Abstract: A method of programming a device comprising acquiring configuration data, loading the configuration data onto a programmable device, processing at least a portion of the configuration data through a one way function to form processed configuration data, and configuring at least one configurable module of the programmable device using the processed configuration data from the processing step.

Abstract: A method for operating a power electronic converter comprising at least one power semiconductor device is provided. The method comprises the determination of the at least one current limit, by carrying out a first operation if the temperature of the at least one semiconductor device is above an upper temperature threshold in order to decrease the current limit, and by carrying out a second operation if the temperature of the at least one semiconductor device is below a lower temperature threshold in order to increase the current limit.

Abstract: A method of discharging a Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) includes a plurality of phase legs connected in delta configuration. Each leg includes a plurality of series connected submodules, each submodule including an energy storage. The method includes disconnecting the MMC from an electrical grid, discharging the energy storages by means of a circulating current, and reconnecting the MMC to the electrical grid. The discharging includes, for each phase leg, setting a voltage reference, and sequentially selecting submodules in zero state by means of a sorting algorithm for switching each of the selected submodules to plus or minus state until the voltage deviation from the set voltage reference of the energy storage of each submodule in the phase leg is within a predefined range.

Abstract: A method of discharging a Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) includes a plurality of phase legs connected in delta configuration. Each leg includes a plurality of series connected submodules, each submodule including an energy storage. The method includes disconnecting the MMC from an electrical grid, discharging the energy storages by means of a circulating current, and reconnecting the MMC to the electrical grid. The discharging includes, for each phase leg, setting a voltage reference, and sequentially selecting submodules in zero state by means of a sorting algorithm for switching each of the selected submodules to plus or minus state until the voltage deviation from the set voltage reference of the energy storage of each submodule in the phase leg is within a predefined range.

Abstract: A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of providing a containment compartment that is substantially free of an antimicrobial agent; positioning a suture within the containment compartment, said suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; placing the containment compartment having the suture in an outer package; and subjecting the outer package, the containment compartment and the suture to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the suture to the containment compartment, while retaining an effective amount of said antimicrobial agent on the suture, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the containment compartment.

Abstract: A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of providing a containment compartment that is substantially free of an antimicrobial agent; positioning a suture within the containment compartment, said suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; placing the containment compartment having the suture in an outer package; and subjecting the outer package, the containment compartment and the suture to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the suture to the containment compartment, while retaining an effective amount of said antimicrobial agent on the suture, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the containment compartment.

Abstract: A method of making a biocompatible, implantable medical device, including a vascular closure device is disclosed. The method includes forming a biocompatible polymer into at least one fiber and randomly orienting the at least one fiber into a fibrous structure having at least one interstitial spaces. Polymeric materials may be utilized to fabricate any of these devices. The polymeric materials may include additives such as drugs or other bioactive agents as well as antibacterial agents. In such instances, at least one agent, in therapeutic dosage, is incorporated into at least one of the fibrous structure and the at least one fiber.

Abstract: A method for making an antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of positioning an antimicrobial agent source within a package comprising an inner surface, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; positioning a medical device within the package; and subjecting the package, the antimicrobial agent source and the medical device to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the medical device, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the medical device.

Abstract: A method for making an antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of positioning an antimicrobial agent source within a package comprising an inner surface, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; positioning a medical device within the package; and subjecting the package, the antimicrobial agent source and the medical device to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the medical device, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the medical device.

Abstract: A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of providing a containment compartment that is substantially free of an antimicrobial agent; positioning a suture within the containment compartment, said suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; placing the containment compartment having the suture in an outer package; and subjecting the outer package, the containment compartment and the suture to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the suture to the containment compartment, while retaining an effective amount of said antimicrobial agent on the suture, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the containment compartment.

Abstract: A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of providing a containment compartment that is substantially free of an antimicrobial agent; positioning a suture within the containment compartment, said suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; placing the containment compartment having the suture in an outer package; and subjecting the outer package, the containment compartment and the suture to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the suture to the containment compartment, while retaining an effective amount of said antimicrobial agent on the suture, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the containment compartment.

Abstract: A method for making an antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of positioning an antimicrobial agent source within a package comprising an inner surface, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; positioning a medical device within the package; and subjecting the package, the antimicrobial agent source and the medical device to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the medical device, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the medical device.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition for coating a medical device. The antimicrobial composition includes a polymeric film forming material and an antimicrobial agent comprising a material selected from the group of extract of Houttuynia cordata, sodium houttuyfonate, sodium new houttuyfonate and mixtures thereof. A medical device having an antimicrobial composition that includes a material selected from the group of extract of Houttuynia cordata, sodium houttuyfonate, sodium new houttuyfonate and mixtures thereof and a method for making same are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of providing a containment compartment that is substantially free of an antimicrobial agent; positioning a suture within the containment compartment, said suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; placing the containment compartment having the suture in an outer package; and subjecting the outer package, the containment compartment and the suture to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the suture to the containment compartment, while retaining an effective amount of said antimicrobial agent on the suture, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the containment compartment.

Abstract: A method of making a biocompatible, implantable medical device, including a vascular closure device is disclosed. The method includes forming a biocompatible polymer into at least one fiber and randomly orienting the at least one fiber into a fibrous structure having at least one interstitial spaces. Polymeric materials may be utilized to fabricate any of these devices. The polymeric materials may include additives such as drugs or other bioactive agents as well as antibacterial agents. In such instances, at least one agent, in therapeutic dosage, is incorporated into at least one of the fibrous structure and the at least one fiber.

Abstract: A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of providing a containment compartment that is substantially free of an antimicrobial agent; positioning a suture within the containment compartment, said suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; placing the containment compartment having the suture in an outer package; and subjecting the outer package, the containment compartment and the suture to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the suture to the containment compartment, while retaining an effective amount of said antimicrobial agent on the suture, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the containment compartment.

Abstract: A method for making an antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of positioning an antimicrobial agent source within a package comprising an inner surface, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; positioning a medical device within the package; and subjecting the package, the antimicrobial agent source and the medical device to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the medical device, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the medical device.

Abstract: A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of providing a containment compartment that is substantially free of an antimicrobial agent; positioning a suture within the containment compartment, said suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; placing the containment compartment having the suture in an outer package; and subjecting the outer package, the containment compartment and the suture to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the suture to the containment compartment, while retaining an effective amount of said antimicrobial agent on the suture, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the containment compartment.

Abstract: A packaged medical device produced according to the steps of positioning an antimicrobial agent source within a package comprising an inner surface, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; positioning a medical device within the package; and subjecting the package, the antimicrobial agent source and the medical device to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the medical device, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the medical device.

Abstract: A process for improving the knot tensile strength of a braided suture while maintaining its first throw holding characteristics includes the steps of applying a biocompatible co-polymer to the braided suture and then heating the suture to a temperature above the flow point of the co-polymer. An outer coat is applied to the suture after the heating step. The suture may be scoured with a solvent before the co-polymer is applied or the co-polymer may be applied simultaneously with the scouring step. The co-polymer preferably comprises one or more lactones, more preferably, ?-caprolactone and glycolide. This process may be used with bioabsorbable sutures, such as those comprising filaments made of polyglycolide and polylactide.