Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to materials, gels, coatings and films prepared using a biomaterial (e.g., a fatty acid-based material comprising a network of cross-linked fatty acids) and a fixating material, layer or film (e.g., a fixating material comprising Na-CMC). The materials, gels, coatings and films disclosed herein can be used to facilitate the delivery of one or more therapeutic agents to a targeted tissue and a desired rate of release.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to materials, gels, coatings and films prepared using a biomaterial (e.g., a fatty acid-based material comprising a network of cross-linked fatty acids) and a fixating material, layer or film (e.g., a fixating material comprising Na-CMC). The materials, gels, coatings and films disclosed herein can be used to facilitate the delivery of one or more therapeutic agents to a targeted tissue and a desired rate of release.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to materials, gels, coatings and films prepared using a biomaterial (e.g., a fatty acid-based material comprising a network of cross-linked fatty acids) and a fixating material, layer or film (e.g., a fixating material comprising Na-CMC). The materials, gels, coatings and films disclosed herein can be used to facilitate the delivery of one or more therapeutic agents to a targeted tissue and a desired rate of release.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to materials, gels, coatings and films prepared using a biomaterial (e.g., a fatty acid-based material comprising a network of cross-linked fatty acids) and a fixating material, layer or film (e.g., a fixating material comprising Na—CMC). The materials, gels, coatings and films disclosed herein can be used to facilitate the delivery of one or more therapeutic agents to a targeted tissue and a desired rate of release.

Abstract: A deployment device, system, and method for deploying a prosthesis. The deployment device includes a housing, a rod disposed within the housing and adapted to rotate relative to the housing, and one or more support members (e.g., bushings, bearings, etc.) rotatably supporting the rod within the housing. An elongate slit is disposed in and entirely through the housing and is positioned in a way that enables the prosthesis to pass therethrough from a loaded, rolled configuration on the rod. The deployment device is generally flexible, e.g., has a bending stiffness of at most about 0.87 N/mm (e.g., about 0.05 N/mm to about 0.87 N/mm). Furthermore, the deployment device enables a user to deploy (e.g., unroll) a prosthesis therefrom at a rate determined manually by the user and in a piece-by-piece fashion.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to materials, gels, coatings and films prepared using a biomaterial (e.g., a fatty acid-based material comprising a network of cross-linked fatty acids) and a fixating material, layer or film (e.g., a fixating material comprising Na—CMC). The materials, gels, coatings and films disclosed herein can be used to facilitate the delivery of one or more therapeutic agents to a targeted tissue and a desired rate of release.

Abstract: A deployment device, system, and method for deploying a prosthesis. The deployment device includes a housing, a rod disposed within the housing and adapted to rotate relative to the housing, and one or more support members (e.g., bushings, bearings, etc.) rotatably supporting the rod within the housing. An elongate slit is disposed in and entirely through the housing and is positioned in a way that enables the prosthesis to pass therethrough from a loaded, rolled configuration on the rod. The deployment device is generally flexible, e.g., has a bending stiffness of at most about 0.87 N/mm (e.g., about 0.05 N/mm to about 0.87 N/mm). Furthermore, the deployment device enables a user to deploy (e.g., unroll) a prosthesis therefrom at a rate determined manually by the user and in a piece-by-piece fashion.

Abstract: A substrate is coated with a layer(s) or coating(s) that includes, for example, amorphous carbon in a form of diamond-like carbon (DLC). The DLC is then subjected to barrier discharge treatment (or some other type of plasma treatment) in order to cause the contact angle ? thereof to decrease. In certain example embodiments, an atmospheric plasma is used in the barrier discharge treatment, and the glow discharge produces oxygen radicals which impinge on the DLC and cause the contact angle to decrease.

Abstract: A vehicle window is provided with a hydrophilic coating. A silicon oxide layer of the window may be deposited using flame pyrolysis so that the surface of the silicon oxide layer is textured at the sub-micron level in order to improve the coating's hydrophilic properties. Optionally, an overcoat layer may be provided over the flame pyrolysis deposited layer.

Abstract: A substrate is coated with a layer(s) or coating(s) that includes, for example, amorphous carbon in a form of diamond-like carbon (DLC). The DLC is then subjected to flame pyrolysis in order to cause the contact angle ? thereof to decrease.