Abstract: Improved DNA vaccine plasmids are disclosed that contain novel immunostimulatory RNA compositions. The improved plasmids eliminate all extraneous sequences, incorporate a novel antibiotic free short RNA based selectable marker, increase eukaryotic expression using a novel chimeric promoter, improve yield and stability during bacterial production, and improve immunostimulation. These vectors are utilized in immunization to elicit improved immune responses or therapy to induce type 1 interferon production.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophobic thermoplastic copolymer which is in particular of use for manufacturing and/or coating medical devices, in particular implantable medical devices, characterized in that it is obtained by copolymerization, and in that it comprises at least one first monomer unit and at least one second monomer unit onto which is grafted a paramagnetic-ion-chelating ligand which can complex with such a paramagnetic ion or a paramagnetic-ion-chelating ligand which is complexed with such a paramagnetic ion, wherein the second monomer unit is grafted in sufficient amount for the copolymer to be visible in magnetic resonance imaging when it is complexed with said paramagnetic ion. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining said hydrophobic thermoplastic copolymer.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (1): X1Y1X2Y2X3Y3X4Y4Y5X5X6Y6X7Y7X8X9X10 wherein X1-X10 are any natural or unnatural amino acids and Y1 is Gln; Y2 is Met or Leu; Y3 is He; Y4 is Pro or Ser; Y5 is His or Gly; Y6 is Gln or Pro; Y7 is He or Tyr or their homolog or ortolog are described; these compounds are able to bind to the VEGF receptors and to modulate the angiogenesis mediated by the VEG.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind activatable antibodies and/or conjugated activatable antibodies and methods of making and using these antibodies that bind activatable antibodies and/or conjugated activatable antibodies.

Abstract: A system for sterilizing a fluid includes a sterilization container bounding a fluid flow path that can be coupled with a fluid source. The sterilization container is comprised of one or more polymeric walls. A beam generator is configured to direct a beam of electromagnetic radiation through at least a portion of the fluid flow path of the sterilization container, the beam of electromagnetic radiation being sufficient to sterilize a fluid within the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A sanitizing device used to sanitize a bulb syringe. The device preferably includes a base, a bulb receiver, and a sanitization system. The sanitization system produces a sanitizing gas that is propelled into and possibly around a bulb syringe in order to sanitize the surfaces of the syringe. The sanitization system preferably includes an ionization module, a fan, electrodes, and a power supply. Preferably, the sanitization system is housed in a conical housing which includes a central nozzle and an array of openings centered around the nozzle exit. The sanitization device preferably includes an automatic switch that is activated by the presence of a bulb syringe or upon placing a cover over the device.

Abstract: Provided is an autoclave for medical-dental instruments and the like, including a sterilization chamber, an accumulator, a main channel connecting the sterilization chamber and the accumulator in circuit and bringing them into communication for fluid passage, a pump adapted to move the fluid inside the main channel, in which the accumulator includes a volume of a material having hygroscopic properties resulting from an exothermic reaction and vice versa.

Abstract: An energized air freshening apparatuses comprising perfume mixtures having an olfactive index and vapor pressure distribution for improved diffusion into a space methods thereof are provided. The energized air freshening apparatus may include a delivery engine containing the volatile perfume mixture, a fluid transport member, and an evaporation assistance element such as a fan that is configured to move a volume of air over the fluid transport member to facilitate evaporation of the perfume mixture into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A composition containing a malodor counteracting compound and a method for using the compound for counteracting a malodor in air space or a substrate is provided.

Abstract: Novel absorbable polymer blends are disclosed. The blends are useful for manufacturing medical devices having engineered degradation and breaking strength retention in vivo. The blends consist of a first absorbable polymeric component and a second absorbable polymeric component. The weight average molecular weight of the first polymeric component is higher than the weight average molecular weight of the second polymeric component. At least at least one of said components is at least partially end-capped by a carboxylic acid group. Further aspects are medical devices made therefrom.

Abstract: Novel absorbable polymer blends are disclosed. The blends are useful for manufacturing medical devices having engineered degradation and breaking strength retention in vivo. The blends consist of a first absorbable polymeric component and a second absorbable polymeric component. The weight average molecular weight of the first polymeric component is higher than the weight average molecular weight of the second polymeric component. At least at least one of said components is at least partially end-capped by a carboxylic acid group. Further aspects are medical devices made therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of attaching a medical device to a surface, the medical device having at least one adhesive area, wherein the method comprises the steps of: contacting the surface with a composition comprising a T silicone resin and/or a DT silicone resin and/or an MQ silicone resin and/or an MT silicone resin, thereby providing non-tacky coating on the surface; and attaching the adhesive area to the surface such that the composition is located between, and in contact with, the surface and the adhesive area, thereby attaching medical device to the surface; thereby achieving an improve adherence between the medical device and the surface.

