Hemoshear, LLC

University of Virginia Patent Foundation

Medtronic Vascular, Inc.

Brian R Wamhoff

Brett R Blackman

Michael B Simmers

John Alexander Hossack

Alexander L Klibanov

Gary Owens

Kareen Looi

Whye-Kei Lye

Ajit Dash

Ryan E Feaver

Joshua Spradlin

Matthew Hudson

Michael L Reed

Robert Alan Figler

Daniel G Gioeli

Brent A French

Johnny Chen

Timothy L MacDonald

Kevin R Lynch

Yugesh Kharel

Thomas P Mathews

Robert A Figler

The present invention generally relates to in vitro methods for mimicking in vivo pathological or physiologic conditions. The methods comprise applying shear forces to a cell type or cell type plated on a surface within a cell culture container. Methods for testing drugs or compounds in such systems are also described.

In vitro model for pathological or physiologic conditions

Methods for mimicking a tumor microenvironment in vitro are provided. The methods comprise indirectly applying a shear stress upon at least one tumor cell type plated on a surface within a cell culture container. Methods for mimicking tumor metastasis and methods for testing drugs or compounds in such systems are also provided.

In vitro model for a tumor microenvironment

A catheter system including an elongate tubular member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a lumen extending through at least a portion of a length of the elongate tubular member. The distal end portion of the elongate member is dimensioned and adapted to advance to or in proximity to a treatment site of a subject. A microbubble device is in fluid communication with the lumen. The microbubble device includes at least one input port for receiving a flow of material into the device and an output port configured to output microbubbles from the microbubble device. A second tubular member is in fluid communication with one of the at least one input ports. A pressure fitting arrangement is adapted to maintain a seal between the second tubular member and the input port.

Systems and methods for ultrasound imaging and insonation of microbubbles

The present invention relates generally to medical devices containing nanoporous surfaces and methods for making same. More specifically, the invention relates to implantable vascular stents or other biomedical devices having at least one dealloyed nanoporous layer that promotes improved cellular adhesion properties that promote healing and long term biocompatibility. In the case of stents, the nanoporous layer promotes re-endothelialization at sites of stent implantation vasculature, improves overall healing, and reduces inflammation and intimal disease progression. The nanoporous layer may be optionally loaded with one or more therapeutic agent to further improve the function of the implanted stent and further augment clinical efficacy.

Nanoporous stents with enhanced cellular adhesion and reduced neointimal formation

A method and related system for providing therapy to a treatment site, such as stenosis or other vasculature disease, at one or more locations of a subject, such as the vasculature. The method includes: advancing an ultrasound catheter to or in proximity to the subject's treatment site; infusing microbubbles into or proximal to the treatment site; and delivering ultrasonic energy from the ultrasound catheter. The ultrasonic energy may be adapted for: imaging the treatment site, translating the microbubbles into or in the vicinity of the treatment site and/or rupturing the microbubbles.

System for treatment and imaging using ultrasonic energy and microbubbles and related method thereof

Methods and devices for applying hemodynamic patterns to human/animal cells in culture are described. Hemodynamic flow patterns are measured directly from the human circulation and translated to a motor that controls the rotation of a cone. The cone is submerged in fluid (i.e., cell culture media) and brought into close proximity to the cells. Rotation of the cone creates time-varying shear stresses. This model closely mimics the physiological hemodynamic forces imparted on endothelial cells in vivo. A TRANSWELL coculture dish (i.e., a coculture dish comprising an artificial porous membrane) may be incorporated, permitting two, three, or more different cell types to be physically separated within the culture dish environment. In-flow and out-flow tubing may be used to supply media, drugs, etc. separately and independently to both the inner and outer chambers. The physical separation of the cell types permits each cell type to be separately isolated for analysis.

Use of an in vitro hemodynamic endothelial/smooth muscle cell co-culture model to identify new therapeutic targets for vascular disease

Amidine analogs that can inhibit the activity of sphingosine kinase 1 and sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK1 & SphK2) are provided. The compounds can prevent angiogenesis in tumor cells.

Compositions and methods for inhibiting sphingosine kinase

Implantable medical devices having at least one porous layer, and methods for making such devices, and loading such devices with therapeutic agents are described. A mixture or alloy is placed on the surface of a medical device, then one component of the mixture or alloy is generally removed without generally removing the other components of the mixture or alloy to create the pores of the porous layer. The porous layer may be adapted for bonding non-metallic coating, including drug eluting polymeric coatings. A porous layer may have a random pore structure or an oriented or directional grain porous structure. The medical device may be a vascular stent having at least one porous layer adapted to resist stenosis or cellular proliferation.

Methods for using a stent having nanoporous layers

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Charlottesville, VA, United States of America

Brian R Wamhoff