A polymeric master batch for preparing an antimicrobal and antifungal and antiviral polymeric material comprising a slurry of thermoplastic resin, an antimicrobal and antifungal and antiviral agent consisting essentially of water insoluble particles of ionic copper oxide, a polymeric wax and an agent for occupying the charge of the ionic copper oxide.

A polymeric master batch for preparing an antimicrobal and antifungal and antiviral polymeric material comprising a slurry of thermoplastic resin, an antimicrobal and antifungal and antiviral agent consisting essentially of water insoluble particles of ionic copper oxide, a polymeric wax and an agent for occupying the charge of the ionic copper oxide.

The invention relates to a flexible barrier membrane (1) comprising at least one first layer (2a) of polyurethane, and at least one second layer (20) of material(s), which is incorporated into the first layer (2a) of polyurethane by a modification of at least one surface of the at least one layer of polyurethane. The at least one material of the at least one second layer is selected from the materials including inorganic silicon oxide, organic silicon oxide and a barrier polymer. The invention also relates to a method for producing the flexible barrier membrane (1).

Disclosed is a method for producing a medical instrument having a lubricating layer (a coating layer) exhibiting excellent durability (particularly, sliding durability). The method for producing a medical instrument is a method for producing a medical instrument having a base layer, and a lubricating layer that is carried on at least a part of the base layer. The method for producing a medical instrument also includes applying, to the base layer, a solution containing a block copolymer having a structural unit (A) derived from a reactive monomer having an epoxy group and a structural unit (B) derived from a hydrophilic monomer, an alkylammonium salt having 8 to 24 carbon atoms, and a solvent; and washing off the solution applied to the base layer.

Electrodes comprising an electrode coated with a coating, the coating comprising a non-fibrotic material, wherein the non-fibrotic material comprises electrically conductive particles dispersed therein, are provided. The non-fibrotic material may comprise hydrogel lacking cell adhesion moieties. The hydrogel may comprise poly(ethylene) glycol. The electrically conductive particles may comprise gold. Such electrodes may provide electrical stimulation to tissues, while eliminating or reducing fibrosis of tissue coming into contact with the electrodes. Such electrodes may accomplish these ends without the use of drugs. Such electrodes may be useful in applications in which electrical stimulation of tissues is used, such as in cardiac pacemakers, neural stimulators, and muscle stimulators. Methods of making and of evaluating such electrodes are provided.

Electrodes comprising an electrode coated with a coating, the coating comprising a non-fibrotic material, wherein the non-fibrotic material comprises electrically conductive particles dispersed therein, are provided. The non-fibrotic material may comprise hydrogel lacking cell adhesion moieties. The hydrogel may comprise poly(ethylene) glycol. The electrically conductive particles may comprise gold. Such electrodes may provide electrical stimulation to tissues, while eliminating or reducing fibrosis of tissue coming into contact with the electrodes. Such electrodes may accomplish these ends without the use of drugs. Such electrodes may be useful in applications in which electrical stimulation of tissues is used, such as in cardiac pacemakers, neural stimulators, and muscle stimulators. Methods of making and of evaluating such electrodes are provided.

An active principle for use in prevention or treatment of bacteria-induced infection and disease, wherein the active principle includes a carrier which exhibits a plurality of a scavenger structure which is capable of interacting with bacteria and reducing its growth and/or adhesion to a surface, the scavenger structure including a nucleophilic center complying with the formula X.sup.1(R)(R).sub.mH.sub.n (formula I) where a) X.sup.1 is a single-bonded heteroatom selected amongst N, O and S and exhibits a free electron pair, b) m is 0 or 1 and n is 1 or 2, c) R is a bivalent organic group providing attachment to the carrier via one of its free valences and to X.sup.1 at the other free valence, and d) R is a monovalent organic group attached to the X.sup.1 via its free valence.

A plurality of structural layers having different properties are nested together to form the medical balloon. Certain embodiments include at least one layer comprising a fiber-reinforced polymer. The layers of the balloons can slide relative to one another in use. A structural layer may comprise metal reinforcing fibers suspended in a polymer matrix.

An elastomer molded body for a medical device includes an elastomer portion and a filler. The elastomer portion contains a crosslinked fluorine-based elastomer. The filler is formed from a plurality of particles each of which has aspect ratio of 5 or more and specific surface area of 3 m.sup.2/g or more and 10 m.sup.2/g or less. The aspect ratio is defined as a ratio of a dimension in a long axis direction thereof to a dimension in a short axis direction thereof. The filler has an uneven distribution in a surface layer part of the elastomer portion and is oriented in a direction along a surface of the elastomer molded body.

An elastomer molded body for a medical device includes an elastomer portion and a plurality of silica particles. The elastomer portion contains a fluorine-based elastomer. The plurality of silica particles are more densely distributed in outside of a center portion of the elastomer portion than inside of the center portion, such that at least some of the plurality of silica is exposed to a surface of the elastomer portion.