Embodiments herein are directed to a hemostatic medical device including an applicator having a receptacle with an output end and a moveable piston configured to move at least partially within the receptacle, and a plurality of liquid expandable articles disposed within the applicator, wherein each liquid expandable article has a volume greater than 50 mm.sup.3.

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.

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

Expandable elements having drug-delivery features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a drug-eluting stent includes a radially expandable cylindrical frame having a plurality of struts. The frame is transformable between a low-profile delivery state and an expanded deployed state. A plurality of drug-delivery features are carried by one of the struts and configured to deliver a drug to a treatment site within the patient or piercing through the tissue wall to break the constricting of the vessel wall inwardly. When the frame is in the expanded state within a body lumen of the patient, the drug-delivery features extend radially outwardly away from the strut and are configured to engage and, in some arrangements, pass through a wall of the body lumen.

A surgical implant comprising: a substrate having an exterior surface and a plurality of layers disposed over the substrate exterior surface. The substrate comprises a polymeric material, and the plurality of layers comprises: an activated substrate surface layer; a valve metal layer; and a porous valve metal oxide layer, wherein the valve metal layer is disposed between the activated substrate layer and the porous valve metal oxide layer. The disclosure provides for a method for producing a polymeric surgical implant. The exterior substrate surface is treated by one or more processes comprising: plasma activation; electron beam irradiation; ultraviolet light; and low energy Ar+ ion beam irradiation; producing an activated substrate surface layer. A plurality of layers is applied over the activated substrate surface layer. The surface is converted by a spark-anodization process in an alkaline bath containing Ca and P ions into a layer of porous valve metal oxide.

A target tissue can be treated with a radioisotope. Some methods for treating a target tissue with a radioisotope include determining a distance between a target tissue and a surface of a matrix material to be positioned adjacent the target tissue and, based on the determined distance, determining an activity to be mixed with the matrix material to obtain a desired activity concentration. Some methods further include mixing the radioisotope with the matrix material. In some embodiments, the matrix material comprises bone cement, and the target tissue is a tumor in a bone. The radioisotope may be a beta-emitting radioisotope mixed in the cement at a concentration to form a radioactive cement.

Described herein are fluid complex coacervates that produce solid adhesives in situ. Oppositely charged polyelectrolytes were designed to form fluid adhesive complex coacervates at ionic strengths higher than the ionic strength of the application site, but an insoluble adhesive solid or gel at the application site. When the fluid, high ionic strength adhesive complex coacervates are introduced into the lower ionic strength application site, the fluid complex coacervate is converted to a an adhesive solid or gel as the salt concentration in the complex coacervate equilibrates to the application site salt concentration. In one embodiment, the fluid complex coacervates are designed to solidify in situ at physiological ionic strength and have numerous medical applications. In other aspects, the fluid complex coacervates can be used in aqueous environment for non-medical applications.

Described herein are fluid complex coacervates that produce solid adhesives in situ. Oppositely charged polyelectrolytes were designed to form fluid adhesive complex coacervates at ionic strengths higher than the ionic strength of the application site, but an insoluble adhesive solid or gel at the application site. When the fluid, high ionic strength adhesive complex coacervates are introduced into the lower ionic strength application site, the fluid complex coacervate is converted to a an adhesive solid or gel as the salt concentration in the complex coacervate equilibrates to the application site salt concentration. In one embodiment, the fluid complex coacervates are designed to solidify in situ at physiological ionic strength and have numerous medical applications. In other aspects, the fluid complex coacervates can be used in aqueous environment for non-medical applications.

Embodiments herein comprise a hemostatic composition comprising a plurality of liquid expandable articles capable of expanding upon contact with a liquid. A suitable composition comprises a plurality of liquid-expandable articles that may be mechanically uncoupled from one another and therefore may be capable of moving independently from one another. The plurality of liquid-expandable articles may comprise a compressed material capable of a high-degree of expansion upon liquid contact.

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