Abstract: A synthetic construct suitable for implantation into a biological organism that includes at least one polymer scaffold; wherein the at least one polymer scaffold includes at least one layer of polymer fibers that have been deposited by electrospinning; wherein the orientation of the fibers in the at least one polymer scaffold relative to one another is generally parallel, random, or both; and wherein the at least one polymer scaffold has been adapted to function as at least one of a substantially two-dimensional implantable structure and a substantially three-dimensional implantable tubular structure.

Abstract: Provided are injectable, hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel compositions including conjugated vitamins.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a bone regeneration material suitable for bone (in particular, alveolar bone) regeneration. The present invention provides a non-woven fabric containing a bone prosthetic material wherein the bone prosthetic material is included between biocompatible fibers that constitute the non-woven fabric. The non-woven fabric may be suitably used as a bone regeneration material (in particular, a dental bone regeneration material).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peripheral nerve-specific hydrogel material, which is deliverable in a minimally invasive fashion, sustains the growth of neurons, and speeds recovery following surgical reconstruction.

Abstract: A laminate of a sheet-shaped cell culture is disclosed, which has excellent operability and is suitable for implantation. A method is disclosed for producing a laminate of a fibrin gel and a sheet-shaped cell culture, including a step of dripping a liquid containing fibrinogen onto an upper surface of a sheet-shaped cell culture, a step of spraying a liquid containing thrombin onto the surface, and a step of forming a fibrin gel layer on the surface by a reaction between fibrinogen and thrombin; and a laminate of a fibrin gel and a sheet-shaped cell culture produced by the method are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for obtaining a cross-linked polymer coating on a surface. The invention also relates to coatings obtainable by that process and objects coated therewith. The invention also relates to medical devices comprising a coating, in particular to coils coated with an improved lubricious coating.

Abstract: A poly(ester amide) polymer having free carboxylic acid pendant groups and method of making and using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include lubricious medical device coatings. In an embodiment the invention includes a coating for a medical device including a first layer comprising polyvinylpyrrolidone derivatized with a photoreactive group; and a first cross-linking agent comprising at least two photoreactive groups; a second layer disposed on the first layer comprising polyvinylpyrrolidone derivatized with a photoreactive group; a second cross-linking agent comprising at least two photoreactive groups; and a polymer comprising polyacrylamide, the polymer derivatized with at least one photoreactive group. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: Medical device are provided for delivering a therapeutic agent to a tissue. The medical device has a layer overlying the exterior surface of the medical device. The layer contains a therapeutic agent and an additive. In certain embodiments, the additive has a hydrophilic part and a drug affinity part, wherein the drug affinity part is at least one of a hydrophobic part, a part that has an affinity to the therapeutic agent by hydrogen bonding, and a part that has an affinity to the therapeutic agent by van der Waals interactions. In embodiments, the additive is water-soluble. In further embodiments, the additive is at least one of a surfactant and a chemical compound, and the chemical compound has a molecular weight of from 80 to 750 or has more than four hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: This invention relates to an method of manufacture of an implantable medical device comprising an oxygen-sensitive rapamycin derivative that is protected by addition of an antioxidant during the manufacturing process where the amount of antioxidant added at the outset of the processing is such that when the device is fully fabricated, sterilized and packaged the amount of antioxidant has reduced to a minimal, preferably non-detect, amount.

Abstract: A method for preparing a laminate coronary stent comprising: providing a stent framework; and depositing a plurality of layers on said stent framework to form said laminate coronary stent; wherein at least one of said layers comprises a bioabsorbable polymer.

Abstract: Methods of reducing device drag on implantable articles are disclosed herein. The methods include coating the contact surfaces of implantable articles with bioabsorbable lubricating coatings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coatings comprising polyethylene glycol and at least one polyphenolic polymer. In particular, the polyphenolic polymer could be selected from the group consisting of tyrosine-derived polyarylates, linear polyesteramides, dihydroxybenzoate polymers, and resorcinol-derived polymers. The coating of the present invention may also include a drug, such as an antibiotic. The coatings of the present invention are suitable for use as coatings for medical devices, such as orthopedic pins or stents.

