Abstract: The invention provides a durable, lubricious coating for a medical article that can be prepared from a first polymer that is synthetic, soluble in a polar liquid, and having first reactive groups, and a second polymer that is synthetic, hydrophilic, and that includes second reactive groups. The first reactive groups and a portion of the second reactive groups react to bond the first polymer to the second polymer. A portion of the second reactive groups remains unbonded which, upon neutralization, provide lubricious properties to the coating. In some aspects the coating is formed using a crosslinking agent having latent reactive groups. The coatings provide particularly long dry out times and are very useful for catheterization processes. In addition, the coatings can be subject to sterilization with ethylene oxide and retain very good durable and lubricious properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymeric matrices for the controlled release of a hydrophilic bioactive agent. Generally, the elution control matrix includes a polymeric matrix having a first polymer and a plurality of microparticles that include the hydrophilic bioactive agent. In one embodiment, the matrix includes a polymer comprising hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions. In another embodiment, the microparticles include a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: A composition for bioactive agent release in vivo. The composition includes the bioactive agent in combination with a mixture of a first polymer component such as poly(butyl methacrylate) and a second polymer component such as poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate).

Abstract: A grafting reagent and related method of using the reagent to form a polymeric layer on a support surface, and particularly a porous support surface, in a manner that provides and/or preserves desired properties (such as porosity) of the surface. The reagent and method can be used to provide a thin, conformable, uniform, uncrosslinked coating having desired properties onto the surface of a preformed, and particularly a porous, polymeric substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices, and coatings, wherein active agent release is determined by deposition rate of a coating or material. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for coating a medical device, including identifying active agent elution rates for a coating composition applied to substrates at a plurality of coating deposition rates, selecting one of the coating deposition rates, and applying the coating composition to the medical device at the selected deposition rate. In an embodiment, the invention includes a combination including a medical device and a composition for coating the surface of a medical device with an active agent in a manner that permits the coated surface to release the active agent over time when implanted in vivo.

Abstract: Coatings with crystallized active agent(s) and related methods are disclosed. One method includes selecting a solvent and a polymer, selecting a concentration of an active agent of at least a certain amount of saturation, forming a coating composition having the selected concentration of the active agent, and applying the coating composition to the medical device. Also disclosed is an elution control coating which includes active agent that is at least about 80% crystallized within one week of being disposed on a medical device. One method enhances the formation of active agent crystals within a coating layer by adjusting the concentration of the active agent in the coating solution to reach some percentage of the active agent saturation point. Another method includes increasing the rate of active agent nucleation within the coating.

Abstract: Method and reagent composition for covalent attachment of target molecules, such as nucleic acids, onto the surface of a substrate. The reagent composition includes groups capable of covalently binding to the target molecule. Optionally, the composition can contain photoreactive groups for use in attaching the reagent composition to the surface. The reagent composition can be used to provide activated slides for use in preparing microarrays of nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention provides a durable, lubricious coating for a medical article that can be prepared from a first polymer that is synthetic, soluble in a polar liquid, and having first reactive groups, and a second polymer that is synthetic, hydrophilic, and that includes second reactive groups. The first reactive groups and a portion of the second reactive groups react to bond the first polymer to the second polymer. A portion of the second reactive groups remains unbonded which, upon neutralization, provide lubricious properties to the coating. In some aspects the coating is formed using a crosslinking agent having latent reactive groups. The coatings provide particularly long dry out times and are very useful for catheterization processes. In addition, the coatings can be subject to sterilization with ethylene oxide and retain very good durable and lubricious properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses that reduce problems encountered during coating of a device, such as a medical device having a cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus including a bi-directional rotation member. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method with a bi-directional indexing movement. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating solution supply member having a major axis oriented parallel to a gap between rollers on a coating apparatus. In an embodiment, the invention includes a device retaining member. In an embodiment, the invention includes an air nozzle or an air knife. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method including removing a static charge from a small diameter medical device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include devices for the release of nucleic acids and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes an active agent eluting coating including a polymeric matrix, a cationic carrier agent disposed with the matrix, and an active agent disposed within the matrix, the active agent including nucleic acids substantially uncomplexed with the cationic carrier agent. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of making an implantable medical device including selecting a concentration of a cationic carrier agent corresponding to a desired elution profile, combining a matrix forming polymer, an active agent, a solvent, and the cationic carrier agent to form a coating composition having the selected concentration of the cationic carrier agent, the active agent comprising nucleic acids, and depositing the coating composition onto the surface of a substrate. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymeric matrices for the controlled release of a hydrophilic bioactive agent. Generally, the elution control matrix includes a polymeric matrix having a first polymer and a plurality of microparticles that include the hydrophilic bioactive agent. In one embodiment, the matrix includes a polymer comprising hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions. In another embodiment, the microparticles include a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include devices and methods for the controlled elution of nucleic acid delivery complexes. In an embodiment, the invention includes a medical device including a substrate surface, a polymeric coating disposed on the surface, the polymeric coating coupled to the substrate surface through the reaction product of a photoreactive group; the polymeric coating comprising negatively charged species on the surface; and a plurality of nucleic acid delivery complexes disposed on the polymeric coating, the nucleic acid delivery complexes comprising a nucleic acid and a cationic carrier agent complexed to the nucleic acid. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: Positively-charged initiator polymers having a polymerization initiator group and a cationic portion are provided. The initiator polymers can be used with a polymerizable material for the formation of a polymeric matrix on a surface. The initiator polymers are particularly useful for cell encapsulation using macromers.

