Abstract: A medical device having a biodegradable coating comprising an inorganic material complexed to macromolecules. Biodegradation of the biodegradable coating releases nanoparticles of the inorganic material with macromolecules complexed to the released nanoparticles. The inorganic material may be applied directly onto the medical device as a nanostructured coating or be dispersed within or under a layer of biodegradable polymer. The medical device body may comprise a biodegradable metallic material. Also provided is a method of delivering macromolecules to body tissue using the medical device of the present invention.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more composite regions. These composite regions, in turn, contain (a) a polymeric component comprising a vinyl aromatic polymer and (b) a ceramic component comprising a metal or semi-metal oxide.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hybrid polymers, methods of making such hybrid polymers, and medical devices that include the hybrid polymers. Such hybrid polymers are suitable for forming biomaterials in a predetermined shape for use in medical devices and medical device components. The hybrid polymers of the present disclosure are formed through a reactive extrusion process prior to being formed into the predetermined shape of the medical device or medical device component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds from which nanofibers can be produced, the resulting nanofibers produced from the compounds, and nanofiber reinforced polymers prepared using the nanofibers and a polymer. The compounds used in forming the nanofibers include chemical linkage moieties that are capable of forming non-covalent bonds with portions of the polymer so as to form the nanofiber reinforced polymers. The nanofiber reinforced polymers are useful as biomaterials in medical devices.

Abstract: Polymeric hybrid precursors, mixtures of polymeric hybrid precursors and polymers, and polymer composite matrices prepared from the mixture of the polymeric hybrid precursors and the polymer. The mixture of the polymeric hybrid precursors and the polymer can undergo a process to form the polymer composite matrix having a cross-linked network of a silasesquioxane based polymer formed from the polymeric hybrid precursors that interpenetrates the polymer. The polymeric hybrid precursors include chemical linkage moieties that are capable of forming non-covalent bonds with portions of the polymer. The polymer composite matrices are useful as biomaterials in medical devices.

Abstract: Reinforced copolymers formed from a functionalized copolymer that undergoes a reactive extrusion process with an inorganic component to form the reinforced copolymer. The functionalized copolymer in the form of a block and/or graft copolymer includes hard segments and soft segments, where the soft segments are covalently bonded with a coupling agent either before or after copolymerization with the hard segments. The reinforced copolymer of the present disclosure can be suitable for use as a biomaterial and/or in medical devices.

Abstract: Particulate materials useful as fillers, reinforcing agents, radioopacifiers, or impact modifiers. The particulate material has an average particle size range of about 10,000 nm or less and comprises an organic-inorganic hybrid material that has a ceramic material network having organic polymer segments distributed throughout the ceramic network. The ceramic network may be prepared by a sol-gel technique. The particulate material may be compounded in thermoplastic polymer compositions useful in a variety of applications such as preparation of medical device components.

Abstract: A shaped medical device article prepared from a polymer melt composition comprising a polymer ester, a transesterification catalyst, and a tri- or tetraalkoxy silane, by forming and solidifying said composition, and after solidification, subjecting the composition to reaction conditions to effect hydrolysis at least some alkoxysilyl groups remaining in the composition to form silanol groups and to effect condensation of said silanol groups to form a ceramic network.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods of making the devices are described. In some embodiments, the devices include multiple layers, and one or more layers can include a nanocomposite material.