Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods for treating conditions using antithrombin-heparin conjugates are disclosed. For example, medical devices can be coated with antithrombin-heparin (ATH) resulting in reduced thrombogenicity. Various conditions can likewise be treated with ATH.

Abstract: A medical device such as a stent or medical balloon is functionalised prior to coating with a bioactive material, specifically by carboxylic acidification of the contact surface or surfaces of the medical device. The preferred process involves washing a stent or other medical device in a washing solution which may be sodium hydroxide, soaking in a carboxylic acid solution, rinsing in water to remove excess carboxylic acid, allowing to dry before applying a bioactive agent layer. It has been found that washing after functionalisation removes excess carboxylic acid and enhances the retention of bioactive agent on the contact surface or surfaces of the medical device leading to a more uniform and consistent layer of bioactive agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ceramic coatings containing particles for use in smelting devices and to methods of making ceramic coatings containing particles for use in smelting devices. More particularly, the disclosure relates to ceramic coatings comprising particles for improved heat reflection and durability of the ceramic coating.

Abstract: A method of increasing a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signal of a compound is provided. The method includes dissolving the compound in water to form a solution, adding a substrate at least partially coated with gold nanoparticles to the solution to form a mixture, removing the substrate from the mixture and washing with water to form a SERS sample having at least a portion of molecules of the compound adsorbed to the gold nanoparticles on the substrate, and recording a SERS spectrum of the SERS sample. The gold nanoparticles are in a two-dimensional (2D) monolayer assembly on the substrate and are 10-250 nm in size. The SERS signal of the SERS spectrum is higher than a SERS signal of a SERS spectrum of the compound on the substrate without the gold nanoparticles.

Abstract: Introduced here are pressure-mitigation apparatuses for mitigating the pressure applied to a human body by the support surface of an object. The pressure-mitigation apparatus can include a series of chambers that can be individually controlled to vary the pressure therein. By varying the chamber pressure, the main point of pressure applied by the support surface to the human body may be moved across the surface of the human body. An attachment apparatus may be used to securely adhere the pressure-mitigation apparatus to the support surface.

Abstract: Methods for improving the antibacterial characteristics of biomedical implants and related implants manufactured according to such methods. In some implementations, a biomedical implant comprising a silicon nitride ceramic material may be subjected to a surface roughening treatment so as to increase a surface roughness of at least a portion of the biomedical implant to a roughness profile having an arithmetic average of at least about 500 nm Ra. In some implementations, a coating may be applied to a biomedical implant. Such a coating may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material, and may be applied instead of, or in addition to, the surface roughening treatment process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adherent resorbable matrix for use in surgical applications. The adherent resorbable matrix includes a biocompatible adherent material including chitosan.

Abstract: Methods for forming an implantable layer onto a staple cartridge are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coating applicator operable to apply a coating of a therapeutic agent upon an object comprising an openable and sealable device compartment, a therapeutic agent positioned in communication with the device compartment, an atomizer operable to atomize the therapeutic agent, and a source of vacuum in communication with the device compartment. The coating applicator may further comprise a drier, and the drier may comprise an arrangement to operate the source of vacuum for a time sufficient to promote drying of applied therapeutic agent. Deposition of the atomized therapeutic agent may be promoted by contacting the atomized therapeutic agent while the object is in a chilled condition and by contacting the object with atomized therapeutic agent while the atomized therapeutic agent is in a heated condition. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spray coating machine and process accommodates coating pans of various sizes and simplifies cleaning after particulate material in the pan is coated. A selected pan is supported on a trolley carried by a wheeled cart. After the cart is positioned adjacent the coating machine, the trolley and pan are extended into the machine, and then the pan lifted for support by a rotatable drive shaft and castors. The trolley is then removed from the machine, and the door is closed so that the coating process can commence. When coating is complete, the door is opened, and the trolley extended into the machine under the pan and raised for removal of the castors. Then, the trolley and pan are withdrawn from the machine. The trolley does not need cleaning after spraying, since the trolley is outside the machine during spraying of the coating solution.

