The instant invention provides electrospun fiber compositions comprising one or more polymers and one or more biologically active agents. In specific embodiments, the biologically active agents are nerve growth factors. In certain embodiments, the electrospun fiber compositions comprising one or more biologically active agents are on the surface of a film, or a tube. The tubes comprising the electrospun fiber compositions of the invention can be used, for example, as nerve guide conduits.

A CO.sub.2 processed sheet structure comprising ECM derived from mammalian submucosa tissue, which can be formed into a pouch configured to encase a medical device.

Microcatheters and methods for modifying and delivering suspended particles to target bodily parts (e.g., of the cardiovascular system). Embolization microcatheters and uses thereof in performing local embolization procedures, involving modifying flow characteristics (momentum) of suspensions during delivery. Applicable for delivering embolization material in a small blood vessel towards a target bodily part, and for performing local embolizations in small blood vessels feeding (possibly, cancerous) target bodily parts, thereby forming emboli therein, while preventing or minimizing non-target embolization. Exemplary catheter includes: tubular wall with proximal and distal wall ends, and lumen extending therebetween, opened and configured to allow passage of suspension to distal outlet; distal outlet is shaped or/and sized to allow passage of both suspension fluid and particles; proximal outlet is configured to allow passage of suspension fluid without particles and to block passage of particles, during delivery of suspension.

Devices, methods and kits for preventing or reducing non-target microparticles deposition and embolization, in conjunction with delivering microparticles (e.g., embolization material) via a blood vessel to a target bodily part. Applicable for entrapping infiltrated microparticles within heart right atrium. Entrapping device includes: filter; and filter collapsing mechanism sized for positioning in catheter lumen of a filter delivering catheter, and having proximal end actuatable from outside of subject. Filter configured for positioning within heart right atrium, for self-expanding and covering right atrium inlet opening, and configured, when expanded, to collect embolic material delivered to target organ and infiltrated into outflow vessel thereof draining to right atrium. Filter collapsing mechanism configured for collapsing, and being manipulated to form a pocket in filter, to entrap collected embolic material therein, and drawing filter with collected embolic material in pocket, into catheter lumen of filter delivering catheter.

The invention relates to a novel antibiotic delivery vehicle for impregnating bone cement wherein said vehicle is an antibiotic encapsulated liposome having a block co-polymer on its surface; a method for the manufacture of a bone cement impregnated with antibiotic or a mixture of antibiotics using said vehicle; and also a novel bone cement made therewith and/or thereby.

Injectable embolization particulates (e.g., particles, microstructures, beads) employed in embolization procedures, for facilitating blood vessel occlusion. Exemplary embolization particulates for occluding a blood vessel include a plurality of embolization beads, each bead having a plurality of outwardly protruding portions, wherein, upon a first one and a second one of the beads accumulating against a boundary of the blood vessel, protruding portions of the first bead are configured to intermesh with protruding portions of the second bead, so as to occlude the blood vessel. Also disclosed are compositions of embolization particulates including a plurality of shaped embolization beads, and methods for embolizing or occluding a blood vessel using embolization particulates or compositions thereof. Embolization particulates have particular shapes for facilitating blood vessel occlusion while preventing or diminishing back flow (reflux) of embolic material, and may be coated or impregnated with therapeutic agents or radioactive isotopes, for increasing desirable therapeutic effects.

Material biocompatible and implantable in the human body, for the obtainment of a device that can be implanted in the human body or a spacer device for treating a bone or a joint seat, including an acrylic resin or a plastic material or polyethylene (PE) or low density polyethylene or high density polyethylene or ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) or polypropylene or polyamide or polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or a mixture thereof, wherein the material can be moulded and includes an additive such as a pharmaceutical or medical substance and/or a radio-opacifying agent and/or a further additive; device that can be implanted in the human body or a spacer device for treating a bone or a joint location obtained with the aforementioned material and method for obtaining the material according to the present invention.

The invention is to articles of extracellular matrix. The articles comprise one or more sheets of mammalian extracellular matrix laminated together. A single sheet can be folded over and laminated on 3 sides. Two or more sheets can be laminated to each other at their edges. The sheets can further encase a composition comprising a cell or cells, such as for example, a stem cell. A single sheet can be folded over to encase a composition, or rolled to encase a composition with lamination at either end of the roll, for example. The invention also includes methods of using these articles to regenerate tissue at tissue defects, or heal wounds in damaged tissue.

A heart valve implant comprising a supporting stent, a heart valve element, and a skirt, The skirt includes or is formed of at least one molded body, wherein the molded body is made of dried treated bacterial cellulose that has a swelling capacity that is greater than untreated bacterial cellulose of the same type.

A tissue prosthesis comprising an extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, the ECM composition comprising decellularized ECM derived from mesothelial tissue and an exogenously added basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).