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: A method of making an implantable prosthesis includes applying a gelling enhancer layer over an inner surface of a wall of a silicone shell having anterior and posterior walls surrounding an interior volume. The method includes filling the interior volume of the shell with a silicone gel and curing the silicone gel. The cured silicone gel that is located within a zone that is in the vicinity of the gelling enhancer layer has a higher level of cohesiveness than the cured silicone gel that is located outside the zone. The zone of the silicone gel having the higher level of cohesiveness has a thickness of 2-10 mm. The silicone gel located outside the zone has a first concentration level of a gelling enhancer and the silicone gel located within the zone has a second concentration level of the gelling enhancer that is 5%-300% greater than the first concentration level.

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: Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds 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 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: 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: A computing system may implement a low priority arbitration interrupt method that includes receiving a message signaled interrupt (MSI) message from an input output hub (I/O hub) transmitted over an interconnect fabric, selecting a processor to interrupt from a cluster of processors based on arbitration parameters, and communicating an interrupt service routine to the selected processor, wherein the I/O hub and the cluster of processors are located within a common domain.

Abstract: Novel apparatus and methods for coating surgical needles in batch processes are disclosed. The apparatus and methods are particularly useful for applying uniform silicone lubricious coatings to surgical needles in bulk quantities using a novel separation and spray coating system and method.

Abstract: A microfluidic device (100) is disclosed for in-process monitoring of cell culture conditions including for example one or more of: cell density; cell viability; secreted proteins; protein analysis; epitope markers; concentrations of metabolites or nutrients and antigenic determinations; the device comprising: a cell inlet path (120); plural fluid reservoirs (130) in fluid communication with the cell input path, a cell analysis area (160) in fluid communication with the path and reservoirs, and a waste storage volume (166) also in fluid communication with the cell analysis area, the device being operable to cause a primary fluid flow along the inlet path to the analysis area, and to selectively cause secondary fluid flow(s) into the path from none, one or more of the selected reservoirs to combine, if one or more of the reservoirs are selected, with the primary fluid flow from the cell inlet path, in each case for analysis at the cell analysis area, the device being further operable to cause a fluid flow of t

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument that includes an energized feature operable to apply ultrasonic energy or RF energy to tissue. The method includes forming at least one of a microscopic surface pattern or a nanoscopic surface roughness into a base surface of the energized feature to produce at least one recessed portion. The method also includes applying a hydrophobic coating that includes at least one of silicone, titanium nitride, chromium nitride, or titanium aluminum nitride to at least the recessed portion of the energized feature after forming at least one of the microscopic surface pattern or the nanoscopic surface roughness.

Abstract: Novel, lubricious coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The coatings provide improved lubricity and durability, and are readily applied in coating processes. 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: 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: Embodiments of a recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the RSV F ectodomain trimer and methods of producing the RSV F ectodomain trimer. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can be a method for treating or preventing a RSV infection in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the recombinant RSV F ectodomain trimer to the subject.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of a recombinant human Parainfluenza Virus (hPIV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the hPIV F ectodomain trimer and methods of producing the hPIV F ectodomain trimer. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can be a method for treating or inhibiting a hPIV infection in a subject by administering a effective amount of the recombinant hPIV F ectodomain trimer to the subject.

Abstract: Novel, lubricious coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The coatings provide improved lubricity and durability, and are readily applied in coating processes. 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: 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.

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