Abstract: Use of one or more saccharides, for example one or more non-toxic mono-, di-, tri-, oligo- or polysaccharides, in the manufacture of a biocompatible glue for adhering a first structure to a surface of a second structure. The biocompatible glue can be adapted to act as a temporary glue. In this case the glue may be used to enable a medical structure to be transferred from a medical instrument onto the surface of a structure of a human or animal body, for example as in the transfer of a buffer material from the fork of a surgical stapler to a diseased lung after one or more rows of staples have been fired through the buffer material into the lung during lung volume reduction surgery for treating emphysema. The biocompatible glue can also to advantage be used to adhere or secure medical structures to a structure of a human or animal body direct, such as in the case of a patch being applied to the skin of a mammal.

Abstract: A non-elastomeric polyurethane composition which includes a first chain extender of the general formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are the same or different and selected from an optionally substituted straight chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical; R7 is a divalent linking group or an optionally substituted straight chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical; and n is 0 or greater, and a second chain extender.

Abstract: The present invention relates to porous polymers incorporating dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and the like and their production. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and like compounds, in both porous and non-porous forms, as substrates for the attachment and growth of mammalian cells and tissue. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates as components of medical devices and prostheses, including implanted devices.

Abstract: Biocompatible prostheses, specifically, biocompatible heart valves, are described which comprise a blend of a polyurethane (PU) and a polysiliconeurethane (PSU). Preferably, the polyurethane is a polyetherurethane (PEU). More preferably, it is a polyetherurethane urea (PEUU). Such prostheses typically exhibit reduced mineralization or thrombosis and/or reduced biological degradation.

Abstract: A crosslinkable macromer system and related methods of preparing the system and using the system in the form of a crosslinked matrix between a tissue site and an implant article such as a tissue implant or on the porous surface of a prosthetic device. The macromer system includes two or more polymer-pendent polymerizable groups and one or more initiator groups (e.g., polymer-pendent initiator groups). The polymerizable groups and the initiator group(s), when polymer-pendent, can be pendent on the same or different polymeric backbones. The macromer system provides advantages over the use of polymerizable macromers and separate, low molecular weight initiators, including advantages with respect to such properties as nontoxicity, efficiency, and solubility. A macromer system of the invention can be used as an interface between the tissue site and implant article in a manner sufficient to permit tissue growth through the crosslinked matrix and between the tissue site and implant.

Abstract: We disclose ultrafine-grained titanium. A coarse-grained titanium billet is subjected to multiple extrusions through a preheated equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) die, with billet rotation between subsequent extrusions. The resulting billet is cold processed by cold rolling and/or cold extrusion, with optional annealing. The resulting ultrafine-grained titanium has greatly improved mechanical properties and is used to make medical implants.

Abstract: A medical, bioresorbable implant, particularly for crucial ligament augmentation, is constructed as a composite structure in textile construction from at least two biocompatible polymer materials, which differ in their chemical composition and/or polymer structure and which are degradable, the implant having a predetermined initial tensile stiffness and a different degradation behaviour of the polymers and/or the textile construction is selected in such a way that the tensile stiffness decreases during degradation.

Abstract: A coating composition is provided comprising hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water. A method is provided for preparing the coating on a substrate comprising forming a coating mixture of hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water; applying the coating mixture to the substrate; and curing the coating.

Abstract: Use of one or more saccharides, for example one or more non-toxic mono-, di-, tri-, oligo- or polysaccharides, in the manufacture of a biocompatible glue for adhering a first structure to a surface of a second structure. The biocompatible glue can be adapted to act as a temporary glue. In this case the glue may be used to enable a medical structure to be transferred from a medical instrument onto the surface of a structure of a human or animal body, for example as in the transfer of a buffer material from the fork of a surgical stapler to a diseased lung after one or more rows of staples have been fired through the buffer material into the lung during lung volume reduction surgery for treating emphysema. The biocompatible glue can also to advantage be used to adhere or secure medical structures to a structure of a human or animal body direct, such as in the case of a patch being applied to the skin of a mammal.

Abstract: The invention provides a means of boosting the mechanical performance of shaped shaped medical devices comprising polymer hydrogels, such as stents, so that they may be more easily inserted into or removed from the body. In one aspect, the invention provides shaped medical devices having increased mechanical strength and comprising both ionic and covalent crosslinks. In another aspect, the invention provides a shaped medical device having a heterogeneous polymer composition and a variable dissolution or degradation rate along its length. The shaped medical devices according to the present invention retain their shape and stiffness during insertion into the body and can swell and soften inside the body to enhance patient comfort.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing macro-porous synthetic ceramics designed in particular for bone substitution. The invention also concerns macro-porous synthetic ceramics comprising pores of controlled dimensions, distributed in number and in surface in a predetermined manner, the interconnection between the pores thereof being controlled.

Abstract: Biocompatible prostheses, specifically, biocompatible heart valves, are described having incorporated therein an effective amount of coating applied thereto to render the valve resistant to in vivo pathologic thrombus formation and in vivo pathologic mineralization.

Abstract: A filler material for a surgically implantable prosthesis comprised of a synthetic triglyceride having a viscosity substantially greater than that of naturally occurring triglycerides is provided. The triglyceride composition is formed of saturated alkyl chains to reduce or limit the potential for oxidation of the alkyl chains to form peroxide groups which adversely affect the biocompatibility of the filler material and the implant. Preferably, the filler material has a viscosity substantially the equivalent of a normal human breast. The synthetic triglyceride filler material may also have a lower viscosity which is a liquid at room temperature for use in inflatable devices. Prostheses containing filler material having the desired viscosity and antioxidation characteristics are also provided as well as a method for preparing the filler material.

