Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable drug depot useful for reducing, preventing or treating post-operative pain in a patient in need of such treatment, the implantable drug depot comprising a polymer and a therapeutically effective amount of a local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the drug depot is implantable at a site beneath the skin to reduce, prevent or treat post-operative pain, and the drug depot is capable of releasing (i) a bolus dose of the local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof at a site beneath the skin and (ii) a sustained release dose of an effective amount of the local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a period of at least 4 days.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable drug depot useful for reducing, preventing or treating post-operative pain in a patient in need of such treatment, the implantable drug depot comprising a polymer and a therapeutically effective amount of a local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the drug depot is implantable at a site beneath the skin to reduce, prevent or treat post-operative pain, and the drug depot is capable of releasing (i) a bolus dose of the local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof at a site beneath the skin and (ii) a sustained release dose of an effective amount of the local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a period of at least 4 days.

Abstract: Methods and devices for point of care determination of heparin concentration in blood are described. Cartridges including protamine ion sensitive electrodes (ISEs) and reference electrodes and systems for automatically determining heparin concentration in the cartridges are provided. Some systems add blood to a protamine bolus sufficient to bind all heparin, leaving excess protamine. The excess protamine concentration can be determined by measuring the initial slope of the electrode potential rate of change, and comparing the slope to known protamine concentration slope values In some cartridges, an oscillating pressure source moves the blood-protamine mixture back and forth across the protamine ISE. Some systems also use a second blood sample having the heparin removed or degraded to create a blank reference sample. Protamine ISEs can include polyurethane polymer, DNNS ionophore, and NPOE plasticizer.

Abstract: Methods and devices for point of care determination of heparin concentration in blood are described. Cartridges including protamine ion sensitive electrodes (ISEs) and reference electrodes and systems for automatically determining heparin concentration in the cartridges are provided. Some systems add blood to a protamine bolus sufficient to bind all heparin, leaving excess protamine. The excess protamine concentration can be determined by measuring the initial slope of the electrode potential rate of change, and comparing the slope to known protamine concentration slope values In some cartridges, an oscillating pressure source moves the blood-protamine mixture back and forth across the protamine ISE. Some systems also use a second blood sample having the heparin removed or degraded to create a blank reference sample. Protamine ISEs can include polyurethane polymer, DNNS ionophore, and NPOE plasticizer.

Abstract: Methods and devices for point of care determination of heparin concentration in blood are described. Cartridges including protamine ion sensitive electrodes (ISEs) and reference electrodes and systems for automatically determining heparin concentration in the cartridges are provided. Some systems add blood to a protamine bolus sufficient to bind all heparin, leaving excess protamine. The excess protamine concentration can be determined by measuring the initial slope of the electrode potential rate of change, and comparing the slope to known protamine concentration slope values In some cartridges, an oscillating pressure source moves the blood-protamine mixture back and forth across the protamine ISE. Some systems also use a second blood sample having the heparin removed or degraded to create a blank reference sample. Protamine ISEs can include polyurethane polymer, DNNS ionophore, and NPOE plasticizer.

Abstract: Compounds that include diorgano groups having quaternary carbons and optionally urethane groups, urea groups, or combinations thereof (i.e., polyurethanes, polyureas, or polyurethane-ureas), as well as materials and methods for making such compounds.

Abstract: Polymer-coated medical devices having improved structural integrity and drug elution profile, and related methods. Treatment of a polymeric undercoat layer to reflow the undercoat polymer results in a substrate/coating interface with improved adhesion.

Abstract: Compounds that include diorgano groups having quaternary carbons and optionally urethane groups, urea groups, or combinations thereof (i.e., polyurethanes, polyureas, or polyurethane-ureas), as well as materials and methods for making such compounds.

Abstract: Methods and devices for point of care determination of heparin concentration in blood are described. Cartridges including protamine ion sensitive electrodes (ISEs) and reference electrodes and systems for automatically determining heparin concentration in the cartridges are provided. Some systems add blood to a protamine bolus sufficient to bind all heparin, leaving excess protamine. The excess protamine concentration can be determined by measuring the initial slope of the electrode potential rate of change, and comparing the slope to known protamine concentration slope values In some cartridges, an oscillating pressure source moves the blood-protamine mixture back and forth across the protamine ISE. Some systems also use a second blood sample having the heparin removed or degraded to create a blank reference sample. Protamine ISEs can include polyurethane polymer, DNNS ionophore, and NPOE plasticizer.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDS) having anti-infective properties are described. Anti-infective agents are disposed in, on, or about at least a portion of a surface of the medical device. The anti-infective agents are disposed in or on a vehicle, which may be in the form of a coating layer or covering. The vehicle may be biodegradable so that, over time, the anti-infective agent is removed from a tissue location into which the device is implanted, reducing the likelihood that microorganisms resistant to the anti-infective agent will develop. IMDs having an anti-infective agent and an anti-activity agent disposed therein, thereabout, or thereon are also described. The anti-activity agent interferes with the activity of the anti-infective agent, may be released from a surface at the IMD at a time when activity of the anti-infective agent is no longer desired, and may reduce the likelihood that microorganisms resistant to the anti-infective agent will develop.

Abstract: An anti-infective covering for an implantable medical device is described. The covering may be a polymeric boot that comprises an anti-infective agent in an amount effective to prevent an infection when implanted in a pocket of a patient. The boot is configured to snuggly engage at least a portion of the implantable medical device. The boot may contain a side hole that allows a housing of the implantable medical device to serve as a return electrode. The boot may be placed about the implantable medical device to render the device anti-infective.

Abstract: Compounds that include silicon-containing groups, and optionally urethane groups, urea groups, or combinations thereof (i.e., polyurethanes, polyureas, or polyurethane-ureas), as well as materials and methods for making such compounds.

Abstract: An active agent delivery system that includes two or more active agents in a layer of a miscible polymer blend having at least two miscible polymers; wherein delivery of at least one of the active agents occurs predominantly under permeation control; and further wherein the permeability of the active agent that is to be released faster is greater than the permeability of the other one or more active agents.

Abstract: An active agent delivery system that includes two or more active agents and two or more layers of polymers; wherein at least one layer includes miscible polymer blend comprising two or more miscible polymers; and further wherein delivery of at least one active agent occurs predominantly under permeation control.