Abstract: Nitric oxide releasing particles, coatings, tapes, monoliths, and sprayable formulations for reducing the normal foreign body response (FBR) to implanted materials, enhancing wound healing, and/or increasing vascularization. The particles, coatings, tapes, monoliths, and sprayable formulations comprise a biodegradable polymer and an NO-releasing donor compound, and/or are formed of a biodegradable polymer with pendant NO-releasing functional groups.

Abstract: Modulation of foreign body responses in living tissue, and more particularly, devices and related methods for light-based modulation of foreign body responses in living tissue are disclosed. Light sources are disclosed that provide light with characteristics for modulation of foreign body responses that may be elicited by percutaneous and/or subcutaneous devices, including medical devices and other consumer electronic devices. Light delivery structures are disclosed that propagate light from the light sources to irradiate associated subcutaneous tissues. Modulation of foreign body responses may include inhibiting collagen and fibrous tissue generation, modulating inflammation and healing, and/or increasing nitric oxide production and/or release. By modulating foreign body responses associated with percutaneous and/or subcutaneous devices, performance characteristics and lifetimes of such devices may be improved.

Abstract: A biointerface membrane for an implantable device including a nonresorbable solid portion with a plurality of interconnected cavities therein adapted to support tissue ingrowth in vivo, and a bioactive agent incorporated into the biointerface membrane and adapted to modify the tissue response is provided. The bioactive agents can be chosen to induce vascularization and/or prevent barrier cell layer formation in vivo, and are advantageous when used with implantable devices wherein solutes are transported across the device-tissue interface.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a composition including an ultra-high molecular weight polymer and a low molecular weight polymer and having a bimodal molecular weight distribution and articles including the composition. This disclosure further describes methods including providing a mixture of an ultra-high molecular weight polymer and a low molecular weight polymer, and applying solid-state shear pulverization to the mixture to form a bimodal molecular weight alloy. This disclosure also describes methods that include providing a mixture including a first polymer and a second polymer, and applying solid-state shear pulverization to the mixture to disperse the first polymer in the second polymer.

Abstract: A method for improving the throughput of solid-state shear pulverization and solid-state melt-extrusion devices may include the addition of a heat absorbing material with a mixture of polymeric materials in an extruder. The extruder may include one or more extrusion screws. One or more portions of the one or more extrusion screws, one or more barrel sections, and/or one or more extruder work zones may be temperature controlled to maintain a temperature of the polymeric mixture in contact therewith at or below the liquefication temperature of the polymeric materials. The liquefication temperature may be a melting point of a semi-crystalline polymer or a glass transition temperature of an amorphous polymer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the temperature of a solid-state screw extruder may include providing an extrusion screw that incorporates one or more screw shaft channels. The shaft channels may be configured to conduct a flow of a heat conducting medium along a length of the shaft. The shaft channels may be incorporated into an exterior surface or within the body of the screw shaft. The extruder may include extrusion screw elements in mechanical communication with the shaft. Each of the elements may further include one or more element channels also configured to conduct a flow of the medium. The shaft channels and the element channels may be disposed to permit a flow of the medium therebetween. The temperature of the extrusion screws and/or screw elements may be controlled by circulating the medium from a source, through the shaft and element channels, and back to the source.

Abstract: Systems, methods, compositions, and devices related to the delivery of one or more biologically active agents to a body include the admixture of one or more biologically active agents with one or more biocompatible polymeric mixtures in a solid-state shear extrusion system. The extrusion systems may include one or more extrusion screws. One or more portions of the one or more extrusion screws, one or more extrusion system active elements, one or more barrel sections, and/or one or more extruder work zones may be temperature controlled to maintain a temperature of the biocompatible polymeric mixture in contact therewith at or below the liquefication temperature of the biocompatible polymeric materials. The resulting compositions from the extrusion systems may be fabricated into devices to deliver the one or more biologically active agents to a body.

Abstract: A method for improving the throughput of solid-state shear pulverization and solid-state melt-extrusion devices may include the addition of a heat absorbing material with a mixture of polymeric materials in an extruder. The extruder may include one or more extrusion screws. One or more portions of the one or more extrusion screws, one or more barrel sections, and/or one or more extruder work zones may be temperature controlled to maintain a temperature of the polymeric mixture in contact therewith at or below the liquefication temperature of the polymeric materials. The liquefication temperature may be a melting point of a semi-crystalline polymer or a glass transition temperature of an amorphous polymer.