Abstract: The invention relates to stannous halide stabilized and/or enhanced alkaline solutions to be used in combination with calorimetric, luminescent and fluorescent assays. The buffered solutions stabilize hydrogen peroxide at a pH greater than 7.0 and preferably greater than 9.0. By stabilizing and/or enhancing hydrogen peroxide in the buffer system, the compositions used in such assays may have a higher shelf-life and provide enhanced detection of the subject analyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions suitable for spotting compounds onto a substrate, and methods employing these compositions. The composition can include one or more organic anions of formula I: R(X)m(Y)n. In an embodiment of formula I, R is an organic moiety, X is an anionic moiety, and, Y is a neutral hydrophilic moiety. The composition can include one or more neutral hydrophilic polymers. In an embodiment, the neutral hydrophilic polymer can be represented by formula V: In Formula V, the group in parenthesis represents the polymer backbone, A can be absent or is a carbon or a heteroatom, and B is pendant neutral hydrophilic group. The present invention includes arrays, which can be made with or include compositions according to the present invention and can be made by using the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for providing biocompatible surfaces to medical articles. In particular the invention provides biocompatible coatings with heparin activity that are able to release a bioactive agent, wherein the coatings are formed using biostable or biodegradable polymeric material and photoreactive groups.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for providing biocompatible surfaces to medical articles. In particular the invention provides biocompatible coatings with heparin activity. In some aspects, the biocompatible coatings of the invention are able to release a bioactive agent. The coatings can be formed using biostable or biodegradable polymeric material and photoreactive groups. The invention also provides methods for improving the quality of bioactive agent-containing coatings by performing pre-irradiation of biocompatible coating compositions.

Abstract: A crosslinkable macromer system and related methods of preparing the system and using the system in the form of a crosslinked matrix between a tissue site and an implant article such as a tissue implant or on the porous surface of a prosthetic device. The macromer system includes two or more polymer-pendent polymerizable groups and one or more multifunctional initiator groups. The polymerizable groups and the initiator group(s), when polymer-pendent, can be pendent on the same or different polymeric backbones. The macromer system provides advantages over the use of polymerizable macromers and separate, low molecular weight initiators, including advantages with respect to such properties as nontoxicity, efficiency, and solubility. A macromer system of the invention can be used as an interface between the tissue site and implant article in a manner sufficient to permit tissue growth through the crosslinked matrix and between the tissue site and implant.

Abstract: A coating composition and related method for use in applying a bioactive agent to a surface in a manner that will permit the bioactive agent to be released from the coating in vivo. The composition is particularly well suited for coating the surface of implantable medical device, such as a stent or catheter, in order to permit the device to release bioactive agent to the surrounding tissue over time. The composition includes a plurality of compatible polymers having different properties that can permit them to be combined together to provide an optimal combination of such properties as durability, biocompatibility, and release kinetics.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses that reduce problems encountered during coating of a device, such as a medical device having a cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus including a bi-directional rotation member. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method with a bi-directional indexing movement. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating solution supply member having a major axis oriented parallel to a gap between rollers on a coating apparatus. In an embodiment, the invention includes a device retaining member. In an embodiment, the invention includes an air nozzle or an air knife. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method including removing a static charge from a small diameter medical device.