Abstract: Disclosed herein are biodegradable modified caprolactone polymers for coating and forming medical devices. The properties of the polymers are fine tuned for optimal performance depending on the medical purpose. Moreover, the polymers are suitable for the controlled in situ release of drugs at the treatment site.

Abstract: The biodegradable drug delivery systems described here are formulated for implantation into the nail unit and its surrounding tissues for the treatment of various nail unit conditions. The systems include non-temperature dependent phase change compositions that may be formulated as solutions, solids, semisolids, microparticles, or crystals.

Abstract: A conformable tissue implant is provided for use in repairing or augmenting a tissue defect or injury site. The tissue implant contains a tissue carrier matrix comprising a plurality of biocompatible, bioresorbable granules and at least one tissue fragment in association with the granules. The tissue fragment contains one or more viable cells that can migrate from the tissue and populate the tissue carrier matrix. Also provided is a method for injectably delivering the tissue implant.

Abstract: Antimicrobial clonidine compositions are provided. These antimicrobial clonidine compositions can be applied to medical devices or be part of a drug depot. Through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine at or near a target site, one can reduce, prevent, or treat infections. When appropriate clonidine compositions are provided within biodegradable polymers, the infection may be treated for extended periods of time.

Abstract: Described herein are implant devices comprising various configurations of bioactive agent loading which can be selected and used to tailor a particular bioactive agent release profile from the implant device.

Abstract: The resorption of a medical implant can be controlled with the use of particles embedded in a resorbable bulk material forming the implant or portion thereof. The implant can be removed from a body of a mammal by natural biological mechanisms after use. The resorption of the implant can involve swelling and/or hydrolyzing of the particles within the implant upon contact with a body fluid such that porosity and flow of fluid within the bulk material of the implant is increased. Resorption of the implant may also involve the use of particles with magnetic properties embedded within the implant such that an applied magnetic field causes the particles to vibrate within the bulk material thereby increasing the porosity and thus the flow of fluid, hence facilitating resorption of the implant. The resorption rate of the implant can be controlled by modulating swelling, hydrolysis, or movement of the embedded particles.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed comprising: a structural element, wherein the structural element includes: a continuous phase comprising a first polymer of LPLG; a discrete phase within the continuous phase, wherein the discrete phase comprises a second polymer including rapidly eroding elastic discrete phase segments. The second polymer further includes anchor segments that have the same or substantially the same chemical make up as the first polymer of the continuous phase, and at least some of the anchor segments have partially or completely phase-separated from the discrete phase into the continuous phase.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a drug delivery system uses gas cluster ion beam irradiation on an outer surface of a member to determine one or more characteristics of the drug delivery system.

Abstract: Novel implantable tissue fixation methods and compositions are disclosed. Methods and compositions of tissue, fixed using polymeric and/or variable length crosslinks, and di- or polymercapto compounds are described. Also described are the methods and compositions wherein the tissue is fixed using biodegradable crosslinkers. Methods and compositions for making radio-opaque tissue are also described. Methods and compositions to obtain a degradable implantable tissue-synthetic biodegradable polymer composite are also described. Compositions and methods of incorporating substantially water-insoluble bioactive compounds in the implantable tissue are also disclosed. The use of membrane-like implantable tissue to make an implantable drug delivery patch are also disclosed. Also described are the compositions and methods to obtain a coated implantable tissue. Medical applications implantable tissue such as heart valve bioprosthesis, vascular grafts, meniscus implant, drug delivery patch are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a special form of a bioresorbable metal stent with controlled resorption due to a wrap with a special polymer, thereby ensuring a controlled resorption of the wrapped endoprosthesis subsequent to its implantation into a blood vessel. The resorbable implant comprises a magnesium alloy provided with a biodegradable coating. The biodegradable coating comprises biodegradable polymers and can further include at least one pharmacologically active substance such as an antiproliferative, antimigrative, antiangiogenic, antiinflammatory, antiphlogistic, cytostatic, cytotoxic and/or antithrombotic agent, anti-restenosis agents, corticoids, sex hormones, statins, epothilones, prostacyclins and/or inductors of angiogenesis.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical preparation adopted for sustained release of an active agent(s) over an extended period of time at a therapeutic rate without an initial burst release of the agent(s) upon administration, wherein the preparation comprises: (i) an outer portion prepared from one or more layers of a biodegradable polymer, which is selected to release an active agent over an extended period of time when positioned in situ in a patient, and (ii) an inner portion comprising a plurality of micro-capsules formed from at least a biodegradable polymer, said micro capsules containing at least an active agent, wherein the micro-capsules are compressed into the form of a tablet under suitable pressure to suppress the rate of release of the active agent from the micro-capsules.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making flexible bioresorbable foam having hemostatic properties and a preselectable in-vivo residence time. A blend of crosslinked collagen blended and a hyaluronic acid component is prepared. The blend is mixed with water to form a suspension. The blend is freezed and lyophilized at less than about 0° C. Next, the blend is crosslinked. The product is then sterilized and chain scission is performed by bombardment with gamma rays or a beam of electrons.

