Abstract: The present invention provides for biopolymer conjugates of an IL-11 analog (mIL-11) and a biocompatible polymer. The mIL-11 of the invention displays an enhanced resistance to acidolysis and shows increased stability as compared to rhIL-11. The conjugates of the present invention are characterized by a longer serum half-life and exhibit essentially no loss of activity as compared to the corresponding unconjugated mIL-11.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an iontophoretic device having a delivery portion and a control portion that are located on a common base layer but separated from one another so as to provide increased flexibility and interface with a wearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a siRNA which targets mRNA of the NF-Kappa B p105 gene to cause its degradation by RNAi induction. In addition, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of diseases associated with aberrant cell proliferation and migration, comprising the siRNA and delivery vehicle capable of intracellular delivery of the same.

Abstract: The iontophoretic drug delivery system includes electrodes controlled by a microprocessor controller to drive charged molecules contained in a drug reservoir through the skin into the issues of a patient. The iontophoretic drug delivery system further includes an antenna connected to the programmable microprocessor. The antenna allows for the programming of the microprocessor and for the exchange of patient, drug, and treatment related information between the microprocessor and an external device. The iontophoretic drug delivery system is also provided with buttons to allow a patient to manually activate the drug delivery system. The iontophoretic drug delivery system is housed within a thin polyester film membrane.

Abstract: The present application discloses an iontophoretic device with a contact electrode for detecting placement of the device and/or characteristics of the wearer's tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conjugate of a biocompatible polymer and a G-CSF bonded through a thiol group of a dysteine residue in G-CSF at a 1:1 molar ratio, and methods of preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composition and method for inhibiting growth or propagation of spoilage or pathogen microorganisms in vegetables. Microorganisms, bacteria or yeasts, that can be naturally found or introduced into vegetables before or during their processing, such as fermentation, can be inhibited by treatment with a solution containing hydrolyzed chitosan-lactate. In this way, unprocessed and processed vegetable foods can be preserved for a longer period of time without deterioration.

Abstract: This invention relates to stents having medicated multi-layer hybrid polymer coatings, useful for the treatment of stenosed vasculature or other body passages.

Abstract: An ultrasonically visible solid device for inserting into a non-gas target medium comprises an echogenic surface having structures entrapping gas when the device is in the target medium, the entrapped gas causing the device to be ultrasonically visible, wherein the gas-entrapping structures are covered with a flexible overcoat that does not significantly reduce the compressibility of the gas trapped in the structures.

Abstract: Coatings to enhance the echogenicity of materials are especially useful for medical devices wherein the practitioner desires to locate or visualize a device by ultrasonic imaging when the device is inserted into a body cavity. These coatings can be applied to any device of virtually any composition. To accomplish this, a polymer matrix is formed containing an entrapped gas in enclosed bubbles or open surface channels or cavities. Coated needles are visible in ultrasound when inserted in animals. A pre-coat or base coat may be applied to condition the surface to enhance adhesion. A finish coat or top coat may be applied to improve durability, smoothness, and biocompatibility, lubricity, antibiotic, antimicrobial, antithrombogenic activity, and other desirable properties for the finished product. Coating liquids and methods for preparing and applying such coatings are disclosed, including forming bubbles by chemical reaction during the coating process.

Abstract: A part that can be introduced and/or implanted in the body, in body parts, or in body cavities, made of nonmetallic material or having a nonmetallic surface is designed such that infections associated with the use of parts of this type are reduced or entirely eliminated. This is achieved due to the fact that the entire surface of this part or parts or, depending on the effect, partial areas of this part or parts, that are nevertheless not in geometric contact, is/are furnished with a metallization (6). It is also possible that the material at least in the area of its exterior surface (17) contains metallic particles (18) in powder or granular form made of a metal having an oligodynamic effect, and that the most exterior metallic particles (18) are uncovered at least partially at the surface.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of coating a substrate, comprising exposing a substrate to an initiator capable of initiating a graft polymerization reaction on the substrate, to generate reactive radical sites on the surface of the substrate; contacting the substrate with a composition comprising one or more monomers in a medium which has different hydrophilicity compared to the substrate, and grafting monomer molecules onto the substrate by forming covalent bonds between monomer molecules and the substrate at reactive radical sites on the substrate surface. With the invention, novel coated articles can be obtained which are particularly usefull as medical products such as catheters.

Abstract: A topical anesthetic solution includes a tetracaine base dissolved in a solvent, such as isopropyl alcohol. A method for anesthetizing the ear canal and tympanic membrane using the anesthetic solution includes providing a dry, expandable applicator which expands as it absorbs a fluid and inserting the applicator, dry or partially wetted, into the ear canal and advancing the applicator into the ear canal to the vicinity of the tympanic membrane. The applicator is then fully wetted with the anesthetic solution, causing the applicator to fully expand within the ear canal, and is left in the ear canal for a period sufficient to effect anesthesia of the ear canal and tympanic membrane. An apparatus for applying a topical anesthetic to the ear canal and tympanic membrane includes an expandable, absorbent applicator that expands when soaked with a liquid, an applicator withdrawal tether attached to the applicator, and an applicator inserting and soaking device.

