Described herein are syringe caps including a plug portion and a protruding member extending from one end of the plug portion. The protruding member can extend a length greater than a depth of an accumulated component in the syringe.

A radio-opaque composition is formulated to enable a clinician to apply custom markings to a surface, such as a patient's skin or a surgical drape on the patient. More specifically, the radio-opaque composition may be used to write on the surface. The markings may be well-defined and contrast with the surface to which they are applied. Such a composition may include a liquid radio-opaque component that includes one or more radio-opaque materials that have been dissolved in a solvent, as well as a solid radio-opaque component with particles of one or more radio-opaque materials dispersed throughout a carrier, such as the solvent of the liquid radio-opaque component. Marking apparatuses that may be used to write with the radio-opaque composition are also disclosed, as are methods for using the radio-opaque composition.

Described are devices for implantation comprising a hydrogel filament wherein the hydrogel filament includes a low molecular weight ethylenically unsaturated macromer, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a visualization agent. Methods of making and using these devices are also described.

A capsule for measuring motility of a target area and a method for making the capsule are provided. The capsule comprises a capsule enclosure and a plurality of identification markers to be placed inside of the capsule enclosure. Each identification marker has a weight of W.sub.m, being comprised of a first element, which can be visible and imaged under X-ray, having a weight of W.sub.1. Each identification marker comprises a second element, which cannot be imaged under X-ray, having a weight of W.sub.2; and a third element, which is a number of cavities. When the first element is viewed under X-ray, at least two views of the first element is identical. The weight of each identification marker W.sub.m=W.sub.1+W.sub.2; and when there is a weight change in the first element or in the second element, the shape, number and/or sizes of the cavities are adjusted and accommodated so that the weight of the identification marker is at a target value, which characterized by that each identification marker has a density between 1.0-1.7 g/cm.sup.3.

Polymers are described herein comprising: a reaction product of a prepolymer solution including at least one macromer, at least one flexomer, and at least one visualization agent. Methods of making and using these polymers are also described.

Ferritin or iron-based image enhancement agents identify target tissue for treatment or ablation and are heated by microwave absorption. Microwave heat substrates enhance microwave hyperthermal ablation treatment, and may be percutaneously delivered and imaged by x-ray CT during placement of the microwave treatment antenna, allowing more precise positioning and more complete ablation of a tumor site. One method of treating a target tissue uses image-guided delivery of a heat substrate with a reverse-phase change polymer, and may apply energy to fix a mass of the material in the tissue. The fixed polymer may increase hyperthermia, form a thermal boundary, or blockade a vessel or passage so as to reduce or prevent undesired conductive cooling by contiguous tissue, or may deliver a localized treatment drug at the site, upon heating or as it degrades over time.

A capsule for detection of gastrointestinal motility and a method for preparing such a capsule is provided. The capsule comprises a capsule enclosure and a preset quantity of radiopaque markers filled in the capsule. The radiopaque markers further comprise a solid X-ray contrast agent, a medical plastic with a density of at most at 1.4 g/cm.sup.3 and an auxiliary agent.

Provided herein are biocompatible hydrogel polymer matrices, which are prepared from biocompatible pre-formulations. The biocompatible pre-formulations comprise at least one nucleophilic compound, at least one electrophilic compound, and at least one cell. The biocompatible hydrogel polymer matrix is bioabsorbable and releases the cell at a target site, achieving a controlled delivery. The biocompatible hydrogel polymer matrix provides a solid support conducive for cell viability and functionality. The cells may grow on the hydrogel polymer surface of inside the hydrogel polymer matrix.

An edible composition of matter having an apparent viscosity of from about 150 cP to about 2000 cP at about 30 s1; a yield stress of from 0 Pa to about 20 Pa at 1 s.sup.1; and a flow index of from about 0.2 to about 0.6. The composition may include an imaging agent. The compositions are useful for providing sustenance to dysphagic subjects and for evalualuating dysphagia.

The present invention relates to a medical aid for intestine examinations, which can improve examination reliability by accurately and easily identifying intestinal transit time according to the lapse of time in the case of measuring/examining intestinal motility and thus can promote accurate diagnosis and prescription. Provided according to the present invention is a medical aid for intestine examinations, comprising: recording/measuring members, which comprise a polymer compound containing a radiopaque material and have different shapes; and a biodegradable accommodating body, which accommodates the recording/measuring members and comprises a biodegradable material.