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: 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: 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: 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 initiator groups (e.g., polymer-pendent 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 reagent composition adapted to be coated onto a support surface in order to provide that surface with a high density of reactive groups. The surface, thus coated, can be used for any suitable purpose, and is particularly well suited for use as a solid phase synthesis support surface. The synthesis support surface, in turn, can be used in repetitive and combinatorial syntheses such as the synthesis of polynucleotides, polypeptides and polysaccharides. The polymeric coating can be used to provide increased effective surface area, particularly in situations in which the effective area of the support surface is itself limited, as on the surface of a silicon wafer. In so doing, the polymeric coating provides an optimal combination of such properties as reactive density and surface area or volume.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for dip-coating intermediate and/or discrete discontinuous portions of longitudinal devices, including medical devices such as catheters and guidewires. The apparatus provides a chamber in which both the desired portion(s) of the device and the coating solution can be controllably contacted. A controlled coating can be achieved within the chamber by providing and controlling one or more of the following relationships: a) the manner in which a chamber (containing solution) is itself moved with respect to a static device, b) the manner in which the device is moved with respect to a fixed chamber position containing a fixed volume of solution, and/or c) the manner in which both the chamber and device are fixed in position, and the coating is achieved by adding and removing a volume of solution from the chamber.

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: A process and apparatus for dip-coating intermediate and/or discrete discontinuous portions of longitudinal devices, including medical devices such as catheters and guidewires. The apparatus provides a chamber in which both the desired portion(s) of the device and the coating solution can be controllably contacted. A controlled coating can be achieved within the chamber by providing and controlling one or more of the following relationships: a) the manner in which a chamber (containing solution) is itself moved with respect to a static device, b) the manner in which the device is moved with respect to a fixed chamber position containing a fixed volume of solution, and/or c) the manner in which both the chamber and device are fixed in position, and the coating is achieved by adding and removing a volume of solution from the chamber.

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, benzophenonie, anthraquinone, anthrone, and anthrone-like heterocycles, and their substituted derivatives.

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: An article (e.g., in the form of an implantable medical article) in the form of a support material bearing an intermediate layer consisting of a functional silicone polymer formulation, the intermediate layer having photoimmobilized thereon a target compound. In another aspect, a method of fabricating an article including the steps of providing a support material, applying an intermediate layer and photoimmobilizing a target compound onto the intermediate layer, and optionally, reforming the support material into a final desired article.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for dip-coating intermediate and/or discrete discontinuous portions of longitudinal devices, including medical devices such as catheters and guidewires. The apparatus provides a chamber in which both the desired portion(s) of the device and the coating solution can be controllably contacted. A controlled coating can be achieved within the chamber by providing and controlling one or more of the following relationships: a) the manner in which a chamber (containing solution) is itself moved with respect to a static device, b) the manner in which the device is moved with respect to a fixed chamber position containing a fixed volume of solution, and/or c) the manner in which both the chamber and device are fixed in position, and the coating is achieved by adding and removing a volume of solution from the chamber.

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: A crosslinkable macromer system that includes two or more polymer-pendent polymerizable groups and one or more polymer-pendent initiator groups. The polymerizable groups and the initiator group(s) 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.

Abstract: A polybifunctional reagent is provided having a polymeric backbone, one or more pendent photoreactive moieties, and two or more pendent bioactive groups. The reagent can be activated to form a bulk material or can be brought into contact with the surface of a previously formed biomaterial and activated to form a coating. The pendent bioactive groups function by promoting the attachment of specific molecules or cells to the bulk material or coated surface. Bioactive groups can include proteins, peptides, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and other molecules that are capable of binding noncovalently to specific and complimentary portions of molecules or cells.

Abstract: Synthetic surfaces such as surfaces of implantable prosthetic devices are modified to enhance their ability to support the growth, migration and attachment of epithelial cells. A surface modifier composition is covalently bound to the synthetic surface, and an epithelial cell-supporting coating is applied to the modified surface. The surface modifier composition may also include an epithelial cell-supporting material. The invention is particularly suited towards the modification of synthetic epikeratophakia lenses.

Abstract: A chemical linking agent is formed of a di- or higher functional photoactivatable compound having at least one group that is charged to improve water solubility, and two or more photoreactive groups (preferably comprising an aryl ketone such as benzophenone) that allow use of the agent in aqueous systems. Charged groups include salts of organic acids such as sulfonate, phosphonate and carboxylate groups, onium groups such as quaternary ammonium, sulfonium and phosphonium groups, and protonated amines. A surface can be coated with a substance such as a synthetic polymer, carbohydrate, protein, lipid, nucleic acid, drug, vitamin, cofactor or dye by forming an aqueous solution of the linking agent and the substance, placing the solution in contact with the surface and activating the photoreactive groups of the linking agent to cross-link the substance to the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the quantitative determination of an analyte in a liquid employs a liquid-permeable solid medium defining a liquid flow path. The medium includes a number of reactant-containing reaction zones spaced apart along the flow path and in which reaction occurs with the analyte or an analyte derivative (e.g., a labeled analyte) to result in the formation of a predetermined product. Detector means are employed to detect analyte, analyte derivative, reactant or predetermined product in the reaction zones, the number of such zones in which such detection occurs indicating the amount of analyte in the liquid.

Abstract: A crosslinkable macromer system that includes two or more polymer-pendent polymerizable groups and one or more polymer-pendent initiator groups. The polymerizable groups and the initiator group(s) 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.

Abstract: A device and related method for performing one or more immunoassays to detect the presence of respective analytes in a sample. The device involves the use of a unitary bibulous material providing one or more flow paths having a common origin site and a plurality of respective reagent zones providing the reagents necessary for performing a visual readout, competitive immunoassay for the presence of the respective analyte.