A processing technique for creating nanowires and hierarchically porous micro/nano structures of ceramic materials is provided. The process includes evaporation of micron-sized water droplets containing dissolved organic salts on heated substrates followed by thermal decomposition of the deposited material. The micron-sized droplets may be generated by supercritical CO.sub.2 assisted nebulization, in which high-pressure streams of aqueous solution and supercritical CO.sub.2 are mixed, followed by controlled depressurization through a fine capillary. Rapid evaporation takes place on the heated substrates and structures are generated due to CO.sub.2 effervescence from the droplets and evaporation of water, along with the pinning of the three phase contact line. Depending on the mass deposited, a mesh of nano-wires or membrane-like structures may result. Sintering of the membrane-like scaffolds above the decomposition temperature of the organic salt creates nanopores within the structures, creating a dual hierarchy of pores.

Provided herein are antioxidant, thermally-responsive copolymer-based compositions and methods of making and using the compositions, e.g., for treatment of ischemia reperfusion injury in a patient. The copolymer comprises a hydrocarbyl backbone, and a plurality of pendant pyrrolidone, antioxidant radical, polyester oligomer, and N-alkyl amide groups.

The present disclosure relates to methods and products for reducing adhesions. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of reducing adhesions in a subject, the method comprising exposing a region in the subject susceptible to formation of an adhesion to an agent having iron chelation and/or antioxidant activity, thereby reducing adhesions in the subject.

Compositions are provided according to aspects of the present invention that include a hydrogel and a liner, wherein a surface of the hydrogel dissociably-engages a surface of the liner. Compositions are provided according to aspects of the present invention that include a hydrogel and a hydrophobic glue, wherein at least a portion of the gel network of the hydrogel is occupied by the hydrophobic glue. Reverse coaling processes and articles of manufacture made by reverse coating processes are provided according to aspects of the present invention. Compositions are provided according to aspects of the present invention that include a hydrogel and a substrate, wherein: the hydrogel comprises a polymer network; the substrate comprises a surface comprising a polymer network; and the polymer network of the hydrogel and the polymer network of the surface are entangled.

Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. Three dimensional adjuncts for use with a surgical stapling assembly and methods for manufacturing the same are also provided.

A system for performing a minimally invasive percutaneous procedure comprises a medical device comprising a hydrogel delivery needle (4) with a tip and a hydrogel outlet (6), an injectable, shear-thinning, self-healing viscoelastic hydrogel that exhibits a storage modulus (G′) of at least 600 Pa, and a tan δ (G"/G′) from 0.1 to 0.6 in dynamic viscoelasticity measured by a rheometer at 1 Hz and 1% strain rate at 25° C. The system may also comprise a coaxial cannula (2) having a lumen configured for receipt of the hydrogel delivery needle (4), wherein the hydrogel delivery needle comprises an adjustable positioning mechanism (8) configured to limit the advancement depth of the hydrogel delivery needle through the coaxial cannula to a predetermined depth distal to a distal-most end of the coaxial cannula.

Glaucoma treatment systems are disclosed. In various example, the glaucoma treatment systems include a body and a fluid conduit configured to facilitate an evacuation of fluid, such as aqueous humor, from a fluid-filled body cavity, such as an anterior chamber of an eye. In some examples, the fluid conduit is soft and compliant, and the glaucoma treatment system includes one or more stiffening members coupled with the fluid conduit to temporarily stiffen the fluid conduit and help aid in the delivery of the glaucoma treatment device. In some examples, the stiffening members are removable from the fluid conduit after the glaucoma treatment system has been implanted.

A surface modifying coating for an article that includes a first component having a surface in frictional engagement with a surface of a second component. At least a portion of a surface of one of the components is coated with a coating including a mixture of at least two silicones: (i) a hydrolyzable organopolysiloxane with a viscosity of less than or equal to 1,000 centistokes and that is capable of crosslinking reaction upon exposure to moisture at ambient temperature; and (ii) a second organopolysiloxane copolymerizable with the first hydrolyzable organopolysiloxane and having viscosity of greater than or equal to 5,000 centistoke; wherein the coating provides a maximum break loose force equal to or less than three times a kinetic extrusion force such that stiction is reduced between engaged surfaces. The coating is compatible with high-temperature sterilization methods sometimes used on articles for medical uses, is resistant to leaching, migration and breakdown during long-term aging conditions, and does not require a catalyst, crosslink agent, or additional energy source for preparation or application.

Disclosed is a system and method for performing measurements on a biological subject, and in one particular example, to performing measurements of analytes in a biological subject by breaching a functional barrier of the subject using microstructures, wherein the one or more microstructures include an aptamer for binding one or more analytes.

A method of producing a medical device having a substrate and a hydrophilic polymer layer, including the steps of: pretreating the substrate by placing the substrate in an alkali solution and heating the substrate at a temperature ranging from 50° C. to 100° C.; and heating a solution containing the pretreated substrate, a hydrophilic polymer having an acidic group and a hydroxyalkyl group, and an organic acid at a temperature ranging from 50° C. to 100° C. Provided is a simple method of producing a medical device imparted with hydrophilicity excellent in durability.