Abstract: The present invention consists of an implantable structural element for in vivo delivery of bioactive active agents to a situs in a body. The implantable structural element may be configured as an implantable prosthesis, such as an endoluminal stent, cardiac valve, osteal implant or the like, which serves a dual function of being prosthetic and a carrier for a bioactive agent. Alternatively, the implantable structural element may simply be an implantable article that serves the single function of acting as a time-release carrier for the bioactive agent.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of coating both metallic and polymeric surfaces adding hydrophilicity comprising the steps mixing a coating composition comprising at least one polyol, at least one compound having at least two isocyanate groups, and an organic solvent; introducing nucleophilic functional groups on the surface thereby creating an active surface; subjecting the active surface to the coating composition thereby forming a coated surface; and curing the coated surface. Medical devices, for example, implantable medical devices can be coated by the methods described herein.

Abstract: A method of forming a coated medical device is described in which a coating including a therapeutic agent dispersed in a polymer or oligomer matrix is applied to an outer surface of the medical device. The coating is then post-processed to selectively remove a substantial portion of the polymer or oligomer matrix from the coating. The post-processed coating is then sterilized.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses, systems, and methods involving a spotter for depositing a substance on a submerged surface. The spotter comprises an outlet cavity defined at least in part by a spotting orifice, a first opening, and a second opening. The spotter also comprises a first conduit fluidly coupled to the first opening and a second conduit fluidly coupled to the second opening. The spotter is adapted so that fluid flowing through the first conduit and the second conduit is communicated among the first opening, the second opening, and a submerged deposition surface when the sealing orifice is sealed against the submerged deposition surface to form a deposition spot on the submerged deposition surface. The submerged deposition surface is within a liquid such that the liquid covers the deposition spot upon removal of the orifice from the deposition surface.

Abstract: A medical, dental or surgical instrument comprising a substrate on at least part of the instrument with a rough surface structure and a layer which is applied to or deposited on the substrate in such a way that the rough surface structure of the substrate is at least not completely smoothed by the layer or the roughness is increased, wherein the layer applied to or deposited on the substrate is embodied as a glass-ceramic layer. In addition, for producing such an instrument or part thereof is described.

Abstract: A method for forming a coating on a stent involves spraying or drying a coating on the stent while the stent is supported on a mandrel assembly, during which part of the stent is made to go out of contact with the mandrel assembly.

Abstract: A multiple layer gel and method for forming a multiple layer gel are provided. The multiple layer gel includes an isolation layer and an electrolyte layer. The isolation layer provides a molecular weight screen, to prevent proteins or other molecules from contacting a reference cell covered by the isolation layer. The electrolyte layer covers the isolation layer, and provides a source of ions that place the reference cell in ionic and/or electrical contact with a fluid sample. The multiple layer gel can be used to maintain a reliable reference voltage from an associated reference cell while an electrical potential or other electrical characteristic of a sample fluid is being determined.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to microneedle devices and methods for fabricating microneedles from a biocompatible polymer using photolithography. More particularly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to the fabrication of microneedle devices using a biocompatible polymer (biopolymer) by way of biocompatible, essentially biocompatible, or substantially biocompatible fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A balloon coating method and a balloon coating apparatus are disclosed by which the thickness and/or morphological form of a drug in a coating formed on a balloon can be appropriately set. The balloon coating method can include moving a coating section for applying a coating liquid containing a drug relative to the balloon in the direction of an axis, while rotating the balloon about the axis of the balloon, thereby to apply the coating liquid to an outer surface of the balloon; detecting the distance of a dried part where the coating liquid applied to the outer surface of the balloon has been dried from the coating section; and controlling moving velocity of the coating section relative to the balloon in such a manner that the distance of the dried part from the coating section is maintained at a preliminarily set designated distance.

Abstract: A surface treatment process for an implantable medical device including a surface dielectric insulating layer, the process comprising the application of ions onto said dielectric insulating layer, the ions being capable of forming an electrostatic charge and locally creating an electric field associated with at least part of the surface of said implantable medical device upon application of a liquid to said surface.

