The present invention relates to plasma-based films and in particular to flexible plasma-based films. The invention further relates to and to methods of making and using the flexible plasma-based films. Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed for making flexible plasma-based films useful as a hemostat in the treatment and/or prevention of mild to severe as well as arterial bleedings, as an anti-adhesive sheet to reduce or prevent development of surgery-induced adhesions, as a wound healing patch, as a wound dressing, or as a film useful in hernia repair. Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to these applications. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

A closed loop granular jamming apparatus is disclosed including a three-dimensional membrane structure filled with granular material. Fluid is evacuated from the structure which induces a jamming effect, whereas the viscosity of the granular media increases with increasing particle density. The thin membrane conforms to the shape of the granular material. Decreasing enclosed volume and increasing packing density prevents particles from distributing within the confined space, inducing the aggregate to behave as a solid. In the jammed state, the apparatus is resistive to force and change of shape. The apparatus is returned to the unjammed state by releasing the vacuum. The size and shape of the apparatus may be repeatedly adjusted by alternating between the jammed and unjammed states. The closed loop granular jamming apparatus may include toroidal and cylindrical shapes with articulating inserts and compliant spines.

Provided herein are, inter alia, therapeutic formulations containing active agents, such as bioactive cell populations, and methods of making and using the same.

An optical method for determining collagen bundle orientation in bovine pericardium includes the use of a system having a light source which transmits light through a first polarizer, a tissue for making a prosthetic valve leaflet, and a second polarizer, where the light then illuminates a detector plate. The light that illuminates the detector plate is used to determine the orientation of collagen fiber bundles. The orientation of the collagen fiber bundles is used to determine where to cut the leaflet edges.

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).

A biodegradable in vivo supporting device is disclosed. The in vivo supporting device comprises a biodegradable metal scaffold and a biodegradable polymer coating covering at least a portion of the biodegradable metal scaffold, wherein the biodegradable polymer coating has a degradation rate that is faster than the degradation rate of the biodegradable metal scaffold.

A biodegradable in vivo supporting device is disclosed. The in vivo supporting device comprises a biodegradable metal scaffold and a biodegradable polymer coating covering at least a portion of the biodegradable metal scaffold, wherein the biodegradable polymer coating has a degradation rate that is faster than the degradation rate of the biodegradable metal scaffold.

An apparatus includes an assembly and hollow templates. The assembly includes multiple rods or shafts mounted thereon. The assembly is configured to rotate about a first axis, and each of the rods or shafts is additionally configured to rotate about a respective second axis. The hollow templates are fitted on the respective rods or shafts and are each configured to contain a balloon-based distal end of a medical instrument, each template having a patterned opening through which one or more electrodes are deposited on the distal end.

An apparatus includes an assembly and hollow templates. The assembly includes multiple rods or shafts mounted thereon. The assembly is configured to rotate about a first axis, and each of the rods or shafts is additionally configured to rotate about a respective second axis. The hollow templates are fitted on the respective rods or shafts and are each configured to contain a balloon-based distal end of a medical instrument, each template having a patterned opening through which one or more electrodes are deposited on the distal end.

A material including a plurality of fatty acid chains cross-linked together and a silver fatty acid salt formed with the fatty acid chains within the material. Methods for forming a material are also included. The silver-containing materials can be utilized alone or in combination with a medical device for the release and local delivery of one or more anti-infective agents.