Abstract: A valve for use in manufacturing of implantable medical devices is insertable into a bore of the medical device during a manufacturing process. The valve is configured to remain closed while the pressure differential between an internal volume of the implantable medical device and a surrounding environment is below a particular threshold and to open when the threshold is reached, thereby allowing air or other fluids to escape from the internal volume into the surrounding environment. The valves are particularly useful during certain types of coating processes that must be performed at or near vacuum and provide an effective way to prevent ingress of coating material into the internal volume of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A zirconia sintered body comprises zirconia and multiple different areas, including at least one upper area and at least one lower area having a different chemical composition and a different strength. The sintered body has a translucency and a strength with an inverse relationship. The translucency increases in one direction across the multiple different areas and the strength decreasing in the same direction across the multiple different areas. At least part of the sintered body has a total light transmittance of at least 35% and less than 53% to light with a wavelength at least at a point between 400 nm and 600 nm, and at least 51% and less than 57% to light with a wavelength at least at a point between 600 nm and 800 nm, at a thickness of 0.6 mm. At least a part of the sintered body has a strength of at least 925 Mpa.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for forming the metal oxide nanostructure on surfaces are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the nanostructures can be formed on a substrate made of a nickel titanium alloy, resulting in a nanostructure that can include both titanium oxide and nickel oxide. The nanostructure can be formed on the surface(s) of an implantable medical device, such as a stent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing an amount of sub visible particles in a pharmaceutical composition contained in a medical injection device comprising a container (1) including a barrel (10) lubricated with a lubricant coating (2) in contact with the pharmaceutical composition, and a stopper (14) in sliding engagement within the barrel (10), the container comprising a region (130, 121, 123) extending distally from the distal end (100) of the barrel which is not accessible to the stopper. During formation of said lubricant coating (2) on the inner wall of the barrel, the method comprises limiting lubricant from being deposited into said region (130, 121, 123) extending distally from the distal end (100) of the barrel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and methods for coating drug coated medical devices. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating apparatus including a coating application unit. The coating application unit can include a fluid applicator having a lengthwise axis and a width. The fluid applicator can include a tip comprising a first face across the width of the fluid applicator. The first face of the fluid applicator can be oriented at an angle of from about 15 to about 75 degrees with respect to the lengthwise axis of the fluid applicator. The fluid applicator can define a second face intersecting the first face. The coating apparatus can further include a rotation mechanism and an axial motion mechanism. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Hydrophilic coatings including a base coat layer and a top coat layer wherein at least one of the base coat and top coat compositions that form the hydrophilic coatings comprises a diacrylate compound have a number average molecular weight less than 1000.

Abstract: Coating materials such as MALDI matrix solutions are aerosolized and are used to coat analyte particles in an acoustic coater. Methods and devices for coating analyte particles in real time are disclosed. The coating improves the detection and quantification of the analyte particles using analytical instruments such as an aerosol time of flight mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a hyaluronate-coated high-functional suture and a high-functional suture manufactured thereby, and more particularly to a method of manufacturing a high-functional suture and a high-functional suture manufactured thereby, wherein a suture for internal and external surgery derived from a conventional chemical synthetic material is coated with a hyaluronate as a biocompatible material, thus improving biocompatibility, functionality and ease of use. Upon application of the hyaluronate-coated suture of the invention to the human body, the hyaluronate applied on the surface of the suture is rapidly swollen by body fluids and can thus function as a lubricant, thus being convenient to use by a surgical doctor and reducing the pain of a patient and maximizing the functions of skin filling or skin regeneration in the body.

Abstract: This adhesion prevention film for medical devices is a single-layer or multilayer adhesion prevention film that is formed on the surface of a medical device. This adhesion prevention film for medical devices comprises an outermost layer that contains a plurality of conductive particles and a resin having a continuously usable temperature of 200° C. or higher. The surface of the outermost layer is provided with recesses and projections by having parts of the plurality of conductive particles exposed from the resin.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a medical implant using a printing device. The printing device includes a print head having a heated nozzle, a heated build plate for receiving the printed material thereon, and a reflective plate having an active heater. A method for forming a medical device includes extruding a printing material by contiguous deposition to form a porous object having a lattice-like structure. The medical device, such as a spinal implant, may have interconnected pores and different regions, each having a different porosity for encouraging bone growth therein. The printed medical implant may be designed to be patient-specific, customized, and printed on-demand.