Abstract: Separable microneedle arrays and microneedle patches are provided that may achieve sustained release of drug. The microneedle arrays may include one or more features that facilitate separation of the microneedles, such as a bubble structure. The microneedle arrays may include an effervescent material.

Abstract: Separable microneedle arrays and microneedle patches are provided that may achieve sustained release of drug. The microneedle arrays may include one or more features that facilitate separation of the microneedles, such as a bubble structure. The microneedle arrays may include an effervescent material.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for ligation of livestock animals. The ligation apparatus or band provides topical active agent(s) that alleviate pain during various ligature procedures. This invention also relates to a method that includes applying a loop or band around a body part for elastomeric ligation, whereby the band material supplies a topical active agent (s) to the body part to reduce the pain of ligation.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for ligation. The ligation apparatus or band provides topical active agent(s) that alleviate pain during various ligature procedures. This invention also relates to a method that includes applying a loop or band around a body part for elastomeric ligation, whereby the band material supplies a topical active agent (s) to the body part to reduce the pain of ligation.

Abstract: Methods are provided that involve the intentional and controlled precipitation of a drug or active agent, or a reduction of solubility of a polymer or other film-forming component of a formulation, or a combination of both methods, to improve the processes for making microneedles or other objects by casting into molds and the resulting parts produced by casting. The selective reduction in solubility of formulation components solves many problems associated with the casting of polymer formulations into molds. The methods are preferably adapted for making microneedles of biodegradable polymer and drug composites, and may also be used to produce other solid objects formed by casting into molds of compositions containing polymers and active agents.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for ligation. The ligation apparatus or band provides topical active agent(s) that alleviate pain during various ligature procedures. This invention also relates to a method that includes applying a loop or band around a body part for elastomeric ligation, whereby the band material supplies a topical active agent (s) to the body part to reduce the pain of ligation.

Abstract: Separable microneedle arrays and microneedle patches are provided that may achieve sustained release of drug. The microneedle arrays may include one or more features that facilitate separation of the microneedles, such as a bubble structure. The microneedle arrays may include an effervescent material.

Abstract: Methods for the deposition of silver-comprising films on nonconducting substrates, and, more particularly, to deposition of such films that are very thin, are provided. The surface of nonconducting substrates is modified with a superabsorbent polymer to increase silver deposition when compared to a non-modified surface. Also provided are films produced using a swelling agent, whereby porosity of the surface of the nonconducting substrate is increased, thereby permitting increased silver deposition when compared to an unmodified surface.

Abstract: Methods for the deposition of silver-comprising films on nonconducting substrates, and, more particularly, to deposition of such films that are very thin, are provided. The surface of nonconducting substrates is modified with a superabsorbent polymer to increase silver deposition when compared to a non-modified surface. Also provided are films produced using a swelling agent, whereby porosity of the surface of the nonconducting substrate is increased, thereby permitting increased silver deposition when compared to an unmodified surface.

Abstract: Methods for the deposition of silver-comprising films on nonconducting substrates, and, more particularly, to deposition of such films that are very thin, are provided. The surface of nonconducting substrates is modified with a superabsorbent polymer to increase silver deposition when compared to a non-modified surface. Also provided are films produced using a swelling agent, whereby porosity of the surface of the nonconducting substrate is increased, thereby permitting increased silver deposition when compared to an unmodified surface.

Abstract: Microbe-resistant medical devices and methods of making these medical devices are provided. A base coat is applied to at least a portion of a surface of the device. That base coat includes one or more types of antimicrobial particles that are held in the base coat. A polymeric over coat is applied over at least a portion of the base coat. The over coat may be an organic soluble polymer, a water soluble polymer, a hydrogel or any other polymer capable of being coated onto a medical device. The polymer of the over coat is dissolvable in a solvent that does not dissolve the polymeric base coat during application of the over coat. The over coat remains free of the antimicrobial particles by not dissolving the base coat during the over coating process.

