Abstract: A laparoscopic suture passer comprises an elongated shaft, and a jaw assembly coupled to a distal end of the elongated shaft. The jaw assembly comprises first and second jaw members hingedly associated with each other. The jaw members are configured for being alternately displaced relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. The laparoscopic suture passer further comprises a hollow needle comprising a slotted bore extending along the entire length thereof. The hollow needle has a blunt end and a sharp end opposite the blunt end. The blunt end of the hollow needle is hingedly coupled to the first jaw member for being alternately hinged between a retracted position, wherein the hollow needle is stowed in the first jaw member, and a deployed position, wherein the hollow needle extends away from the first jaw member.

Abstract: A nanostructure includes a base layer including a surface. The nanostructure further includes nano-patterned features including non-random topography located on the surface of the base layer. The nanostructure also includes an encapsulating layer including a conductive material arranged on the nano-patterned features.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to medical delivery devices that include a barrel having an inner surface, and in at least one embodiment, the inner surface is hydrophilic. The medical delivery device may further include a stopper may having an elastomeric body, one or more fluoropolymer layers, and two or more ribs laminated to the one or more fluoropolymer layers. In some embodiments, the contact angle of the inner surface of the barrel is less than about 58°. Additionally, the stopper includes a sliding surface that is less than about 2.0 mm. The barrel provides inner surface that in combination with the fluoropolymer laminate or fluoropolymer film achieve high levels of air and liquid impermeability while also maintaining an acceptably low break loose force, low average glide force, and low glide force variation. In some embodiments, the compressibility stopper against the barrel is greater than about 7.9%.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coating surgical needles are provided.

Abstract: A medical device such as a stent or medical balloon is functionalised prior to coating with a bioactive material, specifically by carboxylic acidification of the contact surface or surfaces of the medical device. The preferred process involves washing a stent or other medical device in a washing solution which may be sodium hydroxide, soaking in a carboxylic acid solution, rinsing in water to remove excess carboxylic acid, allowing to dry before applying a bioactive agent layer. It has been found that washing after functionalisation removes excess carboxylic acid and enhances the retention of bioactive agent on the contact surface or surfaces of the medical device leading to a more uniform and consistent layer of bioactive agent.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to swellable needles that include a proximal end portion and a swellable distal end portion. Upon exposure to a liquid, the needles are configured to undergo a shape change from a first configuration in which the width of the needle is tapered from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion to a second configuration in which the distal end portion is more swollen than the proximal end portion. The swellable needles can be double layer swellable needles or single material swellable needles.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device coated an epoxy modified rigid silicone powder coating. This coating is applied to the surfaces of an electrosurgical device minimize the build-up of charred tissue (i.e., eschar) on the surfaces of the electrosurgical device.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery self-lubricating polymers. Lubricating liquids with affinities to polymers can be utilized to get absorbed within the polymer and form a lubricant layer (of the lubricating liquid) on the polymer. The lubricant layer can repel a wide range of materials, including simple and complex fluids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and bodily fluids), restore liquid-repellency after physical damage, and resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion. Some exemplary applications where self-lubricating polymers will be useful include energy-efficient, friction-reduction fluid handling and transportation, medical devices, anti-icing, optical sensing, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include coated medical devices and coatings with salt groups. In an embodiment, a coated medical device is included, the coated medical device including a substrate and a polymeric layer disposed over the substrate. The polymeric layer includes a polymer and has an exterior surface. The coated medical device further includes a plurality of salt groups bonded to the polymer of the polymeric layer and disposed on the exterior surface of the polymeric layer. The salt groups can be the reaction product of a reactive group with an acid or base. In an embodiment, a method of making a medical device is included. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Surface structured articles comprising a polymer matrix and a dispersed phase, the article having first and second opposed major surfaces, at least a portion of the first major surface is a microstructured, anisotropic surface comprises features having at least one dimension in a range from 1 micrometer to 500 micrometers, wherein the dispersed phase comprises an antimicrobial material, and wherein at least a portion of the dispersed phase is present on the microstructured, anisotropic surface. Surface structured articles are useful, for example, for marine applications (e.g., surfaces in contact with water (e.g., fresh water, ocean water)) such as boats, ships, piers, oil rigs, decks, and roofing materials.

Abstract: A needle tube having a needle tip for puncturing skin; a needle hub; and a fluid-draining portion for enabling draining of a medicine. The needle hub includes: a retention part (first member) for retaining the needle tube; an insertion part into which the output portion of a syringe is inserted; and a flange-like skin contact portion that is disposed in a manner so as to cover an area surrounding the needle tube and makes contact with and/or faces the skin when a living body is punctured with the needle tube. The fluid-draining portion is disposed in the skin contact portion of the needle hub and enables a user to drain the medicine that has spilled when removing air and is held in the skin contact portion.

