A staple cartridge comprising staples that are lubricated before they are loaded into the staple cartridge and after they have been loaded into the staple cartridge is disclosed.

The present invention provides single sheet and compound para-xylene films for therapeutic uses. For example, the present invention provides single sheet para-xylene films useful as tissue separators and/or adhesion barriers in a subject, where the top and/or bottom surfaces of such films have a water contact angle between 75 and 95 degrees (e.g., to prevent adhesion formation). The present invention also provides compound films composed of at least two para-xylene polymer films with a therapeutic molecule layer in between. Such compound films, when used in vivo (e.g., as a tissue separator and to treat inflammation or atrial fibrillation) allow either therapeutic molecule elution through one of the para-xylene layers, or therapeutic molecule release when the compound film is pierced, such as when it is sutured in place.

A method for controlling generation of biologically desirable voids in a composition placed in proximity to bone or other tissue in a patient by selecting at least one water-soluble inorganic material having a desired particle size and solubility, and mixing the water-soluble inorganic material with at least one poorly-water-soluble or biodegradable matrix material. The matrix material, after it is mixed with the water-soluble inorganic material, is placed into the patient in proximity to tissue so that the water-soluble inorganic material dissolves at a predetermined rate to generate biologically desirable voids in the matrix material into which bone or other tissue can then grow.

Provided is a nasal implant assembly comprising a hollow implant having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end configured to have a segment deposited with magnetic particles; and a medical syringe configured to be attachable to the proximal end of the hollow implant and also configured to be capable of retaining and transporting a magnetically active fluid composition through the implant to a nasal cavity of a subject. Also provided is a method of treating chronic rhinosinusitis in a subject, the method comprising the steps of positioning a nasal implant having magnetic particles into a nasal cavity; loading a medical syringe with a magnetically active fluid composition; and transporting the loaded magnetically active fluid composition to the nasal cavity to treat chronic rhinosinusitis.

Biofilms may undesirably form upon various surfaces under a range of conditions. Biofilm-resistant articles may comprise a surface subject to biofilm formation that is adapted to contact a liquid at least periodically; and a coating comprising metal nanoparticle agglomerates adhered to at least a portion of the surface. The metal nanoparticle agglomerates may at least partially inhibit formation or proliferation of a biofilm upon the surface of the article.

A silicone septum having a surface coating. The coated silicone septum may be incorporated in an intravenous catheter assembly. The coating reduces static charge among a plurality of vibrating silicone septa during manufacture of the intravenous catheter assembly. The surface coating includes a coating agent selected from a bicarbonate salt and a siloxane polyalkyleneoxide copolymer. The bicarbonate salt may be an alkali metal bicarbonate. The siloxane polyalkyleneoxide copolymer may include copolymer groups selected from ethyleneoxide, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and mixtures thereof. The silicon septum may be coated by contacting an exterior surface of the silicone septum with a coating solution of a solvent and the coating agent for at least 5 minutes. The coating agent has a concentration in the solvent greater than 1 wt. %. Excess coating solution is removed from the exterior surface of the silicone septum. The exterior surface is dried to remove the solvent, forming the surface coating.

A disposable material, pre-cut to various shapes or able to be cut or shaped at the time of use, to protect non-target tissue, excluding the eyes, during treatment of the skin is disclosed. The disposable material comprises a flexible material comprising at least one first layer comprising a material that mitigates the transmission of electromagnetic radiation from an radiation source; a backing layer that is located on top of the first layer and is configured to diffusively reflect the electromagnetic radiation without direct specular reflection; and an adhesive for removably attaching the disposable material to the skin. There is also disclosed a method of protecting non-target tissue, excluding the eyes, by applying the disclosed material to a desired location.

A simple, self-propelling particle system is disclosed that can deliver a cargo through flowing aqueous solutions. This disclosure provides a non-aqueous composition comprising: (i) particles formed of a carbonate salt and having an average diameter of about 100 m or less; and (ii) an acid in solid form. The particles may be associated with a cargo molecule or particle. In mouse models of severe hemorrhage, the propelled particles are able to deliver a procoagulant enzyme and halt bleeding.

Coated medical guidewires are provided comprising: (a) a guidewire substrate comprising stainless steel, surgical steel, nitinol, or CoCrMo alloy; and (b) a cured coating layer applied to the guidewire substrate (a). The cured coating layer is prepared from a curable film-forming composition comprising an aqueous solution of sodium silicate. Also provided are methods of forming coated medical guidewires comprising: (a) cleaning a guidewire substrate; (b) contacting the guidewire substrate with a curable film-forming composition comprising an aqueous solution of sodium silicate to form a coating layer on the guidewire; and (c) subjecting the guidewire substrate and film forming composition to a temperature of at least 120? C. for a time sufficient to effect cure and form a coated medical guidewire.

The invention relates to compositions including magnesium-lithium alloys containing various alloying elements suitable for medical implant devices. The devices may be constructed of the compositions or have applied thereto a coating formed therefrom. Within the structure of the magnesium-lithium alloy, there is a co-existence of alpha and beta phases. The invention also relates to methods of preparing the magnesium-lithium alloys and articles, such as medical implant devices, for use in medical applications, such as but not limited to, orthopedic, dental, craniofacial and cardiovascular surgery.