Abstract: Photocurable glycosaminoglycan (GAG) derivatives and crosslinked glycosaminoglycans, which are highly safe and biocompatible, a method of preparing such photocurable GAG derivatives readily moldable by casting using a solvent when desired, by which method unreacted substances causative of adverse effects can be readily eliminated, and a method of producing the crosslinked GAGs and medical materials based on the photocurable GAG derivatives or crosslinked GAGs are provided. The photocurable GAG derivatives comprise a glycosaminoglycan and a photoreactive compound bound thereto and can be produced, for example, by subjecting hydroxyl or carboxyl groups of the glycosaminoglycan to esterification reaction or amidation reaction, respectively, with the photoreactive compound. The crosslinked GAGs are derived from the photocurable GAG derivatives by intermolecular crosslinking of the photoreactive compound bound thereto.

Abstract: This invention provides a more functionalized artificial blood vessel which can be organized by independently designing its inner and outer surfaces and endowing them with respectively different biocompatibilities, as well as a process for producing the same.The artificial blood vessel comprises a tubular support having a layer of photogelled cinnamic acid-bound chondroitin sulfate coated on the inner surface thereof and a layer of photogelled coumarin-bound gelatin coated on the outer surface thereof. The process for producing the above artificial blood vessel comprises coating a layer of coumarin-bound gelatin on the outer surface of a tubular support and a layer of cinnamic acid-bound chondroitin sulfate on the inner surface of the support and irradiating each of the layers with light.

Abstract: A device for controlling cell arrangement having a pattern composed of a cell adhesive surface and a cell non-adhesive surface, which has a good selectivity of cell adhesion and which can provide a fine pattern of cells in high resolution by culturing cells in a usual manner.

Abstract: A sheet material, coated with a surgical adhesive comprising an NCO-terminated urethane prepolymer, is used for bonding of tissues, with improved handleability.Surgical instruments, comprising a non-adherent material towards an NCO-terminated urethane prepolymer, are used for application of surgical adhesive. Such instruments, comprising a rod tapered so that the tip can be partly inserted into blood vessel, are suitable for anastomosis of blood vessel.

Abstract: Photocurable glycosaminoglycan (GAG) derivatives and crosslinked glycosaminoglycans, which are highly safe and biocompatible, a method of preparing such photocurable GAG derivatives readily moldable by casting using a solvent when desired, by which method unreacted substances causative of adverse effects can be readily eliminated, and a method of producing the crosslinked GAGs and medical materials based on the photocurable GAG derivatives or crosslinked GAGs are provided. The photocurable GAG derivatives comprise a glycosaminoglycan and a photoreactive compound bound thereto and can be produced, for example, by subjecting hydroxyl or carboxyl groups of the glycosaminoglycan to esterification reaction or amidation reaction, respectively, with the photoreactive compound. The crosslinked GAGs are derived from the photocurable GAG derivatives by intermolecular crosslinking of the photoreactive compound bound thereto.

Abstract: A sheet material, coated with a surgical adhesive comprising an NCO-terminated urethane prepolymer, is used for bonding of tissues, with improved handleability.Surgical instruments, comprising a non-adherent material towards an NCO-terminated urethane prepolymer, are used for application of surgical adhesive. Such instruments, comprising a rod tapered so that the tip can be partly inserted into blood vessel, are suitable for anastomosis of blood vessel.

Abstract: An anti-thrombogenic substance is immobilized on a base of a medical device to impart anti-thrombogenic properties to the medical device. The method comprises the steps of applying a photo-reactive azide derivative macromolecular material to a base to form a bonding layer, coating the bonding layer with a macromolecular layer composed of a water-soluble photo-crosslinking macromolecular material containing the anti-thrombogenic substance, and irradiating the base with ultraviolet light with the bonding layer and the macromolecular layer formed thereon to develop inter-molecular covalent bonding in the bonding layer. The macromolecular layer containing the anti-thrombogenic substance is thus fixed onto the base. Concurrently, the anti-thrombogenic substance is immobilized in the macromolecular layer which is crosslinked. The azide derivative can be poly-m-azidostyrene, copolymers, of poly-m-aziodstyrene with styrene and copolymers of poly-m-azidostyrene with methyl methacrylate.

