Abstract: The invention provides a method for single-step surface modification, grafting and sterilization for bio-active coating on materials and biomaterials used in medical devices, such as catheters, tissue engineering scaffolds, or drug delivery carrier materials. This may include any medical device or implantable that could benefit from improved antithrombogenic and biocompatible surfaces. Other relevant device examples may include heparin or urokinase coated stents to reduce clotting and restenosis, dental or ophthamological implants. These materials may be comprised of a variety of polymeric compositions such as, polyurethane, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyHEMA, polyvinyl alcohol, polysiloxanes, polylactic or glycolic acids, polycaprolactone, etc. The substrates can also be metal, ceramics or biologically derived materials.

Abstract: The present invention includes biocompatible coatings and films for use on implantable medical devices and medical devices containing such coatings and films applied to a surface thereof, which coatings/films are present on the device in an amount effective to provide an inert surface to be in contact with body tissue of a mammal upon implantation of the device in the mammal, and contain a film-forming polyfluoro copolymer containing the polymerized residue of a moiety selected from the group consisting of vinylidenefluoride and tetrafluoroethylene copolymerized with a second moiety other than the first moiety, wherein the relative amounts of the polymerized residue of the first and second moieties are effective to provide the coating and films with properties effective for use in coating implantable med devices.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, and more particularly to a method of forming a tubular membrane on a radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electrostatically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer. In addition, the membrane or membranes may go through some post processing to achieve desired characteristics or configurations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method of forming the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical device having a tubular membrane structure over a radially expandable structural frame, and to a method of forming the tubular membrane on the radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electro-statically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for single-step surface modification, grafting and sterilization for bio-active coating on materials and biomaterials used in medical devices, such as catheters, tissue engineering scaffolds, or drug delivery carrier materials. This may include any medical device or implantable that could benefit from improved antithrombogenic and biocompatible surfaces. Other relevant device examples may include heparin or urokinase coated stents to reduce clotting and restenosis, dental or ophthamological implants. These materials may be comprised of a variety of polymeric compositions such as, polyurethane, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyHEMA, polyvinyl alcohol, polysiloxanes, polylactic or glycolic acids, polycaprolactone, etc. The substrates can also be metal, ceramics or biologically derived materials.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable coatings for bioabsorbable implantable medical devices having dragging or engagement surfaces. The coatings on a surface of the devices reduce device drag.

Abstract: The present patent describes a biocompatible composite made of a first fibrous layer attached to a three-dimensional inter-connected open cell porous foams that have a gradient in composition and/or microstructure through one or more directions. These composites can be made from blends of absorbable and biocompatible polymers. These biocompatible composites are particularly well suited to tissue engineering applications and can be designed to mimic tissue transition or interface zones.

Abstract: The present patent describes a three-dimensional inter-connected open cell porous foams that have a gradient in composition and/or microstructure through one or more directions. These foams can be made from a blend of absorbable and biocompatible polymers that are formed into foams having a compositional gradient transitioning from predominately one polymeric material to predominately a second polymeric material. These gradient foams are particularly well suited to tissue engineering applications and can be designed to mimic tissue transition or interface zones.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: The present invention includes biocompatible coatings and films for use on implantable medical devices and medical devices containing such coatings and films applied to a surface thereof, which coatings/films are present on the device in an amount effective to provide an inert surface to be in contact with body tissue of a mammal upon implantation of the device in the mammal, and contain a film-forming polyfluoro copolymer containing the polymerized residue of a moiety selected from the group consisting of vinylidenefluoride and tetrafluoroethylene copolymerized with a second moiety other than the first moiety, wherein the relative amounts of the polymerized residue of the first and second moieties are effective to provide the coating and films with properties effective for use in coating implantable med devices.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned. An efficient and effective sterilization process is also set forth.

Abstract: The present patent describes a three-dimensional interconnected open cell porous foams that have a gradient in composition and/or microstructure through one or more directions. These foams can be made from a blend of absorbable and biocompatible polymers that are formed into foams having a compositional gradient transitioning from predominately one polymeric material to predominately a second polymeric material. These gradient foams are particularly well suited to tissue engineering applications and can be designed to mimic tissue transition or interface zones.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved lyophilization process for forming biocompatible foam structures. The process allows the foam structures to be tailored for specific end uses. The foams formed by this process are well suited to be used in medical applications such as tissue engineering.

Abstract: The present invention provides surgical article and suture coated with bioabsorbable microdispersions which contains a fluid carrier that is a liquid polymer and a particular material.

Abstract: The present patent describes a three-dimensional inter-connected open cell porous foams that have a gradient in composition and/or microstructure through one or more directions. These foams can be made from a blend of absorbable and biocompatible polymers that are formed into foams having a compositional gradient transitioning from predominately one polymeric material to predominately a second polymeric material. These gradient foams are particularly well suited to tissue engineering applications and can be designed to mimic tissue transition or interface zones.

Abstract: An apparatus for achieving hemostasis and pneumostasis along a staple line by utilizing a compliant bioabsorbable foam buttress which may be attached to one jaw of a surgical stapling apparatus by a biocompatible releasable adhesive.

Abstract: The present patent describes a three-dimensional interconnected open cell porous foams that have a gradient in composition and/or microstructure through one or more directions. These foams can be made from a blend of absorbable and biocompatible polymers that are formed into foams having a compositional gradient transitioning from predominately one polymeric material to predominately a second polymeric material. These gradient foams are particularly well suited to tissue engineering applications and can be designed to mimic tissue transition or interface zones.

Abstract: The present patent describes a biocompatible composite made of a first fibrous layer attached to a three-dimensional inter-connected open cell porous foams that have a gradient in composition and/or microstructure through one or more directions. These composites can be made from blends of absorbable and biocompatible polymers. These biocompatible composites are particularly well suited to tissue engineering applications and can be designed to mimic tissue transition or interface zones.