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 compositions for the cryogenic storage of biological materials and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a cryopreservative composition including a chaotropic agent and a kosmotropic agent. In an embodiment, the invention includes a cryopreservative composition including urea and trimethylamine-N-oxide. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of cryopreserving cells including contacting cells with a cryopreservative composition, the cryopreservative composition comprising a chaotropic agent and a kosmotropic agent. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of transplanting cells into a subject, the method including administering a composition to the subject, the composition comprising an effective amount of a chaotropic agent, an effective amount of a kosmotropic agent, and cells. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, reagents, and substrates that can be used for, for example, immobilizing biomolecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to surfaces coated with a polymer according to the present invention. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to methods for thermochemically and/or photochemically attaching molecules to a surface at a high density.

Abstract: A coating composition for use in coating implantable medical devices to improve their ability to release bioactive agents in vivo. The coating composition is particularly adapted for use with devices that undergo significant flexion and/or expansion in the course of their delivery and/or use, such as stents and catheters. 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: The invention relates to stannous halide stabilized and/or enhanced alkaline solutions to be used in combination with colorimetric, 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: A surface coating composition for providing a self-assembling monolayer, in stable form, on a material surface or at a suitable interface, as well as a method of preparing such a composition and a method of using such a composition to coat a surface, such as the surface of an implantable medical device, in order to provide the surface with desirable properties. The method provides the covalent attachment of a SAM to a surface in a manner that substantially retains or improves the characteristics and/or performance of both the SAM and the surface itself. Covalent attachment is accomplished by the use of one or more latent reactive groups, e.g., provided by either the surface and/or by the SAM-forming molecules themselves.

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 epoxide 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: 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: Arrays including microparticles having probe and marker moieties are used for the detection of a target in a sample. Microparticles are randomly immobilized on at least a portion of a substrate. A detection scheme is performed to detect the marker associated with the microparticle and the identity of the probe, and any target bound to the probe.

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, reagents, and substrates that can be used for, for example, immobilizing biomolecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to surfaces coated with a polymer according to the present invention. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to methods for thermochemically and/or photochemically attaching molecules to a surface at a high density.

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 epoxide 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.

Abstract: An endovascular graft, having both an expandable stent portion and a stent cover portion positioned, the graft itself and/or a stent cover-portion coated with a bioactive agent adapted to promote initial thrombus formation, preferably followed by long term fibrous tissue ingrowth. The endovascular graft prevents endoleaking by promoting a short term hemostatic effect in the perigraft region. This short term effect can, in turn, be used to promote or permit long term fibrous tissue ingrowth. Particularly where the stent cover portion is prepared from a porous material selected from PET and ePTFE, the bioactive agent can include a thrombogenic agent such as collagen covalently attached in the form of a thin, conformal coating on at least the outer surface of the stent cover. An optimal coating of this type is formed by the activation of photoreactive groups.

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 bidirectional rotation member. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method with a bidirectional 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: Arrays including microparticles having probe and marker moieties are used for the detection of a target in a sample. Microparticles are randomly immobilized on at least a portion of a substrate. A detection scheme is performed to detect the marker associated with the microparticle and the identity of the probe, and any target bound to the probe.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating a rollable device including a device rotator having a pair of rollers and spray nozzle is described. The spray nozzle produces a spray of coating material that is directed towards a gap that is between the rollers of the pair. The majority of any spray not deposited on the rollable device during a coating process passes through the gap between the rollers.

Abstract: A reagent and related method for use in passivating a biomaterial surface, the reagent including a latent reactive group and a bifunctional aliphatic acid (e.g., fatty acid), in combination with a spacer group linking the latent reactive group to the aliphatic acid in a manner that preserves the desired function of each group. Once bound to the surface, via the latent reactive group, the reagent presents the aliphatic acid to the physiological environment, in vivo, in a manner (e.g., concentration and orientation) sufficient to hold and orient albumin.

Abstract: Compounds useful as surface coating agents, including compounds of the formula: wherein X1 comprises a first photoreactive species; X2 comprises a second photoreactive species; Y comprises a nonpolymeric core molecule comprising an aromatic group; and Z comprises at least one charged group. The Y core can include an aromatic group such as a benzene radical, the charged groups Z can be independently selected from the organic acids that include sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid, and phosphoric acid, and the photoreactive species of X1 and X2 can independently be aryl ketones, such as those selected from the group acetophenone, benzophenone, anthraquinone, anthrone, and anthrone-like heterocycles, and their substituted derivatives.

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: The present invention provides bioerodable constructs for controlled release of bioactive materials. In a preferred mode, the constructs may be utilized adjacent to a biological surface. The constructs are based on a blend of two or more poly(ester-amide) polymers (PEA). Such polymers may be prepared by polymerization of a diol (D), a dicarboxylic acid (C) and an alpha-amino acid (A) through ester and amide links in the form (DACA)n. An example of a (DACA)n polymer is shown below in formula II. Suitable amino acids include any natural or synthetic alpha-amino acid, preferably neutral amino acids.