A bioactive filamentary structure includes a sheath coated with a mixture of synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution forming a scaffold structure. In forming such a structure, synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution are applied around a filamentary structure. A polymer is precipitated from the polymer solution such that the synthetic bone graft particles and the polymer coat the filamentary structure and the polymer is adhered to the synthetic bone graft particles to retain the graft particles.

A biodegradable mesh implant for use in soft tissue repair, in particular surgical hernia, chronic wound healing or fistula repair, within the body of a patient is disclosed. The mesh implant includes a porous, hydrophilic biodegradable polymeric carrier mesh and fibroblasts on or within the polymeric carrier mesh. The carrier mesh includes a sponge-like structure with interconnected pores of different sizes, has a water contact angle of less than 75° and is made of at least a first polymer comprising polylactic acid as a main component.

An implantable medical device may comprise an elongated tubular body having a scaffolding forming a plurality of cells. A polymeric covering may be disposed over at least a portion of the stent. The covering may include a plurality of voids formed in an outer surface thereof. An extracellular matrix material coating may be disposed over the polymeric covering and within the plurality of voids.

A bioartificial device, such as a bioartificial pancreas, for implantation in a patient's vascular system. The bioartificial pancreas includes a scaffold adapted to engage an interior wall of a blood vessel, a cellular complex support by the scaffold and extending longitudinally within the interior cavity of the scaffold so as to be exposed to the blood flow when the scaffold is engaged with the blood vessel, the cellular complex support comprising one or more pockets bordered by thin film; and cellular complex comprising pancreatic islets disposed in the one or more pockets, the thin film being adapted to permit oxygen and glucose to diffuse from flowing blood into the one or more pockets at a rate sufficient to support the viability of the islets. The invention also includes methods of making and using a bioartificial pancreas.

Tissue prostheses having a base structure and a physiological sensor system. The tissue prostheses are adapted and configured to induce remodeling of damaged tissue and regeneration of new tissue and concurrently detect and monitor physiological characteristics when implanted in the subject.

Methods for producing crosslinked tissue matrices, crosslinked tissue matrices produced by such methods, as well as tissue products comprising such tissue matrices are disclosed. The methods comprise (1) dehydrating a collagen-containing tissue matrix to form a dehydrated collagen-containing tissue matrix; and (2) irradiating the dehydrated collagen-containing tissue matrix such that at least a portion of the dehydrated collagen-containing tissue matrix is crosslinked.

The invention relates to a device for closing a vein juncture in the treatment of varicose veins including a catheter which can be inserted into a venous system and at the distal end of which an expandable balloon is arranged, a covering which is arranged circumferentially on the balloon and can be expanded by means of said balloon, wherein the proximal covering end is designed to be open, and at least one adhesion agent for acting on the expanded covering such that it adheres to a vein wall in order to close the vein juncture.

Hygienic Hydrophilic coatings, hydrophilic coating formulations and wetting fluids that include an anti-infective agent.

The acupressure element includes a base with spiked applicators and an additional layer of low-melting substance, which creates a surface flush with the points of the spiked applicators. The layer hides the points and prevents pain. During a reflexotherapy procedure, the layer of low-melting material melts, either under the influence of human body heat or with the use of external heating. The points of the spiked applicators are gradually released and begin to press on the skin. The pressure on the skin does not occur immediately, allowing to prepare for increased pain later and acclimate accordingly.

Devices for the occlusion of body cavities, such as the embolization of vascular aneurysms and the like, and methods for making and using such devices. The devices may be comprised of novel expansile materials, novel infrastructure design, or both. The devices provided are very flexible and enable deployment with reduced or no damage to bodily tissues, conduits, cavities, etceteras.