Author: claimsbot

What is claimed:

1. A method of treatment or prevention of a coronary condition comprising:
(a) providing a first pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a first therapeutic agent, and
(b) administering the first pharmaceutical composition to the pericardial space of a patient.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising a first therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of a polypeptide, a polynucleotide, a small organic molecule, a peptide, and a peptoid.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first therapeutic agent comprises a fibroblast growth factor polypeptide (FGF).
4. The method of claim 3 comprising an FGF polypeptide selected from the group consisting of bFGF, aFGF, and FGF-5.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first therapeutic agent comprises insulin-like growth factor-I polypeptide (IGF-I).
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a second therapeutic agent.
7. The method of claim 6 comprising a second therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of a polypeptide, a polynucleotide, a small organic molecule, a peptide, and a peptoid.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the second therapeutic agent comprises a fibroblast growth factor polypeptide (FGF).
9. The method of claim 8 comprising an FGF polypeptide selected from the group consisting of bFGF, aFGF, and FGF-5.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein the second therapeutic agent comprises insulin-like growth factor-I polypeptide (IGF-I).
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
(a) providing a second pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a second therapeutic agent, and
(b) administering the second-pharmaceutical composition to the pericardial space of a patient.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein administration to the pericardial space consisting is accomplished by internal entry or external entry.
13. The method of claim 12 comprising an internal entry selected from the group consisting of entry through the left atrium, entry through the right ventricle, and entry through the left ventricle.
14. The method of claim 12 comprising an external entry selected from the group consisting of an open chest procedure, minimally invasive surgery (MIS), and percutaneous entry.
15. The method of claim 14 comprising a percutaneous entry facilitated by a device selected from the group consisting of needle, catheter, cannula, and trocar.
16. The method of claim 1, comprising an administration to the pericardial space accomplished by a procedure selected from the group consisting of injection, catheterization, creation of laser-created perfusion channels, cannulization, use of a particle gun, and use of a pump.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the first pharmaceutical composition comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a liposome, cyclodextrin liposome, heterovesicular liposome, a synthetic membrane vesicle, a gel, a polymer, an excipient, matrices, a charged particle and a buffer.
18. The method of claim 11 wherein the second pharmaceutical composition comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a liposome, cyclodextrin liposome, heterovesicular liposome, a synthetic membrane vesicle, a gel, a polymer, an excipient, matrices, a charged particle and a buffer.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the first therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of an anti-apoptotic agent, a thrombolytic agent, a pro-angiogenic agent, an anti-arrythmic agent, a contractility improving agent, a complement blocker, an inhibitor of reperfusion injury, a calcium channel blocker, a beta-blocker, an afterload reducer, a preload reducer, a vasoactive agent, an anti-thrombotic agent, an anti-platelet agent, anti-proliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an immunomodulating agent, an immunosuppressive agent, an inhibitor of reactive oxygen metabolites, an anti-angiogenic agent, a myocyte growth factor, a vasoactive agent, a cardioprotective agent, an iron-chelating agent, an anti-hypertensive agent, an anti-integrin agent, a pro-apoptotic agent, an anti-viral agent, an anti-parasitic agent, a free radical scavenger, an anti-tumor agent, a protein that may be deficient or downregulated during development of cardiomyopathy, and biologically active derivatives thereof.
20. The method of claim 6 wherein the second therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of an anti-apoptotic agent, a thrombolytic agent, a pro-angiogenic agent, an anti-arrythmic agent, a contractility improving agent, a complement blocker, an inhibitor of reperfusion injury, a calcium channel blocker, a beta-blocker, an afterload reducer, a preload reducer, a vasoactive agent, an anti-thrombotic agent, an anti-platelet agent, anti-proliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an immunomodulating agent, an immunosuppressive agent, an inhibitor of reactive oxygen metabolites, an anti-angiogenic agent, a myocyte growth factor, a vasoactive agent, a cardioprotective agent, an iron-chelating agent, an anti-hypertensive agent, an anti-integrin agent, a pro-apoptotic agent, an anti-viral agent, an anti-parasitic agent, a free radical scavenger, an anti-tumor agent, a protein that may be deficient or downregulated during development of cardiomyopathy, and biologically active derivatives thereof.
