A method of preparing an implantable spacer device utilizing an elastomeric material containing antibiotic(s), radiation-emitting seeds, and/or other bio-active substance to treat diseased, infected and/or injured bony structures, soft tissue, or neural structures. The elastomeric material may include silicone elastomers.

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.

An embodiment includes a process for treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) endoleak with a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam device. First, a bifurcated stent graft is placed within the aneurysm while a micro guidewire is positioned within the aneurysm for future catheter access. Second, after placing the iliac graft extension, a catheter is introduced over wire to deliver embolic foams. Third, embolic foams expand and conform to the aneurysm wall. Fourth, embolic foams create a stable thrombus to prevent endoleak formation by isolating peripheral vessels from the aneurysm volume.

An embolization system and methods for controlling solidification of embolic compositions comprising a first and a second embolic component that react with each other in vivo at a target site to form an embolic material, with the embolic components being dilutable in physiological fluids so that they do not form an embolic composition at a site that is not desired.

Polymeric compositions are described comprising a biocompatible polymer including a biodegradable linkage to a visualization agent and a non-physiological solution; wherein the biocompatible polymer is soluble in the non-physiological solution and insoluble in a physiological solution. Methods of forming the solutions and polymers are disclosed as well as methods of therapeutic use.

The present invention provides a dry powder that is suitable for use in forming a hydrogel and characterized by a stable composition at ambient conditions. The dry powder includes a prepolymer including a straight chain polyethylene glycol, and a thermally activated free radical initiator selected from the group consisting of sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, and ammonium persulfate. The present invention also provides a method of forming the dry powder, and a method of preparing a hydrogel where a reaction mixture is formed including the dry powder and a buffered aqueous solution.

The present invention provides radioactive glass microspheres for embolization and a preparation method and an application thereof. A nuclide oxide and a foaming agent are added into a glass matrix, blended and uniformly mixed for making the foaming agent decomposed and vaporized at a high temperature to generate bubbles, so as to prepare the radioactive glass microspheres for embolization with cavities. The radioactive glass microspheres for embolization have a density of 1.4-2.3 g/cm.sup.3, a nuclide loading rate of 15-40 wt % and a higher and more stable radiation dose, can achieve better distribution and deposition effects in liver blood vessels after injection, and can achieve a better therapeutic effect for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Described are fibrous materials comprising a plurality of fibers having a longitudinal alignment gradient and/or a longitudinal composition gradient. Also described are methods of preparing the fibrous materials thereof and methods of treating organ or tissue damage with the fibrous materials.

The invention provides a system for the in vivo treatment of diseased tissue, the system comprising a first longitudinally extending surface and a second longitudinally extending surface coaxial to the first longitudinally extending surface to form a medicament carrying vehicle, wherein the vehicle defines a tunnel adapted to allow physiological fluid to pass through the vehicle. Also provided is method for treating, in vivo, diseased tissue, the method comprising inserting a housing into a tumor excision site and removably sliding a medicament vehicle within the vehicle so as to be encapsulated by the housing.

A method of making magnetically controllable devices for interventional medical procedures comprises the steps of: Manufacturing a medical device for interventional medical procedures having magnetic materials which are without permanent magnetization; and establishing permanent magnetization within the magnetic materials subsequent to manufacturing, wherein the permanent magnetization allows the medical device to be magnetically controllable. The method may further including the step of packaging and sterilizing the medical device, wherein establishing permanent magnetization occurs after packaging and sterilization. The establishing permanent magnetization within the magnetic materials may include providing different magnetic orientations to distinct portions of the magnetic materials. The magnetic material includes one of a platinum alloy or a palladium alloy.