Abstract: A method for depositing a coating comprising a polymer and at least two pharmaceutical agents on a substrate, comprising the following steps: providing a stent framework; depositing on said stent framework a first layer comprising a first pharmaceutical agent; depositing a second layer comprising a second pharmaceutical agent; Wherein said first and second pharmaceutical agents are selected from two different classes of pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: A drug delivery device having an intraluminal stent for improving coronary luminal diameter of small vessels in patients with symptomatic heart disease is disclosed. The intraluminal stent includes struts having a thickness of less than approximately 110 ?m. A polymer is adhered to the intraluminal stent that includes from about 50 ?g/cm2 to about 150 ?g/cm2 of everolimus therein. Quantitative coronary angiography measurements indicate that the drug delivery device provides an in-stent late loss of less than about 0.20 mm and an in-stent diameter stenosis of less than about 15% at 12 months following implantation in a human.

Abstract: Disclosed are self-expanding medical implants for placement within a lumen of a patient. The implants comprise a woven or non-woven structure having a substantially tubular configuration, and are designed to be low-profile such that they are deliverable with a small diameter catheter. The implants have a high recoverability and desired mechanical properties.

Abstract: Multiple surgical devices that may be used during surgical procedures are shown and described herein. A surgical device includes an outer cannula and an inner member that has a pair of electrodes positioned at a distal end. The inner member defines an aspiration delivery channel with an opening. A handle assembly actuates the outer cannula relative to the inner member, thereby adjusting a size of the opening of the aspiration delivery channel. In another exemplary configuration, an irrigation hub is provided to deliver irrigation through the surgical device.

Abstract: Embodiments of a reduced pressure system and methods for operating the system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system can include one or more processors responsible for various functions associated with various levels of responsiveness, such as interfacing with a user, controlling a vacuum pump, providing network connectivity, etc. The system can present GUI screens for controlling and monitoring its operation. The system can be configured to determine and monitor flow of fluid in the system by utilizing one or more of the following: monitoring the speed of a pump motor, monitoring flow of fluid in a portion of a fluid flow path by using a calibrated fluid flow restrictor, and monitoring one or more characteristics of the pressure pulses. The system can be configured to provide external connectivity for accomplishing various activities, such as location tracking of the system, compliance monitoring, tracking of operational data, remote selection and adjustment of therapy settings, etc.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus, system, and method for storing liquid from a tissue site. The apparatus may include a drape having an aperture, and a fluid pouch coupled to the drape such that the fluid pouch is in fluid communication with the aperture. In one embodiment, the fluid pouch is operable to transfer reduced pressure to the aperture such that the liquid from the tissue site is drawn into the fluid pouch. The fluid pouch may have a cavity that stores the liquid that is drawn from the tissue site. In another embodiment, the fluid pouch may include at least one baffle. The fluid pouch may also include a fluid channel at least partially defined by the at least one baffle. The fluid channel may be operable to store liquid from the tissue site when reduced pressure is applied through the fluid channel.

Abstract: A heart assist device comprising a rotary pump housing having a cylindrical bore, a pumping chamber and a motor stator including an electrically conductive coil located within the housing and surrounding a portion of the cylindrical bore. A rotor has a cylindrical shaft, at least one impeller appended to one end of the shaft, and a plurality of magnets located within the shaft. The rotor shaft is positioned within the housing bore with the magnets opposite the motor stator, and the impeller is positioned within the pumping chamber. The housing bore is closely fitted to the outer surface of the shaft forming a hydrodynamic journal bearing, with the pumping chamber and journal bearing connected by a leak path of blood flow between the pumping chamber and the journal bearing. A backiron of the motor stator attracts the rotor magnets to resist longitudinal displacement of the rotor within the housing during operation.

Abstract: An axial-flow blood pump includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet opposite therefrom. An impeller located within the housing is suspended during operation by magnetic forces between magnets or magnetized regions of the impeller and a motor stator surrounding the housing, and hydrodynamic thrust forces generated by a flow of blood between the housing and a plurality of hydrodynamic thrust bearing surfaces located on the impeller. A volute may be in fluid-tight connection with the outlet of the housing for receiving blood in the axial direction and directing blood in a direction normal to the axial direction. The volute has a flow-improving member extending axially from the volute and into the housing in a coaxial direction of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method provide improved ultrafiltration of charged/uncharged solutes in a fluid, especially a body fluid. The improvement is achieved through imposed electric field and/or surface charge patterning to a permeable membrane. In many of the embodiments, at least one selected material is used as an additive on a permeate side of the permeable membrane to reduce the sieving coefficient of the membrane with regard to a solute present in the fluid.