Abstract: Chemical entities that are novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of cancer are described.

Abstract: Provided are a dip coating device which minimizes attachment of a coating material to a member to which a member to be coated is fixed, thereby facilitating coating of the member to be coated and a method for producing a coated member which is obtained by dip coating a member to be coated with a coating material. The dip coating device 10 of the present invention for coating a member to be coated 20 with a coating material 70, comprises a reservoir 30 that stores a coating material 70, a first fixing part 40 that holds a member to be coated 20, and a second fixing part 50 directly or indirectly provided on a wall 31 of the reservoir 30, wherein the first fixing part 40 and the second fixing part 50 magnetically attract to each other.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods comprising the use of a macroinitiator and application protocols to apply a hydrophilic coating to latex, or natural rubber, and compositions resulting from such methods. This coating results in e.g., an increased sense of lubrication when in contact with water or an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes an expandable and collapsible structure having an outer surface. The expandable and collapsible structure is adapted to expand between a contracted state and a dilated state. A coating is disposed on the outer surface of the expandable and collapsible structure. The coating includes a bioactive agent. A sleeve is disposed over the coating. The sleeve is adapted to expand between a compressed state and an enlarged state and to return to the compressed state. The sleeve defines a plurality of openings in the compressed state. An outer diameter of the coating is less than an outer diameter of the sleeve when the expandable and collapsible structure is in the contracted state and greater than the outer diameter of the sleeve when the expandable and collapsible structure is in the dilated state.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device coated an epoxy modified rigid silicone powder coating. This coating is applied to the surfaces of an electrosurgical device minimize the build-up of charred tissue (i.e., eschar) on the surfaces of the electrosurgical device.

Abstract: A balloon coating method and a balloon coating apparatus are disclosed by which the thickness and/or morphological form of a drug in a coating formed on a balloon can be appropriately set. The balloon coating method can include moving a coating section for applying a coating liquid containing a drug relative to the balloon in the direction of an axis, while rotating the balloon about the axis of the balloon, thereby to apply the coating liquid to an outer surface of the balloon; detecting the distance of a dried part where the coating liquid applied to the outer surface of the balloon has been dried from the coating section; and controlling moving velocity of the coating section relative to the balloon in such a manner that the distance of the dried part from the coating section is maintained at a preliminarily set designated distance.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods of winding collagen fiber to make medical constructs and related collagen fiber tube and patch devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-microbial composition and method of use thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to an anti-microbial composition comprising farnesol and cetrimide.

Abstract: A coating and devices using the coating are provided. The coating is applied in liquid form and dried or otherwise cured to form a durable adherent coating resistant to high temperatures and having optional hydrophobic properties. The coating formulation contains an aqueous formulation of silica, one or more fillers, and sufficient base, (e.g., potassium hydroxide), to have a pH exceeding about 10.5 during at least part of the formulation process. The formulation may contain a compound(s) that affects surface free energy, energy to make the cured coating hydrophobic. Such compounds include silanes containing halogens (e.g., fluorine or chlorine) and in particular silanes containing one or more hydrolyzable groups attached to at least one silicon atom and a group containing one or more halogens (e.g., chlorine or fluorine). A medical instrument (e.g., electrosurgical instrument) may be at least partially covered by a coating using the formulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing improved medical devices. In some embodiments, the improved medical devices can include improved surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the improved surgical needles can be manufactured with two or more different coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Improved methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hollow microneedle for subretinal injection or extraction. The microneedle for subretinal injection or extraction is made of metal, thereby providing the strength and force for penetrating the sclera and retina. Due to the length and the angle of curvature, the microneedle for subretinal injection or extraction of the present invention can reach a suitable subretinal site, such as the midperiphery at which optic nerves are accumulated, and thus the present invention is effective for delivering a drug and can enhance the effectiveness of the drug.

Abstract: The invention relates to certain mixtures made of PE and COC, in particular for use in medical materials, so as to reduce the frictional forces.

Abstract: A radiotherapy method, comprising positioning a predetermined amount of a radionuclide selected from the group consisting of Radium-223, Radium-224, Radon-219 and Radon-220, in proximity to and/or within a tumor of a subject, for a predetermined time period. The predetermined amount and the predetermined time period are selected sufficient for the radionuclide to administering a predetermined therapeutic dose of decay chain nuclei and alpha particles into the tumor.

