Biodegradable vascular stents have better biocompatibility than drug-eluting stents. The blood vessels are rebuilt and degraded after normal physiological functions are restored. Due to it will not stay in the body for a long time and the patients don't need taking anti-rejection drugs all the time, it becomes the focus of attention in the treatment of coronary heart disease. This article introduced the development history of biodegradable stents and reviewed the research status of several different materials of vascular stents (animals or humans)
Absorbable Implants ; Animals ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Humans ; Stents

Drug-device combination product, which comprises at least a drug and a medical device, has been proved to effectively reduce the risk of complications accompanied with conventional medical devices implantation, and has a great clinical success especially in implantable therapeutics. Herein, we firstly elaborated the definitions and requirements of drug-device combination product in different countries, then summarized the market application and research development of typical drug-device combination products. Technical problems and the trend of future development had also been analyzed.
Drug Delivery Systems/instrumentation* ; Equipment Design ; Prostheses and Implants

The use of biodegradable polyurethane as medical appliance has rapidly become a fascinating new field of research in biomedical science. Tremendous progress has been made in this area during the last years. Applications of these materials in the field of organic repairing, tissue engineering and drug-controlled delivery system were reviewed. These new type materials possess excellent properties, such as good biocompatibility and mechanical strength, facile formation and inexpensive, so it can be expected to find wide application in the medical treatment in future.
Absorbable Implants ; Biocompatible Materials ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Biomedical Engineering ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Drug Implants ; Polyurethanes ; chemistry ; Skin, Artificial ; Sutures

OBJECTIVETo prepare Qixian decoction pellets.

METHODThe formulation and technological factors influencing the preparation of Qixian decoction were investigated in tangential spray fluid bed choosing the yield of pellets, particle diameter distribution, repose angle, bulk density as inspecting indexes.

RESULTthe technological parameters for the preparation of blank pellets were as follows: the ratio of starch and dextrin was 2:1, the adhesive agent was 70% syrup, the rotating speed was 200 r x min(-1), the air blow flow was 15 x 20 L x min(-1), the rate of air flow was 15 L x min(-1), the spay air pressure was 0.15 MPa, and the rotating rate of spray solution pump was 20-50 r x min(-1); The optimized technological parameters for the preparation of Qixian decoction were as follows: the relative density of the extract was 1.12-1.15 g x min(-1), the diluent was MCC and its quantity was 8%, the rotating rate of spray solution pump was 10-12 mL x min(-1), the frequency of the rotor disc was 18-20 Hz, the atomizing pressure was 0.2 MPa, the frequency of the fan was 22 Hz, and the spheronisation and drying time was 30 mins.

CONCLUSIONthe appearance of the Qixian decoction pellets prepared in tangential spray fluid bed are smoothing and round, the yield of pellets are high, and pellets of the particle size between 500-700 microm is 90.6%.

Adhesives ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drug Implants ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Rotation ; Temperature ; Time Factors

Postpneumonectomy syndrome is a rare and delayed complication of pneumonectomy. This syndrome is caused by the shifting and rotation of the heart and mediastinum into the empty hemithorax. It can be corrected by inserting prosthesis in the empty side of the chest. We experienced a case of postpneumonectomy syndrome in 17 year-old girl that followed by right pneumonectomy for multi-drug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB) 9 months ago. The corrective surgery of postpneumonectomy syndrome does not seem to be familiar with anesthesiologists. We report this case with references, as we were unable to find any case report about this maneuver.
Adolescent ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Mediastinum ; Pneumonectomy ; Prostheses and Implants ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis

OBJECTIVETo update the current status of bioresorbable scaffold, highlights the potential future prospective of innovative bioresorbable scaffold technology.

DATA SOURCESData were obtained from papers published in PubMed, presentations from the following conferences: EuroPCR, Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics, and Chinese Interventional Therapeutics.

RESULTSBioresorbable scaffold has been introduced as a potential workhorse device for the treatment of coronary artery disease, with providing temporary vessel scaffold, then gradually being resorbed free of any caging, eventually restoring the vessel wall physiology and vasomotion. The clinical outcomes regarding the safety and efficacy following bioresorbable scaffolds implantation appear promising in the treatment of patients with either de novo lesions or acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In addition, two bioresorbable scaffolds currently investigated in Chinese population as well as several other bioresorbable scaffolds from Chinese manufactories are under development and preclinical evaluations.