Abstract: An IV pole base is configured to couple in a tessellating manner to at least one other like IV pole base. The IV pole base can comprise a horizontal rectangular plate having four side edges and a given thickness (at least along the aforementioned side edges). This plate has a plurality of tessellating elements comprising each of a blank and a tab formed at each of the four side edges. The IV pole base further comprises a stabilizing thickening element disposed at a periphery of at least one of the tessellating elements to locally increase the thickness of the IV pole base beyond the thickness of the plate to thereby increase tessellation stability. The plate also includes an IV pole coupler formed centrally thereto, the IV pole coupler being configured to receive and hold an IV pole such that the IV pole extends outwardly perpendicularly to the plate.

Abstract: A sterile fluid pathway connector includes a piercing member, a connector hub, and a pierceable seal; wherein at least a portion of the pierceable seal is configured to move from a first position in which the piercing member is retained within a sterile cavity between the pierceable seal and the connector hub, to a second position in which the pierceable seal has been penetrated by the piercing member. A filter may be utilized to enclose the sterile cavity from the outside environment. Such fluid pathway connections may be integrated into a fluid container having a barrel and a plunger seal. The components of the fluid pathway connector may further be capable of transmitting a signal to the user upon completion of fluid delivery, for example, upon contact between the plunger seal and the pierceable seal. A fluid delivery pump includes such integrated fluid pathway connectors and fluid containers.

Abstract: A system and method can provide for a remote electronic device to be used to remotely initiate delivery of a medicament bolus with a medical device, such as an insulin pump, with the medical device providing audible or tactile confirmation of the programmed bolus. The bolus amount can be calculated by or programmed or otherwise entered into the smartphone, etc., and then transmitted to the medical device. When the pump receives the transmitted bolus amount, it issues one or more indications such as audible sounds and/or vibrations in any number of desired combinations. For instance, each individual sound or vibration may correspond to an increment of the medicament. The user can therefore determine the size of the medicament bolus by the number of sounds or vibrations and can confirm or cancel delivery of the bolus.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a pressure sensor of an implantable medical device. The pressure sensor may utilize detect fluid pressure based on a changing capacitance between two capacitive elements. The pressure sensor may define at least a portion of a fluid enclosure of the IMD. In one example, the pressure sensor has a self-aligning housing shape that occludes an opening in the pump bulkhead of the IMD. An operative surface of the pressure and the portion of the fluid enclosure may be formed of a corrosion resistant and/or biocompatible material. A first capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal alloy diaphragm that deflects in response to external fluid pressure. A second capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal coating on a rigid insulator sealed from the fluid by the diaphragm and a housing of the sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stopper arrangement for a drug delivery device, comprising a stopper, a linear actor coupled with one end to the stopper and with an opposite end to a coupling arrangement, wherein the stopper arrangement is configured to be disposed within a container of a drug delivery device, wherein a shape and/or material of the stopper and the coupling arrangement are configured such that a first frictional force between the coupling arrangement and the container is lower than a frictional force between the stopper and the container when the linear actor is contracting and that second frictional force between the coupling arrangement and the container is greater than the frictional force between the stopper and the container when the linear actor is expanding.

Abstract: A dispensing device and the method of making same for dispensing medicaments to a patient that includes a housing, a first assembly connected to the first end of the housing that includes a body portion, and a penetrating sub-assembly. The first assembly also includes a rate control chip of novel construction that is connected to the penetrating sub-assembly and functions to control the rate of flow of medicinal fluid to the patient. Disposed within the housing is a second assembly that includes a shuttle, a collapsible container carried by the shuttle and a plurality of variable force springs that function to thrust the collapsible container into penetrating engagement with the penetrating member of the penetrating assembly and then to collapse the collapsible container to deliver the medicinal fluid to the patient. Connected to the second end of the housing is a novel third assembly that includes an operating member that functions to controllably move the shuttle forwardly of the housing.

Abstract: A therapeutic fluid delivery device that includes at least one controllable valve is generally described. In one example, an implantable therapeutic fluid delivery system includes a first fluid pathway configured to convey a first therapeutic fluid and a second fluid pathway configured to convey a second therapeutic fluid, the second fluid pathway being separate from the first fluid pathway. The therapeutic fluid delivery system includes a valve connected to the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway, and a processor configured to control actuation of the valve to open and close the first fluid pathway and to open and close the second fluid pathway.

Abstract: An infusion speed measurement instrument 1 includes: a housing 12 which includes a fitting recessed part 10 in which a side wall 2a of a drip chamber 2 hung in an up-down direction is detachably fitted and a positioning contact part 11 which is in contact with a lower surface 23a of a flange part 23 of the drip chamber 2 fitted in the fitting recessed part 10; an infusion fluid detector 13 which is provided in the housing 12 and is configured to detect infusion fluid 4 dropping from a pipe 32 of the drip chamber 2 which is fitted in the fitting recessed part 10 while being in contact with the positioning contact part 11 at the flange part 23.

