The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.

An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.

To provide a prosthetic member that is less likely to degrade its mechanical properties even when using it in the presence of squalene, and a method of producing the same. The prosthetic member in the present invention includes a substrate exhibiting excellent antioxidant properties and including an antioxidant and a polymer material, and a polymer film(s) covering a surface of the substrate and comprising a (meth)acrylate compound. The method for producing the prosthetic member in the present invention includes the steps of: forming a substrate comprising an antioxidant and a polymer material, cleaning a surface of the substrate with a cleaning liquid, and covering the cleaned surface of the substrate with a polymer film(s) comprising a (meth)acrylate compound.

A composition for loading 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 a chelator, a precipitation agent, or a combination thereof. Medical devices, such as stents, with a structural element defined by a lumen and at least one opening to access the lumen, filled with the compositions are also described.

An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.

Provided is a method of making a polymeric material with a spatially controlled distribution of one or more additives including the steps of blending the one or more additives with a polymeric material, consolidating the polymeric material, heating at least a portion of at least one surface of the consolidated additive-blended polymeric material, and cooling the heated consolidated additive-blended polymeric material, thereby forming a polymeric material with a spatially controlled distribution of additive.

The three-dimensional lattice structures disclosed herein have applications including use in medical implants. Some examples of the lattice structure are structural in that they can be used to provide structural support or mechanical spacing. In some examples, the lattice can be configured as a scaffold to support bone or tissue growth. Some examples can use a repeating modified rhombic dodecahedron or radial dodeca-rhombus unit cell. The lattice structures are also capable of providing a lattice structure with anisotropic properties to better suit the lattice for its intended purpose.

Breast prostheses that are anti-biofilm implantable biomaterial devices that optionally can elute therapeutic ions such as magnesium, silver, copper and/or zinc. In certain embodiments, the devices are hydrophilic and include a capsular contracture reducing or inhibiting agent.

A system and a method of preventing or reducing stenosis in a subject is provided. The method includes implanting a passivated graft comprising vein into an artery. The implanting of the graft replaces and/or bypasses a diseased segment of the artery. The passivated graft including vein is prepared by exposing the exterior surface of the passivated graft comprising vein to a tissue structure stabilizing agent (TSSA) under conditions, including irradiation with light, sufficient to promote cross-linking of proteins within the vein.

A method for treating a medical implant uses plasma polymerization to apply a coating At least one treatment parameter is selected so that the reactive chemical groups of the coating are chemically modified to prevent an adsorption of interfering substances into the coating. An implant includes a plasma polymer coating that is biocompatible, and includes a antibiotically acting metal. The coating is free from aldehyde groups