The invention provides bioresorbable nerve guidance conduits made from polymer blends which include polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). In particular, the invention provides nerve guidance conduits having a body which comprises a polymer blend comprising: (a) from 60 to 98 wt. % of a first component which is a PHA copolymer comprising two or more different medium chain length hydroxyalkanoate monomer units; and (b) from 2 to 40 wt. % of a second component which is either a PHA homopolymer containing a short chain length hydroxyalkanoate monomer unit, or a polylactide (PLA). The invention further relates to polymer blends comprising (a) and (b).

The invention provides bioresorbable nerve guidance conduits made from polymer blends which include polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). In particular, the invention provides nerve guidance conduits having a body which comprises a polymer blend comprising: (a) from 60 to 98 wt. % of a first component which is a PHA copolymer comprising two or more different medium chain length hydroxyalkanoate monomer units; and (b) from 2 to 40 wt. % of a second component which is either a PHA homopolymer containing a short chain length hydroxyalkanoate monomer unit, or a polylactide (PLA). The invention further relates to polymer blends comprising (a) and (b).

The invention provides bioresorbable nerve guidance conduits made from polymer blends which include polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). In particular, the invention provides nerve guidance conduits having a body which comprises a polymer blend comprising: (a) from 60 to 98 wt. % of a first component which is a PHA copolymer comprising two or more different medium chain length hydroxyalkanoate monomer units; and (b) from 2 to 40 wt. % of a second component which is either a PHA homopolymer containing a short chain length hydroxyalkanoate monomer unit, or a polylactide (PLA). The invention further relates to polymer blends comprising (a) and (b).

Embodiments of the invention provide compositions including bio degradable polymers, medical implants fabricated from these compositions and methods of using such implants. Many embodiments provide medical implants comprising a first polymer backbone having a first rate of biodegradation and a second polymer backbone having a second rate of biodegradation faster than the first rate. In some embodiments, the second backbone is configured to be replaced by a natural tissue layer. The first backbone provides a scaffold for the implant while the second backbone degrades. This scaffold can enhance mechanical properties of the implant including various aspects of mechanical strength such as tensile, bending, hoop and yield strength; and elasticity. The scaffold also serves to maintain a minimum level of structural support of the implant during the period of degradation of the second backbone or for the entire life of the implant so that the implant does not mechanically fail.

The present disclosure provides an intraocular lens (IOL) or ophthalmic device including an optic and at least one haptic, at least a portion of which is formed from a photoresponsive shape memory polymer network, such as a polydomain azo liquid crystalline polymer network (PD-LCN). The present disclosure further provides systems and methods for adjusting the position of such an IOL or other ophthalmic device using polarized laser radiation.

The present disclosure provides an intraocular lens (IOL) or ophthalmic device including an optic and at least one haptic, at least a portion of which is formed from a photoresponsive shape memory polymer network, such as a polydomain azo liquid crystalline polymer network (PD-LCN). The present disclosure further provides systems and methods for adjusting the position of such an IOL or other ophthalmic device using polarized laser radiation.

Disclosed are intra-articular compositions comprising at least one low-molecular-weight linear hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate and at least one high-molecular-weight linear hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate, said compositions being characterised by a dynamic viscosity ranging between 10 and 60 Pa*s (at 0.01 s.sup.-1), a crossover frequency ranging between 1 and 10 rad/s, and a value of the viscous and elastic moduli at the crossover frequency ranging between 20 and 110 Pa.

Disclosed are intra-articular compositions comprising at least one low-molecular-weight linear hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate and at least one high-molecular-weight linear hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate, said compositions being characterised by a dynamic viscosity ranging between 10 and 60 Pa*s (at 0.01 s.sup.-1), a crossover frequency ranging between 1 and 10 rad/s, and a value of the viscous and elastic moduli at the crossover frequency ranging between 20 and 110 Pa.

Disclosed are intra-articular compositions comprising at least one low-molecular-weight linear hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate and at least one high-molecular-weight linear hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate, said compositions being characterised by a dynamic viscosity ranging between 10 and 60 Pa*s (at 0.01 s.sup.-1), a crossover frequency ranging between 1 and 10 rad/s, and a value of the viscous and elastic moduli at the crossover frequency ranging between 20 and 110 Pa.

A malleable polysaccharide soft tissue filler for filling tissue cavities or voids such as those resulting from tumor removal or other tissue resection. The soft tissue filler includes a first cross-linking polysaccharide, preferably a beta-D glucan and a second cross-linking polysaccharide. The soft tissue filler is both porous and malleable and can be formed to accommodate the tissue cavity or void. The soft tissue filler can include an embedded marker for locating on medical imaging. Methods of making the soft tissue filler including lyophilizing an aqueous polysaccharide suspension are disclosed. The second cross-linking polysaccharide provides for increased structural integrity in a high-porosity and malleable soft tissue filler in which the respective cross-linking polysaccharides synergistically provide structural scaffolding for one another. Methods of use are also disclosed.