Abstract: The medical device is coated with a thin coherent bond coat of acrylics, epoxies, acetals, ethylene copolymers, vinyl polymers containing hydroxyl, amine, carboxyl, amide or other reactive groups, and copolymers thereof. Outer layers may be applied and remain adherent to the substrate in water for an extended period. The bond coat may comprise cross linkers such as urea resins, melamines, isocyanates, and phenolics. Preferred polymers include vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate, styrene acrylic polymer, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, carboxyl function acrylic polymer, hydroxyl function acrylic polymer, and acrylic dispersion polymer. The coatings may be applied to inert metal or plastic surfaces of medical devices such as needles, guide wires, catheters, surgical instruments, equipment for endoscopy, wires, stents, angioplasty balloons, wound drains, arteriovenous shunts, gastroenteric tubes, urethral inserts, laparoscopic equipment, pellets, and implants. Methods of coating and coating liquids are provided.

Abstract: The adherent coating of the invention comprises a stabilizing polymer together with an active agent (a hydrophilic polymer and/or a bioactive agent) in a layer bonded to the surface of a medical device. This invention encompasses the coating liquids used for coating medical devices, methods of coating the devices, and the coated devices. The stabilizing polymer is selected to entrap the active agent in a coating that has a high degree of flexibility and has improved bonding to a wide variety of substrates. Preferred stabilizing polymers are cross-linkable acrylic and methacrylic polymers, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, styrene acrylic copolymers, vinyl acetate polymers and copolymers, vinyl acetal polymers and copolymers, epoxy, melamine, other amino resins, phenolic polymers, copolymers thereof, and combinations.

Abstract: Coatings to enhance the echogenicity of materials are especially useful for medical devices wherein the practitioner desires to locate or visualize a device by ultrasonic imaging when the device is inserted into a body cavity. These coatings can be applied to any device of virtually any composition. To accomplish this, a polymer matrix is formed containing an entrapped gas in enclosed bubbles or open surface channels or cavities. Coated needles are visible in ultrasound when inserted in animals. A pre-coat or base coat may be applied to condition the surface to enhance adhesion. A finish coat or top coat may be applied to improve durability, smoothness, and biocompatibility, lubricity, antibiotic, antimicrobial, antithrombogenic activity, and other desirable properties for the finished product. Coating liquids and methods for preparing and applying such coatings are disclosed, including forming bubbles by chemical reaction during the coating process.

Abstract: A medical device is coated with a thin coherent bond coat of acrylics, epoxies, acetals, ethylene copolymers, vinyl polymers, polymers containing hydroxyl, amine, carboxyl, amide, or other reactive groups, and copolymers thereof. Outer layers may be applied and remain adherent to the substrate in water for an extended period. The bond coat may comprise cross linkers such as urea resins, melamines, isocyanates, and phenolics. Preferred polymers include vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate, styrene acrylic polymer, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, carboxyl function acrylic polymer, hydroxyl function acrylic polymer, and acrylic dispersion polymer. The coatings may be applied to inert metal or plastic surfaces of medical devices such as needles, guide wires, catheters, surgical instruments, equipment for endoscopy, wires, stents, angioplasty balloons, wound drains, arteriovenous shunts, gastroenteric tubes, urethral inserts, laparoscopic equipment, pellets, and implants.

Abstract: According to the invention, hydrating agents in ultrafine form may be incorporated in an organic coating solution with a uniform distribution that does not change due to settling. In preferred embodiments, the coating solution comprises salt dissolved in an appropriate organic solvent blend. In another embodiment, the hydrating agent may be in the form of ultrafine particles dispersed in the polymer solution. The dispersion may be obtained by adding a stream of the aqueous hydrating agent solution to the organic polymer solution in a controlled fashion, or salt particles may be formed in the polymer solution by acid-base neutralization in solution. The coating solutions are storage stable. When applied to a medical device, the coating solution produces a homogenous coating with desirable performance characteristics. The coatings of the invention adhere to the substrate but not to moist tissue with which they are placed in contact.

Abstract: Anti-thrombogenic, and/or anti-microbial and/or pharmaceutical compositions containing heparin and/or antibiotics and/or other pharmaceutical agents which may be reacted with quaternary ammonium components or other ionic surfactants and bound with water-insoluble polymers are disclosed. Such compositions may also contain additional quaternary ammonium compounds or other ionic surfactants not reacted with heparin and may also contain quaternary ammonium compound(s) or other ionic surfactants reacted with antibiotics or other ionic or nonionic pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: A water soluble cationic peptide-containing graft copolymer exhibiting a number average molecular weight of from about 30,000 to about 500,000 are provided comprising:(a) a polymeric backbone containing or capable of modification to include free primary or secondary amine functional groups for reaction with an amino acid or peptide graft and exhibiting a number average molecular weight from about 10,000 to about 250,000; and(b) an amino acid or peptide graft reacted with from at least about 5% to about 100% of the primary or secondary amine functional groups of the polymeric backbone, wherein said amino acid or peptide graft comprises at least one 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalaine (Dopa) amino acid or a precursor thereof capable of hydroxylation to the Dopa form.