The present invention pertains to copolymers having one or more polyisobutylene segments and one or more biodegradable polymer segments, to methods of making such copolymers, to medical articles that contain such copolymers, and to methods of making such medical articles. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise a plurality of polyisobutylene segments and a plurality of biodegradable polymer segments. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise urethane linkages, urea linkages, amide linkages, ester linkages, anhydride linkages, carbonate linkages, linkages commonly described as click chemistry linkages, and combinations of two or more types of such linkages.

The present invention pertains to copolymers having one or more polyisobutylene segments and one or more biodegradable polymer segments, to methods of making such copolymers, to medical articles that contain such copolymers, and to methods of making such medical articles. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise a plurality of polyisobutylene segments and a plurality of biodegradable polymer segments. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise urethane linkages, urea linkages, amide linkages, ester linkages, anhydride linkages, carbonate linkages, linkages commonly described as click chemistry linkages, and combinations of two or more types of such linkages.

The present invention relates to a filler for removing wrinkles, which comprises: a thin and long tubular main body to be placed so as to penetrate through subcutaneous tissue; and through-holes for guiding tissue cells surrounding the main body into the main body, so as to form fibrous tissue, wherein the through-holes are formed so as to communicate with a hollow portion formed in said main body in the lengthwise direction from the outer surface of said main body. The filler for removing wrinkles according to the present invention is prevented from being deformed or moved by pressure on the skin or by an external force arising after being inserted into the subcutaneous tissue, and can be applied to various body parts having wrinkles, including deep wrinkles. Furthermore, the wrinkle-removing effects of the filler of the present invention may last (semi)permanently.

The invention relates to an automated hand, such as a prosthetic hand. In one form, the automated hand may be fluid compatible. In one form, the automated hand may comprise features to reduce the risk of harm to motors and/or other sensitive components of the hand when subject to an impact. In one form, the hand may comprise a wrist joint configured to allow the hand to curl and flex and/or to rotate. In one form, one or more digits of the hand may be individually controlled. In one form the hand may include a thumb rotation locking mechanism. In one form the hand may be provided with removable grip plates. In one form, the hand may be configured for use as a training hand.

Disclosed are a silicone material, a silicone tube, an implant, a pharmaceutical composition, and a test method for the amount of a drug released. a raw material composition of the silicone material comprises the following components in parts by weight: 100 parts of R-vinyl silicone rubber; 20-80 parts of a reinforcing agent; 0.3-3.0 parts of hydrogen-containing silicone oil; and 0.000002 parts of a catalyst, preferably being 0.000002-0.00005 parts; the content of vinyl groups in the R-vinyl silicone rubber is 0.10-0.50 mol %; the content of SiH groups in the hydrogen-containing silicone oil is 0.18-1.6 mol %; the molar ratio of the SiH groups in the hydrogen-containing silicone oil to the vinyl groups in the R-vinyl silicone rubber is (0.5-4):1; and optionally, said material further comprises an inhibitor. A silicone tube prepared by the silicone material has an excellent mechanical property and good biocompatibility; and an implant made from the silicone tube, upon loading with an active drug, has a stable drug release curve.

Single and dual frame prosthetic venous valve assemblies, and catheter delivery systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative dual frame venous valve assembly includes an outer valve frame having a lumen and a frame and venous valve assembly arranged within the lumen. The frame and venous valve assembly, which also may be a stand-alone prosthetic venous valve assembly, includes an inner valve frame having a frame matrix forming lateral valve supports and valve commissure supports; a polymeric frame coating encapsulating the frame matrix; and a one or more polymeric leaflets integrally formed with or coupled to the polymeric frame coating, with each leaflet moveable between an open or partially open state and a closed or partially closed state. A delivery catheter includes keys or slots for insertion of locking tabs of the outer valve frame, and a deployment control handle for controlling deployment of the venous valve assembly.

The present invention provides materials and methods for forming an interface between an appliance and living tissue using a foamed elastomeric material which contacts the tissue or similar surfaces. The elastomeric material is in the form of a durable and washable material that when applied to living tissue or similar surfaces displaces and flows in to non-conforming areas creating an air and/or water tight seal that substantially returns to an original shape when removed from the contact surface. The appliance may also include structural elements designed to optimize comfort, compliance and seal achieved through minimizing the pressure variation along the contact surface of the therapy device.