A first alternative to a composition for preventing or retarding degradation of a functional coating on a medical device includes an antioxidant selected from gallic acid or a derivative thereof. A second alternative to a composition for preventing or retarding degradation of a functional coating on a medical device includes carboxymethyl cellulose or a derivative or salt thereof. The use of the compositions for preventing or retarding degradation of a functional coating on a medical device from reactive species generated during exposure of radiation, and a wetting agent comprising the compositions, are also provided. The wetting agent prevents or retards the hydrolytic degradation of the coating during the intended shelf-life of the wetted coated product.

Systems and methods for biofilm inoculation including a feeding tube having a distal end for placement in the gut of a patient, and a biofilm coated or otherwise provided on the distal end of the feeding tube for introducing the biofilm to the gut of the patient. In example embodiments, the biofilm can be colostrum, breast milk or one or more probiotics.

Disclosed are: a polymer for treating the surface of a medical device such as a contact lens to suppress the reduction in lubricity of the device even when the device is scrubbed; a medical device having the polymer on the surface so that the reduction in lubricity over time is suppressed; and a wetting agent containing the polymer. The polymer for treating the surface is a copolymer which is water-soluble and includes as constitutional units the following monomers A and B: monomer A: a monomer containing a (meth)acryloyl group and an ester or amide structure in a molecule, in which the ester or amide structure is not constituted by including a part of the (meth)acryloyl group; monomer B: a monomer containing a (meth)acrylamide group in a molecule and having a structure different from that of the monomer A.

The invention relates to an elastomeric film-forming composition (a) a carboxylated butadiene-based elastomer, (b) polychlorobutadiene in an amount of less than 30% by weight of the polymer content of the composition, and (c) one or more cross-linking agents. The invention also relates to dipped articles, gloves, methods of manufacture and uses involving the composition.

The present invention provides a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), in particular a polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPU), that has exceptional elongation, strength, and wear resistance, and in particular has exceptional wear resistance. The present invention provides: a thermoplastic elastomer composition containing A) a thermoplastic urethane elastomer composition having A1) at least one polyol selected from the group consisting of polyether polyols, polyesterpolyols, and polycarbonate polyols, A2) a diisocyanate, and A3) a chain extender, and B) polyrotaxane formed by arranging blocking groups, at both ends of pseudo-polyrotaxane formed by inclusion of the openings of cyclic molecules in a shape skewered by linear molecules, so that the cyclic molecules are not eliminated; and a thermoplastic elastomer derived from this composition.

Provided herein is a method of reducing a microbial infection of a heparinized surface wherein heparin precipitation is reduced as compared to a control. In some embodiments a composition comprising ethanol and isopropanol is applied to the surface. In other embodiments, two or more ethanol compositions are applied and removed sequentially from the surface prior to contacting the surface with a biological fluid, tissue or vessel, wherein the composition in each successive administration comprises an increased amount of ethanol. Also provided is a method of reducing a microbial infection of a surface comprising applying a mucilage extract from an Opuntia ficus indica species to the surface.

The present invention provides a catheter for use in delivering and/or recovering materials to and/or from a tissue site in the body, the catheter comprising one or more macroporous regions adapted to selectively deliver molecules and/or recover cells from the tissue site, based on one or more physical-chemical-biological characteristics. The macroporous region can be provided in the form of a helical hollow wires, and can be adapted to both recover cells from the tissue site (e.g., bacterial or other cells present in interstitial fluid) and optionally to permit the infusion of medicament to the site, under corresponding conditions.

The present invention provides a catheter for use in delivering and/or recovering materials to and/or from a tissue site in the body, the catheter comprising one or more macroporous regions adapted to selectively deliver molecules and/or recover cells from the tissue site, based on one or more physical-chemical-biological characteristics. The macroporous region can be provided in the form of a helical hollow wires, and can be adapted to both recover cells from the tissue site (e.g., bacterial or other cells present in interstitial fluid) and optionally to permit the infusion of medicament to the site, under corresponding conditions.

An implantable bioreactor containing a barrier which is designed to allow the release of cell-derived biomolecules, but restricts the entry of immunologic and other cells, or the egress of the cells contained within the bioreactor. Two broad classes of implantable bioreactors are envisioned, encompassing devices for both systemic delivery of the bio-products and local delivery at the target tissue. Bioreactors of both classes can be implanted via surgery, through percutaneous techniques, or other techniques which effect implantation.

An implantable bioreactor containing a barrier which is designed to allow the release of cell-derived biomolecules, but restricts the entry of immunologic and other cells, or the egress of the cells contained within the bioreactor. Two broad classes of implantable bioreactors are envisioned, encompassing devices for both systemic delivery of the bio-products and local delivery at the target tissue. Bioreactors of both classes can be implanted via surgery, through percutaneous techniques, or other techniques which effect implantation.