Abstract: The resorption of a medical implant can be controlled with the use of particles embedded in a resorbable bulk material forming the implant or portion thereof. The implant can be removed from a body of a mammal by natural biological mechanisms after use. The resorption of the implant can involve swelling and/or hydrolyzing of the particles within the implant upon contact with a body fluid such that porosity and flow of fluid within the bulk material of the implant is increased. Resorption of the implant may also involve the use of particles with magnetic properties embedded within the implant such that an applied magnetic field causes the particles to vibrate within the bulk material thereby increasing the porosity and thus the flow of fluid, hence facilitating resorption of the implant. The resorption rate of the implant can be controlled by modulating swelling, hydrolysis, or movement of the embedded particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and compositions of formula I, which are unsymmetrical aromatic ether diacids, and polymers formed from the same. [R?—(Y)p—O]q—Ar—[O—(X)r—R?]s??I The compounds are expected to be useful in a variety of medical and/or cosmetics applications. Polymers formed from the functionalized unsymmetrical aromatic ether diacids are expected to have controllable degradation profiles, enabling them to release an active component over a desired time range.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polymers having hydroxyl containing bioactive agents incorporated into the backbone of the polymer or attached thereto by pendant linkages. Hydroxyl containing bioactive agents which may be attached to these polymers include antimicrobial agents such as triclosan. The polymers may be utilized to form medical devices or coatings for such devices. The hydroxyl containing bioactive agent may be released from the polymer upon hydrolysis of the polymeric backbone or pendant linkage in vivo.

Abstract: An aliphatic polyester polymer compositions and preparation method thereof. The invention provides a bioresorbable aliphatic polyester copolymer, comprising the reaction product of a first polyester, a second polyester, and a coupling agent. Specifically, the first polyester and second polyester have the same repeat units, but different weight average molecular weights. Methods for preparing the aliphatic polyester copolymer are provided, in which the first polyester reacts with the second polyester in the presence of the coupling agent, undergoing copolymerization.

Abstract: A porous silicon implant impregnated with a beneficial substance, such as a micromineral required for healthy physiology, is implanted subcutaneously and is entirely corroded away over the following months/year to release the micromineral in a controlled manner. In a second embodiment the implant may have a large number of holes which contain beneficial substance and which are closed by bio-errordable doors of different thickness so as to stagger the release of the beneficial substance over time as the doors are breached.

Abstract: Ceramic articles as functional biodegradable scaffolds with graded porosity are made by a process that includes a hardening step in which the liquid of a liquid-containing ceramic composition is extracted from the ceramic composition by exposing the ceramic composition to a solvent in which the liquid in the composition is soluble before the ceramic composition is solidified into the final ceramic article. An exemplary calcium phosphate porous ceramic article constructed in accordance with the process is useful as an implant to repair a bone defect.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are implantable medical devices having controlled release biodegradable polymer coatings thereon wherein the polymer is formed from ring opening of ?-butyrolactone and at least one additional monomer selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate, lactide, polyethylene glycol, glycolide, the monomers formed from ring opening of ?-caprolactone, 4-tert-butyl caprolactone, and N-acetyl caprolactone, and combinations thereof, and at least one drug releasable from the biodegradable polymer. Also disclosed are implantable medical devices form of the biodegradable polymers and processes for forming the polymers.

Abstract: Compositions for nucleus pulposus regeneration is provided. Such composition may comprise a scaffolding material and a pore creating agent dispersed within the scaffolding material. The pore creating agent is removed from the scaffolding material in vivo, after the composition is administered to a patient. The pore creating agent may include an active agent, such as a growth factor, which may be released as the pore creating agent is being gradually removed from the scaffolding material. In addition, removal of the pore creating agent results in a porous scaffold for cells capable of regeneration of nucleus pulposus, either existing in situ or delivered separately, to attach to for further proliferation and regeneration.

