Vanderbilt University

Other

Mukesh Kumar Gupta

Craig L Duvall

Scott A Guelcher

Colleen M Brophy

Timothy C Boire

John R Martin

Hak-Joon Sung

Angela L Zachman

Lawrence J Marnett

Brenda C Crews

Jeffrey M Davidson

Thomas A Werfel

Jonathan M Page

Jashim Uddin

Christopher E Nelson

Joshua M Shannon

Elizabeth J Adolph

Madison McGough

Jon Page

Sue Hyun Lee

Sue Hyun-Lee

James Kintzing

Madison AP Mcgough

The presently-disclosed subject matter includes a compound comprising a first monomer, which is allyl-functionalized and crosslinkable, and a second monomer, which is not crosslinkable. In some embodiments the compounds are photocrosslinkable, and in certain embodiments are photocrosslinkable by ultraviolet light. Also provided are shape memory vascular grafts comprised the of present compounds that can transition from a temporary shape to an original shape when heated above a melting temperature of the graft. Still further provided are methods for treating vascular conditions that utilize embodiments of the present grafts.

Shape memory polymers and methods of use

The presently-disclosed subject matter includes nanoparticles that comprise a plurality of assembled polymers. In some embodiments the polymers comprise a first block that includes hydrophilic monomers, the first block substantially forming an outer shell of the nanoparticle, and a second block that includes cationic monomers and hydrophobic monomers, the second block substantially forming a core of the nanoparticle. In some embodiments a polynucleotide is provided that is bound to the cationic monomers of the nanoparticle. The presently-disclosed subject matter also comprises methods for using the present nanoparticles to include RNAi in a cell as well as methods for making the present nanoparticles.

Polymeric nanoparticles

Disclosed are compositions that comprise a cyclooxygenase-2-selective therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent having a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent conjugated to a NSAID drug; and a ROS-responsive nanoparticle. Methods of making and using these compositions for drug encapsulation and delivery are also disclosed.

Fluorocoxib A loading into ROS-responsive nanoparticles

A biodegradable scaffold, a low-molecular weight thioketal, and a method of forming a biodegradable scaffold are provided. The biodegradable scaffold includes a thioketal and an isocyanate, where the thioketal is linked to the isocyanate to form the scaffold. The low-molecular weight thioketal includes 2,2-dimethoxypropane and thioglycolic acid, wherein the thioketal includes at least two hydroxyl terminal groups. The method of forming the biodegradable scaffold includes blending a thioketal with an excess isocyanate, forming a quasi-prepolymer, mixing the thioketal, the quasi-prepolymer, and a ceramic, and then adding a catalyst to form the biodegradable scaffold. The thioketal is a low-molecular weight thioketal having at least two hydroxyl terminal groups.

Poly(thioketal-urethane) scaffolds and methods of use

The presently-disclosed subject matter includes biodegradable scaffolds. Exemplary biodegradable scaffolds comprise a plurality of polythioketal polymers, and a plurality of polyisocyanates, where at least one polyisocyanate is linked to at least one polymer to form the scaffold. Thus, certain embodiments of scaffolds comprise a cross-linked network of the polythioketal polymers and the polyisocyanates. The presently-disclosed subject matter also includes methods for treating tissue, such as skin or bone tissue, in a subject in need thereof. Treatment methods comprise contacting the tissue with an effective amount of the biodegradable scaffold. Furthermore, the presently-disclosed subject matter includes methods for making the present biodegradable scaffolds.

Diagnostic and guiding catheter assemblies (28, 82) are provided which include an elongated tubular body (30) having a proximal end (32) and a preformed open distal end (34). An expandable distal positioning balloon structure (36) is operatively coupled with the tubular body (30) adjacent to the distal end (34). The tubular body (30) includes wall structure defining a main passageway (48) and a pressurizing tube passageway (46) extending between the proximal and distal ends (32, 34). A pressurizing tube (70) is positioned within the pressurizing tube passageway (46), and is in open communication with the distal balloon interior (66). The pressurizing tube (70) is configured for passing a pressurizing fluid from a source thereof into the distal balloon interior (66) for expanding the distal balloon structure (36). In an expanded state, the distal balloon structure (36) is configured for locating the distal end (34) within a first vessel (18) adjacent to an ostium of a second blood vessel (20), and for positioning the distal end (34) at a selected distance from the second vessel ostium. An alternative catheter apparatus (82) further includes an expandable biasing balloon structure (84) operatively coupled to the exterior of the body (30) between the proximal end (32) and the distal balloon structure (36). The biasing balloon structure (84) is configured for biasing the distal end (34) in a direction toward the second vessel ostium. Selected expansion of the balloon structures (36, 84) allows the physician to precisely position distal end (34) for angiography for PTCA.

Diagnostic and guiding catheter

Hematoma-preventing cannula assemblies (36, 79) are provided which comprise an elongated cannula (10, 80) preferably equipped with a blood-conveying sleeve (38) positioned about the cannula shaft (12, 82) and presenting a plurality of axial blood flow passageways (46). The cannula (10, 80) is inserted in the usual fashion with the distal end thereof passing through an opening (22a) of a blood vessel (14) and the proximal end outside the patient's body; this creates a gap (32) between the exterior surface of the cannula shaft (12, 82) and the adjacent margins of the opening (22a). The sleeve (38) is percutaneously located with the inner end (42) thereof adjacent opening (22a) and gap (32), whereas the outer end (40) of the sleeve (38) is located adjacent the proximal end of the cannula (10, 80). In use, seepage flow of blood through gap (32) exteriorly of the cannula shaft (12, 82) is directed through the passageways (46) and thus cannot collect in tissue adjacent the vessel (14) to form a hematoma. In an alternative embodiment, a diameter expansion cannula (80) is provided together with a tubular dilator (88). After positioning of the cannula (80), the dilator (88) is used to radially expand the diameter of cannula shaft (82), thus partially or completely closing the gap (32) and thereby preventing hematoma formation.

Hematoma prevention apparatus and method

A dilation catheter for treating stenotic regions within a body lumen includes a multi-lobed balloon, the lobes of which extend longitudinally of a catheter robe. The lobes of the balloon of this catheter, when inflated inside the coronary artery stenosis prevent slippage of the balloon into the soft region of the stenosis and cause cracks in the hard region of the stenosis as well. The lobes of the balloon exert interrupted radial compression inside the stenosis. The interrupted radial compression increases the number of cracks in the stenosis.

Multi-lobed balloon catheter

Growing community of inventors

Nashville, TN, United States of America

Mukesh Kumar Gupta