Disclosed herein are elastic, bioresorbable encasements for medical implants, methods for making the same and uses thereof.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for making resorbable ear tubes including the steps of providing a silk fibroin solution, and forming a silk ear tube from the silk fibroin solution, wherein the silk ear tube is less than 2 mm in length and has an outer diameter of less than 1.5 mm, and wherein the silk ear tube is resorbable. In some embodiments, the present invention also provides methods for treating otitis media including the step of introducing a silk ear tube into the ear canal of a subject, wherein the silk ear tube is less than 2 mm in length and has an outer diameter of less than 1.5 mm, and wherein the silk ear tube is resorbed by the subject.

Devices that are placed within fluid filled organs, such as the bladder, which reduce the risk of bacterial infections using a combination of active agents and mechanical disruption of bacteria.

In an example, a bioresorbable implant for use in a nasal region includes one or more bioresorbable polymers, and a pharmaceutical composition coupled to the one or more bioresorbable polymers. A release rate of the pharmaceutical composition is related to a degradation rate of the one or more bioresorbable polymers.

A coating for an expandable portion of a catheter comprising a lipophilic matrix and a plurality of micro-reservoirs dispersed in the lipophilic matrix is disclosed. The plurality of micro-reservoirs comprises an active agent. A coating formulation and a method for forming the coating are also disclosed. A catheter comprising the coating on the expandable portion and a method for treating a condition are also provided.

A shunt system used to treat excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation is described. In some embodiments, the system utilizes various mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical concepts designed to either clean a portion of the shunt system, or customize CSF drainage.

Balloon catheter includes an outer shaft having a hypotube and a monolithic single-layer distal outer member, a balloon in fluid communication with an inflation lumen, and a monolithic inner tubular member having a guidewire lumen defined therethrough. The outer shaft has the inflation lumen defined therethrough. The monolithic single-layer distal outer member is necked to a reduced diameter along an entire length thereof. A proximal end of the monolithic single-layer distal outer member is coupled to the hypotube. A distal section of the hypotube comprises a skive defined by a first angled cut, an axial cut, and a second angled cut. The balloon has a proximal balloon shaft coupled to a distal end of the monolithic single-layer distal outer member. The monolithic inner tubular member extends distally from a proximal port in the monolithic single-layer distal outer member through the balloon to form a tip.

A coating for an expandable portion of a catheter comprising a lipophilic matrix and a plurality of micro-reservoirs dispersed in the lipophilic matrix is disclosed. The plurality of micro-reservoirs comprises an active agent. A coating formulation and a method for forming the coating are also disclosed. A catheter comprising the coating on the expandable portion and a method for treating a condition are also provided.

Medical grade yarns, medical devices constructed of such yarns, and methods for making such yarns and devices are described. Polyester drawn fibers, and more particularly high strength and high tenacity micro polyester fibers for use in medical devices, and methods of preparing the same are provided.

Disclosed herein is the correlation of chemical properties of oils with the physical properties of a resulting cured oil composition. Also disclosed are biocompatible materials and coatings for medical devices prepared using enriched oils and methods for enhancing or modifying the physical and chemical characteristics of cured oils by enriching such oils with fatty acid alkyl esters. Methods of tailoring the properties of biocompatible materials and coatings to deliver one or more therapeutic agents are also provided.