Abstract: An implantable graft, which may be inserted into a fistula tract to occlude the primary opening of the fistula, is provided. To prevent unintentional displacement of the graft or extrusion of the graft from the fistula of a patient, the graft may be provided with a cap that extends laterally from at least one end of the body of the graft, where the cap may be integral with the body of the graft, attachable to at least one end of the body of the graft, and/or moveable along the body of the graft. The graft may also have a tail that extends from one end of the body of the graft to assist in placement of the graft in a fistula tract. The graft may be an integral unit made of a single material, such as a heterograft material, or may include distinct components made of the same or different materials. Methods for closing a fistula tract are also provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing controllably biodegradable silica fibres which includes spinning the fibres from a silica sol of controlled viscosity, controllably biodegradable silica fibres prepared according to the method, methods for controlling the biodegradability of the fibres, the use of controllably biodegradable fibres as sustained and/or controlled release delivery devices for biologically active agents, and pharmaceutical preparations containing such devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include biodegradable composites and medical devices including the same. In an embodiment the invention includes a biodegradable implantable medical device. The implantable medical device can include a biodegradable composite member including a polymeric matrix and a reinforcing metal disposed within the polymeric matrix. The biodegradable composite member can be configured to erode in vivo. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of making a biodegradable implantable device including contacting a polymer mixture with a reinforcing metal, the polymer mixture comprising a polymer that degrades under in vivo conditions and the reinforcing metal comprising a metal that produces substantially non-toxic erosion products. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: A keratin hydrogel matrix serves as an effective acellular scaffold for axonal regeneration and facilitates functional nerve recovery.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the field of medical implants, and more specifically to biodegradable injectable implants and their methods of manufacture and use. The injectable implants disclosed herein comprise glycolic acid and bio-compatible/bio-absorbable polymeric particles containing a polymer of lactic acid. The particles are small enough to be injected through a needle but large enough to avoid engulfment by macrophages. The injectables of this invention may be in a pre-activated solid form or an activated form (e.g., injectable suspension or emulsion).

Abstract: A bone-enhancing composite material comprising synthetic apatite and at least one supplementary bioactive agent selected from a biocompatible polymer and an anti-resorptive agent added ab initio, methods of preparing said composite and uses thereof are provided. The physical and biological properties of the composite are controlled by the addition of specific supplementary bioactive agents as well as optional therapeutic agents. The composite may be used as a powder, a paste or an implant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthesis for promoting the in vivo reconstruction of a hollow organ or of a portion of a hollow organ, characterized in that it comprises: a biodegradable hollow tubular support membrane comprising at least one biocompatible and biodegradable polymer material, said support membrane being constituted of a porous outer layer and an essentially non-porous inner layer; and a material of living biological origin at the outer surface, and/or within at least one portion of the porous layer of said support member, and/or over the surface of the essentially non-porous layer facing the porous layer, said material of biological origin being chosen in order to allow the in vivo reconstruction of said organ or of said organ portion. The invention relates to a method for producing such a prosthesis and the medical applications thereof, especially for reconstructing at least one portion of a hollow tubular organ, in particular an esophagus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable drug depot for weight control. The drug depot includes at least one biodegradeable polymer and at least one biologically active agent. Through the administration of an effective amount of the biologically active agent at or near a target site, one can control weight gain and/or reduce, prevent or treat obesity. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, weight control or treatment can be conducted for at least five days and up to one hundred and thirty-five days.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed having a plurality of smaller particles contained in a plurality of larger particles and configured to be released from the larger particles when the device is implanted in a patient. The smaller particles and the larger particles are made of bioabsorbable metal, glass or ceramic. A substance can be associated with the smaller particles. The larger particles can be embedded within at least a portion of the device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a medical device and a method of forming the medical device. The medical device comprises a coating comprising a type-one polymer and a type-two polymer. The type-one polymer comprises at least two different blocks, at least one L1 block with the formula ; and at least one L2 block with the formula Medical devices comprising these polymers, mixtures of these polymers with therapeutic agents, and methods of making these polymers and mixtures are within the scope of this disclosure.

