W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Paul Christopher Begovac

Krzysztof Pietrzak

Karin Leontein

Per Antoni

Daniel Nyström

William Carl Bruchman

Robert L Cleek

Edward H Cully

Michael J Vonesh

Charles J Flynn

Mei Li

Joseph R Armstrong

Charles F White

Byron K Hayes

Ryan V Peterson

The present disclosure is directed to injectable formulations that include biodegradable polymers based on trimethylene carbonate (TMC) with mole fractions of polylactic acid (PLA) and/or polyglycolic acid (PGA) that are used to deliver a bioactive agent to a targeted site. Excipients such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) may be added to the formulations to reduce the injection force and/or to modulate the release of the bioactive agent. Suitable biodegradable polymers for use in the injectable formulations include D,L-PLA:TMC, D-PLA:TMC, L-PLA:TMC, TMC:PLA:PGA and variations thereof. Additionally, copolymers of TMC and PLA and terpolymers of TMC:PLA:PGA may be formed into nanoparticles and delivered to the target site with an injectable crosslinkable polyethylene glycol system. In at least one embodiment, the injectable formulations are used to treat ocular diseases.

Injectable and biodegradable polymer formulations for controlled release of bioactive agents

There is described inter alia a device having a surface comprising a layered coating wherein the outer coating layer comprises a plurality of cationic hyperbranched polymer molecules characterized by having (i) a core moiety of molecular weight 14-1,000 Da (ii) a total molecular weight of 1,500 to 1,000,000 Da (iii) a ratio of total molecular weight to core moiety molecular weight of at least 80:1 and (iv) functional end groups, whereby one or more of said functional end groups have an anti-coagulant entity covalently attached thereto.

Immobilised biological entities

Bioabsorbable self-expanding medical devices formed of an integral framework with a multiplicity of fenestrations are provided. The framework is continuous, non-filamentous, non-braided, and non-interlaced. The devices includes a non-blended hydrolysable co-polymeric material comprising an amorphous component with a glass transition temperature that is below ambient body temperature and a crystallizable component that possesses a crystalline melting point in excess of ambient body temperature. The devices radially expand from a compressed first diameter to an uncompressed second diameter equal to or greater than 1.5 times the first diameter within two minutes in an aqueous medium at 37&#xb0; C. following release of a compressive force placed on the devices. Additionally, the medical device does not change axial length significantly as the radial dimensions of the devices are changed. Further, the medical devices may be constructed of different bioabsorbable polymers, polymer ratios, and/or different geometries and portions may bioabsorb at different rates.

Bioabsorbable self-expanding endolumenal devices

This invention is directed to improved blood contact devices such as vascular prostheses rendered substantially nonthrombogenic through addition of a preserved layer of extracellular subendothelial matrix. The preserved subendothelial matrix layer, which serves as the blood interface of the device, is analogous to the subendothelial matrix layer beneath the endothelium of native vascular surfaces. The device consists of a permanent synthetic base material, preferably porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, on which this biologic layer of subendothelial matrix is grown in situ. The biologic layer is produced using in vitro tissue culture methods whereby living cells synthesize and deposit extracellular matrix components, after which the cells are killed and/or removed and the subendothelial matrix layer preserved before implantation. A key aspect of this invention is that no living cells are present in the final configuration, so that the likelihood of recipient immunological response is minimized. This invention results in vascular prostheses that are particularly useful for arterial bypass requiring a diameter of 6 mm or less.

Blood contact surfaces using extracellular matrix synthesized in vitro

This invention relates to improved blood contact devices such as vascular prostheses rendered antithrombotic through the use of recipient endothelial cells grown on an appropriate subendothelial matrix. The subendothelial matrix layer, which serves as the substratum for growing endothelial cells, may be obtained from either natural donor vessels or from in vitro tissue culture sources. This subendothelial matrix is used in situ on the donor vessel, or is grown or applied to a synthetic component, preferably porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Once this subendothelial matrix is prepared, recipient endothelial cells are seeded onto this matrix substratum, which then serves as the immediate blood contact surface. The endothelial cells may be applied as an intra-operative procedure, or grown on the subendothelial matrix substratum in vitro until the cells establish a confluent monolayer. A key aspect of this invention is that living, recipient endothelial cells are grown on the appropriate subendothelial matrix substratum, thereby providing a substantially nonthrombotic blood contact surface. Furthermore, the likelihood of recipient immunological response is minimized. This invention results in vascular prostheses that are particularly useful for arterial bypass requiring a diameter of 6 mm or less.

Blood contact surfaces using endothelium on a subendothelial matrix

This invention is directed to improved blood contact devices such as vascular prostheses rendered substantially nonthrombogenic through addition of a preserved layer of extracellular subendothelial matrix. The preserved subendothelial matrix layer, which serves as the blood interface of the device, is analogous to the subendothelial matrix layer beneath the endothelium of native vascular surfaces. The device consists of a permanent synthetic base material, preferably porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, on which this biologic layer of subendothelial matrix is grown in situ. The biologic layer is produced using in vitro tissue culture methods whereby living cells synthesize and deposit extracellular matrix components, after which the cells are killed and/or removed and the subendothelial matrix layer preserved before implantation. A key aspect of this invention is that no living Cells are present in the final configuration, so that the likelihood of recipient immunological response is minimized. This invention results in vascular prostheses that are particularly useful for arterial bypass requiring a diameter of 6 mm or less.

A percutaneous device to provide a path from the exterior of the epidermal tissue to interior body spaces and structures with a skirt of material with PTFE having an open microstructure for the ingrowth of epidermal and connective tissue.

Growing community of inventors

Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America

Paul Christopher Begovac