Abstract: Disclosed herein are biocompatible coatings for a substrate, the biocompatible coating including at least one polyanionic/polycationic bilayer including at least one nitric oxide generating moiety, wherein the polyanionic/polycationic bilayer has a layer of a polycationic polymeric material; and a layer of polyanionic material capable of non-covalently bonding to the polycationic polymeric material. Devices incorporating such coatings, and methods of making and using such coatings are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for increasing, prolonging, and/or controlling the release rates of nitric oxide (NO) from polymeric materials containing NO adducts. Such NO-containing polymeric materials may find use in devices such as blood contacting devices, and biocompatible devices utilizing the same. The method and device utilizes anionic site additives, acidic site additives and/or acidic producing site additives in a polymer that contains NO-adducts to generate higher fluxes of NO to exceed NO threshold levels desirable to substantially prevent and/or minimize reactions such as platelet activation or adhesion.

Abstract: A device for detecting nitrosothiol content in a solution includes at least two electrodes disposed in a housing, wherein one of the at least two electrodes is a working electrode having a platinized tip and the other of the at least two electrodes is a counter electrode. A filter membrane is disposed at an end of the housing and is configured to come in contact with the solution. The filter membrane and at least a portion of the working electrode have a material coated thereon. The material includes a polymer and a source of copper dispersed within the material. The material and the platinized tip are configured to come into contact with the solution containing nitrosothiols to convert the nitrosothiols to nitric oxide in order to detect the nitrosothiol content.

Abstract: Biocompatible materials that have the ability to release nitric oxide (NO) in situ at the surface-blood interface when in contact with blood. The materials which may be polymers (e.g., polyurethane, poly(vinyl chloride), silicone rubbers), metals, such as stainless steel, carbon, and the like are provided with biocatalysts or biomimetic catalysts on their surface that have nitrite, nitrate, and/or nitrosothiol-reducing capability. Illustratively, the catalysts are adsorbed or immobilized at the surface of the material. The catalysts can act on endogenous nitrite, nitrate, or nitrosothiols within the blood creating a local increase in the NO levels at the surface of the material. An illustrative enzymatic biocatalyst is mammalian xanthine oxidase. In another illustrative embodiment, a biomimetic catalyst is a copper (Cu(II)-ligand complex, e.g. dibenzo[e,k]-2,3,8,9-tetraphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetraaza-cyclododeca-1,3,7,9-tetraene. In some cases, lipophilic salts of nitrite/nitrate (e.g.

Abstract: A film for detecting fluoride concentrations is disclosed. The film includes an organic matrix having a lipophilic aluminum compound incorporated therein. The lipophilic aluminum compound is adapted to selectively bind with fluoride ions via a binding interaction. The fluoride is detectable through optical or electrochemical detection of the binding interaction.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a biocompatible, thromboresistant coating including a chalcogenide compound that induces nitric oxide formation; and a biocompatible matrix incorporating the chalcogenide compound. Devices incorporating such coatings, and methods of making and using such coatings are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for devices and coatings that are substantially free of organic solvent sand suitable for insertion into a patient, and that comprise a metal layer and a coating with a thickness of about 20 nm to about 2000 nm wherein the coating comprises a biocompatible polymer comprising at least one residue covalently bonded to a nitric oxide generating compound.

Abstract: A marker molecule for monitoring cleaving enzyme activity is disclosed. The marker molecule includes a protein, a peptide, or an oligonucleotide. A co-factor is conjugated to the protein, the peptide, or the oligonucleotide, thereby forming a co-factor labeled protein, a co-factor labeled peptide, or a co-factor labeled oligonucleotide. The co-factor is adapted to produce an enzymatic signal that is optically detectable.

Abstract: A material includes a surface and a reactive agent that is located at the surface of the material, covalently attached to a backbone of the material, and/or located within the material. The reactive agent has nitrite reductase activity, nitrate reductase activity, and/or nitrosothiol reductase activity. The reactive agent also converts at least one of nitrites, nitrates and nitrosothiols to nitric oxide when in contact with blood. A reproducible nitrosothiol sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A material includes a surface and a reactive agent that is located at the surface of the material, covalently attached to a backbone of the material, and/or located within the material. The reactive agent has nitrite reductase activity, nitrate reductase activity, and/or nitrosothiol reductase activity. The reactive agent also converts at least one of nitrites, nitrates and nitrosothiols to nitric oxide when in contact with blood. A reproducible nitrosothiol sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasively determining the concentration of a substance in blood, such as glucose, include a sample portion arranged for contacting an eye region of a user to obtain a tear fluid sample, a sensor in communication with the sample portion for generating a signal related to the tear substance concentration, and a processor in communication with the sensor for determining a blood substance concentration corresponding to the tear substance concentration.

