Aspects of an expandable sheath can be used in conjunction with a catheter assembly to introduce a prosthetic device, such as a heart valve, into a patient. Such aspects can minimize trauma to the vessel by allowing for temporary expansion of a portion of the introducer sheath to accommodate the delivery apparatus, followed by a return to the original diameter once the prosthetic device passes through. Some aspects can include various configurations of the sheath that comprise an elongated tube having a disclosed composition that can form an outer jacket or a strain relief jacket or can be used as the outer layer of the sheath. Aspects of the present expandable sheath can avoid the need for multiple insertions for the dilation of the vessel and reduce the push force needed for passage of the medical device, thus offering advantages over prior art introducer sheaths.

A contraceptive device is provided which includes a (preferably elastomeric) surface; and a lubricant applied to the surface. The lubricant includes (a) a lubricious medium, and (b) a pharmaceutically effective amount of a peptoid disposed in said lubricious medium. The antimicrobial peptoid may impart protection against some common sexually transmitted diseases, while also imparting spermicidal activity to the lubricious medium and contraceptive device.

The present disclosure provides a method for modifying a hydrogel lubricating coating on a surface of general equipment, and hydrogel lubricating coating-modified general equipment, belonging to the technical field of material surface modification. In the present disclosure, by combining catechol adhesion chemistry and free radical polymerization initiated by surface catalysis, the method can realize in-situ generation of free radicals at an interface of a substrate and a hydrogel monomer solution at room temperature, without external auxiliary conditions such as illumination or heating. The method can prepare the hydrophilic hydrogel lubricating coating on the surface of almost all existing substrates, which is especially suitable for lubricating modification on an inner surface of a non-translucent pipeline instrument, showing material versatility. Therefore, the method is suitable for the fields of surface engineering and biomedicine.

The invention relates to balloon coatings and their use in delivering drugs via a drug-eluting balloon. The delivery can be, e.g., to a vessel wall.

A composition for lubricant formulations is disclosed. The composition may include hypochlorite, dimethicone, and an emulsifier for improvement of lubricity. Methods of making and using the lubricant formulations are also disclosed.

Hydrophilic coatings including a polymer matrix having voids wherein microparticles having a lubricious liquid are located within the voids.

An endoscopic coating composition including a solid lubricant, a fluorine-containing surfactant, a thermosetting resin, and a solvent, a lubricating member provided by a coating treatment using the coating composition and being suitable as an endoscopic member, a method for producing the lubricating member, and an endoscopic flexible tube and an endoscope including the lubricating member.

A three-position plunger is provided including a sleeve having an opening at a distal end, a pre-load cavity proximal to and in communication with the opening, a first cavity proximal to and in communication with the pre-load cavity, a second cavity proximal to and in communication with the pre-load cavity, and at least one rib. The rib(s) is generally aligned with the first cavity. The plunger further includes an insert configured to be displaced from the pre-load cavity to the first cavity and from the first cavity to the second cavity. The insert is configured to provide support for the compression of the rib(s) when the insert is positioned in the first cavity.

An antimicrobial lubricant applied to an outer surface of an introducer needle as part of a catheter assembly device. The catheter assembly device further includes a blood control septum having a slit through which the introducer needle is threaded. The antimicrobial lubricant is squeegeed, or removed from the outer surface of the introducer needle as the needle is removed from the slit following catheterization. The removed antimicrobial lubricant forms a deposit on the septum at a location proximate to the slit, thereby preventing colonization and growth of pathogens on the septum and other adjacent components and surfaces of the catheter assembly device.

A medical device includes a structural element comprising an outer surface and a material on the outer surface of the structural element. The material defines void spaces containing a gas entrained within the void spaces. The material, upon contact with physiological fluid, is configured to release the gas in an amount sufficient for the gas to be imaged by ultrasound.