Abstract: The present invention is directed to membranes, sensors, systems and process for the detection of magnesium ions in protein-containing samples. The novel membranes, sensors, systems, and processes are based upon the discovery that the lipophilcity of the plasticizer (or blend of plasticizers) utilized in the formulation of magnesium ion selective membranes for clinical use is inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the plasticizer(s) and directly proportional to the use life thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to membranes, sensors, systems and process for the detection of magnesium ions in protein-containing samples. The novel membranes, sensors, systems, and processes are based upon the discovery that the lipophilicity of the plasticizer (or blend of plasticizers) utilized in the formulation of magnesium ion selective membranes for clinical use is inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the plasticizer(s) and directly proportional to the use life thereof.

Abstract: A reagent strip and a reagent analyzer for reading the reagent strip is described. The reagent strip includes a substrate, at least one reagent pad positioned on the substrate, and a photo luminescent phosphor spot positioned at a fixed location on the substrate. The photo luminescent phosphor spot is formulated to exhibit a predetermined addressable attribute.

Abstract: In vitro diagnostic sensors are disclosed that include membranes formed of a polymer matrix that has been modified to contain surface adhesion functional group(s) that enables attachment of the membrane to a substrate of the sensor. Also disclosed are membranes of these sensors as well as multi-sensor arrays that include multiple sensors. In addition, methods of producing and using these membranes, sensors, and arrays are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to membranes, sensors, systems and process for the detection of magnesium ions in protein-containing samples. The novel membranes, sensors, systems, and processes are based upon the discovery that the lipophilcity of the plasticizer (or blend of plasticizers) utilized in the formulation of magnesium ion selective membranes for clinical use is inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the plasticizer(s) and directly proportional to the use life thereof.

Abstract: In vitro diagnostic sensors are disclosed that include membranes formed of a polymer matrix that has been modified to contain surface adhesion functional group(s) that enables attachment of the membrane to a substrate of the sensor. Also disclosed are membranes of these sensors as well as multi-sensor arrays that include multiple sensors. In addition, methods of producing and using these membranes, sensors, and arrays are disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device 10 is provided that includes a porous substrate 12 and a plurality of reaction channels 14 disposed on a first side 36 of the porous substrate 12. The reaction channels 14 are defined by a barrier material 16 disposed on the substrate 12 in a user-defined pattern 13. At least one reagent 18 is disposed within each reaction channel 14 in an amount effective to test for the presence of at least one analyte or property in a sample introduced to the device 10.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to membranes, sensors, systems and process for the detection of magnesium ions in protein-containing samples. The novel membranes, sensors, systems, and processes are based upon the discovery that the lipophilcity of the plasticizer (or blend of plasticizers) utilized in the formulation of magnesium ion selective membranes for clinical use is inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the plasticizer(s) and directly proportional to the use life thereof.

Abstract: A microfluidic device 10 is provided that includes a porous substrate 12 and a plurality of reaction channels 14 disposed on a first side 36 of the porous substrate 12. The reaction channels 14 are defined by a barrier material 16 disposed on the substrate 12 in a user-defined pattern 13. At least one reagent 18 is disposed within each reaction channel 14 in an amount effective to test for the presence of at least one analyte or property in a sample introduced to the device 10.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes a chemical tie layer formed of polymer that enhance adherence of a coating, e.g. a drug eluting polymer coating, to a stent surface, e.g. made of ceramic.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided which include (a) a substrate and (b) a coating that includes an antifouling copolymer, an adhesive copolymer, or both. Antifouling copolymers for use in conjunction with the present invention contain (i) at least one antifouling polymer block having multiple pendant alkoxy functional groups along the polymer backbone and (ii) at least one additional polymer block. Adhesive copolymers for use in conjunction with the present invention contain (i) at least one adhesive polymer block having multiple pendant ring-hydroxyl-substituted aromatic groups along the polymer backbone and (ii) at least one additional polymer block.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, polymers that have a plurality of well defined polymer segments linked by disulfide linkages are provided. When these disulfide linkages are broken, multiple smaller polymers of lower molecular weight are produced. According to another aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided that contain polymers that have a plurality of well defined polymer segments linked by disulfide linkages.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes a chemical tie layer formed of polymer that enhance adherence of a coating, e.g. a drug eluting polymer coating, to a stent surface, e.g. made of ceramic.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided which include (a) a substrate and (b) a coating that includes an antifouling copolymer, an adhesive copolymer, or both. Antifouling copolymers for use in conjunction with the present invention contain (i) at least one antifouling polymer block having multiple pendant alkoxy functional groups along the polymer backbone and (ii) at least one additional polymer block. Adhesive copolymers for use in conjunction with the present invention contain (i) at least one adhesive polymer block having multiple pendant ring-hydroxyl-substituted aromatic groups along the polymer backbone and (ii) at least one additional polymer block.

Abstract: In methods and systems for applying a coating to a medical device, such as a coating comprising a therapeutic agent, electrons may be transferred from an electrode to ionize a therapeutic agent dissolved in an electrolytic solution. The ionized therapeutic agent may then be electrochemically delivered to the medical device. The medical device may be a stent, which may have a porous surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coating surfaces of medical devices by electroless plating are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention includes a coating method in which a therapeutic agent and a plating material are plated onto the surface of the medical device by an electroless plating chemical reaction. In another embodiment, a coating method is disclosed in which the coating is formed by suspending a therapeutic agent in a soluble plating solution and plating a plating material onto the medical device by electroless plating wherein the plated material contains the suspended therapeutic agent. In another embodiment, a coating method is provided wherein the coating is formed by initially bonding a therapeutic agent to a plating material, and then plating the bonded therapeutic agent/plating material onto the medical device by electroless plating. In another embodiment, an additive is introduced to the soluble plating solution to regulate the chemical reaction of electroless plating.

Abstract: A medical device having a coating of cell adhesion polypeptides to enhance endothelial cell adhesion onto the medical device. The cell adhesion polypeptides may be any of the proteins of the extracellular matrix which are known to play a role in cell adhesion or derivative peptides such as RGD or YIGSR. The polypeptides may be incorporated into the backbone of a polymer such as polyurethane, or grafted onto a polymer such polybisphosphonate. The polypeptides may also be carried on antibodies or displayed on bacteriophages. The polypeptides may also be modified to have adhesive amino acid sequences. In certain embodiments, the medical device further comprises a temporary barrier that protects the polypeptides from biofouling. The temporary barrier may be formed of a biodegradable polymer and be constructed as a coating over the polypeptides or as a plurality of micelles encapsulating the polypeptides.

Abstract: In various aspects are provided a microfluidic and/or nanofluidic sensor that can provide an indication of the reliability of its measurement of the presence of an analyte in a sample under investigation, an analyte concentration in the sample under investigation, or both. The provided sensors, microfluidic devices, and methods of analyte detection, utilize two transduction mechanisms from the same molecule to determine analyte presence, analyte concentration, or both. An analyte sensing molecule is used that can provide both an optical signal and electrochemical signal when an analyte is recognized by an analyte binding portion of the sensing molecule.