A liposomal nanocarrier delivery system for targeting an active CD44 molecule, preparation method therefor, and uses thereof. The surface of the liposome is partially modified by a targeting ligand, wherein the targeting ligand is a ligand that can be specifically combined with the active CD44 molecule. The liposomal nanocarrier delivery system can be used for diagnosing, preventing, and treating vulnerable plaque or diseases related to vulnerable plaque.

A composition for internal imaging of a subject includes an imaging contrast agent and one or more carrier agents that can pass through cellular and tissue membranes. Examples of imaging contrast agents are iodine-based, silver-based, or barium-based. Examples of carrier agents are dimethyl sulfoxide, urea, or an alcohol. Methods for internally imaging a subject using such a composition are also disclosed.

A biodegradable in vivo supporting device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a coated stent device includes a biodegradable metal alloy scaffold made from a magnesium alloy, iron alloy, zinc alloy, or combination thereof, and the metal scaffold comprises a plurality of metal struts. The metal struts are at least partially covered with a biodegradable polymer coating. The biodegradable scaffold includes a radio-opaque marker made of a substance that blocks radiation. A cavity is manufactured in the scaffold and the radio-opaque marker is accommodated by the cavity.

Triggerable hydrogel compositions and related methods are generally disclosed. In some embodiments, the compositions and related methods may be used for medical-related or other applications. For example, the compositions and methods described herein may be useful, for example, in biomedical applications such as articles for (e.g., gastric) retention. In some embodiments, methods for deploying and/or removing an article comprising the composition, such as an article for gastric retention, are provided. The article and/or composition may be removed internally from a subject by, for example, introducing at least one reagent (e.g., one reagent, two reagents) such that at least a portion of the composition disassociates. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a polymer network comprising two or more interpenetrating polymers. In some cases, a first polymer comprises a first cross-link moiety configured to dissociate upon interaction with a reagent. For example, the composition may be administered to a subject such that it is retained at a location internal (e.g., gastric) to the subject. In some embodiments, a reagent may be administered to the subject (e.g., the subject drinks the reagent) such that the reagent interacts with the composition and at least a first cross-link moiety disassociates. In some embodiments, upon disassociation of one or more cross-link moieties of the polymer network, the composition is no longer retained at the location internal to the subject (e.g., dissociates such that it exits the subject). In some cases, the polymer network is configured (e.g., upon administration of the composition to a subject) such that the composition is retained at the location internal to the subject for greater than or equal to 24 hours.

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 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 relates to the field of biotechnology and medicine, more precisely, to manufacturing technique of implantable medical devices (stents) containing organic lanthanum compound-based X-ray contrast agents distributed within the coating. The objective of this invention is the development of a biocompatible (and biodegradable) polymeric coating with glycolane on the surface of polymeric biodegradable vascular stents and other polymeric implants, which ensures, by means of introduction into a stent, satisfactory radiopacity both during stent installation in a patient and after installation, with a simultaneous additional positive effect provided by therapeutic properties of glycolane.

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.

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.

Provided herein are pre-formulations forming a biocompatible hydrogel polymer comprising at least one nucleophilic compound or monomer unit, at least one electrophilic compound or monomer unit, and optionally a therapeutic agent and/or viscosity enhancer. In some embodiments, the biocompatible hydrogel polymer covers a wound in a mammal and adheres to the surrounding skin tissue. In other embodiments, the hydrogel polymer is delivered into a joint space to treat joint disease or navicular disease.