Atrium Medical Corporation

Blackstone Medical, Inc.

Thomas M Swanick

Joseph C Ferraro

Paul Martakos

Theodore Karwoski

Keith M Faucher

Lisa Rogers

Steve A Herweck

Philip McNamara

Roger Labrecque

Mark Evald Semler

Alan Lombardo

Brian C Sunter

Joe Bienkiewicz

Alicia Dale

Suzanne Conroy

Trevor Carlton

Joseph Bienkiewicz

Joseph F Ferraro

A method of making expanded fluoropolymer articles thermally bonds portions of expanded fluoropolymers together, without using an adhesive or crushing force, to produce stronger bonds at the joint between the expanded fluoropolymers than the bonds within the constituent expanded fluoropolymers. The method involves placing the portions of expanded fluoropolymers to be thermally bonded together in intimate contact with each other after wet-stretching the expanded fluoropolymers, and removing the wetting agent used to wet-stretch the expanded fluoropolymers, without subsequent expansion or stretching, to yield an expanded fluoropolymer article exhibiting unexpected and superior properties that can be used in a variety of medical and industrial applications.

Self-bonding fluoropolymers and methods of producing the same

The present invention is directed toward fatty acid-based particles, and methods of making such particles. The particles can be associated with an additional, therapeutic agent. Also provided herein is a method of forming fatty acid particles, comprising associating a cross-linked, fatty acid-derived biomaterial with a cryogenic liquid; and fragmenting the bio material/cryogenic liquid composition, such that fatty acid particles are formed. The particles can be used for a variety of therapeutic applications.

Fatty-acid based particles

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide adhesion barriers having anti-adhesion and tissue fixating properties. The adhesion barriers are formed of fatty acid based films. The fatty acid-based films may be formed from fatty acid-derived biomaterials. The films may be coated with, or may include, tissue fixating materials to create the adhesion barrier. The adhesion barriers are well tolerated by the body, have anti-inflammation properties, fixate, well to tissue, and have a residence time sufficient to prevent post-surgical adhesions.

Tissue-separating fatty acid adhesion barrier

A cured non-polymeric gel including a plurality of non-polymeric cross-links. The non-polymeric cross-links result from curing an oil or oil composition at selected curing conditions to achieve a desired amount of cross-linking to form the non-polymeric gel. The desired amount of cross-linking is selected based on a desired rate of degradation of the gel after the gel is implanted. The oil or oil composition comprises one or more of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Cured gel and method of making

A cured non-polymeric gel including a plurality of non-polymeric cross-links. The non-polymeric cross-links result from curing an oil or oil composition at selected curing conditions to achieve a desired amount of cross-linking to form the non-polymeric get. The desired amount of cross-linking is selected based on a desired rate of degradation of the gel after the gel is implanted. The oil or oil composition comprises one or more of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or alphalinolenic acid (ALA).

A method of UV curing and corresponding resulting non-polymeric cross-linked gel are provided. The cross-linked gel can be combined with a medical device structure. The cross-linked gel can provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing and anti-inflammatory response. The cross-linked gel is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel derived from at least one fatty acid compound. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent. The curing method can vary the application of UV light in both intensity and duration to achieve a desired amount of cross-linking forming the gel.

UV cured gel and method of making

A deployment device, system, and method for deploying a prosthesis. The deployment device includes a housing, a rod disposed within the housing and adapted to rotate relative to the housing, and one or more support members (e.g., bushings, bearings, etc.) rotatably supporting the rod within the housing. An elongate slit is disposed in and entirely through the housing and is positioned in a way that enables the prosthesis to pass therethrough from a loaded, rolled configuration on the rod. The deployment device is generally flexible, e.g., has a bending stiffness of at most about 0.87 N/mm (e.g., about 0.05 N/mm to about 0.87 N/mm). Furthermore, the deployment device enables a user to deploy (e.g., unroll) a prosthesis therefrom at a rate determined manually by the user and in a piece-by-piece fashion.

Surgical prosthesis deployment device

A method of curing and corresponding resulting non-polymeric cross-linked gel are provided. The cross-linked gel can be combined with a medical device structure. The cross-linked gel can provide anti-adhesion characteristics, in addition to improved healing and anti-inflammatory response. The cross-linked gel is generally formed of a naturally occurring oil, or an oil composition formed in part of a naturally occurring oil, that is at least partially cured forming a cross-linked gel derived from at least one fatty acid compound. In addition, the oil composition can include a therapeutic agent component, such as a drug or other bioactive agent. The curing method can vary the application of heat in both temperature and duration to achieve a desired amount of cross-linking forming the gel.

Heat cured gel and method of making

A stand-alone film is derived at least in part from fatty acids. The stand-alone film can have anti-adhesive, anti-inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and wound healing properties, and can additionally include one or more therapeutic agents incorporated therein. Corresponding methods of making the stand-alone film include molding, casting, or otherwise applying a liquid or gel to a substrate, and curing or otherwise treating to form the stand-alone film. The resulting stand-alone film is bioabsorbable.

Stand-alone film and methods for making the same

The present invention is directed to the field of prosthetic devices. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to an artificial disc that can be used as a replacement for an intervertebral disc (e.g., a human intervertebral lumbar disc, a human intervertebral cervical disc and/or a human intervertebral thoracic disc).

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Hillsborough, NH, United States of America

Thomas M Swanick