Abstract: The application discloses a method for the preparation (by extruding, injection molding or powder coating and subsequent cross-linking by irradiation with UV or visible light) of a medical device element involving a coating composition comprising: a) as the only polymer constituent(s), at least 50% by weight of poly(ethylene oxide)(s) optionally in combination with non-thermoplastic hydrophilic polymer(s), and b) low molecular weight scaffold(s) having a plurality of photo-initiator moieties covalently linked thereto and/or covalently incorporated therein, wherein the photo-initiator moieties constitute 0.01-20% by weight of the combined amount of the poly(ethylene oxide)(s), any non-thermoplastic hydrophilic polymers and the low molecular weight scaffolds.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for making coated liners and/or tubular devices including such coated liners. A sleeve may be provided that includes an outer first surface and an inner second surface extending between first and second ends thereof, and a hydrophilic or other coating may be applied to the first. The coated sleeve may be cut between the first and second ends to create opposing edges extending between the first and second ends, and the cut sleeve may be reversed such that the coated first surface defines an inner surface and the opposing edges are disposed adjacent one another, thereby providing a coated liner. Optionally, a tubular structure, e.g., one or more reinforcing layers and/or or outer layers may be attached around the coated liner, thereby providing a tubular device including an inner surface with a desired coating.

Abstract: A method of coating a stent comprises contacting a first axial portion of a stent with a support element, such that a second axial portion does not contact the support element or any other support element, applying a coating material to the second axial portion, and inhibiting or preventing application of the coating material on the first axial portion. A shuttle sheath can be used to push the stent off the support element.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition comprises an anionic drug and an amine polymer comprising a first repeat unit of formula (2): wherein a? is an integer equal to 1 or 2, b? is an integer equal to 1 or 2, and each R? is an independent monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, and combinations thereof. G? is a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of a single bond and groups comprising at least one carbon. X? is a negatively charged counterion. The drug and the amine polymer are bound by noncovalent interactions.

Abstract: A method of loading a composition into a structural element of a stent, where the structural element is defined by a lumen and at least one opening to access the lumen. The composition may include a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the composition has characteristics such that at a temperature of 20° C. to 30° C. and a pressure of one atmosphere, the viscosity of the composition is about 10 cP or greater than 10 cP.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to surfaces having a protein-resistant hydrogel layer and methods for preparing a protein-resistant hydrogel layer on a surface. The protein-resistant hydrogel layer is formed by a protein-crosslinked water soluble polymer that is contacted with a surface to form a thin protein-resistant hydrogel layer on the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocompatible implant comprising one or more metal(s), metal alloy(s), metal oxide(s) or a combination thereof, wherein a compound selected from the group consisting of an IP, an ester of an IP, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a combination thereof, is/are covalently bound to at least a part of a metal, metal alloy or metal oxide surface of said biocompatible implant. The covalent bond between the IP and the metal, metal alloy or metal oxide surface can be further assisted by the use of a linker. An implant according to the invention provides for a modulated and/or improved osseointegrative effect when implanted into a body, such as a mammalian body, by virtue of the coating comprising covalently bound phytate.

Abstract: A metal implant, in particular a dental implant, with a hydrophilic surface for at least partial insertion into a bone, and a method for the production of said implant are described. A particularly advantageous hydrophilic surface for improved osteointegration properties is made available if it is briefly treated, at least in some areas, in a weakly alkaline solution. These excellent osteointegration properties can be achieved in a method in which, optionally after a preceding mechanical surface modification by material removal and/or chemical surface modification, at least the areas exposed of this surface exposed to bone and/or soft tissue are chemically modified in an alkaline solution.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an outer shaft comprising a first section of electroactive polymer. The first section of electroactive polymer affecting either the flexibility of the catheter or the steerability of the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibacterial artificial nail composition which can form a cured article having an antibacterial effect by applying the composition on a surface of a natural nail or an artificial nail and polymerizing the composition, using an artificial nail technique of forming a cured article on a natural nail or an artificial nail. Disclosed is an antibacterial artificial nail composition comprising (A) a compound having at least one radical polymerizable unsaturated double bond and an antibacterial group in the molecule and/or (B) an antibacterial filler, (C) a compound having at least one radical polymerizable unsaturated double bond in the molecule, and (D) a polymerization initiator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-supporting films for delivery of a therapeutic agent containing at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one therapeutic agent. Methods of forming the self-supporting films are also disclosed.

Abstract: A balloon catheter, in particular a balloon catheter for angioplasty, the balloon having an inner or outer surface modified by means of a photoactivation reaction.

