Abstract: Disclosed are methods for forming targeted collagen products having an amplified desired characteristic, including the step of adding peptides exhibiting a desired characteristic to collagen to form the targeted collagen product. The adding step is performed so that the collagen is crosslinked to the peptide exhibiting the desired characteristic. Crosslinking of the collagen to the peptide exhibiting the desired characteristic occurs by modification of the peptide to facilitate binding to the collagen. Further disclosed are methods for forming a targeted collagen product lacking an undesired characteristic, including the step of subtracting peptides exhibiting the undesired characteristic from collagen to form the targeted collagen product. Also disclosed are targeted collagen products formed by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Method for minimizing the sorption of tear lipids on frequent replacement, or extended-wear, contact lenses, the method comprising (a) contacting the contact lens selected from the group consisting of senofilcon A, lotrafilcon A, lotrafilcon B, and comfilcon A B with a lens care solution for a period of at least three hours to minimize the accumulation of tear lipids on the contact lens. The lens care solution comprises 0.5 ppm to 10 ppm ?-[4-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-ammonium chloride-2-butenyl]poly[1-dimethyl ammonium chloride-2-butenyl]-?-tris(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride; citrate, citric acid or a mixture thereof; and 0.005 wt. % to 0.05 wt. % hyaluronic acid. The method also includes (b) inserting the soaked contact lens into one's eye, and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b).

Abstract: Method for minimizing the sorption of tear lipids on frequent replacement, or extended-wear, contact lenses, the method comprising (a) contacting the contact lens selected from the group consisting of senofilcon A, lotrafilcon A, lotrafilcon B, and comfilcon A B with a lens care solution for a period of at least three hours to minimize the accumulation of tear lipids on the contact lens. The lens care solution comprises 0.5 ppm to 10 ppm ?-[4-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-ammonium chloride-2-butenyl]poly[1-dimethyl ammonium chloride-2-butenyl]-?-tris(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride; citrate, citric acid or a mixture thereof; and 0.005 wt. % to 0.05 wt. % hyaluronic acid. The method also includes (b) inserting the soaked contact lens into one's eye, and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b).

Abstract: Pro-fibrotic coatings for medical articles are described that include a pro-fibrotic polymer such as collagen. The pro-fibrotic coatings can also include a thromboresistant polymer. The coatings can be formed by activation of photoreactive groups pendent or independent of the coating materials.

Abstract: Biodegradable coatings and articles that include natural biodegradable polysaccharides are described. The coatings and articles are formed from a plurality of natural biodegradable polysaccharides having pendent coupling groups.

Abstract: The invention provides medical articles that include more than one biocompatibility-promoting function. In one aspect, the invention provides a medical articles that include a polymeric matrix including more than one biocompatible agent, wherein each biocompatible agent is provided at a distinct portion of the medical article surface. Methods of making medical articles, as well as methods of using the same, are also described.

Abstract: Biodegradable coatings that include natural biodegradable polysaccharides are described. The coating is formed from a plurality of natural biodegradable polysaccharides having pendent coupling groups.

Abstract: Polymeric coatings that include coupled biomolecules are formed on the surface of articles, such as medical devices. A coated layer that includes a synthetic polymer including a reactive group is formed on a surface and then a biomolecule is attached to the reactive group. The synthetic polymer can be an acrylate polymer or an amine-containing polymer having pendent photoreactive groups.

Abstract: Laminin-containing coatings for the surfaces of implantable medical devices are disclosed. The coatings promote the formation of vessels in association with the coated surfaces with minimal fibrotic response.

Abstract: Matrices formed from a natural biodegradable material and that exhibit surface degradation in the presence of an enzyme are described. Matrices including a bioactive agent can be implanted or formed in a subject for release of the bioactive agent upon degradation of the matrix. The matrix can be provided in various forms, including coatings for implantable devices, implants, and in-situ formed matrices. The matrix can also be in the form of a medical device having a structure that is used to treat a medical condition.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for providing biocompatible surfaces to medical articles. In particular the invention provides biocompatible coatings with heparin activity that are able to release a bioactive agent, wherein the coatings are formed using biostable or biodegradable polymeric material and photoreactive groups.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for providing biocompatible surfaces to medical articles. In particular the invention provides biocompatible coatings with heparin activity. In some aspects, the biocompatible coatings of the invention are able to release a bioactive agent. The coatings can be formed using biostable or biodegradable polymeric material and photoreactive groups. The invention also provides methods for improving the quality of bioactive agent-containing coatings by performing pre-irradiation of biocompatible coating compositions.

Abstract: A crosslinkable macromer system and related methods of preparing the system and using the system in the form of a crosslinked matrix between a tissue site and an implant article such as a tissue implant or on the porous surface of a prosthetic device. The macromer system includes two or more polymer-pendent polymerizable groups and one or more multifunctional initiator groups. The polymerizable groups and the initiator group(s), when polymer-pendent, can be pendent on the same or different polymeric backbones. The macromer system provides advantages over the use of polymerizable macromers and separate, low molecular weight initiators, including advantages with respect to such properties as nontoxicity, efficiency, and solubility. A macromer system of the invention can be used as an interface between the tissue site and implant article in a manner sufficient to permit tissue growth through the crosslinked matrix and between the tissue site and implant.

Abstract: Coatings including adhesion factors for the surfaces of implantable medical articles are disclosed. The coatings are used to improve the function of the device by promoting a pro-healing response following implantation. The coatings can modulate endothelialization of the article surface to reduce the risk of adverse tissue responses that may reduce the functionality of the device.

Abstract: Biodegradable coatings and articles that include natural biodegradable polysaccharides are described. The coatings and articles are formed from a plurality of natural biodegradable polysaccharides having pendent coupling groups.

Abstract: In situ formed biodegradable occlusions including natural biodegradable polysaccharides are described. The matrix is formed from a plurality of natural biodegradable polysaccharides having pendent coupling groups.

Abstract: The invention provides medical articles that include more than one biocompatibility-promoting function. In one aspect, the invention provides a medical articles that include a polymeric matrix including more than one biocompatible agent, wherein each biocompatible agent is provided at a distinct portion of the medical article surface. Methods of making medical articles, as well as methods of using the same, are also described.

Abstract: A crosslinkable macromer system and related methods of preparing the system and using the system in the form of a crosslinked matrix between a tissue site and an implant article such as a tissue implant or on the porous surface of a prosthetic device. The macromer system includes two or more polymer-pendent polymerizable groups and one or more multifunctional initiator groups. The polymerizable groups and the initiator group(s), when polymer-pendent, can be pendent on the same or different polymeric backbones. The macromer system provides advantages over the use of polymerizable macromers and separate, low molecular weight initiators, including advantages with respect to such properties as nontoxicity, efficiency, and solubility. A macromer system of the invention can be used as an interface between the tissue site and implant article in a manner sufficient to permit tissue growth through the crosslinked matrix and between the tissue site and implant.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for providing biocompatible surfaces to medical articles. In particular the invention provides biocompatible coatings with heparin activity. In some aspects, the biocompatible coatings of the invention are able to release a bioactive agent. The coatings can be formed using biostable or biodegradable polymeric material and photoreactive groups. The invention also provides methods for improving the quality of bioactive agent-containing coatings by performing pre-irradiation of biocompatible coating compositions.

Abstract: Laminin-containing coatings for the surfaces of implantable medical devices are disclosed. The coatings promote the formation of vessels in association with the coated surfaces with minimal fibrotic resonse.