21. The method of claim 11 wherein the second therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of an anti-apoptotic agent, a thrombolytic agent, a pro-angiogenic agent, an anti-arrythmic agent, a contractility improving agent, a complement blocker, an inhibitor of reperfusion injury, a calcium channel blocker, a beta-blocker, an afterload reducer, a preload reducer, a vasoactive agent, an anti-thrombotic agent, an anti-platelet agent, anti-proliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an immunomodulating agent, an immunosuppressive agent, an inhibitor of reactive oxygen metabolites, an anti-angiogenic agent, a myocyte growth factor, a vasoactive agent, a cardioprotective agent, an iron-chelating agent, an anti-hypertensive agent, an anti-integrin agent, a pro-apoptotic agent, an anti-viral agent, an anti-parasitic agent, a free radical scavenger, an anti-tumor agent, a protein that may be deficient or downregulated during development of cardiomyopathy, and biologically active derivatives thereof.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the protein that may be deficient or downregulated during development of cardiomyopathy is troponin C.
23. The method of claim 19, wherein the first therapeutic agent is an anti-tumor agent and the anti-tumor agent is selected from the group consisting of a chemotherapeutic agent, a radiation sensitizer, and a radioactive implant.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein the first therapeutic agent is an inhibitor.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of an inhibitor of lipid or cholesterol synthesis or deposition, an inhibitor of macrophage or inflammatory cell recruitment or activation, a microtubule inhibitor, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-thrombotic agent, an anti-platelet agent, and an inhibitor of neointimal proliferation.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the inhibitor is an inhibitor of NFB.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the inhibitor of NFB is selected from the group consisting of IKB, PDTC, NAC metal chelators and anti-oxidants.
38. The method of claim 19, wherein the first therapeutic agent is an anti-proliferative agent and the anti-proliferative agent is selected from the group consisting of a ribozyme, an antisense oligonucleotide, an antibody, an inhibitor against one of c-myb, ras, raf, PI3 kinase, and cyclin, a suicide protein, a suicide gene, a proapoptotic protein, and a proapoptotic gene.
39. The method of claim 24, wherein the inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of a protein, a peptide, an oligopeptide or a small molecule.
40. The method of claim 19, wherein the first therapeutic agent is a proapoptotic protein and the proapoptotic protein is selected from the group consisting of fas, fab, and interleukin 1b converting enzyme.
41. The method of claim 19, wherein the first therapeutic agent is an anti-angiogenic agent and the antiangiogenic agent is selected from the group consisting of platelet factor 4, thrombospondin, a tissue inhibitor of a metaloproteinase, angiostatin, TFG-, interferon-, a proliferin-related protein, a biologically active fragment thereof, and a chimera thereof.
42. The method of claim 19, wherein the first therapeutic agent is an antibiotic and the antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of an anti-viral agent, anti-trypanosomal agent, anti-bacterial agent, and an anti-fungal agent.
43. The method of claim 19, wherein the first therapeutic agent is an immunomodulating agent and the immunomodulating agent is selected from the group consisting of a cytotoxic agent, a steroid, cyclosporin, and a complement inhibitor.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the immunomodulating agent is a complement inhibitor and the complement inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of DAF, CAB-2, a biologically active fragment thereof, and a chimera thereof.
45. The method of claim 19, wherein the first therapeutic agent is an antiinflammatory agent and the antiinflammatory agent is selected from the group consisting of a steroid, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent, cyclosporin, a chemotherapeutic agent, and a complement inhibitor.
46. The method of claim 19, wherein the first therapeutic agent is an anti-arrhythmic agent and the anti-arrythmic agent is selected from the group consisting of adenosine, quinidine, propranolol, digoxin, lidocaine, bretylium, amiodarone, and verapamil.
47. The method of claim 19, wherein the first therapeutic agen is an anti-hypertensive agent, and the antihypertensive agent is selected from the group consisting of hydralazine, propranolol, atrial naturetic peptide, and an endothelin antagonist.
48. The method of claim 1, wherein the first therapeutic agent is a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), an inhibitor of interleukin 1 converting enzyme, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), urokinase, streptokinase, an inhibitor of 2 plasmin inhibitor, an inhibitor of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin, transforming growth factor a (TGF-), transforming growth factor (TGF-), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), placental growth factor (PGF), hepatocyte growth factor, proliferin, decay accelerating factor, CAB-2, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), heparin, hirudin, protein C, protein S, anti-thrombin III, tick anti-coagulant peptide (TAP), anti-stasin, glycoprotein IIbIIa antagonist, antibodies, Herpes thymidine kinase, fas, faf, platelet factor 4, thrombospondin, a tissue inhibitor of a metalloproteinase, prolactin, bFGF soluble receptor, a proliferin-related protein, myocyte growth factor, superoxide dismutase (SOD), troponin C, beta-adrenergic receptor, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), nematode anti-coagulant protein (NAP), biologically active fragments thereof, and chimeras thereof.
