Abstract: A method of curing and corresponding resulting non-polymeric cross-linked gel are provided. The cross-linked gel can be combined with a medical device structure. The cross-linked gel can provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing and anti-inflammatory response. The cross-linked gel is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel derived from at least one fatty acid compound. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent. The curing method can vary the application of heat in both temperature and duration to achieve a desired amount of cross-linking forming the gel.

Abstract: A method for the provision of a coating on an implantable medical device results in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a dissolved therapeutic agent component can also be provided. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the dissolved therapeutic agent, to the patient.

Abstract: A method for the provision of a coating on an implantable medical device results in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a dissolved therapeutic agent component can also be provided. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the dissolved therapeutic agent, to the patient.

Abstract: A barrier layer and corresponding method of making provide anti-inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and anti-adhesion functionality for a medical device implantable in a patient. The barrier layer can be combined with a medical device structure to provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing, non-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory response. The barrier layer is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing a re-usable, recurring, mechanical connection to an organ within a patient is provided. A body fluid cartridge exchange platform device includes a hollow cartridge platform housing with a first end having an opening. The platform housing can additionally have a second end with a second opening. The first opening and the second opening facilitate insertion of an exchange cartridge insert that sealably engages the housing. The first opening and the second opening additionally facilitate removal of the exchange cartridge insert. The exchange cartridge insert can facilitate a flow path between a first leg and a second leg of the platform housing, and can facilitate a flow path between the platform housing and an external location for medical procedure or drug delivery purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the provision of a coating for application to a medical device results in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a therapeutic agent component and solvent can also be provided. The solvent is removed from the coating before the coating is applied to the medical device. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the therapeutic agent, to the patient.

Abstract: A method of UV curing and corresponding resulting non-polymeric cross-linked gel are provided. The cross-linked gel can be combined with a medical device structure. The cross-linked gel can provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing and anti-inflammatory response. The cross-linked gel is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel derived from at least one fatty acid compound. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent. The curing method can vary the application of UV light in both intensity and duration to achieve a desired amount of cross-linking forming the gel.

Abstract: A barrier layer and corresponding method of making provide anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesion functionality for a medical device implantable in a patient. The barrier layer can be combined with a medical device structure to provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing and anti-inflammatory response. The barrier layer is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel derived from at least one fatty acid compound. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent.

Abstract: A coated medical device an a method of providing a coating on an implantable medical device result in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a therapeutic agent component can also be provided. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the therapeutic agent, to the patient.

Abstract: A stand-alone film is derived at least in part from fatty acids. The stand-alone film can have anti-adhesive, anti-inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and wound healing properties, and can additionally include one or more therapeutic agents incorporated therein. Corresponding methods of making the stand-alone film include molding, casting, or otherwise applying a liquid or gel to a substrate, and curing or otherwise treating to form the stand-alone film. The resulting stand-alone film is bioabsorbable.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent-eluting stylet treats a catheter by at least temporarily locating the stylet in a lumen of an indwelling catheter placed into a patient. The therapeutic agent-carrying stylet provides a localized therapeutic effect to the catheter and patient by eluting one or more therapeutic agents directly into the lumen of the catheter, into the fluid within the catheter, into the fluid and tissue in contact with the catheter, and onto the surface of the catheter. By removal and replacement of the temporary stylet from the catheter, renewable therapeutic agent doses can be provided to a component, such as the lumen, of the catheter while the catheter remains within in a patient. One or more therapeutically effective doses of medicated agents can be tailored along the length of the stylet and controlled by the length of time by which the stylet remains installed in the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing a re-usable, recurring, mechanical connection to an organ within a patient is provided. A body fluid cartridge exchange platform device includes a hollow cartridge platform housing with a first end having an opening. The platform housing can additionally have a second end with a second opening. The first opening and the second opening facilitate insertion of an exchange cartridge insert that sealably engages the housing. The first opening and the second opening additionally facilitate removal of the exchange cartridge insert. The exchange cartridge insert can facilitate a flow path between a first leg and a second leg of the platform housing, and can facilitate a flow path between the platform housing and an external location for medical procedure or drug delivery purposes.