CONCLUSIONSBioresorbable scaffolds with potential unique advantages have been rapidly developed and the initial clinical results are promising. Further preclinical and clinical evaluations are necessary to investigate their safety and efficacy in the treatment of Chinese patients with coronary artery disease.

Absorbable Implants ; Coronary Artery Disease ; surgery ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Tissue Scaffolds

Candida species are frequently found in the normal microorganism of humans, which facilitates their encounter with most implanted biomaterials and host surfaces. Medical devices such as stents, prostheses, implants and various types of catheters have all been shown to support colonization and biofilm formation by Candida. Candida albicans remains the fungal species most commonly associated with biofilm formation and the increase in Candida infections in the last decades has almost paralleled the increase and widespread use of a broad range of medical implant devices, mainly in populations with impaired host defenses. The formation of C. albicans biofilms carries important clinical repercussions because of their increased resistance to antifungal therapy and the ability of cells within biofilms to withstand host immune defenses. Also, biofilm formation on medical devices can negatively impact the host by serving as a reservoir or source for future continuing infections. This review article aims to provide insights on various aspects of C. albicans biofilms, formation and structure, their role in pathogenesis and antifungal drug resistance.
Biocompatible Materials ; Biofilms ; Candida ; Candida albicans ; Catheters ; Colon ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Stents

Osteosarcoma is one of the most common malignant bone tumors except for multiple myeloma. The current managements of the osteosarcoma patients include preoperative chemotherapy, definitive operation and postoperative chemotherapy with tremendous improved oncologic results by lots of Orthopedic Oncologists. The definitive operations are either limb-salvage operations or amputation. Limb-salvage operations include autograft, allograft, tumor prosthesis, or its combination. However, we have a difficulty to use allograft due to Korean traditonal customs. Authors managed the 6 year-old female patient with the osteosarcoma on the proximal metaphysis of the right humerus by wide-margin resection and reconstruction with a clavicula pro humero procedure with an excellent result, which technique was devised and developed by W. Winkelmann in Germany.
Allografts ; Amputation ; Autografts ; Child ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Germany ; Humans ; Humerus* ; Multiple Myeloma ; Orthopedics ; Osteosarcoma* ; Prostheses and Implants

This case describes the reversal of early central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with disc swelling after intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) injection. A 44-year-old female presented with sudden-onset intermittent blurred vision in her left eye. Fundus examination revealed multiple retinal hemorrhages without macular edema (ME). Two weeks later, an increased number of retinal hemorrhages with severe disc swelling were noted with still no sign of ME. An intravitreal dexamethasone implant was injected. Five days later, there were improvements in disc swelling and retinal hemorrhage. One month later, her subjective visual symptoms were completely improved, and fundus examination revealed marked improvement along with almost complete resolution of disc swelling. Intravitreal dexamethasone implant injection may potentially change the natural course of CRVO progression and its various subsequent complications.
Adult ; Dexamethasone/*administration & dosage ; Drug Implants ; Female ; Glucocorticoids/*administration & dosage ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Papilledema/*drug therapy ; Retinal Vein/*drug effects ; Retinal Vein Occlusion/*drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Synchronization of estrus and ovulation are of paramount importance in modern livestock improvement programs. These methods are critical for assisted reproduction technologies, including artificial insemination and embryo transfer, that can increase productivity. In the current study, subcutaneous implants containing norgestomet were placed for long (14 days), medium (9 days), and short (5 days) periods of time in 70 crossbred ewes undergoing fixed-time artificial insemination. The resulting effects on estrus synchronization and conception rates were subsequently evaluated. Among the synchronized ewes, 85.7% (60/70) underwent estrus over a period of 72 h after progestagen treatment ceased. The shortest mean interval between withdrawal of the device and onset of estrus (34.2 +/- 8.9 h) was observed in the G14 days of P4 group (p < 0.05). The conception rate of the G14 days of P4 group was statistically higher than that of the other groups (83.3% vs. 60.9% vs. 47.8%; p < 0.05). In conclusion, 14 days of norgestomet treatment produced higher conception rates and a greater number of pregnancies at the beginning of the breeding season.
Animals ; Drug Implants/therapeutic use ; Estrus Synchronization/drug effects/*methods ; Female ; Fertilization/drug effects ; Insemination, Artificial/methods/*veterinary ; Pregnenediones/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Sheep