Abstract: Methods of using an injectable or implantable rod-shaped formulation for delivery of osteogenic proteins to treat osteoporotic and/or osteopenic bone are disclosed. The formulation comprises hyaluronic acid derivatives and osteogenic proteins, and optional excipients and active ingredients such as a bone resorption inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Tc-labeled arylpiperazine derivatives for imaging serotonin receptor and, more particularly, to arylpiperazine derivatives coupled with MAMA-disulfide, N2S2 or dimethyl-N2S2 chelating ligand represented by the following chemical formula (1). New arylpiperazine derivatives according to the present invention have no problem of amide hydrolysis in metabolism and have a high affinity for serotonin receptors, and can be labeled with an optimum radionuclide of technetium, thereby being usefully applied for monitoring neurodegenerative diseases or neurological diseases of a mammal.

Abstract: Coatings for medical devices which include polycationic peptides such as L-arginine and methods for fabricating the coatings are disclosed.

Abstract: An isolated, acellular biosynthetic cartilaginous matrix substantially devoid of synthetic biodegradable scaffold structure is provided. Through a method with the steps of a) contacting in vitro a population of chondrogenic cells with a synthetic biodegradable scaffold; b) culturing in vitro for a period of time said chondrogenic cells within said synthetic biodegradable scaffold so that the chondrogenic cells produce a biosynthetic cartilaginous matrix; c) substantially removing any antigen derived from said chondrogenic cells a matrix suitable of implantation into a living individual mammal, such as a human being is obtained.

Abstract: A semi-crystalline, absorbable copolyester composition comprising the reaction product of a polycondensation polyester and at least one lactone, wherein the polycondensation polyester comprises the reaction product of diglycolic acid and/or a derivative thereof and diethylene glycol; and the copolyester comprises about 30 to 60% by weight of the polycondensation polyester based on the total weight of the copolyester. Also medical devices such as absorbable sutures comprising such copolyesters and absorbable microspheres comprising such copolyesters and methods of making of such absorbable microspheres.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to dressings, such as patches and bandages, and other devices and systems that deliver nitric oxide.

Abstract: Polymer containing calcium sulfate particles as an implant material are provided. The polymer containing calcium sulfate particles include a calcium sulfate compound coated with a therapeutic polymer containing salicylate, with a coating thickness from about 2 ?m to about 50 ?m. The therapeutic polymer in the particles is in a range from about 0.1% to about 22% (w/w). The resorption of the particles in vivo is from about four weeks to about twenty weeks. The polymer containing calcium sulfate particles can be used as an implant material for bone repairing and bone augmentation.

Abstract: A body fluid compatible and biocompatible resin for use in a medical treatment involving a contact of said resin with at least one member selected from the group consisting of a body fluid and a biological tissue, which comprises at least one substituted oxyalkylene polymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 1,000,000 and represented by the following formula (1): wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a —CH2R4 group, and each R4 independently represents a hydroxyl group or a —OR5 group (wherein R5 represents a group selected from the group consisting of a C1-C10 aliphatic hydrocarbyl group, a C6-C10 aryl group, a —R6COOH group and a derivative thereof, and a —CH2—O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—OR7 group, wherein R6 represents a C1-C10 aliphatic hydrocarbylene group and R7 represents a C1-C10 aliphatic hydrocarbyl group or a C6-C10 aryl group), provided that all of R1, R2, and R3 are not simultaneously hydrogen atoms; and 10?x?10,000 and 0?y?10,000.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to compositions comprising a plurality of particles including nanoshells or a medical device with a coating including nanoshells allowing for triggered drug release. Methods of treatment with such compositions are also included.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable macromer compositions are provided including a diisocyanate-functional bioabsorbable polymer. In some embodiments, the diisocyanate-functional bioabsorbable polymer can be combined with a functionalized polyol. The resulting bioabsorbable macromer composition can be employed as an adhesive or sealant for medical/surgical uses.

Abstract: Tissue augmentation devices, as well as methods of manufacturing and using the same, are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a tissue augmentation device comprises an elongate tissue penetrating member and an amount of remodelable material, wherein at least a portion of the elongate member is cannulated, and at least a portion of the amount of material is received within at least a portion of the cannulated portion of the elongate member. The elongate tissue penetrating member may provide at least one deformation that is configured to constrict portions of the amount of remodelable material received within the elongate member. In alternate embodiments, a flexible covering over an implantable biomaterial provides protection and allows an easier delivery of the biomaterial to a tissue tract.

