Zwitterionic polymers or biocompatible polymers with improved properties for cell encapsulation, coating of devices, or a combination thereof are described. The biocompatible polymer contains a zwitterionic monomer, a monomer with a reactive side chain, and optionally another hydrophobic monomer or a neutral hydrophilic monomer. The zwitterionic polymers are cross-linked with a cross-linker via covalent bond to form a zwitterionic hydrogel in the presence of cells. Also provided, are methods of making and using the zwitterionic polymers.

A method for improving bioactivity of a surface of an implantable object comprising titania, titanium, an alloy of titanium, and/or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and implantable objects prepared thereby provides forming an accelerated neutral beam derived from an accelerated gas-cluster ion-beam (GCIB) in a reduced-pressure chamber, introducing an implantable object into the reduced-pressure chamber, and irradiating at least a first portion of the surface of said implantable object with a GCIB-derived neutral beam.

Disclosed are compositions, methods and processes for fabricating and using a device or other implement including a surface or surfaces having a nanoscale or microscale layer or coating of Si—O—N—P. These coatings and/or layers may be continuous, on the surface or discontinuous (e.g., patterned, grooved), and may be provided on silica surfaces, metal (e.g., titanium), ceramic, and combination/hybrid materials. Methods of producing an implantable device, such as a load-bearing or non-load-bearing device, such as a bone or other structural implant device (load-bearing), are also presented. Craniofacial, osteogenic and disordered bone regeneration (osteoporosis) uses and applications of devices that include at least one surface that is treated to include a nanoscale or microscale layer or coating of Si—O—N—P are also provided. Methods of using the treated and/or coated devices to enhance enhanced vascularization and healing at a treated surface of a device in vivo, is also presented.

A vascular implant, comprising a sheet comprising thin film nickel titanium (NiTi), wherein the sheet has at least one super-hydrophilic surface having a water contact angle of less than approximately 5 degrees. The sheet is configured to have a compacted form having a first internal diameter and a deployed form having a second internal diameter larger than the first internal diameter. The sheet may be delivered into a blood vessel in the compacted form and expanded to its deployed form at a treatment location within the blood vessel, wherein the stent is configured to expand onto an internal surface of the blood vessel and exert a radial force on said internal surface.

The invention relates to biomaterials based on plastics, such as polyaryl polyether ketone (PEK), and to methods for producing and using same. The following describes how a mechanically stable coating made of a porous bone substitute material, e.g. Nano Bone®, is applied to polyaryl polyether ketone (PEK), e.g. polyether ether ketone (PEEK), as a result of which the problem of poor cell adhesion on plastics surfaces of this kind can be solved. The bone substitute material can be applied both dry as a powder and also in a wet spraying method. The coating is a result of briefly melting the polymer surface and the resulting partial penetration of the previously applied layer. In the process, the molten polymer penetrates into nanopores of the bone substitute material and thus establishes a firm connection.

An implantable medical device includes a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end, a lumen and at least one lead wire extending through the lumen. The lead wire has an outer surface and a polymeric coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the lead wire. The coating includes a first structure having a first end proximate the outer surface of the lead wire and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is movable relative to the first end and relative to the lead wire.

An end effector including an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a deck having steps defined thereon for compressing tissue positioned between the anvil and the staple cartridge assembly to different pressures. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises staples having different unformed heights removably stored therein. The staples are deformed against the anvil to different formed heights.

Porous regions are formed using selected additive manufacturing techniques. The porous regions can assist in fibro-inductive regions and/or osteo-inductive regions. A prosthetic member can be formed completely with the additive manufacturing technique and/or the additive manufacturing techniques can be used to form an augment portion that is added to the prosthetic member formed separately.

A method for producing a wear resistant polyethylene medical implant includes forming a medical implant, such as an orthopedic implant, made at least partially of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The polyethylene may be irradiated with gamma ray or e-beam radiation to form free radicals and then crosslinked to eliminate free radicals prior to exposure to oxygen. The so treated bearing surface of the crosslinked polyethylene is then coated with a photoinitiator. Thereafter the bearing material is photocrosslinked with ultra-violet (UV) radiation. The photocrosslinking process can also be applied to non-crosslink UHMWPE.

The present invention relates to methods for removing antigens from tissues by sequentially destabilizing and/or depolymerizing cytoskeletal components and removing and/or reducing water-soluble antigens and lipid-soluble antigens. The invention further relates to tissue scaffolding and decellularized extracellular matrix produced by such methods.