49. The method of claim 6, wherein the second therapeutic agent is a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), an inhibitor of interleukin 1 converting enzyme, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), urokinase, streptokinase, an inhibitor of 2 plasmin inhibitor, an inhibitor of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin, transforming growth factor (TGF-), transforming growth factor (TGF-), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), placental growth factor (PGF), hepatocyte growth factor, proliferin, decay accelerating factor, CAB-2, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), heparin, hirudin, protein C, protein S, anti-thrombin III, tick anti-coagulant peptide (TAP), anti-stasin, glycoprotein IIbIIa antagonist, antibodies, Herpes thymidine kinase, fas, faf, platelet factor 4, thrombospondin, a tissue inhibitor of a metalloproteinase, prolactin, bFGF soluble receptor, a proliferin-related protein, myocyte growth factor, superoxide dismutase (SOD), troponin C, beta-adrenergic receptor, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), nematode anti-coagulant protein (NAP), biologically active fragments thereof, and chimeras thereof.
51. The method of claim 11, wherein the second therapeutic agent is a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), an inhibitor of interleukin 1 converting enzyme, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), urokinase, streptokinase, an inhibitor of 2 plasmin inhibitor, an inhibitor of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin, transforming growth factor (TGF-), transforming growth factor (TGF-), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), placental growth factor (PGF), hepatocyte growth factor, proliferin, decay accelerating factor, CAB-2, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), heparin, hirudin, protein C, protein S, anti-thrombin III, tick anti-coagulant peptide (TAP), anti-stasin, glycoprotein IIbIIa antagonist, antibodies, Herpes thymidine kinase, fas, faf, platelet factor 4, thrombospondin, a tissue inhibitor of a metalloproteinase, prolactin, bFGF soluble receptor, a proliferin-related protein, myocyte growth factor, superoxide dismutase (SOD), troponin C, beta-adrenergic receptor, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), nematode anti-coagulant protein (NAP), biologically active fragments thereof, and chimeras thereof.
52. The method of claim 1, wherein the coronary condition is a condition selected from the group consisting of coronary artery occlusion, ischemic syndromes, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, dysrrhythmia, infection, and an inflammatory condition.
53. The method of claim 52, wherein the coronary condition is coronary artery occlusion and the coronary artery occlusion results from or is associated with lipidcholesterol deposition, macrophageinflammatory cell recruitment, plaque rupture, thrombosis, platelet deposition, or neointimal proliferation.
54. The method of claim 52, wherein the coronary condition is an ischemic syndrome and the ischemic syndrome results from or is associated with myocardial infarction, stable angina, unstable angina, coronary artery restenosis or reperfusion injury.
55. The method of claim 52, wherein the coronary condition is cardiomyopathy and the cardiomyopathy results from or associated with an ischemic syndrome, a cardiotoxin, an infection, hypertension, a metabolic disease, radiation, a neuromuscular disease, an infiltrative disease, trauma, or an idiopathic cause.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein the cardiomyopathy results from an infiltrative disease and the infiltrative disease is selected from the group consisting of sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, amyloidosis, Fabry’s disease, and Hurler’s syndrome.
57. The method of claim 55, wherein the cardiomyopathy results from a metabolic disease and the metabolic disease is selected from the group consisting of uremia, beriberi, and glycogen storage disease.
58. The method of claim 52, wherein the coronary condition is an arrhythmia or a dysrythmia resulting from or associated with an ischemic syndrome, a cardiotoxin, adriamycin, an infection, hypertension, a metabolic disease, radiation, a neuromuscular disease, an infiltrative disease, trauma, or an idiopathic cause.
60. The method of claim 52, wherein the coronary condition is an infection caused by a pathogenic agent selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a virus, a fungus, and a parasite.
62. The method of claim 52, wherein the coronary condition is an inflammatory condition and the inflammatory condition is associated with myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis, immune cardiac rejection, and an inflammatory conditions resulting from one of idiopathic, autoimmune, or a connective tissue disease.
63. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
(c) enhancing access of the first therapeutic agent to myocardial tissue prior to administering the pharmaceutical composition.
64. The method of claim 63, wherein enhancing access comprises a step selected from the group consisting of increasing penetration of myocardial tissue by the first therapeutic agent, and creating perfusion channels.
65. The method of claim 64, wherein increasing penetration comprises an administration of a proangiogenic factor to a pericardial space of a patient to increase vascularization of myocardial tissue.
66. The method of claim 64, wherein increasing penetration comprises administering the first therapeutic agent in a formulation that increases tissue penetration of the first therapeutic agent.
68. The method of claim 17, wherein the component is a gel and the gel comprises Focalgel.
69. The method of claim 17, wherein the component is a liposome and the liposome comprises Depofoam.
70. The method of claim 18, wherein the component is a gel and the gel comprises Focalgel.
71. The method of claim 18, wherein the component is a liposome and the liposome comprises Depofoam.
72. A method of treating cardiac muscle tissue comprising:
(a) identifying an infarct or ischemic zone,
(b) accessing a pericardial space in the region of the infarct or ischemic zone, and
(c) delivering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic agent to the region of the infarct or ischemic zone.
