The present patent document describes methods for enhancing the aesthetic appearance of a human face by injecting soft tissue filler material in the temporal region. The soft tissue filler material is injected into a subdermal plane; preferably from an injection site about 1 cm anterior to the apex of the tragus. A single injection may be performed on either side of the face.

The present patent document describes methods for enhancing the aesthetic appearance of a human face by injecting soft tissue filler material in the temporal region. The soft tissue filler material is injected into a subdermal plane; preferably from an injection site about 1 cm anterior to the apex of the tragus. A single injection may be performed on either side of the face.

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 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.

A catheter system includes a catheter having an elongate shaft, a balloon and a light guide. The balloon expands from a collapsed configuration to a first expanded configuration. The light guide is disposed along the elongate shaft and is in optical communication with a light source and a balloon fluid. A first portion of the light guide extends into a recess defined by the elongate shaft. A protection structure is disposed within the recess and is in contact with the first portion of the light guide. The light source provides pulses of light to the balloon fluid, thereby initiating plasma formation and rapid bubble formation within the balloon, thereby imparting pressure waves upon a treatment site. The protection structure can provide structural protection from the pressure waves to the first portion of the light guide.

A catheter system includes a catheter having an elongate shaft, a balloon and a light guide. The balloon expands from a collapsed configuration to a first expanded configuration. The light guide is disposed along the elongate shaft and is in optical communication with a light source and a balloon fluid. A first portion of the light guide extends into a recess defined by the elongate shaft. A protection structure is disposed within the recess and is in contact with the first portion of the light guide. The light source provides pulses of light to the balloon fluid, thereby initiating plasma formation and rapid bubble formation within the balloon, thereby imparting pressure waves upon a treatment site. The protection structure can provide structural protection from the pressure waves to the first portion of the light guide.

Materials and methods for preparing a hydrogel are disclosed. Specifically, two separate solutions A and B, of which the solution A comprises enzyme horseradish peroxidase and the solution B comprises hydrogen peroxide is provided. At least one of solution A or B comprises calcium ions in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and further the solution A and/or the solution B comprises hydroxyphenyl derivative of hyaluronan of a particular formula. A hydrogel based on hydroxyphenyl derivative of hyaluronan and a method of preparing and using the same is also disclosed.

Materials and methods for preparing a hydrogel are disclosed. Specifically, two separate solutions A and B, of which the solution A comprises enzyme horseradish peroxidase and the solution B comprises hydrogen peroxide is provided. At least one of solution A or B comprises calcium ions in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and further the solution A and/or the solution B comprises hydroxyphenyl derivative of hyaluronan of a particular formula. A hydrogel based on hydroxyphenyl derivative of hyaluronan and a method of preparing and using the same is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a porous scaffold for tissue engineering. It is another object of the present invention to provide a porous scaffold obtainable by the method as above described, and its use for tissue engineering, cell culture and cell delivery. The method of the invention comprises the steps consisting of: a) preparing an alkaline aqueous solution comprising an amount of at least one polysaccharide, an amount of a cross-linking agent and an amount of a porogen agent b) transforming the solution into a hydrogel by placing said solution at a temperature from about 4° C. to about 80° C. for a sufficient time to allow the cross-linking of said amount of polysaccharide and c) submerging said hydrogel into an aqueous solution d) washing the porous scaffold obtained at step c).

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a porous scaffold for tissue engineering. It is another object of the present invention to provide a porous scaffold obtainable by the method as above described, and its use for tissue engineering, cell culture and cell delivery. The method of the invention comprises the steps consisting of: a) preparing an alkaline aqueous solution comprising an amount of at least one polysaccharide, an amount of a cross-linking agent and an amount of a porogen agent b) transforming the solution into a hydrogel by placing said solution at a temperature from about 4° C. to about 80° C. for a sufficient time to allow the cross-linking of said amount of polysaccharide and c) submerging said hydrogel into an aqueous solution d) washing the porous scaffold obtained at step c).