17255results about How to "Improve the lubrication effect" patented technology

A coating composition is disclosed which comprises an aqueous polymeric matrix, a hydrophilic polymer, a colloidal metal oxide and a crosslinker. The coating composition when applied on medical devices is hydrophilic, shows improved lubricity, abrasion resistance and substrate adhesion on metallic or plastic substrates. The coating also shows improved water sheeting thus providing the coated substrates with anti-fog properties. The coating absorbs aqueous dye or stain solutions making the substrate suitable for printing.

A surgical access device includes a single valve that forms a seal with a body wall and provides an access channel into a body cavity. The valve has properties for creating a zero seal in the absence of an instrument as well as an instrument seal for an instrument having a diameter up to about 37 mm. The valve can include a gel material and the access channel can include a protective sleeve to provide for wound protection during insertion and withdrawal of a sharp surgical instrument. The valve further comprises a cap ring which may be inserted or molded with the gel material. The protective sleeve may be bonded or molded around an inner diameter of the cap ring. The protective sleeve may be a single tubular member, or may comprise a plurality of axially extending sleeve members having a plurality of axial slits. The protective sleeve and the cap ring may comprise of the same or different materials. The surgical access device further comprises at least one support ring disposed circumferentially of the valve forming a hollow space, and a wound retractor operatively placed in the hollow space. The wound retractor includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a flexible sleeve connecting the inner ring and the outer ring.

A high strength abrasion resistant surgical suture material with improved tie down characteristics is color coded for visualization and identification purposes. The suture features a multifilament cover formed of strands of ultra high molecular weight long chain polyethylene braided with polyester, nylon or a bioabsorbable material. Selected nylon fibers in the cover are provided in a color contrasting with the other cover fibers to provide an identifiable trace. The cover surrounds a core formed of twisted strands of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The suture, provided in a #2 size, has the strength of #5 Ethibond, is ideally suited for most orthopedic procedures, and can be attached to a suture anchor or a curved needle. The identifiable trace preferably is provided along one half of the length of the suture, so that when the suture is loaded onto a suture anchor, for example, the two legs of the length of suture on either side of the suture anchor can be readily identified.

A surgical access device includes a single valve that forms a seal with the body wall and provides an access channel into a body cavity. The valve has properties for creating a zero seal in the absence of an instrument as well as an instrument seal with instruments having a full range of instrument diameter. The valve can include a gel and preferably an ultragel comprised of an elastomer and an oil providing elongation greater than 1000 percent and durometer less than 5 Shore A. The single valve can be used as a hand port where the instrument comprises the arm of a surgeon, thereby providing hand access into the cavity. A method for making the surgical access device includes the combining of a gelling agent with an oil, preferably in a molding process. A method for using the device includes steps for creating an opening with the instrument. In a particular process, an organ can be removed from the body cavity through the single valve to create an organ seal while the organ is addressed externally of the body cavity. The valve and method are particularly adapted for laparoscopic surgery wherein the abdominal cavity is insufflated with a gas thereby requiring the zero seal, the instrument seal, and the organ seal in various procedures.

The present invention provides a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic device, more preferably a contact lens, which comprises a lubricious coating including a capping layer of polyvinylpyrrolidone and / or at least one layer of a lubricious coating material and one layer of a polyionic material having charges opposite of the charges of the lubricious coating material. The lubricious coating on the medical device of the invention has increased lubricity, preferably characterized by an averaged CoF of about 3.0 or less, increased hydrophilicity characterized by an averaged contact angle of about 80 degree or less, and increased bacterial adhesion resistance, while maintaining the desired bulk properties such as oxygen permeability and ion permeability of lens material. Such lenses are useful as extended-wear contact lenses. In addition, the invention provides a method for making a medical device, preferably a contact lens, having a lubricious coating thereon.

An improved guidewire for assisting in implantation of a cardiac lead includes three sections. The most distal zone is sufficiently floppy to prevent trauma to the vessel walls through which the guidewire and lead are inserted. An intermediate zone is generally stiffer and has a cross-section less than or equal to the cross-section of the distal zone. The third zone is stiffer yet and is joined to the intermediate zone by a shoulder. The shoulder cooperates with protrusions on the lead to transfer forces between the guidewire and lead. A finishing wire having temporary locking means to lock the finishing wire to the lead is employed to remove the guide catheter without moving the lead from its desired location. Lubricious coatings are also provided to reduce friction between the lead and guidewire.

Methods for treating female sexual dysfunction are provided. A pharmaceutical composition containing a vasoactive agent selected from vasoactive intestinal potypeptide (VIP) and VIP agonists is administered to the vagina and / or vulvar region of the individual undergoing treatment. The formulations are also useful for improving vaginal muscle tone and tissue health, enhancing vaginal lubrication, and minimizing excess collagen deposition. Pharmaceutical formulations and kits are also provided.