This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus comprising a lacrimal implant insertable at least partially into a lacrimal punctum. The lacrimal implant comprises an implant core, and an implant body. The implant body includes a cavity sized and shaped to receive the implant core. At least one of the implant core and the implant cavity includes a detection device configured to allow automatic detection of the lacrimal implant with a separate detector device.

A system for treating a patient comprises a delivery device and injectate. The delivery device comprises an elongate shaft with a distal portion and at least one delivery element positioned on the elongate shaft distal portion. The delivery device is constructed and arranged to deliver the injectate through the at least one delivery element and into tissue to create a therapeutic restriction in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods of creating a therapeutic restriction are also provided.

Polymer devices are disclosed with microstructured surfaces that modify their absorption pathway. Polymers which generally degrade in water by fracturing into high surface energy fragments, are modified to degrade in vivo without the formation of sharp fragments. Devices are disclosed that possess improved handling characteristics and degrade in an aqueous environment in a uniform and continuous way that favors the formation of soluble monomers rather than solid particulate. Absorbable medical implants with the disclosed surface modifications are more biocompatible, with reduced foreign body response, and dissolution into metabolizable molecular species.

The present invention provides polypeptide-polymer conjugates. A subject polypeptide-polymer conjugate is useful in a variety of applications, which are also provided.

A stent system comprising zero or more inner stents inserted into an outer stent. The inner stents and outer stent are separated and/or encapsulated by a protein-based material of a protein matrix and/or a set biocoacervate, each comprising one or more biocompatible proteins and one or more biocompatible solvents. The protein-based material may also include one or more carbohydrates and one or more pharmacologically active agents.

Compositions comprising electrospun fibers and pharmaceutical agents encapsulated thereto are provided. Further, articles such as medical devices and methods of use of said fibers, including, but not limited to coating of medical tubes, are provided.

Polymer devices are disclosed with microstructured surfaces that modify their absorption pathway. Polymers which generally degrade in water by fracturing into high surface energy fragments, are modified to degrade in vivo without the formation of sharp fragments. Devices are disclosed that possess improved handling characteristics and degrade in an aqueous environment in a uniform and continuous way that favors the formation of soluble monomers rather than solid particulate. Absorbable medical implants with the disclosed surface modifications are more biocompatible, with reduced foreign body response, and dissolution into metabolizable molecular species.

A laser is used to form openings within a graft material to selectively enhance permeability of a prosthesis for tissue integration therein. A feature of utilizing a laser to create the openings for tissue integration builds from its tunability. More particularly, the laser precisely places openings in any pattern and location, and on any textile that forms the graft material. Further, the power and focus of the laser is precisely adjusted to control the diameter and shape of the openings. All parameters of the openings can be controlled at will, allowing for the opportunity to selectively enhance and optimize the permeability of the graft material in a vessel.

The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a variable permeability layered prosthesis including an impermeable outer layer and a permeable inner layer. The impermeable outer layer is well suited to seal a dissection opening of a dissection. The permeable inner layer allows fluid to enter into a dead space between the impermeable outer layer and the permeable inner layer. The fluid in the dead space coagulates in the dead space providing a media for tissue growth into the prosthesis. The ability of tissue to integrate into the prosthesis provides biological fixation of the prosthesis in vessels and prevents endoleaks and migration of the prosthesis.

Polymer devices are disclosed with microstructured surfaces that modify their absorption pathway. Polymers which generally degrade in water by fracturing into high surface energy fragments, are modified to degrade in vivo without the formation of sharp fragments. Devices are disclosed that possess improved handling characteristics and degrade in an aqueous environment in a uniform and continuous way that favors the formation of soluble monomers rather than solid particulate. Absorbable medical implants with the disclosed surface modifications are more biocompatible, with reduced foreign body response, and dissolution into metabolizable molecular species.