Abstract: Durable polyurea copolymer coatings can be applied to surfaces that come in contact with fluids, such as biological fluids, thereby passivating the surface. Polyurea copolymer coating compositions comprise a reaction product of (a) a diamine composition that includes a polyethylene glycol diamine, and optionally, a dipiperidyl alkane; and (b) a diisocyanate. Solutions containing polyurea copolymers, coated surfaces and methods are also described.

Abstract: Silicone polyurea block copolymers are prepared by copolymerizing: (a) a diamine composition that includes a polyethylene glycol diamine, and optionally, a dipiperidyl alkane; (b) a monofunctional silicone isocyanate; and (c) a diisocyanate. Compositions useful as passivating coatings comprising the block copolymer are also provided, and substrates coated with the compositions. Methods of preparing and using the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Inventive concepts relate generally to nanofibrous scaffolds useful for electrophysiological assays. Scaffolds include polymeric nanofibrous components and electrically excitable cells immobilized at a distinct cell seeding domains on the scaffold. Methods and kits including the scaffolds are also described.

Abstract: Silicone polyurea block copolymers are prepared by copolymerizing: (a) a diamine composition that includes a polyethylene glycol diamine, and optionally, a dipiperidyl alkane; (b) a monofunctional silicone isocyanate; and (c) a diisocyanate. Compositions useful as passivating coatings comprising the block copolymer are also provided, and substrates coated with the compositions. Methods of preparing and using the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Durable polyurea copolymer coatings can be applied to surfaces that come in contact with fluids, such as biological fluids, thereby passivating the surface. Polyurea copolymer coating compositions comprise a reaction product of (a) a diamine composition that includes a polyethylene glycol diamine, and optionally, a dipiperidyl alkane; and (b) a diisocyanate. Solutions containing polyurea copolymers, coated surfaces and methods are also described.

Abstract: Inventive concepts relate generally to the field of implantable urological devices, and more particularly to compositions that inhibit crystallization of urine components. Described are implantable urological devices including a surface and a crystallization inhibitor composition, the crystallization inhibitor composition including: (a) an inhibitor of urine component crystallization in combination with a biodegradable polymer, or a polyalkene homopolymer or copolymer, or (b) a biodegradable polymer that includes an inhibitor of urine component crystallization, wherein the crystallization inhibitor composition provides controlled release of the inhibitor of urine component crystallization from the surface of the device into a subject. Methods of making the implantable urological devices are also described.

Abstract: The invention describes novel coating agents that include a polymer, one or more latent reactive groups and one or more noncovalent linking groups, the noncovalent linking groups selected to interact with a substrate to which the coating agent is applied. The coating agents are useful for providing a coating that can be further functionalized (for example, by application of additional coating layers), or for providing desirable properties to a surface.

Abstract: Inventive concepts relate generally to the field of implantable urological devices, and more particularly to compositions that inhibit crystallization of urine components. Described are implantable urological devices including a surface and a crystallization inhibitor composition, the crystallization inhibitor composition including: (a) an inhibitor of urine component crystallization in combination with a biodegradable polymer, or a polyalkene homopolymer or copolymer, or (b) a biodegradable polymer that includes an inhibitor of urine component crystallization, wherein the crystallization inhibitor composition provides controlled release of the inhibitor of urine component crystallization from the surface of the device into a subject. Methods of making the implantable urological devices are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multilayer coatings that include a hydrophobic encasing layer and allow controlled release of a water soluble drug. The encasing layer encases water soluble, or hydrophilic, drugs with a flexible layer and comes in good intimate contact with the water soluble drug layer. Thus, the encasing layer conforms to the water soluble drug and can control the release of the drug. Advantageously, major cuts or fissures in the coating do not cause the water soluble drug to leak or burst out; rather, the encasing layer continues to provide modulated release of the drug. The present disclosure also includes methods of making the multilayer coatings, methods of using the multilayer coatings, and articles that include the multilayer coatings.

Abstract: Inventive concepts relate generally to the field of cell culture, and more particularly to formation of three-dimensional aggregate(s) of eukaryotic cells. Cell culture vessels including a conical device having an inner surface being hydrophobic; and a frustum defining an open viewing aperture and a narrow end of the conical device are described. Ceil culture vessel arrays, assemblies and kits are described, as well as methods of making and using the devices.