Abstract: A method of a forming a hollow, drug-eluting medical device includes utilizing a hollow wire having an outer member and a lumen of the outer member, and filling the lumen with a fluid to form a supported hollow wire. The supported hollow wire is shaped into a stent pattern. Openings are formed through the outer member. The supported hollow wire is processed to remove the fluid from the lumen of the outer member without adversely affecting the outer member, leaving the hollow wire shaped into a stent pattern. The lumen is filled with a biologically or pharmacologically active substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for coating an inner surface of a polyvinyl chloride medical tube containing a plasticizer with an antithrombogenic material composed of a specific (meth)acrylate copolymer. The simple method of the present invention is capable of evenly and efficiently coating an inner surface of a polyvinyl chloride medical tube with a sufficient amount of an antithrombogenic material without causing appearance deterioration or uneven coating due to elution of the plasticizer. The method is performed by passing through a tube a solution that is prepared by dissolving an antithrombogenic material in a solvent composed of water and at least one alcohol that is adjusted to dissolve the copolymer of the antithrombogenic material but does not dissolve the plasticizer, then subsequently passing water through the tube, and finally drying the tube.

Abstract: There is provided a novel organic silicon compound that can be used for a silane coupling agent. An organic silicon compound of Formula (1): (where A? is Formula (2) or Formula (3): E is Formula (4) or Formula (5): R1 and R2 are each independently a C1-5 alkyl group, R3 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R4 and R5 are each independently a C1-5 alkyl group, m, n, and p are each independently an integer of 1 to 5, and q is an integer of 1 to 3).

Abstract: A film-forming composition comprises a solvent and unimolecular nanoparticles of a self-crosslinkable nanogel star polymer. The nanogel star polymer comprises i) a crosslinked polymer core (nanogel core) and ii) 6 or more independent polymer arms covalently linked to the core by respective first end groups. A plurality of the arms comprise reactive groups for effecting crosslinking of the nanoparticles. An essentially solvent-free film layer comprising the nanoparticles self-crosslinks, optionally assisted by subjecting the film layer to a thermal treatment and/or a photochemical treatment. A surface treated article comprising the crosslinked film layer can effectively inhibit growth of and/or kill Gram-negative microbes, Gram-positive microbes, fungi, and/or yeasts.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device includes a slotted tubular member and a coating disposed over the tubular member. The coating may define one or more coating gaps therein.

Abstract: The invention provides surface treatments that reduce or eliminate marine biofouling of various surfaces. A surface that is to be subjected to a marine environment can be treated with a mPEG-DOPA. The treated surface is thus rendered less susceptible to fouling of the surface.

Abstract: A copolymer comprising a block of an elastin pentapeptide and method of making and using the copolymer are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a medical device element by means of extrusion or injection moulding and to medical devices comprising such extruded or injection moulded medical device elements. The medical device elements (e.g. tubes, wires, lines, stents, catheters, guides, endodontic instruments, needles, trocars for e.g. laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic accessories, surgical instruments, guide wires) are characterized by a prefabricated shaped article or a thermoplastic substrate polymer having thereon a layer of a covalently cross-linked coating composition of a thermoplastic matrix polymer and a hydrophilic polymer. The method involves a coating composition comprising a thermoplastic matrix polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, and one or more photo-initiator(s), e.g. covalently linked to molecules of the thermoplastic matrix polymer and/or to molecules of the hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: A method for modifying silk polymer by coupling a chemical moiety to a tyrosine residue of a silk polymer is described herein for the purpose of altering the physical properties of the silk protein. Thus, silk proteins with desired physical properties can be produced by the methods described herein. These methods are particularly useful when the introduction of cells to a mammal is desired, since modifications to the silk protein affect the physical properties and thus the adhesion, metabolic activity and cell morphology of the desired cells. The silk protein can be modified to produce, or modify, a structure that provides an optimal environment for the desired cells.

