Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, urological medical devices are provided, which comprise a prostatically beneficial agent selected from alpha-adrenergic blockers, antispasmodic agents, anticholinergic/antimuscarinic agents, calcium channel blockers, anti-inflammatory agents, hormone-affecting agents, anti-cancer agents, and combinations thereof, among others. The urological medical devices are adapted for implantation or insertion into a subject's urinary tract, whereupon at least a portion of the prostatically beneficial agent is released into the subject's prostatic urethra. The release profile of the prostatically beneficial agent is effective to treat a prostatic disorder, for example, benign prostate hypertrophy, prostate cancer or prostatitis, among others. Other aspects of the invention are directed to treating prostatic disorders.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric carrier regions. These polymeric carrier regions, in turn, contain a polymer, a low solubility therapeutic agent, and a solubilizing agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are mesh materials adapted for use in an implantable sling. The mesh materials include biodegradable and non-degradable components that may be adapted to facilitate scar-tissue in-growth as the biodegradable components degrade.

Abstract: A device containing a support member, a cross-linked polymer, and a pH buffer agent. A surface of the support member is coated with the cross-linked polymer in which the pH buffer agent is embedded.

Abstract: Plasma is generated in a chamber to clean a surface of a substrate. Vapor of an un-ionized organosilane compound is introduced into the same chamber to silanize the cleaned surface via a silane condensation reaction. A layer of covalently bonded organosilane molecules having functional groups is thus produced on the substrate surface. The substrate is then cured by a baking process.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymeric demulcent-containing ophthalmic composition. The method includes immersing a polymeric demulcent in water or in an aqueous solution containing one or more ingredients, agitating the water or solution at 25 to 45° C. until the polymeric demulcent is dissolved to form a polymeric demulcent-containing solution, and optionally adding one or more other ingredients to the polymeric demulcent-containing solution.

Abstract: A substrate surface is plasma cleaned and silanized in a chamber. Plasma is generated in the chamber to clean the substrate surface. Gas containing an organosilane compound is introduced into the same chamber to silanized the cleaned surface. Water is deposited on the substrate surface to facilitate silane coupling reaction. A layer of covalently bonded silane molecules having functional groups is thus produced on the substrate surface. The substrate is then cured by a baking process.

Abstract: A device containing a support member, a cross-linked polymer, and a pH buffer agent. A surface of the support member is coated with the cross-linked polymer in which the pH buffer agent is embedded.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymeric demulcent-containing ophthalmic composition. The method includes immersing a polymeric demulcent in water or in an aqueous solution containing one or more ingredients, agitating the water or solution at 25 to 45° C. until the polymeric demulcent is dissolved to form a polymeric demulcent-containing solution, and optionally adding one or more other ingredients to the polymeric demulcent-containing solution.

Abstract: A substrate surface is plasma cleaned and silanized in a chamber. Plasma is generated in the chamber to clean the substrate surface. Gas containing an organosilane compound is introduced into the same chamber to silanized the cleaned surface. Water is deposited on the substrate surface to facilitate silane coupling reaction. A layer of covalently bonded silane molecules having functional groups is thus produced on the substrate surface. The substrate is then cured by a baking process.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ionic antimicrobial coating. Such a coating may contain (1) a water-insoluble polymer having a first ionized group and (2) an antimicrobial agent having a second ionized group with a charge opposite to that of the first ionized group, in which the antimicrobial agent is attached to the water-insoluble polymer via an ionic bond between the first ionized group and the second ionized group.

Abstract: An antimicrobial coating. The antimicrobial coating contains a water-insoluble polymer having a first ionic group, and an antimicrobial agent having a second ionic group with a charge opposite to that of the first ionic group; wherein the antimicrobial agent is attached to the water-insoluble polymer via an ionic bond between the first ionic group and the second ionic group.

Abstract: A hydrophilic article for use in aqueous environments, including a substrate, an ionic polymeric layer on said substrate, and a disordered polyelectrolyte coating ionically bonded to said polymeric layer.

Abstract: A hydrophilic article for use in aqueous environments, including a substrate, an ionic polymeric layer on said substrate, and a disordered polyelectrolyte coating ionically bonded to said polymeric layer.

Abstract: A hydrophilic article for use in aqueous environments, including a substrate, an ionic polymeric layer on said substrate, and a disordered polyelectrolyte coating ionically bonded to said polymeric layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of immobilizing proteins on a polymeric matrix by means of plasma activation and an apparatus and process for the use of such material. The protein mixture is applied to the surface of the polymeric matrix with or without the addition of a crosslinking agent. It is then placed into a plasma generator, wherein the functional groups on both the protein and the matrix molecules are activated to form free radicals. Upon returning from their high energy state, the free radicals form covalent bonds between the proteins and between the protein and the polymeric matrix. Using this method, the proteins are nonspecifically immobilized on the surface of the polymeric matrix. The method can be utilized to immobilize proteins on the surfaces of polymeric membranes, polymeric beads, polymeric tubes and polymeric plates. The immobilized protein has high biological activity and stability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of immobilizing proteins on a polymeric matrix by means of plasma activation and an apparatus and process for the use of such material. The protein mixture is applied to the surface of the polymeric matrix with or without the addition of a crosslinking agent. It is then placed into a plasma generator, wherein the functional groups on both the protein and the matrix molecules are activated to form free radicals. Upon returning from their high energy state, the free radicals form covalent bonds between the proteins and between the protein and the polymeric matrix. Using this method, the proteins are nonspecifically immobilized on the surface of the polymeric matrix. The method can be utilized to immobilize proteins on the surfaces of polymeric membranes, polymeric beads, polymeric tubes and polymeric plates. The immobilized protein has high biological activity and stability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of immobilizing proteins on a polymeric matrix by means of plasma activation and an apparatus and process for the use of such material. The protein mixture is applied to the surface of the polymeric matrix with or without the addition of a crosslinking agent. If is then placed into a plasma generator, wherein the functional groups on both the protein and the matrix molecules are activated to form free radicals. Upon returning from their high energy state, the free radicals form covalent bonds between the proteins and between the protein and the polymeric matrix. Using this method, the proteins are nonspecifically immobilized on the surface of the polymeric matrix. The method can be utilized to immobilize proteins on the surface of polymeric membranes, polymeric beads, polymeric tubes and polymeric plates. The immobilized protein has high biological activity and stability.