Abstract: Inventive concepts relate general to the field of implantable three-dimensional scaffolds. More particularly, methods of preparing and using implantable nanofibrous tissue scaffolds are described. Inventive scaffolds can be used for treatment of defects in a living organism, such as hard or soft tissue defects including bone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multilayer coatings that include a hydrophobic encasing layer and allow controlled release of a water soluble drug. The encasing layer encases water soluble, or hydrophilic, drugs with a flexible layer and comes in good intimate contact with the water soluble drug layer. Thus, the encasing layer conforms to the water soluble drug and can control the release of the drug. Advantageously, major cuts or fissures in the coating do not cause the water soluble drug to leak or burst out; rather, the encasing layer continues to provide modulated release of the drug. The present disclosure also includes methods of making the multilayer coatings, methods of using the multilayer coatings, and articles that include the multilayer coatings.

Abstract: The invention describes novel coating agents that include a polymer, one or more latent reactive groups and one or more noncovalent linking groups, the noncovalent linking groups selected to interact with a substrate to which the coating agent is applied.

Abstract: Inventive concepts relate generally to nanofibrous scaffolds useful for electrophysiological assays. Scaffolds include polymeric nanofibrous components and electrically excitable cells immobilized at a distinct cell seeding domains on the scaffold. Methods and kits including the scaffolds are also described.

Abstract: A stimuli responsive nanofiber that includes a stimuli responsive polymer, such as a thermally responsive polymer, and a cross-linking agent having at least two latent reactive activatable groups. The nanofiber may also include a biologically active material or a functional polymer. The stimuli responsive nanofiber can be used to modify the surface of a substrate. When the nanofiber includes a thermally responsive polymer, the physical properties of the surface can be controlled by controlling the temperature of the system, thus controlling the ability of the surface to bind to a biologically active material of interest.

Abstract: The invention is directed to transfection reagents for the delivery of nucleic acids into neural cells, compositions including the reagents, methods of preparation of such reagents, methods of transfecting cells with such reagents, and uses thereof. In preferred embodiments the reagents comprise horseradish peroxidase and/or a polycarboxylic acid such as poly(acrylic acid) or poly(methacrylic acid).

Abstract: The invention describes nanotextured super hydrophobic coatings that contain active agents which can elute from the coating over a period of time.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions that include crosslinking agents having multiple photoactivatable groups, such as diaryl ketones, or a diaryl ketone, such as benzophenone, and at least one polymerizable monomer, such as a zwitterionic monomer. The compositions are useful as surface coating agents that provide brush type polymeric coatings. These polymeric coatings can be used on medical devices, such as artificial joints, to reduce wear and tear between the components of the joint and thus reduce or eliminate debris generated by friction between the joint components.

Abstract: A nanofiber is formed by combining one or more natural or synthetic polymeric materials and one or more than one cross-linking agents having at least two latent reactive activatable groups. The latent reactive activatable nanofiber may be used to modify the surface of a substrate by activating at least one of the latent reactive activatable groups to bond the nanofiber to the surface by the formation of a covalent bond between the surface of the substrate and the latent reactive activatable group. Some of the remaining latent reactive activatable group(s) are left accessible on the surface of the substrate, and may be used for further surface modification of the substrate. Biologically active materials may be immobilized on the nanofiber modified surface by reacting with the latent reactive groups that are accessible on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A nanofiber is formed by combining one or more natural or synthetic polymeric materials and one or more than one cross-linking agents having at least two latent reactive activatable groups. The latent reactive activatable nanofiber may be used to modify the surface of a substrate by activating at least one of the latent reactive activatable groups to bond the nanofiber to the surface by the formation of a covalent bond between the surface of the substrate and the latent reactive activatable group. Some of the remaining latent reactive activatable group(s) are left accessible on the surface of the substrate, and may be used for further surface modification of the substrate. Biologically active materials may be immobilized on the nanofiber modified surface by reacting with the latent reactive groups that are accessible on the surface of the substrate.