Disclosed are hydrogels polymerized with or around a solid biofunctional moiety, biodegradable or permanent, designed to be implantable in a mammalian body, intended to block or mitigate the formation of tissue adhesions, and intended to aid in functional healing. The hydrogels of the present invention are characterized by comprising multiphasic structural elements: a) at least one gel phase, b) at least one solid phase, c) optional polymeric chains connecting gel and solid phases, d) optional shape designs that provide for an interpenetrating geometry between gels and solids, e) optional shape designs that enhance a tissue-hydrogel interface, and f) optional shape designs that provide a biofunctional aspect. The hydrophobicity of the various phases is chosen to reduce tissue adhesion and enhance tissue healing. The morphology of the polymers comprising the gel phase is typically of high molecular weight and has morphology that encourages entanglement. Useful polymeric structures include branching chains, comb or brush, and dendritic morphologies.

Haemostatic wound dressings are described. The dressings comprise a non-colloidal porous dressing material, and a plurality of fibrinogen-binding peptides immobilised to the non-colloidal porous dressing material, wherein each fibrinogen-binding peptide comprises: an amino acid sequence Gly-Pro-Arg-Xaa (SEQ ID NO: 1) at an amino-terminal end of the peptide, wherein Xaa is any amino acid other than Val, preferably Pro, Sar, or Leu; or an amino acid sequence Gly-His-Arg-Xaa (SEQ ID NO: 2) at an amino-terminal end of the peptide, wherein Xaa is any amino acid other than Pro. The dressings are able to accelerate haemostasis without requiring enzymatic activity. In particular, the dressings to do not rely on the action of exogenous thrombin, and can be stored long-term at room temperature in solution. Methods of making the dressings, and use of the dressings to control bleeding are also described.

A method for reducing mucus accumulation in an airway including disposing an implantable device within an airway, wherein the implantable device has a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a lumen extending from the first end to the second end; wherein at least a portion of the inner surface has a hydrophobic polymer coating thereon, wherein a polymer coating surface has dynamic water contact angles of 145 degrees or greater; and wherein the implantable device is constructed and arranged to maintain patency of the airway; wherein accumulation of mucus is reduced as compared to a similar implantable device without the hydrophobic portion of the inner surface. An implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface and a method of making an implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface are also provided. An implantable medical device having a micropatterned surface with enhanced adhesion to tissue, optionally in combination with other region(s) having a superhydrophobic surface and a method of making such a device. Methods and devices for prevention of bacterial adhesion to implanted medical devices.

The present invention concerns a process for the production of implants with an ultrahydrophilic surface as well as the implants produced in that way and also processes for the production of loaded, so-called bioactive implant surfaces of metallic or ceramic materials, which are used for implants such as artificial bones, joints, dental implants or also very small implants, for example what are referred to as stents, as well as implants which are further produced in accordance with the processes and which as so-called “delivery devices” allow controlled liberation, for example by way of dissociation, of the bioactive molecules from the implant materials.

A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to produce a microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of immersing the microscale roughened surface into a solution containing hydrogen peroxide and a basic solution to produce a nanoscale roughened surface consisting of nanopitting superimposed on the microscale roughened surface. The nanoscale roughened surface has a property that promotes osseointegration.

The invention provides methods and polymer-containing formulations for treating retinal detachment and other ocular disorders, where the methods employ polymer compositions that can form a hydrogel in the eye of a subject. The hydrogel is formed by reaction of (a) a nucleo-functional polymer is a biocompatible polyalkylene polymer substituted by (i) a plurality of —OH groups, (ii) a plurality of thio-functional groups —R.sup.1—SH wherein R.sup.1 is an ester-containing linker, and (iii) optionally one or more —OC(O)—(C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl) groups, such as a thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer and (ii) an electro-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polymer containing at least one thiol-reactive group, such as a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer containing alpha-beta unsaturated ester groups. Formulations are provided containing a nucleo-functional polymer, a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer, and an aqueous pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use in the therapeutic methods.

A method for manufacturing an alumina-based layer structure having transition regions between layers is disclosed. The method may include ion milling a stainless steel structure surface to partially reduce a metal oxide layer from, and create an exposed portion of, the surface. The method may include oxidizing the exposed portion of the surface to form a crystallized metal oxide bonding layer, growing a crystallized alumina layer onto the metal oxide bonding layer, and diffusing metal from the surface into the crystallized alumina layer, to form a graded aluminate spinel layer. The method may include forming a first transition region from the graded aluminate spinel layer to a crystalline alumina layer, growing the crystalline alumina layer from the first transition region, forming a second transition region from the crystalline alumina layer to an amorphous alumina layer, and growing the amorphous alumina layer from the second transition region.

The present invention provides an orthopaedic implant including a base device having a device surface and a fixation material attached to at least one portion of the device surface. The fixation material is configured to provide a minimally sufficient adhesive force to resist natural pull out caused by forces acting on the base device after implantation and bone growth. Also provided is a method of manufacturing an orthopaedic implant. A base device with a device surface is provided and a minimally sufficient adhesive force, that can resist natural pull out caused by forces acting on the base device after implantation and bone growth, is determined. A proper amount of fixation material sufficient to provide an adhesive force equal to the minimally sufficient adhesive force is determined and fixation material is applied to the device. When the proper amount of fixation material is applied to the device surface, application is stopped.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a surgical anti-adhesion barrier film comprising the following steps: a°) a first solution, comprising an oxidized collagen is prepared, b) a polyphosphate compound is added to the solution of a) in a quantity so as to obtain a concentration of polyphosphate ranging from 0.007 to 0.7%, by weight, with respect to the total weight of the solution, c) the pH of the solution obtained in b) is adjusted to about 9 by addition of a base or to about 5.1 by addition of an acid, d) a diluted solution is prepared by adding water to solution of c), e) a first layer of solution obtained in c) is casted on an inert support, f) before complete gelation of the layer obtained in d), a second layer, of diluted solution obtained in d) is applied on top of said first layer and let to gelify, g) the gelified first and second layers are dried to obtain a film. The invention further relates to a film obtainable by such a method and to a surgical implant comprising a prosthetic fabric and such a film.

A method of coating a medical implant with hydroxyapatite comprises steps of: (a) plasma treating said medical implant by a plasma electrolytic oxidation bath within an electrolyte; (b) hydroxyapatite coating a plasma treated medical implant in a hydrothermal pressurized reactor; (c) washing a hydroxyapatite coated medical implant; and (d) drying a washed medical implant. At least one of steps a and b further comprises a sub-step of forming crystallization seeds on a surface of said medical implant.