The present disclosure is directed to modified metal materials for implantation and/or bone replacement, and to methods for modifying surface properties of metal substrates for enhancing cellular adhesion (tissue integration) and providing antimicrobial properties. Some embodiments comprise surface coatings for metal implants, such as titanium-based materials, using (1) electrochemical processing and/or oxidation methods, and/or (2) laser processing, in order to enhance bone cell-materials interactions and achieve improved antimicrobial properties. One embodiment comprises the modification of a metal surface by growth of in situ nanotubes via anodization, followed by electrodeposition of silver on the nanotubes. Other embodiments include the use of LENS™ processing to coat a metal surface with calcium-based bioceramic composition layers. These surface treatment methods can be applied as a post-processing operation to metallic implants such as hip, knee and spinal devices as well as screws, pins and plates.

The invention relates to medical devices and, more in particular, to medical devices suitable for use as stents that contain an antimicrobial coating and, optionally, a drug customized to patients requirements. The invention also relates to methods for obtaining devices having the above features.

The present invention relates to orthopedic implants, in particular to hip and knee prostheses, substantially involving metallic substrates with an antibacterial surface treatment consisting of silver immobilized in an organic linker and ligand via a multistep solution dipping and drying process. This treatment while being biocompatible is designed to inhibit bacterial growth and therefore combat periprosthetic infection which is one of the main causes of revision in hip and knee arthroplasty.

Metal objects are treated by anodizing (P, SE) the metal object in contact with an acidic solution, and then subjecting the anodized metal object to a reversed voltage (VR). The anodizing is performed in two stages, firstly to passivate (P) with the formation of a surface layer, and secondly to form pits in this surface layer (SE). The second stage (SE) of anodizing is performed at a lower voltage than the first stage (P). After the reversed voltage step (VR) the metal object is then contacted with a biocidal metal-containing solution. Biocidal metal is absorbed into the surface of the metal object, resulting in improved biocidal properties. The lower voltage of the second stage anodizing (SE) results in reduced processing time.

The present invention provides an improved tissue adhesive to repair defects in soft tissue. Following ASTM standard tests, crosslinked methacryloyl-substituted gelatin hydrogels of the present invention (GelSEAL) were shown to exhibit adhesive properties, i.e. wound closure strength, shear resistance and burst pressure, that were superior to clinically used fibrin- and poly(ethylene glycol)-based glues. Chronic in vivo experiments in rats proved GelSEAL to effectively seal large lung leakages without additional sutures or staples, presenting improved performance as compared to fibrin and poly(ethylene glycol) glues. Furthermore, subcutaneous implantation in rats revealed high biocompatibility of GelSEAL as evidenced by low inflammatory host response. Advantageously, the tissue adhesives of the present invention are low cost and easy to produce, making them a promising substance to be used as a sealant for fluid leakages in soft tissue, as well as an easily tunable platform to further optimize the adhesive characteristics.

A silver-containing tissue dressing for providing antimicrobial properties to a wound site is disclosed. In some embodiments, the tissue dressing may include a wound contact layer having a substrate material coated with a tacky hydrophobic silicone material, and silver-containing particles dispersed in the silicone material. The different surfaces of the substrate material may be coated with the silicone material having various amounts of tackiness. The silver material may provide antimicrobial properties when the tissue dressing is placed in contact with the wound site.

A conductive hydrogel precursor solution cures after injection into the vasculature of the myocardium. The vasculature acts as a mold for the hydrogel and allows for a pacing signal to be conducted across the myocardium and not at a single point like traditional pacing leads. The catheter-based delivery can accurately place the hydrogels into the myocardial veins and can fill the venous tributaries. In situ crosslinking of the hydrogel precursor solution is achieved through several mechanisms, such as redox initiation by mixing a reducing reagent and oxidizing agent after injection. Conductivity is achieved by doping in conductive polymers or other conductive elements such as ionic species, metallic nanoparticles, or graphene nanoplatelets. To ensure long-term conductivity, hydrogel macromers may be synthesized without hydrolytically labile groups such as esters, and the conductive elements may be conjugated directly to the hydrogel matrix.

The present disclosure relates to a process for obtaining and formulating functional silica particles and other materials with active ingredients/compounds for use in polymers, paints, mortars, ceramic, cement, textile, pharmaceutics, varnishes, paper, clays, cosmetics, sensors and effluents.

The present disclosure describes a functional particle for binding to a substrate comprising:

a granule comprising oxide or hydroxide of an element selected from the following list: silica, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, silver, aluminum, gold, titanium, or mixtures thereof having a size between 90 nm-500 nm;

a binder comprising silane-based compounds which binds the outer granule to the substrate;

a functional compound/active compound bound to the surface of the granule, to the binder, or to both;

wherein the functional compound is at least one of the following compounds: anti-mosquito/repellent/anti-insect, fungicide, antimicrobial/bactericide, antimycotic, anti-fire, UV protectors, larvicides, hydrophobics, vitaminics, moisturizers, cosmetics, drugs, mechanical properties, magnetic properties enhancement, or mixtures thereof.

Various embodiments of the present invention include a cannula coated or compounded with a material to extend the wear time for a patient by reducing inflammation and therefore increasing the time that the cannula may remain inserted, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the drug delivered using the cannula. The material may include a hydrophilic material, an anti-microbial material, an anti-inflammatory material, anti-thrombogenic material, or a combination of any of these materials.

Described are coatings for medical devices and methods of forming same.