Reversibly crosslinkable polymeric networks, including reversibly crosslinkable hydrogel networks are provided. Also provided are methods of making the polymeric networks and methods of using the hydrogel networks in tissue engineering applications. The reversibly crosslinkable polymeric networks are composed of polymer chains that are covalently crosslinked by azobenzene boronic ester bonds that can be reversibly formed and broken by exposing the polymeric networks to different wavelengths of light.

A method of manufacturing a surgical device including providing a substrate having opposite first and second sides. The second side having a first section and a second section. Coupling a substrate to a fixture such that the first side faces the fixture and depositing a gel onto the second side such that the gel coats the first section without coating the second section.

Embodiments herein described provide devices for identifying and collecting rare cells or cells which occur at low frequency in the body of a subject, such as, antigen-specific cells or disease-specific cells. More specifically, the devices are useful for trapping immune cells and the devices contain a physiologically-compatible porous polymer scaffold, a plurality of antigens, and an immune cell-recruiting agent, wherein the plurality of antigens and the immune cell recruiting agent attract and trap the immune cell in the device. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such devices. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the devices, compositions, and kits/packages. Further embodiments relate to methods for using the devices, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as autoimmune diseases or cancers.

The invention relates to methods for producing a polymeric scaffold for use in tissue engineering applications or soft tissue surgery, as well as to the produced scaffolds and an associated kit. The method features a first fast drying step of applying a mechanical compression on a polymeric gel layer and a second slow drying step of the gel up to reach a polymer mass fraction of at least 60% w/w in the final scaffold. The method allows the production of scaffolds with high regeneration and healing properties of a grafted tissue via host cell invasion and colonization, and a good suturability. These goals are achieved through the formation within the scaffold of a non-uniform architecture creating softer and stiffer areas, which is maintained even upon re-swelling of the scaffold upon hydration of the final dried product.

The present invention is directed to hemostatic compositions comprising at least partially integrated agglomerated ORC fibers, fibrinogen, and thrombin and methods of forming a powdered hemostatic composition, comprising the steps of: forming a suspension of a mixture comprising particles of fibrinogen, thrombin, ORC fibers in a non-aqueous low boiling solvent; spraying the suspension through a nozzle onto a substrate, allowing the non-aqueous solvent to evaporate; separating from the substrate and sieving the composition.

A composition includes a plurality of particulate coated hydrogel microparticles, each of the microparticles including a hydrogel inner core and a particulate shell defined by a plurality of solid nanoparticles, the particulate shell inhibiting aggregation of the microparticles in an aqueous medium and being permeable to allow release of agents from the hydrogel inner core.

The present invention provides a method for preparing a conductive silk fibroin material, comprising the steps of: (1) preparation of a high-molecular-weight silk fibroin solution; (2) preparation of an insoluble silk fibroin material; (3) surface treatment of the silk fibroin material; (4) oxidation of the silk fibroin material; and (5) in-situ oxidative polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on the surface of the graft-modified silk fibroin material. In the present invention, a conductive composite film grafted with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on the surface is prepared, and the surface resistance is 100 to 5000 ohms. The preparation process is simple and mild, and the obtained conductive silk fibroin material can be used as a flexible electronic device, especially as a device for measuring human blood glucose level and heartbeat.

The present invention relates to: a biodegradable capsule which is a capsule having a form in which a capsule wall surrounds fragrance or oil, wherein a polymer, formed by the reaction of a fibrous polymer, a protein polymer, an aliphatic polyesterpolyol and an aliphatic crosslinking agent, constitutes the capsule wall of the capsule; and a manufacturing thereof.

The invention relates to methods for producing a polymeric scaffold for use in tissue engineering applications or soft tissue surgery, as well as to the produced scaffolds and an associated kit. The method features a first fast drying step of applying a mechanical compression on a polymeric gel layer and a second slow drying step of the gel up to reach a polymer mass fraction of at least 60% w/w in the final scaffold. The method allows the production of scaffolds with high regeneration and healing properties of a grafted tissue via host cell invasion and colonization, and a good suturability. These goals are achieved through the formation within the scaffold of a non-uniform architecture creating softer and stiffer areas, which is maintained even upon re-swelling of the scaffold upon hydration of the final dried product.

The invention provides a method for rapid gelation of a silk fibroin solution under physiological conditions. The method comprises steps of: (1) weighing NapFF solid powder into a glass vial and adding ultrapure water; (2) adding a NaOH solution, dissolving and heating for 1-2 min at 70° C. to form a transparent solution; (3) slowly adding a HCl solution and stirring until the pH is 7.2-7.5; (4) adding a silk fibroin solution; (5) adding ultrapure water to set the volume to 200 μL; and (6) standing horizontally, and observing the gelation process by tilting and inverting the glass vial. In the invention a low concentration of silk fibroin solution can be induced to rapidly gelate in a short time. The silk fibroin gel can be degraded by proteolytic hydrolysis in human body, has no toxic side effects, has good biocompatibility, and thus can be used as a good biomaterial.