Abstract:
Anti-microbial coatings and method of forming same on medical devices are provided. The coatings are formed by depositing a biocompatible metal by vapour deposition techniques to produce atomic disorder in the coating such that a sustained release of metal ions sufficient to produce an anti-microbial effect is achieved. Preferred deposition conditions to achieve atomic disorder include a lower than normal substrate temperature, and one or more of a higher than normal working gas pressure and a lower than normal angle of incidence of coating flux. Anti-microbial powders formed by mechanical working to produce atomic disorder are also provided. The invention extends to other metal coatings and powders similarly formed so as to provide enhanced solubility.
Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to medical devices; in particular and without limitation, to unique electrodes and/or electrical lead assemblies for stimulating cardiac tissue, muscle tissue, neurological tissue, brain tissue and/or organ tissue; to electrophysiology mapping and ablation catheters for monitoring and selectively altering physiologic conduction pathways; and, wherein said electrodes, lead assemblies and catheters optionally include fluid irrigation conduit(s) for providing therapeutic and/or performance enhancing materials to adjacent biological tissue, and wherein each said device is coupled to or incorporates nanostructure or materials therein. The present invention also provides methods for fabricating, deploying, and operating such medical devices.
Abstract:
A composition for use as a prosthetic biomaterial and associated method. The biomaterial exhibits cytocompatibility, mechanical functionality and osteoblast adhesion between the implant and interfacing surface. The biomaterial is metallic, has a grain size less than about 500 nanometers and has a surface roughness of less than about 800 nm rms.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a stent which can be implanted in passageways or other body cavities, which is made of a metallic and/or non-metallic material, and which is evenly coated with nanoscalar particles. Said nanoscalar particles consist of a paramagnetic core and of at least one shell absorbed thereon which durably connect to the stent surface. Due to the influence of a magnetic alternating field in a clinically compatible field intensity/frequency combination with a high power consumption, this coating enables a selective homogeneous heating of the implant within a temperature range that promotes the vascularization of the implant by cell regeneration as well as within a temperature range that regenerates a restenosed implant, and enables the position of the stent to be determined.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for the oxidation of unsaturated hydrocarbons in gaseous phase, wherein said oxidation is carried out in the presence of a hydrogen-oxygen mixture on a catalyst coated with gold particles. This method comprises using a calcined catalyst which is produced from a titanium oxide hydrate optionally containing sulphate, said catalyst being coated with nanometrical gold particles. This method is preferably used for epoxidising ethene, propene or butene. This invention further relates to a catalyst for oxidising the above-mentioned unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Abstract:
The invention discloses materials that adsorb readily to the surfaces of body tissues in situ and provide a steric barrier between such tissues, so that tissue adhesions, which typically form following surgical procedures, are minimized. These materials contain a polymer of hydrophilic molecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) bound to a polymer that spontaneously adsorbs to biological tissue such as phenylboronic acid (PBA). The PEG-PBA co-polymer can be formed in a variety of geometries. The materials can also be used to coat prosthetics and other implants.
Abstract:
Submicron size particles of pharmaceutical or other water-insoluble or poorly water-insoluble substances are prepared using a combination of one or more surface modifiers/surfactants such as polaxomers, poloxamines, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters and the like together with natural or synthetic phospholipids. Particles so produced have a volume weighted mean particle size at least one-half smaller than obtainable using a phospolipid alone. Compositions so prepared are resistant to particle size growth on storage.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to hydrophobic biodegradable polymeric materials having at least one surface thereof rendered more hydrophilic by attachment of at least one layer of a hydrophilic polymer thereto. The hydrophilic polymer layer is cross-linked together on the surface of the biodegradable material with a cross-linking agent or scheme that is biodegradable. Bioactive species are immobilized to chemically functional groups of the components of the first layer or to unreacted chemically functional groups of the cross-linking agent. Optionally, the bioactive species may be reversibly immobilized through chemically functional linkages that are degradable. The result is an implantable construction with immobilized bioactive species having structural components that are all subject to degradation in the body of a recipient.