Abstract: Precut, user-shapeable, resorbable polymer micro-membranes are disclosed. The micro-membranes are constructed of resorbable polymers, which are engineered to attenuate adhesions and to be absorbed into the body relatively slowly over time. The membranes can formed to have very thin thicknesses, for example, thicknesses between about 0.010 mm and about 0.300 mm, while maintaining adequate strength. The membranes can be extruded from polylactide polymers having a relatively high viscosity property, can be stored in sterile packages, and can be preshaped with relatively high reproducibility during implantation procedures.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method, of treating or reducing a risk of postoperative cardiac arrhythmia, including: creating an opening in a mammal's body; advancing a releasing member from outside the body, through the opening, and toward the mammal's heart; positioning the releasing member between a visceral layer and a parietal layer of pericardium of the mammal's heart; and at least partially closing the opening in the body, leaving the releasing member in the pericardial space. In certain embodiments, the releasing member releases an antiarrhythmic drug into the mammal's pericardial space and is configured not to impede significantly a systolic or a diastolic function of the heart while the releasing member resides in the pericardial space.

Abstract: The invention is directed to scaffolds containing porous polymer material prepared by a process of gas foaming/particulate leaching and a wet granulation step prior to gas foaming and particulate leaching, particularly having a characteristic interconnected pore structure, as well as sustained release of protein, DNA or cells, and to methods for using such porous polymer material for preparation of scaffolds, particularly for tissue engineering.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the patency of biodegradable, synthetic vascular grafts are provided. The methods include administering one or more cytokines and/or chemokines that promote outward tissue remodeling of the vascular grafts and vascular neotissue formation. The disclosed methods do not require cell seeding of the vascular grafts, thus avoiding many problems associated with cell seeding. Biodegradable, polymeric vascular grafts which provide controlled release of cytokines and/or chemokines at the site of vascular graft implantation are also provided.

Abstract: A bone repair material is described that is of putty-like consistency, particularly useful for repairing dental bony defects such as those caused by bone loss resulting from moderate or severe periodontitis, augmenting of bony defects of the alveolar ridge, filling tooth extraction sites, or sinus elevation grafting. The repair material includes a porous, resorbable particulate that is bone-derived or derived from bone-like hydroxyapatite or synthetic hydroxyapatite; and, a resorbable carrier, such as high molecular weight polysaccharides, such as hyaluronic acid. A high concentration of particulate in the putty enhances bone repair and requires a high concentration of carrier to retain the putty at the defect site. For a particulate density of about 1.2 g/cc such as PEPGEN P-15® Bone Graft, a preferred formulation comprises about 55% percent by weight of the putty suspended in a hyaluronic acid gel of about 1.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing biodegradable dual pore polymer scaffolds, comprising the steps of: maintaining a polymer solution containing a biodegradable polymer, an effervescent mixture of carbonate and organic acid, and solvent at a temperature range of ?196° C. to ambient temperature so as to evaporate the solvent and produce a polymer sample; and foaming the polymer sample in a mixed solution of water and alcohol. According to the present invention, the pore size of the polymer scaffolds can be easily controlled, and biodegradable polymer scaffolds can be more simply prepared compared to conventional methods such as salt leaching technique, phase separation technique or gas foaming technique.

Abstract: Compounds exhibiting angiogenic properties incorporating the structure of Formula I: R3—NH—NH—C(?O)—R2—P—R1??(I) wherein P is a water-soluble, biodegradable polymer, R1 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or —R2—C(?O)—NH—NH—R3; each R2 is independently —CH2—, —NH— or O; and each R3 is independently hydrogen or a residue of a naturally occurring alpha-L-amino acid or dipeptide thereof. Polymer networks crosslinked with hydrazide compounds are also disclosed, together with implantable medical devices incorporating the compounds and crosslinked polymers, and angiogenesis-promoting treatment methods, including wound-treatment methods.

Abstract: The use in the medical-surgical field of biomaterials based on hyaluronic acid derivatives, optionally in association with natural, synthetic or semisynthetic biopolymers, for suppressing the angiogenic process associated with tumor proliferation (in primary and secondary tumors) is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides therapeutic devices comprising a polymeric anti-inflammatory agent that biodegrades to release anti-inflammatory agents. The therapeutic devices are useful for repair and regeneration of a variety of injured tissues.