Abstract: A catheter configured to release nitric oxide and chlorhexidine providing anti-platelet and antimicrobial properties is manufactured by impregnating a thermoplastic polyurethane catheter extrusion with a nitric oxide releasing compound and with chlorhexidine. Thereafter, the impregnated catheter extrusion is coated with a polyurethane coating comprising chlorhexidine and/or a nitric oxide releasing compound. In the impregnating step, the catheter extrusion may be exposed to a solvent having the nitric oxide releasing compound and chlorhexidine dissolved therein. The solvent is removed from the catheter extrusion. In the coating step, the impregnated catheter extrusion may be dip coated in a polymer solution comprising polyurethane and chlorhexidine and/or a nitric oxide releasing compound in a suitable solvent. The nitric oxide releasing compound, impregnated and/or coated, may be selected from s-nitroso-n-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), s-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A catheter-disinfecting system can include, in some embodiments, an introducer sheath and a germicidal irradiation means for irradiating a catheter tube of a catheter with germicidal radiation. The introducer sheath can include a sheath body configured to be percutaneously inserted into an insertion site of a patient. The germicidal irradiation means can be configured for irradiating the catheter tube as the catheter tube is inserted into a lumen of the introducer sheath, thereby disinfecting the catheter tube immediately before insertion into the insertion site. A method of disinfecting a catheter such as the foregoing catheter can include inserting the catheter tube into the introducer sheath while the introducer sheath, itself, is percutaneously inserted into the insertion site of the patient; and irradiating the catheter tube with the germicidal radiation while inserting the catheter tube into the introducer sheath.

Abstract: Coated medical devices include coated catheters. For example, a coated catheter can include a catheter tube of a tubular substrate and a coating thereover. The tubular substrate can be of a first polymeric material transparent to electromagnetic radiation in a range of visible light. The coating can be of a second polymeric material anchored to the tubular substrate by chain ends of the second polymeric material impregnated in the first polymeric material by way of a spent visible-light photoinitiator. Methods of coating can include methods of coating medical devices such as the coated catheter. For example, a method of coating can include irradiating a tubular substrate impregnated with a visible-light photoinitiator with the foregoing electromagnetic radiation while the tubular substrate is disposed in an aqueous solution of a monomer, thereby initiating a radical polymerization of the monomer and coating the tubular substrate with the coating of the second polymer material.

Abstract: A catheter configured to release nitric oxide and chlorhexidine providing anti-platelet and antimicrobial properties is manufactured by impregnating a thermoplastic polyurethane catheter extrusion with a nitric oxide releasing compound and with chlorhexidine. Thereafter, the impregnated catheter extrusion is coated with a polyurethane coating comprising chlorhexidine and/or a nitric oxide releasing compound. In the impregnating step, the catheter extrusion may be exposed to a solvent having the nitric oxide releasing compound and chlorhexidine dissolved therein. The solvent is removed from the catheter extrusion. In the coating step, the impregnated catheter extrusion may be dip coated in a polymer solution comprising polyurethane and chlorhexidine and/or a nitric oxide releasing compound in a suitable solvent. The nitric oxide releasing compound, impregnated and/or coated, may be selected from s-nitroso-n-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), s-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Catheter lock solutions contain liposomes which encapsulate a nitric oxide releasing precursor material. The catheter lock solutions release nitric oxide under physiologic conditions to provide antithrombotic and antimicrobial properties. The liposomes may be lyophilized for stable storage to maintain their nitric oxide releasing capacity. A kit for preparing a catheter lock solution includes a quantity of lyophilized liposomes which encapsulate a nitric oxide releasing precursor material and a volume of an aqueous rehydrating solution. A catheter lock solution may be prepared by rehydrating a quantity of lyophilized liposomes which encapsulate a nitric oxide releasing precursor material with an aqueous rehydrating solution in a volume sufficient to fill a catheter.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe with antimicrobial surface activity includes a housing, wherein the housing has an antimicrobial compound present at an exterior surface of the probe housing in sufficient concentration to provide antimicrobial activity with microbes that contact the exterior surface of the ultrasound probe. A plurality of antimicrobial compounds may be present at the exterior surface of the probe housing in sufficient concentration to provide antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial compound may be an additive to a polymeric material from which the probe housing is manufactured. The antimicrobial compound may be present in an antimicrobial coating disposed on the exterior surface of the probe housing. The antimicrobial activity may provide log reductions in gram+ and gram? bacteria after 24 hours in the range from 3 to 7.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating diabetes comprising methods and devices for reducing the levels of glucagon found in diabetic patients. Disclosed is a stent comprising a biocompatible polymer containing at least one glucagon suppressing drug, the stent is inserted into an artery or vein supplying the pancreas and as the drug is eluted it reduces the level of glucagon. In another embodiment, the method of treating diabetes comprises providing a pump having a catheter and a reservoir containing at least one glucagon suppressing drug, inserting the catheter into an artery supplying blood to the pancreas, and infusing the glucagon suppressing drug into the arterial supply.

Abstract: Surgical tissue repair technologies incorporating nitric oxide releasing materials which release nitric oxide into the surrounding tissue. The surgical tissue repair technologies include tissue repair devices, such as surgical meshes, vascular stents, surgical grafts, irrigation solutions, and other internal surgical tissue repair materials. The nitric oxide releasing compound may be a S-nitrosothiol compound, such as s-nitroso-n-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP), s-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), and mixtures thereof. The tissue repair devices may further include a catalyst to facilitate release of nitric oxide. The devices may include a substrate coated with a coating incorporating the same or different nitric oxide releasing compound. The devices may include a substrate impregnated with the nitric oxide releasing compound and coated with a polymer-based coating incorporating the same or different nitric oxide releasing compound. The polymer-based coating may include diazeniumdiolate groups (NONOate groups).

Abstract: A self-activating dressing for use with a medical device inserted into a skin surface of a patient via a skin insertion site. The dressing includes a dressing body impregnated with a nitric oxide releasing compound which reacts in the presence of a physiological fluid to release nitric oxide. Nitric oxide provides antimicrobial activity and promotes wound healing. The nitric oxide releasing compound may include s-nitroso-n-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP), s-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), and mixtures thereof. A slit defined in the dressing body enables the dressing body to be placed around a perimeter of the medical device on the skin surface at the skin insertion site such that the dressing body surrounds and contacts skin insertion site. The dressing body may be further impregnated with a catalyst, such as copper, iron, zinc, selenium, and silver, to facilitate release of nitric oxide. The dressing body may be further impregnated with an additional antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A catheter configured to release nitric oxide and chlorhexidine providing anti-platelet and antimicrobial properties is manufactured by impregnating a thermoplastic polyurethane catheter extrusion with a nitric oxide releasing compound and with chlorhexidine. Thereafter, the impregnated catheter extrusion is coated with a polyurethane coating comprising chlorhexidine and/or a nitric oxide releasing compound. In the impregnating step, the catheter extrusion may be exposed to a solvent having the nitric oxide releasing compound and chlorhexidine dissolved therein. The solvent is removed from the catheter extrusion. In the coating step, the impregnated catheter extrusion may be dip coated in a polymer solution comprising polyurethane and chlorhexidine and/or a nitric oxide releasing compound in a suitable solvent. The nitric oxide releasing compound, impregnated and/or coated, may be selected from s-nitroso-n-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), s-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), and mixtures thereof.