Abstract: New ampholyte biomaterial compounds containing ampholyte moieties are synthesized and integrated into polymeric assemblies to provide hydrophilic polymers exhibiting improved biocompatibility, haemocompatibility, hydrophilicity non-thrombogenicity, anti-bacterial ability, and mechanical strength, as well as suitability as a drug delivery platform.

Abstract: Antimicrobial and antithrombogenic polymer or polymeric blend, compounds, coatings, and materials containing the same, as well as articles made with, or coated with the same, and methods of making the same exhibiting improved antimicrobial properties and reduced platelet adhesion. Embodiments include polymers with antimicrobial and antithrombogenic groups bound to a single polymer backbone, an antimicrobial polymer blended with an antithrombogenic polymer, and medical devices coated with the antimicrobial and antithrombogenic polymer or polymeric blend.

Abstract: New ampholyte biomaterial compounds containing ampholyte moieties are synthesized and integrated into polymeric assemblies to provide hydrophilic polymers exhibiting improved biocompatibility, haemocompatibility, hydrophilicity non-thrombogenicity, anti-bacterial ability, and mechanical strength, as well as suitability as a drug delivery platform.

Abstract: The invention includes a medical hydrogel made from polymerized polysaccharide macromers. The macromers are preferably polysaccharides decorated with polymerizable groups, for example, methacrylates. The macromers may also be made into polymers of at least two macromers polymerized together. These polymers are preferably multi-armed or high-molecular weight and used for medical uses, for example, making coatings on medical devices. Macromers of N-vinylpyrrolidone are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Substrates may be coated with copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidinone and aryl ketones. Processes are described for making the copolymers at high molecular weight with the ketones randomly dispersed on the copolymer.

Abstract: A wound closure apparatus is provided which utilizes blood fluid by activating the clotting cascade of blood fluid outside the body within a substantially enclosed sterile container then introducing, the blood fluid to the wound site to complete clotting. An apparatus for providing ways of inhibiting anticoagulating agents, and slowing fibrin clot degradation are also disclosed. Kits for practicing the invention singularly or in combination with, and/or associated with preferred procedures are also disclosed. The invention provides a clotting cascade initiation apparatus (1) including a substantially enclosed sterile containment chamber within which an aliquot of blood fluid, either autologous or from donor sources can be received, and retained. In preferred embodiments, the sterile containment chamber further includes a heparin binding agent which will bind heparin and remove it from the blood fluid.

Abstract: The invention includes a medical hydrogel made from polymerized polysaccharide macromers. The macromers are preferably polysaccharides decorated with polymerizable groups, for example, methacrylates. The macromers may also be made into polymers of at least two macromers polymerized together. These polymers are preferably multi-armed or high-molecular weight and used for medical uses, for example, making coatings on medical devices. Macromers of N-vinylpyrrolidone are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A family of infection resistant and biocidal polymeric materials incorporates an infection resistant biguanide such as chlorhexidine or polyhexanide pendant to the polymer chain, chemically linked to the polymer through the biguanide group secondary nitrogen atoms. The disclosure extends to the use of such polymeric materials in articles of manufacture and particularly in medical devices, and the preparation of the materials as polymer resins from which articles can be made, as solutions and emulsions which can be used for coating performed articles, and in situ on the surface of preformed polymeric articles.

Abstract: Methods of making a coating on a medical device are disclosed, including associating a composition with at least a portion of the device to form a layer. In some embodiments, a composition may include a copolymer prepared from a room temperature melt of a plurality of monomer units that comprises a first monomer unit and a second monomer unit, wherein the second monomer unit has a glass transition temperature that is at least about 30 degrees Centigrade higher than the glass transition temperature of the first monomer unit, with a glass transition temperature of a monomer unit being defined as a glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of that monomer unit.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include carbonate esters of rapamycin at position 42 that are synthesized by a lipase catalyzed regio-specific process. These compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are useful in the treatment of organ and tissue transplant rejection, autoimmune disease, proliferative disorder, restenosis, cancer, or microbial infection.

Abstract: A wound closure system and methods utilizes a patient's own blood. The system preferably includes a chamber with a needle and a plunger for transferring and storing blood prior to surgery and the use of reversible anticoagulants. The chamber is pre-loaded with a reversible anticoagulant to prevent the blood from clotting during storage. When the surgery is complete, a counteracting agent is mixed with the withdrawn blood to counteract the reversible anticoagulant and allow the blood to clot. The clottable blood is then reintroduced into the patient to close a wound.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention set forth materials and methods for inhibiting mammalian cell growth by use of a chemical material containing at least one biguanide group, —NH—C(NH)—NH—C(NH)—NH—, in the preparation of, e.g., a medicament or medical device. The chemical material may be, e.g., monomeric or polymeric.

Abstract: Materials and methods for reacting polysaccharides are set forth. Examples include reacting polysaccharides with a surface, and reacting polysaccharides with other polysaccharides or polymers to form a polysaccharide polymer. Layers of polysaccharides and/or polysaccharide polymers may be formed on surfaces, for example, medical device surfaces that contact bodily fluids.

Abstract: A wound closure apparatus is provided which utilizes blood fluid by activating the clotting cascade of blood fluid outside the body within a substantially enclosed sterile container then introducing, the blood fluid to the wound site to complete clotting. An apparatus for providing ways of inhibiting anticoagulating agents, and slowing fibrin clot degradation are also disclosed. Kits for practicing the invention singularly or in combination with, and/or associated with preferred procedures are also disclosed. The invention provides a clotting cascade initiation apparatus (1) including a substantially enclosed sterile containment chamber within which an aliquot of blood fluid, either autologous or from donor sources can be received, and retained. In preferred embodiments, the sterile containment chamber further includes a heparin binding agent which will bind heparin and remove it from the blood fluid.

Abstract: Methods of making a coating on a medical device are disclosed, including associating a composition with at least a portion of the device to form a layer. In some embodiments, a composition may include a copolymer prepared from a room temperature melt of a plurality of monomer units that comprises a first monomer unit and a second monomer unit, wherein the second monomer unit has a glass transition temperature that is at least about 30 degrees Centigrade higher than the glass transition temperature of the first monomer unit, with a glass transition temperature of a monomer unit being defined as a glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of that monomer unit.

Abstract: Antimicrobial and antithrombogenic polymer or polymeric blend, compounds, coatings, and materials containing the same, as well as articles made with, or coated with the same, and methods of making the same exhibiting improved antimicrobial properties and reduced platelet adhesion. Embodiments include polymers with antimicrobial and antithrombogenic groups bound to a single polymer backbone, an antimicrobial polymer blended with an antithrombogenic polymer, and medical devices coated with the antimicrobial and antithrombogenic polymer or polymeric blend.

Abstract: Antimicrobial and antithrombogenic polymer or polymeric blend, compounds, coatings, and materials containing the same, as well as articles made with, or coated with the same, and methods of making the same exhibiting improved antimicrobial properties and reduced platelet adhesion. Embodiments include polymers with antimicrobial and antithrombogenic groups bound to a single polymer backbone, an antimicrobial polymer blended with an antithrombogenic polymer, and medical devices coated with the antimicrobial and antithrombogenic polymer or polymeric blend.