Abstract: A biointerface membrane for an implantable device including a nonresorbable solid portion with a plurality of interconnected cavities therein adapted to support tissue ingrowth in vivo, and a bioactive agent incorporated into the biointerface membrane and adapted to modify the tissue response is provided. The bioactive agents can be chosen to induce vascularization and/or prevent barrier cell layer formation in vivo, and are advantageous when used with implantable devices wherein solutes are transported across the device-tissue interface.

Abstract: A biointerface membrane for an implantable device including a nonresorbable solid portion with a plurality of interconnected cavities therein adapted to support tissue ingrowth in vivo, and a bioactive agent incorporated into the biointerface membrane and adapted to modify the tissue response is provided. The bioactive agents can be chosen to induce vascularization and/or prevent barrier cell layer formation in vivo, and are advantageous when used with implantable devices wherein solutes are transported across the device-tissue interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to biosensor materials. More specifically, this invention relates to a novel polymeric material that can be useful as a biocompatible membrane for use in biosensor applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes first and second working electrodes to measure analyte or non-analyte related signal, both of which electrode include an interference domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to membranes utilized with implantable devices, such as devices for the detection of analyte concentrations in a biological sample. More particularly, the invention relates to novel silicone-hydrophilic polymer blend membranes, and to devices and implantable devices including these membranes.

Abstract: Devices and methods for determining analyte levels are described. The devices and methods allow for the implantation of analyte-monitoring devices, such as glucose monitoring devices that result in the delivery of a dependable flow of blood to deliver sample to the implanted device. The devices include unique architectural arrangement in the sensor region that allows accurate data to be obtained over long periods of time.

Abstract: Membrane systems incorporating silicone polymers are described for use in implantable analyte sensors. Some layers of the membrane system may comprise a blend of a silicone polymer with a hydrophilic polymer, for example, a triblock poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) polymer. Such polymeric blends provide for both high oxygen solubility and aqueous analyte solubility.

Abstract: A biointerface membrane for an implantable device including a nonresorbable solid portion with a plurality of interconnected cavities therein adapted to support tissue ingrowth in vivo, and a bioactive agent incorporated into the biointerface membrane and adapted to modify the tissue response is provided. The bioactive agents can be chosen to induce vascularization and/or prevent barrier cell layer formation in vivo, and are advantageous when used with implantable devices wherein solutes are transported across the device-tissue interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for increasing oxygen availability to implantable devices. The preferred embodiments provide a membrane system configured to provide protection of the device from the biological environment and/or a catalyst for enabling an enzymatic reaction, wherein the membrane system includes a polymer formed from a high oxygen soluble material. The high oxygen soluble polymer material is disposed adjacent to an oxygen-utilizing source on the implantable device so as to dynamically retain high oxygen availability to the oxygen-utilizing source during oxygen deficits. Membrane systems of the preferred embodiments are useful for implantable devices with oxygen-utilizing sources and/or that function in low oxygen environments, such as enzyme-based electrochemical sensors and cell transplantation devices.

Abstract: A biointerface membrane for an implantable device including a nonresorbable solid portion with a plurality of interconnected cavities therein adapted to support tissue ingrowth in vivo, and a bioactive agent incorporated into the biointerface membrane and adapted to modify the tissue response is provided. The bioactive agents can be chosen to induce vascularization and/or prevent barrier cell layer formation in vivo, and are advantageous when used with implantable devices wherein solutes are transported across the device-tissue interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for increasing oxygen availability to implantable devices. The preferred embodiments provide a membrane system configured to provide protection of the device from the biological environment and/or a catalyst for enabling an enzymatic reaction, wherein the membrane system includes a polymer formed from a high oxygen soluble material. The high oxygen soluble polymer material is disposed adjacent to an oxygen-utilizing source on the implantable device so as to dynamically retain high oxygen availability to the oxygen-utilizing source during oxygen deficits. Membrane systems of the preferred embodiments are useful for implantable devices with oxygen-utilizing sources and/or that function in low oxygen environments, such as enzyme-based electrochemical sensors and cell transplantation devices.

Abstract: An analyte-measuring device, particularly an electrochemical sensor, is provided for measuring current values at multiple bias potential settings to assess the quality of the analyte measurement, identify interference in the signal, and calculate substantially interference-free analyte concentration measurements. The device and method are suitable for calculating substantially interference-free analyte concentration measurements when glucose is the analyte and acetaminophen is an interfering species.