Abstract: Methods of treating the polymeric surfaces of a stent with a fluid including a solvent for the surface polymer are disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device consists of a stent having a first surface and a second surface parallel to the first surface; a single expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) layer contacting the first surface of the stent; and an elastomeric layer applied to at least one surface of the stent. In at least one embodiment, the elastomeric layer is silicone. In at least one embodiment, the medical device is manufactured by positioning the ePTFE layer such that a first surface of the ePTFE layer contacts a first surface of the stent to form a stent-ePTFE assembly; and applying an elastomeric solution to the first surface of the ePTFE layer and at least one surface of the stent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an end effector for a surgical instrument includes providing a substrate wherein at least an outer periphery of the substrate is formed from an electrically-insulative material. The method further includes forming at least one ridge on the outer periphery of the substrate and depositing an electrically-conductive material onto the at least one ridge to form at least one electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus, and methods of making and using apparatus, for inserting intraocular lenses (IOLs) are disclosed. The apparatus includes a hollow tube having an interior wall defining a hollow space through which an intraocular lens may be passed from the open space into an eye. A lubricity enhancing component is covalently bonded to the hollow tube at the interior wall in an amount effective to facilitate the passage of the intraocular lens through the hollow space. The lubricity enhancing component includes a substituent component effective to reduce hydrolysis of said lubricity enhancing component relative to an identical lubricity enhancing component without the substituent component.

Abstract: System and method for coating an expandable member of a medical device comprising a support structure to support the expandable member and an applicator positioned with at least one outlet proximate a surface of an expandable member. A drive assembly establishes relative movement between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member to apply fluid on the surface of the expandable member along a coating path. A positioning device is provided to determine the distance to the surface of the expandable member at a corresponding location and relays the information to a controller or the like to maintain a substantially fixed distance between the outlet of the applicator and the surface of the expandable member when in alignment with the corresponding location.

Abstract: A system and method for coating an expandable member of a medical device comprising a support structure to support the expandable member and a dispenser positioned with at least one outlet proximate a surface of an expandable member. A drive assembly establishes relative movement between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member to apply fluid on the surface of the expandable member along a coating path. A guide maintains a substantially fixed distance between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member during relative movement therebetween by displacing the expandable member relative to the at least one outlet.

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 comprise a therapeutic agent, and wherein at a temperature of 30° C. and at one atmosphere, the composition may be in a solid state or semi-solid state.

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: A method and apparatus for coating catheters or balloon catheters is disclosed in which the catheter or balloon catheter is radially surrounded completely or almost completely at a constant distance by a device that applies a coating solution so that the coating solution completely fills the space between the catheter or balloon catheter and the device and thus completely surrounds the catheter or balloon catheter, relative motion is effected between the device and the catheter or balloon catheter in the axial direction across the surface of the catheter or balloon catheter multiple times, and partial drying of the applied coating solution occurs between the individual coating stages.

Abstract: A tissue-resecting probe includes an elongated outer sleeve extending about an axis to a distal housing having a first window for receiving tissue. An edge of the first window has a dielectric surface. A rotatable inner sleeve has a second window, and at least a portion of an edge of the second window provides a first polarity electrode. Rotation of the inner sleeve within the outer sleeve moves the probe between window-open and window-closed configurations to resect tissue.

Abstract: A novel silicone coating process for surgical needles is disclosed. Coating solutions are applied to a surgical needle and a stream of air is directed at the needle in a direction substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the distal section of the needle, providing superior coatings and performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a gastric jejunal tube having a gastric lumen and a jejunal lumen that run the length of the tube. The cross-sectional sizes of the lumens change from above to below the most distal gastric port. A method of making the gastric jejunal tube is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a balloon (1) for treating stenosis and the method for obtaining this balloon. The method comprises the steps of: bringing the balloon in the deployed configuration; placing a plurality of stylets (17) that are arranged in the axial direction along the outer wall (10) of the balloon; pushing the stylets towards the balloon core (11) in the radial direction such as to form a plurality of laps (12); laying the laps about the core in the tangential direction such as to lay each lap on an adjacent stylet; removing the stylets such as to form a plurality of cavities (13) comprised between each lap and the balloon core; filling the cavities with the drug.

Abstract: A method of forming a surface layer that includes a hydroxyl polymer on a substrate coating on a medical device is provided.

Abstract: A method of coating an exterior surface of the elongate object with the coating material includes holding the elongate object lengthwise in the elongate chamber, mixing the pressurized air and the coating material to form a mist, and coating the exterior surface while directing the mist around the exterior surface and toward the outlet of the elongate chamber.

