Abstract: Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds with antimicrobial effectiveness are disclosed. The compositions provide devices of improved flexibility and elasticity and are readily applied to wound sites or over wound closure devices. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such compositions. The catalyst provides for rapid curing on topical surfaces such as skin and bonds to such surfaces in about 2-5 minutes.

Abstract: Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds with antimicrobial effectiveness are disclosed. The compositions provide devices of improved flexibility and elasticity and are readily applied to wound sites or over wound closure devices. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such compositions. The catalyst provides for rapid curing on topical surfaces such as skin and bonds to such surfaces in about 2-5 minutes.

Abstract: An aerosol spray device includes a container having first and second fluid reservoirs disposed therein that are divided from one another. The first fluid reservoir holds a first mixture including a first aerosol propellant and a first part of a silicone based topical skin adhesive that is dissolved in the first aerosol propellant. The second fluid reservoir holds a second mixture including a second aerosol propellant and a second part of the silicone based topical skin adhesive that is dissolved in the second aerosol propellant. An aerosol spray dispensing system is connected with the container, which is configured to combine the first and second mixtures to form the silicone based topical skin adhesive and dispense the silicone based topical skin adhesive from the container as an aerosol spray.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coating surgical needles are provided.

Abstract: Provided are rapidly cross-linkable silicone compositions, systems, kits, and methods for filling implanted medical devices in situ, the implanted medical devices, including for example, body implants and tissue expanders, the compositions including a platinum divinyl disiloxane complex; a low viscosity vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane; a low viscosity hydride terminated polydimethylsiloxane; and a silicone cross-linker, where the rapidly cross-linkable silicone composition has a viscosity of ?150 cPs for ?1 min. post-preparation and ?300 cPs?5 min. post-preparation, at ambient temperature.

Abstract: Provided are rapidly cross-linkable silicone foam compositions, kits, and methods for filling implanted medical devices in situ or in vivo, the implanted medical devices, including for example, body implants and tissue expanders, the compositions including a platinum divinyl disiloxane complex; a low viscosity vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane; a low viscosity hydride terminated polydimethylsiloxane; a silicone cross-linker; and a gas and/or gas-filled microcapsules, where the rapidly cross-linkable silicone foam composition has a viscosity of ?150 cPs for ?1 min. post-preparation and ?300 cPs?5 min. post-preparation, at ambient temperature.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis includes a silicone shell having an apex, a base, a radius located between the apex and the base, and a dome extending between the apex and the radius. The silicone shell has an outer surface and an inner surface that surrounds an interior volume of the silicone shell. A silicone gel material is disposed within the interior volume of the silicone shell. A gelling enhancer layer containing a gelling enhancer covers the inner surface of the silicone shell. After the silicone gel material has been thermally cured, the silicone gel material that is located within a zone that is in the vicinity of the gelling enhancer layer has a higher level of cohesiveness than the silicone gel material that is located outside the zone. The gelling enhancer contains crosslinker and/or platinum catalyst, such as a Karstedt catalyst.

Abstract: A novel two-step process for batch coating surgical needles with cross-linked silicone coatings is disclosed. The surgical needles are cured using a two-step process. The coatings on the needles are partially cured in the first step and mechanically separated. The coatings on the needles are then fully cured in the second step.

Abstract: A low-hazardous electropolishing process has been developed to remove oxide layer(s) from the surface of nitinol needles. Low concentrations of citric acid and sulfamic acid are mixed with medium concentrations of sulfuric acid to use as an electrolyte solution. The process can be easily fitted into current suture needle manufacturing processes as well as into processes require electropolishing of nitinol-containing medical devices.

Abstract: The invention describes compositions that include amine-containing silsesquioxane or an amine-containing alkyltrialkoxysilane and a thermoplastic elastomer as well as methods of preparation of the compositions that are useful as self-bonding adhesives for various substrates.

Abstract: A novel two-step process for batch coating surgical needles with cross-linked silicone coatings is disclosed. The surgical needles are cured using a two-step process. The coatings on the needles are partially cured in the first step and mechanically separated. The coatings on the needles are then fully cured in the second step.

Abstract: A non-hazardous cleaning solution/process has been developed to remove oxide residues from the surface of blackened needles. Low concentrations of citric acid solution are mixed with blackened needles and treated in an ultrasonic tank for short period of time (<5 minutes). The oxide residues are substantially removed. Quite surprisingly and unexpectedly, the penetration performance of the cleaned needles are greatly improved by up to 50% over other tested cleaning solutions.

Abstract: A needle and suture assembly includes a needle made of a superelastic alloy, such as Nitinol, including an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end with a sharpened tip, a suture having a free end juxtaposed with the proximal end of the elongated body of the needle, and a connector disposed between the needle and the suture. The connector includes a first end attached to the proximal end of the elongated body of the needle and a second end attached to the free end of the suture. The connector is made of a material, such as stainless steel, having less elasticity and greater plasticity than the superelastic alloy of the needle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coating apparatus and method for applying a coating of a therapeutic agent, comprising an openable and sealable device compartment, a therapeutic agent positioned in communication with the device compartment, a thermal source for vaporizing the therapeutic agent, and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the device compartment.

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: Novel, lubricious coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The coatings provide improved lubricity and durability and are readily applied in coating processes a low temperatures that do not deform the device. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such coatings. The catalyst provides for rapid curing, while inhibiting cross-linking at ambient temperatures, thereby improving the production pot life of the coatings.

Abstract: Novel apparatus and methods for coating surgical needles in batch processes are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel, lubricious antimicrobial coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The coatings provide improved lubricity and durability and are readily applied in coating processes at low temperatures that do not deform the device and preserves the antimicrobial effectiveness of the antimicrobial agent. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such coatings. The catalyst provides for rapid curing, while inhibiting cross-linking at ambient temperatures, thereby improving the production pot life of the coatings.

Abstract: Provided are rapidly cross-linkable silicone foam compositions, kits, and methods for filling implanted medical devices in situ or in vivo, the implanted medical devices, including for example, body implants and tissue expanders, the compositions including a platinum divinyl disiloxane complex; a low viscosity vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane; a low viscosity hydride terminated polydimethylsiloxane; a silicone cross-linker; and a gas and/or gas-filled microcapsules, where the rapidly cross-linkable silicone foam composition has a viscosity of ?150 cPs for ?1 min. post-preparation and ?300 cPs?5 min. post-preparation, at ambient temperature.

Abstract: Provided are rapidly cross-linkable silicone compositions, systems, kits, and methods for filling implanted medical devices in situ, the implanted medical devices, including for example, body implants and tissue expanders, the compositions including a platinum divinyl disiloxane complex; a low viscosity vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane; a low viscosity hydride terminated polydimethylsiloxane; and a silicone cross-linker, where the rapidly cross-linkable silicone composition has a viscosity of ?150 cPs for ?1 min. post-preparation and ?300 cPs?5 min. post-preparation, at ambient temperature.