Abstract: A nanoparticle coated hydrogel may be formed by a method of electrospraying nanoparticles on to a surface includes providing a drug and polymer combination in solvent to an inner capillary of a coaxial dual capillary spray nozzle. A coating with a drug that releases over time may be provided. Open and closed matrixes may be selectively formed to help modify time release periods.

Abstract: A method of forming a fenestrated tubular support member includes determining a first iso-stiffness curve corresponding to a first function of beam length versus ring width for the first stiffness; determining a second iso-stiffness curve corresponding to a second function of beam length versus ring width for the second stiffness; determining an iso-volume curve corresponding to a third function of beam length versus ring width for a given fenestration volume; identifying a first intersection point where the iso-volume curve intersects the first iso-stiffness curve; and identifying a second intersection point where the iso-volume curve intersects the second iso-stiffness curve. The first section ring width and first section beam length are determined from the first intersection point, and the second section ring width and second section beam length are determined from the second intersection point.

Abstract: An intermediate composite capable of transferring a biological or chemical material to be patterned on a surface. The intermediate composite includes a hydrogel, and particles suspended in the hydrogel, generating a particle-gel composite (composite), the composite is configured to absorb a biological or chemical material (agent), and further configured to deposit the agent when the composite is positioned proximate to a surface on which the agent is to be deposited.

Abstract: The range of stretch-tunability of sinusoidal wrinkled surfaces that are obtained by compression of supported thin films is limited by the emergence of a period-doubled mode at high compressive strains. This disclosure presents a method to suppress the emergence of the period-doubled mode at high strains. This is achieved by compressing pre-patterned supported thin films, wherein the pre-patterns are substantially similar to the natural pattern of the supported thin film system. As compared to flat thin film systems, pre-patterned thin film systems exhibit period doubling behavior at a higher compressive strain. The onset strain for emergence of period-doubling is tuned by altering the amplitude of the pre-patterns.

Abstract: A coating device for coating a medical device with a drug-eluting material uses an in-process drying station between coats to improve a drug release profile. The drying station includes a heat nozzle configured for applying a uniform drying gas. A coating process using the dryer includes a closed-loop control for the gas between drying steps and an improved nozzle for producing more consistent spray patterns.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of photopatterning molecules directly on a surface by photochemical means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a dental restoration with enhanced adhesive or bonding strength are disclosed. The dental restoration comprises a zirconia based crown and a porcelain layer built-up on a top surface of the zirconia based crown. The zirconia based crown is to be bonded to a top of an abutment tooth and has dimensions that are smaller than outer dimensions of the abutment tooth. A first surface of the zirconia based crown is configured to adhere to the abutment tooth and a second surface of the zirconia based crown is configured to receive the porcelain layer built-up. The first surface and the second surface of the zirconia based crown are treated with a surface treatment solution which includes at least nitric acid (HNO3), hydrofluoric acid (HF) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Further, the zirconia based crown may be treated with an ultrasonic impact treatment in addition to the surface treatment of the zirconia based crown.

Abstract: A method of conferring modified properties, e.g. modified physical and/or biochemical properties, to a metallic substrate surface, including at least two steps being (i) a first step including at least exposing the substrate surface to a hetero-bifunctional anchoring molecule carrying at least a silane group and at least a A1 group, the A1 group being optionally introduced within the anchoring molecule via a preliminary functionalizing step, and (ii) a second step of exposing the substrate surface to a polymer carrying at least three groups A2 capable of reacting with A1 in a thiol-ene reaction, the number average molecular weight of the polymer being greater than 1 000 g/mol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface treatment composition for forming a self-assembled coating layer which is easily coated and removed and a surface treatment method, where the self-assembled coating layer can be easily formed because of use of a compound having the hydroxyl groups as a diol are attached to an ortho position of a benzene ring and be removed by treatment of Al3+ or Fe3+. Thus, the surface can be reused by forming a new self-assembled coating layer, thereby making the surface treatment composition be applied to various researches and industrial fields of the self-assembly coating layer which are used for reduction in metal abrasion resistance, introduction of a chemical functional group for detecting a biomolecule, the surface hydrophilicity, introduction of an antifouling property to the surface, and the like.