Abstract: A masking member contains parallel through-holes, each of the through-holes contains a tilted wall structure; an upper end of the tilted wall structure of one of the through-holes abuts on an upper end of the tilted wall structure of an adjacent one of the through-holes thereby forming a knife-edge ridge at the upper ends. The masking member may in contact with a substrate. Formation in quantity of various different populations of a substance being studied with multiple combinations of distribution form and distribution density may be conducted by dripping a suspension of a single concentration of the substance onto the masking member.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for devices for detection of a biofilm by a color change in a moisture-indicating substance, such as a chemical or a dye. The moisture indicating material may be supported by a substrate and sealed to keep moisture from the moisture indicating material. Alternatively, the moisture indicating material may be supported in a pouch and sealed by the pouch. The color change results from an ingress of moisture accompanying growth of a biofilm. The moisture-indicating substance may be used with indwelling or other devices to detect a biofilm. When the biofilm has sufficiently degraded the seal, an ingress of moisture and its accompanying pH may cause a color change in the moisture-indicating substance to signify the presence of the biofilm. Methods of manufacture and use of the disclosed devices are also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a coated low-friction medical device, such as low-friction medical tubing, including applying a coating to one or more selected portions of a surface of low-friction medical tubing to indicate at least one marking formed along the surface of the low-friction medical tubing, and simultaneously or substantially simultaneously: (a) curing the applied coating to a designated temperature (which is above the temperature at which the low-friction medical tubing begins to decompose and shrink) to adhere the applied coating to the surface of the low-friction medical tubing, (b) utilizing one or more anti-shrinking devices to counteract or otherwise inhibit the shrinking of the low-friction medical tubing, and (c) exhausting any harmful byproducts resulting from curing the low-friction medical tubing to a temperate above the temperature at which the low-friction medical tubing begins to decompose.

Abstract: A method for depositing a coating comprising a polymer and impermeable dispersed solid on a substrate, comprising the following steps: discharging at least one impermeable dispersed solid in dry powder form through a first orifice; discharging at least one polymer in dry powder form through a second orifice; depositing the polymer and/or impermeable dispersed solid particles onto said substrate, wherein an electrical potential is maintained between the substrate and the impermeable dispersed solid and/or polymer particles, thereby forming said coating; and sintering said coating under conditions that do not disrupt the activity and/or function of the substrate. A similar method is provided for depositing a coating comprising a hydrophobic polymer and a water-vapor-trapping material on a substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a culture medium includes the following steps. A carbon nanotube structure is provided. A hydrophilic layer is formed on a surface of the carbon nanotube structure. The hydrophilic layer is polarized to form a polar surface on the hydrophilic layer. A number of neurons are formed on the polar surface of the hydrophilic layer.

Abstract: A method for encoding and identifying biological materials is disclosed. The method may include encoding and identifying plants from which controlled substances may be derived and other materials for which movement and distribution may need to be tracked. The biological material may be first encoded using DNA oligomers. A spray method or the use of an encoded substrate, both using these DNA oligomers for encoding the biological material, may be employed. The biological material, or a part of the biological material, may be first encoded by atomizing a solution containing DNA oligomers onto it and then dried by an appropriate method. Thereafter, the part of the encoded biological material, or the nitrocellulose substrate, may be dissolved with a buffer solution for extracting the DNA oligomers. Then, the dissolved solution may be used for generating a barcode by a suitable detection scheme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for modifying the surface morphology of a medical device. The modified surface has, among other advantageous properties, an improved capacity for sorption or conjugation of a variety of bioactive agents, the addition of which will turn the medical device into a localized drug delivery system.

Abstract: A device for coating at least regions of a medical implant including a powder having at least one pharmaceutically active substance or one bone growth-promoting substance such that the powder can be transferred to the medical implant when the medical implant is contacted.

Abstract: A medical device including an array of microneedles and a coating disposed on or within the microneedles and a method of making such a device are disclosed. The coating includes a peptide therapeutic agent and an amino acid. A method of stabilizing a peptide therapeutic agent with an amino acid on an array of microneedles is also disclosed. In some cases, the peptide therapeutic agent and the amino acid either both have a net positive charge or both have a net negative charge. In some cases, the peptide therapeutic agent is histidine.

Abstract: Irradiation of a surface of a material with a gas cluster ion beam modifies the wettability of the surface. The wettability may be increased or decreased dependent on the characteristics of the gas cluster ion beam. Improvements in wettability of a surface by the invention exceed those obtained by conventional plasma cleaning or etching. The improvements may be applied to surfaces of medical devices, such as vascular stents for example, and may be used to enable better wetting of medical device surfaces with liquid drugs in preparation for adhesion of the drug to the device surfaces. A mask may be used to limit processing to a portion of the surface. Medical devices formed by using the methods of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating an article surface. The method includes removing a metal oxide surface from the metal substrate to expose a metal surface; and delivering particles including a dopant from at least one fluid jet to the metal surface to impregnate the surface of the article with the dopant. The method also includes delivering substantially simultaneously a first set of particles comprising a dopant and a second set of particles comprising an abrasive from at least one fluid jet to a surface of an article to impregnate the surface of the article with the dopant.

