Certain embodiments are directed to methods and compositions for inhibiting, stabilizing or preventing fungal infections by yeast on a surface using an agent comprising one or more types of quantum dots sufficient to regulate the growth of fungal cells or biofilms thereof.

An artificial blood vessel 10 comprises: an artificial blood vessel body 12; and a carbon material film 11 that covers the inner wall of the artificial blood vessel body 12. The inner wall which is covered by the carbon material film 11 is configured so that the water vapor adsorption isotherm shows desorption hysteresis.

The present invention relates generally to the manufacture of conductive scaffolds of micro and/or nanofibers with the help of different printing techniques (e.g., near-field electrostatic printing, inkjet printing), such scaffolds enabling the formation of two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) neural networks to mimic the native counterparts. Applications of such patterned conductive scaffolds include, but are not limited to, an engineered conduit for guiding the differentiation and outgrowth of neural cells in peripheral nerve damage or in large-volume spinal cord injury under the electrical stimulation. Meanwhile, the scaffolds could also locally deliver various biomolecules in conjunction with electrical stimulation for facilitated nervous system regeneration (FIG. 1).

A biocompatible polymer hybrid nanocomposite coating on a surface of a substrate, such as titanium and its alloys. The coating can be achieved by an electrostatic spray coating, preferably using ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) as a matrix for the coating. For example, up to 2.95 wt. % carbon nanotubes can be used as reinforcement, as can up to 4.95 wt. % hydroxyapatite. A dispersion of CNTs and HA in the coating is substantially uniform. The tribological performance of such coatings include high hardness, improved scratch resistance, excellent wear resistance, and corrosion resistance compared to pure UHMWPE coatings.

An antibacterial device is disclosed that includes a substrate and an antibacterial coating or antibacterial surface being provided on at least a part of the substrate's surface. The antibacterial coating or surface includes Angstrom scale flakes, where the Angstrom scale flakes are arranged in a standing position on the substrate surface and are attached to the substrate surface via edge sides thereof. The Angstrom scale flakes can, for example, be graphene flakes, or graphite flakes having a thickness of a few atom layers. It has been found that such standing flakes are efficient in killing prokaryotic cells but do not harm eukaryotic cells.

A film formation method is provided with a step for disposing a non-electroconductive long thin tube 102 in a chamber 101 in which the internal pressure thereof is adjustable, generating a plasma inside the long thin tube 102 in a state in which a starting material gas including a hydrocarbon is supplied, and forming a diamond-like carbon film on an inner wall surface of the long thin tube 102. The long thin tube 102 is disposed in the chamber 101 in a state in which a discharge electrode 125 is disposed in one end part of the long thin tube 102 and the other end part is open. An alternating-current bias is intermittently applied between the discharge electrode 125 and a counter electrode 126 provided so as to be separated from the long thin tube 102.

To provide a magnesium alloy with improved corrosion resistance by surface modification, and a production method thereof. (1) The surface-modified magnesium alloy comprising: a magnesium alloy having an arbitrary shape; a magnesium fluoride layer formed by fluorination of the surface of the magnesium alloy; and a diamond-like carbon layer formed on the magnesium fluoride layer. (2) The method comprising: subjecting a surface of a magnesium alloy having an arbitrary shape to fluorination treatment to form a magnesium fluoride layer on the surface of the magnesium alloy, and then subjecting the magnesium alloy with the magnesium fluoride layer to be placed in a high-frequency plasma CVD device such that a source gas containing carbon is introduced to form a diamond-like carbon layer on the magnesium fluoride layer.

A medical device for repairing injuries to the spinal cord or peripheral nerve has a first flexible substrate supporting first nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of silicon, carbon, gold and titanium, at least partially embedded in a binding layer joined to the first flexible substrate. Each first nanoparticle develops along a preferential direction of development. The nanoparticles are oriented so that, statistically, the preferential direction of development is parallel to a first orientation of growth. Stem cells are at least partially embedded in the binding layer. The first nanoparticles are functionalized so that stem cell differentiation along the first nanoparticles is guided in the first orientation of growth. The first flexible substrate is suitable to assume a distended configuration and a wrapped configuration in which it is wrapped around the spinal cord or peripheral nerve whereby the first orientation of growth is statistically parallel to the neuronal direction of extension of neurons of the spinal cord or peripheral nerve.

The present invention generally relates to the use of small particles, such as micro particles or nanoparticles, to produce a therapeutic scar such as “trans-mural” scarring or other desired “deep tissue” scarring. In one preferred embodiment, these particles can be delivered to a target location by an implant. More specifically, these particles can be incorporated into the structure of implants or into the coatings on implants. In another preferred embodiment, these small particles can be delivered directly with a catheter by electrophoresis or hydraulic pressure.

A medical device for implantation in tissue includes: a header including one or more bores, the header including an implant grade thermoplastic resin including a conductive additive and a metal coating; one or more leads disposed in the header and exiting the header through the one or more bores; and an enclosure coupled to the header at a surface of the enclosure, the enclosure including circuitry and a power source. A sterilized header for an implantable enclosure is also described.