Formulations of shape memory polymer (SMP) are integrated with several existing clinically available medical fabrics. The SMP portion of a SMP integrated fabric can be fabricated in varying thicknesses with the minimum thickness determined by the thickness of the underlying fabric and up to almost any thickness. Integration of the SMP with the base fabrics does not alter the shape memory functionality of the SMP. The design tools for controlling activation rate for traditional SMP materials thus apply to SMP integrated fabrics. SMP integrated fabrics may also be steam sterilized without loss of shape memory functionality.

A biocompatible sleeve designed to encase an assembly of small 3D muscles that have been cultured in vitro. The sleeve is formed from polymer fibers in such a way that pushing the two ends of the sleeve towards each other increases the diameter of the sleeve so as to facilitate insertion of the engineered muscles. Subsequent pulling at the ends of the sleeves decreases the diameter of the sleeve to facilitate a secure fit around the engineered muscle during implantation of the sleeve into a patient. The composition of the polymer fibers can be tuned to achieve the desired mechanical properties and rate of degradability.

A three component system for repairing critically sized bone defects having a first shape memory polymer (SMP) component formed as a scaffold that fills the defects, a second SMP component formed as a restricting sleeve that stabilizes and supports osseointegration and osteoconduction, and a third SMP component formed as a two-dimensional cell culture substrate for engineering periosteal grafts.

A neurovascular catheter extension segment is provided, such as for distal neurovascular access or aspiration. The neurovascular catheter extension segment includes 1) an elongate flexible control wire having a proximal end and a distal end and 2) a tubular extension segment having a side wall defining a central lumen carried by the distal end of the control wire. The side wall of the tubular extension segment includes a tubular inner liner, a tie layer separated from the lumen by the inner liner, a helical coil surrounding the tie layer, and an outer jacket surrounding the helical coil. The extension segment may be introduced into the proximal end of a neurovascular catheter and advanced distally to extend beyond the catheter and thereby extend the reach of the catheter.

This invention relates to the design and function of a compressible valve replacement prosthesis, collared or uncollared, which can be deployed into a beating heart without extracorporeal circulation using a transcatheter delivery system. The design as discussed focuses on the deployment of a device via a minimally invasive fashion and by way of example considers a minimally invasive surgical procedure preferably utilizing the intercostal or subxyphoid space for valve introduction. In order to accomplish this, the valve is formed in such a manner that it can be compressed to fit within a delivery system and secondarily ejected from the delivery system into the annulus of a target valve such as a mitral valve or tricuspid valve.

A nickel-titanium alloy is made to be wholly or substantially free of titanium-rich oxide inclusions by including yttrium in an amount up to 0.15 wt. %, with the balance of the alloy being nickel and titanium in approximately equal proportion. For example, a NiTiY alloy may have a composition including, in weight percent based on total alloy weight: between 50 and 60 wt. % nickel; between 40 and 50 wt. % titanium; and between 0.01 and 0.15 wt. % yttrium. The resulting alloy is capable of being drawn into various forms, e.g., fine medical-grade wire, without exhibiting an unacceptable tendency to develop surface defects or to fracture or crack during cold drawing or forging. The resulting final forms exhibit favorable fatigue strength and fatigue-resistant characteristics.

A device for a tissue channel includes a device frame, a shape memory polymer foam segment coupled to the device frame, and an attachment structure coupled to the device frame. The device frame includes a proximal structure, a distal structure, and an intermediate structure coupled to the proximal structure and the distal structure. The proximal structure is configured to collapse to fit into a delivery structure and expand to block migration of the proximal structure. The distal structure is configured to collapse to fit into the delivery structure and expand to block migration of the distal structure. The intermediate structure is configured to fit in the tissue channel upon device deployment. The shape memory polymer foam segment is configured to compress to fit into the delivery structure and occlude the channel. The attachment structure is configured to attach and detach the device from a delivery guide.

A polymer is composed of a linear chain acrylate and a multi-functional acrylate cross-linker. The polymerized composition exhibits a transition at a temperature between about 34° C. and about 50° C. The polymerized composition exhibits shape memory effects. In one embodiment, the linear chain is tert-butyl acrylate and the crosslinker is polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The resultant shape memory polymers may be used in medical devices to provide devices with different shapes for pre and post implantation.

An improved device and method for extended repair and regeneration of muscle tissue. An exemplary device comprises (a) a scaffold comprising an ECM component; (b) a combination of growth factors such as VEGF and IGF; and (c) a population of myogenic cells. Implantation of the device leads to muscle regeneration and repair over an extended period of time.

The present disclosure relates to an anchor for fixating a tissue graft to bone. The anchor includes a through hole extending an entire length of the anchor and a polymer composition having shape memory qualities. Other anchors and methods for fixating a tissue graft to bone are also disclosed.