Abstract: A method of producing a drug coated balloon that comprises the steps of: subjecting a balloon catheter with a folded and wrapped balloon thereon to a pre-annealing step to induce a fold/wrap memory in the resulting pre-annealed balloon; unfolding the pre-annealed balloon sufficiently to expose the full circumferential surface of the balloon by application of an inflation pressure that retains said fold/wrap memory; applying a drug coating formulation to the unfolded balloon surface; releasing pressure to relax the balloon and induce creasing along fold memory; and evacuating the balloon slowly to induce refolding and rewrapping of the balloon. The method overcomes the need to use a folding apparatus to fold and wrap a drug coated balloon.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device coated an epoxy modified rigid silicone powder coating which includes a solvent-free hydroxyl functional solid phenyl silicone resin in the range of about 40% to about 60% parts per weight of the coating; a calcium metasilicate in the range of about 20% to about 40% parts per weight of the coating; an epoxy cresol novalac resin in the range of about 5% to about 15% parts per weight of the coating; an ultra-fine air micronized muscovite mica in the range of about 0% to about 10% parts per weight of the coating; a 60% active powder version of a methyl alkyl polysilaxane in the range of about 3% to about 7% parts per weight of the coating; a high temperature calcination of coprecipitated compound with manganese-copper-iron in the range of about 0% to about 10% parts per weight of the coating; an o-cresol novolac resin in the range of about 0.5% to about 3% parts per weight of the coating; and an acrylate copolymer in the range of about 0.5% to about 3% parts per weight of the coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a polymeric substrate comprising at least one volume excluding polymer. In one embodiment, the present invention provides polymeric articles that are capable of acting as osmotic drivers. The articles are capable of maintaining a desired water balance by moving water in or out of a substrate to maintain cation concentration equilibrium between the substrate and its environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preparation method for porous hydroxyapatite coatings. In particular, it is a method of using suspension plasma spraying to prepare porous hydroxyapatite coatings, which belongs to the technical field of biomedical material preparations. The present invention added a pore-forming agent into the hydroxyapatite suspension with a solid content of 16%-45%. After full stirring, the feedstock materials for plasma spraying were transferred into the injection system, and injected into the high temperature area of the central plasma flame. Then, the feedstock materials made the heat exchange with the high plasma flame of plasma spraying gun. Then the sprayed raw materials were subjected to breakup and refinement of the droplets, solvent evaporation, the decomposition and gasification of the pore-forming agent and melting of feedstock materials. Finally, the porous hydroxyapatite coatings are directly deposited onto the substrate surfaces of the biomedical materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to active implantable medical stimulation devices. An active implantable medical stimulation device comprises an electrically non-conductive support member, one or more electrically conductive stimulation electrodes disposed on the support member and a cover covering the support member and the one or more electrodes. At locations where the cover covers the electrodes, the cover comprises one or more openings dimensioned such that the one or more openings which facilitate electrical conduction to allow stimulation of tissue and/or measurement of electrical signal s by the electrodes while preventing tissue ingrowth. The support member can be of an advantageous structure, that would not be usable without the cover since tissue ingrowth would not allow the removal of the implant. At the same time, the cover still allows the stimulation of the tissue so that the functionality of the device is not prevented by the cover.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for coating a surface with a crosslinked polyelectrolytes multilayer film incorporating a protein, preferably a growth factor type protein. The invention also relates to crosslinked polyelectrolytes multilayer films obtained by this process, and a coated surface obtained therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophilic coating formulation which when cured results in a hydrophilic coating, wherein the hydrophilic coating formulation comprises a polyelectrolyte and a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer. The invention further relates to a coating system, a hydrophilic coating, a lubricious coating, use of a polyelectrolyte and a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer in a lubricious coating, an article, a medical device or component and a method of forming on a substrate a hydrophilic coating.

Abstract: Implantable or insertable medical devices are described. The medical devices comprise (a) a therapeutic agent and (b) a polymeric release region, which controls the release of the therapeutic agent upon administration to a patient. The polymeric release region further comprises a silicone copolymer that contains a plurality of siloxane units and a plurality of non-siloxane units. Also described are methods for administering a therapeutic agent to a patient using the above implantable or insertable medical devices as well as methods of making the above devices.