Abstract: Biological materials such as vaccines can be stabilized in certain glassy materials soluble in water. It has been proposed to form these glassy materials as a powder suspended in a non-aqueous liquid for injection into a patient. This method is complicated by the need to find suitable compatible liquids and to stop the glassy particles from congregating in liquid. These problems have been obviated by supporting the glassy material on a porous membrane remote from the eluant. When the biological material requires administration, the eluant can be passed across the membrane dissolving the glass and causing the substance to be carried by the liquid into the patient.

Abstract: A method for smoothing sharp areas on the bevel heel of a cannula comprises initially grinding a cannula end portion to form a bevel with a distal tip and an axially opposite heel. An ultraviolet-curable adhesive is applied to the heel. The heel is then exposed to ultraviolet radiation and is ultimately cured. It will be appreciated that the smoothing is accomplished without blasting glass beads at the cannula.

Abstract: A method of modifying a medical device such as a stent with nano-constructs is disclosed. The method comprises applying a first fluid to the stent; immersing the stent being wet from the first fluid into a second fluid having a suspension of nano-constructs; and removing the stent from the second fluid and allowing the first and second fluid to be removed such that the nano-constructs are carried by the stent for in vivo application of the constructs to a target location of a mammalian subject. The nano-constructs can be attached to the surface of the stent, can be attached to a surface of the coating of the stent, can be embedded into the stent, or can be embedded into the coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of plasma treated silicone oil as a coating in a medical injection device (1) comprising a barrel (2) and a stopper (3) in gliding engagement within the barrel, for limiting the number of particles present on the surface of the coating and for limiting the number of particles released in a pharmaceutical composition contained in the injection device.

Abstract: Methods of treating the polymeric surfaces of a stent with a fluid including a solvent for the surface polymer are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for the deposition of silver-comprising films on nonconducting substrates, and, more particularly, to deposition of such films that are very thin, are provided. The surface of nonconducting substrates is modified with a superabsorbent polymer to increase silver deposition when compared to a non-modified surface. Also provided are films produced using a swelling agent, whereby porosity of the surface of the nonconducting substrate is increased, thereby permitting increased silver deposition when compared to an unmodified surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of coating microneedles by which the microneedles mounted on a microneedle device are coated accurately and easily in a mass-producible manner. In this method, a microneedle device (22) with a plurality of microneedles (21) is mounted on a table (23), while a mask plate (25) with a plurality of apertures (24) is fixed to a frame member (26), and a coating solution (27) is drawn in the direction of arrow A on the mask plate (25) using a spatula (28) to fill the apertures (24) with the coating solution. The microneedles (21) are inserted in the apertures (24) before or after the filling of the apertures (24) with the coating solution (27) to coat the microneedles (21).

Abstract: A medical device includes a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body lumen, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The tubular device includes an inner liner including a coating on an inner surface thereof, a reinforcing layer surrounding at least a portion of the liner; and an outer layer surrounding the reinforcing layer and inner liner. The liner and outer layer may include multiple sections having different properties than one another, adjacent sections attached together by seams, which may be offset from one another. Apparatus and methods for making tubular devices with coated liners are also provided.

Abstract: Coated microneedle devices and methods of making such devices are provided. In one aspect, a method for coating includes providing a microstructure having at least one surface in need of coating; and applying a coating liquid, which includes at least one drug, to the at least one surface of the microstructure, wherein the surface energy of the coating liquid is less than the surface energy of the surface of the microstructure. The coating liquid may include a viscosity enhancer and surfactant. Microneedles having heterogeneous coatings, pockets, or both are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for forming a “coating gradient” on medical devices, such as a balloon catheter or guidewire are disclosed. The balloon portion of the catheter has a protective covering initially placed over it to prevent the balloon from receiving a first hydrophilic coating. After a first hydrophilic coating is applied, the protective covering is removed. A second hydrophilic coating could be applied to the catheter. A guidewire having less lubricity at the distal end portion also can be created. A first hydrophilic coating is applied to the elongated shaft and distal shaft section of the guidewire. After the first hydrophilic coating cures, the first hydrophilic coating is removed from a portion of the distal shaft section of the guidewire. A second hydrophillic coating can then be applied to the elongated shaft and distal shaft section of the guidewire. The second hydrophilic coating can be allowed to cure.

Abstract: A fine metal structure having its surface furnished with microprojections of high strength, high precision and large aspect ratio; and a process for producing the fine metal structure free of defects. There is provided a fine metal structure having its surface furnished with microprojections, characterized in that the microprojections have a minimum thickness or minimum diameter ranging from 10 nanometers to 10 micrometers and that the ratio between minimum thickness or minimum diameter (D) of microprojections and height of microprojections (H), H/D, is greater than 1.