Abstract: Core annular flow is used to enable the subcutaneous delivery of a viscous fluid such as a protein therapeutic formulation. The high-viscosity fluid is surrounded by a low-viscosity fluid, and the low-viscosity fluid lubricates the passage of the high-viscosity fluid. This allows the use of protein formulations that have a higher concentration and a higher viscosity at comparatively reduced injection forces and reduced injection times. Several different embodiments of injection devices that provide core annular flow are described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compression connection means for an auto-injector (A), wherein the compression connection means adapted to attach a front-end device of the auto-injector (A) to a back-end device of the auto-injector (A) comprises of an annular mounting sleeve that is axially displaceable parallel to a longitudinal axis (X) between a locked position (L) and an unlocked position, a mounting sleeve spring biasing the mounting sleeve towards a locked position (L), at least one latch arm connected to one of either the front-end device or the back-end device, wherein the latch arm is deflectable in a radial direction, wherein the mounting sleeve in the locked position (L) is arranged to prevent the radial deflection of the latch arm and wherein the mounting sleeve in the unlocked position allows for a radial deflection of the latch arm, so as to allow the latch arm to be deflected on assembly or disassembly of the front-end device to the back-end device and to latch to or unlatch from the other of the fr

Abstract: A medicant injection device includes a compressible body, a tip, and an outer luer body. The compressible body has a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of bellows, and defines an inner cavity for holding a liquid medicant. The tip is positioned at the proximal end of the compressible body. The outer luer body includes internal threads, and is positioned over and engaged with the tip to form a first fitting therewith. The first fitting is configured to be connected with a second fitting. A medicant injection device includes a compressible body having first and second arms, a receptacle interconnected with the compressible body and defining an inner cavity, and a first fitting configured to engage a second fitting. The compressible body is configured to be compressed by forcing the distal end of the first and second arm toward each other.

Abstract: A supplemental device for use with an injection device, the supplemental device comprising: a plurality of light sources each being configured to illuminate a surface portion of an injection device, in use, with light of a different wavelength; at least one sensor for generating sensor outputs indicative of the respective intensities of light of different wavelengths reflected from the surface portion; and a processor for: controlling the plurality of light sources to illuminate the surface portion with light of first to third different wavelengths; obtaining first to third values for sensor outputs corresponding to the first to third different wavelengths respectively; performing one or more calculations using at least the first and second values to provide one or more further values; and using the third value and the or each further value, but not the first and second values, to determine a property of the injection device.

Abstract: An assembly for a drug delivery device is disclosed. An example assembly includes a housing, a rotation member, a drive member, and at least one correction member. The rotation member is adapted to be rotated with respect to the housing in a first rotational direction for delivering a dose of a drug. The drive member is coupleable to the rotation member for delivering the dose. In a delivery mode, the drive member and the rotation member are coupled such that the drive member follows rotational movement of the rotation member in the first rotational direction due to mechanical interaction of the rotation member and the drive member. In a correction mode, the rotation member and the drive member are decoupled such that the rotation member is rotatable in the first rotational direction with respect to the drive member.

Abstract: Device for medicament delivery with syringe-like usability having a locking mechanism. A device for medicament delivery with syringe-like usability with at least one grip (30), at least one plunger rod (20) being substantially rotationally fixed relatively to the grip, and at least one locking mechanism (17) configured to substantially inhibit movement of the plunger rod in a longitudinal direction of the device for dose delivery when being in at least one locking position. The locking mechanism comprises at least one rotatable part (40) that is substantially fixed in a longitudinal direction, that is rotatable relatively to the grip, and that interacts with the plunger rod. The device comprises at least one indicator drum (60).

Abstract: Medicament delivery device comprising a movable guard (10) being movable between a proximal and a distal position and a locking mechanism (15) having a lever (16), the lever (16) restricting movement of an actuation locking member (24) until the movable guard is positioned in a distal position and the lever (16) restricting movement of the guard (10) in a proximal position after actuation of the device.

Abstract: Apparatuses for automatic medicament injection and methods for manufacturing automatic medicament injectors are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, a needle, an energy storage member, an actuator, a locking member, and a needle guard. The needle is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In its first position, the needle is contained within the housing. In its second position, at least a portion of the needle extends from the housing. The energy storage member has a first configuration and a second configuration and is configured to produce a force when moving between its first configuration and its second configuration to move the needle from its first position to its second position. The actuator is configured to move the energy storage member from its first configuration to its second configuration.