Medical devices are provided for delivering a therapeutic agent to a tissue. The medical device has a layer overlying the exterior surface of the medical device. The layer contains a therapeutic agent and an additive. The additive has a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part and the therapeutic agent is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in particles or controlled release carriers.

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 medical dressing is disclosed, comprising a substrate comprising a first chemical compound, said substrate having a first surface, wherein said medical dressing further comprises an adhesive layer having a skin-facing surface to adhere said medical dressing to a dermal surface, wherein at least a portion of said skin-facing surface comprises a coating comprising a second chemical compound. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing such a medical dressing.

The invention relates to polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings and, methods for their preparation and application to substrates to enhance the bioactivity and corrosion protection of the substrates' surface. The invention is particularly suitable for coating substrates employed for medical applications, such as but not limited to medical implant devices for drug and/or biologics delivery in a patient. The substrate has a positive or negative charge. The polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings include at least a first polymer layer and a second polymer layer. The first polymer and second polymer have opposite charges. Each of the polymer layers is individually applied using a layer-by-layer such that an alternating charge multilayer coating is formed.

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.

The present invention provides formulations comprising polymers and therapeutics and methods for their manufacture. The present invention also provides medical devices coated with such formulations and methods for their manufacture. The drug-loaded polymer formulations, solutions, and films tailor the drug release characteristics for medical devices.

A method of providing a channel in nervous tissue filled with an aqueous gel for implantation of a microelectrode or other medical device lacking sufficient physical stability for direct implantation by insertion, comprises providing an apparatus comprising an oblong rigid pin covered by a dry gel forming agent; locating a target in the tissue; defining a straight insertion path a desired tissue insertion point and the target; aligning the pin with its end foremost with the insertion path; inserting the pin into the tissue to a position near or at the target; allowing sufficient time to pass for a gel to be formed around the pin, withdrawing the pin. Also disclosed is a corresponding channel; a method of implantation of a microelectrode or microprobe into nervous tissue via the channel; a corresponding method of implantation of living cells; a corresponding apparatus for forming the channel.

A biocompatible membrane composite that can provide an environment that is able to mitigate or tailor the foreign body response is provided. The membrane composite contains a mitigation layer and a vascularization layer. A reinforcing component may optionally be included to provide support to and prevent distortion of the biocompatible membrane composite in vivo. The mitigation layer may be bonded (e.g., point bonded or welded) or adhered (intimately or discretely) to an implantable device and/or cell system. The biocompatible membrane composite may be used as a surface layer for implantable devices or cell systems that require vascularization for function but need protection from the host's immune response, such as the formation of foreign body giant cells. The biocompatible membrane composite may partially or fully cover the exterior of an implantable device or cell system. The mitigation layer is positioned between the implantable device or bioactive scaffold and the vascularization layer.

A catheter shaft is produced by forming a first polymeric layer onto a flexible inner core while maintaining the inner core in a solid state, and solidifying the first polymeric layer, wherein the solidified first polymeric layer fails to bond with the inner core and is slidable thereon upon flexion of the shaft. A second polymeric layer may be formed over the first polymeric layer, and is slidable thereon when the shaft bends.

An absorbable implantable device, including an iron-based substrate, and a zinc-containing protective layer and a corrosion promoting layer provided on the iron-based substrate. The iron-based substrate has an outer wall and an inner wall. The zinc-containing protective layer covers the outer wall and the inner wall of the iron-based substrate. The corrosion promoting layer covers the zinc-containing protective layer. The thickness ratio of the zinc-containing protective layer located on the outer wall to the corrosion promoting layer located on the outer wall is less than the thickness ratio of the zinc-containing protective layer located on the inner wall to the corrosion promoting layer located on the inner wall. The absorbable implantable device has a low risk of thrombosis and can meet the requirements of early support and later rapid corrosion.