Abstract: Shape-memory biodegradable and absorbable materials which make it possible to easily treat vital tissues by suture, anastomosis, ligation, fixation, reconstitution, prosthesis, etc. without causing burn. These materials never induce halation in MRI or CT and never remain in vivo. Such a shape-memory biodegradable and absorbable material is a material made of a molded article of lactic acid-based polymer and can be recovered to the original shape without applying any external force thereto but heating to a definite temperature or above. It is obtained by deforming a molded article (a primary molded article) made of a lactic acid-based polymer and having a definite shape into another molded article (a secondary molded article) having another shape at a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature thereof but lower than the crystallization temperature thereof (or 100° C.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant (1) with a hollow cylindrical shape is provided with an outer thread (2) for screwing in the implant into the intermediate space between two adjacent vertebrae. The implant (1) is provided with openings (3) in its wall through which bone can grow in into the implant (1), with the implant (1) being manufactured of a material which is transparent for X-rays.

Abstract: A prosthetic repair fabric including a sheet of tissue infiltratable fabric and a second sheet, also preferably including tissue infiltratable fabric, which is united with the first sheet. The second sheet is fused to an adhesion resistant barrier, forming a laminate composite prosthesis without degrading the mechanical properties or tissue ingrowith capability of the first sheet.

Abstract: A one piece intraocular lens and an intraocular lens include an optic portion and a haptic portion formed from a copolymer that includes an incorporated hydrophilic monomer and an incorporated alkoxyalkyl methacrylate monomer. The optic and haptic portions of the one-piece intraocular lens and intraocular lens are formed from the same copolymer. The copolymer of intraocular lenses and preferred one-piece intraocular lenses includes about 40 to about 95 percent by weight of the hydrophilic monomer based on the total weight of the dry copolymer and about 5 to about 60 percent by weight of the alkoxyalkyl methacrylate based on the total weight of the dry copolymer. A blank for use in constructing an intraocular lens includes a hydrogel in a shape suitable for finishing into an intraocular lens. The hydrogel of the blank comprises a first portion suitable for finishing into a haptic portion and a second portion suitable for finishing into an optic portion.

Abstract: A resorbable interbody fusion device for use in spinal fixation is disclosed. The device is composed of 25-100% bioresorbable or resorbable material. The interbody fusion device of the invention can be in any convenient form, such as a wedge, screw or cage. Preferably, the resorbable device of the invention is in the shape of a tapered wedge or cone, which further desirably incorporates structural features such as serrations or threads better to anchor the device in the adjoining vertebrae. The preferred device further comprises a plurality of peripheral voids and more desirably a central void space therein, which may desirably be filled with a grafting material for facilitating bony development and/or spinal fusion, such as an autologous grafting material.

Abstract: Ophthalmic lenses, such as intraocular lenses, include cross-linked polymeric materials having a first constituent derived from a first monomeric component selected from the group consisting of acrylates, methacrylates and mixtures thereof, and a second constituent derived from a second component in an amount effective as a cross linker in the cross-linked polymeric material. The cross-linked polymeric material has branched chain alkyl groups, preferably included with at least a portion of the first monomeric component, in an amount effective to reduce the tackiness of the cross-linked polymeric material relative to a substantially identical cross-linked polymeric material without the branched chain alkyl groups.

Abstract: In general, the invention features a bioprosthetic article including a biocompatible material having at least one bound exogenous storage structure, the storage structure having a quantity of calcification inhibitors releasably bound thereto. The storage structure can be a protein or a synthetic polymer. The calcification inhibitors include metal ions and phosphatase inhibitors generally. Bifunctional metal chelators can be bound to endogenous proteins to deliver metal ions.

Abstract: Intraocular lens coating compositions for reducing the risk of posterior capsule opacification are disclosed. The coating materials, which differ from the substrate material, consist essentially of at least two aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers of the formula wherein: X is H or CH3; m is 0-10; Y is nothing, O, S, or NR wherein R is H, CH3, CnH2n+1 (n=1−10) iso OC3H7, C6H5, or CH2C6H5; Ar is any aromatic ring which can be unsubstituted or substituted with CH3, C2H5, n-C3H7, iso-C3H7, OCH3, C6H11, Cl, Br, C6H5, or CH2C6H5.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for modifying surfaces made from metal alloy and/or UHMWPE, preferably surfaces which are frictionally engaged, e.g., in an orthopaedic implant. The methods of the present invention reduce the coefficient of friction of the metal alloy component, reduce the shearing of fibrils from the UHMWPE component, and reduce sub-surface fatigue in the UHMWPE component. The method involves solvent immersion of the UHMWPE component to remove short chains of polyethylene at or near the surface of the component, and to swell and toughen the subsurface of the component. The method also involves firmly coating the surface of the metal alloy component with an adherent layer of diamond-like carbon (“DLC”) by creating a metal-silicide interface at the surface of the metal alloy to permit firmer adhesion of DLC.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tissue and debris barrier for use in association with implanted joint replacement devices. The barrier comprises a biocompatible membrane that is impermeable to debris. The membrane defines an aperture which is positioned about a component of the joint replacement prosthesis. The periphery of the membrane may be mechanically attached by suturing to adjacent tissue. The barrier permits full motion of the replacement joint while preventing or impeding tissue and debris from migrating to and from bone implant interfaces. The preferred barrier material is porous expanded PTFE with one side having a microstructure that promotes tissue attachment and the opposing side having a microstructure that allows highly efficient filtration of fine particulate debris. The barrier may be a single layer material or may be a composite construction in which two or more layers are bonded together.