73. The method of claim 72 wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of an adherent gel, a polymer, a targeting ligand, a targeting antibody, and an agent active at low pH.
74. The method of claim 72 wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a combination of at least two therapeutic agents.
75. The method of claim 72 wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of an anti-apoptotic agent, a thrombolytic agent, a pro-angiogenic agent, an anti-arrythmic agent, a contractility improving agent, a complement blocker, an inhibitor of reperfusion injury, a calcium channel blocker, a beta-blocker, an afterload reducer, a preload reducer, a vasoactive agent, an anti-thrombotic agent, an anti-platelet agent, anti-proliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an immunomodulating agent, an immunosuppressive agent, an inhibitor of reactive oxygen metabolites, an anti-angiogenic agent, a myocyte growth factor, a vasoactive agent, a cardioprotective agent, an iron-chelating agent, an anti-hypertensive agent, an anti-integrin agent, a pro-apoptotic agent, an anti-viral agent, an anti-parasitic agent, a free radical scavenger, an anti-tumor agent, a protein that may be deficient or downregulated during development of cardiomyopathy, and biologically active derivatives thereof.
76. The method of claim 72, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), an inhibitor of interleukin 1 converting enzyme, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), urokinase, streptokinase, an inhibitor of 2 plasmin inhibitor, an inhibitor of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin, transforming growth factor (TGF-), transforming growth factor (TGF-), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), placental growth factor (PGF), hepatocyte growth factor, proliferin, decay accelerating factor, CAB-2, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), heparin, hirudin, protein C, protein S, anti-thrombin III, tick anti-coagulant peptide (TAP), anti-stasin, glycoprotein IIbIIa antagonist, antibodies, Herpes thymidine kinase, fas, faf, platelet factor 4, thrombospondin, a tissue inhibitor of a metalloproteinase, prolactin, bFGF soluble receptor, a proliferin-related protein, myocyte growth factor, superoxide dismutase (SOD), troponin C, beta-adrenergic receptor, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), nematode anti-coagulant protein (NAP), biologically active fragments thereof, and chimeras thereof.
77. The method of claim 72 wherein the therapeutic agent is an FGF polypeptide.
78. The method of claim 77 wherein the FGF polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of bFGF, AFGF, and FGF-5.
79. The method of claim 72 wherein the therapeutic agent is an IGF-I polypeptide.
80. A method of accessing the pericardial space for administration of a therapeutic agent to the pericardial space comprising:
(a) providing an agent capable of lysing a pericardialepicardial adhesion,
(b) administering the agent to the pericardial space.
81. The method of claim 80 further comprising the step of:
(c) expanding the pericardial space.
82. The method of claim 81 wherein expanding the pericardial space comprises temporary administration of liquid or gas.
83. The method of claim 80 wherein the agent capable of lysing a pericardialepicardial adhesion is an agent selected from the group consisting of any fibrinolytic agent, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), streptokinase, urokinase, collagenase, and a matrix metalloprotease.
84. The method of claim 80 wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of an anti-apoptotic agent, a thrombolytic agent, a pro-angiogenic agent, an anti-arrythmic agent, a contractility improving agent, a complement blocker, an inhibitor of reperfusion injury, a calcium channel blocker, a beta-blocker, an afterload reducer, a preload reducer, a vasoactive agent, an anti-thrombotic agent, an anti-platelet agent, anti-proliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an immunomodulating agent, an immunosuppressive agent, an inhibitor of reactive oxygen metabolites, an anti-angiogenic agent, a myocyte growth factor, a vasoactive agent, a cardioprotective agent, an iron-chelating agent, an anti-hypertensive agent, an anti-integrin agent, a pro-apoptotic agent, an anti-viral agent, an anti-parasitic agent, a free radical scavenger, an anti-tumor agent, a protein that may be deficient or downregulated during development of cardiomyopathy, and biologically active derivatives thereof.
85. The method of claim 80, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), an inhibitor of interleukin 1 converting enzyme, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), urokinase, streptokinase, an inhibitor of 2 plasmin inhibitor, an inhibitor of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin, transforming growth factor (TGF-), transforming growth factor (TGF-), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), placental growth factor (PGF), hepatocyte growth factor, proliferin, decay accelerating factor, CAB-2, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), heparin, hirudin, protein C, protein S, anti-thrombin III, tick anti-coagulant peptide (TAP), anti-stasin, glycoprotein IIbIIa antagonist, antibodies, Herpes thymidine kinase, fas, faf, platelet factor 4, thrombospondin, a tissue inhibitor of a metalloproteinase, prolactin, bFGF soluble receptor, a proliferin-related protein, myocyte growth factor, superoxide dismutase (SOD), troponin C, beta-adrenergic receptor, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), nematode anti-coagulant protein (NAP), biologically active fragments thereof, and chimeras thereof.
