Abstract: A surgical instrument and associated method includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a metallic jaw clamp, and a partially conductive tissue pad coupled to the jaw clamp. The tissue pad comprises a polymeric substrate with a conductive trace formed on the surface of the polymeric substrate. The polymeric substate may be formed from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the surface of the PTFE substrate may be treated to improve adhesion of the conductive trace. The tissue pad is erodible during activation of the ultrasonic blade. The conductive trace may be a multilayer laminate. A method for constructing the surgical instrument includes forming the conductive trace on the surface of the polymeric substrate and securing the polymeric substrate to the metallic jaw clamp.

Abstract: A transdermal delivery device includes a film having first and second outwardly facing major surfaces; at least one liquid reservoir contained within the film; at least one microfluidic channel having a transverse dimension between about 100 nm and 0.5 mm disposed within the film and in fluid communication with the at least one liquid reservoir; and at least one outlet port associated with at least one microneedle operatively connected to the first outwardly facing major surface of the film in fluid communication with the at least one microfluidic channel.

Abstract: A dermal delivery device includes a film having first and second outwardly facing major surfaces; at least one liquid reservoir contained within the film; at least one microfluidic channel having a transverse dimension between about 100 nm and 0.5 mm disposed within the film and in fluid communication with the at least one liquid reservoir; and at least one outlet port operatively connected to the first outwardly facing major surface of the film in fluid communication with the at least one microfluidic channel.

Abstract: A transdermal delivery device includes a film having first and second outwardly facing major surfaces; at least one liquid reservoir contained within the film; at least one microfluidic channel having a transverse dimension between about 100 nm and 0.5 mm disposed within the film and in fluid communication with the at least one liquid reservoir; and at least one outlet port associated with at least one microneedle operatively connected to the first outwardly facing major surface of the film in fluid communication with the at least one microfluidic channel.

Abstract: A transdermal delivery device includes a film having first and second outwardly facing major surfaces; at least one liquid reservoir contained within the film; at least one microfluidic channel having a transverse dimension between about 100 nm and 0.5 mm disposed within the film and in fluid communication with the at least one liquid reservoir; and at least one outlet port associated with at least one microneedle operatively connected to the first outwardly facing major surface of the film in fluid communication with the at least one microfluidic channel.

Abstract: A dermal delivery device includes a film having first and second outwardly facing major surfaces; at least one liquid reservoir contained within the film; at least one microfluidic channel having a transverse dimension between about 100 nm and 0.5 mm disposed within the film and in fluid communication with the at least one liquid reservoir; and at least one outlet port operatively connected to the first outwardly facing major surface of the film in fluid communication with the at least one microfluidic channel.

Abstract: A medical device has a structure made of one biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable material. A degradation additive is encapsulated by another biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable material forming a nanoparticle or microparticle. The nanoparticle or microparticle is together with the one biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable material of the structure. The other biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable material of the nanoparticle or microparticle has a degradation rate that is faster than a degradation rate of the one biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable material. The structure experiences a period of accelerated degradation upon release of the degradation additive from the nanoparticle or microparticle.

Abstract: A medical device has a structure made of a first biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable material and a second biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable material. The first biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable material has a degradation rate that is faster than a degradation rate of the second biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable material. And, the structure experiences a period of accelerated degradation upon exposure of the first biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable material.