Abstract: A medicated ink marker includes a porous applicator and at least one medicated agent disposed within the porous applicator. The medicated ink marker makes no use of a reservoir from which to draw the at least on medicated agent. The at least one medicated agent is one of a non-antiseptic medicated agent and an antiseptic with an additional therapeutic function medicated agent. The porous applicator supports capillary action, such that contact of the applicator against a targeted location results in the at least one medicated agent dispensing from the porous applicator to topically apply the at least one medicated agent to the targeted location in a detectable manner without drawing additional medicated agent from another location, such as a reservoir.

Abstract: An illuminated medicated ink marker provides a user with the ability to apply and confirm a dosage amount of a drug or agent applied in the form of a liquid, such as an ink, to create the marking, in environments that are otherwise not well lit. The illuminated medicated ink marker includes a holder for controlling the medicated ink marker. A marking portion is coupled with the holder and configured to transfer medicated ink from within the medicated ink marker to a targeted location. An illumination source is coupled with the holder. The illumination source is disposed to illuminate a clinical field including at least a portion of the targeted location.

Abstract: A radially expandable fluid delivery device for delivering a fluid to a treatment site within the body is disclosed. The fluid delivery device is constructed of a microporous, biocompatible fluoropolymer material having a microstructure that can provide a controlled, uniform, low-velocity fluid distribution through the walls of the fluid delivery device to effectively deliver fluid to the treatment site without damaging tissue proximate the walls of the device. The fluid delivery device includes a tubular member defined by a wall having a thickness transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member and extending between an inner and an outer surface. The wall is characterized by a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils. The tubular member is deployable from a first, reduced diameter configuration to a second, increased diameter configuration upon the introduction of a pressurized fluid to the lumen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods involving rewetting of expandable polymers with a wettable liquid to allow for enhanced expansion at or below room temperature without breakage, and in some cases, allows one to achieve a greater expansion ratio than that allowed at elevated temperatures using known methods. The wettable liquid can be formed of a drug and/or an agent, such that the resulting polymer contains and emits the drug upon positioning at a target location of a patient body. The expandable polymer can also have the drug or agent added to its structure at a polymer resin preparation stage, through use of an aqueous solution mixed with one or more fluoropolymers, or in a mixing stage. The present invention also allows one to achieve material with unique properties and handling characteristics. These properties included decreased material thickness, increased density, an altered node/fibril morphology, and a more consistent web in the case of flat material.

Abstract: A method of making a radially expandable fluid delivery device includes providing a tube of biocompatible fluoropolymer material with a predetermined porosity based on an extrusion and expansion forming process, applying a radial expansion force to the tube expanding the tube to a predetermined diameter dimension, and removing the radial expansion force. The tube is radially inelastic while sufficiently pliable to be collapsible and inflatable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration upon introduction of an inflation force, such that the expanded configuration occurs upon inflation to the predetermined diameter dimension. The fluid delivery device is constructed of a microporous, biocompatible fluoropolymer material having a microstructure that can provide a controlled, uniform, low-velocity fluid distribution through the walls of the fluid delivery device to effectively deliver fluid to the treatment site without damaging tissue proximate the walls of the device.

Abstract: A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to porous radially expandable interventional medical devices provides uniform drug distribution and permeation of the coating and any therapeutic agents mixed therewith into a targeted treatment area within the body. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device. Thus, atraumatic local tissue transference delivery is achieved for uniform therapeutic agent distribution and controlled bio-absorption into the tissue after placement within a patient's body with a non-inflammatory coating.

Abstract: A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to radially expandable interventional medical devices provides uniform drug distribution and permeation of the coating and any therapeutic agents mixed therewith into a targeted treatment area within the body. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device. Thus, atraumatic local tissue transference delivery is achieved for uniform therapeutic agent distribution and controlled bio-absorption into the tissue after placement within a patient's body with a non-inflammatory coating.