Antimicrobial formulations and coatings for medical devices and processes therefor are disclosed. The formulations include at least one water permeable polymer with at least one antimicrobial agent in a liquid medium and are prepared by wet milling the components and can form antimicrobial coatings having uniformly dispersed particles having an average size of no greater than 50 microns.

A suture anchor includes an anchor body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The anchor body includes a central bore located at the proximal end and a passage extending between the central bore and the distal end. The central bore has a first dimension substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the passage has a second dimension substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis less than the first dimension. The suture anchor includes a flexible strand extending through the passage, and a first knot formed in the flexible strand at the distal end has a third dimension greater than the second dimension to prevent the first knot from passing through the passage. A closed loop is positionable at least partially within the central bore and formed entirely by the flexible strand without forming any additional knots on the flexible strand extending proximally from the first knot.

The present disclosure provides a coating apparatus and method for applying a coating of a therapeutic agent, comprising an openable and sealable device compartment, a therapeutic agent positioned in communication with the device compartment, a thermal source for vaporizing the therapeutic agent, and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the device compartment.

A suture or a surgical or wound closure staple is disclosed that includes protocatechuic acid. The protocatechuic acid may be coated on, or impregnated in, the suture or wound closure staple. The suture or wound closure staple may include polypropylene, nylon, polyester, and/or braided polyester, catgut, 85/15 D,L lactide/glycolide, and/or 910 Vicryl. The protocatechuic acid may coat 25% or more of the surface of the suture or surgical staple. In embodiments, the protocatechuic acid may have a purity of 95% or greater. The protocatechuic acid may include crystalline protocatechuic acid.

The present disclosure provides poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) containing NO-Arg groups. The PEAs may be used to treat diseases having inflammation and/or diseases associated with inflammation. The PEAs may be used to treat wounds, such as, for example, wounds associated with obesity and/or diabetes. The PEAs may be incorporated into various articles such as medical devices, such as, for example, bandages and other wound care articles/devices.

A cord comprises a braided sheath of strands having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a central hollow portion defined by the inner surface and having a volume and a core within the central hollow portion of the tubular braided sheath, such that when the cord is in a relaxed state the tubular braided sheath has a cylindrical shape and a relaxed volume of the central hollow portion wherein the core does not fill the relaxed volume of the central hollow portion of the tubular braided sheath; when the cord is in a longitudinal tensioned state, the tubular braided sheath elongates under the longitudinal tension such that a tensioned volume of at least a part of the central hollow portion of the tubular braided sheath is less than the relaxed volume; and the inner surface of the tubular braided sheath of tensioned volume contacts and cinches a surface of the core.

The present invention relates to a thread embedding therapy rope and a thread embedding therapy needle apparatus comprising same, and disclosed are a thread embedding therapy rope and a needle apparatus comprising same, the rope comprising a linear core, which comprises a biodegradable polymer, and a metal wire, which is arranged to spirally encompass the outer circumferential surface of the linear core, wherein the metal wire comprises a biodegradable metal formed with magnesium or zinc as a main component, so as to have no side effects on biological tissue when applied to the human body by means of thread embedding therapy, pulling force on the tissue can be strengthened, lifespan can be extended over that of a conventional embedded thread of a biodegradable polymer, the drug loading capability of the embedded thread itself can be increased so as to allow for usefulness as a drug carrier, and a drug can be delivered through a simple method.

The present invention relates to a thread embedding therapy rope and a thread embedding therapy needle apparatus comprising same, and disclosed are a thread embedding therapy rope and a needle apparatus comprising same, the rope comprising a linear core, which comprises a biodegradable polymer, and a metal wire, which is arranged to spirally encompass the outer circumferential surface of the linear core, wherein the metal wire comprises a biodegradable metal formed with magnesium or zinc as a main component, so as to have no side effects on biological tissue when applied to the human body by means of thread embedding therapy, pulling force on the tissue can be strengthened, lifespan can be extended over that of a conventional embedded thread of a biodegradable polymer, the drug loading capability of the embedded thread itself can be increased so as to allow for usefulness as a drug carrier, and a drug can be delivered through a simple method.

The present disclosure is directed to a class of fluorinated copolymers, such as PTFE copolymers, that can be dissolved in low toxicity solvents, such as Class III Solvents, and that enable the creation of stable water-in-solvent emulsions comprising the fluorinated copolymers dissolved in a low toxicity solvents and a hydrophilic agent (e.g., a therapeutic agent) dissolved in an aqueous solvent, such as water or saline.

There is provided a product comprising a suture thread which, prior to being used to form a surgical suture, is in a stressed state which gives the suture thread a tendency to undergo lengthwise viscoelastic contraction. The suture thread undergoes viscoelastic contraction when in use as a surgical suture and this may promote wound healing to a greater extent than a conventional suture thread which does not undergo viscoelastic contraction.