Abstract: Biocompatible materials that have the ability to release nitric oxide (NO) in situ at the surface-blood interface when in contact with blood. The materials which may be polymers (e.g., polyurethane, poly(vinyl chloride), silicone rubbers), metals, such as stainless steel, carbon, and the like are provided with biocatalysts or biomimetic catalysts on their surface that have nitrite, nitrate, and/or nitrosothiol-reducing capability. Illustratively, the catalysts are adsorbed or immobilized at the surface of the material. The catalysts can act on endogenous nitrite, nitrate, or nitrosothiols within the blood creating a local increase in the NO levels at the surface of the material. An illustrative enzymatic biocatalyst is mammalian xanthine oxidase. In another illustrative embodiment, a biomimetic catalyst is a copper (Cu(II)-ligand complex, e.g. dibenzo[e,k]-2,3,8,9-tetraphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetraaza-cyclododeca-1,3,7,9-tetraene. In some cases, lipophilic salts of nitrite/nitrate (e.g.

Abstract: A rotating electrode configuration lowers the detection limits of polyion-sensitive membrane electrodes. Planar potentiometric polycation and polyanion-sensitive membrane electrodes were prepared by incorporating tridodecylmethylammonium chloride and calcium dinonylnaphthalene sulfonate, respectively, into plasticized PVC or polyurethane membranes, and mounting discs of such films on an electrode body housed in a rotating disk electrode apparatus of the type used in voltammetry. Due to the unique non-equilibrium response mechanism of such sensors, rotation of the polyion-sensitive membrane electrodes at 5000 rpm resulted in an enhancement in the detection limits toward heparin (polyanion) and protamine (polycation) of at least 1 order of magnitude (to 0.01 U/ml for heparin; 0.02 ?g/ml for protamine) over that observed when the EMF responses of the same electrodes were assessed using a stir-bar to achieve convective mass transport.

Abstract: Biocompatible polymeric materials capable of providing in situ release of nitric oxide (NO) included diazeniumdiolated fumed silica as a filler in a multilayer polymer structure to release NO upon contact with water (blood). The blood-contacting polymer surface is preferably multi-layered so that the NO-releasing layer, containing the diazeniumdiolated fumed silica, is shielded from blood contact by one or more top (or base) coats. When in contact with blood, the NO released at the surface of the polymer prevents platelet activation and adhesion to the surface, thereby reducing platelet consumption, risk of thrombus formation and other clinical complications associated with interactions between blood and foreign materials.

Abstract: A material includes a surface and a reactive agent that is located at the surface of the material, covalently attached to a backbone of the material, and/or located within the material. The reactive agent has nitrite reductase activity, nitrate reductase activity, and/or nitrosothiol reductase activity. The reactive agent also converts at least one of nitrites, nitrates and nitrosothiols to nitric oxide when in contact with blood. A reproducible nitrosothiol sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasively determining the concentration of a substance in blood, such as glucose, include a sample portion arranged for contacting an eye region of a user to obtain a tear fluid sample, a sensor in communication with the sample portion for generating a signal related to the tear substance concentration, and a processor in communication with the sensor for determining a blood substance concentration corresponding to the tear substance concentration.

Abstract: A rotating electrode configuration lowers the detection limits of polyion-sensitive membrane electrodes. Planar potentiometric polycation and polyanion-sensitive membrane electrodes were prepared by incorporating tridodecylmethylammonium chloride and calcium dinonylnaphthalene sulfonate, respectively, into plasticized PVC or polyurethane membranes, and mounting discs of such films on an electrode body housed in a rotating disk electrode apparatus of the type used in voltammetry. Due to the unique non-equilibrium response mechanism of such sensors, rotation of the polyion-sensitive membrane electrodes at 5000 rpm resulted in an enhancement in the detection limits toward heparin (polyanion) and protamine (polycation) of at least 1 order of magnitude (to 0.01 U/ml for heparin; 0.02 &mgr;g/ml for protamine) over that observed when the EMF responses of the same electrodes were assessed using a stir-bar to achieve connective mass transport.

Abstract: Biocompatible materials that have the ability to release nitric oxide (NO) in situ at the surface-blood interface when in contact with blood. The materials which may be polymers (e.g., polyurethane, poly(vinyl chloride), silicone rubbers), metals, such as stainless steel, carbon, and the like are provided with biocatalysts or biomimetic catalysts on their surface that have nitrite, nitrate and/or nitrosothiol-reducing capability that. Illustratively, the catalysts are adsorbed or immobilized at the surface of the material. The catalysts can act on endogenous nitrite/nitrate or nitrosothiols within the blood creating a local increase in the NO levels at the surface of the material. An illustrative enzymatic biocatalyst is mammalian xanthine oxidase. In another illustrative embodiment, a biomimetic catalyst is a copper (Cu(II)-ligands complex, e.g., dibenzo[e,k]-2,3,8,9-tetraphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetraaza-cyclododeca-1,3,7,9-tetraene. In some cases, lipophilic salts of nitrite/nitrate (e.g.

Abstract: An enzyme sandwich immunoassay, device and cassette therefor for determining a target analyte are described. The enzyme sandwich immunoassay cassette (B) comprises a microporous membrane support (m) having coated thereon a conductive metal layer overlaid with a capture antibody layer (e).

Abstract: A novel enzyme sandwich immunoassay cassette comprising a microporous membrane support having coated thereon:(a) a conductive metal layer; and(b) a capture antibody layer over the conductive metal layer.