Biodegradable magnesium alloy implantable medical devices are protected to delay onset of corrosion, and thus biodegradability, or to corrode more uniformly. The protection allows for extended effective use of the devices while maintaining biodegradability. Examples of protective coatings include conversion coatings that at least partially remove exposed second phases from a surface of the magnesium alloy and coatings that provide a barrier between water and the surface of the magnesium alloy.

The subject invention provides materials methods for reducing infections in subjects. The materials methods utilize chlorhexidine, which has been found to be surprisingly non-toxic. The lack of toxicity facilitates the use of chlorhexidine in contexts that were not previously thought to be possible.

The subject invention provides materials methods for reducing infections in subjects. The materials methods utilize chlorhexidine, which has been found to be surprisingly non-toxic. The lack of toxicity facilitates the use of chlorhexidine in contexts that were not previously thought to be possible.

Methods of altering the surface energy of components of a mesh nebulizer are provided, comprising: a) depositing a metal surface layer on surfaces of the component; b) forming a hydrophobic coating layer comprising an organo-silicon or a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid directly on the metal surface layer or indirectly on the metal surface layer through an intermediate organometallic coating; and either: i) removing select areas of the hydrophobic coating layer to expose the metal surface layer; or ii) forming a polymeric coating layer chemically bonded to and propagated from terminal functional groups on the hydrophobic coating layer that are capable of initiating polymer growth when exposed to a source of polymerizable monomer, on select areas of the components. Mesh nebulizers formed by such methods are also provided.

In one embodiment, a spinal fixation rod includes a core and an outer layer. The core extends along a central axis from a first end to a second end and has a length from the first end to the second end sufficient to span two or more adjacent vertebral bodies. The core comprises molybdenum rhenium. The outer layer envelops at least a portion of the core and comprises a biocompatible outer layer material other than molybdenum rhenium.

Disclosed are a particle-attached microneedle having a solid-phase drug mounted thereon, and a method of manufacturing the particle-attached microneedle. More particularly, the particle-attached microneedle includes a microneedle (10), an adhesive layer (11), solid-phase drug particles (22), a film (21), and a coating well (20).

Disclosed are a particle-attached microneedle having a solid-phase drug mounted thereon, and a method of manufacturing the particle-attached microneedle. More particularly, the particle-attached microneedle includes a microneedle (10), an adhesive layer (11), solid-phase drug particles (22), a film (21), and a coating well (20).

An osteotomy implant includes a first surface extending generally in a first plane and a second surface extending generally in a second plane, oblique to the first plane. The first surface has a perimeter having a first linear edge, a first curve edge connected to the first linear edge, a second linear edge connected to the first curved edge, and a second curved edge connected to the second liner edge.

Techniques to fabricate and use a nanocomposite coating that includes one or more nanotubes such as carbon nanotubes are disclosed. In some examples, a guidewire may include the nanocomposite material. The guidewire is immune to electromagnetic interference, is thermally robust, and is capable of accommodating inactive markers and active electronics.

An ultrasonic surgical blade includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end. At least a portion of the outer surface of the body comprises a lubricious coating adhered thereto. The lubricious coating has a coefficient of friction that is less than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the body.