Abstract: The invention provides medical articles that include more than one biocompatibility-promoting function. In one aspect, the invention provides a medical articles that include a polymeric matrix including more than one biocompatible agent, wherein each biocompatible agent is provided at a distinct portion of the medical article surface. Methods of making medical articles, as well as methods of using the same, are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for coating an object with a polymer layer. The method includes contacting the object with a first solution comprising a non-polymeric grafting initiator comprising at least one photoinitiator group capable of generating a free radical active species upon absorption of electromagnetic energy, wherein the photoinitiator group is selected from the group consisting of an initiator that is insoluble in polar solvent; and a negatively charged initiator; irradiating the first solution and the object, resulting in the grafting initiator binding to the object; removing the first solution; contacting the object with a second solution comprising a polymerizable monomer having at least one free-radical polymerizable group; and irradiating the second solution and the object, wherein the non-polymeric grafting initiator acts as a photoinitiator for a free-radical polymerization reaction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include devices and coatings for devices including coated hydrophobic active agent particles. In an embodiment, the invention includes a drug delivery device including a substrate; and coated therapeutic agent particles disposed on the substrate, the coated therapeutic agent particles comprising a particulate hydrophobic therapeutic agent; and a cationic agent in contact with the particulate hydrophobic therapeutic agent. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for forming ultra-thin hydrophilic polymeric coatings on articles, as well as articles formed therefrom. The coatings are formed by irradiating a composition including a polymer having pendent photoreactive groups while the composition is in contact with a surface of the article.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include coated medical devices that can elute one or more bioactive agents within the body, and methods for producing the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of forming a coated medical device including depositing a coated composition onto a medical device having a roughened segment and a smooth segment. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of forming a coated implantable medical device including depositing a coated composition onto a medical device having a body segment and a piercing segment. In an embodiment, the invention includes a medical device, a coated composition provided on the substrate surface, the composition including a bioactive agent and a polymer. The medical device includes an uncoated component wherein the edge of the coated composition is within 0.5 mm of the uncoated component.

Abstract: Described herein is a medical device that has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration wherein one or more polymeric network layers are applied to the substrate and microparticles embedded in the polymeric network. The polymeric network layer or layers is/are configured to retain the microparticles when the device is in a collapsed configuration and to release the microparticles when the device is in an expanded configuration. Methods for delivering a therapeutic agent using the device and making the device are also disclosed.

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: Medical articles having a body member including natural biodegradable polysaccharides are described. The body member is formed from a plurality of natural biodegradable polysaccharides having pendent coupling groups. The body member can also include a bioactive agent which can be released to provide a therapeutic effect to a patient.

Abstract: Biodegradable coatings that include natural biodegradable polysaccharides are described. The coating is formed from a plurality of natural biodegradable polysaccharides having pendent coupling groups.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for treating an orthopedic condition using a hydrogel-forming composition, which forms a hydrogel in situ at a target location and at least bio-mechanically treats the condition. The invention also provides a hydrogel forming composition designed to form a hydrogel with desirable biocompatible and biomechanical properties. In some aspects the hydrogel is formed in a water-permeable casing, which is delivered to an orthopedic joint in a minimally invasive manner. In particular, the system and method can be used for intervertebral disc replacement or repair.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include or be used in conjunction with implantable medical devices and various in vitro applications. In an embodiment, an implantable medical device is included herein. The device can include a frame having an inner lumen; the frame comprising a copolymer formed from monomers comprising N-isopropylacrylamide or a thermally responsive derivative thereof and a second monomeric species including one or more of a heteroatom or a charged moiety. In an embodiment, a method of isolating a component of a mixture is included herein. The method can include mixing a sample with a copolymer formed from monomers comprising N-isopropylacrylamide or a thermally responsive derivative thereof and a second monomeric species including one or more of a heteroatom or a charged moiety to form a reagent mixture, the copolymer further comprising a moiety exhibiting affinity for an analyte in the sample.

Abstract: Described herein is an implantable medical device that has one or more surfaces that include one or more shallow recesses configured to receive a drug delivery composition comprising a polymeric matrix and one or more biologically active agents. In one embodiment, one or more surfaces comprise a frictional surface. In a more particular embodiment, the implantable medical device comprises a stem configured for insertion into a bone of a patient, wherein the stem comprises one or more surfaces that include one or more shallow recesses configured to receive a drug delivery composition comprising a matrix and one or more biologically active agents. The drug delivery composition can be a durable drug delivery matrix, a biodegradable drug delivery matrix, or a combination thereof. Methods of making such an implant are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and materials for forming a polymeric matrix having improved biocompatible properties. A polymerization accelerator is provided that includes an N-vinyl group and a biocompatible functional group. The polymerization accelerator is particularly useful for the polymerization of macromers, which can be used to form biocompatible polymeric coatings on the surface of biological materials, such as cells and tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coating systems and coating systems on substrates. In an embodiment, the invention includes an article including a substrate, a base layer disposed on the substrate, the base layer comprising a silane compound with a photoreactive group, or the reaction product of a silane compound with a photoreactive group, and a polymer layer disposed on the base layer, the polymer layer comprising a polymer terminally anchored to the base layer. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating for an article. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of depositing a coating onto a substrate.

Abstract: Described herein is a linking agent that includes a polymeric or non-polymeric core molecule and one or more photoreactive groups covalently attached to the core molecule by one or more linking elements that include a urea linkage, a carbamate linkage, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for forming coatings that can elute active agents and coating produced by the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for applying a coating to a medical device including a first spray nozzle, a first coating composition supply conduit, a second spray nozzle, and a second coating composition supply conduit. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of applying a coating to a medical device including forming a first spray stream, forming a second spray stream, and directing the spray streams toward the medical device so that the first spray stream intersects the second spray stream before hitting the medical device. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for applying a coating to a medical device including a spray nozzle, a first coating composition supply conduit and a second coating composition supply conduit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include multi-layer coatings and methods for controlling the elution of hydrophilic active agents. In an embodiment, the invention includes a medical device including a substrate, a primer polymer layer disposed on the substrate, an expandable layer disposed on the primer polymer layer, and a hydrophilic active agent dispersed within the expandable layer. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of forming a medical device including depositing a primer layer onto a substrate, the primer layer comprising a primer polymer. The method can further include depositing an expandable layer onto the primer layer, the expandable layer including an expandable polymer, and a hydrophilic active agent. The expandable layer can be deposited with a solvent that is effective to solvate both the expandable polymer and the primer polymer. Other embodiments are also included herein.

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: Surface coatings including microparticles immobilized in a matrix of polymeric material on a substrate are described. The microparticles can also include an agent which can be useful for various applications, such as medical applications. This invention relates to the field of surface coatings for use in various applications. More particularly, the invention relates to surface coating useful for drug delivery, imaging and other uses of microparticles immobilized via a polymeric matrix.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include multi-layered coatings for controlling the elution rates of active agents and methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of applying an elution control coating to a substrate. The method can include depositing a coating solution onto the substrate to form a base layer. The method can also include selecting a desired concentration of the solvent based on a desired elution rate. The method can further include removing solvent from the base layer to reach a desired concentration of the solvent and depositing a layer of parylene on the base layer. In an embodiment, the invention can include a medical device including a substrate, a base layer, and a porous layer. The base layer can include a polymeric matrix and an active agent dispersed within the polymeric matrix. The porous layer can include parylene. Other embodiments are also included herein.