The present disclosure pertains to crosslinkable compositions and systems as well as methods for forming crosslinked compositions in situ, including the use of the same for embolizing vasculature including the neurovasculature within a patient, among many other uses.

Described herein are X-ray imageable polymers such as polymeric particles comprising bismuth as a radiopacifying agent, methods of making the polymers, and methods of using the polymers. The imageable particles may comprise a covalently bound compound which chelates the bismuth, for example, through a combination of nitrogen and oxygen atoms.

The invention concerns methods of delivering a hydrogel to the heart, comprising: introducing a hydrogel composition into a subject, said hydrogel comprising components mixed prior to introduction; the introducing being performed such that the hydrogel composition resides between the epicardium and the pericardium of the subject. In some embodiments, the injection is performed using a syringe or catheter.

The present disclosure pertains to crosslinkable compositions and systems as well as methods for forming crosslinked compositions in situ, including the use of the same for embolizing vasculature including the neurovasculature within a patient, among many other uses.

Provided is a liquid embolic agent composition capable of solving problems of conventional embolic agents, which can be used in a treatment of a vascular disease such as cerebral aneurysm. The problems are solved by a liquid embolic agent composition characterized in containing a hydrogel forming component having a calcium ion entrapping ability, and an anti-biodegradation component. The hydrogel forming component having a calcium ion entrapping ability is at least one kind of acidic polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of alginate, gellan gum, carrageenan, and carboxymethyl cellulose salt; and the anti-biodegradation component is at least one kind selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyallylamine, poly-N-vinyl acetamide, and cellulose acetate.

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.

An x-ray apparatus and method can improve x-ray imaging in a variety of ways. For example, the improve x-ray apparatus can reduce scatter from x-ray images acquired by two-dimensional detectors. An improved 2D x-ray apparatus can provide 3D imaging for medical and/or industrial applications. An improved 2D x-ray apparatus and method can produce separate material imaging, and composition analysis for characterization and correlation of image, densitometry, and composition information of individual component or individual material within a single subject. Non-rotational 3D microscopy, combining 2D or 3D full field x-ray imaging and high resolution 2D or 3D x-ray microscopy or spectral absorptiometry and spectroscopy can achieve a higher resolution and wider field of view in x-ray imaging and quantitative analysis in 3D and real time. The x-ray apparatus can improve tracking and/or surgical guidance in time and/or space.

A flexible or elastic brachytherapy strand that includes an imaging marker and/or a therapeutic, diagnostic or prophylactic agent such as a drug in a biocompatible carrier that can be delivered to a subject upon implantation into the subject through the bore of a brachytherapy implantation needle has been developed. Strands can be formed as chains or continuous arrays of seeds up to 50 centimeters or more, with or without spacer material, flaccid, rigid, or flexible.

A fiber may comprise an electrospun polymer and a contrast agent. A method of making an electrospun fiber may comprise configuring a receiving surface to receive a polymer fiber, applying a charge to one or more of the receiving surface, a polymer injection system, and a polymer solution ejected from the polymer injection system, and depositing a polymer solution ejected from the polymer injection system onto the receiving surface. The polymer solution may comprise a polymer and a contrast agent.

A capsule for measuring motility of a target area is provided. An article of manufacture for measuring motility of a target area, comprises a first capsule and a second capsule. The first capsule comprises a first capsule enclosure; a first identification marker, having a weight of W.sub.m1, wherein the first identification marker comprises a first visible element under X-ray, substantially circular shaped and having an outer diameter of A. The second capsule comprises a second capsule enclosure; a second identification marker, having a weight of W.sub.m2, wherein the second identification marker comprises a second visible element under X-ray, substantially circular shaped and having an outer diameter of B. The first capsule enclosure and second capsule enclosure are substantially identical under all measurements in digestive behaviors; the weight of the first identification marker W.sub.m1 and the weight of the second identification marker W.sub.m2 differs less than 0.01 g; A is less than B.