86. Use of a therapeutic agent administered intrapericardially to treat a coronary condition wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of an anti-apoptotic agent, a thrombolytic agent, a pro-angiogenic agent, an anti-arrythmic agent, a contractility improving agent, a complement blocker, an inhibitor of reperfusion injury, a calcium channel blocker, a beta-blocker, an afterload reducer, a preload reducer, a vasoactive agent, an anti-thrombotic agent, an anti-platelet agent, anti-proliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an immunomodulating agent, an immunosuppressive agent, an inhibitor of reactive oxygen metabolites, an anti-angiogenic agent, a myocyte growth factor, a vasoactive agent, a cardioprotective agent, an iron-chelating agent, an anti-hypertensive agent, an anti-integrin agent, a pro-apoptotic agent, an anti-viral agent, an anti-parasitic agent, a free radical scavenger, a protein that may be deficient or downregulated during development of cardiomyopathy, and biologically active derivatives thereof.
87. Use of a therapeutic agent administered intrapericardially to treat a coronary condition wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), an inhibitor of interleukin 1 converting enzyme, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), urokinase, streptokinase, an inhibitor of 2 plasmin inhibitor, an inhibitor of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin, transforming growth factor (TGF-), transforming growth factor (TGF-), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), placental growth factor (PGF), hepatocyte growth factor, proliferin, decay accelerating factor, CAB-2, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), heparin, hirudin, protein C, protein S, anti-thrombin III, tick anti-coagulant peptide (TAP), anti-stasin, glycoprotein IIbIIa antagonist, antibodies, Herpes thymidine kinase, fas, faf, platelet factor 4, thrombospondin, a tissue inhibitor of a metalloproteinase, prolactin, bFGF soluble receptor, a proliferin-related protein, myocyte growth factor, superoxide dismutase (SOD), troponin C, beta-adrenergic receptor, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), nematode anti-coagulant protein (NAP), biologically active fragments thereof, and chimeras thereof, to treat a coronary condition.
88. Use of intrapericardially delivered troponic C to treat cardiomyopathy.
89. Use of an intrapericardially delivered anti-tumor agent selected from the group consisting of a chemotherapeutic agent, a radiation sensitizer, and a radioactive implant to treat heart cancer.
90. Use of an intrapericardially delivered inhibitor selected from the group consisting of an inhibitor of lipid or cholesterol synthesis or deposition, an inhibitor of macrophage or inflammatory cell recruitment or activation, a microtubule inhibitor, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-thrombotic agent, an anti-platelet agent, and an inhibitor of neointimal proliferation to treat a cardiovascular indication.
91. Use of an intrapericardially delivered anti-proliferative agent to treat a coronary condition characterized by cell-proliferation selected from the group consisting of a ribozyme, an antisense oligonucleotide, an antibody, an inhibitor against c-myb, ras, raf, PI3 kinase, or cyclin, a suicide protein, a suicide gene, a proapoptotic protein, and a proapoptotic gene.
92. Use of an intrapericardially delivered anti-angiogenic agent to treat a coronary condition selected from the group consisting of platelet factor 4, thrombospondin, a tissue inhibitor of a metaloproteinase, angiostatin, TFG-, interferon-, a proliferin-related protein, biologically active fragments thereof, and chimeras thereof.
93. Use of an intrapericardially delivered antibiotic selected from the group consisting of an anti-viral agent, anti-trypanosomal agent, anti-bacterial agent, and an anti-fungal agent to treat a coronary infection.
94. Use of an intrapericardially delivered immunomodulating agent selected from the group consisting of a cytotoxic agent, a steroid, cyclosporin, and a complement inhibitor to treat a coronary condition.
95. Use of an intrapericardially delivered antiinflammatory agent selected from the group consisting of a steroid, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent, cyclosporin, a chemotherapeutic agent, and a complement inhibitor to treat a coronary condition characterized by inflammation.
96. Use of an intrapericardially delivered anti-arrhythmic agent selected from the group consisting of adenosine, quinidine, propranolol, digoxin, lidocaine, bretylium, amiodarone, and verapamil to treat a coronary condition.
97. Use of an intrapericardially delivered anti-hypertensive agent selected from the group consisting of hydralazine, propranolol, atrial naturetic peptide, and an endothelin antagonist to treat a coronary condition.
98. The method of claim 1 wherein the first therapeutic agent comprises L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase.
