The particle (1) is suitable for the manufacture of an implantable soft tissue engineering material and comprises: a three-dimensionally warped and branched sheet (2) where (i) the three-dimensionally warped and branched sheet (2) is made from a biocompatible material having a Young's modulus of 1 kPa to 1 GPa; (ii) the three-dimensionally warped and branched sheet (2) has an irregular shape which is encompassed in a virtual three-dimensional envelope (3) having a volume V.sub.E; (iii) the three-dimensionally warped and branched sheet (2) has a mean sheet thickness T; iv) the three-dimensionally warped and branched sheet (2) has a volume V.sub.S; (v) the particle (1) has a Young's modulus of 100 Pa to 15 kPa; and (vi) the particle (1) further comprises a number of protrusions where the three-dimensionally warped and branched sheet (2) reaches the envelope (3); (vii) the particle (1) has a number of interconnected channel-type conduits (5) defined by the branching of the sheet (2) and/or by voids in the sheet (2); and (viii) where the conduits (5) have (a) a mean diameter D.sub.C; and (b) an anisotropicity index of 1.01 to 5.00.

The present invention provides a vaginal pessary that offers mid-urethral support and is anchored proximate the cervix by a proximal annulus engaging opposing walls of the vagina and supporting a distal annulus engaging opposing walls of the vagina posterior to the mid-urethra. The proximal and distal annulus are joined by compressible cross rods compressible to reduce a diameter of at least one of the proximal and distal annuli.

A controlled-viscosity polymeric hydrogel including an aqueous solvent, a water-soluble synthetic polymeric component and an anti-cross-linking component, constituted of a polyphenol, in particular of hydroxytyrosol.

A controlled-viscosity polymeric hydrogel including an aqueous solvent, a water-soluble synthetic polymeric component and an anti-cross-linking component, constituted of a polyphenol, in particular of hydroxytyrosol.

Thin PTFE layers are described having little or no node and fibril microstructure and methods of manufacturing PTFE layers are disclosed that allow for controllable permeability and porosity of the layers. In some embodiments, the PTFE layers may act as a barrier layer in an endovascular graft or other medical device.

Thin PTFE layers are described having little or no node and fibril microstructure and methods of manufacturing PTFE layers are disclosed that allow for controllable permeability and porosity of the layers. In some embodiments, the PTFE layers may act as a barrier layer in an endovascular graft or other medical device.

Thin PTFE layers are described having little or no node and fibril microstructure and methods of manufacturing PTFE layers are disclosed that allow for controllable permeability and porosity of the layers. In some embodiments, the PTFE layers may act as a barrier layer in an endovascular graft or other medical device.

A wound dressing containing a multi-ply knit fabric, where the fabric contains a first and a second knit ply. The first knit ply contains a plurality of first yarns and forms the upper surface of the fabric. The second knit ply contains a plurality of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) yarns, where the PTFE yarns have a transmission in the IR region of 8-10 μm at least about 40%, and a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.2 W/(m.Math.K) forms the lower surface of the fabric. The first ply and the second ply are integrated through combined portions formed by interlacing first yarns among the PTFE yarns of the second knit ply, interlacing PTFE yarns among the first yarns of the first knit ply, or interlacing a plurality of third yarns among the first yarns and the PTFE. The multi-ply knit fabric also contains a composition containing at least one silver ion-containing compound.

A wound dressing containing a multi-ply knit fabric, where the fabric contains a first and a second knit ply. The first knit ply contains a plurality of first yarns and forms the upper surface of the fabric. The second knit ply contains a plurality of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) yarns, where the PTFE yarns have a transmission in the IR region of 8-10 μm at least about 40%, and a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.2 W/(m.Math.K) forms the lower surface of the fabric. The first ply and the second ply are integrated through combined portions formed by interlacing first yarns among the PTFE yarns of the second knit ply, interlacing PTFE yarns among the first yarns of the first knit ply, or interlacing a plurality of third yarns among the first yarns and the PTFE. The multi-ply knit fabric also contains a composition containing at least one silver ion-containing compound.

A biocompatible membrane composite including a cell impermeable layer and a mitigation layer is provided. The cell impermeable layer is impervious to vascular ingrowth and prevents cellular contact from the host. Additionally, the mitigation layer includes solid features. In at least one embodiment, mitigation layer has therein bonded solid features. In some embodiments, the cell impermeable layer and the mitigation layer are intimately bonded or otherwise connected to each other to form a composite layer having a tight/open structure. A reinforcing component may optionally be positioned external to or within the biocompatible membrane composite to provide support to and prevent distortion. The biocompatible membrane composite may be used in or to form a device for encapsulating biological entities, including, but not limited to, pancreatic lineage type cells such as pancreatic progenitors.