An implantable device for mounting to a patient's bone includes a housing and at least one osseointegrating protuberance. The housing includes a surface having an abutting portion configured to abut the bone when the housing is implanted in the patient, the abutting portion defining a housing axis orthogonal to the surface. The at least one osseointegrating protuberance: extends from the surface of the housing; is adapted to abut the patient's bone; and has a substantially smooth shaft.

Disclosed here is a method of alleviating negative effects of cochlear implant surgery in a subject in need thereof comprising administering effective amounts of 2,4-disulfonyl -phenyl tertiary butyl nitrone (2,4-DSPBN) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a subject prior to, during, and/or after undergoing cochlear implant surgery.

This disclosure features elongated prosthetic devices that can be used to repair, e.g., resurface or occlude, a defect of a semicircular canal, e.g., a superior semicircular canal dehiscence, as wellmethods of making and using these devices. For example, the devices can be made using three-dimensional (3D) printing.

A foam earplug for reception at least partially within the ear canal and including a body portion formed of resilient foam plastic material having a multiple open cell structure and having a size and shape for at least partial reception within the ear canal. A transdermal material having a particular beneficial action, and with an outer layer of the foam earplug infused with the transdermal material so that the benefits of the transdermal material is in transdermal contact with the ear canal. One example is a humectant material and, specifically, a moisturizer/lubricating material, for providing an increase to the lubrication and moisturizing in the ear canal. A second example is where the beneficial action is provided by systemic distribution such as a sleep aid, i.e., Melatonin, so that when the earplugs are worn during sleep, the earplugs will provide a sleep aid to the wearer.

A foam earplug for reception at least partially within the ear canal and including a body portion formed of resilient foam plastic material having a multiple open cell structure and having a size and shape for at least partial reception within the ear canal. A transdermal material having a particular beneficial action, and with an outer layer of the foam earplug infused with the transdermal material so that the benefits of the transdermal material is in transdermal contact with the ear canal. One example is a humectant material and, specifically, a moisturizer/lubricating material, for providing an increase to the lubrication and moisturizing in the ear canal. A second example is where the beneficial action is provided by systemic distribution such as a sleep aid, i.e., Melatonin, so that when the earplugs are worn during sleep, the earplugs will provide a sleep aid to the wearer.

Presented herein are dissolution barriers for use with tissue-stimulating prostheses. As described further below, a tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprises a stimulating assembly including an elongate insulating carrier member and a plurality of electrode contacts disposed along the carrier member. A continuous dissolution barrier is disposed on the surface of the stimulating assembly so as to substantially encapsulate/enclose the plurality of electrode contacts and the carrier member. The continuous dissolution barrier is configured to inhibit in situ dissolution of the plurality of electrode contacts.

Orthopedic and dental implants coated with an antibacterial coating and methods of making and using, are described herein. The implant can be coated with a hydrophobic, polycationic antibacterial polymer. The polymer can be covalently or non-covalently associated with the surface; however, in particular embodiments, the polymer is non-covalently associated with the surface. As shown in the examples below, clinical observations, digital radiography, and a battery of well-accepted ex vivo analytical methods show that the presence of a hydrophobic polycationic polymer coating, such as N,N-dodecyl,methyl-PEI coating on the surface of a metal implant, was effective in eliminating the clinical signs of infection in vivo in a large animal infection model. Moreover, the coated plates supported bone healing, and in fact decreased healing times, even in the presence of significant bacterial contamination compared to a control.

A tympanic construct fabricated from at least one amniotic membrane, at least one chorionic membrane, or at least one amniotic membrane and at least one chorionic membrane obtained from human birth tissue is provided. Methods of preparing a tympanic construct, methods of repairing tympanic membrane defects and surgical sites, as well as kits for the same are also provided.

This disclosure features artificial tympanic membrane graft devices and two-component bilayer graft devices that include a scaffold having a plurality of ribs made of a first material and a plurality of spaces between the ribs filled or made with the first material, a different, second material, a combination of the first and a second materials, or a combination of a second material and one or more other different materials. The bilayer graft devices have two components or layers. One component, e.g., the under-lay graft device, can include a projection, and the second component, e.g., the overlay graft device, can include an opening that corresponds to the projection (or vice versa) so that the opening and the projection can secure the two layers together in a lock and key manner. This disclosure also features methods of making, using, and implanting the three-dimensional artificial tympanic membrane and bilayer graft devices.

A medical device has a surface intended for contact with living tissue, wherein the surface comprises nanoparticles comprising a non-toxic post-transition metal such as gallium and/or bismuth, said nanoparticles having an average particle size of 500 nm or less. The nanoparticles may provide an antimicrobial effect, and thus the risk for infection may be reduced.