lumens. The needle removal device may also include a plurality of needle receptacles at least partially defined by the base member. The needle receptacles may be positioned and configured to generally correspond to the needle lumens of the suturing system. The needle receptacles may be further configured to selectively receive and grasp onto one or more needles extending proximally from the needle lumens of the suturing system.

Abstract: A needle removal device is provided for removing needles from suturing devices and/or systems. In an embodiment, the needle removal device may be intended for use with a suturing device having one or more needle lumens. The needle removal device may include a first member having a first plurality of needle receptacles extending therethrough. The first needle receptacles may be configured and positioned to correspond to one or more of the one or more needle lumens of the suturing device. The needle removal device may also include a second member having a second plurality of needle receptacles extending therethrough. At least one of the first member or the second member may be moveable between a first position, wherein the first needle receptacles and the second needle receptacles are substantially aligned, and a second position, wherein the first needle receptacles and the second needle receptacles substantially unaligned.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of using the compositions are provided for forming an embolus within a region of an anatomical lumen for a transitory period in order to achieve a therapeutic effect.

Abstract: A device for closing an opening in a wall of a body lumen includes a closure element with a first flange and a second flange. Both the first flange and the second flange may have a delivery cross-sectional dimension and a deployed cross-sectional dimension. The device for closing an opening further includes a first coupler element disposed on the first flange and a second coupler element disposed on the second flange, the first and second coupler elements cooperating to couple the first flange to the second flange.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of using the compositions are provided for forming an embolus within a region of an anatomical lumen for a transitory period in order to achieve a therapeutic effect.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches methods of controlling the release rate of agents from a polymeric matrix that include designing and creating a predetermined initial morphology (IM) profile in a polymeric matrix. The teachings indicate, inter alia, that control over the release rate of agents can provide for an improved control over the administration of agents as well as have an effect upon the mechanical integrity and absorption rate of the polymeric matrix.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for administering a hemostatic agent to the tissue surrounding an opening in a body lumen are disclosed. The apparatus can include a tissue-contacting region and an optional body lumen-penetrating region. At least one hemostatic agent is included as a component of a coating over and/or a mixture with the material of at least a portion of the tissue-contacting region.

Abstract: A device for engaging tissue may include a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending substantially normal to the plane. The body may be movable from a substantially planar configuration lying generally in the plane towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. The body may include a plurality of looped elements including alternating inner and outer curved regions. The inner curved regions may define an inner periphery of the body and the outer curved regions may define an outer periphery of the body in the planar configuration. A plurality of tines may extend from the outer curved regions. The tines may be oriented generally towards the central axis in the planar configuration and generally parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may extend beyond the central axis without passing through the central axis so as to collectively form a central lumen about the central axis in the planar configuration.

Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device includes an elongate member through which needles may be deployed. The closure device also includes a foot portion having one or more feet slidably mounted relative thereto. The feet are movable between a deployed position and a delivery position. The feet include cuffs removably mounted therein, with sutures connected between the cuffs. When the feet are in the deployed position and the needles are advanced, the needles securely engage the cuffs and draw the cuffs and suture through the lumen wall so that the opening in the lumen wall can be closed with the sutures.

Abstract: A suture securing system is provided for use in closing a vessel puncture site while eliminating the need for sutures to be manually tied in knots. The system may include an elongate body comprising a shaft and a barrel slidably mounted on the shaft. A knot replacement element may include an outer surface and an inner lumen configured to receive suture lengths. The knot replacement element may be at least partially positioned within the distal end of the barrel adjacent to the distal portion of the shaft and may be configured to selectively fasten the suture lengths together over the vessel repair site. The system may also include a snare configured to draw the suture lengths through the knot replacement element and at least a portion of the elongate body. A trimmer member may be configured to selectively trim the suture lengths extending from the knot replacement element.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for administering a hemostatic agent to the tissue surrounding an opening in a body lumen are disclosed. The apparatus can include a tissue-contacting region and an optional body lumen-penetrating region. At least one hemostatic agent is included as a component of a coating over and/or a mixture with the material of at least a portion of the tissue-contacting region.

Abstract: A device for closing an opening in a wall of a body lumen includes a closure element with a first flange and a second flange. Both the first flange and the second flange may have a delivery cross-sectional dimension and a deployed cross-sectional dimension. The device for closing an opening further includes a first coupler element disposed on the first flange and a second coupler element disposed on the second flange, the first and second coupler elements cooperating to couple the first flange to the second flange.

Abstract: A device for closing an opening in a wall of a body lumen includes a closure element with a first flange and a second flange. Both the first flange and the second flange may have a delivery cross-sectional dimension and a deployed cross-sectional dimension. The device for closing an opening further includes a first coupler element disposed on the first flange and a second coupler element disposed on the second flange, the first and second coupler elements cooperating to couple the first flange to the second flange.

Abstract: A device for penetrating occlusive material in a body lumen is provided that may include an outer tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube. At least a portion of the intermediate tube may be moveably disposed within the outer tube. At least a portion of the inner tube may be moveably disposed within the intermediate tube. A first dynamic member may be operably connected to the intermediate tube and the inner tube. The first dynamic member may be configured to penetrate the occlusive material and to anchor the first dynamic member within the occlusive material. A second dynamic member may be operably connected to the outer tube and the intermediate tube. The second dynamic member may be configured to penetrate the occlusive material and to anchor the second dynamic member within the occlusive material and to support movement of the first dynamic member.

Abstract: A closure system for closing openings in tissue that includes a closure device and a fastener. The closure device includes shafts that are configured to deploy a fastener to close an opening in tissue. The closure device can deploy the fastener as a knot pusher to close the opening with sutures or as a knot replacement to close the opening with sutures.

Abstract: Devices and methods for percutaneously treating and removing aneurysms or other anomalous tissue associated with vascular, intestinal, or other body tissue.