Abstract: A process for modifying the surface of a material such as plastics, metals, glasses and ceramics which comprises the steps of (1) coating a compound having at least one azido group on the surface of the material to be modified, (2) making a modifier substance to be fixed for the modification exist on or in the coated surface, and (3) irradiating ultraviolet rays to the coated surface to fix the modifier substance to the coated surface, wherein various compounds can be used as the modifier for converting the characteristics of the material surface to the desired characteristics without previously treating them, and various materials can be easily modified with a firm fixing of the modifier.

Abstract: A device for controlling cell arrangement having a pattern composed of a cell adhesive surface and a cell non-adhesive surface, which has a good selectivity of cell adhesion and which can provide a fine pattern of cells in high resolution by culturing cells in a usual manner.

Abstract: The closing plug and the closing plug device are used for closing a body defect percutaneously. During the insertion into the defect, the closing plug can be deformed to a smaller size to facilitate the insertion operation and recovered to its original larger shape after it is fitted to the defect, to thereby close the defect. The closing plug device facilitates the insertion of the closing plug into the defect. The closing plug has a flange or an enlarged portion at least at one end thereof and is made of a shape memory polymer having a shape recovery temperature in the range of 20.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. The closing plug device comprises a closing plug, a catheter and a guide wire or a pushing wire to aid in insertion of the closing plug to a defect.

Abstract: Surgical adhesives, comprising an NCO-terminated hydrophilic urethane prepolymer derived from an organic polyisocyanate and a polyol component comprising a polyester polyol derived from an electron-attracting group-containing dicarboxylic acid, such as 2-ketoglutaric acid, are capable of being easily hydrolyzed within a living body after a certain period of time.

Abstract: A medical device having a highly biocompatible surface wherein hydrophilic polymer is bonded onto a surface of the medical device covalently through a nitrogen atom, and a method for manufacturing a medical device having a highly biocompatible surface comprising the steps of applying a hydrophilic polymer having azido group and/or a composition comprising a compound having at least two azido group and a hydrophilic polymer onto the surface of the medical device, and irradiating the biocompatible material with light so that the hydrophilic polymer is bonded to the medical device surface. The device has sufficient biocompatibility, medical functional capability and economical efficiency. The method easily provides a medical device with sufficient biocompatibility without impairing the device's medical functional capability and economical efficiency.

Abstract: Elastomeric or flexible surgical adhesives, comprising (i) a NCO-terminated hydrophilic urethane prepolymer derived from a fluorine-containing polyisocyanate and a hydrophilic polyether polyol of higher oxyethylene content, or a combinatioin of (i) with (ii) an unsaturated cyano compound containing a cyano group directly bonded to a polymerizable double bond, exhibit low toxicity, may be safely used for bonding of tissues and possess a rapid cure rate and sufficient bonding power.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a balloon from a catheter member of a balloon is capable of melting and breaking a heat-meltable connecting member through which the balloon is connected to the catheter body by causing an electric current to flow between at least a pair of electrodes arranged on or in the vicinity of the connecting member. The apparatus has impedance measuring means for measuring the impedance of an electrode circuit including a pair of electrodes and lead lines connected to the electrodes, and judging means for comparing the measured value of the impedance with a predetermined reference range and capable of producing an abnormal signal when the measured value of the impedance does not fall within the predetermined reference range.

Abstract: Elastomeric or flexible surgical adhesives, comprising [A] NCO-terminated hydrophilic urethane prepolymer derived from hydrophilic polyether polyol of higher oxyethylene content, or combination of [A] with [B] unsaturated cyano compound containing cyano group attached to a carbon atom constituting the polymerizable double bond, are used for bonding of tissues, with rapid cure rate and sufficient bonding power.

Abstract: Elastomeric or flexible surgical adhesives, comprising [A] NCO-terminated hydrophilic urethane prepolymer derived from hydrophilic polyether polyol of higher oxyethylene content, or combination of [A] with [B] unsaturated cyano compound containing cyano group attached to a carbon atom constituting the polymerizable double bond, are used for bonding of tissues, with rapid cure rate and sufficient bonding power.