Abstract: Vascular prosthetic assemblies (e.g., heart valves), such as those, for example, configured to be deployed percutaneously.

Abstract: This disclosure includes embodiments of vascular prosthetic assemblies (e.g., heart valves) and methods for using (e.g., percutaneously) and manufacturing (e.g., overmolding) the assemblies. In one embodiment, a vascular prosthetic assembly comprises a frame and a cellulose-based body coupled to the frame, wherein the frame is configured to be altered from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration. The frame can be biased toward the expanded configuration, and the assembly can be configured for placement within a catheter when the frame is in the collapsed configuration. In the embodiment shown, the frame can comprise any number of biocompatible materials, including, but not limited to, nitinol. Stainless steel, or cobalt chromium.

Abstract: A system for selectively pressurizing ventricles, atria, and the aorta of a subject is disclosed. The surgical pressunzation system has a gas container, a fluid container, and a surgical pressurization device. The gas container and the fluid container are in fluid communication with the surgical pressurization device. The gas container contains a pressurized gas, and the fluid container contains an irrigation fluid. The surgical pressurization device has a housing and a delivery conduit in fluid communication with the housing. The delivery conduit selectively delivers both the pressurized gas and the irrigation fluid into the ventricles, atria, and the aorta of the subject. A controller is used to control the flow of the pressurized gas and the irrigation fluid to the delivery conduit.

Abstract: Polymeric implants provided with coatings of bactericidal compounds in the form of ionized atoms by a vapor process. The polymeric implants include products designed to penetrate or enter the body, such as catheters, shunts connectors and the like. Coatings of bactericidal compounds on the polymeric implants are intended to make their use safe. The coatings are formed thereon in the form of ionized atoms of the compounds by ion-beam-assisted deposition in a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is provided, inter alia, with an evaporator and an ion source mounted in operative association therein, including means for rotatably mounting a plurality of polymeric implants for exposure to the evaporator and the ion source.

Abstract: A process to improve the surface properties of products made, at least in part, from silicone rubber is disclosed. The products find uses in industrial and medical device applications, such as drug-pump seals and valves, membranes, mammary prostheses, artificial heart diaphragms, pacemaker lead insulation and the like. The process is designed to change the silicone rubber's surface to one that is characterized by low friction, being antithrombotic, inkable, more wear resistant and deformable, and also being hydro-compatible. The process includes subjecting the product's silicone rubber surface to ion bombardment with gaseous ions that diffuse out with doses and at energy levels at least about 3E14 ions/cm.sup.2 at 80 keV.