99. The method of claim 98 further comprising the step of:
(c) administering a second therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of L-Dopa, tyrosine, a polynucleotide encoding tyrosine hydroxylase, and a tyrosine hydroxylase polypeptide.
100. The method of claim 1 wherein the first therapeutic agent comprises vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF), a biologically active fragment thereof or a chimera thereof.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A wrist brace comprising in combination
a) a flexible holder to receive the user’s wrist and having two flaps adapted to be closed toward one another or toward the wrist to secure the holder about the wrist of the user,
b) a carrier associated with one flap;
c) tightening straps associated with said carrier, said straps having ends anchored by said carrier,
d) loops on the other flap to pass said straps therethrough,
e) the straps and carrier having connective material thereon whereby the straps can be pulled and tightened after passing through said loops, to adjustably press-together on the connective material on the carrier, and
f) said carrier being adjustably supported by said one flap.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said straps have ends anchored by said carrier.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the anchored ends of the said straps are attached to said carrier at locations spaced along the length of said carrier.
4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said loops are in lengthwise alignment.
5. The combination of claim 1 including at least one stiffener carried by a flap and extending lengthwise to extend beneath all three straps.
6. The combination of claim 1 including at least two stiffeners carried by the holder, and extending lengthwise thereof, said stiffeners spaced apart about a wrist reception zone, whereby flexible holder zones are defined between or proximate to the stiffeners.
7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said stiffeners are metallic.
8. The combination of claim 6 wherein there are at least three of said stiffeners, there being cushioning material underlying said stiffeners, to cushion tightening of the brace about the user’s wrist.
9. The combination of claim 1 including a flexible auxiliary strap connected to the holder to be adjustably folded over a zone between the user’s thumb and forefinger, for adjustable connection to the holder, for firmly attaching the holder in lengthwise position on the wrist.
10. The combination of claim 1 including a flexible auxiliary strap connected to the holder to be adjustably folded over a zone between the user’s thumb and forefinger, for adjustable connection to the holder, for firmly attaching the holder in lengthwise position on the wrist.
11. The combination of claim 10 wherein there are three of said tightening straps positioned in spaced relation to the auxiliary strap, when said auxiliary strap is adjustably connected to said connective material on the holder.
12. The combination of claim 1 wherein the flexible holder has U-shape cross-section.
13. A wrist brace comprising in combination
a) a flexible holder to receive the user’s wrist and having two flaps adapted to be closed toward one another or toward the wrist to secure the holder about the wrist of the user,
b) a carrier associated with one flap;
c) tightening straps associated with said carrier, said straps having ends anchored by said carrier,
d) loops on the other flap to pass said straps,
e) the straps and carrier having connective material thereon whereby the straps can be pulled and tightened after passing through said loops, to adjustable press-together on the connective material on the carrier,
f) and including a flexible auxiliary strap connected to the holder to be adjustable folded over a zone between the user’s thumb and forefinger, for adjustable connection to the holder, for firmly attaching the holder in lengthwise position on the wrist,
g) and including a second auxiliary strap carried by the holder to be wrapped about the user’s thumb projecting from the holder, and fastened in support position.
14. The brace of claim 1 including a stretchable protective web interconnecting free end portions of the flaps.
15. The combination of claim 5 wherein said stiffener is bowed, lengthwise, and retained in a pocket defined by the holder, in inserted position.
16. A wrist brace comprising a C-shaped holder consisting of flexible sheet material, the holder sized to fit about the wrist, there being multiple stiffeners received in pockets on the holder and extending lengthwise of the holder, and cushioning pads carried by the holder inwardly of the stiffeners, the holder defining flexible zones between successive stiffeners and associated pockets, and retention straps carried by an adjustable carrier flap on the holder to wrap about the pockets and flexible zones for retaining the holder and stiffeners in affixed and adjusted condition to the wrist of the user.
17. The brace of claim 16 including a first auxiliary strap carried by the holder to extend over the region between the user’s thumb and forefingers, and fasten to the holder.
18. The brace of claim 17 including a second auxiliary strap carried by the holder to wrap about the user’s thumb projecting through a side opening in the holder.
19. The brace of claim 16 wherein there are at least three of said retention straps, and including retention loops carried by the holder to receive said retention straps.
20. The method of using a wrist brace that includes
i) providing the brace of claim 16, and
ii) selectively removing or adding one or more of the stiffeners from or to their associated pockets, to obtain best fit to the user’s wrist when the brace is in attached position,
iii) wrapping the retention straps about the remaining stiffeners.

