A self-sterilizing wound dressing is disclosed. The wound dressing comprises a substrate having a first surface facing at least a portion of a wound or a surgical site and a second surface facing opposite to the first surface. At least one surface of the substrate comprises a sulfonated polymer selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer is sufficiently or selectively sulfonated to contain from 10-100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate salt functional groups based on the number of monomer units, for killing at least 90% of microbes in less than 120 minutes of coming into contact with the wound dressing.

In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise one or more capsules and/or pockets comprising at least one medicament therein. In at least one embodiment, staples can be fired through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules. In certain embodiments, a firing member, or knife, can be advanced through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules.

Disclosed herein are compositions to use in biofouling-resistant coatings, biofouling-resistant coatings, methods of making biofouling-resistant coatings, biofouling-resistant devices, and methods of making biofouling-resistant devices.

Technologies for fibers with nanotechnology is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, a preform is 3D printed with one or more sacrificial cores and one or more hollow channels. The preform is drawn into a fiber, and one or more metal core(s) is inserted into the hollow channel during the fiber draw. The fiber is then heated, breaking up the sacrificial cores into balls through capillary action. The fiber can be etched, exposing the balls made up of the sacrificial cores. The balls can be selectively etched, exposing the metal core(s) of the fiber. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

A swellable biocompatible material and method of making the same. The material comprises a water-absorbing swellable polymer infused with povidone-iodine and a water-soluble control compound configured to control a release of iodine form the material. Example swellable polymers includes polysaccharides and hydrocolloid forming compounds.

The present application relates to fibers having a diameter of 1 nm to 10,000 nm, of one or more biocompatible polymers, wherein the polymers have a backbone which includes a positively charged component from a zwitterionic moiety. Additionally, this application discloses an implantable therapeutic delivery system and its method of formation, comprising a housing defining a chamber, wherein said housing is porous and formed from the fibers. Inside of the housing includes a preparation of cells which release a therapeutic agent from the chamber. The implantable therapeutic delivery system can be used in the treatment of diabetes.

In various embodiments, a layer of material can comprise a body, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion can be releasably secured to a staple cartridge of a surgical end effector, and the distal end portion can be releasably secured to an anvil of the surgical end effector. The layer of material can comprise a tissue thickness compensator.

The invention relates to bacteriophage means, namely intracorporal bacteriophage means, nasopharyngeal and pulmonary bacteriophage means, cutaneous bacteriophage means, and bacteriophage suture means, and in addition a two-syringe bacteriophage means, a nasopharyngeal and pulmonary bacteriophage means device, and a bacteriophage sensitive testing application.

The present invention relates to a nerve suture patch having a self-healing property, and a production method thereof, and more specifically, to a self-healing nerve suture patch containing a self-healing polymer and a hydrogel, and a production method thereof. The nerve suture patch may be rapidly attached to epineurium by the adhesiveness of the hydrogel and easily suture a damaged nerve.

An apparatus for forming a weld between a first portion of a biocompatible conductive thermoplastic material and a second portion of a biocompatible conductive thermoplastic material comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a structure for holding said first and second electrodes in opposition to one other with a space therebetween for receiving said first portion and said second portion in contact with one another. The structure is electrically non-conductive and an electrical circuit comprising a power source and a switch arranged such that closure of said switch applies a voltage potential across said first electrode and said second electrode so as to generate heat via electrical resistance, the heat being sufficient to melt regions of said first and second portions.