According to the invention there is provided inter alia a medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent to a tissue, the device having a solid surfactant-free particulate coating layer applied to a surface of the device, the coating layer comprising a therapeutic agent and at least one non-polymeric organic additive which is hydrolytically stable; wherein at least a proportion of the particulate coating layer comprising the therapeutic agent and the at least one organic additive melts as a single phase at a lower temperature than the melting point of the therapeutic agent and the at least one organic additive when in pure form; wherein the therapeutic agent is paclitaxel; and wherein the therapeutic agent, when formulated in the coating layer, is stable to sterilization.

According to the invention there is provided inter alia a medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent to a tissue, the device having a solid surfactant-free particulate coating layer applied to a surface of the device, the coating layer comprising a therapeutic agent and at least one non-polymeric organic additive which is hydrolytically stable; wherein at least a proportion of the particulate coating layer comprising the therapeutic agent and the at least one organic additive melts as a single phase at a lower temperature than the melting point of the therapeutic agent and the at least one organic additive when in pure form; wherein the therapeutic agent is paclitaxel; and wherein the therapeutic agent, when formulated in the coating layer, is stable to sterilization.

A medical product including an antibacterial hard material coating, which is applied to a main body and which includes biocide. The hard material coating includes at least one inner layer and one outer layer, wherein the biocide concentration in the outer layer is substantially constant and greater than the biocide concentration in the inner layer and the biocide concentration in the inner layer is greater than or equal to 0.2 at %.

A medical product including an antibacterial hard material coating, which is applied to a main body and which includes biocide. The hard material coating includes at least one inner layer and one outer layer, wherein the biocide concentration in the outer layer is substantially constant and greater than the biocide concentration in the inner layer and the biocide concentration in the inner layer is greater than or equal to 0.2 at %.

The invention relates to an implantable medical device having a body comprising a composite material. The body has a variable cross section along a length, a first portion which forms a part of a surface of said body, and a packing portion. An insert is provided in the packing portion for providing an increased thickness to at least a part of the body.

The invention relates to an implantable medical device having a body comprising a composite material. The body has a variable cross section along a length, a first portion which forms a part of a surface of said body, and a packing portion. An insert is provided in the packing portion for providing an increased thickness to at least a part of the body.

Plasma systems for depositing biomolecules, pharmaceutical agents, and other therapeutic active agents onto surfaces are described. The systems may include a plasma device having one or more electrodes, a gas supply inlet, a plasma outlet exposed to ambient pressure, and an ignition system operatively connected to the electrodes for providing a non-thermal equilibrium plasma within the plasma chamber. A particulate delivery system may be used to introduce the active agent(s) as a dry powder into or downstream of the plasma, and to deposit the plasma-treated active agent(s) to produce a coating on a surface. The coating may retain the activity of the active agent(s).

Plasma systems for depositing biomolecules, pharmaceutical agents, and other therapeutic active agents onto surfaces are described. The systems may include a plasma device having one or more electrodes, a gas supply inlet, a plasma outlet exposed to ambient pressure, and an ignition system operatively connected to the electrodes for providing a non-thermal equilibrium plasma within the plasma chamber. A particulate delivery system may be used to introduce the active agent(s) as a dry powder into or downstream of the plasma, and to deposit the plasma-treated active agent(s) to produce a coating on a surface. The coating may retain the activity of the active agent(s).

The present invention provides for an implantable medical device comprising a hybrid composite material including a first biological component such as an acellular tissue matrix and a second non-biological component for strengthening the device after implantation.

The present invention provides for an implantable medical device comprising a hybrid composite material including a first biological component such as an acellular tissue matrix and a second non-biological component for strengthening the device after implantation.