What is claimed is:

1. A containment system for samples of dangerous goods stored at cryogenic temperatures, comprising:
a bag made of a cryogenically compatible polymer film with a sealing mechanism that will seal the bag when it is actuated;
a porous structural cartridge for holding a plurality of sample receptacles separate from one another, comprising:
a cartridge base with a plurality of sample receptacle apertures for holding the plurality of sample receptacles; and
a cartridge cover that mates with the cartridge base to enclose the plurality of sample receptacle apertures and any sample receptacles held within said plurality of sample receptacle apertures.
2. A containment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the polymer film is selected from the group consisting of Teflon FEP and Kapton polyimide film.
3. A containment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the polymer film is a fluorinated ethylene propylene resin.
4. A containment system as recited in claim 3, wherein the polymer film meets American Society for Testing and Materials Standard Specification D2116-97 for FEP-Fluorocarbon Molding and Extrusion Materials.
5. A containment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the polymer film is comprised of a polyimide film.
6. A containment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sealing mechanism is a mechanical closure.
7. A containment system as recited in claim 6, wherein the mechanical closure is constructed of two materials with dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion.
8. A containment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sealing mechanism is an adhesive joint.
9. A containment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sealing mechanism is a heat seal.
10. A containment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the structural cartridge is made of a polypropylene polymer compound.
11. A containment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the structural cartridge has sufficient absorbing capacity to absorb the entire contents of all of the plurality of sample receptacles held within the plurality of sample receptacle apertures.
12. A containment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the bag has a handle useful for lowering the system into a specimen chamber of a dewar vessel and for removing the system from the specimen chamber.
13. A containment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the handle is comprised of a loop of the polymer film.
14. A containment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the system is designed and constructed to withstand the standards of UN Class 6.2 certification.
15. A containment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the porous structural cartridge is further comprised of:
one or more additional cartridge bases, each such additional cartridge base having an additional plurality of sample receptacle apertures for holding an additional plurality of sample receptacles and adapted to matingly engage with a bottom of a separate cartridge base to enclose the additional plurality of sample receptacle apertures and any additional sample receptacles held within said plurality of additional sample receptacle apertures.
16. A containment system as recited in claim 15, wherein the cartridge base and the one or more additional cartridge base form a substantially cylindrical shape when stacked together and held within the bag once the sealing mechanism is actuated.
17. A containment system for samples of dangerous goods shipped in a specimen chamber of a portable, insulated shipping container for storing materials at cryogenic temperatures through the use of a liquid cryogen in a dewar vessel that meets the standards of UN Class 6.2 certification, comprising:
a sealed bag made of a cryogenically compatible polymer; and
a porous structural cartridge with a removable lid that encloses a plurality of sample receptacles held separate from one another in a plurality of sample receptacles, the porous structural cartridge being held within the sealed bag;
wherein the structural cartridge has sufficient absorbing capacity to absorb the entire contents of all of the plurality of sample receptacles held within the plurality of sample receptacle apertures.
18. A containment system as recited in claim 17, wherein the cryogenically compatible polymer is selected from the group consisting of a fluorinated ethylene propylene resin or a polyimide film.
19. A containment system as recited in claim 18, wherein the bag has a handle useful for lowering the system into a specimen chamber of a dewar vessel and for removing the system from the specimen chamber.
20. A containment system as recited in claim 19, further comprising:
an additional cartridge base that matingly engages with the structural cartridge which serves as an additional removable lid that encloses an additional plurality of sample receptacles held separate from one another in an additional plurality of sample receptacles apertures, the additional cartridge base having sufficient absorbing capacity to absorb the entire contents of all of the additional plurality of sample receptacles held within the additional plurality of sample receptacle apertures.
21. A dewar vessel assembly that includes a containment system for samples of dangerous goods that meets the standards of UN Class 6.2 certification in an insulated shipping container for storing materials at cryogenic temperatures through the use of a liquid cryogen, comprising:
a dewar vessel having an outer casing and an inner vessel with each having openings at their tops connected together by a neck portion forming an evacuable space between the outer casing and the inner vessel and a dewar opening into the inner vessel;
a specimen chamber held within the inner vessel that extends inside the inner vessel and is accessed through the dewar opening;
a sealed bag made of a cryogenically compatible polymer that is held within the specimen chamber;
a porous structural cartridge with a removable lid that encloses a plurality of sample receptacles held separate from one another in a plurality of sample receptacles, the porous structural cartridge being held within the sealed bag; and
a cryogenically compatible open cell plastic absorbent foam held within the inner vessel between an inner wall of the inner vessel and the specimen chamber;
wherein the specimen chamber is comprised of an open-celled porous thermoplastic material that is cryogenically compatible that acts as a filter to prevent particles or fragments of the absorbent foam from entering into the specimen chamber while allowing a liquid cryogen to pass through the specimen chamber into the absorbent foam and allowing the liquid cryogen in a vapor phase liquid state to pass from the absorbent foam into the specimen chamber;
wherein the structural cartridge has sufficient absorbing capacity to absorb the entire contents of all of the plurality of sample receptacles held within the plurality of sample receptacle apertures.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. An infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material comprising:
a support; and
a photothermosensitive layer formed on the support, wherein the photothermosensitive layer includes an alkali-soluble resin (A), a photothermal converting substance (B), and an ester compound (C) represented by the following General Formula (I), and increases solubility thereof to an alkaline developer as a result of exposure to an infrared laser,
28
wherein, R1 represents a hydrocarbon group having a pKa of R1OH in a range of 3 to 10; and R2 represents a hydrocarbon group or a substituted carbonyl group.
2. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 1, wherein the photothermosensitive layer comprises multiple layers.
3. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 2, wherein the ester compound (C) represented by General Formula (I) is included in at least one of the multiple layers.
4. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 2, wherein the multiple photothermosensitive layers comprise a layer which is formed on the support and soluble in an alkaline developer, and a layer which is formed on the alkali-soluble layer and which is reactive to an infrared laser, and the ester compound (C) represented by General Formula (I) is included in at least the alkali-soluble layer.
5. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon group represented by R1 in General Formula (I) includes an electron-withdrawing substituent.
6. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 5, wherein the electron-withdrawing substituent is selected from a halogen atom, and cyano, nitro, carboxyl, substituted carbonyl (R4C(O)), and substituted sulfonyl (R5S(O)2) groups.
7. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 1, wherein the ester compound(c) represented by General Formula (I) is a compound further represented by the following General Formula (II),
29
wherein R3 to R5 each represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group.
8. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 1, wherein the ester compound(C) represented by General Formula (I) is a compound further represented by the following General Formula (III),
30
wherein Q1 represents a hydrocarbon group, or a substituted oxy, substituted amino, or substituted thio group.
9. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 7, wherein the ester compound(C) represented by General Formula (I) is a compound further represented by the following General Formula (IV),
31
wherein R3 to R5 each represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; and Ar1 represents an aryl group having a pKa of Ar1OH in a range of 3 to 10.
10. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 8, wherein the ester compound(C) represented by General Formula (I) is a compound further represented by the following General Formula (V),
32
wherein Q1 represents a hydrocarbon group, or a substituted oxy, substituted amino, or substituted thio group; and Ar1 represents an aryl group having a pKa of Ar1OH in a range of 3 to 10.
11. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 1, wherein the ester compound(C) represented by General Formula (I) is added in an amount of 0.5 to 30.0% by mass with respect to a total amount of solid contents in the photothermosensitive layer.
12. An infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material comprising:
a support;
a first layer which is formed on the support and which is soluble in an alkaline developer; and
a second layer which is formed on the first layer and increases solubility thereof to the alkaline developer as a result of exposure to an infrared laser, wherein
at least one of the first and second layers includes an ester compound represented by the General Formula (I),
33
wherein, R1 represents a hydrocarbon group having a pKa of R1OH in a range of 3 to 10; and R2 represents a hydrocarbon or substituted carbonyl group.
13. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 12, wherein the ester compound represented by General Formula (I) is included in the first layer, which is soluble in an alkaline developer.
14. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 12, wherein at least one layer of the first and second layers includes a photothermal converting substance.
15. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 12, wherein the hydrocarbon group represented by R1 in General Formula (I) includes an electron-withdrawing substituent.
16. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 15, wherein the electron-withdrawing substituent is selected from a halogen atom, and cyano, nitro, carboxyl, substituted carbonyl (R4C(O)), and substituted sulfonyl (R5S(O)2) groups.
17. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 12, wherein the ester compound represented by General Formula (I) is a compound further represented by the following General Formula (II),
34
wherein R3 to R5 each represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group.
18. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 12, wherein the ester compound represented by General Formula (I) is a compound further represented by the following General Formula (III),
35
wherein Q1 represents a hydrocarbon group or a substituted oxy, substituted amino, or substituted thio group.
19. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 17, wherein the ester compound represented by General Formula (I) is a compound further represented by the following General Formula (IV),
36
wherein R3 to R5 each represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; and Ar1 represents an aryl group having a pKa of Ar1OH in a range of 3 to 10.
20. The infrared laser-compatible positive-type image recording material according to claim 18, wherein the ester compound represented by General Formula (I) is a compound further represented by the following General Formula (V),
37
wherein Q1 represents a hydrocarbon group or a substituted oxy, substituted amino, or substituted thio group; and Ar1 represents an aryl group having a pKa of Ar1OH in a range of 3 to 10.