Abstract: Described herein are coatings containing water-soluble oligodynamic metal salts that are formulated and applied from hydrophobic solvents. In particular, articles of manufacture comprising polymer coatings containing oligodynamic metal salts can include hydrophilic polymer coatings made from water-reactive monomers and hydrophilic polymers compounded in hydrophobic solvents which contain a small amount of water that aids in the solubilization and suspension of the oligodynamic metal salts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions, methods for the production of these compositions, and use of these compositions with medical devices, such as catheters, and implants. The compositions of the present invention advantageously provide varying release kinetics for the active ions in the compositions due to the different water solubilities of the ions, allowing antimicrobial release profiles to be tailored for a given application and providing for sustained antimicrobial activity over time. More particularly, the invention relates to polymer compositions containing colloids comprised of salts of one or more oligodynamic metal, such as silver. The process of the invention includes mixing a solution of one or more oligodynamic metal salts with a polymer solution or dispersion and precipitating a colloid of the salts by addition of other salts to the solution which react with some or all of the first metal salts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions, methods for the production of these compositions, and use of these compositions with medical devices, such as catheters, and implants. The compositions of the present invention advantageously provide varying release kinetics for the active ions in the compositions due to the different water solubilities of the ions, allowing antimicrobial release profiles to be tailored for a given application and providing for sustained antimicrobial activity over time. More particularly, the invention relates to polymer compositions containing colloids comprised of salts of one or more oligodynamic metal, such as silver. The process of the invention includes mixing a solution of one or more oligodynamic metal salts with a polymer solution or dispersion and precipitating a colloid of the salts by addition of other salts to the solution which react with some or all of the first metal salts.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to silane copolymers prepared from the reaction of one or more polyisocyanates with one or more lubricious polymers having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and with one or more organo-functional silanes having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and at least one functional group reactive with a silicone rubber substrate. The silane copolymers of the invention can be used as coatings that are elastic when dry, lubricious when wet, and resist wet abrasion. These copolymers are useful as coatings for polysiloxane (rubber) and other difficult to coat substrates, especially for medical devices, such as catheters. These silane copolymers can contain active agents such as antimicrobials, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, insecticides, algaecides, antifoulants, and antifogging agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions, methods for the production of these compositions, and use of these compositions with medical devices, such as catheters, and implants. The compositions of the present invention advantageously provide varying release kinetics for the active ions in the compositions due to the different water solubilities of the ions, allowing antimicrobial release profiles to be tailored for a given application and providing for sustained antimicrobial activity over time. More particularly, the invention relates to polymer compositions containing colloids comprised of salts of one or more oligodynamic metal, such as silver. The process of the invention includes mixing a solution of one or more oligodynamic metal salts with a polymer solution or dispersion and precipitating a colloid of the salts by addition of other salts to the solution which react with some or all of the first metal salts.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to silane copolymers prepared from the reaction of one or more polyisocyanates with one or more lubricious polymers having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and with one or more organo-functional silanes having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and at least one functional group reactive with a silicone rubber substrate. The silane copolymer coatings of the invention are elastic, lubricious, and resist wet abrasion. They are useful as coatings for polysiloxane (rubber) and other difficult to coat substrates, especially for medical devices, such catheters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions, methods for the production of these compositions, and use of these compositions with medical devices, such as catheters, and implants. The compositions of the present invention advantageously provide varying release kinetics for the active ions in the compositions due to the different water solubilities of the ions, allowing antimicrobial release profiles to be tailored for a given application and providing for sustained antimicrobial activity over time. More particularly, the invention relates to polymer compositions containing colloids comprised of salts of one or more oligodynamic metal, such as silver. The process of the invention includes mixing a solution of one or more oligodynamic metal salts with a polymer solution or dispersion and precipitating a colloid of the salts by addition of other salts to the solution which react with some or all of the first metal salts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions, methods for the production of these compositions, and use of these compositions with medical devices, such as catheters, and implants. The compositions of the present invention advantageously provide varying release kinetics for the active ions in the compositions due to the different water solubilities of the ions, allowing antimicrobial release profiles to be tailored for a given application and providing for sustained antimicrobial activity over time. More particularly, the invention relates to polymer compositions containing colloids comprised of salts of one or more oligodynamic metal, such as silver. The process of the invention includes mixing a solution of one or more oligodynamic metal salts with a polymer solution or dispersion and precipitating a colloid of the salts by addition of other salts to the solution which react with some or all of the first metal salts.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to silane copolymers prepared from the reaction of one or more polyisocyanates with one or more lubricious polymers having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and with one or more organo-functional silanes having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and at least one functional group reactive with a silicone rubber substrate. The silane copolymers of the invention can be used as coatings that are elastic when dry, lubricious when wet, and resist wet abrasion. These copolymers are useful as coatings for polysiloxane (rubber) and other difficult to coat substrates, especially for medical devices, such as catheters. These silane copolymers can contain active agents such as antimicrobials, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, insecticides, algaecides, antifoulants, and antifogging agents.