WILLIAM R WAGNER
Nursing in Pittsburgh, PA

5977252, Nov 2, 1999

Mar 7, 1996

8/612270

William R. Wagner - Pittsburgh PA
Christopher R. Deible - Pittsburgh PA
Eric J. Beckman - Edgewood PA
Alan Russell - Wexford PA

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh PA

C08G 6348, C08G 6391, A01N 100

525 541

Described herein is a technique for covalently modifying tissue and cellular surfaces to inhibit cell adhesion. The process described herein is conducted under conditions tolerable in vivo and employs a biocompatible polymer having a reactive group attached to at least one end that reacts with groups present or on tissue and cellular surfaces under aqueous and mild conditions and thereby covalently attaches the polymer to the tissue or cellular surface. Preferably, the reactive group attached to the polymer reacts with amines and hydroxyls present on tissue and cellular surfaces. In one preferred embodiment, the methods described herein provide for the covalent modification of tissue and cellular surfaces using a PEG-diisocyanate solution. The methods described herein are particularly useful in impairing platelet and leukocyte deposition in blood vessels and thereby thwarting thrombosis and restenosis, a common complication of vascular procedures including PTCA and vascular surgery. Furthermore, by masking the tissue surface proteins from blood elements, the methods described herein are useful in decreasing graft thrombogenicity and reducing the complications of vascular surgery.

5990193, Nov 23, 1999

Dec 12, 1995

8/571250

Alan J. Russell - Wexford PA
Eric J. Beckman - Edgewood PA
Fotios M. Andreopoulos - Pittsburgh PA
William R. Wagner - Pittsburgh PA

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh PA

C08J 324

522149

The present invention provides crosslinked polymeric networks that are reversibly crosslinked upon exposure to light of a suitable wavelength. In one embodiment photocrosslinkable branched hydrophilic polymers containing photochromic groups are synthesized. Cinnamylidene groups and derivatives of cinnamylidene are preferably used as the photochromic agents or photocrosslinking agents.

2008020, Aug 28, 2008

Jan 30, 2008

12/022430

Mohammed S. El-Kurdi - Pittsburgh PA, US
Yi Hong - Pittsburgh PA, US
Lorenzo Soletti - Pittsburgh PA, US
John J. Stankus - Campbell CA, US
David A. Vorp - Pittsburgh PA, US
William R. Wagner - Pittsburgh PA, US

A61F 2/06, D01D 5/00

623 136, 264465

A tubular tissue graft device is provided comprising a tubular tissue and a restrictive fiber matrix of a bioerodible polymer about a circumference of the tubular tissue. The matrix may be electrospun onto the tubular tissue. In one embodiment, the tubular tissue is from a vein, such as a saphenous vein, useful as an arterial graft, for example and without limitation, in a coronary artery bypass procedure. Also provided is method of preparing a tubular graft comprising depositing a fiber matrix of a bioerodible polymer about a perimeter of a tubular tissue to produce a tubular tissue graft device. A cardiac bypass method comprising bypassing a coronary artery with a tubular tissue graft device comprising a vein and a restrictive fiber matrix of a bioerodible polymer about a circumference of the vein also is provided.

6174645, Jan 16, 2001

May 3, 1999

9/304417

Alan J. Russell - Wexford PA
Eric J. Beckman - Edgewood PA
Fotios M. Andreopoulos - Pittsburgh PA
William R. Wagner - Pittsburgh PA

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh PA

C08J 324

4302861

The present invention provides crosslinked polymeric networks that are reversibly crosslinked upon exposure to light of a suitable wavelength. In one embodiment photocrosslinkable branched hydrophilic polymers containing photochromic groups are synthesized. Cinnamylidene groups and derivatives of cinnamylidene are preferably used as the photochromic agents or photocrosslinking agents.