The present invention relates to a method for producing a cell population comprising myocardium-committed cells that differentiate into and survive as myocardial cells under a myocardial tissue environment. Specifically, the method is characterized in that adipose-tissue-derived multi-lineage/multi-potent progenitor cells are cultured in the presence of a polyamine. The present invention further relates to a cell population comprising the myocardium-committed cells, a cell preparation comprising the cell population, or a cell sheet. The present invention further relates to a method for treating a heart disease, which comprises administering the cell population to a subject.

Coatings, devices and methods are provided, wherein the contacting surface of a medical device with at least one contacting surface for contacting a bodily fluid or tissue, wherein long-lasting and durable bioactive agents or functional groups are deposited on the contacting surface through a unique two-step plasma coating process with deposition of a thin layer of plasma coating using a silicon-containing monomer in the first step and plasma surface modification using a mixture of nitrogen-containing molecules and oxygen-containing molecules in the second step. The two-step plasma coating process enables the implantable medical device to prevent both restenosis and thrombosis under clinical conditions. The invention also relates to surface treatment of metallic and polymeric biomaterials used for making of medical devices with significantly improved clinical performance and durability.

A method and device for local delivery of a water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the tissue of a normal or diseased body lumen is disclosed. An expandable structure of a medical disposable device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, is coated with a non-durable coating which comprises poly(HEMA) complexed with iodine and has a substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent dispersed therein. The medical disposable device is inserted into a body lumen, and expanded to contact the non-durable coating against the body lumen and deliver the substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the body lumen tissue.

Compositions containing a surface active agent and a sub-lethal amount of an antimicrobial agent and methods for using such compositions are provided herein.

Articles-of-manufacturing comprising an object having a surface and at least a first layer of a first therapeutically active agent being deposited onto at least a continuous portion of the surface, wherein at least 50 weight percents of the first layer is the first therapeutically active agent in a crystalline form are disclosed. Methods utilizing such articles-of-manufacturing for treating medical conditions are also disclosed. Processes of preparing the articles-of-manufacturing by contacting a surface of the object with a solution containing the therapeutically active agent, without cooling the surface to a temperature below a temperature of the solution, are also disclosed.

Disclosed herein are flowable biocompatible sealant compositions in the form of a biodegradable cross-linked gel, comprised of an insoluble agent for preventing infection, and an agent for preventing ischemia, wherein the agent for preventing ischemia is embedded in polymeric microparticles. The composition is characterized in that it releases at least part of said agents in a sustained manner. Uses of the compositions in methods for treating a leakage from a gastrointestinal site are further disclosed.

The disclosure provides a fiber, comprising a biocompatible polymer and melanin, or a fibrous assembly comprising the fiber, a system for fabricating a fibrous assembly, a method for fabricating a fibrous assembly, a method of producing a fiber, and a semiconductor.

The present invention relates to treating or preventing stenosis at an anastomosis site. In one embodiment, the present invention is a stent is curved along the longitudinal axis for placement in and adjacent to the graft orifice. In a further embodiment, the stent is drug coated to allow delivery of antivasculoproliferative drugs directly to the vicinity of the graft orifice. In a further embodiment, the stent is expandable by use of an external wire. In another embodiment, the present invention is a kit comprising the specially configured stent together with a sleeve comprising a biocompatible matrix material and a pharmaceutical agent, wherein the sleeve is applied to the external surface of the vessel or graft, resulting in extravascular delivery of a pharmaceutical agent. Methods for treating or preventing stenosis at an anastomosis site by applying the extravascular sleeve and the intravascular stent are also provided.

The invention relates to the use of polymeric or oligomeric active ingredients having a biocidal effect as additives in the composition of medical articles. The invention further relates to medical articles that comprise such additives.

Drug-delivery systems such as drug-delivery stents having an anti-proliferative agent such as everolimus and an anti-flammatory agent such as clobetasol are provided. Also disclosed are methods of treating a vascular impairment such as restenosis or vulnerable plaque.