Abstract: This invention related to a tissue-adhesive sheet comprising a homogeneous, preformed and cross-linked matrix formed from one or more polymers, and having at least one surface that, in use, is exposed, at least one of said one or more polymers being a synthetic polymer and having appendant functional groups of a first form, cross-linking of said matrix being via a proportion of said functional groups of the first form, and the remainder of said functional groups of the first form being free. The sheet is particularly useful as a tissue adhesive and sealant, and is intended for topical application to internal and external surfaces of the body for therapeutic reasons. The invention further relates to sheets comprising a scaffold material, three-dimensional articles formed from similar material to that of the sheet and to implantable medical devices coated with such material.

Abstract: An implantable medical device carries on at least part of its external surface a coating. The coating consists essentially of a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone, acrylic acid and activated acrylic acid, and optionally a colouring agent.

Abstract: A tissue-adhesive formulation consists of a naturally occurring or synthetic polymerisable and/or cross-linkable material in particulate form, the polymerisable and/or cross-linkable material being in admixture with particulate material comprising tissue-reactive functional groups. The formulation may be used in the preparation of a tissue-adhesive sheet, by applying the formulation to at least one side of a core of a naturally occurring or synthetic polymeric material.

Abstract: A multi-lamellar tissue-adhesive sheet comprises a structural layer or laminate conjoined to a tissue-contacting layer. The structural layer or laminate comprises one or more synthetic polymers having film-forming properties, and the tissue-contacting layer of material contains tissue-reactive groups. The synthetic polymers having film-forming properties are preferably biodegradable polyesters, and the tissue-reactive groups are most preferably NHS-ester groups.

Abstract: A tissue-adhesive formulation comprises a particulate material having tissue-reactive functional groups, in admixture with a particulate buffer material. The formulation is preferably free or substantially free of materials of human or animal origin. In preferred embodiments, the formulation consists, or consists essentially of, an anhydrous or partially hydrated blend of particulate material having tissue-reactive functional groups and particulate buffer material. Also disclosed is a multilayer sheet comprising a structural support coated on at least one side thereof with such a tissue-adhesive formulation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for effecting a reaction by irradiating a substance which absorbs the radiant energy until the reaction is complete and the absorbency of the material changes so as to reduce or cease absorption of further radiant energy.