Abstract: A porous, resorbable and flexible dental surgical membrane (16) is made from chitosan having a molecular weight of at least 400,000 daltons and has a thickness of from about 100 microns to about 0.5 mm. The membrane is easily insertable over a bone graft material site to confine the bone graft material (14) while allowing access to it of blood and oxygen. The high molecular weight of the chitosan may be chosen so that the membrane will not dissolve or resorb in a human mouth for a protracted period, e.g., from about 12 to about 16 weeks. The membrane is made by dissolving medical grade chitosan in aqueous acetic acid, dispersing fine silica particles into the solution to form a slurry, depositing a film of the slurry on a support surface, evaporating liquid from the slurry sufficiently to form a coherent chitosan membrane having silica particles dispersed therein, and then dissolving the silica particles with a sodium hydroxide solution followed by a water wash to form the porous chitosan membrane.

Abstract: An implantable electrode array assembly configured to apply electrical stimulation to the spinal cord. A substantially electrically nonconductive layer of the device has a first portion positionable alongside the spinal cord that includes a plurality of first openings. The layer has a second portion that includes a plurality of second openings. Electrodes and traces are positioned inside a peripheral portion of a body portion of the device and alongside the layer. At least one of the first openings is adjacent each of the electrodes to provide a pathway through which the electrode may provide electrical stimulation to the spinal cord. At least one of the second openings is adjacent each of the traces to provide a pathway through which the trace may receive electrical stimulation. At least one trace is connected to each electrode and configured to conduct electrical stimulation received by the trace(s) to the electrode.

Abstract: Described are processes for producing pulverulent coating compositions comprising providing an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising i) as component A a polymer obtained by radical polymerization of a) N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, and b) at least one radically polymerizable compound selected from esters of ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with C1-C8-alkanols; and spray processing the aqueous polymer dispersion in the presence of a drying gas to provide a powder, wherein the entry temperature of the drying gas into the spraying apparatus is at least 20° C. above the glass transition temperature and is at least 20° C. above the minimum film-forming temperature of the polymer and the exit temperature of the drying gas from the spraying apparatus is kept at 40 to 85° C.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a method of treating a component of a medicament dispenser device, the component having one or more surfaces which come into contact with the medicament during storage or use of the device, the method including the steps of: providing said component; and coating at least one of said surfaces by plasma deposition thereby to inhibit surface deposition or degradation of the medicament, wherein at least part of the plasma deposition is performed under DC bias control.

Abstract: A medical device coated with a novel lubricious coating is disclosed. The coating contains a pre-oxidized hydrophobic polymer, a cross-linking agent, a silicone or siloxane polymer, a slip agent and a catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides an implantable multi-electrode device (300) and related methods and apparatuses. In one embodiment, the invention includes an implantable device (300) comprising: an assembly block (320); and a plurality of leads (340 . . . 348) radiating from the assembly block (320), each of the plurality of leads (340 . . . 348) containing at least one electrode (342A), such that the electrodes are distributed within a three-dimensional space, wherein the assembly block (320) includes a barb (350) for anchoring the assembly block (320) within implanted tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides multivalent surface-crosslinked micelle (SCM) particles, crosslinked reverse micelle (CRM) particles, and methods of making and using them. The SCM particles can be used, for example, to inhibit a virus or bacteria from binding to a host cell. The inhibition can be used in therapy for the flu, cancer, or AIDS. The CRM particles can be used, for example, to prepare metal nanoparticles or metal alloy nanoparticles, or they can be used in catalytic reactions.

Abstract: A method for firmly fixing a hydrophilic polymer on a polyamide surface involves applying a solution containing a phenolic compound to a base material of which at least a part of the surface is a polyamide, and coating the base material with a hydrophilic polymer after applying the solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, multilayer film coating compositions, coated substrates and methods thereof. In some embodiments, a structure includes a substrate; and a multilayer film coated on the substrate, wherein adjacent layers of the multilayer film are associated with one another via one or more non-covalent interactions, wherein the multilayer film comprises a first nucleic acid agent present at a loading density, and further wherein the multilayer film is characterized in that, when the structure is placed on a subject so that the multilayer film contacts cells, the first nucleic acid agent is released with a profile characterized by a feature selected from the group consisting of 1) being a burst-free release; 2) being a sustained release; and 3) exhibiting in vitro and/or in vivo biological effectiveness.

Abstract: A shielded head cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes at least one attenuation portion including a radiation attenuating material configured and operable to protect a user head from radiation. The attenuation portion includes a varying amount of radiation attenuating material at different locations to provide for increased protection at desired locations. The attenuation portion may be embodied as a removable patch that is attached to the head cover. The attenuation portion may be provided by spraying particles of radiation attenuating material on the head cover.